Why is the American, Conf USA, Mountain West, MAC, and Sunbelt considered FBS leagues?

Volbound1700

Volbound1700

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And their undefeated teams are not allowed to be in playoffs...

It seems ridiculous to have them in the highest division if they can't play for the championship kind of like how UCF was left out in 2017.
 
Volbound1700 said:
And their undefeated teams are not allowed to be in playoffs...

It seems ridiculous to have them in the highest division if they can't play for the championship kind of like how UCF was left out in 2017.
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So the PAC has someone to look down on?
:dhd:
 
No worries - UNA will humble BYU come 21 November. :)
 
I just consider it frustrated in some ways. I am not sure why we have these leagues and then leave out their unbeaten champs. I saw we move all of the non-Power 5 with the exception of maybe BYU and Notre Dame (yes, I know Notre Dame is in the ACC this year but they have conference identification issues) down to another division. Perhaps, we could lump together the better non-Power 5 teams such as UCF, Boise State, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Air Force, Army, Memphis, etc. and make them into a sixth league and keep it. That is a maybe...
 
Volbound1700 said:
I just consider it frustrated in some ways. I am not sure why we have these leagues and then leave out their unbeaten champs. I saw we move all of the non-Power 5 with the exception of maybe BYU and Notre Dame (yes, I know Notre Dame is in the ACC this year but they have conference identification issues) down to another division. Perhaps, we could lump together the better non-Power 5 teams such as UCF, Boise State, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Air Force, Army, Memphis, etc. and make them into a sixth league and keep it. That is a maybe...
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I asked this same question. @Wizardhawk understands the nuances the best. But, believe it or not, the P5s (especially the mid/lower level ones) don't really want the G5s to leave and go their own way. AND, they are willing to share just enough of the big money with them to keep them "in the foal" so to speak. From what I understand, there is no way the G5s could make the same money by breaking away and having their own division. In fact, I'm told, it wouldn't even be close to the amount the P5s are willing to give them.
 
Deep Creek said:
I asked this same question. @Wizardhawk understands the nuances the best. But, believe it or not, the P5s (especially the mid/lower level ones) don't really want the G5s to leave and go their own way. AND, they are willing to share just enough of the big money with them to keep them "in the foal" so to speak. From what I understand, there is no way the G5s could make the same money by breaking away and having their own division. In fact, I'm told, it wouldn't even be close to the amount the P5s are willing to give them.
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There is some truth. No one watches FCS or any of those other leagues. Division 1A/FBS is really the only football with true fans/media attention. If we dropped them down, they would lose money.
 
There's a difference between the G5's and FCS.

Without the G5's you wouldn't get as many P5's bowl eligible, nor would most have at least 7 home games every year with all the G5's willing to be road whores for a payday. It isn't completely a mutualistic relationship, but isn't fully parasitic either. There is no doubt the P5's profit more, but G5's wouldn't be able to sustain their programs without this arrangement.
 
Volbound1700 said:
And their undefeated teams are not allowed to be in playoffs...

It seems ridiculous to have them in the highest division if they can't play for the championship kind of like how UCF was left out in 2017.
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because they are poopy. UCF didnt deserve a shot in 2017
 
NU_FTW said:
because they are poopy. UCF didnt deserve a shot in 2017
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I would agree that UCF didn't have the strength of schedule to justify an appearance but it is still crappy to have them in the top division but not allow them to play, even if they go unbeaten.
 
Volbound1700 said:
I would agree that UCF didn't have the strength of schedule to justify an appearance but it is still crappy to have them in the top division but not allow them to play, even if they go unbeaten.
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G5 exists because they make more money when they get ooc against P5.

Though there has been a lot more talk lately than ever about the P5 splitting out to form its own division (to be fair they could bypass the NCAA completely if they wanted to)
 
As for G5's being legit playoff contenders, of course it's nearly impossible. It's not fully impossible, but requires a perfect storm.

As I said, the P5's feast on the G5's for adding extra home games and padding easier wins to reach .500+ to get to a bowl.

The GOOD G5's try to get H/H deals out of P5's and can sometimes find takers. Outside of that they too feast on lower G5 talent, only not just for the couple of OOC games that P5's do, but often throughout their conference schedule. None have been willing to schedule out a murders row in the OOC to buy credibility. They would have to do it years ahead so you'd have to expect to be at that level years before that schedule plays out, and there is too much risk in playing 3 solid OOC. Take 1 and hope you either win or at least play soundly, blow out your conference, and hope there is chaos enough in the top 5 to put you at the table for discussion.

A truly special team has some sort of chance, but doesn't entirely control their own fate as much as a really good P5.

Yet you won't find the G5's backing out of this deal. Those games they play in front of P5's on the road give them good paydays and also help with recruiting. Those kids know they will be on TV and get to play in historic college football stadiums despite them not being picked up by a big time school. They also make a lot on the bowl system and automatic payouts to all of the G5 conferences from the pool.

This system as it stands will not change until there is a full and complete financial collapse by ESPN and the financial backing of the current bowl system.
 
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