App press conference Monday to announce desire to move FBS:

[youngterrier]

If App makes the jump, they won't be relevant again for at least a decade IMO

For most of the country, we were only relevant in the week or two post-Michigan.

I'm talking from a winning perspective. If App goes to the SunBelt, I honestly don't know what a decent time table would be for them to start winning again, they certainly won't be a contender in the FBS anytime soon or maybe not even ever for that matter. And with less success on the field, attendance will go way down, as will revenue. Look, I hope the best for App State, and honestly I'd be rooting for ya to contend for national championships in the FBS, but really I don't see that as a realistic possibility for a longggggggg time, and I just don't see why you would forfeit something like the FCS when you have it soooooo good here. Granted, there is a case to be made that the subdivision is "dying" but it's that attitude that's really killing it. It's a paradox really, the subdivision is dying because the good teams are leaving because the division is dying. I don't worry about Wofford really, if the FCS died, we could drop down to D2, but unless that happens we'll never have the problem of whether or not to go FBS, we're just do dang small

[ASUMountaineer]

Alabama-Birmingham - 1996 Sun Belt
Arkansas State - 1990 Sun Belt
Boise State - 1996 WAC
Central Florida - 1996 CUSA
Connecticut - 2000 Big East
FIU - 2005
Idaho - 1997 Sun Belt/WAC
Louisiana-Monroe - Sun Belt
Marshall - 1997 MAC/CUSA
Middle Tennessee State - 1999 Sun Belt
Nevada - 1992 WAC
North Texas - 1995 Sun Belt
Troy - 2002 Sun Belt
Western Kentucky - 2009 Sun Belt


Have fun with this new found respect you'll have by joining this group......

I honestly don't get all of the shit-talk about the SunBelt. Is it that you think the SoCon is better? I would prefer not to go to the SunBelt, but it's better than playing in the SoCon for the long-term. I enjoy National Championships but playing on PBS though, not so much. I used to be wholeheartedly against a move to FBS, but in the past few years I've come around. In the SoCon, ASU is the exception not the rule. Time to progress.

[alvin kayak]

Because the Sun Belt is the worst conference in the FBS. Or at least it has that perception.

[clenz]

Check the ratings, BSC' CAA, SoCon and MVFC are all ahead of the SBC

[clenz]

Because the Sun Belt is the worst conference in the FBS. Or at least it has that perception.

It is the worst FBS conference, and it isn't even close.

Sagarin gets a bunch of shit for his rankings early in the season but by the end of the year they are pretty damn good. This is the final standings for last season. The Sun Belt is behind 4 FCS conferences, and saved from COMPLETE humiliation only by the fact that MAC is pretty much just as bad. ASU fans better hope that things get real crazy and they can end up CUSA or better...but if things get too crazy it won't matter what conference they are in because it will be the BCS conferences and then the rest of D1 made into some conglomeration of a division.

1 PAC-10 (A) = 80.87 81.43 ( 1) 10 81.14 ( 1)
2 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 79.84 79.56 ( 2) 12 79.72 ( 2)
3 BIG 12 (A) = 75.42 75.64 ( 3) 12 75.66 ( 3)
4 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 74.32 74.18 ( 6) 12 74.20 ( 6)
5 BIG TEN (A) = 74.18 74.72 ( 4) 11 74.52 ( 4)
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 73.88 74.27 ( 5) 3 74.21 ( 5)
7 BIG EAST (A) = 73.27 73.00 ( 7) 8 73.04 ( 7)
8 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 70.19 70.24 ( 8) 9 70.03 ( 8)
9 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 66.63 67.69 ( 9) 9 66.90 ( 9)
10 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 63.09 63.51 ( 10) 12 63.40 ( 10)
11 COLONIAL (AA)= 61.81 61.32 ( 11) 10 61.57 ( 11)
12 SOUTHERN (AA)= 59.14 58.43 ( 12) 9 58.62 ( 12)
13 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 58.25 58.18 ( 13) 13 58.18 ( 13)
14 BIG SKY (AA)= 57.22 56.76 ( 16) 9 56.83 ( 15)
15 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 56.82 57.00 ( 14) 9 56.98 ( 14)
16 SUN BELT (A) = 56.06 56.85 ( 15) 9 56.76 ( 16)
17 GREAT WEST (AA)= 52.75 52.55 ( 17) 5 52.56 ( 17)
18 SOUTHLAND (AA)= 51.08 51.34 ( 18) 8 51.28 ( 18)
19 OHIO VALLEY (AA)= 48.77 48.26 ( 19) 9 48.40 ( 19)
20 NORTHEAST (AA)= 46.30 45.78 ( 21) 9 45.88 ( 21)
21 IVY LEAGUE (AA)= 46.28 45.86 ( 20) 8 45.97 ( 20)
22 PATRIOT LEAGUE (AA)= 43.22 43.41 ( 22) 7 43.30 ( 22)
23 I-AA INDEPENDENTS (AA)= 41.41 40.85 ( 24) 6 41.28 ( 24)
24 SOUTHWESTERN (AA)= 40.88 40.04 ( 25) 10 40.39 ( 25)
25 BIG SOUTH (AA)= 40.84 41.55 ( 23) 7 41.43 ( 23)
26 PIONEER (AA)= 35.58 36.34 ( 26) 10 36.18 ( 26)
27 MID-EASTERN (AA)= 32.60 32.54 ( 27) 9 32.58 ( 27)

[SDHornet]

Will the WAC drop lower when the relevant teams bail to the MWC?

[clenz]

Oh...and since this move (Believe it or not) is about more than just football, and basketball will be considered as well.....the SoCon is AHEAD of the Sun Belt in conference RPI as well, and has been for a couple years now, and is trending up compared to Sun Belt trending down.

Per realtimerpi.com
19 Southern 0.4699 0.4723 20 12
20 Mid-American 0.4689 0.4764 17 12
21 Summit 0.4687 0.4694 23 10
22 Big South 0.4666 0.4706 22 10
23 Sun Belt 0.4657 0.4712 21 12

[HZ20]

Sagarin Ratings are more flawed than the BCS system.

What else do they have to prove at this level. They have already won the championship game 3 times. Have won or shared the Conf title the last 6 years. Appy and the SoCon are on 2 different paths now. The SoCon have been going back to their roots of bringing small private schools in and that doesn't fit with Appy or even UTC, GSU. Does that make Appy better than the SoCon, no. Its just time for Appy to move on. Without movement there isn't growth as a program.

[clenz]

UNI has won the MVFC 15 times in 25 years, and has 18 conference titles in 30 years of the FCS. The only thing missing is a national title. Other than that what does UNI have to prove? UNI is the only football program in the nation (regardless of level) to produce and NFL MVP on offense AND defense. Clearly UNI should move on as well?

What about in the BCS? Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida, Auburn, etc... have all been amazing the last decade...should they move on from the FBS and apply for NFL status?

Moving to a FBS conference doesn't mean moving up in the world....especially when two of the most likely places (As of now) are nothing more than a glorified SoCon level conference.

[Gil Dobie]

Best wishes if App St moves up to FBS. The first conference you land in might not be the last, as we have seen with other schools.

[HZ20]

UNI has won the MVFC 15 times in 25 years, and has 18 conference titles in 30 years of the FCS. The only thing missing is a national title. Other than that what does UNI have to prove? UNI is the only football program in the nation (regardless of level) to produce and NFL MVP on offense AND defense. Clearly UNI should move on as well?

What about in the BCS? Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida, Auburn, etc... have all been amazing the last decade...should they move on from the FBS and apply for NFL status?

Moving to a FBS conference doesn't mean moving up in the world....especially when two of the most likely places (As of now) are nothing more than a glorified SoCon level conference.

If UNI wanted to move to 20-25K undergrad students or more then yes your athletics would have to grow. And the only way to do that is move. As far as Alabama, Florida and the rest they have to do what they think is best for them. The NFL is not a realism but if they think they have to break away from the NCAA then thats what they do. But if and when those programs decide to pay players Im almost sure they would have their tax exempt stats taken away, so for the forseeable future I don't see that happening.

The only program not to start at the bottom has been UConn and thats only because UConn is a charter member of the BE and had it in their contract that if they ever moved up the BE had to invite them. In 1991 when BE started to sponsor football I can almost bet they didn't think a 3-8 Yankee Conference school would ever be a IA program.

[Skjellyfetti]

FBS
Appalachian State’s feasibility-study committee has made its recommendation that the Mountaineers should move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, but it’s still a wait-and-see as to what FBS conference might take the Mountaineers up on their aspiration.

And the goal is, according to athletics director Charlie Cobb and committee co-chairman G.A. Sywassink, not to just go to the FBS but to find a conference that makes sense in terms of geography, cost-containment, profile enhancement and the development or re-establishment of natural rivals.

How long that will take is anybody’s guess, but another round of membership shakeups among FBS conferences could get the ball rolling.

“I don’t think anybody has envisioned a specific timeline, but we certainly have some ideas going ahead,” Cobb said during a media teleconference today. “One of the things we’re going to look at is some future game contracts – where a payout if we play a road game will be based on if we’re an FCS or FBS member – but we are going to be at the mercy a little bit of what transitioning occurs above us, with some of the other BCS leagues.”

The committee concluded that a move to the right FBS conference would be viable for ASU fiscally and competitively. Cobb said that what the Mountaineers’ football program has to offer is very much in line with many FBS programs now.

“I think, frankly, you could take eight to 10 FCS schools right now, even minus 23 scholarships, and you could compete with a good majority of the FBS programs,” Cobb said.

And, he said, “The divide that exists in Division I athletics right now financially is not between FBS and FCS, the divide is truly between the BCS and the rest of Division I.”

The recommendation to move up to the FBS is as much about ASU’s future as it is its present.

He said that ASU’s growth in recent years, and its success in football, has put it well ahead of where it was not too many years ago. He cited Virginia Tech as a model, of where it was 25 years ago and he sees a lot of similarities to Virginia Tech then and ASU now.

But the key question remains where ASU could land in terms of conference affiliation at the FBS level. Perhaps Conference USA, or perhaps a restructured conference with members similar to ASU’s profile. Or perhaps another opportunity could arise if movement from one conference to another gets in high gear.

The goal, and perhaps mandate, is a smart fit.

“You get into geography, I think it would be pretty simple especially in this era of cost-containment,” Cobb said, “but you certainly have to put yourself in position.”

Which is what ASU is doing, but with hopes of finding a conference situation that makes geographical sense.

“You can take for example our first game with Virginia Tech,” Cobb said. “It’s less than three hours from Boone, it’s less than five hours from Charlotte, which is a big alumni base, and we’ve sold over 5,000 tickets for Appalachian to play at Virginia Tech. I think that means something to Virginia Tech when they look at filling out a home schedule.

“I think the geography of any conference alignment, especially those that don’t have the massive TV money that BCS schools have, (is something) you have to be very cognizant of.”

While the waiting game might take a while, Cobb hopes that the announcement of ASU’s intentions to go FBS will help get it ahead of the curve in terms of possible conference opportunities. The timing of the recommendation is a strategic move to position ASU in preparation for a changing landscape in college football.

“I think it was first and foremost to put those intentions out there from a future standpoint and give us the ability over the next period of time to figure out exactly where the college-football world is going,” Cobb said.

Cobb is aware that not all ASU fans are on board with the idea, but said that he is confident the majority are. The past success is part of the impetus for wanting to compete at the highest level.

“We recognize that we are very much in a very successful pattern,” Cobb said. “We have won more (football) games than any school in Division I the last six years. Our crowds have been fantastic. So has our fundraising on a relatively basis.”

Cobb said that he has talked with coaches of other sports at ASU and they have embraced the idea of a possible move from the Southern Conference to another conference that, at the FBS level, likely will offer the challenge of stiffer competition in other sports.

“When we first broached this idea with our coaches several months ago not one coach had reservations about it,” Cobb said. “I think that speaks volumes about the mentality of wanting to compete at a higher level.”

Among questions raised during today’s teleconference dealt with increase in ticket prices if the Mountaineers move to the FBS level, and the necessity of increasing stadium capacity at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

“We’ve looked at a number of different financial models,” Cobb said in regard to ticket costs. “I wouldn’t necessarily say we’re going to raise ticket prices. I think a lot of it depends on who you play.”

Stadium expansion could happen.

“That’s part of the conversation,” Cobb said. “We realize that we would need to do some facility improvements – not as much as what we’ve done in the last six years – but we would definitely need to look at some additional seating but that’s all part of the process going forward.”

Cobb said that he has talked with John Iamarino, the Southern Conference commissioner, throughout the study-committee process.

“I think it’s been pretty important to keep him in the loop,” Cobb said. “We had a fairly lengthy conversation (Monday) and, not to put words in his mouth, but it was a very positive conversation. He certainly understands what we’re thinking and appreciates the fact that we have been as open and up front.”

If ASU leaves, it would have to pay the SoCon $300,000 if it gives a two-year notice, or $600,000 if it’s a one-year notice.

http://www.journalnow.net/index.php/app_trail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SuperHornet]

The SEC apologists must have their panties in a wad over the Pac-10/12 getting placed above them.

[rebla 49er]

The SEC apologists must have their panties in a wad over the Pac-10/12 getting placed above them.

They don't get sad. They get deadly.

[SuperHornet]

The SEC apologists must have their panties in a wad over the Pac-10/12 getting placed above them.

They don't get sad. They get deadly.

[ASUMountaineer]

Because the Sun Belt is the worst conference in the FBS. Or at least it has that perception.

It is the worst FBS conference, and it isn't even close.

Sagarin gets a bunch of **** for his rankings early in the season but by the end of the year they are pretty damn good. This is the final standings for last season. The Sun Belt is behind 4 FCS conferences, and saved from COMPLETE humiliation only by the fact that MAC is pretty much just as bad. ASU fans better hope that things get real crazy and they can end up CUSA or better...but if things get too crazy it won't matter what conference they are in because it will be the BCS conferences and then the rest of D1 made into some conglomeration of a division.

1 PAC-10 (A) = 80.87 81.43 ( 1) 10 81.14 ( 1)
2 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 79.84 79.56 ( 2) 12 79.72 ( 2)
3 BIG 12 (A) = 75.42 75.64 ( 3) 12 75.66 ( 3)
4 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 74.32 74.18 ( 6) 12 74.20 ( 6)
5 BIG TEN (A) = 74.18 74.72 ( 4) 11 74.52 ( 4)
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 73.88 74.27 ( 5) 3 74.21 ( 5)
7 BIG EAST (A) = 73.27 73.00 ( 7) 8 73.04 ( 7)
8 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 70.19 70.24 ( 8) 9 70.03 ( 8)
9 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 66.63 67.69 ( 9) 9 66.90 ( 9)
10 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 63.09 63.51 ( 10) 12 63.40 ( 10)
11 COLONIAL (AA)= 61.81 61.32 ( 11) 10 61.57 ( 11)
12 SOUTHERN (AA)= 59.14 58.43 ( 12) 9 58.62 ( 12)
13 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 58.25 58.18 ( 13) 13 58.18 ( 13)
14 BIG SKY (AA)= 57.22 56.76 ( 16) 9 56.83 ( 15)
15 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 56.82 57.00 ( 14) 9 56.98 ( 14)
16 SUN BELT (A) = 56.06 56.85 ( 15) 9 56.76 ( 16)
17 GREAT WEST (AA)= 52.75 52.55 ( 17) 5 52.56 ( 17)
18 SOUTHLAND (AA)= 51.08 51.34 ( 18) 8 51.28 ( 18)
19 OHIO VALLEY (AA)= 48.77 48.26 ( 19) 9 48.40 ( 19)
20 NORTHEAST (AA)= 46.30 45.78 ( 21) 9 45.88 ( 21)
21 IVY LEAGUE (AA)= 46.28 45.86 ( 20) 8 45.97 ( 20)
22 PATRIOT LEAGUE (AA)= 43.22 43.41 ( 22) 7 43.30 ( 22)
23 I-AA INDEPENDENTS (AA)= 41.41 40.85 ( 24) 6 41.28 ( 24)
24 SOUTHWESTERN (AA)= 40.88 40.04 ( 25) 10 40.39 ( 25)
25 BIG SOUTH (AA)= 40.84 41.55 ( 23) 7 41.43 ( 23)
26 PIONEER (AA)= 35.58 36.34 ( 26) 10 36.18 ( 26)
27 MID-EASTERN (AA)= 32.60 32.54 ( 27) 9 32.58 ( 27)

Damn Clenzy...you seem to be more passionate about ASU's decision than our pro-FCS fans. I'm sure it will be ok if ASU moves on to the SunBelt, I'm sure it will have little effect on UNI.

[HZ20]

Damn Clenzy...you seem to be more passionate about ASU's decision than our pro-FCS fans. I'm sure it will be ok if ASU moves on to the SunBelt, I'm sure it will have little effect on UNI.

Whats the ratio of the fans, Pro FBS/Pro FCS.

[ASUMountaineer]

Damn Clenzy...you seem to be more passionate about ASU's decision than our pro-FCS fans. I'm sure it will be ok if ASU moves on to the SunBelt, I'm sure it will have little effect on UNI.

Whats the ratio of the fans, Pro FBS/Pro FCS.

I don't know, but according to AD Charlie Cobb the feedback he's received from fans has been very much so in support of a move. If I had to guess, I'd put the the percentage at 70% in favor, 20% against, and 10% indifferent.

[slycat]

Check the ratings, BSC' CAA, SoCon and MVFC are all ahead of the SBC

So? Still FCS vs FBS. FBS gives more national exposure period. ASU will make the most of it and probably make a jump to CUSA down the road. Texas St is going to the lowly WAC yet it is still much more intersting then the Southland Confernce. I'm excited that I will get to see home games against Texas Tech, Wyoming, and Navy.

To each their own and I respect your opinion on the matter but there are pros to going to a FBS confernce no matter how "small".

[slycat]

Whats the ratio of the fans, Pro FBS/Pro FCS.

I don't know, but according to AD Charlie Cobb the feedback he's received from fans has been very much so in support of a move. If I had to guess, I'd put the the percentage at 70% in favor, 20% against, and 10% indifferent.

Thats how Texas St fans were if not more in favor. Once the conference invite came the percentage went even higher. I used to be against the move but I love the vision and plan coming together.

[Aho Old Guy]

Whats the ratio of the fans, Pro FBS/Pro FCS.

I don't know, but according to AD Charlie Cobb the feedback he's received from fans has been very much so in support of a move. If I had to guess, I'd put the the percentage at 70% in favor, 20% against, and 10% indifferent.

This is the kind of BS that moves the debate nowhere. Along with this ...

“I think, frankly, you could take eight to 10 FCS schools right now, even minus 23 scholarships, and you could compete with a good majority of the FBS programs,” Cobb said.

Uh, Charlie? Quit drinkin' the Kool-Aid and cherry-pickin' from Wonderland. That 5% FCS winning percentage against the FBS seems to conflict with your cherry-pickin'

Tell us how you plan to pay for 46 scholarships and the increased operational costs of FBS football. Try something better than 'corporate sponsors' and increased ticket prices.

Here's an idea: Raise the money. $250 million or so should make a nice dent in the operational, capital and scholarship needs of Div-I men's and women's NCAA sports at Appalachian.

Let the Yosef Club fully fund men's and women's scholarships, operational costs and capital expenses, and freeze student fees at their current level. The interest on $250 million should cover that - too bad it would take the Yosef club 180 years or so to raise that much money.

Of the NCAA sports at Appalachian, how many men's and women's activities compete without scholarships, Charlie?

Instead of barking like PT Barnum, Charlie, let's see a comparison of men's and women's athletic facilities at Appalachian, and the projected operational and capital costs necessary now, and in the future, on top of the costs associated with FBS football.

Where's the transparency, Charlie? Show us the numbers.

OR ... is the plan for Chancellor Cheerleader to make his recommendation to the Board without public consideration of the costs?

[henfan]

I'm glad ASU had made the decision to reclassify FB if/when the opportunity presents itself. The BOT has invested heavily in athletic facilities in recent years and FB fans have jumped on the bandwagon since the team began winning NC's.

That said, ASU Fan, there's really no need to slag the FCS or pretend that the Sun Belt is the competitive equal of top FCS conferences like the CAA, SoCon or Big Sky. The FCS has and will continue to be the best competitive and financial option for many schools.

[clenz]

Check the ratings, BSC' CAA, SoCon and MVFC are all ahead of the SBC

So? Still FCS vs FBS. FBS gives more national exposure period. ASU will make the most of it and probably make a jump to CUSA down the road. Texas St is going to the lowly WAC yet it is still much more intersting then the Southland Confernce. I'm excited that I will get to see home games against Texas Tech, Wyoming, and Navy.

To each their own and I respect your opinion on the matter but there are pros to going to a FBS confernce no matter how "small".

Do you really....I mean really....believe schools like San Jose State, New Mexico State, any of the Sun Belt schools, Idaho, Louisiana-Monroe, etc... get more national respect from the BCS crowd than an FCS team? I'd bet the average SEC/B12/B10 fan couldn't tell you what teams were in the Sun Belt, most of the CUSA and WAC.

[Gil Dobie]

Lots of jealousy I see from App St FCS brothers.

[FargoBison]

All I can say is be careful, App State has a great thing going and it would be a shame to diminish it by joining the abyss that is the Sun Belt.