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Why eliminating FCS games is easier said than done.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:12 am
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:12 am
First of all, this is not a discussion of adding more conference games. It's an idea for eliminating FCS games in week 12 and possibly entirely
No one likes playing FCS games, and recently the SEC has gotten a lot of flak for playing these games in week 12 instead of earlier.
But here's the point I have yet to hear addressed in any detail. This is not merely an SEC issue. Finding alternate opponents in week 12 would require the cooperation of other conferences as well, unless you want to have a conference game in week 12...and there are three SEC games this week. Five SEC teams are playing FCS teams. Three are playing CUSA teams.
All the Sun Belt teams are playing conference games this weekend. All of the MAC teams are playing conference games, except for the two that are open. All 12 of the MWC teams are playing each other.
CUSA teams have 14 teams...the perfect number for a SEC-CUSA weekend. Ten of them are playing a conference game this week, but four are not...and three of those are playing SEC games already...MTSU-KY, Rice-LSU, and UAB-aTm.
I didn't realize until I started looking at the schedules, but every one of the 14 SEC teams have an FCS team on the schedule this year...it isn't just an Alabama or Auburn or Florida thing.
So when looking for games for this weekend, from those four conferences combined, there was only one possible team remaining for those 5 SEC teams to schedule...Old Dominion, who is playing VMI. MTSU, Rice, and UAB are already playing SEC teams. Other than those, this is a conference game weekend for all of those conferences, and changing that would require cooperation from entire conferences.
Certainly the impetus to eliminate those FCS games this week should come from the SEC, but at least one other conference would have to agree to change the way they do things also. You could make it an ACC-SEC challenge weekend, but then you would have to get into the whole home-and-home thing, and seven teams would lose home games. Maybe an SEC-CUSA weekend would be perfect.
As long as we didn't have to play UAB.
No one likes playing FCS games, and recently the SEC has gotten a lot of flak for playing these games in week 12 instead of earlier.
But here's the point I have yet to hear addressed in any detail. This is not merely an SEC issue. Finding alternate opponents in week 12 would require the cooperation of other conferences as well, unless you want to have a conference game in week 12...and there are three SEC games this week. Five SEC teams are playing FCS teams. Three are playing CUSA teams.
All the Sun Belt teams are playing conference games this weekend. All of the MAC teams are playing conference games, except for the two that are open. All 12 of the MWC teams are playing each other.
CUSA teams have 14 teams...the perfect number for a SEC-CUSA weekend. Ten of them are playing a conference game this week, but four are not...and three of those are playing SEC games already...MTSU-KY, Rice-LSU, and UAB-aTm.
I didn't realize until I started looking at the schedules, but every one of the 14 SEC teams have an FCS team on the schedule this year...it isn't just an Alabama or Auburn or Florida thing.
So when looking for games for this weekend, from those four conferences combined, there was only one possible team remaining for those 5 SEC teams to schedule...Old Dominion, who is playing VMI. MTSU, Rice, and UAB are already playing SEC teams. Other than those, this is a conference game weekend for all of those conferences, and changing that would require cooperation from entire conferences.
Certainly the impetus to eliminate those FCS games this week should come from the SEC, but at least one other conference would have to agree to change the way they do things also. You could make it an ACC-SEC challenge weekend, but then you would have to get into the whole home-and-home thing, and seven teams would lose home games. Maybe an SEC-CUSA weekend would be perfect.
As long as we didn't have to play UAB.
This post was edited on 11/14/18 at 11:13 am
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Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:15 am to BamaGradinTn
Not to mention the paycheck those teams get from us are often what is keeping them afloat.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:15 am to BamaGradinTn
we used to have 4 conference games in november. just do that. Most conferences backload conference play. so play a group of 5 team early and a 4 sec games in november.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:22 am to bayou85
quote:
we used to have 4 conference games in november. just do that. Most conferences backload conference play. so play a group of 5 team early and a 4 sec games in november.
This could certainly be done. 6 SEC teams are playing each other this weekend. You could easily make it a conference game weekend.
Many of us also remember when this was always an open date for Alabama and Auburn...in fact, the Alabama and Auburn freshmen teams always played on this Saturday. If not for the TV networks, you could make it an open week for the entire conference...but CBS, ESPN, and the SEC Network wouldn't go for that.
This post was edited on 11/14/18 at 11:23 am
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:27 am to BamaGradinTn
I'll post the same thing I posted on our board........
I honestly don't get the uproar over "FCS" games.
Look at Sagarin rankings - above average FCS teams from good leagues are generally in the same stratosphere as middling and bad teams from the Sun Belt, Mountain West, MAC and CUSA.
Now, I wish we'd only play 1 or 2 of these buy games, but I think it's silly to specifically hold out the FCS games as if they are somehow drastically worse than playing Georgia State or Ball State. I know they have less scholarships, but the play on the field is not all that much different.
I honestly don't get the uproar over "FCS" games.
Look at Sagarin rankings - above average FCS teams from good leagues are generally in the same stratosphere as middling and bad teams from the Sun Belt, Mountain West, MAC and CUSA.
Now, I wish we'd only play 1 or 2 of these buy games, but I think it's silly to specifically hold out the FCS games as if they are somehow drastically worse than playing Georgia State or Ball State. I know they have less scholarships, but the play on the field is not all that much different.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:29 am to bayou85
There has been an SEC team in the BCSCG or CFP each of the last 12 years. Why change scheduling? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:34 am to Toroballistic
quote:
There has been an SEC team in the BCSCG or CFP each of the last 12 years. Why change scheduling? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
They won't, until they decide it's in their best interests. My main point is that they shouldn't catch all the flak, because the other conferences contribute to the issue. Think about it...if all 5 SEC teams were looking for an FBS opponent for this weekend, Old Dominion was the only available team, because of conference policies. So it's not all on the SEC. And like George said...is ODU really any better than an FCS team?
This post was edited on 11/14/18 at 11:37 am
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:49 am to bayou85
Doesn't seem overly fair for all teams in the conference. UGA already plays the following teams to end the year:
UF
Kentucky
Auburn
Georgia Tech
Alabama
Throwing in another conference game after Auburn doesn't seem right.
UF
Kentucky
Auburn
Georgia Tech
Alabama
Throwing in another conference game after Auburn doesn't seem right.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 11:51 am to cribbsjy
quote:
Doesn't seem overly fair for all teams in the conference. UGA already plays the following teams to end the year:
UF
Kentucky
Auburn
Georgia Tech
Alabama
Throwing in another conference game after Auburn doesn't seem right.
That's how it used to work.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 12:08 pm to SummerOfGeorge
You have to have those 7 home games. Got to pay for all those other teams sports at your school those will lose money this year. 7 home games one year and 6 the next will not Cut it.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 12:17 pm to JoseyWalesTheOutlaw
Home only games are hard to come by. They can't be conference games.
First, I don't see a FCS team much different than a bad FBS team. A cupcake is a cupcake. The faux outrage is funny because there will always be a "worst home game" on the schedule and people will complain about SOS.
Second, I actually enjoy the games.
If you follow recruiting, the games are great.
Someone who hates these games doesn't know how hard it is to get recruits and doesn't recognize how much work it takes to develop them. A fan who hates these games assumes every recruit should show on the field as an all conference candidate without any need to develop and grow.
I will be enjoying my Saturday at Sanford Stadium as the Dawgs play UMass. I will be closely looking at the youth at ILB and Safety. I am excited to see Fields operate the full offense. I can't wait to see the young guys on the DL fight to earn more reps down the post-season stretch.
First, I don't see a FCS team much different than a bad FBS team. A cupcake is a cupcake. The faux outrage is funny because there will always be a "worst home game" on the schedule and people will complain about SOS.
Second, I actually enjoy the games.
If you follow recruiting, the games are great.
Someone who hates these games doesn't know how hard it is to get recruits and doesn't recognize how much work it takes to develop them. A fan who hates these games assumes every recruit should show on the field as an all conference candidate without any need to develop and grow.
I will be enjoying my Saturday at Sanford Stadium as the Dawgs play UMass. I will be closely looking at the youth at ILB and Safety. I am excited to see Fields operate the full offense. I can't wait to see the young guys on the DL fight to earn more reps down the post-season stretch.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 12:19 pm to BamaGradinTn
Does the fiscal year end in October for universities? Is there an advantage in getting a big game check in November for FCS schools? I don't know either, but I guess it could help them some way.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 12:45 pm to meansonny
quote:
Home only games are hard to come by. They can't be conference games.
Which is part of the problem. G5 schools, even the Sun Belt schools, are starting to say "We'd love to come and play you, but we're going to need a return date on our campus."
Now you don't have to play that game, if you dangle enough cash they'll bite, but do you really want to shovel out a ton of cash to bring someone in that is very likely to result in a poor turn out at the stadium?
Dipping into the FCS gives us more leverage, once a season we can bring in North East Tupelo State and they will come pretty darn cheap.
Of course the old Bear Bryant saying goes double for FCS schools... "if you are going to play a pu$$y, then you better make sure its a pu$$y you can beat." Just look at North Dakota State's reign of terror over the Big 12.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 12:49 pm to Jalbow3
quote:
Does the fiscal year end in October for universities? Is there an advantage in getting a big game check in November for FCS schools? I don't know either, but I guess it could help them some way.
Black Friday. Jumbotrons half off.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 12:53 pm to BamaGradinTn
Most other conferences/teams have figured out how to schedule without including FCS teams. For some reason, the SEC got it in their heads that an FCS school would sound better than a bye before the last game of the regular season.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 1:07 pm to DisplacedBuckeye
Yeah the first thought in my head after reading the above comment on subsidizing FCS athletics is....Notre Dame never has played an FCS school in football. Very un-Christian like of them.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 1:33 pm to NoMansLand
I do not see a problem with when a SEC team plays a FCS team. I personally hate playing the FCS teams at all. As season ticket holder it sucks. My tickets this weekend for the Gator game is going to a family that usually wouldn't be able to afford to go to a game.
To the point what is the difference between bad FBS and FCS team. Not much. Idaho is in it's first year as a FCS team from FBS.
Then again I think FBS has to many teams and needs to split to two new leagues. Why play hard if you are G5 team and can never have the chance to win the trophy.
To the point what is the difference between bad FBS and FCS team. Not much. Idaho is in it's first year as a FCS team from FBS.
Then again I think FBS has to many teams and needs to split to two new leagues. Why play hard if you are G5 team and can never have the chance to win the trophy.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 1:49 pm to BamaGradinTn
It’s basically an open date. I don’t even watch or attend. I basically am immune to FCS.
It gives me a weekend off.
It gives me a weekend off.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 1:53 pm to XenScott
quote:
It’s basically an open date. I don’t even watch or attend. I basically am immune to FCS.
It gives me a weekend off.
You realize that there are only like 6 home games a year and you want to "take a week off"?
I guess you don't enjoy tailgating, grilling your own meat, your college town, or your friends' company either.
In April on a Saturday afternoon, do you think "thank god I don't have a college football game today"
Some people blow my mind.
Posted on 11/14/18 at 2:06 pm to BamaGradinTn
In general, I'd like to see more competitive scheduling in every conference. I'd love to see the usual conference rotation and the divisions done away with, then no one would bitch about having FCS teams on the schedule because there would be excellent games year round. Also, I don't give a shite that FBS schools help fund FCS schools. It's not their job to do that.
You can stick with 8 conference games, and go more of a round robin format with each of the top 7 teams from one year playing each other the following year, and then you fill in the rest according to the previous year's standings. And if under this format you don't have a Bama-Tennessee matchup already with the top 7 (looking at you Tennessee) then you schedule that matchup as one of the two remaining conference games. At the end of the year, the teams with the two best records meet for a conference title game that rotates between 4 host cities.
College football is lazy when it comes to scheduling. There's no reason why it can't adopt a more dynamic scheduling system and make the schedules on a yearly basis. Then allow each school only 1 FCS opponent and the rest P5. That would be some bad arse schedules every year.
You can stick with 8 conference games, and go more of a round robin format with each of the top 7 teams from one year playing each other the following year, and then you fill in the rest according to the previous year's standings. And if under this format you don't have a Bama-Tennessee matchup already with the top 7 (looking at you Tennessee) then you schedule that matchup as one of the two remaining conference games. At the end of the year, the teams with the two best records meet for a conference title game that rotates between 4 host cities.
College football is lazy when it comes to scheduling. There's no reason why it can't adopt a more dynamic scheduling system and make the schedules on a yearly basis. Then allow each school only 1 FCS opponent and the rest P5. That would be some bad arse schedules every year.
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