Now this I can get behind. Scheduling should be more standardized. For instance you have to play a OOC road and home game every year and every conference plays the same number of conference games. The Big 10, Big 12, and PAC 12 playing 9 while the ACC and SEC play 8 is dog crap. I don’t blame the SEC and ACC because in most instances that additional game is used for a cupcake and it allows them to get more teams bowl eligible. But it needs to be standardized in some way. Also don’t say no “big money” team will go on the road. Ohio State played home and home with Oklahoma and TCU was supposed to be home and home but TCU cancelled the return trip to Columbus so they moved the game to Jerry’s World this year. They also have non conference home and homes scheduled with Oregon, Notre Dame, Texas, and Washington in the coming years. Next years schedule is pitiful because of that cancelled TCU game.

 

Well, that kind of proves my point. Those teams can afford to do home-and-home games with Ohio State. Nobody thinks that those teams are barred from making the CFP. You don't see Ohio State playing road games with schools like Ohio U, Akron, Bowling Green, etc. Those schools are effectively barred from making the CFP because their "schedule isn't difficult enough," yet it is literally impossible for them to have any good school play them at home. They must play Ohio State EXCLUSIVELY on the road, which gives Ohio State an inherent advantage. Which is fine as long as we aren't considering the regular season the de facto tournament. These teams are eliminated from the CFP before the season even starts because of money. Give the G5 conferences an auto-bid, and then that becomes less of a problem since at LEAST there is a chance before the season starts for them to win a national championship.

Well, that kind of proves my point. Those teams can afford to do home-and-home games with Ohio State. Nobody thinks that those teams are barred from making the CFP. You don't see Ohio State playing road games with schools like Ohio U, Akron, Bowling Green, etc. Those schools are effectively barred from making the CFP because their "schedule isn't difficult enough," yet it is literally impossible for them to have any good school play them at home. They must play Ohio State EXCLUSIVELY on the road, which gives Ohio State an inherent advantage. Which is fine as long as we aren't considering the regular season the de facto tournament. These teams are eliminated from the CFP before the season even starts because of money. Give the G5 conferences an auto-bid, and then that becomes less of a problem since at LEAST there is a chance before the season starts for them to win a national championship.

That’s why we should adopt the AAC into the power 5 and move all the other conferences down to FCS. Teams like Boise State can join the PAC 12. I just don’t want meaningless playoff college football games. You can say the little guy deserves a chance but it’s a waste of time to watch Bama whip up on some no name school for the sake of “fairness”. Comparing it to basketball is literally apples to oranges.

That’s why we should adopt the AAC into the power 5 and move all the other conferences down to FCS. Teams like Boise State can join the PAC 12. I just don’t want meaningless playoff college football games. You can say the little guy deserves a chance but it’s a waste of time to watch Bama whip up on some no name school for the sake of “fairness”. Comparing it to basketball is literally apples to oranges.

 

Perhaps it is a waste of time to watch good teams play terrible teams, but if you honesty think schools like WKU, Marshall, Southern Miss, Miami of Ohio, etc deserve to be FCS then idk what to tell you. They may not ever be CFP material, but on most years there are dozens of "G5" schools much more deserving of being considered a "Power" school than a couple dozen "P5" programs.

 

I mean, just look at what happens when "P5" schools play road games at "G5" schools. They LOSE quite a bit. Perhaps the parity between what you consider "good" teams vs "bad teams" is influenced a LOT by the fact that the "bad" teams never got a fair shake at beating "good" teams to begin with. If scheduling mandates were a thing, there would be a whole lot of G5 schools that would no longer be considered "no names."

 

Just to clarify my position, I do NOT think scheduling mandates should be a thing. I'm simply playing Devil's Advocate. Sounds too much like socialism to me, haha. I'm implying that the better option would be for every school to have a chance to win a championship; i.e., G5 autobid into an expanded CFP.

Perhaps it is a waste of time to watch good teams play terrible teams, but if you honesty think schools like WKU, Marshall, Southern Miss, Miami of Ohio, etc deserve to be FCS then idk what to tell you. They may not ever be CFP material, but on most years there are dozens of "G5" schools much more deserving of being considered a "Power" school than a couple dozen "P5" programs.

 

I mean, just look at what happens when "P5" schools play road games at "G5" schools. They LOSE quite a bit. Perhaps the parity between what you consider "good" teams vs "bad teams" is influenced a LOT by the fact that the "bad" teams never got a fair shake at beating "good" teams to begin with. If scheduling mandates were a thing, there would be a whole lot of G5 schools that would no longer be considered "no names."

 

Just to clarify my position, I do NOT think scheduling mandates should be a thing. I'm simply playing Devil's Advocate. Sounds too much like socialism to me, haha. I'm implying that the better option would be for every school to have a chance to win a championship; i.e., G5 autobid into an expanded CFP.

Even if you put a G5 school in automatically they still don’t have the same chance to win as power 5 schools. I want to see teams that have a realistic chance. That’s why I’ll even give you the power 5 plus AAC because the AAC has some history and good programs. But the rest of the g5 minus Boise State might as well be FCS. They are closer to being FCS than they are being a top 25 team in college football. If they want to be competitive and compete for a National Championship their only option is the FCS. But right now move Boise to the PAC 12 and then add the AAC to the Power 5 and get them a TV deal so those schools can start paying coaches the rest of the power 5 does and then we can have a conversation. But it’s not socialist to regulate schedules. Every pro sport does it and no one considers that socialism. Regulated schedules would be great for college football.

No group of 5 team should compete for a national championship until they play a power 5 schedule. So they can see what it feels like to have their depth depleted from injuries going against top competition week after week. To play a game against top competition with your 3rd string OT, LB, CB etc etc. It's not apples to apples.

No group of 5 team should compete for a national championship until they play a power 5 schedule. So they can see what it feels like to have their depth depleted from injuries going against top competition week after week. To play a game against top competition with your 3rd string OT, LB, CB etc etc. It's not apples to apples.

Preach!

Speaking about regulated schedules. Why not have challenges like they do in college basketball. Weekends where the SEC/ Big 12 Challenge. The conferences pick the matchups for the teams so you don’t get an Alabama/ Kansas matchup randomly but you get Alabama/ Texas, LSU/ Oklahoma. This would be fantastic in college football. Make it a home/ home matchup. Bring in the AAC and you have an even number. I think it makes too much sense not to do.

No group of 5 team should compete for a national championship until they play a power 5 schedule. So they can see what it feels like to have their depth depleted from injuries going against top competition week after week. To play a game against top competition with your 3rd string OT, LB, CB etc etc. It's not apples to apples.

 

I guarantee every single G5 team would gladly play a P5 schedule. Better home games = more money from ticket sales and TV contracts. The problem is that it is impossible for them to play a "P5" schedule since those teams won't schedule them. It would make zero sense for a P5 team to play road games at G5 schools, I admit. What I'm saying is that the playing field isn't even from the start of the season and thus half of FBS is ineligible to compete for a championship from day 1. There needs to be a way for any time in FBS to have a chance to win the championship like NCAA basketball does.

There needs to be a way for any time in FBS to have a chance to win the championship like NCAA basketball does.

There is. It’s called FCS. Let’s be honest about who we’re talking about. We’re talking about the AAC. If the AAC could get a TV deal like the power 5 conferences have then we could have a true power 6. That TV deal would allow the AAC to pay coaches more, bring in high quality assistants and upgrade facilities to compete with power 5 schools. The rest of the conferences might as well be FCS. They are closer to FCS than they are power 5. Shrink FBS, expand FCS and it would solve the issues you are talking about.

There is. It’s called FCS. Let’s be honest about who we’re talking about. We’re talking about the AAC. If the AAC could get a TV deal like the power 5 conferences have then we could have a true power 6. That TV deal would allow the AAC to pay coaches more, bring in high quality assistants and upgrade facilities to compete with power 5 schools. The rest of the conferences might as well be FCS. They are closer to FCS than they are power 5. Shrink FBS, expand FCS and it would solve the issues you are talking about.

 

Statistically, that just isn't true, and it isn't even close. There are a few powerhouse FCS programs, but far and away the gap between FCS and G5 is much wider than G5 to P5. Budgets, attendance, skill gap, etc is much larger than you would expect. This argument has been made ad nauseam and you can find plenty of data online from a quick google search.

 

As far as AAC becoming a "Power" conference and all other conferences should be "kicked down to FCS..." -- well that's another terrible idea. AAC is ranked MUCH closer to other G5 conferences than it is to the closest P5 conference (except last year, where they were directly between P5 and the closest G5, all because of UCF). Hell, even just a couple seasons ago C-USA and the MWC were rating above the AAC. I think you may be suffering from the recency-effect.

 

The AAC's revenue from last year was $74 million. Compare that figure to the P5 and you realize that they aren't more deserving of moving up than any other G5 conference: SEC ($650 million), Big Ten ($531 million), Pac-12 ($509 million), ACC ($418 million) and Big 12 ($371 million).

 

Anyway, this is off topic from the point I was trying to make. If you think the solution is to tell half the FBS to move down to FCS simply because you don't want to expand the playoffs to 8 teams then I think you are crazy. It is VERY VERY rare for any FBS team to drop down to FCS (only one I can think of recently is Idaho). There are tons of teams from FCS clamoring to move into the FBS. It is too lucrative and almost every single "G5" team has been playing football just as long as any P5 team.

Statistically, that just isn't true, and it isn't even close. There are a few powerhouse FCS programs, but far and away the gap between FCS and G5 is much wider than G5 to P5. Budgets, attendance, skill gap, etc is much larger than you would expect. This argument has been made ad nauseam and you can find plenty of data online from a quick google search.

 

As far as AAC becoming a "Power" conference and all other conferences should be "kicked down to FCS..." -- well that's another terrible idea. AAC is ranked MUCH closer to other G5 conferences than it is to the closest P5 conference (except last year, where they were directly between P5 and the closest G5, all because of UCF). Hell, even just a couple seasons ago C-USA and the MWC were rating above the AAC. I think you may be suffering from the recency-effect.

 

The AAC's revenue from last year was $74 million. Compare that figure to the P5 and you realize that they aren't more deserving of moving up than any other G5 conference: SEC ($650 million), Big Ten ($531 million), Pac-12 ($509 million), ACC ($418 million) and Big 12 ($371 million).

 

Anyway, this is off topic from the point I was trying to make. If you think the solution is to tell half the FBS to move down to FCS simply because you don't want to expand the playoffs to 8 teams then I think you are crazy. It is VERY VERY rare for any FBS team to drop down to FCS (only one I can think of recently is Idaho). There are tons of teams from FCS clamoring to move into the FBS. It is too lucrative and almost every single "G5" team has been playing football just as long as any P5 team.

That is 100% my solution if they want to compete for a National Championship because they’ll never compete in FBS. Ever. That revenue you are talking about is in direct relation to Tv deals. That’s why I’m saying in order to be a power 6 the AAC would have to get some of that TV money. TV has widened the gap tremendously from P5 to G5. They won’t ever be able to compete. The FBS is infinitely more lucrative for G5 schools than FCS. But you’re talking about playing for a championship. Something they won’t ever be able to compete for in FBS nor would they ever deserve to play for in FBS. Either the programs want national titles or they can be satisfied with going to bowl games and the revenue that comes from that. They can take it or leave it, but they don’t deserve to take a spot from a power 5 school when competing for a National Championship. Period.

That is 100% my solution if they want to compete for a National Championship because they’ll never compete in FBS. Ever.

 

That's just not true. They do compete in FBS. I think you have the Alabama's, Auburn's, LSU's in mind when you talk about FBS. Remember that there are 130 FBS teams, and about 70 P5 teams. Sports aren't fun because only the best teams are allowed to compete. The beautiful thing about sports is that money isn't everything and anyone can beat anyone. For example, look at UofL football 15 years ago. They were in C-USA and equivalent to what WKU is today. 15 years ago all the UK fans were saying exactly the same thing about UofL that you are saying right now. Programs on bottom aren't going to give up just because they are at a disadvantage. Hard work and the right people can make ANYONE successful, and we all know that money doesn't automatically make a program good. Just look at Texas football for proof.

 

Additionally, saying that G5 schools should drop down to FCS so that they can compete for a national championship is hogwash and you know it. Nobody gives a rats-a** bout the FCS championship. Why would an FBS team drop down in order to compete for one? By your logic, shouldn't Kentucky drop down to FCS in order to win a championship? Of course not, because being in FBS is automatically more of a success than winning a championship in FCS.

 

That revenue you are talking about is in direct relation to Tv deals. That’s why I’m saying in order to be a power 6 the AAC would have to get some of that TV money. TV has widened the gap tremendously from P5 to G5. They won’t ever be able to compete. The FBS is infinitely more lucrative for G5 schools than FCS.

 

You are correct that TV money has widened the gap. A LOT. Yet, there is also a gap between what the SEC makes compared to the Big 12. In fact, it's the same gap that the AAC has to the Big 12. Should the Big 12 drop down because there is a huge gap from the SEC? Of course not, because money doesn't make you automatically win. UCF makes 10% of the amount of TV money as any P5 program. Doesn't seem to prevent them from competing considering they are better than 75% of P5 schools.

 

But you’re talking about playing for a championship. Something they won’t ever be able to compete for in FBS nor would they ever deserve to play for in FBS.

 

Why can't they compete for a championship? I've argued this point for the last 10 posts but you keep saying the same thing. The only thing stopping them from competing for a championship is the current format of the CFP. Why don't they deserve to play for one? Who granted God given rights to championships to certain schools based on what conference they are aligned with? If a school wants to compete for a championship they are completely within their right. Settle it on the field.

 

Either the programs want national titles or they can be satisfied with going to bowl games and the revenue that comes from that. They can take it or leave it, but they don’t deserve to take a spot from a power 5 school when competing for a National Championship. Period.

 

Why should any spot in a championship be determined by what conference someone plays in? If a school is good, it doesn't matter if they are SEC or AAC or MAC. You wouldn't hire people based on the color of their skin or how much money that have. You simply hire the best person for the job. Why shouldn't the CFP be any different? Make it 8 teams and let the best team win. What possible argument could you make that justifies disqualifying teams because of their conference? If the G5 schools never have a "chance to compete" like you say, wouldn't the P5 teams make the championship anyways? You wouldn't lower the NCAA Basketball tournament to 16 teams just because the "smaller" schools have less of a chance of winning would you? Of course not. Let them play for it. Anything off the field is not relevant.

That's just not true. They do compete in FBS. I think you have the Alabama's, Auburn's, LSU's in mind when you talk about FBS. Remember that there are 130 FBS teams, and about 70 P5 teams. Sports aren't fun because only the best teams are allowed to compete. The beautiful thing about sports is that money isn't everything and anyone can beat anyone. For example, look at UofL football 15 years ago. They were in C-USA and equivalent to what WKU is today. 15 years ago all the UK fans were saying exactly the same thing about UofL that you are saying right now. Programs on bottom aren't going to give up just because they are at a disadvantage. Hard work and the right people can make ANYONE successful, and we all know that money doesn't automatically make a program good. Just look at Texas football for proof.

 

Additionally, saying that G5 schools should drop down to FCS so that they can compete for a national championship is hogwash and you know it. Nobody gives a rats-a** bout the FCS championship. Why would an FBS team drop down in order to compete for one? By your logic, shouldn't Kentucky drop down to FCS in order to win a championship? Of course not, because being in FBS is automatically more of a success than winning a championship in FCS.

 

 

 

You are correct that TV money has widened the gap. A LOT. Yet, there is also a gap between what the SEC makes compared to the Big 12. In fact, it's the same gap that the AAC has to the Big 12. Should the Big 12 drop down because there is a huge gap from the SEC? Of course not, because money doesn't make you automatically win. UCF makes 10% of the amount of TV money as any P5 program. Doesn't seem to prevent them from competing considering they are better than 75% of P5 schools.

 

 

 

Why can't they compete for a championship? I've argued this point for the last 10 posts but you keep saying the same thing. The only thing stopping them from competing for a championship is the current format of the CFP. Why don't they deserve to play for one? Who granted God given rights to championships to certain schools based on what conference they are aligned with? If a school wants to compete for a championship they are completely within their right. Settle it on the field.

 

 

 

Why should any spot in a championship be determined by what conference someone plays in? If a school is good, it doesn't matter if they are SEC or AAC or MAC. You wouldn't hire people based on the color of their skin or how much money that have. You simply hire the best person for the job. Why shouldn't the CFP be any different? Make it 8 teams and let the best team win. What possible argument could you make that justifies disqualifying teams because of their conference? If the G5 schools never have a "chance to compete" like you say, wouldn't the P5 teams make the championship anyways? You wouldn't lower the NCAA Basketball tournament to 16 teams just because the "smaller" schools have less of a chance of winning would you? Of course not. Let them play for it. Anything off the field is not relevant.

This is too much to read right now but I’ll respond back fully tomorrow.