FCS Moves?

[YoungFree]

Bolded teams have won an FCS title.

I like the scenario of Nova, JMU, and UD moving up as independents, and then forming a CAA (Colonial) FBS division. The CAA would also keep an FCS division.

CAA FBS Division
JMU
Delaware
Liberty
ODU
Marshall
App State
Coastal Carolina
UMass
Army (Patriot, football only)
Nova (Big East, football only)

That's a really, really interesting thought. And a very interesting conference. Has a conference ever split two divisions before?

 

[Zissou]

That's a really, really interesting thought. And a very interesting conference. Has a conference ever split two divisions before?

No, it would be a first.

The CAA long lamented losing members to FBS and the lack of CAA stability. The previous CAA commish did consider FBS options and tried to find solutions. Old Dominion, GA State, UMass, and ECU are former members that moved up to FBS.

The CAA had some thoughts of having part of its members move up to FBS en masse. The old rules did not allow this - for a team to move from FCS to FBS it had to have an invite from an existing FBS conference (see UConn to the Big East or UMass to the MAC). This all changed with Liberty challenging that rule and setting a precedent to move up directly as an independent.

Liberty breaking the mold sets the possibility of the CAA scenario. JMU, Nova, and UD could move up together as independents, and then form the FBS division of the CAA.

In addition to bringing ODU and UMass back, Marshall and App State might find the CAA a better fit. ODU is a JMU rival.

Army would be to the CAA FBS what Navy is to the AAC. It would provide a rational league schedule with room for 3 out-of-conference games including the Army-Navy game.

The CAA would still have an FCS division:
Stony Brook
Elon
New Hampshire
Richmond
Towson
Maine
Albany
Rhode Island
Wm & Mary

 

[YoungFree]

No, it would be a first.

The CAA long lamented losing members to FBS and the lack of CAA stability. The previous CAA commish did consider FBS options and tried to find solutions. Old Dominion, GA State, UMass, and ECU are former members that moved up to FBS.

The CAA had some thoughts of having part of its members move up to FBS en masse. The old rules did not allow this - for a team to move from FCS to FBS it had to have an invite from an existing FBS conference (see UConn to the Big East or UMass to the MAC). This all changed with Liberty challenging that rule and setting a precedent to move up directly as an independent.

Liberty breaking the mold sets the possibility of the CAA scenario. JMU, Nova, and UD could move up together as independents, and then form the FBS division of the CAA.

In addition to bringing ODU and UMass back, Marshall and App State might find the CAA a better fit. ODU is a JMU rival.

Army would be to the CAA FBS what Navy is to the AAC. It would provide a rational league schedule with room for 3 out-of-conference games including the Army-Navy game.

The CAA would still have an FCS division:
Stony Brook
Elon
New Hampshire
Richmond
Towson
Maine
Albany
Rhode Island
Wm & Mary

I find this intriguing....intriguing indeed. Who would the AAC take to replace ECU?

 

[dbmill]

I find this intriguing....intriguing indeed. Who would the AAC take to replace ECU?

Why would ECU leave the AAC for this group? It's not any better for them.

 

[YoungFree]

Why would ECU leave the AAC for this group? It's not any better for them.

That is a solid point...but why would any of this potentially happen to begin with?

 

[Zissou]

I find this intriguing....intriguing indeed. Who would the AAC take to replace ECU?

I don't have ECU moving back to the CAA in this scenario because the AAC is just plain better. I think it is possible that Marshall and App State see this as a better fit, but not ECU.

AAC is greater than CUSA and Sun Belt, and the CAA would be more like those middling G5s at its start.

 

[Zissou]

why would any of this potentially happen to begin with?

JMU, Nova, and UD already have G5 type expenses, so they are paying FBS G5 levels without any of the benefits.

UMass and Liberty need homes. Both moved up to Indy status knowing they have to still figure out their place in FBS.

Top FCS teams are in limbo - they are not in a great spot, G5 level is only marginally better, there is little cash at G5, and P5 isn't realistic. This scenario is possible, but still a long shot. It's hard to change the status quo for marginal improvement.

 

[YoungFree]

JMU, Nova, and UD already have G5 type expenses, so they are paying FBS G5 levels without any of the benefits.

UMass and Liberty need homes. Both moved up to Indy status knowing they have to still figure out their place in FBS.

Top FCS teams are in limbo - they are not in a great spot, G5 level is only marginally better, there is little cash at G5, and P5 isn't realistic. This scenario is possible, but still a long shot. It's hard to change the status quo for marginal improvement.

From what I have read, Liberty was kind of shunned from Conf USA and the Sun Belt...not that they just moved up to Indy for Indy's sake. UMass...well, they don't fit in the MAC and geographically they make the most sense for the AAC or ACC but the ACC isn't calling and it appears the AAC isn't either. Maybe the Big Ten will expand again and take UMass instead of UConn like they took Rutgers....

 

[Zissou]

From what I have read, Liberty was kind of shunned from Conf USA and the Sun Belt...not that they just moved up to Indy for Indy's sake. UMass...well, they don't fit in the MAC and geographically they make the most sense for the AAC or ACC but the ACC isn't calling and it appears the AAC isn't either. Maybe the Big Ten will expand again and take UMass instead of UConn like they took Rutgers....

Liberty - yes, that is why they set precedent and moved up to indy, and why they would likely welcome inclusion in the CAA.

The MAC was a mechanism for UMass to move up - not intended for a permanent home. They played by the old rules before Liberty changed the rules.

 

[YoungFree]

^understood