FCS Programs Most Likely to Move Up Due to Conf. Realignment

[mainejeff]

Simply put, ODU is too late to the party.

Au contraire. I think that ODU has arrived just in time. There could be multiple possibilities that present themselves to ODU as the conference shake-ups shake down......mainly a reformed Big East or Conference USA. Stay tuned.

[CatMom]

Half these teams haven't made the specific overtures to even move up. The attendance requirement is hogwash. That is not a requirement for moving up as much as it is a requirement AFTER you move.(or officially announce intent) and then you have to meet that every so many years, not yearly.

Part III: Football Bowl Subdivision Football Attendance Requirements (Bylaw 20.9.7.3).

Once every two years, the institution shall average at least 15,000 in actual or paid attendance for all home football games.


Per this chart (below link) - FCS teams have no attendance requirements and I can't find anything (so far) that requires transitioning teams to have met any attendance figure. Someone help me out here if you know where this is because I thought there might be (who knows?)

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/def ... 1ad6fc8b25

So, leaving TXST, UTSA , etc off because of attendance (and UTSA has 0 average right now) is just for the poll made here, not reality.

(fact is, nobody knows what the hell is going on)

[Pwns]

Montana is the only team that might move up.

[∞∞∞]

Simply put, ODU is too late to the party.

Au contraire. I think that ODU has arrived just in time. There could be multiple possibilities that present themselves to ODU as the conference shake-ups shake down......mainly a reformed Big East or Conference USA. Stay tuned.

I don't know...you might be right though. I think to the chagrin of JMU fans, even with their stadium expansion, we're a more desirable asset than they are to any conference. Historically great support towards athletics across the board...large public university...100,000+ living alumni...located in a large urban area (one of the last untapped markets nontheless)...no pro sports to compete with...international airport 20 minutes away...rich football talent area.

That said, I'll believe it when I see it.

[expandspanos]

Well, Cal Poly was one of the teams being considered for the WAC before the plans got delayed.

[SDHornet]

I picked Montana (WAC), JMU (renovated Big East) and other (West Coast team like Cal Poly, UC Davis or Sac State) most likely to WAC as well.

I agree, it just makes sense.

I second this.

[GrizFan5]

Montana doesn't want to move up, and has no plans to move up. Montana likes and appreciates where it is now. Montana knows it doesn't have the financial ability to move up--or move up with the resources and facilities it needs to make the move successful. Montana also knows that a move could jeopardize what Montana has now, including the significant attendance and revenues from football, and that increasing already high ticket prices and/or stadium capacity and attendance could be problematical.

The president and board of regents don't support moving up. The current president will retire in August, unless the new president isn't in place by then. I can't imagine that a new president would come in and support a move that would present a significant financial risk for the school. There is a signficant state political issue involving state support, and having lots of Montana kids on the team and the rivalry with Mont St.

On the other hand, if the Big Sky conference or FCS were to fall apart and no longer viable be viable, Montana, as well as Mont St, would look at the alternatives. This is the main reason that it has been mentioned by the AD that it may do a feasibility study. UM wants to be prepared for the events that occur in the future.

[GannonFan]

Au contraire. I think that ODU has arrived just in time. There could be multiple possibilities that present themselves to ODU as the conference shake-ups shake down......mainly a reformed Big East or Conference USA. Stay tuned.

I don't know...you might be right though. I think to the chagrin of JMU fans, even with their stadium expansion, we're a more desirable asset than they are to any conference. Historically great support towards athletics across the board...large public university...100,000+ living alumni...located in a large urban area (one of the last untapped markets nontheless)...no pro sports to compete with...international airport 20 minutes away...rich football talent area.

That said, I'll believe it when I see it.

The thing is, if the big realignments happen, pretty much everyone not already in a BCS conference today will have been too late to the party. Sure, people can still move up into a greatly diminished (and likely non-BCS) Big East, or a lesser conference like a CUSA, but if the super realignments happen and the big guys all go to 16 team super conferences, that will just widen the already big gulf between them and the other FBS schools. And it would probably preclude any future hope of those lesser FBS schools from getting any chance to be a part of the BCS party. All of a sudden, moving up will be a case of asking "moving to where?" because the second tier of FBS won't look much different than the FCS tier once the hope of someday landing a BCS gig is taken away.

[ISUBirds89]

I believe Illinois State could be in a position to move up in a few years depending on administration decisions and how the realignment takes place. The only viable options for them to move up would involve a move to the MAC, C-USA (if teams get pulled away for a new conference with Kansas and Kansas State), or multiple schools from MVCF move. They have plans to upgrade the football stadium and this is greatly needed. However, it remains to be seen if that is talk or will actually be put into action in the near future. ISU recently added a MAC school to the schedule that will come to Normal to play in a year or 2 (can't remember the date off hand). What do any of you think about this?

[GannonFan]

I believe Illinois State could be in a position to move up in a few years depending on administration decisions and how the realignment takes place. The only viable options for them to move up would involve a move to the MAC, C-USA (if teams get pulled away for a new conference with Kansas and Kansas State), or multiple schools from MVCF move. They have plans to upgrade the football stadium and this is greatly needed. However, it remains to be seen if that is talk or will actually be put into action in the near future. ISU recently added a MAC school to the schedule that will come to Normal to play in a year or 2 (can't remember the date off hand). What do any of you think about this?

The MAC is in a historically lowpoint right now. If we wait a couple of years, there won't be any difference between the MAC and FCS (which is already pretty close now). Not sure the point of moving "up" to a conference no different from your current location.

[dbackjon]

I believe Illinois State could be in a position to move up in a few years depending on administration decisions and how the realignment takes place. The only viable options for them to move up would involve a move to the MAC, C-USA (if teams get pulled away for a new conference with Kansas and Kansas State), or multiple schools from MVCF move. They have plans to upgrade the football stadium and this is greatly needed. However, it remains to be seen if that is talk or will actually be put into action in the near future. ISU recently added a MAC school to the schedule that will come to Normal to play in a year or 2 (can't remember the date off hand). What do any of you think about this?

Welcome!! Good to see another Redbird!

[guinzone]

The Sports Network mentions Montana, Appy State, Georgia Southern, Youngstown State, and a few others:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JMUpurplehazed]

The Sports Network article above is crazy...There is a better chance of a snowball in hell than James Madison joining the sunbelt conference. JMU will build(ing) a top 5 FCS stadium (#1 IMO) and wait...and win FCS championships while we wait

[AppMan]

Could a third division emerge from the aftermath of these moves? Seems to me the next logical step. When the dust settles I wouldn't be suprised to see 4 super conferences with the Big XII & Big East gone forever.

If the Big Ten adds Neb, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. If the Pac Ten takes Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If the SEC raids the ACC of Miami, FSU, Clemson, and Ga Tech. If the ACC counters by taking in WVA, Pitt, and UConn. A good friend in the business thinks Vandy is not happy in the SEC and could wind up being the 4th replacement team. If so, with the likes of Baylor, Iowa Sate, Kansas, K State, Louisville, S Fla, and Cincinnati all left searching for a home, how fierce will the competitoin be to land that coveted spot in the SEC? That will leave CUSA, Mountain West, WAC, MAC, & SunBelt out of any possible ties to the upper crust. Around 60 schools looking for some identity. I can guarantee you it won't be in the FCS.

[guinzone]

Could a third division emerge from the aftermath of these moves? Seems to me the next logical step. When the dust settles I wouldn't be suprised to see 4 super conferences with the Big XII & Big East gone forever.

If the Big Ten adds Neb, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. If the Pac Ten takes Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If the SEC raids the ACC of Miami, FSU, Clemson, and Ga Tech. If the ACC counters by taking in WVA, Pitt, and UConn. A good friend in the business thinks Vandy is not happy in the SEC and could wind up being the 4th replacement team. If so, with the likes of Baylor, Iowa Sate, Kansas, K State, Louisville, S Fla, and Cincinnati all left searching for a home, how fierce will the competitoin be to land that coveted spot in the SEC? That will leave CUSA, Mountain West, WAC, MAC, & SunBelt out of any possible ties to the upper crust. Around 60 schools looking for some identity. I can guarantee you it won't be in the FCS.

I was thinking the exact same thing! Figure some of the top level of the FCS would move up and form a Division 1-A, then the rest would form a Division 1-AA. Then the four mega-conferences would just be called BCS.

I donno but it seems the most logical.

[SUUTbird]

Could a third division emerge from the aftermath of these moves? Seems to me the next logical step. When the dust settles I wouldn't be suprised to see 4 super conferences with the Big XII & Big East gone forever.

If the Big Ten adds Neb, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. If the Pac Ten takes Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If the SEC raids the ACC of Miami, FSU, Clemson, and Ga Tech. If the ACC counters by taking in WVA, Pitt, and UConn. A good friend in the business thinks Vandy is not happy in the SEC and could wind up being the 4th replacement team. If so, with the likes of Baylor, Iowa Sate, Kansas, K State, Louisville, S Fla, and Cincinnati all left searching for a home, how fierce will the competitoin be to land that coveted spot in the SEC? That will leave CUSA, Mountain West, WAC, MAC, & SunBelt out of any possible ties to the upper crust. Around 60 schools looking for some identity. I can guarantee you it won't be in the FCS.

Personally i kind of doubt it will come to this only for a few reasons. This is honestly (only on here) that ive heard of these super 16 team conferences, i thought they were only looking for 12 teams to have the 2 divisions and a conference championship? As far as i know Nebraska seems to be the only team that has shown considerable interest in moving into the Big Ten and Notre Dame has been refusing to join them for years as they enjoy being an independent. I know the Pac10 is looking at Colorado and Utah as possible choices to join and make the conference the Pac12 as both schools would fit into the mold of the other research schools the conference has. This is what i think may happen:

-Army and Navy will join the Big East along with an FCS team (going to go with Delaware or JMU since both are planning/undergoing stadium expansions.

-Colorado and Utah will join the Pac-10 bringing the conference to 12 teams while BYU heads to the Big XII (have heard about this as a possible choice for the Cougars)

-Boise State will join the MWC along with either a CUSA team (Houston, SMU?) or add a FCS move ups (Montana and Montana State?) Idaho may possibly want to make the move as well to keep the "rivalry" strong.

-Cal Poly and/or UC-Davis will join the WAC and the Dakotas, SUU will be merged into the Big Sky Conference.

Maybe a little far fetched in some areas but then crazier things have happened, will be interesting to see how this shakedown changes things in college football, now they only need to add a playoff system but thats an topic for another day...

[WacoKid]

"This is honestly (only on here) that ive heard of these super 16 team conferences, i thought they were only looking for 12 teams to have the 2 divisions and a conference championship?"

How have you not read any of the 100's of articles, or watched anything on ESPN about the Pac 10 wanting to add 6 teams from the Big 12 and the Big 10 adding Nebraska as well as loking at Cuse, Rutgers, ND, and Mizzou? If those two conferences go to 16 teams you better believe the SEC will answer so they can keep the title of top conference, and then the ACC would basically be forced to expand to keep up.

[UNI88]

Could a third division emerge from the aftermath of these moves? Seems to me the next logical step. When the dust settles I wouldn't be suprised to see 4 super conferences with the Big XII & Big East gone forever.

If the Big Ten adds Neb, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. If the Pac Ten takes Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If the SEC raids the ACC of Miami, FSU, Clemson, and Ga Tech. If the ACC counters by taking in WVA, Pitt, and UConn. A good friend in the business thinks Vandy is not happy in the SEC and could wind up being the 4th replacement team. If so, with the likes of Baylor, Iowa Sate, Kansas, K State, Louisville, S Fla, and Cincinnati all left searching for a home, how fierce will the competitoin be to land that coveted spot in the SEC? That will leave CUSA, Mountain West, WAC, MAC, & SunBelt out of any possible ties to the upper crust. Around 60 schools looking for some identity. I can guarantee you it won't be in the FCS.

Good question. S. Fla, Louisville & Cincy are probably the best fits from a geographic perspective. But if the PAC, Big & SEC go to 16, why wouldn't the ACC? Those 3, especially Louisville & Cincy, are the best geographic fits for an expanded ACC. The ACC would then need one more school.

IMO, the SEC wants Texas A&M more than anyone because that gives them access to the Texas market. If that doesn't happen and they get the 3 mentioned but lose Vandy, I think the best option is Kansas. KU doesn't bring a lot from a football perspective but how much help does the SEC need from a football perspective? They would already be comparable to the PAC-16 juggernaut without those four. In basketball they've always been something of a red-headed step-child. Yes Kentucky is one of the winningest programs of all time, Fla won 2 NCs in a row and Pearl is building a program at Tenn but they've never been considered on par with the ACC, Big East, Big 10 or even PAC 10. Kansas would help put the SEC on equal footing.

Baylor, Iowa State and K State end up in the MWC and/or Conference USA.

[dbackjon]

Interesting thought of Kansas to SEC.

Vandy to ACC? hmmm

[UNI88]

Interesting thought of Kansas to SEC.

Vandy to ACC? hmmm

We do live in interesting times (at least for sports fans).

[CPAlum]

Could a third division emerge from the aftermath of these moves? Seems to me the next logical step. When the dust settles I wouldn't be suprised to see 4 super conferences with the Big XII & Big East gone forever.

If the Big Ten adds Neb, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. If the Pac Ten takes Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If the SEC raids the ACC of Miami, FSU, Clemson, and Ga Tech. If the ACC counters by taking in WVA, Pitt, and UConn. A good friend in the business thinks Vandy is not happy in the SEC and could wind up being the 4th replacement team. If so, with the likes of Baylor, Iowa Sate, Kansas, K State, Louisville, S Fla, and Cincinnati all left searching for a home, how fierce will the competitoin be to land that coveted spot in the SEC? That will leave CUSA, Mountain West, WAC, MAC, & SunBelt out of any possible ties to the upper crust. Around 60 schools looking for some identity. I can guarantee you it won't be in the FCS.

Personally i kind of doubt it will come to this only for a few reasons. This is honestly (only on here) that ive heard of these super 16 team conferences, i thought they were only looking for 12 teams to have the 2 divisions and a conference championship? As far as i know Nebraska seems to be the only team that has shown considerable interest in moving into the Big Ten and Notre Dame has been refusing to join them for years as they enjoy being an independent. I know the Pac10 is looking at Colorado and Utah as possible choices to join and make the conference the Pac12 as both schools would fit into the mold of the other research schools the conference has. This is what i think may happen:

-Army and Navy will join the Big East along with an FCS team (going to go with Delaware or JMU since both are planning/undergoing stadium expansions.

-Colorado and Utah will join the Pac-10 bringing the conference to 12 teams while BYU heads to the Big XII (have heard about this as a possible choice for the Cougars)

-Boise State will join the MWC along with either a CUSA team (Houston, SMU?) or add a FCS move ups (Montana and Montana State?) Idaho may possibly want to make the move as well to keep the "rivalry" strong.

-Cal Poly and/or UC-Davis will join the WAC and the Dakotas, SUU will be merged into the Big Sky Conference.

Maybe a little far fetched in some areas but then crazier things have happened, will be interesting to see how this shakedown changes things in college football, now they only need to add a playoff system but thats an topic for another day...

This actually makes sense...and is far more likely than 90% of the earth moving realignments that I have seen discussed

[ASUMountaineer]

Could a third division emerge from the aftermath of these moves? Seems to me the next logical step. When the dust settles I wouldn't be suprised to see 4 super conferences with the Big XII & Big East gone forever.

If the Big Ten adds Neb, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. If the Pac Ten takes Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If the SEC raids the ACC of Miami, FSU, Clemson, and Ga Tech. If the ACC counters by taking in WVA, Pitt, and UConn. A good friend in the business thinks Vandy is not happy in the SEC and could wind up being the 4th replacement team. If so, with the likes of Baylor, Iowa Sate, Kansas, K State, Louisville, S Fla, and Cincinnati all left searching for a home, how fierce will the competitoin be to land that coveted spot in the SEC? That will leave CUSA, Mountain West, WAC, MAC, & SunBelt out of any possible ties to the upper crust. Around 60 schools looking for some identity. I can guarantee you it won't be in the FCS.

Personally i kind of doubt it will come to this only for a few reasons. This is honestly (only on here) that ive heard of these super 16 team conferences, i thought they were only looking for 12 teams to have the 2 divisions and a conference championship? As far as i know Nebraska seems to be the only team that has shown considerable interest in moving into the Big Ten and Notre Dame has been refusing to join them for years as they enjoy being an independent. I know the Pac10 is looking at Colorado and Utah as possible choices to join and make the conference the Pac12 as both schools would fit into the mold of the other research schools the conference has. This is what i think may happen:

-Army and Navy will join the Big East along with an FCS team (going to go with Delaware or JMU since both are planning/undergoing stadium expansions.

-Colorado and Utah will join the Pac-10 bringing the conference to 12 teams while BYU heads to the Big XII (have heard about this as a possible choice for the Cougars)

-Boise State will join the MWC along with either a CUSA team (Houston, SMU?) or add a FCS move ups (Montana and Montana State?) Idaho may possibly want to make the move as well to keep the "rivalry" strong.

-Cal Poly and/or UC-Davis will join the WAC and the Dakotas, SUU will be merged into the Big Sky Conference.

Maybe a little far fetched in some areas but then crazier things have happened, will be interesting to see how this shakedown changes things in college football, now they only need to add a playoff system but thats an topic for another day...

I'm glad you made it out of your house.



Exciting, crazy things have been developing in college football since you moved into that house above. In all honesty you must be joking, because every sports fan has heard all of these rumors--they're everywhere.

[mainejeff]

Personally i kind of doubt it will come to this only for a few reasons. This is honestly (only on here) that ive heard of these super 16 team conferences, i thought they were only looking for 12 teams to have the 2 divisions and a conference championship? As far as i know Nebraska seems to be the only team that has shown considerable interest in moving into the Big Ten and Notre Dame has been refusing to join them for years as they enjoy being an independent. I know the Pac10 is looking at Colorado and Utah as possible choices to join and make the conference the Pac12 as both schools would fit into the mold of the other research schools the conference has. This is what i think may happen:

-Army and Navy will join the Big East along with an FCS team (going to go with Delaware or JMU since both are planning/undergoing stadium expansions.

-Colorado and Utah will join the Pac-10 bringing the conference to 12 teams while BYU heads to the Big XII (have heard about this as a possible choice for the Cougars)

-Boise State will join the MWC along with either a CUSA team (Houston, SMU?) or add a FCS move ups (Montana and Montana State?) Idaho may possibly want to make the move as well to keep the "rivalry" strong.

-Cal Poly and/or UC-Davis will join the WAC and the Dakotas, SUU will be merged into the Big Sky Conference.

Maybe a little far fetched in some areas but then crazier things have happened, will be interesting to see how this shakedown changes things in college football, now they only need to add a playoff system but thats an topic for another day...

This actually makes sense...and is far more likely than 90% of the earth moving realignments that I have seen discussed

It makes NO sense since the Big 12 is dead.

[GannonFan]

This actually makes sense...and is far more likely than 90% of the earth moving realignments that I have seen discussed

It makes NO sense since the Big 12 is dead.

Agreed - seriously, where are some guys getting the idea that nothing major is about to (and is) happening? Most likely the end of the Big 12 (well, that's actually happened now) and the Big East may not be far behind. The MWC is in the ascendancy right now and we're probably looking at 5 major conferences.

[∞∞∞]

Oklahoma working on getting into the SEC:

http://www.kctv5.com/sports/23860558/detail.html

Oklahoma is currently working on petitioning to enter the SEC, but must find another university to enter the league with them, sources said.