Are we going to make our last stand?

[feelthehorsepower]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... n/4481951/

The NCAA is moving towards giving absolute power to the Power 5 (BCS) Conferences (ACC, Pac 12, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten) and leaving the non P5 (American, MWC, MAC, Sunbelt, CUSA) in the dust.

Time to really start thinking about what we are going to do as a program, and maybe the most drastic solutions will have us looking back to doing things like how we did when we were a national football powerhouse...they're no longer giving the death penalty and if they do it again we've been there...what is there to lose this time?

[SMU 86]

The question is not cheating but if we have the resources to comply with the changes that are about to be made that are legal.

[feelthehorsepower]

The question is not cheating but if we have the resources to comply with the changes that are about to be made that are legal.

I agree. I think that may be the measuring stick that Power Conferences will start using when they decide to add new members in the future. If you can afford to comply with the stipends, "lifetime education fund" etc., then you are in. Isn't that the definition of a "have"?

[JasonB]

Please note - there is not necessarily going to be a stipulation that schools have to do this stuff in order to be part of a power conference.

This is just a move for the large, upper echelon schools to go back to dominating everyone. Just like back in the day, when unlimited scholarships were allowed and they could spend whatever they wanted to on living accommodations, the big boys will absolutely dominate athletics. OU, ND, UT, OSU will go back to winning every national championship, just like in the 60s and 70s.

Oh, wait, that already happens.

This essentially eliminate sthe smaller schools from being anything but periodic conference contenders. It will put severe restrictions on a Baylor or TCU's ability to compete for the Big 12, because they won't be able to afford to pay all of the amenities.

It will also eventually mean the exclusion of teams from smaller conferences from major bowl games. TCU, because of TV deals, won't max out the amenities, but will be able to afford more than SMU can. This will lead to them dominating (don't derail with current state discussions) recruiting against an SMU. So the smaller conferences will get destroyed in any non-conference games prior to the conference season or in the bowl season.

I think that what folks really need to look at is that we are at the peak of popularity in college sports. Is that because of the parity that has been generated through strict rules? By enacting these change, will the parity disappear and along with it the massive ratings?

Personally, I think it is a mistake, and not just because we are one of the "little guys".

[originaloverthehilltop1]

isn't it time for the non p5 schools to leave the ncaa and pull an AFLstyle end around with a new organization? with their own tv contract. dropping most of the p5 teams from their schedules, refusing to be their easy ooc wins and forcing them to eat their own. wouldn't you like to see TcU playing 12 or 13 p5 teams?

maybe be first to adopt pay or at least higher living stipend for the athletes (that will get some more and better athletes right away.) they don't really want competition, they want dominance without any real competition.

[LHS81]

So SMU is now considered Custer?

[malonish]

We few, we happy few band of brothers.

[East Coast Mustang]

isn't it time for the non p5 schools to leave the ncaa and pull an AFLstyle end around with a new organization? with their own tv contract. dropping most of the p5 teams from their schedules, refusing to be their easy ooc wins and forcing them to eat their own. wouldn't you like to see TcU playing 12 or 13 p5 teams?

maybe be first to adopt pay or at least higher living stipend for the athletes (that will get some more and better athletes right away.) they don't really want competition, they want dominance without any real competition.

This seems like the nuclear option. Just break away from the NCAA junta and start brazenly paying players. Offer a guy like Jadaveon Clowney $250K a year to play at SMU until he's draft eligible.

[PoconoPony]

We could all see this coming and we have had 6 years under JJ to position ourselves to move into those limited forthcoming slots. Problem is that we have failed to position ourselves to move. JJ cannot recruit and he will be the reason we are not positioned. Larry Brown may eventually save the day if the BB team really has an extraordinary year and we luck out, but basketball does not carry enough weight. It will be interesting with the good Big East basketball teams and none will be P5 ; however the NCAA tournament balances out basketball. The bottom line is that we extended JJ and that almost dooms us to second tier and we miss out.

[WildBillPony]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/01/14/restructuring-tops-agenda-at-ncaa-convention/4481951/

The NCAA is moving towards giving absolute power to the Power 5 (BCS) Conferences (ACC, Pac 12, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten) and leaving the non P5 (American, MWC, MAC, Sunbelt, CUSA) in the dust.

Time to really start thinking about what we are going to do as a program, and maybe the most drastic solutions will have us looking back to doing things like how we did when we were a national football powerhouse...they're no longer giving the death penalty and if they do it again we've been there...what is there to lose this time?

We should do what we have to do. Just this time, use a blank, white envelope and leave the HLP's off of it.

[Arkpony]

Paying players will destroy college football's integrity. (if there is any left in the bigger schools)

[couch 'em]

They are already paid in everything but cash. What's the difference? They haven't been noble college students who happen to get a scholarship for football in a way similar to academic scholarships in decades.

[SMU 86]

They are already paid in everything but cash. What's the difference? .

Well you do have a point there.