(05-31-2018 06:28 AM)jaminniner Wrote:  College football should add exhibition games at the beginning of the season against FCS or D-II schools.

Agreed! I’ve always said that if schools must play a 1-AA then make it the frat week of the year every year. Then that means EVERY 1-A team across the nation opens up at home. Can’t get better than that. Then confs like the SEC that pull that late season crap will be gone.

(05-31-2018 11:29 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 08:41 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Some of those FCS schools are a big draw. Unless you can give me a FBS team to take that attendance draw's place this is a moot point.

These are the last 3 year of non conference home game attendances for each C-USA team. Also put win/loss on here for reference.

* Denotes first home game of the year, where attendance should regardless of opponent.

Charlotte

Home FCS Games
2015 - Presbyterian 16,631 (W)*
2016 - Elon 15,807 (W)*
2017 - NC A&T 18,651 (L)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Temple 13,105 (L)
2016 - Eastern Michigan 15,080 (L)
2017 - Ga State 11,029 (L)

Avg FCS 17,029 - Avg FBS 13,071

FAU

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Southern Illinois 14,887 (W)*
2017 - Bethune Cookman 16,743 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Miami 30,321 (L)*, Buffalo 15,397 (L)
2016 - Ball State 13,846 (L)
2017 - Navy 28,481 (L)*

Avg FCS 15,815 - Avg FBS 22,011

FIU

Home FCS Games
2015 - NC Central 15,567 (W)*
2016 - N/A
2017 - Alcorn State 5,017 (W) (Hurricane game, did not count)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - Indiana 16,089 (L)*, Maryland 17,084 (L), UCF 18,524 (L)
2017 - Tulane 16,433 (W), UMass 14,004 (W)

Avg FCS 15,567 - Avg FBS 16,427

Marshall

Home FCS Games
2015 - Norfolk State 24,114 (W)
2016 - Morgan State 26,488 (W)*
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Purdue 38,791 (W)*
2016 - Akron 24,258 (L), Louisville 40,592 (L)
2017 - Miami (OH) 22,463 (W)*, Kent State 24,044 (W)

Avg FCS 25,301 - Avg FBS 30,029

MTSU

Home FCS Games
2015 - Jackson State 15,908 (W)
2016 - Alabama A&M 19,967 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Vanderbilt 25,411 (L)
2016 - N/A
2017 - Vanderbilt 26,717 (L)*, Bowling Green 16,523 (W)

Avg FCS 17,938 - Avg FBS 22,884

Old Dominion

Home FCS Games
2015 - Norfolk St 20,118 (W)
2016 - Hampton 20,118 (W)*
2017 - Albany 20,118 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - NC State 20,118 (L), App State 20,118 (L)
2016 - UMass 20,118 (W)
2017 - UNC 20,118 (L)

Avg FCS/FBS 20,118

WKU

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Houston Babtist 17,331 (W)
2017 - Eastern Kentucky 18,614 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Miami(OH) 20,320 (W)
2016 - Vanderbilt 23,674 (L)
2017 - Ball State 17,590 (W)

Avg FCS 17,972 - Avg FBS 20,528

North Texas

Home FCS Games
2015 - Portland State 19,801 (L, 7-66)
2016 - Bethune Cookman 15,609 (W)
2017 - Lamar 19,592 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - SMU 24,718 (L)*
2017 - Army 26,392 (W)

Avg FCS 18,334 - Avg FBS 25,555

UAB

Home FCS Games
2015 - No Team
2016 - No Team
2017 - Alabama A&M 45,212 (W) (First game back)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - No Team
2016 - No Team
2017 - Coastal Carolina 24,789 (W)

Avg FCS 45,212 - Avg FBS 24,789

Southern Miss

Home FCS Games
2015 - Austin Peay 23,042 (W)
2016 - Savannah State 29,509 (W)*
2017 - Southern 24,337 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Mississippi State 36,641 (L)*
2016 - Troy 27,905 (L)
2017 - Kentucky 22,671 (L)*

Avg FCS 25,629 - Avg FBS 29,072

La Tech

Home FCS Games
2015 - Southern 27,905 (W)*
2016 - SC State 16,910 (W)
2017 - Northwestern State 24,002 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Louisiana Lafayette 26,910 (W)
2016 - N/A
2017 - Mississippi State 28,100 (L)

Avg FCS 22,939 - Avg FBS 27,505

UTSA

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Alabama State 22,380 (W)*
2017 - Southern 25,093 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Kansas State 29,424 (L)*, Colorado State 24,705 (L)
2016 - Arizona State 29,035 (L)
2017 - Houston (Cancelled)

Avg FCS 23,737 - Avg FBS 27,721

Rice

Home FCS Games
2015 - Wagner 18,296 (W)*
2016 - Prarie View A&M 21,538 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Army 24,409 (W)
2016 - Baylor 27,047 (L)*
2017 - Army 21,766 (L)

Avg FCS 19,917 - Avg FBS 24,407

UTEP

Home FCS Games
2015 - Incarnate Word 22,322 (W)*
2016 - Houston Babtist 15,977 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - New Mexico State 30,119 (W)*, Army 37,893 (L)
2017 - Arizona 22,133 (L)

Avg FCS 19,149 - Avg FBS 30,048


Numbers dont lie, FBS games draw far larger crowds except for Charlotte and UAB (unique situation).

Thanks for the info! Well done! +3!

(05-31-2018 12:57 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 11:29 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 08:41 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Some of those FCS schools are a big draw. Unless you can give me a FBS team to take that attendance draw's place this is a moot point.

These are the last 3 year of non conference home game attendances for each C-USA team. Also put win/loss on here for reference.

* Denotes first home game of the year, where attendance should regardless of opponent.

Charlotte

Home FCS Games
2015 - Presbyterian 16,631 (W)*
2016 - Elon 15,807 (W)*
2017 - NC A&T 18,651 (L)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Temple 13,105 (L)
2016 - Eastern Michigan 15,080 (L)
2017 - Ga State 11,029 (L)

Avg FCS 17,029 - Avg FBS 13,071

FAU

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Southern Illinois 14,887 (W)*
2017 - Bethune Cookman 16,743 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Miami 30,321 (L)*, Buffalo 15,397 (L)
2016 - Ball State 13,846 (L)
2017 - Navy 28,481 (L)*

Avg FCS 15,815 - Avg FBS 22,011

FIU

Home FCS Games
2015 - NC Central 15,567 (W)*
2016 - N/A
2017 - Alcorn State 5,017 (W) (Hurricane game, did not count)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - Indiana 16,089 (L)*, Maryland 17,084 (L), UCF 18,524 (L)
2017 - Tulane 16,433 (W), UMass 14,004 (W)

Avg FCS 15,567 - Avg FBS 16,427

Marshall

Home FCS Games
2015 - Norfolk State 24,114 (W)
2016 - Morgan State 26,488 (W)*
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Purdue 38,791 (W)*
2016 - Akron 24,258 (L), Louisville 40,592 (L)
2017 - Miami (OH) 22,463 (W)*, Kent State 24,044 (W)

Avg FCS 25,301 - Avg FBS 30,029

MTSU

Home FCS Games
2015 - Jackson State 15,908 (W)
2016 - Alabama A&M 19,967 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Vanderbilt 25,411 (L)
2016 - N/A
2017 - Vanderbilt 26,717 (L)*, Bowling Green 16,523 (W)

Avg FCS 17,938 - Avg FBS 22,884

Old Dominion

Home FCS Games
2015 - Norfolk St 20,118 (W)
2016 - Hampton 20,118 (W)*
2017 - Albany 20,118 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - NC State 20,118 (L), App State 20,118 (L)
2016 - UMass 20,118 (W)
2017 - UNC 20,118 (L)

Avg FCS/FBS 20,118

WKU

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Houston Babtist 17,331 (W)
2017 - Eastern Kentucky 18,614 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Miami(OH) 20,320 (W)
2016 - Vanderbilt 23,674 (L)
2017 - Ball State 17,590 (W)

Avg FCS 17,972 - Avg FBS 20,528

North Texas

Home FCS Games
2015 - Portland State 19,801 (L, 7-66)
2016 - Bethune Cookman 15,609 (W)
2017 - Lamar 19,592 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - SMU 24,718 (L)*
2017 - Army 26,392 (W)

Avg FCS 18,334 - Avg FBS 25,555

UAB

Home FCS Games
2015 - No Team
2016 - No Team
2017 - Alabama A&M 45,212 (W) (First game back)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - No Team
2016 - No Team
2017 - Coastal Carolina 24,789 (W)

Avg FCS 45,212 - Avg FBS 24,789

Southern Miss

Home FCS Games
2015 - Austin Peay 23,042 (W)
2016 - Savannah State 29,509 (W)*
2017 - Southern 24,337 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Mississippi State 36,641 (L)*
2016 - Troy 27,905 (L)
2017 - Kentucky 22,671 (L)*

Avg FCS 25,629 - Avg FBS 29,072

La Tech

Home FCS Games
2015 - Southern 27,905 (W)*
2016 - SC State 16,910 (W)
2017 - Northwestern State 24,002 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Louisiana Lafayette 26,910 (W)
2016 - N/A
2017 - Mississippi State 28,100 (L)

Avg FCS 22,939 - Avg FBS 27,505

UTSA

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Alabama State 22,380 (W)*
2017 - Southern 25,093 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Kansas State 29,424 (L)*, Colorado State 24,705 (L)
2016 - Arizona State 29,035 (L)
2017 - Houston (Cancelled)

Avg FCS 23,737 - Avg FBS 27,721

Rice

Home FCS Games
2015 - Wagner 18,296 (W)*
2016 - Prarie View A&M 21,538 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Army 24,409 (W)
2016 - Baylor 27,047 (L)*
2017 - Army 21,766 (L)

Avg FCS 19,917 - Avg FBS 24,407

UTEP

Home FCS Games
2015 - Incarnate Word 22,322 (W)*
2016 - Houston Babtist 15,977 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - New Mexico State 30,119 (W)*, Army 37,893 (L)
2017 - Arizona 22,133 (L)

Avg FCS 19,149 - Avg FBS 30,048


Numbers dont lie, FBS games draw far larger crowds except for Charlotte and UAB (unique situation).

#s can be compiled to support whatever argument your trying to make. You limited your #s to OOC, but why not do FCS vs all other FBS home games? Logic still applies if attendance is better for a FCS game than for a conference game. My comment was nearby FCS schools typically have big draws. A FCS team from Illinois isn't going to do much for attendance at USM, but a FCS school within 2 hrs will. If ODU had a large stadium that seated 35k, more people would be there to watch a ODU vs JMU game than ODU vs any CUSA opponent game. Those are big deal games to them that are easy for travel. That game would likely out draw an ODU vs wake forest or ODU vs NCST game. Would it outdraw a ODU vs Clemson, of course not. But look at how hard it is to get that caliber P5 team to come to our stadium.

In any case, the OP stated attendance as being a reason to not schedule FCS teams and there is plenty of evidence to support that isn't a valid reason.

Yea people made it clear. They go to watch a band play at a football game. Just think when people USED to go to watch USM football.

(05-31-2018 04:23 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:45 PM)Eagleholic Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:01 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 11:38 AM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 10:00 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  We just saw basketball do something different with scheduling, lets do the same with football.

Conference USA should be first conference to stop scheduling FCS games. Obviously it will help the SOS of the conference as a whole and will get more fans in the stadium. Could also be a good way to start a conference rivalry. Something like the ACC-BIG10 challenge, but the C-USA-Sunbelt Challenge or C-USA-AAC Challenge.

Yes I understand a FCS win counts towards bowl eligibility but I think the pros outweigh the cons in this matter.

ODU has played Hampton, Norfolk St, Albany in recent years and is playing VMI this year. Three of those are VA schools but FCS teams do not travel outside of maybe a few. So its not like there is much interest in the game other than most of the time its the first game of the year.

I would much rather see a regional G5 team like Coastal Carolina, Ga Southern, App State, Temple or Navy on the schedule in place of an FCS team.

Lets make this happen. Its about time C-USA gets on the forefront of some changes in college sports.

I disagree. You'll probably see some of the biggest attendances are when nearby FCS schools play us. Alabama plays FCS schools. Really nothing to gain, just something to lose. We'll never get past a NY6 bowl, so not really like not playing a FCS team will get us a shot at a NC.

I call bs, no way your biggest crowds are for FCS games. And if that is somehow true its just for you all and not the rest of the conference. Why not play a nearby FBS game to have one more good game on the schedule if nothing else.

Last season, Southern Miss's largest home attendance was vs FCS SWAC team Southern University out of Baton Rouge (almost 2,000 more than attended the Kentucky at Southern Miss game a week earlier). This year Southern Miss's largest home attendance will most likely be vs FCS SWAC team Jackson St out of Jackson, MS. In past years, games vs Alcorn St (also a FCS SWAC team from MS) and Jackson St have been some of the highest attended games in Southern Miss history.

Sounds like the other team is filling your stadium.

What’s wrong with a large visiting team fan attendance? When I was at the Marshall - Louisville game, there was a ton of their fans filling your stadium.

(05-31-2018 11:29 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Numbers dont lie, FBS games draw far larger crowds except for Charlotte and UAB (unique situation).

Southern Miss' numbers only came out in favor of FBS because of the in-state SEC team playing at our place. MSU and OM are the only schools (in or out of conference) that beat local FCS schools in attendance. Bringing in a Name OOC team (Nebraska and Texas A&M from past seasons) or ranked teams can obviously bump the FBS numbers too.

(06-01-2018 10:03 AM)Luckyshot Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 11:29 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Numbers dont lie, FBS games draw far larger crowds except for Charlotte and UAB (unique situation).

Southern Miss' numbers only came out in favor of FBS because of the in-state SEC team playing at our place. MSU and OM are the only schools (in or out of conference) that beat local FCS schools in attendance. Bringing in a Name OOC team (Nebraska and Texas A&M from past seasons) or ranked teams can obviously bump the FBS numbers too.

I think it's a little disingenuous to compare P5 and FCS. Obviously bring a P5 in whenever possible, but the far more realistic scenario is G5/ind. opponents for that spot on any kind of consistent basis. And, I'm not sure how much weight the selection committee would assign anyway. Would definitely have to get another conference to sign on to make it feasible (multi year and across the board).

(05-31-2018 10:17 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 04:23 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:45 PM)Eagleholic Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:01 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 11:38 AM)va-eagle Wrote:  I disagree. You'll probably see some of the biggest attendances are when nearby FCS schools play us. Alabama plays FCS schools. Really nothing to gain, just something to lose. We'll never get past a NY6 bowl, so not really like not playing a FCS team will get us a shot at a NC.

I call bs, no way your biggest crowds are for FCS games. And if that is somehow true its just for you all and not the rest of the conference. Why not play a nearby FBS game to have one more good game on the schedule if nothing else.

Last season, Southern Miss's largest home attendance was vs FCS SWAC team Southern University out of Baton Rouge (almost 2,000 more than attended the Kentucky at Southern Miss game a week earlier). This year Southern Miss's largest home attendance will most likely be vs FCS SWAC team Jackson St out of Jackson, MS. In past years, games vs Alcorn St (also a FCS SWAC team from MS) and Jackson St have been some of the highest attended games in Southern Miss history.

Sounds like the other team is filling your stadium.

What’s wrong with a large visiting team fan attendance? When I was at the Marshall - Louisville game, there was a ton of their fans filling your stadium.

Nothing at all. I don’t think Tha Lou fans were there to watch a band though. It’s cool though to each their own. I know I’ve never attended a game to see the band. It’s a great part of the college atmosphere but I’d prefer a sell out to see the future Heisman winner as opposed to the tuba player.

(06-01-2018 02:04 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 10:17 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 04:23 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:45 PM)Eagleholic Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:01 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  I call bs, no way your biggest crowds are for FCS games. And if that is somehow true its just for you all and not the rest of the conference. Why not play a nearby FBS game to have one more good game on the schedule if nothing else.

Last season, Southern Miss's largest home attendance was vs FCS SWAC team Southern University out of Baton Rouge (almost 2,000 more than attended the Kentucky at Southern Miss game a week earlier). This year Southern Miss's largest home attendance will most likely be vs FCS SWAC team Jackson St out of Jackson, MS. In past years, games vs Alcorn St (also a FCS SWAC team from MS) and Jackson St have been some of the highest attended games in Southern Miss history.

Sounds like the other team is filling your stadium.

What’s wrong with a large visiting team fan attendance? When I was at the Marshall - Louisville game, there was a ton of their fans filling your stadium.

Nothing at all. I don’t think Tha Lou fans were there to watch a band though. It’s cool though to each their own. I know I’ve never attended a game to see the band. It’s a great part of the college atmosphere but I’d prefer a sell out to see the future Heisman winner as opposed to the tuba player.

Me neither, but I'll take that fools money just the same!

clt ignores the band.

(05-31-2018 12:57 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 11:29 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 08:41 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Some of those FCS schools are a big draw. Unless you can give me a FBS team to take that attendance draw's place this is a moot point.

These are the last 3 year of non conference home game attendances for each C-USA team. Also put win/loss on here for reference.

* Denotes first home game of the year, where attendance should regardless of opponent.

Charlotte

Home FCS Games
2015 - Presbyterian 16,631 (W)*
2016 - Elon 15,807 (W)*
2017 - NC A&T 18,651 (L)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Temple 13,105 (L)
2016 - Eastern Michigan 15,080 (L)
2017 - Ga State 11,029 (L)

Avg FCS 17,029 - Avg FBS 13,071

FAU

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Southern Illinois 14,887 (W)*
2017 - Bethune Cookman 16,743 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Miami 30,321 (L)*, Buffalo 15,397 (L)
2016 - Ball State 13,846 (L)
2017 - Navy 28,481 (L)*

Avg FCS 15,815 - Avg FBS 22,011

FIU

Home FCS Games
2015 - NC Central 15,567 (W)*
2016 - N/A
2017 - Alcorn State 5,017 (W) (Hurricane game, did not count)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - Indiana 16,089 (L)*, Maryland 17,084 (L), UCF 18,524 (L)
2017 - Tulane 16,433 (W), UMass 14,004 (W)

Avg FCS 15,567 - Avg FBS 16,427

Marshall

Home FCS Games
2015 - Norfolk State 24,114 (W)
2016 - Morgan State 26,488 (W)*
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Purdue 38,791 (W)*
2016 - Akron 24,258 (L), Louisville 40,592 (L)
2017 - Miami (OH) 22,463 (W)*, Kent State 24,044 (W)

Avg FCS 25,301 - Avg FBS 30,029

MTSU

Home FCS Games
2015 - Jackson State 15,908 (W)
2016 - Alabama A&M 19,967 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Vanderbilt 25,411 (L)
2016 - N/A
2017 - Vanderbilt 26,717 (L)*, Bowling Green 16,523 (W)

Avg FCS 17,938 - Avg FBS 22,884

Old Dominion

Home FCS Games
2015 - Norfolk St 20,118 (W)
2016 - Hampton 20,118 (W)*
2017 - Albany 20,118 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - NC State 20,118 (L), App State 20,118 (L)
2016 - UMass 20,118 (W)
2017 - UNC 20,118 (L)

Avg FCS/FBS 20,118

WKU

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Houston Babtist 17,331 (W)
2017 - Eastern Kentucky 18,614 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Miami(OH) 20,320 (W)
2016 - Vanderbilt 23,674 (L)
2017 - Ball State 17,590 (W)

Avg FCS 17,972 - Avg FBS 20,528

North Texas

Home FCS Games
2015 - Portland State 19,801 (L, 7-66)
2016 - Bethune Cookman 15,609 (W)
2017 - Lamar 19,592 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - SMU 24,718 (L)*
2017 - Army 26,392 (W)

Avg FCS 18,334 - Avg FBS 25,555

UAB

Home FCS Games
2015 - No Team
2016 - No Team
2017 - Alabama A&M 45,212 (W) (First game back)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - No Team
2016 - No Team
2017 - Coastal Carolina 24,789 (W)

Avg FCS 45,212 - Avg FBS 24,789

Southern Miss

Home FCS Games
2015 - Austin Peay 23,042 (W)
2016 - Savannah State 29,509 (W)*
2017 - Southern 24,337 (W)

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Mississippi State 36,641 (L)*
2016 - Troy 27,905 (L)
2017 - Kentucky 22,671 (L)*

Avg FCS 25,629 - Avg FBS 29,072

La Tech

Home FCS Games
2015 - Southern 27,905 (W)*
2016 - SC State 16,910 (W)
2017 - Northwestern State 24,002 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Louisiana Lafayette 26,910 (W)
2016 - N/A
2017 - Mississippi State 28,100 (L)

Avg FCS 22,939 - Avg FBS 27,505

UTSA

Home FCS Games
2015 - N/A
2016 - Alabama State 22,380 (W)*
2017 - Southern 25,093 (W)*

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Kansas State 29,424 (L)*, Colorado State 24,705 (L)
2016 - Arizona State 29,035 (L)
2017 - Houston (Cancelled)

Avg FCS 23,737 - Avg FBS 27,721

Rice

Home FCS Games
2015 - Wagner 18,296 (W)*
2016 - Prarie View A&M 21,538 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - Army 24,409 (W)
2016 - Baylor 27,047 (L)*
2017 - Army 21,766 (L)

Avg FCS 19,917 - Avg FBS 24,407

UTEP

Home FCS Games
2015 - Incarnate Word 22,322 (W)*
2016 - Houston Babtist 15,977 (W)
2017 - N/A

Home FBS Games (Non Conference)
2015 - N/A
2016 - New Mexico State 30,119 (W)*, Army 37,893 (L)
2017 - Arizona 22,133 (L)

Avg FCS 19,149 - Avg FBS 30,048


Numbers dont lie, FBS games draw far larger crowds except for Charlotte and UAB (unique situation).

#s can be compiled to support whatever argument your trying to make. You limited your #s to OOC, but why not do FCS vs all other FBS home games? Logic still applies if attendance is better for a FCS game than for a conference game. My comment was nearby FCS schools typically have big draws. A FCS team from Illinois isn't going to do much for attendance at USM, but a FCS school within 2 hrs will. If ODU had a large stadium that seated 35k, more people would be there to watch a ODU vs JMU game than ODU vs any CUSA opponent game. Those are big deal games to them that are easy for travel. That game would likely out draw an ODU vs wake forest or ODU vs NCST game. Would it outdraw a ODU vs Clemson, of course not. But look at how hard it is to get that caliber P5 team to come to our stadium.

In any case, the OP stated attendance as being a reason to not schedule FCS teams and there is plenty of evidence to support that isn't a valid reason.

I didn’t compile specific numbers to support my argument, those are all of the attendance numbers. Yes there are some good FCS games but virtually all of those are because they are he first game of the year where you should get high attendace either way. As for playing JMU, ya they would travel because the rest of their schedule is garbage plus we have history. But that is an exception and we wouldn’t play them every year. FBS needs to get away from FCS just like P5 is making it harder for G5 teams to schedule them.

(06-01-2018 04:10 PM)ghostofclt Wrote:  clt ignores the band.

It's almost impossible to ignore an HBCU band. Especially the large ones like Southern.

(05-30-2018 05:42 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:54 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 01:01 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 11:38 AM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 10:00 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  ... Conference USA should be first conference to stop scheduling FCS games. ...

I disagree. You'll probably see some of the biggest attendances are when nearby FCS schools play us. ...

I call bs, no way your biggest crowds are for FCS games. ...

People that don't even follow football will show up just to see the SWAC school's band.

This!

Rice is hosting Prairie View A&M in its first game of the Bloomgren era ... and I bet many will attend to watch the MOB / Marching Storm tandem. :-)

I wish I lived closer.

I don't mean to offend when I say this, but The MOB is overrated. I remember being kinda excited to see them for the first time when UTSA played our first game against you guys, but the show just isn't worthy of the hype. I haven't been impressed with them yet, and have seen every UTSA/Rice game up this point. Now, Prairie View A&M, Southern, Texas Southern, etc... they live up to their reputations.

As to the thread's topic, I think it's an interesting proposal, more so for the purposes of schedule strength though than attendance issues which seem to have completely taken over the discussion.

(05-31-2018 04:12 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  I despise playing 1-AA teams. It’s beyond ridiculous that there are 130 1-A teams and there are teams playing 1-AAs. Hate it. It’s also completely disgusting when the SEC plays their 1-AA week every year late in the season when everyone else is playing conf opponents they all play and win and get the rankings boost that comes with it. It’s planned and it makes me sick.

If 1-AAs want to play 1-A then move up otherwise go F yourself.

The sec does that so they can get more conference games televised on national networks in weeks 1,2,3 of the season. It spreads them out over the whole season instead of cramming in 10 straight weeks when conference games get pushed to less exposure networks or online due to fixture congestion.

Maybe not ideal from a football fan standpoint, but from a marketing and exposure perspective it’s smart and I’m surprised other leagues haven’t followed, especially the big ten with its network.

(06-02-2018 10:43 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 04:12 PM)MU ATO Wrote:  I despise playing 1-AA teams. It’s beyond ridiculous that there are 130 1-A teams and there are teams playing 1-AAs. Hate it. It’s also completely disgusting when the SEC plays their 1-AA week every year late in the season when everyone else is playing conf opponents they all play and win and get the rankings boost that comes with it. It’s planned and it makes me sick.

If 1-AAs want to play 1-A then move up otherwise go F yourself.

The sec does that so they can get more conference games televised on national networks in weeks 1,2,3 of the season. It spreads them out over the whole season instead of cramming in 10 straight weeks when conference games get pushed to less exposure networks or online due to fixture congestion.

Maybe not ideal from a football fan standpoint, but from a marketing and exposure perspective it’s smart and I’m surprised other leagues haven’t followed, especially the big ten with its network.

It also gives their top teams a late season gimme win (rest the starters plenty) the week before their rivalry games.