Lebanon, TN – Does anyone believe that the PCSA (Protect College Sports Act) will resolve FBS issues soon after Congress returns from their current break? Please don’t hold your breath. Whatever time voters put into considering these issues, they’ve surely found confounding obstacles. We see the biggest as how they satisfy constituents in each of their respective states. Does representation from Texas consider what’s good for the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Texas Longhorns, Texas Aggies, and Houston Cougars? Possibly, but how do they cast a vote which may benefit the big budget teams only?
Texas State legislators must also consider the impact regarding other lesser FBS members in the Lone Star. They have to consider North Texas, Sam Houston State, Texas State, and UTEP. Also, are there concerns they will impact the private institutions like Baylor, Rice, SMU and TCU? Oil money goes to those schools. Consider the same for other states with similar FBS membership dilemmas: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and other states which may now aspire to the highest level in the FBS. Some might be tempted to join now by future, proposed media payouts.
Not every state has a big dog in this FBS fight
How will states supporting with Group of Six members only weigh in (Massachusetts, Nevada)? Some of the highest teams in some states play at the Football Championship Subdivision level (Idaho, Montana, South Dakota)? Vermont’s biggest program, Castleton State, plays D-3 Football. Alaska has no team. How do they vote? Should they?
Much debate and political considerations lie ahead. Will this ever change from where College Sports find themselves today? Again, refer to my article where I propose to divide the FBS into two separate entities. The distinction between the two is imperative to make PCSA work for the good for all current FBS programs. Until such change takes place, this mess remains for long time.
FBS Encounters of the Worst Kind
The controversial last-second 13-12 win by Michigan over Western Michigan shows the ruthlessness of keeping Group of Six teams out of the CFP. Boise State, another CFP G6 contender gave No. 2 Oregon a run for its money falling, 34-27. However, let’s look at the bigger picture of what a waste of time Week One offers among FBS Powes: Georgia 63-Tennessee State 3, Penn State 45-Marshall 0, Tennessee 56-Furman 9, Texas 59-TX State 7, Iowa 40-NIU 0, Kansas State 71-Nicholls State 3, Texas A&M 50-Missouri State 0, Virginia Tech 73-VMI 3, Mississippi State 66-UL Monroe 13, Maryland 62-Hampton 0, BYU 63-Utah Tech 7, Arizona State 70-Morgan State 7, and the wins over cup cakes continued throughout.
Group of Six squads hammered FCS teams. FCS clobbered D-2’s. Admittedly, some teams lost badly to comparably valued competition at their own level (i.e. LSU 51-Clemson 10). That’s just a fate of good vs. poor chemistry: recruiting, development, coaching, investments, confidence, etc.
Too much about the money
We know why these lop-sided games exist. Winners get a win that gets them to a bowl if they go 5-6 the rest of the season. Losers get “big bucks.” However, that’s a relative term. Big bucks don’t help the lesser climb up to the next level in the long term. Even a one million dollar pay probably helps them survive another season. The winners noted above all earn revenues over $100 million annually. As for the losers, most of them earn half of that and lower every year. Another reason could be that it gives bettors to take big risks on wagering on huge spreads. How else would these games offer any actual entertainment.
CollegeFootballFan.com offers Solutions
Rather than allowing teams to intentionally water down schedules, particularly in the early season, consider realignment plans published previously here to avoid such blow-outs. Our proposal gives all teams schedules against comparable competition in their 12-game schedules. Start by basically dividing the FBS into two separate entities based on annual revenues. Next, considering geography and traditions, organize eight divisions of eight teams each at the highest level. These comprise basically from the current Power Four conferences.
The second level consists primarily of eight divisions of nine teams each from the Groups of Six. This level plays eight other division members while the first plays seven. All non-division foes slated come only from other divisions at the same level. A few crossovers may be considered for the continuation of traditional rivalries such as Oregon vs. Oregon State and Washington vs. Washington State to name two. In the end, both divisions resume the CFP within their two respective alignments.
Giving schools and fans more of the best from the existing FBS
Would you rather see Western Michigan play in a lesser bowl as we could under today’s scenario? And seeing Boise get knocked out in round one or two by some Power Four earning a lot more revenue worth watching? Or, would you rather see the WMU and Boise seeded in a CFP along with other teams from the American, CUSA, MWC, and Sun Belt as well as their current respective conferences, the MAC and PAC-12? More significant games to be played and better competition among them. Fewer player opt-outs too, as CFP games have more meaning for championships at both levels. For more details, click here!
Week Two: Delaware at Vanderbilt
Our 743rd game since 1979 this week features SEC Vanderbilt hosting CUSA Delaware. Vandy (1-0) defeated FCS Austin Peay last week, 28-9. HC Clark Lea moves forward with a two-quarterback system. He continues with returner Blaze Berlowitz who backed up Diego Pavia the last two seasons lifting the Commodores up from the lower depths of the SEC. They finished 10-3 last season. Frosh Jared Curtis who Vandy recruited from under the power of Georgia will see playing time for his future development. The Dores return two key targets for both signal-callers in WR Junior Sherrill and TE Cole Spence. Seven key defenders return. Their strength lies in the middle as a formidable run defense. Questions remain about their pass game defense improving from last season.
The Fighting Blue Hens ready for a shoot-out
In their second season as an FBS member, the Blue Hens (1-0) return QB Nick Minicucci who led the attack leading CUSA in total offense and passing yards. They came in second with total points scored. Seven starters return on offense with three on the O-line and TE Elijah Sessoms. WR Sean Wilson, their top pass catcher returns as do their top four rushers with Jo Silver leading the way.
On the defensive side, last season UD ranked on the lowest end of CUSA defenses. HC Ryan Carty will rely on experienced sophomores from last season and LB Gavin Moul who finished third in CUSA in tackles up front. Defensive leader S KT Seay returns with a reinforced secondary built through the transfer portal. Last week, UD manhandled FCS Merrimack, 44-7.
Our prediction
Delaware, with a long, proud winning tradition from D-3 years through the FCS, seeks a benchmark win at the FBS level. We think this is it. As a 20-point underdog, they will take offense to that against the Commodores. With a returning, starting QB and key playmakers returning, they have an advantage. In a shoot-out, we envision the Blue Hens in the right place at the right time to win this game that will be decided late in the game. Both offenses can put up large points on the scoreboard, but whoever steps up on defense will determine the winner. Blue Hens have a bigger incentive here.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Edited and written by Stephen J. Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Author of “Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.”
