Should the Pioneer League get an Auto-bid?

[89Hen]

2. There is no logistical reason to exclude the PFL. Adding 2 more teams does nothing logistically.

And so it begins. We all knew that 20 wouldn't last, but I thought it would at least take until we had 20 before we talked about expanding futher. #1 reason I was (and still am) against going to 20.

[89Hen]

Of course the PFL should have an autobid. I just noticed that JU is going to Boone again to play App State. Butler will be playing YSU next year as well. The PFL is following the NEC lead in scheduling more traditional FCS teams.

That's great that they're scheduling these game, but what happens when AppSt beats Jax 56-7 again and Butler gets beat badly by YSU?

[Seahawks]

If they are FCS, they deserve an auto-bid. So what that it might be a blowout. They deserve the shot, just like everyone else.

[dbackjon]

If they are FCS, they deserve an auto-bid. So what that it might be a blowout. They deserve the shot, just like everyone else.

welcome!! Good to see a Seahawk here!

[Seahawks]

welcome!! Good to see a Seahawk here!

Thanks. I couldn't wait for them to pay their invoices any more.

[dbackjon]

welcome!! Good to see a Seahawk here!

Thanks. I couldn't wait for them to pay their invoices any more.

Spread the word we are up and running!!

[DetroitFlyer]

Of course the PFL should have an autobid. I just noticed that JU is going to Boone again to play App State. Butler will be playing YSU next year as well. The PFL is following the NEC lead in scheduling more traditional FCS teams.

That's great that they're scheduling these game, but what happens when AppSt beats Jax 56-7 again and Butler gets beat badly by YSU?

Wow, did you even pay any attention to the playoffs this year? Why don't you go back and do just a little bit of research before you post? AFTER you do just a little bit of research, please come back here and tell us all which teams should not have been allowed to participate....

[89Hen]

Wow, did you even pay any attention to the playoffs this year? Why don't you go back and do just a little bit of research before you post? AFTER you do just a little bit of research, please come back here and tell us all which teams should not have been allowed to participate....

What do the teams that played this year have to do with the PFL getting one in a future year? Beat somebody and then we'll talk.

[aceinthehole]

Once the PFL formally request an AQ from the NCAA they should have to wait 4 years, but then they should get the AQ.

On principle, I think the PFL is ENTITLED to an AQ today!

However, since the NEC officials did all the legwork and politicing, and still had to wait 4 years for the AQ, I think the PFL should have to pay a price for sitting on the sidelines and not being proactive years ago when this issue began.

[dbackjon]

Ace! Good to see ya!

[ngineer]

I see no real reason to keep them out. If they are FCS, have the required number of teams, their conference champ should be in. No one screams about all of the 'mid majors' that get in the March Madness Tournament, yet we know odds are greatly stacked against them. However, it's the lure of the great upset that creates the true "reality TV". The drama of sport is that one never really knows what might happen despite the fact that what eventually happens was probably what 95% expected. And the upsets do occur. Lehigh/Richmond (1998), Lehigh/Western Illinois (2000), Lehigh/Hofstra (2001), and yes, we lost to James Madison, the National Champion by 1 freakin lousy point in 2004, that still sits in many peoples' crawls. So I say let them play. One never really knows.

[Franks Tanks]

I see no real reason to keep them out. If they are FCS, have the required number of teams, their conference champ should be in. No one screams about all of the 'mid majors' that get in the March Madness Tournament, yet we know odds are greatly stacked against them. However, it's the lure of the great upset that creates the true "reality TV". The drama of sport is that one never really knows what might happen despite the fact that what eventually happens was probably what 95% expected. And the upsets do occur. Lehigh/Richmond (1998), Lehigh/Western Illinois (2000), Lehigh/Hofstra (2001), and yes, we lost to James Madison, the National Champion by 1 freakin lousy point in 2004, that still sits in many peoples' crawls. So I say let them play. One never really knows.

Not so sure those Lehigh playoff wins were actually upsets.

[DetroitFlyer]

http://www.judolphins.com/football/news/165/13964/

PFL APPLIES FOR AUTOMATIC BID TO THE PLAYOFFS: With the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs expanding to 20 teams for the 2010 season, the Pioneer Football League has applied for an automatic bid to the playoffs.

“This is a major move for our conference and shows that we are committed to play against the top teams in the country,” said JU head coach Kerwin Bell. “This will be a rewarding opportunity for our conference champion to compete on a national stage.”

The Dolphins, PFL champs in 2008, played the Northeast Conference champions Albany in the Gridiron Classic. With the NEC champion getting a bid to the playoffs in 2010, the Gridiron Classic will be extinct.

“This is such a positive step for our conference and I believe that it will give our member schools a great opportunity to gain unprecedented exposure,” said JU director of athletics Alan Verlander. “As we looked at our options for the postseason, this will give the student-athletes of the conference champion an enhanced postseason experience.”

Well, if you believe the JU website, (and who wouldn't), the PFL has applied for an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs....

[dbackjon]

Good luck

[89Hen]

No one screams about all of the 'mid majors' that get in the March Madness Tournament

Are you really going to compare a tournament where they can go from 65 to 16 in one weekend? Apples and oranges.

[89Hen]

Well, if you believe the JU website, (and who wouldn't), the PFL has applied for an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs....

In all seriousness DF, this is a good move by the PFL. It is another step in the right direction.

[S F State Gaters]

The whole appeal of FCS over FBS is that everybody gets a shot at the show, they play the season and then the best teams get to make a run at eachother in a p l a y o f f . But if you exclude some teams because they don't pay the players- i actually always thought that made them more badass, not less.

Interesting discussion above too about the logic of being scholly free and how it's (counterintuitively) mad cheaper to fly the guys back and forth across the country than to give them scholarships. It actually serves as a potential lesson for schools that could potentially bring football back but can't afford it (well, just aren't willing to do what they need to to afford it), the three obvious examples being UOP, Santa Clara, St. Mary's, USF.

Of course they aren't going to do it, but they can if they wanted to. San Diego proves it.

[JayJ79]

The whole appeal of FCS over FBS is that everybody gets a shot at the show, they play the season and then the best teams get to make a run at eachother in a p l a y o f f . But if you exclude some teams because they don't pay the players-

Pioneer League teams aren't excluded from the playoffs. No, they don't automatically qualify, but they are eligible for at-large spots.

It has just never been the case that a PFL team has been one of the 8 best (non-AQ winning) teams in the FCS, and thus they've never gotten an at-large spot.

[Sly Fox]

And in light of the potential exit of the MEAC from the auto bid structure ...

[GannonFan]

Good for the Pioneer finally coming around and asking for the autobid. I've got no problem with them joining the party.