FCS Games

[LeanMeanOrangeGreen]

With all the realignment hoopla and teams reducing OOC games for exclusive league play, and an emphasis on SOS for playoff consideration, why aren’t FCS games on the chopping block? It seems like they would be now more than ever. Assuming my understanding for their existence is still intact. We play these lackluster and arguably dangerous games for the following basic reasons:

- Miami gets a “tuneup” game (I guess).
- An additional home game for us generates revenue.
- The FCS team gets a big payday from us for their participation. This money probably funds their entire athletic department for the year.

It seems like despite getting blasted by 50+ points, the FCS team is the real winner since they have much more to gain from the matchup. But will there ever be a point in time where we decide the game just isn’t worth it for us anymore? Seems like it’s always been a charitable gesture for us to keep Bethune and FAMU well funded. If we’re stuck playing ACC ball until 2036 or whatever ridiculous year we agreed to while teams from the BIG and SEC schedule less OOC games and reap the benefit of favorability in the rankings, would it ever be wise to axe the FCS game and use that week to either schedule a tougher opponent or maybe just take the week off?

I mean there have been plenty of arguments made in favor of getting rid of FBS/FCS tuneup games. Most are pretty valid. A few off the top of my head:

- It’s a safety issue. If our guys actually went full throttle, there would be far more bloodshed.

- FAMU and Bethune don’t even put in an effort and neither do we. The game is played at Spring ball speed. We consistently remove starters in the 3rd quarter every year. Final score is 45-3 or something close to it.

- We could lose key players in a game that does nothing for us because while it’s pointless for the most part, it still sorta counts. It’s full on live tackling even if the players we’re tackling dwarf our own. All it takes is a wrong step or body part to roll over and boom, you have a starter out for the year.

- Miami doesn’t need a tuneup game against a significantly inferior opponent to be ready for legitimate competition. There’s a Spring game, an entire summer, and about 2-3 scrimmages where future NFL draft picks practice against other future NFL draft picks. This tunes us up, not Bethune or FAMU.

- You could generate more revenue if you schedule a home game against a better OOC opponent.

- These games are dreadful to watch. Uninspiring. Not exciting. Just feels like a complete waste of a game day.

Maybe I’m being a bit mean, but I sort of don’t care about funding the Bethune’s and FAMU’s of the world. CFB is more cutthroat now than ever. If axing these games is for the betterment of our program or FBS as a whole, then it’s time we pull the plug.

 

[NCCanefan]

With all the realignment hoopla and teams reducing OOC games for exclusive league play, and an emphasis on SOS for playoff consideration, why aren’t FCS games on the chopping block? It seems like they would be now more than ever. Assuming my understanding for their existence is still intact. lackluster and arguably dangerous games for the following basic reasons:

- Miami gets a tuneup game
- An additional home game for us generates revenue.
- The FCS team gets a big payday from us for their participation. This money probably funds their entire athletic department for the year.

It seems like despite getting blasted by 50+ points, the FCS team is the real winner since they have much more to gain from the matchup. But will there ever be a point in time where we decide the game just isn’t worth it for us anymore? Seems like it’s always been a charitable gesture for us to keep Bethune and FAMU well funded. If we’re stuck playing ACC ball until 2036 or whatever ridiculous year we agreed to while teams from the BIG and SEC schedule less OOC games and getting favorability in the rankings, would it ever be wise to axe the FCS game and use that week to either schedule a tougher opponent or maybe just take the week off?

I mean there have been plenty of arguments made in favor of getting rid of FBS/FCS tuneup games. Most are pretty valid.

- It’s a safety issue. If our guys actually went full throttle, there would be far more bloodshed.

- FAMU and Bethune don’t even put in an effort and neither do we. The game is played at Spring ball speed. We consistently remove starters in the 3rd quarter every year. Final score is 45-3 or something close to it.

- We could lose key players in a game that does nothing for us because while it’s pointless for the most part, it still sorta counts.

- Miami doesn’t need a tuneup game against a significantly inferior opponent to be ready for legitimate competition. There’s a Spring game, an entire summer, and about 2-3 scrimmages where future NFL draft picks play against other future NFL draft picks. This tunes us up, not Bethune or FAMU.

- You could generate more revenue if you schedule a home game against a better OOC opponent.

- These games are dreadful to watch. Uninspiring. Not exciting. Just feels like a complete waste of a game day.

Maybe I’m being a bit mean, but I sort of don’t care about funding the Bethune’s and FAMU’s of the world. CFB is more cutthroat now than ever. If axing these games is for the betterment of our program or FBS as a whole, then it’s time we pull the plug.

Until the selection committee moves teams down for playing a cupcake game they will continue to be played. With the playoffs making the season ever longer, I don't think one of those games is a big deal. Would go down easier if they were openers though, like the NFL pre season.

 

[Trav]

I think they're a good opportunity to get young guys and backups some burn. I thought last year's BCU game was fairly entertaining.

 

[Memnon]

If we can replace the FCS games with another G5 opponent, I'm all for it.

I really enjoy the G5 games, they're a legitimate litmus test as to where we are as a collective of talent & also a great opportunity for the TF's & Red's to get good live game reps against good competition.

The FCS unfortunately, are just completely meaningless. There's just too large of a disparity in talent for the game to even be remotely competitive.

Our 4th team & Walk-On's could beat those FCS teams by 4+TD's.

 

[FreddyCane]

I think they're a good opportunity to get young guys and backups some burn. I thought last year's BCU game was fairly entertaining.

Some of the older guys that have some injury history like Smith, Toure and Moten I would love to see take the night off and get some young guys in for the whole game.

 

[JHallCanes]

If we can replace the FCS games with another G5 opponent, I'm all for it.

I really enjoy the G5 games, they're a legitimate litmus test as to where we are as a collective of talent & also a great opportunity for the TF's & Red's to get good live game reps against good competition.

The FCS unfortunately, are just completely meaningless. There's just too large of a disparity in talent for the game to even be remotely competitive.

Our 4th team & Walk-On's could beat those FCS teams by 4+TD's.

Agreed. I think the young kids getting reps thing is over blown. Practices are tougher for them than FCS games. The only thing that can happen in FCS games is injuries

I would be all for a G5 game though

 

[Memnon]

Agreed. I think the young kids getting reps thing is over blown. Practices are tougher for them than FCS games. The only thing that can happen in FCS games is injuries

I would be all for a G5 game though

It's also the types of FCS teams we play.

It could possibly be justifiable if we played the top FCS teams, like Tennessee Tech, Tarleton ST, or the high powered offenses in the Southland conference. Then it could be just a little more competitive, because those programs have players who transfer up to G5 & even P4 schools & play well at the next level.

But playing against the Bethune's, FAMU's etc, just isn't doing anything for either team. It's just too far separate in the talent level.

Replace the FCS games with a Memphis, UTSA, or a Western Kentucky, fast paced high octane Offenses that would provide a legitimate stress test for our Defense & help better prepare for it later on in the season.