NCAA FBS

[GP1]

My point is - why can't the alternative get their own champion? Why is our ultimate aspiration a BCS bowl against an opponent with far more financial resources?

Very simple. It is because those working in athletic departments at our level are not interested in rocking the boat because they want to be an AD at the BCS level. Their potential career advancement comes at the expense of the schools they work for.

Our enemy is within, not external: Athletic Directors and league commissioners.

[legendofzippy]

Very simple. It is because those working in athletic departments at our level are not interested in rocking the boat because they want to be an AD at the BCS level. Their potential career advancement comes at the expense of the schools they work for.

Our enemy is within, not external: Athletic Directors and league commissioners.

I hate that this is probably the answer. As with all things in life, follow the money.

I think I would include coaches as well, but maybe you were too. I like Coach Bowden, so hopefully no one takes this as a slam, but in what other occupation is he going to get 300k with tons of perks? Plus, even if you fail miserably (last coach) you can still get someone stupid enough (Weis) to keep hiring you.

[GP1]

I hate that this is probably the answer. As with all things in life, follow the money.

I think I would include coaches as well, but maybe you were too. I like Coach Bowden, so hopefully no one takes this as a slam, but in what other occupation is he going to get 300k with tons of perks? Plus, even if you fail miserably (last coach) you can still get someone stupid enough (Weis) to keep hiring you.

I wouldn't put coaches in it. They are going to work where they can get a job and in reality, there are very few head coaching jobs at the D1A level so they will work wherever and whenever they can.

Where could Bowden get $300K a year? Doing television for maybe a little more. A coordinator at a BCS school would pay at least double $300K. The guy is coaching because he wants to and has a passion for it.

[Dr Z]

This is getting more and more fun.

@GeorgeThomasABJ tweeted this.

[Dave in Green]

Back to the original premise of this thread: If NIU goes to a second straight BCS bowl game, it would be a phenomenal accomplishment for a team with MAC-level resources. It's a goal that UA should aim for, and it's achievable with Coach Bowden, Coach Amato and others like them. If the Zips could do what NIU is in the process of doing, the Big Dialer would be full every weekend and the Zips would be the darling of the media, both local and national. That level achievement generates huge national attention because Americans love scrappy underdogs. By comparison, winning a national championship in a lower division is a yawner to most sports fans and barely gets mentioned in the media. I'd rather have the Zips be the scrappiest little fish ever seen in the big pond than the biggest fish in a little puddle. Think Bigger was a great theme for the Zips basketball team. Think Smaller is a horrible theme for the Zips football team.

[GP1]

Back to the original premise of this thread: If NIU goes to a second straight BCS bowl game, it would be a phenomenal accomplishment for a team with MAC-level resources. It's a goal that UA should aim for, and it's achievable with Coach Bowden, Coach Amato and others like them. If the Zips could do what NIU is in the process of doing, the Big Dialer would be full every weekend and the Zips would be the darling of the media, both local and national. That level achievement generates huge national attention because Americans love scrappy underdogs. By comparison, winning a national championship in a lower division is a yawner to most sports fans and barely gets mentioned in the media. I'd rather have the Zips be the scrappiest little fish ever seen in the big pond than the biggest fish in a little puddle. Think Bigger was a great theme for the Zips basketball team. Think Smaller is a horrible theme for the Zips football team.

Good post.

You are exactly correct in what I put in bold. It gets little attention because the national championships are played at a time when everyone is talking NFL playoffs and BCS bowls. Play it at a time when fans aren't talking about the two biggest football groups, or much at all for that matter, and you may really have something. "Hit'em where they ain't." - Willie Keeler

[Buckzip]

@GeorgeThomasABJ tweeted this.

Their were also no other undefeated at the time. Nice try.

I'm not really sure what Meyer or OSU has to do with this anyway. Oh yea, I forgot "the obsession with OSU" LOL.

I notice you ignore what Nick Saban said after that.

You know, if you don't win your conference, you shouldn't be in the NCG.

Then the next year he didn't win it and lobbied to be in the game because he was in the secheats.

[legendofzippy]

Back to the original premise of this thread: If NIU goes to a second straight BCS bowl game, it would be a phenomenal accomplishment for a team with MAC-level resources. It's a goal that UA should aim for, and it's achievable with Coach Bowden, Coach Amato and others like them. If the Zips could do what NIU is in the process of doing, the Big Dialer would be full every weekend and the Zips would be the darling of the media, both local and national. That level achievement generates huge national attention because Americans love scrappy underdogs. By comparison, winning a national championship in a lower division is a yawner to most sports fans and barely gets mentioned in the media. I'd rather have the Zips be the scrappiest little fish ever seen in the big pond than the biggest fish in a little puddle. Think Bigger was a great theme for the Zips basketball team. Think Smaller is a horrible theme for the Zips football team.

The two things I remember about NIU from last year - their coach left for a bigger job before they even got to play that game, and Herbstreit ripped them to shreds for being in a BCS game. People like underdogs, I agree, but that was the least-anticipated of all the BCS bowl games.

What I would propose is essentially copying what will happen with the playoff next year. Take the 4 best teams from the non-AQ conferences, have them play in bowls for semi-finals and a championship. I have no proof, but I think that would draw more interest than watching a game where everyone knows the outcome. You're going to put them in games that could serve as the semi-finals anyway, and there are tons of bowls no one cares about that could be swapped out for the "mid-major championship".

And let's be honest - the NCAA doesn't want NIU in those games. They need large programs with lots of fans to justify what they charge advertisers. Unfortunately, no MAC team can provide that.

There is zero chance of a MAC team making the four team playoff next year. If they expand to eight, there will still be zero chance.

I guess in the end it's not worth worrying about. We're not exactly rolling in conference championships, let alone something larger.

[Dr Z]

GP1 is correct, you Columbus fans are ultra-defensive. Read the original tweet, it actually comes off as pro-columbus. That's why George tweeted it.

[legendofzippy]

Good post.

You are exactly correct in what I put in bold. It gets little attention because the national championships are played at a time when everyone is talking NFL playoffs and BCS bowls. Play it at a time when fans aren't talking about the two biggest football groups, or much at all for that matter, and you may really have something. "Hit'em where they ain't." - Willie Keeler

I think you're referring to the spring idea, correct? It is surprising to me that as big as football is in this country, all levels of it are played at the same time. High school I get, kids play multiple sports. But you'd think something would have worked at a different time.

[GP1]

GP1 is correct, you Columbus fans are ultra-defensive.

It has almost gotten to the point of insanity. They are driven insane by what their paranoia tells them is disrespect and aggression towards them. They think that somehow, every conference, especially the SEC and their henchmen at ESPN are leading the charge against them. SEC fans could care less about tosu and the sec is televised on CBS for crying out loud. I've really become aware of it since I moved from Ohio. It is very, very, very strange.... Very strange. They have created a bizarre world for themselves.

I guess if they stopped obsessing about tosu though, they would just conjure up something else to be paranoid about...Like the war on Christmas that doesn't exist.

[GJGood]

Michigan State regardless of a win or loss will be in the Rose Bowl. If OSU wins they will likely go to the BCS, sure ESPN will have you believe otherwise, but OSU will be at 2 and have beaten a top 10 team in a championship game. They would earn enough computer points from that to stay ahead of Auburn (the only other team with any real shot).

NIU will not end up in the Rose Bowl, it fills with PAC 12/BIG 10 so since two BIG 10 schools will be BCS Bowl eligible, Michigan State goes to the Rose Bowl.

NIU is looking to be Fiesta Bowl bound. Which likely will be the Big 12 winner (OCan't State).

I think you guys are jumping the gun a little bit on Michigan State being in the Rose Bowl if they lose to OSU. The Rose Bowl will take the Big Ten champion or runner-up if available, but if MSU loses to OSU they could fall out of the Top 14 that is required for at-large BCS consideration. If MSU loses Saturday and drops 5 or more spots while OSU goes to the NC game, the Big Ten is effectively shut out of the Rose Bowl this year. Assuming OSU stays #2, the Rose Bowl would have second pick of at-large teams so I am guessing a SEC team would have already been selected as an at large maxing that conference's BCS entries out.... assuming OK State in the Fiesta, it could be Baylor or Clemson in Pasadena against the PAC-12 champ IF MSU doesn't stay top 14.

[zippy5]

It has almost gotten to the point of insanity. They are driven insane by what their paranoia tells them is disrespect and aggression towards them. They think that somehow, every conference, especially the SEC and their henchmen at ESPN are leading the charge against them. SEC fans could care less about tosu and the sec is televised on CBS for crying out loud. I've really become aware of it since I moved from Ohio. It is very, very, very strange.... Very strange. They have created a bizarre world for themselves.

I guess if they stopped obsessing about tosu though, they would just conjure up something else to be paranoid about...Like the war on Christmas that doesn't exist.

They've played 9 games on the ABC/ESPN network. One of the biggest OSU fans there is (Herbstreit) works for ESPN. If ESPN was leading some charge against OSU, it's been a pretty Trojan Horse-like effort.

[UAZipster0305]

The two things I remember about NIU from last year - their coach left for a bigger job before they even got to play that game, and Herbstreit ripped them to shreds for being in a BCS game. People like underdogs, I agree, but that was the least-anticipated of all the BCS bowl games.

What I would propose is essentially copying what will happen with the playoff next year. Take the 4 best teams from the non-AQ conferences, have them play in bowls for semi-finals and a championship. I have no proof, but I think that would draw more interest than watching a game where everyone knows the outcome. You're going to put them in games that could serve as the semi-finals anyway, and there are tons of bowls no one cares about that could be swapped out for the "mid-major championship".

And let's be honest - the NCAA doesn't want NIU in those games. They need large programs with lots of fans to justify what they charge advertisers. Unfortunately, no MAC team can provide that.

There is zero chance of a MAC team making the four team playoff next year. If they expand to eight, there will still be zero chance.

I guess in the end it's not worth worrying about. We're not exactly rolling in conference championships, let alone something larger.

I saw a commercial for the MAC a few years ago that stated the MAC alumni base is the largest of any D-1A conference in the country. I don't know if this is accurate or not, but the point remains that the MAC alumni base is huge. If the MAC alums had the same enthusiasm and allegiance as B10 alums, the MAC would have plenty enough fans to justify what advertisers charge. However, these alums have no enthusiasm for or allegiance to their native institution. Instead, many are fans of B10 schools because they play "major" sports. This lack of loyalty is the very essence of why I can't stand OSU. The traitor fans are the worst because they remove support for MAC schools and give it directly to the B10 who we compete with (regardless of what many on here insist). The casual non-OSU alums are bad too but they are just bandwagoners. I have no problem with OSU alum like Buckzip who are biased in supporting their school. We are the same way with the Zips and this is why I love listening to Frenchy. Go Zips!

[Dave in Green]

I'm as enthusiastic about the concept of moving Zips football to Spring as I am the concept of moving Christmas to June.

[legendofzippy]

I saw a commercial for the MAC a few years ago that stated the MAC alumni base is the largest of any D-1A conference in the country. I don't know if this is accurate or not, but the point remains that the MAC alumni base is huge. If the MAC alums had the same enthusiasm and allegiance as B10 alums, the MAC would have plenty enough fans to justify what advertisers charge. However, these alums have no enthusiasm for or allegiance to their native institution. Instead, many are fans of B10 schools because they play "major" sports. This lack of loyalty is the very essence of why I can't stand OSU. The traitor fans are the worst because they remove support for MAC schools and give it directly to the B10 who we compete with (regardless of what many on here insist). The casual non-OSU alums are bad too but they are just bandwagoners. I have no problem with OSU alum like Buckzip who are biased in supporting their school. We are the same way with the Zips and this is why I love listening to Frenchy. Go Zips!

Most of the people you refer to grew up as fans of OSU, Michigan, ND, etc. You can't expect that they'll suddenly abandon that. People don't pick schools to attend based on the sports teams, they're there to get a degree. And they're paying out the ass for it. No one is obligated to drop their allegiances simply because they were comfortable with a school based on academics.

But you're getting back to my main point. You say we compete with OSU. If that were true, NIU would be in the top 5 at least. Instead, they're not considered equal to multi-loss AQ teams.

[GP1]

I'm as enthusiastic about the concept of moving Zips football to Spring as I am the concept of moving Christmas to June.

I'd watch it 12 months a year if it was offered. I watch the CFL for crying out loud. I think that between the American obsession with football and gambling degenerates, there is a huge market for football. ESPN televises college spring football practices and they are the most boring displays of football out there.

[MDZip]

I'm as enthusiastic about the concept of moving Zips football to Spring as I am the concept of moving Christmas to June.

Dave want to move Christmas to June! War on Christmas! WAR ON CHRISTMAS!!!

[Dave in Green]

The two things I remember about NIU from last year - their coach left for a bigger job before they even got to play that game, and Herbstreit ripped them to shreds for being in a BCS game. People like underdogs, I agree, but that was the least-anticipated of all the BCS bowl games. ...

What I remember is that despite their coach leaving they're right back on the verge of making it to another BCS bowl game. I'm not sensitive to what Herbstreit says about MAC teams. The least anticipated of all the BCS bowl games is exponentially more anticipated than any lower division bowl game.

[Dave in Green]

Dave want to move Chsritmas to June! War on Christams! WAR ON CHRISTMAS!!!

No way! Moving Christmas to June will enhance it, not diminish it. You just wait and see. After I make hundreds of posts on ZN.o selling the virtues of Christmas in June, you'll eventually all come around.

[UAZipster0305]

Most of the people you refer to grew up as fans of OSU, Michigan, ND, etc. You can't expect that they'll suddenly abandon that. People don't pick schools to attend based on the sports teams, they're there to get a degree. And they're paying out the ass for it. No one is obligated to drop their allegiances simply because they were comfortable with a school based on academics.

But you're getting back to my main point. You say we compete with OSU. If that were true, NIU would be in the top 5 at least. Instead, they're not considered equal to multi-loss AQ teams.

So your solution is to perpetuate the status quo and let our alumni flock elsewhere? Why can't you still follow the team you grew up with but primarily follow the Zips or at least be a fan of both? Yes, you may be a fan of both, but most people aren't. Hence, the MBB attendance issues.

How does the MAC escape the perpetuation of this viscious cycle? Though I disagree, GP1 has proposed the only real solution.

Yes, we compete with OSU. Objectively, NIU is not worthy of being in the top 5. They won one game against an average Iowa team, destroyed a bad Purdue team, and ran the table in the MAC. Sure, Toledo and Ball State are good wins too, but not worthy of consideration for the top spots. Like OSU, their schedule is weak relative to the SEC and Pac 10. Until there is a true 16 team playoff system, all we can do is subjectively project the best X number of teams, and this year, NIU is not among them IMO. However, I want NIU to win because they are in the MAC and if NIU can do it, Akron can too. The result of the MACC and their bowl game will be very telling.

[GP1]

Dave want to move Chsritmas to June! War on Christams! WAR ON CHRISTMAS!!!

It's all ESPNs fault....

[GP1]

I'm not sensitive to what Herbstreit says about MAC teams.

I actually agreed with everything he said about NIU last year. His main argument was NIU had lost to a horrible Iowa team and didn't deserve a BCS game because of it. In my opinion, that is a true.

This year, he has not dumped on NIU because they are undefeated and the deserve to be there. I would agree. NIU deserves to be there this year.

This just in. Herbstreit will be on Fox News tonight with Bill O'R to discuss the War on Christmas.

[GP1]

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[Buckzip]

So your solution is to perpetuate the status quo and let our alumni flock elsewhere? Why can't you still follow the team you grew up with but primarily follow the Zips or at least be a fan of both? Yes, you may be a fan of both, but most people aren't. Hence, the MBB attendance issues.

How does the MAC escape the perpetuation of this viscious cycle? Though I disagree, GP1 has proposed the only real solution.

Yes, we compete with OSU. Objectively, NIU is not worthy of being in the top 5. They won one game against an average Iowa team, destroyed a bad Purdue team, and ran the table in the MAC. Sure, Toledo and Ball State are good wins too, but not worthy of consideration for the top spots. Like OSU, their schedule is weak relative to the SEC and Pac 10. Until there is a true 16 team playoff system, all we can do is subjectively project the best X number of teams, and this year, NIU is not among them IMO. However, I want NIU to win because they are in the MAC and if NIU can do it, Akron can too. The result of the MACC and their bowl game will be very telling.

Some of us are fans of both. Their is nothing wrong with that IMHO. Well, except at this site.