More evidence against "moving up"

[LDopaPDX]

I know this isn't even being talked about at Eastern, or really any Big Sky Conference school at this time with any seriousness... but it is an ongoing issue within the ranks of the FCS.

Here's a great stat on why moving to the FBS isn't a good move for most teams that are capable of competing at that level. FIVE, count 'em, five bowl eligible teams from the Sun Belt are sitting at home over the holidays because they were snubbed by bowls. Think about that, the conference that Georgia Southern and Appalachian State were so hot to join can't even get invites for it's teams to one of the 36,173 bowl games that are played.

To make matters worse, the Sun Belt is expanding West and adding that cesspool of Northwest football, the Idaho Vandals. What is the motivation to join the lower-tier of the FBS if you're not part of the BCS equation?

We get to continue playing in a playoff bracket against opponents from around the country, including noteworthy teams like Towson and North Dakota State. Yeah, I wish we inspired better attendance and a little more university spending; but playing the likes of Idaho, Old Dominion, and Temple isn't going to put more butts in seats than playing Montana, Montana State, and Cal Poly.

And if you want to see a comical take on this issue, check out Portland State's board. Their fanbase thinks they are ready to move up. Their university President recently sent out a memo saying they will no longer fund the football program at a deficit due to it's constant lack of revenue production, but their delusional fans think they could make more if they only joined the Sun Belt or played as an FBS Independent. :lol:

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

Great points. But i think it's worth mentioning that there are some benefits of moving up. The primary benefit being more money & exposure, = possibility of more money. You can't just look at Idaho, you have to look at Boise State and Nevada too. Also, from my perspective, there's only one difference between Idaho and bsu/unr. Stadium expansion. Ijs

 

[LBCoach]

I agree that moving up is not always the better choice. I agree that I do not want to see any BSC teams move up in division and would also love to see U of Wyoming and Idaho come into to the BSC as I don't think either of those teams have any relevance in their current situations. I also agree that moving up has ruined U of Idaho's football program. Teams need to stay competitive or they loose all their relevance and in the current state of bowl games who cares that WSU will play in the New Mexico Bowl but as for money those bowls give a guaranteed income. The Sun Belt this year is given 2 Bowl Games: The Go Daddy Bowl (cant believe that name) and the New Orleans Bowl. The Go Daddy Bowl pays out to the Sun Belt Conference $750,000 while the New Orleans Bowl pays out $500,000. When Idaho was in the WAC with BSU they were able to get a cut out of BSU's Fiesta Bowl Payout of over $17 million when they were not eligible to be toilet bowl participants. This is money that they don't even have to play for. From what I've been told from people at U of I the D-1 status makes it easier for them to schedule the likes of LSU, FSU, etc. etc. where they make huge payouts sacrificing their football athletes so that their other sports programs have money. As a former player and coach I feel very sad for those athletes that their University is willing to sell them down the road, in games where they have 0% chance of winning and a much higher chance of getting hurt, to fund other programs.

 

[FormerEag]

I don't want us to even consider moving up until our facilities are improved and more importantly until a true playoff system is implemented. I think the bowl system, especially the BCS, is deplorable. I can't imagine missing out on the sheer thrill of playoffs. I don't want to have any part of that dog and pony show.