Ill flame wrote: ↑July 27th, 2022, 9:30 pm
What we know at this stage is that CFP expansion is inevitable and that the G5 will need representation in some way for those conferences to agree to it.
While I agree that playoff expansion is in everyone's best interests, I do believe the G5 voices are even more muted now than in the past. We are looking at three tiers: SEC/B1G, Pac-12/Big XII/ACC & Everyone Else. The SEC & B1G have breakaway threat leverage to get whatever they want ... if they can agree with each other on what that looks like. My guess is ultimately 12 of those 16 slots will belong to either the B1G or SEC with the other four slots for everyone else. If the second tier gets three auto bids, that leaves one tiny slot for the rest of us to battle to achieve. It could be the four highest rated league champions taking the final four slots. That gives the appearance that everyone has a chance when in reality it is like buying a Mega Millions ticket. At least you have A chance. But not if you are an indy without the initials ND.
I don't see a scenario where they allow more than half the teams to be autobids since that doesn't benefit the top conferences that hold the most power. Even the top 8 conference champions in a 16 team tournament would be a great scenario for us though
Under current NCAA by-laws, at least half of tournament bids need to be filled by auto bids. Now we all know that NCAA governance in general is about to be re-worked. And it is entirely possible that the football tournament could be exempted completely and might even be a new creation unto itself.
In summary, I echo Ian's remarks to ASOR that we needed to be in a league for multiple reasons. While CUSA not have been our first choice, it does position us for what could be coming down the road. In the meantime, non-football sports are getting a massive upgrade. That will likely mean it will be tougher for us to compete for Director's Cup rankings as our competition is going ot make it tougher to win league titles.