Thoughts of Note: should the MAC go to the FCS?
This has been a long-standing debate in the MAC, going back literally as long as I can remember following Falcon sports. The issue is whether BG and the MAC would be better off being bigger fish in the FCS pond or whether we will be better off maintaining the status quo in the FBS.
It is largely an academic argument. A few years ago the MAC made a commitment to FBS football, and that is the underpinning of the MAC's strategy for the future for its entire athletic program.
Having said that, I have already noted that the spectre of conference realignment is looming, and, on top of that, the big schools always put "get more power and money" on their list. As an example, there will be a proposal to allow 6-6 teams to go to bowl games ahead of 7-5 teams at the NCAA convention....which would have left BG home this December if in force now.
I have never viewed going to FCS as a death knell for the program, and it would not effect my fandom one bit. Others strongly disagree.
Matt Sussman (a BG grad) has a nice blog post on this topic, which I commend to you regardless of how you feel.
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4 comments :
Going down to FCS is a terrible idea, First there are several schools who would look to bolt from the MAC should that happen.
Buffalo is probably one of them, I would Guess NIU and one, if not both, of the Directional Michigan's that matter, and with a shiny new stadium I would Guess Akron.
Any move that takes four to six MAC teams and gives them a reason to go has the potential for a new conference to form, leaving the MAC as a six member FCS conference.
Yes, that's definitely the potential downside. The question is, how much do you buy the premise that you are going to get demoted anyway....and, you may be having this conversation after your higher profile schools have been plucked.
I think everyone is looking at this the wrong way. I have a feeling that the NCAA is going create another subclass for conferences like the MAC.
Think about it, if they do that then there will be more money for the BCS conferences. Why share with the MAC, Sun Belt and C-USA. This would allow some if the more dominate Div 1-AA (Don't care I'm still calling them 1-AA) Like the SC conference to "move up" with out getting in the way of the "big boys."
The rub is going to be for the WAC and MWC. If the PAC 10 and Big 10 add teams so they can have conference championships that allows a few schools to move up (Boise, Utah, TCU) and force WAC and maybe MWC to take the downward push.
It's all about money, the big schools keep more money and the NCAA can promote a new tournament or a new smaller BCS championship.
I might be crazy, but I have a feeling this could be the future.
Now know, JDog, that might be the first new idea I've heard in this whole crazy debate. So, there'd really be three divisions, the BCS, and then an upper and lower I-AA. Could be very interesting.
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