My latest crazy idea

[Archbold44]

The whole portal thing is crazy.

My idea is to take the 40 wealthiest/powerful schools and make them like MLB teams. Then take the next 40 schools... make them like AAA. Then the next 40 are AA. And then 40 more at A.

A top level team would handle most of the scouting and player acquisition, but work with more limited coaching staffs/scouting departments at the partner schools. The school partners would share the cost and players. So... instead of Alabama raiding other programs... it would "call up" players from its AAA team (say, Memphis), who might "call up" players from the AA school (Charlotte), who might "call up" players from its A school (. And perhaps demote players along the same lines due to contractual issues. Instead of losing talent all over the country, a AAA team would lose it to one school only (up) or potentially two schools (down). Demotions/promotions would always be post-season, not during season though.

I assume that we would be AAA in this arrangement, unfortunately. I would think B1G/SEC schools like Mississippi State, Rutgers, Purdue, and few others would drop to AAA because of an inability to finance so many players. But then a few schools would jump up... Florida State, Texas Tech, BYU, UNC, Va Tech, Clemson (maybe), Miami, one of the Arizona schools perhaps, Colorado, Utah (to compete with BYU alone). And, of course, Notre Dame. Somehow we would get to the 40 wealthiest and willing.

Perhaps it would be something with schools associating with each other based on principles, academics, geography, etc.

Notre Dame: BC (AAA), Villanova (AA--no other catholic D1 schools, so Villanova gets promoted here), Georgetown (A).

Florida State: USF (AAA), FIU (AA), West Florida (A).

Oregon: Washington State (AAA--cannot see Oregon State joining with Oregon), San Jose State (AA), and Sacramento State (A). For the same reason, we might see Washington State align with Oregon... Michigan State drop down and align with Ohio State... and so on. Maintaining the rivalries. This is because top level teams would be in 5 divisions of 8... playing 7 division games... 3 other top level games... 1 AAA game (not their farm team) and 1 AA game (not their farm team). Top 16 teams make the playoffs. Same for AAA, AA, and A.

I challenge anyone to map out 160 schools and make it all work. 136 FBS, plus 24 FCS getting the upgrade to AA or A. I could see Army, Navy, and Air Force having to be 100% independent at the AAA or AA level. And perhaps some other schools would do that. But AAA would be limited to the schools that would have 4 levels under their partnership. I could also see certain B12/ACC/American/Pac schools trying to go independent also. That includes Syracuse.

But, if not, I think it would create more interest in the sense that if Syracuse was AAA to, say, a private school like USC... if Gill and others were "called up" to USC, we would still follow them, etc. Or if certain players just did not cut it... we could still follow them at the designated AA school, whomever that might be. But with 3-year contracts, there would be more stability and less of a wild west.

A lot of details to work out to make it all work. Legalities, etc. Maybe AAA schools would sign 60 players on their own, but top level programs would lend another 40 and pay for them for a season. Or maybe it works best to have the top level school doing all the recruiting/paying.

Why would anyone coach in AAA and lose player control? Why does anyone coach in AAA baseball today? It is a stepping stone. If you can coach the talent you are given consistently, you will get a chance in the Big Leagues, as they say.

 

[upperdeck]

So we have like 2-3K at home games in this world?

 

[Archbold44]

So we have like 2-3K at home games in this world?

What will our home games be like if/when the top 30-40 teams just form their own league? If 2-3K, then maybe we have to pack it in. Even MAC schools draw 10k to games. I guess that is because every Eastern Michigan fan expects to be in the playoff.

 

[Orangezoo]

if you want tiers it’s gotta be a system closer to English football where each program maintains its independence with promotion and relegation as well as financial considerations for transfer of players to balance out the financial eco system. Even then that concept is so foreign to any US sports enthusiast that isn’t a soccer fan that attendance and revenue from fan interest will instantly fall. There is no real obvious solution right now that could predictably work over the long haul.

 

[Eric15]

The whole portal thing is crazy.

My idea is to take the 40 wealthiest/powerful schools and make them like MLB teams. Then take the next 40 schools... make them like AAA. Then the next 40 are AA. And then 40 more at A.

A top level team would handle most of the scouting and player acquisition, but work with more limited coaching staffs/scouting departments at the partner schools. The school partners would share the cost and players. So... instead of Alabama raiding other programs... it would "call up" players from its AAA team (say, Memphis), who might "call up" players from the AA school (Charlotte), who might "call up" players from its A school (. And perhaps demote players along the same lines due to contractual issues. Instead of losing talent all over the country, a AAA team would lose it to one school only (up) or potentially two schools (down). Demotions/promotions would always be post-season, not during season though.

I assume that we would be AAA in this arrangement, unfortunately. I would think B1G/SEC schools like Mississippi State, Rutgers, Purdue, and few others would drop to AAA because of an inability to finance so many players. But then a few schools would jump up... Florida State, Texas Tech, BYU, UNC, Va Tech, Clemson (maybe), Miami, one of the Arizona schools perhaps, Colorado, Utah (to compete with BYU alone). And, of course, Notre Dame. Somehow we would get to the 40 wealthiest and willing.

Perhaps it would be something with schools associating with each other based on principles, academics, geography, etc.

Notre Dame: BC (AAA), Villanova (AA--no other catholic D1 schools, so Villanova gets promoted here), Georgetown (A).

Florida State: USF (AAA), FIU (AA), West Florida (A).

Oregon: Washington State (AAA--cannot see Oregon State joining with Oregon), San Jose State (AA), and Sacramento State (A). For the same reason, we might see Washington State align with Oregon... Michigan State drop down and align with Ohio State... and so on. Maintaining the rivalries. This is because top level teams would be in 5 divisions of 8... playing 7 division games... 3 other top level games... 1 AAA game (not their farm team) and 1 AA game (not their farm team). Top 16 teams make the playoffs. Same for AAA, AA, and A.

I challenge anyone to map out 160 schools and make it all work. 136 FBS, plus 24 FCS getting the upgrade to AA or A. I could see Army, Navy, and Air Force having to be 100% independent at the AAA or AA level. And perhaps some other schools would do that. But AAA would be limited to the schools that would have 4 levels under their partnership. I could also see certain B12/ACC/American/Pac schools trying to go independent also. That includes Syracuse.

But, if not, I think it would create more interest in the sense that if Syracuse was AAA to, say, a private school like USC... if Gill and others were "called up" to USC, we would still follow them, etc. Or if certain players just did not cut it... we could still follow them at the designated AA school, whomever that might be. But with 3-year contracts, there would be more stability and less of a wild west.

A lot of details to work out to make it all work. Legalities, etc. Maybe AAA schools would sign 60 players on their own, but top level programs would lend another 40 and pay for them for a season. Or maybe it works best to have the top level school doing all the recruiting/paying.

Why would anyone coach in AAA and lose player control? Why does anyone coach in AAA baseball today? It is a stepping stone. If you can coach the talent you are given consistently, you will get a chance in the Big Leagues, as they say.

I respect/appreciate your outside the box idea, but the thought of us being "AAA" makes me want to cry.

 

[UnknownOrange]

just fix the schedule and transfer rules first, and that solves like 95% of my issues

 

[Archbold44]

just fix the schedule and transfer rules first, and that solves like 95% of my issues

How do you "fix" the transfer rules in this current landscape? Indiana just bought TCU's QB, Michigan State's WR, and Boston College's RB. Maybe MSU can afford to compete with Indiana, maybe not. Unequal TV revenue = uneven playing field. The only way to fix it is to screw over the players' freedoms and ability to earn.. If Fran "gave the talk" to 20 or so players... let's not pretend that it is SO good for them even in this current landscape. We would do whatever Indiana is doing if we could... we just don't have the $$$ to do it.

Moreover, while I lament that Syracuse may not ever have an opportunity to win a title again... people born the week of our last national football title are now retirement age. People born the week of our last 11-win season are now approaching 40. There are only three current college coaches with titles... in a few weeks, it will be 4. This landscape has already changed drastically. Miami, Oregon, Indiana, and Ole Miss are willing/able to pay big $$$. The last 4 teams to lose in the playoffs this year with Texas Tech ($$$), Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia... all teams that can run circles around us financially.

Syracuse does not need to just put in the money. They need to find it. Probably $25M in 2026 dollars... and more and more each year moving forward.

 

[Eric15]

people born the week of our last national football title are now retirement age. People born the week of our last 11-win season are now approaching 40.

People born the week of our last 10 win season have just recently started walking and sleeping through the night.

 

[OttosShoes]

How do you "fix" the transfer rules in this current landscape?

Like any economy, you make policies. Most obvious would be a transfer portal tax.

Any school that signs someone in the portal has to pay, I dunno, 18.5% of the NIL deal they make to the school their commit just portal'd from. Excepting grad students and anyone that wants to sit out for a year. Would throttle it some and also help make up for the losses.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Get this man into congress

 

[UnknownOrange]

How do you "fix" the transfer rules in this current landscape? Indiana just bought TCU's QB, Michigan State's WR, and Boston College's RB. Maybe MSU can afford to compete with Indiana, maybe not. Unequal TV revenue = uneven playing field. The only way to fix it is to screw over the players' freedoms and ability to earn.. If Fran "gave the talk" to 20 or so players... let's not pretend that it is SO good for them even in this current landscape. We would do whatever Indiana is doing if we could... we just don't have the $$$ to do it.

Moreover, while I lament that Syracuse may not ever have an opportunity to win a title again... people born the week of our last national football title are now retirement age. People born the week of our last 11-win season are now approaching 40. There are only three current college coaches with titles... in a few weeks, it will be 4. This landscape has already changed drastically. Miami, Oregon, Indiana, and Ole Miss are willing/able to pay big $$$. The last 4 teams to lose in the playoffs this year with Texas Tech ($$$), Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia... all teams that can run circles around us financially.

Syracuse does not need to just put in the money. They need to find it. Probably $25M in 2026 dollars... and more and more each year moving forward.

You get to transfer 1 time without penalty, after that you have to sit.

These are paid athletes now. You get to have professional rules

I used to think kids should transfer like coaches... I still believe kids should have freedom.. but 5 schools in 5 years is horrendous for everyone. kids included

 

[Archbold44]

You get to transfer 1 time without penalty, after that you have to sit.

These are paid athletes now. You get to have professional rules

I used to think kids should transfer like coaches... I still believe kids should have freedom.. but 5 schools in 5 years is horrendous for everyone. kids included

Who gets to enforce that rule? There is no governing body. And the closest to a governing body is when the B1G/SEC agree on something... which usually benefits one or both of them. Nobody is representing the ACC, the American, FCS, or anyone else at that table.

 

[Archbold44]

People born the week of our last 10 win season have just recently started walking and sleeping through the night.

And that 10 win season did not have us in the discussion of a playoff spot.

Even with 16 teams, we were not in that discussion.

We were not even "last four out" of a 16-team playoff that did not even exist.

Army was in the American and just behind us in the standings 22 to our 21. So we could have had an 11-win American season and been only one spot worse off. UNLV and Memphis were in the top 25 also, as #2 teams in the MWC/American.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Whether

Who gets to enforce that rule? There is no governing body. And the closest to a governing body is when the B1G/SEC agree on something... which usually benefits one or both of them. Nobody is representing the ACC, the American, FCS, or anyone else at that table.

The NCAA. This would require them to have a backbone and hire a commissioner.

So my crazy idea...

Have a spine (NCAA)
Hire a commission of CFB

Updated calendar (based on the 2025 season for example below)

Saturday August 23 - Week 1
8/30 - Week 2
9/6 - Week 3
9/13 - Week 4
9/20 - Week 5
9/27 - Week 6
10/4 - Week 7
10/11 - Week 8
10/18 - Week 9
10/25 - Week 10
11/1 - Week 11
11/8 - Week 12
11/15 - Week 13
11/22 - Week 14
11/29 - Conf Champ Week (15)

Round 1 - 12/13
Round 2 - 12/20
Round 3 - 12/27
NC - TONIGHT! 1/5

Portal opens 1/6 to 1/16

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

A better (IMO) out of the box solution would be to require payment of compensation to the team from which a player portals (if NIL is paid by the recipient team). Many FCS schools use precious resources to develop athletes only to have them swooped up by higher level programs. For those of us who believe that the current NIL system is corrupt and unfair, this would make things slightly more equitable.

 

[Archbold44]

A better (IMO) out of the box solution would be to require payment of compensation to the team from which a player portals (if NIL is paid by the recipient team). Many FCS schools use precious resources to develop athletes only to have them swooped up by higher level programs. For those of us who believe that the current NIL system is corrupt and unfair, this would make things slightly more equitable.

I think we would need multi-year contracts to do that. 20% contract break few by both sides.

Sign a player to 3-year, $200k per year. After 1 year, he can break for $80k (20% times remaining $400k value). After 1 year, we can break for the same $80k.

Two players at same value. One leaves... we get $80k. That finances us buying out someone else with a similar contract.

3-year, 4.5M deal? If player breaks after 1 year, we would get $600k. If player just stinks, we would be eating $3M or $1.5M on a bad contract.

Meanwhile, if we want a guy from Georgia State who is on a $100k deal, we need to pay HIS buyout.

So I think that this system would give and take.

 

[FasterCuse]

Need to just implement a salary cap, higher than 20M or whatever the current rev share deal is. Make players sign multiyear contracts with buyout clauses if they want to leave. Level the playing field across all of college football.

The problem becomes players then become employees, and you lose the entire academic aspect which we already have to some degree.

I'm not sure who posted it (I think I read it here), but what this is going to become is minor league NFL which then licenses the schools name for alumni engagement.

 

[Cuseregular]

The whole portal thing is crazy.

My idea is to take the 40 wealthiest/powerful schools and make them like MLB teams. Then take the next 40 schools... make them like AAA. Then the next 40 are AA. And then 40 more at A.

A top level team would handle most of the scouting and player acquisition, but work with more limited coaching staffs/scouting departments at the partner schools. The school partners would share the cost and players. So... instead of Alabama raiding other programs... it would "call up" players from its AAA team (say, Memphis), who might "call up" players from the AA school (Charlotte), who might "call up" players from its A school (. And perhaps demote players along the same lines due to contractual issues. Instead of losing talent all over the country, a AAA team would lose it to one school only (up) or potentially two schools (down). Demotions/promotions would always be post-season, not during season though.

I assume that we would be AAA in this arrangement, unfortunately. I would think B1G/SEC schools like Mississippi State, Rutgers, Purdue, and few others would drop to AAA because of an inability to finance so many players. But then a few schools would jump up... Florida State, Texas Tech, BYU, UNC, Va Tech, Clemson (maybe), Miami, one of the Arizona schools perhaps, Colorado, Utah (to compete with BYU alone). And, of course, Notre Dame. Somehow we would get to the 40 wealthiest and willing.

Perhaps it would be something with schools associating with each other based on principles, academics, geography, etc.

Notre Dame: BC (AAA), Villanova (AA--no other catholic D1 schools, so Villanova gets promoted here), Georgetown (A).

Florida State: USF (AAA), FIU (AA), West Florida (A).

Oregon: Washington State (AAA--cannot see Oregon State joining with Oregon), San Jose State (AA), and Sacramento State (A). For the same reason, we might see Washington State align with Oregon... Michigan State drop down and align with Ohio State... and so on. Maintaining the rivalries. This is because top level teams would be in 5 divisions of 8... playing 7 division games... 3 other top level games... 1 AAA game (not their farm team) and 1 AA game (not their farm team). Top 16 teams make the playoffs. Same for AAA, AA, and A.

I challenge anyone to map out 160 schools and make it all work. 136 FBS, plus 24 FCS getting the upgrade to AA or A. I could see Army, Navy, and Air Force having to be 100% independent at the AAA or AA level. And perhaps some other schools would do that. But AAA would be limited to the schools that would have 4 levels under their partnership. I could also see certain B12/ACC/American/Pac schools trying to go independent also. That includes Syracuse.

But, if not, I think it would create more interest in the sense that if Syracuse was AAA to, say, a private school like USC... if Gill and others were "called up" to USC, we would still follow them, etc. Or if certain players just did not cut it... we could still follow them at the designated AA school, whomever that might be. But with 3-year contracts, there would be more stability and less of a wild west.

A lot of details to work out to make it all work. Legalities, etc. Maybe AAA schools would sign 60 players on their own, but top level programs would lend another 40 and pay for them for a season. Or maybe it works best to have the top level school doing all the recruiting/paying.

Why would anyone coach in AAA and lose player control? Why does anyone coach in AAA baseball today? It is a stepping stone. If you can coach the talent you are given consistently, you will get a chance in the Big Leagues, as they say.

dude are you retired?! If so I'm jealous

 

[WoadBlue]

What will our home games be like if/when the top 30-40 teams just form their own league? If 2-3K, then maybe we have to pack it in. Even MAC schools draw 10k to games. I guess that is because every Eastern Michigan fan expects to be in the playoff.

What the SEC and BT what is a new Top Tier of them and only them, but each of them would have 20-24 members. They will no concern whatsoever is beneath them. That should be opposed at all costs even if it means that the new Top Trier can only have 3 conferences and that while most pf the ACC makes it, some members do not. The ACC needs to be acting very aggressively now to make certain that at least 3 leagues are Top Tier with at least 60 total teams among them, and preferably the Top Tier is 4 leagues with 70-72 teams.