Question for my fellow VOLS - Do we think that with the SEC expanding to 16 teams, that this will decrease the amount of FCS/garbage opponents we face each year?
Honestly I don’t see why we play 3-4 of these games every year. I’d like to see our non-conference spots filled with more interesting matchups.
Years ago, the garbage opponents were usually played only twice: Opening day, and Homecoming. With Oklahoma and Texas coming in, I feel like weeding down the charity games back to those two spots is inevitable.
Under the current model, the only reason FCS teams play above their heads to pay the bills. If they can get their own television deals and networks, they would not need to do that anymore, and their players would still get TV exposure.
I saw something earlier that showed FCS teams have won 12 games this year against power 5 team. That is a new record. But look at who those FBS teams are:
Sept. 2 UC Davis 19-17 Tulsa
Sept. 2 Eastern Washington 35-33 (2OT) UNLV
Sept. 3 South Dakota State 42-23 Colorado State
Sept. 4 Holy Cross 38-28 UConn
Sept. 4 Montana 13-7 No. 20 Washington
Sept. 4 East Tennessee State 23-3 Vanderbilt
Sept. 11 Duquesne 28-26 Ohio
Sept. 11 Jacksonville State 20-17 Florida State
Sept. 18 UIW 42-34 Texas State
Sept. 18 Northern Arizona 21-19 Arizona
Nov. 6 Rhode Island 35-22 UMass
Nov. 13 Maine 35-10 UMass
Outside of Montana beating Washington? What is earth shattering? Florida State and Arizona are a mess right now.
So, I agree with you. In order to face off against all of your SEC opponents in a four year period, cutting back on perennial cupcakes, even if they are good every now and again, is in the SEC's best interests.