FBS versus FCS...the debate continues at both levels.

[Virginia Redbird]

I found this article from the Toledo Blade. The short version is with the loss of revenue to many athletic budgets due to the virus, some universities in FBS are discussing dropping down to FBS. Maybe more accurately the faculty, fans, and media are discussing the pros and cons. This writer makes the case for the University of Toledo Rockets remaining in FBS although in my opinion he cherry-picks stats throughout the entire article to support his view that dropping to FBS would be a disaster for the Rockets. He picks out JMU as an example of essentially robbing students the first day on campus since student fees support a large part of the JMU athletic department. That is true but while most FCS schools rely more on student fees not all are at the JMU level. Actually, the group of 5 schools has to rely much more on student fees that the Power 5 big boys. He sort of concedes that being part of a national tournament with a chance to win a national title would be more exciting than playing in the local IHOP nobody cares Bowl (okay, that was my sarcastic response to the meaningless Group of 5 bowl games). Still he says he would take a crowed home field game against Colorado or Missouri any day over a December playoff game against Illinois State with a few thousand fans in attendance (a significant slap at the Redbirds). He also makes the point that attendance would suffer from a move down. He states that UT had an average announced attendance of 20,399 fans last season. Announced is not actual attendance but I am not going to quibble on that point. He then goes on to point out that the top league in FCS, Missouri Valley, had only an average attendance of 8,928 fans a game. That may or not be true but he took the average attendance of the entire league. MSU has one of the lowest attendance stats in FCS and is going to bring down the average. I could not find NDSU attendance for 2019 but in 2017 their average attendance was 18,333 a game and was only number 7 in FCS (Attendance at Football Games by the Numbers: Top 20 in Division I (FCS)). Toledo was 6-6 last season, 3-5 in the MAC. They had a big win over Brigham Young but it was a very unimpressive season otherwise.

There were the usual faculty arguments against FBS Football. Schools having to drop other sports and such. There has been a spirited discussion on this board before about the benefits of moving up to FBS. I do not agree with the writer. I don't think UT Rocket football would be impacted all that much by a move down to FCS. Outside of NW Ohio nobody really knows they exist anyway. In the current environment I can see some Group of 5 teams moving down. I can see some conferences going out of existence. Time will tell of course but I personally like FCS Football and the tournament. UT can keep the IHOP nobody cares bowl...if they can even make that! They could not beat NIU last season. Sorry for the long post and not really ISU related, except for the dig by the writer, but there is not much else to talk about and I thought this was interesting.

Briggs: Why Toledo and BG football dropping to FCS is an 'absolute non-starter'

Given the foreboding drip, drip, drip of news coming out of the Mid-American Conference — Bowling Green cutting baseball here, Akron dropping sports there, ...

www.toledoblade.com

 

[MadBird]

Interesting article, not particularly insightful, but interesting to read the point of view. I spose Toledo - or really this writer - has to look down on someone, might as well be ISU, NDSU, JMU, all of FCS, etc.

It's a matter of opinion whether trading Saturday home games with "real" fans, and probably higher student fees. for Tuesday night home games with a paycheck from ESPN is worth it. He sort of glosses over that whole deal when talking about revenues. It's not like Toledo or the MAC is playing at 11am or 2:30pm on Saturdays.

In terms of the whole "response to the pandemic", I'm surprised (a little, I guess) at the "permanent" solutions to what seems to be a "short term" crisis. Aren't we gonna get things back on track next year? Or the year after? March Madness is back, along with that payout. Football is back, along with that payout. But there's no more golf team or track team or volleyball team or what have you. No one's going to bring back a team they cut this year in two years, are they? Maybe they're taking the opportunity to take actions that would or should be taken sometime in the future.

I have always said, when we've debated the FCS/FBS issue, that the large percentage of the fan base, at FCS for sure, and probably at the Group of 5 level, couldn't really tell you whether JMU or NDSU or Appy State or Weber State or Sam Houston St. or Troy is FCS or FBS. And I'm guessing the Bison could give Toledo all they could want on the field, maybe our Redbirds too. And I don't know that ISU would draw more people if it was in the MAC or any of those other conferences. Whether Toledo or others would draw fewer if they were hosting us, I don't know.

I'm sure I'm in a very lonely minority here, but to me, this should be the opportunity to get all of college athletics "back on track" - get the big money out of it, stop being the NFL and NBA minor leagues, stop making head coaches the highest paid state employees or paid more than the president of the school, stop genuflecting to TV for when you play (5pm Sunday?? 9pm Tuesday or Friday? Football on Tuesday or Wednesday night??). But I'm not gonna hold me breath.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I don't disagree with you MadBird. I think, at least on the Power 5 level, the money is so incredible that things are out of balance. I don't see that changing unless the fan's lose interest. One thing I like about FCS is the lack of big money and media dominating the sport. I like the tournament although I do think the utter dominance of NDSU at the FCS level hurts. No hit on the Bison but when one team wins every year I think interest wanes as a whole. I felt the same when Alabama seemed to win the FBS every year. I have not watched the FBS championship game in over four years. I have not watched the Super Bowl in over 5 years. I tune into the Redbirds each week. Maybe to some being in FBS on the lower tier makes you at least have the illusion of being on a higher level. With a team like Toledo, NDSU I am certain would beat them and beat them very handily. My own opinion is that there are several FCS teams that could beat Toledo or other MAC teams. I think ISU is one of them. The Redbirds would not be embarrassed in any event. The author highlights Bowling Green offering itself up for a severe beating twice a year to get a big paycheck. Endorsing having your players get their heads beat in for money twice a year...not what I would be interested in. Overall, I think the Birds have been competitive with FBS. They beat Northwestern and Colorado State. They played NIU tough last year with virtually no offense at all. They did get beat up pretty well by Iowa but one game a year against teams with bigger rosters and more resources puts a decent chunk of money in the account and maybe prepares the players for the MVFC gauntlet.
I think the virus environment just gives the athletic departments the opportunity to take some actions they wanted to take for a while. Eliminating some sports and making some cuts. I have no expertise in this area just a gut feeling. I do find the constant faculty criticism of big-time sports rather humorous. Big-time sports are very likely out of control but colleges and universities are totally out of control as well. The cost of a 4-year degree is ridiculous for what you get in many of the degree programs. But that is another story and this is not the forum.

 

[GhostofMBA]

Still he says he would take a crowed home field game against Colorado or Missouri any day over a December playoff game against Illinois State with a few thousand fans in attendance (a significant slap at the Redbirds).

Why is the opinion with a fact a significant slap? Sure, he could of picked someone else that fit the criteria, but the Redbirds attendance has not matched the recent level of play of the team. I agree with his opinion and the fact. Not only that, we were robbed and misled (lied to) by the ISUR AD Dept. of a FBS opponent opening the renovated stadium that was advertised. He points out JMU's student athletic fees. He could have went with the Redbirds again in that area as well.

TR already points out that we draw about 2-3 times a year, and it is not Nov/Dec. Why not grab that ESPN money on the weeknights the other games? Also, ISUR has had some decent teams that missed the seed, but then does not bid up to host a game. Then a team who did not earn a hosting spot with their play on the field gets to host a team who did based on paying more money? Do not get me started with the non-scholly leagues getting automatic bids and taking a slot (Thanks Patty V, way to represent the MVFC over the Pioneer that you have a conflict of interest with). The FCS playoffs has many problems.

I did the playoff fan travel circuit during the natty run (minus EWU because I thought they were going to lose) and let me tell you, it is expensive. It is more than likely be more expensive than just going to a vacation destination and having a great time on the weekend for one game, the IdontCareBowl. I could list more reasons of FBS bowls > FCS playoffs.

I do find the constant faculty criticism of big-time sports rather humorous. Big-time sports are very likely out of control but colleges and universities are totally out of control as well. The cost of a 4-year degree is ridiculous for what you get in many of the degree programs. But that is another story and this is not the forum.

So true.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

"Why is the opinion with a fact a significant slap? Sure, he could of picked someone else that fit the criteria, but the Redbirds attendance has not matched the recent level of play of the team. I agree with his opinion and the fact. Not only that, we were robbed and misled (lied to) by the ISUR AD Dept. of a FBS opponent opening the renovated stadium that was advertised. He points out JMU's student athletic fees. He could have went with the Redbirds again in that area as well."

I am not up to date with the new site yet so I just cut and pasted the quote above. MBA, the tenor of the entire article was the Group of 5 is so far above the FCS and I felt an unjustified arrogance from the author all the way through it. Not arguing that ISU draws great crowds however if Toledo draws overwhelming crowds to the Glass Bowl as the author indicates then why would they have trouble filling the stadium for a home playoff game with ISU? Toledo is only a mediocre MAC team with a big win over BYU last season. It is kind of the same to me as NIU several years ago. They had a great season and went to the Orange Bowl. They were pretty handily beaten by FSU a Power 5 team. Still, across the country not many people really know anything about NIU. You agree with his opinion, okay with me. I just don't agree with either of you.

 

[GhostofMBA]

MBA, the tenor of the entire article was the Group of 5 is so far above the FCS and I felt an unjustified arrogance from the author all the way through it. Not arguing that ISU draws great crowds however if Toledo draws overwhelming crowds to the Glass Bowl as the author indicates then why would they have trouble filling the stadium for a home playoff game with ISU? Toledo is only a mediocre MAC team with a big win over BYU last season. It is kind of the same to me as NIU several years ago. They had a great season and went to the Orange Bowl. They were pretty handily beaten by FSU a Power 5 team. Still, across the country not many people really know anything about NIU. You agree with his opinion, okay with me. I just don't agree with either of you.

Ah, I did not read the article. I read your summary. No worries, thanks for the find!

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Ah, I did not read the article. I read your summary. No worries, thanks for the find!

No problem here MBA...I am bored to tears in lockdown and missed spring football and a little bit of Redbird football discussion. I have way too much time on my hands recently!

 

[fourthandshort]

Interesting article, not particularly insightful, but interesting to read the point of view. I spose Toledo - or really this writer - has to look down on someone, might as well be ISU, NDSU, JMU, all of FCS, etc.

It's a matter of opinion whether trading Saturday home games with "real" fans, and probably higher student fees. for Tuesday night home games with a paycheck from ESPN is worth it. He sort of glosses over that whole deal when talking about revenues. It's not like Toledo or the MAC is playing at 11am or 2:30pm on Saturdays.

In terms of the whole "response to the pandemic", I'm surprised (a little, I guess) at the "permanent" solutions to what seems to be a "short term" crisis. Aren't we gonna get things back on track next year? Or the year after? March Madness is back, along with that payout. Football is back, along with that payout. But there's no more golf team or track team or volleyball team or what have you. No one's going to bring back a team they cut this year in two years, are they? Maybe they're taking the opportunity to take actions that would or should be taken sometime in the future.

I have always said, when we've debated the FCS/FBS issue, that the large percentage of the fan base, at FCS for sure, and probably at the Group of 5 level, couldn't really tell you whether JMU or NDSU or Appy State or Weber State or Sam Houston St. or Troy is FCS or FBS. And I'm guessing the Bison could give Toledo all they could want on the field, maybe our Redbirds too. And I don't know that ISU would draw more people if it was in the MAC or any of those other conferences. Whether Toledo or others would draw fewer if they were hosting us, I don't know.

I'm sure I'm in a very lonely minority here, but to me, this should be the opportunity to get all of college athletics "back on track" - get the big money out of it, stop being the NFL and NBA minor leagues, stop making head coaches the highest paid state employees or paid more than the president of the school, stop genuflecting to TV for when you play (5pm Sunday?? 9pm Tuesday or Friday? Football on Tuesday or Wednesday night??). But I'm not gonna hold me breath.

100% agreed ... I'm all for taking college back in this direction .. things have gotten so out of whack. The idea that the P5 schools could even consider firing NCAA and forming their own "oversight/governing" committee is just such a horrible idea and frought with so much compromise and even further corruption. As for the notion that NCAA has problems, and it most certainly does, that does not mean you get to fire them and let the P5 tell us how to run college athletics .. just because they have the most money and power. Possibly the absolute worst idea for "addressing problems with college sports", and a most certain recipe for ruining college sports.

Ive said this several times .. if they think they know so much about how NCAA should be managing all college sports .... then simply take all of the entire P5 football programs .. players, coaches, admin, etc ... and go start a league having nothing to do with the college environment (i.e. students, campus, community, alumni, donors, 100+ year histories, endowments, etc), and move it to a semi-pro league to see if it can stand on it's own 2 legs. Then see how well it does ... it would fall flat on it's face like every other attempt to form another pro or semi-pro league. Those same players and coaches would never get all this attention (top stories in print, TV, and radio media). Nor would it ever come close to generating the revenue it currently generates ... the top coaches would be lucky to make a tenth of what they maake today.

Point being, it can only accomplish what theyve accomplished entirely due to their affiliation with the college .... this is the plain and simple truth ... zero doubt IMO. So whether it is about players making income beyond their full tax free scholarships, or when the P5 talks about firing NCAA .. this is my stock response. It will lead to the further demise of the purity of college sports. More money = more problems.

Work to fix problems with NCAA, not abolish it. Let the student-athletes be student's first, athletes second .. just like the term says. Playing college sports should be considered a privilege, especially if you get to do so at no expense to your family. Only 1-2 % of these student athletes will continue to earn some kind of living (for a few years only, mind you) in the sport they have loved and played for free their entire life.

Why (further) ruin such a good thing.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Interesting thoughts from the former JMU coach Mickey Matthews. I thought it fit in with the comments in this string about College Football and Athletic Departments taking a fresh look at where they have been and what lies ahead. I agree with him on a few things. The Power 5 are never giving anything up. If anything they will seek to separate themselves more and I would not be surprised to see them break from the NCAA and form their own system. There is just far too much money and Universities are greedy institutions in this day and age. Group of 5 teams are not making it to a major bowl and certainly not the Playoffs. Yes, NIU made it to the Orange Bowl a few years ago but that was an anomaly and I don't think that will happen again. Look at Central Florida as an example. From a geographic perspective, I also agree with the local rivalries ODU here in Norfolk made the jump to play in Conference USA. They made it to the Bahamas Bowl one year and had a huge upset against Virginia Tech but it is hard to get excited about playing UT-San Antonio. They are having some trouble with ticket sales and attendance in recent years due to lack of success on the field but also the opponents don't excite. I liked the NIU game last year even though the Birds came up short. Pretty easy drive for fans to follow the team. I don't see things going back to the regional type thing Coach Matthews is proposing. Likely too far down the road for that but the Group of 6 need to realize they are never going to be at the table with the Big Boys. They will give them a game or two a year but that is about it. The FCS will be undergoing changes too I think. I personally don't like to see universities dropping sports. It is a dollar and cents thing I know but I think it is good for a university to have a robust Athletic Department. The question may be how far do the teams travel and who do they play? Also, I guess does anyone care?

Former JMU coach Mickey Matthews: It's time to bring back the old CAA

In my experience through more than 40 years in intercollegiate athletics, one thing has always been true: The best leagues are bus leagues.

www.richmond.com

 

[topiarydan]

Budgets will force some programs to drop down to FCS.
You have EMich and Kent St with extremely low attendance (even lower than YSU)
I expect NCAA to make up for the preferential treatment given to the Power 5 & basically waive the attendance req (which they don't readily enforce) but keep the higher scholarship number & then allow select FCS programs to jump to FBS or stay in FCS (or perhaps FCS becomes the next Division 2)

I believe that would allow the MVC to move to FBS and would allow for conference realignment to more readily happen (& take advantage of geography) so that Tulsa, Ark St, NIU, Ball St, WKU and Memphis could jump back in with ISU, SIU, MoSt & UNI while YSU bolts to MAC & ND, NDSt, SDSt, SD, Idaho, Montana, Utah St, NMex St, San Jose St & Cal St Sacramento resurrect the WAC

This way you could have 8 team FBS playoff with Power 5 getting a guaranty spot + 1 at large from Power 5 + 2 from the non Power 5 (so among Conf USA, American, MVC, Sun Belt, WAC, MWC, MAC). Then there could still be 28 bowls to spread among 56 top remainders.

 

[GhostofMBA]

Budgets will force some programs to drop down to FCS.
You have EMich and Kent St with extremely low attendance (even lower than YSU)

The only school I am aware of recently moving down was Idaho.

I am aware of of the schools starting up or moving up to FBS recently: UMass, South Alabama, Georgia State, Appalachia State, Coastal Carolina, Texas State, ODU, and UTSA.

NIU's budget is basically the same dollar amount to that of ISU's. They just spend their money differently to stay FBS. You can play FBS on the cheap, like the MAC, because at the end of the day, it is still a regional "bus" league.

 

[redbirdfan04]

The only school I am aware of recently moving down was Idaho.

I am aware of of the schools starting up or moving up to FBS recently: UMass, South Alabama, Georgia State, Appalachia State, Coastal Carolina, Texas State, ODU, and UTSA.

NIU's budget is basically the same dollar amount to that of ISU's. They just spend their money differently to stay FBS. You can play FBS on the cheap, like the MAC, because at the end of the day, it is still a regional "bus" league.

NIU has two really wealthy donors. ISU does not have that. NIU is also getting a large pay check from the MAC for the ESPN contract to play on weekdays. One of my best friends loves NIU like I do ISU and he as well as others are getting sick of the Tuesday night games. The problem is he says is they are stuck with it as they need the money. I would love to find out how much the contract is from ESPN and how it is divided within the MAC teams.

MBA, also if ISU were to go FBS then people would complain we are doing it on the cheap. At this point I still do not understand why we would pay so much money to move up to a bad FBS conference. I can't imagine the MAC letting ISU in. It is not like the budget is going to increase if we move up and we will get less fans on weekday games.

 

[redbirdfan04]

I can't remember if any one posted this article. But I'll put it up here again. No way it ever happens but it goes with the topic. https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2019/1/31/18200696/fbs-membership-leave-fcs

 

[GhostofMBA]

MBA, also if ISU were to go FBS then people would complain we are doing it on the cheap. At this point I still do not understand why we would pay so much money to move up to a bad FBS conference. I can't imagine the MAC letting ISU in. It is not like the budget is going to increase if we move up and we will get less fans on weekday games.

Since my time of being affiliated with the ISU brand, I am not aware of something that was not done on the cheap, well, except it is debatable on Muller's contract if it is/was an overspend. If I recall correctly or last I knew, 75% of ISU's athletic budget is derived from student fees.

If I recall someone stating on here before, sometime in the past, ISU had an offer to join the MAC but declined.

Article from 2014. MAC deal at that time was a 10 year deal.

Explaining the MAC's New ESPN Deal

The new MAC TV deal with ESPN is a big deal, so let's take a few moments to break the questions down one at a time.

www.hustlebelt.com

Since then, Brett McMurphy of ESPN (and several others) have reported that this 13-year deal with ESPN is worth more than $100 million, or roughly about $8 million a season. That factors out to about $670,000 per school, per season, a big improvement over the roughly $120,000 each school received under the previous $1.4 million a year deal, a nearly 500 percent increase in annual payouts.

I believe there may be a renegotiation and to extend, but that should give you an idea anyway. Hopefully this helps!

 

[redbirdfan04]

Since my time of being affiliated with the ISU brand, I am not aware of something that was not done on the cheap, well, except it is debatable on Muller's contract if it is/was an overspend. If I recall correctly or last I knew, 75% of ISU's athletic budget is derived from student fees.

If I recall someone stating on here before, sometime in the past, ISU had an offer to join the MAC but declined.

Article from 2014. MAC deal at that time was a 10 year deal.

Explaining the MAC's New ESPN Deal

The new MAC TV deal with ESPN is a big deal, so let's take a few moments to break the questions down one at a time.

www.hustlebelt.com

Since then, Brett McMurphy of ESPN (and several others) have reported that this 13-year deal with ESPN is worth more than $100 million, or roughly about $8 million a season. That factors out to about $670,000 per school, per season, a big improvement over the roughly $120,000 each school received under the previous $1.4 million a year deal, a nearly 500 percent increase in annual payouts.

I believe there may be a renegotiation and to extend, but that should give you an idea anyway. Hopefully this helps!

Great find. Yes that is impressive for a mid major TV deal. I can see why the admin is fine with week night games.

 

[GhostofMBA]

Great find. Yes that is impressive for a mid major TV deal. I can see why the admin is fine with week night games.

Here is a kind of long article from someone who became a MAC fan because of the weeknight games, even though he had zero affiliation with any MAC school

How the Rise of MACtion Forever Changed MAC Fandom

Here’s how a scheduling quirk became a college football phenomenon—and how that’s affected the fans and students who stand in mostly empty stadiums in freezing temperatures.

www.theringer.com

We had a debate on the old board. The Neilsen numbers are far higher than any attendance numbers could have possibly be. Higher than what these stadiums can hold. All watching a Tuesday or Wednesday night college game because no other football was on to watch.


Tuesday/Wednesday game on ESPN2. Both over 330,000 viewers for a cold, November night in 2019.

College Football TV Ratings

College football TV ratings for the 2023 regular season, bowls, College Football Playoff and National Championship.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

11/13, 8:00p	NIU-TOLEDO	ESPN2	0.24	—	347K	-15%
11/12, 6:00p	WMU-OHIO	ESPN2	0.21	—	338K	-5%

TV > Hancock stadium Nov/Dec. To me, this is not even debatable.

 

[StLRedbird]

Here is a kind of long article from someone who became a MAC fan because of the weeknight games, even though he had zero affiliation with any MAC school

How the Rise of MACtion Forever Changed MAC Fandom

Here’s how a scheduling quirk became a college football phenomenon—and how that’s affected the fans and students who stand in mostly empty stadiums in freezing temperatures.

www.theringer.com

We had a debate on the old board. The Neilsen numbers are far higher than any attendance numbers could have possibly be. Higher than what these stadiums can hold. All watching a Tuesday or Wednesday night college game because no other football was on to watch.


Tuesday/Wednesday game on ESPN2. Both over 330,000 viewers for a cold, November night in 2019.

College Football TV Ratings

College football TV ratings for the 2023 regular season, bowls, College Football Playoff and National Championship.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

11/13, 8:00p	NIU-TOLEDO	ESPN2	0.24	—	347K	-15%
11/12, 6:00p	WMU-OHIO	ESPN2	0.21	—	338K	-5%

TV > Hancock stadium Nov/Dec. To me, this is not even debatable.

It's not really fair to compare a pair of eyes on a TV screen to a pair of live eyes on a football field, is it? The pair of eyes on the field is generating contributions to WSF, ticket and parking revenue, and concessions. It creates - or not - a home field advantage. It creates bonds with a student body. A pair of eyes on the field is probably worth a thousand pairs on the TV screen.

Reducing your home attendance by 10K to host a Tues night game is addition by subtraction.

 

[topiarydan]

Heck I'd much rather take a Tuesday nite roadtrip to Kalamazoo MI, Toledo OH, Muncie IN, etc to see ISU play WMU/Toledo/Ball St than Terre Haute, Carbondale or Cedar Falls on a Saturday

 

[fourthandshort]

Interesting thoughts from the former JMU coach Mickey Matthews. I thought it fit in with the comments in this string about College Football and Athletic Departments taking a fresh look at where they have been and what lies ahead. I agree with him on a few things. The Power 5 are never giving anything up. If anything they will seek to separate themselves more and I would not be surprised to see them break from the NCAA and form their own system. There is just far too much money and Universities are greedy institutions in this day and age. Group of 5 teams are not making it to a major bowl and certainly not the Playoffs. Yes, NIU made it to the Orange Bowl a few years ago but that was an anomaly and I don't think that will happen again. Look at Central Florida as an example. From a geographic perspective, I also agree with the local rivalries ODU here in Norfolk made the jump to play in Conference USA. They made it to the Bahamas Bowl one year and had a huge upset against Virginia Tech but it is hard to get excited about playing UT-San Antonio. They are having some trouble with ticket sales and attendance in recent years due to lack of success on the field but also the opponents don't excite. I liked the NIU game last year even though the Birds came up short. Pretty easy drive for fans to follow the team. I don't see things going back to the regional type thing Coach Matthews is proposing. Likely too far down the road for that but the Group of 6 need to realize they are never going to be at the table with the Big Boys. They will give them a game or two a year but that is about it. The FCS will be undergoing changes too I think. I personally don't like to see universities dropping sports. It is a dollar and cents thing I know but I think it is good for a university to have a robust Athletic Department. The question may be how far do the teams travel and who do they play? Also, I guess does anyone care?

Former JMU coach Mickey Matthews: It's time to bring back the old CAA

In my experience through more than 40 years in intercollegiate athletics, one thing has always been true: The best leagues are bus leagues.

www.richmond.com

don't have time to read right now ... but I agree with his point, 'the best leagues are bus leagues". Regional rivalries are usually the best rivalries. I think that should be the focus of all conferences. Some of these conferences today just make no sense with how far teams have to travel to play teams none of their fans know or care to know. Obvciously, as youget to P5 FBS, that becomes slightly less an issue .. but point is same there .. though a bigger radius for bigger schools makes complete sense. For FCS and below, regional is the way to go. G5 is debatable, but not really. Fan interest is usually highest in games against teams they know regionally and have history with.

 

[GhostofMBA]

It's not really fair to compare a pair of eyes on a TV screen to a pair of live eyes on a football field, is it? The pair of eyes on the field is generating contributions to WSF, ticket and parking revenue, and concessions. It creates - or not - a home field advantage. It creates bonds with a student body. A pair of eyes on the field is probably worth a thousand pairs on the TV screen.

Reducing your home attendance by 10K to host a Tues night game is addition by subtraction.

It has already been shown by others that the Nov/Dec cold games do not draw well anyway.

2019 verses UNI on Nov 2, Attendance: 6,705 (Two top 10 FCS teams)
2019 verses MoST on Nov 16, Attendance: 5,701 (Last home game of 2019)
2018 verses YSU on Nov 17, Attendance: 5,583 (Only game in Nov and last home game of 2018)
2017 verses WIU on Nov 4, Attendance: 13,192 (Strange anomaly, was WIU or ISU that year had a lot on the line?)
2017 verse NORTH DAKOTA STATE! on Nov 18, Attendance: 7,664 (Last home game of 2017 against the FCS superpower and less than 8K show up?)

I do believe most of those that showed up in Nov, would show up on the Tuesday/Wednesday nights. IMHO, the TV exposure and the money > the ISU fans that do not show up in Nov/Dec.

Add in ISU does not even try to bid up to host a playoff game, then sign up for the FBS/MAC and move on.