• Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts access private forums and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!

Moving up?

What I love about these threads concerning the FBS and the Griz moving up is that posters keep forgetting that the bloated FBS isn’t about raising or maintaining the level of competition. It’s about developing “product” to sell advertising. It’s all about money.

Truth is, the FBS needs to be cut down to 100 teams. The bottom 33 would be mid-level or cellar dwellers in the FCS. That’s just a fact. They should also limit conference size to 10 teams so every team in every conference is forced to play everyone in their conference. That leaves 3 games for inter-conference play for the first games of the season (essentially a preseason) and they could eliminate playing down to fill schedules. Get rid of independents. If you’re going to be a big deal in FBS, play a conference schedule in a tough conference, for crying out loud.

Now that FBS is going to a real playoff format (12 teams), expand it to 16, give all 10 ten-team conference champions auto-bids and select six at-large bids (no byes, make everyone play). There would be no doubt who the real national champion is, people would love it, and everyone would make a ton of money.

Division 1 should be three tiers based on scholarships. FBS/AAA – 85 scholarships, FCS/AA – 63 scholarships, bottom/A – non-scholarship. Give the levels cool names if you want (Power 10, Middling 10, Sucky Six…).

I personally think total, scorched earth realignment at the top level is in order. FBS should be slashed to its 90 strongest programs and the top 10 FCS programs should be invited to move up. Then create a 100-team mid-level tier to replace FCS, and then shuffle the 60-plus dregs and non-scholarship schools to the bottom. All three levels would have meaningful championships, and the relative level of competition would improve. Once realignment was complete, it should be evaluated every 4 years with, say, the worst 10 teams at the top being “invited” to move down and the best and worst at the lower levels being invited to move up and down.

It's a fantasy, of course, and will never happen, but it would make better sense than what we have now.

As far as the UM goes…the Griz, Bobcats, and top tiers of the BSC and MVFC, based on attendance and strength of programs, should probably move up…sadly, the way conferences lay out in the West, it’s a tough proposition, and there just isn’t much incentive beyond perceived prestige. A new conference – which will never happen – probably makes the most sense logistically. Maybe slots open in a new (no longer P5) PAC (?) and Go5 Mountain West conferences, but there are really wayyyyy too many FBS schools.
 
libbygrizcat said:
What I love about these threads concerning the FBS and the Griz moving up is that posters keep forgetting that the bloated FBS isn’t about raising or maintaining the level of competition. It’s about developing “product” to sell advertising. It’s all about money.

Truth is, the FBS needs to be cut down to 100 teams. The bottom 33 would be mid-level or cellar dwellers in the FCS. That’s just a fact. They should also limit conference size to 10 teams so every team in every conference is forced to play everyone in their conference. That leaves 3 games for inter-conference play for the first games of the season (essentially a preseason) and they could eliminate playing down to fill schedules. Get rid of independents. If you’re going to be a big deal in FBS, play a conference schedule in a tough conference, for crying out loud.

Now that FBS is going to a real playoff format (12 teams), expand it to 16, give all 10 ten-team conference champions auto-bids and select six at-large bids (no byes, make everyone play). There would be no doubt who the real national champion is, people would love it, and everyone would make a ton of money.

Division 1 should be three tiers based on scholarships. FBS/AAA – 85 scholarships, FCS/AA – 63 scholarships, bottom/A – non-scholarship. Give the levels cool names if you want (Power 10, Middling 10, Sucky Six…).

I personally think total, scorched earth realignment at the top level is in order. FBS should be slashed to its 90 strongest programs and the top 10 FCS programs should be invited to move up. Then create a 100-team mid-level tier to replace FCS, and then shuffle the 60-plus dregs and non-scholarship schools to the bottom. All three levels would have meaningful championships, and the relative level of competition would improve. Once realignment was complete, it should be evaluated every 4 years with, say, the worst 10 teams at the top being “invited” to move down and the best and worst at the lower levels being invited to move up and down.

It's a fantasy, of course, and will never happen, but it would make better sense than what we have now.

As far as the UM goes…the Griz, Bobcats, and top tiers of the BSC and MVFC, based on attendance and strength of programs, should probably move up…sadly, the way conferences lay out in the West, it’s a tough proposition, and there just isn’t much incentive beyond perceived prestige. A new conference – which will never happen – probably makes the most sense logistically. Maybe slots open in a new (no longer P5) PAC (?) and Go5 Mountain West conferences, but there are really wayyyyy too many FBS schools.
Emphasis on the word "fantasy" as these idealistic thoughts don't follow the money.
 
Lol. you guys need to start writing some big checks...tax deduction!

"The average starter at a big-time football program now takes in about $103,000 a year, according to Opendorse, a company that processes payments to the players for the collectives."

Paywall should be gone:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/21/us/college-athletes-donor-collectives.html?unlocked_article_code=1.40w.wXSe.h3RC_ciCNDDO&smid=url-share
 
kemajic said:
Emphasis on the word "fantasy" as these idealistic thoughts don't follow the money.

Well, that was the point, mostly. It's only about money, not the quality of competition...which is weird, considering its connected to colleges/universities/academics. It's become a strange marriage...what is essentially professional sports married to education, and largely large, state-run schools to boot. Our education tax dollars promoting the NFL's minor leagues. Does any college or university really need to be running multi-million dollar football programs? Nope...but we like college football, and we're willing to pay big bucks for it and let people make big bucks off of it...so there you go.
 
libbygrizcat said:
What I love about these threads concerning the FBS and the Griz moving up is that posters keep forgetting that the bloated FBS isn’t about raising or maintaining the level of competition. It’s about developing “product” to sell advertising. It’s all about money.

Truth is, the FBS needs to be cut down to 100 teams. The bottom 33 would be mid-level or cellar dwellers in the FCS. That’s just a fact. They should also limit conference size to 10 teams so every team in every conference is forced to play everyone in their conference. That leaves 3 games for inter-conference play for the first games of the season (essentially a preseason) and they could eliminate playing down to fill schedules. Get rid of independents. If you’re going to be a big deal in FBS, play a conference schedule in a tough conference, for crying out loud.

Now that FBS is going to a real playoff format (12 teams), expand it to 16, give all 10 ten-team conference champions auto-bids and select six at-large bids (no byes, make everyone play). There would be no doubt who the real national champion is, people would love it, and everyone would make a ton of money.

Division 1 should be three tiers based on scholarships. FBS/AAA – 85 scholarships, FCS/AA – 63 scholarships, bottom/A – non-scholarship. Give the levels cool names if you want (Power 10, Middling 10, Sucky Six…).

I personally think total, scorched earth realignment at the top level is in order. FBS should be slashed to its 90 strongest programs and the top 10 FCS programs should be invited to move up. Then create a 100-team mid-level tier to replace FCS, and then shuffle the 60-plus dregs and non-scholarship schools to the bottom. All three levels would have meaningful championships, and the relative level of competition would improve. Once realignment was complete, it should be evaluated every 4 years with, say, the worst 10 teams at the top being “invited” to move down and the best and worst at the lower levels being invited to move up and down.

It's a fantasy, of course, and will never happen, but it would make better sense than what we have now.

As far as the UM goes…the Griz, Bobcats, and top tiers of the BSC and MVFC, based on attendance and strength of programs, should probably move up…sadly, the way conferences lay out in the West, it’s a tough proposition, and there just isn’t much incentive beyond perceived prestige. A new conference – which will never happen – probably makes the most sense logistically. Maybe slots open in a new (no longer P5) PAC (?) and Go5 Mountain West conferences, but there are really wayyyyy too many FBS schools.

I only read your first paragraph, because damn.

But of COURSE the FBS is about making money for their universities. And guess what? They're DAMN good at it. Guess what else? UM could reeeealllllly use some of that extra revenue.
 
GrizGuy said:
AZDoc said:
Well you have obviously never been a part of a "better" Potato trophy game. I have. The players absolutely think it is a big deal. The bowls treat them well, they take it all in. They get to see places, or play teams they don't usually get to. It's actually a big deal FOR THE PLAYERS. So who gives 1 poop what fans on a board think. If they were to move up, and they were 6-5 and made a bowl, I would STILL follow them...and maybe I'd take a trip the to Pittsburgh Smog Bowl just to watch the game.

This is where I have landed, too. I was historically against any move “up.” But it’s become clear that a playoff is going to happen (a real one not a lame 8 team type). And the players have good experiences in those games, and that’s great. It’s not about me or my wants. Plus there’s money in it for the schools. Which matters.
I dare anyone on the "move up" agenda to ask the current players if they think any bowl game would exceed the excitement they just experienced in the last TWO playoff games this year. And we still have the Natty to play. Moving up is silly until we find out what the landscape is going to be. Go Griz! Thanks for three exciting playoff home games against great teams.
 
libbygrizcat said:
They should also limit conference size to 10 teams so every team in every conference is forced to play everyone in their conference.
Who is your "they"?
 
All this 'Move Up' talked should be directed at those about to 'move down.' Sounds like the BIGs are on their own trajectory, and anyone else is hung out to dry. Hence, falling down. Umbrella time?
 
AZGrizFan said:
hm.grwn.grizfan said:
Ya, it’s always funny when someone tries to push the narrative that we wouldn’t have any success at the next level when right now there are numerous examples of those having success after moving up…..but hey that ONE team is winless and that would undoubtedly be our experience. I for one would donate a testicle to have both UM and MSU in the mountain west, where I believe we would see immediate success. Hell, Wyoming is my other team and they’re pretty successful with Bohl at the helm. 5-2 and should be 6-1 right now. They had a pretty competitive game with Portland state earlier this season and Wyoming is pretty damn good this year.

We don't want your testicle. But we DO want to be in the MWC. :D :thumb:

With a playoff system... It is coming
 
EverettGriz said:
libbygrizcat said:
What I love about these threads concerning the FBS and the Griz moving up is that posters keep forgetting that the bloated FBS isn’t about raising or maintaining the level of competition. It’s about developing “product” to sell advertising. It’s all about money.

Truth is, the FBS needs to be cut down to 100 teams. The bottom 33 would be mid-level or cellar dwellers in the FCS. That’s just a fact. They should also limit conference size to 10 teams so every team in every conference is forced to play everyone in their conference. That leaves 3 games for inter-conference play for the first games of the season (essentially a preseason) and they could eliminate playing down to fill schedules. Get rid of independents. If you’re going to be a big deal in FBS, play a conference schedule in a tough conference, for crying out loud.

Now that FBS is going to a real playoff format (12 teams), expand it to 16, give all 10 ten-team conference champions auto-bids and select six at-large bids (no byes, make everyone play). There would be no doubt who the real national champion is, people would love it, and everyone would make a ton of money.

Division 1 should be three tiers based on scholarships. FBS/AAA – 85 scholarships, FCS/AA – 63 scholarships, bottom/A – non-scholarship. Give the levels cool names if you want (Power 10, Middling 10, Sucky Six…).

I personally think total, scorched earth realignment at the top level is in order. FBS should be slashed to its 90 strongest programs and the top 10 FCS programs should be invited to move up. Then create a 100-team mid-level tier to replace FCS, and then shuffle the 60-plus dregs and non-scholarship schools to the bottom. All three levels would have meaningful championships, and the relative level of competition would improve. Once realignment was complete, it should be evaluated every 4 years with, say, the worst 10 teams at the top being “invited” to move down and the best and worst at the lower levels being invited to move up and down.

It's a fantasy, of course, and will never happen, but it would make better sense than what we have now.

As far as the UM goes…the Griz, Bobcats, and top tiers of the BSC and MVFC, based on attendance and strength of programs, should probably move up…sadly, the way conferences lay out in the West, it’s a tough proposition, and there just isn’t much incentive beyond perceived prestige. A new conference – which will never happen – probably makes the most sense logistically. Maybe slots open in a new (no longer P5) PAC (?) and Go5 Mountain West conferences, but there are really wayyyyy too many FBS schools.

I only read your first paragraph, because damn.

But of COURSE the FBS is about making money for their universities. And guess what? They're DAMN good at it. Guess what else? UM could reeeealllllly use some of that extra revenue.
And play in the Bowel Bowl instead of a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, no thanks.
 
No thanks, people bitch about a Friday night game wait until Griz get stuck with a Thursday, Wednesday or even a Tuesday night game which is just about weekly now.
I’ll take the home playoff games, might not be 3 home games every year, but at least it’s going to be one.
 
Back
Top