Elon going independent in football this year.

[AppStFan1]

Switching out our FCS team for another is okay. But just that one.

He brought up playing several of them and possibly playing Elon home and away. I refuse to support doing that. I would be okay replacing one like you said. My personal preference is not to play FCS at all just because I rather play the money games for us but I get why we do it. A supposed easy win and home game.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Switching out our FCS team for another is okay. But just that one.

He brought up playing several of them and possibly playing Elon home and away. I refuse to support doing that. I would be okay replacing one like you said. My personal preference is not to play FCS at all just because I rather play the money games for us but I get why we do it. A supposed easy win and home game.

The FCS discussion was only around the idea for this year ONLY under the strain of Covid and possibly not having crowds.

The PGA is having the Greensboro golf tournament from my understanding in a few weeks and without crowds. The only reason that is happening is TV dollars. If TV and ads were not available there would be no prize money and therefore no golfers and not PGA tournament. Is that not the same for the NBA as well. I don't see the G5 schools having the TV money to offset a lack of crowds. Not unless the ESPN contract has a force majeure clause that would allow us to either sell our own ads or get more money from ESPN. That ain't happening. ESPN be keeping that extra ad money if lack of crowds drives people to watching more online. ESPN is Disney and they all about that $.

My original question was IF the SBC dropped conference football BUT allowed schools to do their own thing AND the crowds of more than a few hundred were banned there would have to be some changes this year. Without the crowds I just do not see the budget being there for flying or even busing and staying in hotels for a day or two.

So that would leave us with a few options would be no football at all. Another option would be day trips only. That would have to include some FCS teams as there is not enough FBS teams close enough to bus, play and bus back in one day for either App visiting or someone coming to Boone, unless we did home and home with every FBS team in the state and then it would work. But that would need buy-in from all 7 FBS teams in the state.

No one wants more FCS than needed which means at best 1 game a year, under regular circumstances. We all want Clemson and Alabama every year. That is not going to happen this year.

If we can have some decent size crowds at games there will be enough money, I would think, that we can fly and stay and have at least conference games, but does any SBC school have the money to get on a plane for 3 or 4 games and stay in hotels for all the away games without large enough gate receipts. If there can't be crowds I just don't see more than busing to games and coming back the same day. And all it will take is 1 or 2 SBC schools to be in a state that decides to not allow crowds or if the crowds are allowed they are allowed at numbers that are two small to be financial viable to be able to allow the travel to away games and all that entails.

That likely would end football for the year but there are some options out there that could be done on the cheap but still allow football.

So what options would be out there for football on the cheap that can be done without crowds to pay the bills and the chances of an influx of ad $ basically nil?

[AppStFan1]

Switching out our FCS team for another is okay. But just that one.

He brought up playing several of them and possibly playing Elon home and away. I refuse to support doing that. I would be okay replacing one like you said. My personal preference is not to play FCS at all just because I rather play the money games for us but I get why we do it. A supposed easy win and home game.

The FCS discussion was only around the idea for this year ONLY under the strain of Covid and possibly not having crowds.

The PGA is having the Greensboro golf tournament from my understanding in a few weeks and without crowds. The only reason that is happening is TV dollars. If TV and ads were not available there would be no prize money and therefore no golfers and not PGA tournament. Is that not the same for the NBA as well. I don't see the G5 schools having the TV money to offset a lack of crowds. Not unless the ESPN contract has a force majeure clause that would allow us to either sell our own ads or get more money from ESPN. That ain't happening. ESPN be keeping that extra ad money if lack of crowds drives people to watching more online. ESPN is Disney and they all about that $.

My original question was IF the SBC dropped conference football BUT allowed schools to do their own thing AND the crowds of more than a few hundred were banned there would have to be some changes this year. Without the crowds I just do not see the budget being there for flying or even busing and staying in hotels for a day or two.

So that would leave us with a few options would be no football at all. Another option would be day trips only. That would have to include some FCS teams as there is not enough FBS teams close enough to bus, play and bus back in one day for either App visiting or someone coming to Boone, unless we did home and home with every FBS team in the state and then it would work. But that would need buy-in from all 7 FBS teams in the state.

No one wants more FCS than needed which means at best 1 game a year, under regular circumstances. We all want Clemson and Alabama every year. That is not going to happen this year.

If we can have some decent size crowds at games there will be enough money, I would think, that we can fly and stay and have at least conference games, but does any SBC school have the money to get on a plane for 3 or 4 games and stay in hotels for all the away games without large enough gate receipts. If there can't be crowds I just don't see more than busing to games and coming back the same day. And all it will take is 1 or 2 SBC schools to be in a state that decides to not allow crowds or if the crowds are allowed they are allowed at numbers that are two small to be financial viable to be able to allow the travel to away games and all that entails.

That likely would end football for the year but there are some options out there that could be done on the cheap but still allow football.

So what options would be out there for football on the cheap that can be done without crowds to pay the bills and the chances of an influx of ad $ basically nil?

I understand all of that and I am fine with 1 FCS game but I would rather cancel the season than play an independent schedule with mostly FCS teams. We have nothing to prove if everyone in FBS is not playing and we can't win a SBC title. I firmly believe if the SBC cancels there will not be football because they will do whatever the SEC does though.

Something to keep in mind that is going on right now. Many agents are talking with many players about possibly skipping the season anyway and not risking Corona Virus so they can just train for the NFL Combine and pro days. I think we would definitely have players pull out if what you proposed happened. I would understand and respect that choice.

[kornegaylw]

What if we played every FBS team in the state home-and-home for 12 games and avoided any FCS teams?

There are seven FBS teams in the state so it's six opponents that would be 12 games if each was home at home and again thanking without any crowds so stadium size would be a non-issue.

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, a workable, cost effective solution to turn a horrible situation into an extreme positive. It would generate so much buzz around the state and really the whole country if we were one of just a few states to do it. And its actually something to play for instead of glorified exhibition games.

Every AD, Chancellor & Football coach in NC should be lobbying the NC State Legislature to have a FBS North Carolina Football tournament. The schools of the UNC System serve the people of North Carolina first and fore mostly. Not the ACC, Not The Sun Belt, Not the AAC, Not CUSA

UNC wouldn't be too hard to convince but NCSU won't want it b/c they are scared of losing...Duke and Wake would have to choose to participate but if UNC and NCSU are onboard they won't want to miss out.

It won't happen b/c of money and nobody is brave enough in Downtown Raleigh to make this happen but it would be the greatest sporting event North Carolina would every put on.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Switching out our FCS team for another is okay. But just that one.

He brought up playing several of them and possibly playing Elon home and away. I refuse to support doing that. I would be okay replacing one like you said. My personal preference is not to play FCS at all just because I rather play the money games for us but I get why we do it. A supposed easy win and home game.

The FCS discussion was only around the idea for this year ONLY under the strain of Covid and possibly not having crowds.

The PGA is having the Greensboro golf tournament from my understanding in a few weeks and without crowds. The only reason that is happening is TV dollars. If TV and ads were not available there would be no prize money and therefore no golfers and not PGA tournament. Is that not the same for the NBA as well. I don't see the G5 schools having the TV money to offset a lack of crowds. Not unless the ESPN contract has a force majeure clause that would allow us to either sell our own ads or get more money from ESPN. That ain't happening. ESPN be keeping that extra ad money if lack of crowds drives people to watching more online. ESPN is Disney and they all about that $.

My original question was IF the SBC dropped conference football BUT allowed schools to do their own thing AND the crowds of more than a few hundred were banned there would have to be some changes this year. Without the crowds I just do not see the budget being there for flying or even busing and staying in hotels for a day or two.

So that would leave us with a few options would be no football at all. Another option would be day trips only. That would have to include some FCS teams as there is not enough FBS teams close enough to bus, play and bus back in one day for either App visiting or someone coming to Boone, unless we did home and home with every FBS team in the state and then it would work. But that would need buy-in from all 7 FBS teams in the state.

No one wants more FCS than needed which means at best 1 game a year, under regular circumstances. We all want Clemson and Alabama every year. That is not going to happen this year.

If we can have some decent size crowds at games there will be enough money, I would think, that we can fly and stay and have at least conference games, but does any SBC school have the money to get on a plane for 3 or 4 games and stay in hotels for all the away games without large enough gate receipts. If there can't be crowds I just don't see more than busing to games and coming back the same day. And all it will take is 1 or 2 SBC schools to be in a state that decides to not allow crowds or if the crowds are allowed they are allowed at numbers that are two small to be financial viable to be able to allow the travel to away games and all that entails.

That likely would end football for the year but there are some options out there that could be done on the cheap but still allow football.

So what options would be out there for football on the cheap that can be done without crowds to pay the bills and the chances of an influx of ad $ basically nil?

I understand all of that and I am fine with 1 FCS game but I would rather cancel the season than play an independent schedule with mostly FCS teams. We have nothing to prove if everyone in FBS is not playing and we can't win a SBC title. I firmly believe if the SBC cancels there will not be football because they will do whatever the SEC does though.

Something to keep in mind that is going on right now. Many agents are talking with many players about possibly skipping the season anyway and not risking Corona Virus so they can just train for the NFL Combine and pro days. I think we would definitely have players pull out if what you proposed happened. I would understand and respect that choice.

A lot of your points do make a lot of sense for sure.

[AppStFan1]

A lot of your points do make a lot of sense for sure.

A lot of the reason I have come to these conclusions are because of what I'm seeing on agents telling our players. Also, we really don't have anything to prove in the state as the top G5 team. Everyone outside of Greenville NC knows we are. I don't want to give a good FCS team two cracks at us either.

There are some reports that hundreds of draft prospects may decide not to play college football at all this year. I just hope our players are listening to our coaches and not making the decision to sit out and train if we play.

I think we both want football badly but I also don't want to risk our players for something we really don't need and it is a risk if it is so bad that the SBC cancels.

I just hope the numbers get better and we can at least have 25-50% capacity.

[kornegaylw]

A lot of your points do make a lot of sense for sure.

A lot of the reason I have come to these conclusions are because of what I'm seeing on agents telling our players. Also, we really don't have anything to prove in the state as the top G5 team. Everyone outside of Greenville NC knows we are. I don't want to give a good FCS team two cracks at us either.

Everyone in NC knows we are the best team in the state. NCSU won't ever admit it but they know. I'd like to have a NCSU fan come tell me they would have beaten us last year...4-8 record losing 7 games by 2 TDs or more.

[Cro-Magnon App]

Does Elon still chop block on every play?

[AppStFan1]

A lot of your points do make a lot of sense for sure.

A lot of the reason I have come to these conclusions are because of what I'm seeing on agents telling our players. Also, we really don't have anything to prove in the state as the top G5 team. Everyone outside of Greenville NC knows we are. I don't want to give a good FCS team two cracks at us either.

Everyone in NC knows we are the best team in the state. NCSU won't ever admit it but they know. I'd like to have a NCSU fan come tell me they would have beaten us last year...4-8 record losing 7 games by 2 TDs or more.

Agreed there. The others won't admit it but they know. Poll the rest of the country and they know we are as well. If we weren't I would admit it and in 2019 we were the best for sure. As far as this year I think UNC is possibly better but we won't know for sure. I just hope we still play Wake Forest so we can have a gauge. If they beat UNC and we beat them then I think we could easily claim to be the best.

[AppStFan1]

Does Elon still chop block on every play?

I'm not sure but that is another reason not to play them. I hated that crap. lol

[kornegaylw]

Everyone in NC knows we are the best team in the state. NCSU won't ever admit it but they know. I'd like to have a NCSU fan come tell me they would have beaten us last year...4-8 record losing 7 games by 2 TDs or more.
[/quote]

Agreed there. The others won't admit it but they know. Poll the rest of the country and they know we are as well. If we weren't I would admit it and in 2019 we were the best for sure. As far as this year I think UNC is possibly better but we won't know for sure. I just hope we still play Wake Forest so we can have a gauge. If they beat UNC and we beat them then I think we could easily claim to be the best.
[/quote]

UNC showed a lot of positive last year but I am not convinced it was progress. They caught a lot of teams by surprise. If they continue to grow then I'll give them the credit they deserve but I won't be like every professional sports writer/voice out there praising them b/c its the popular thing to do.

I hope that situation COVID has created in recruiting helps us and Im really glad we have a guy like Shawn Clark and not Drink leading the team right now. Our ceiling is so high right now and I want so badly to see us succeed as the best team in the state.

[AppStFan1]

Everyone in NC knows we are the best team in the state. NCSU won't ever admit it but they know. I'd like to have a NCSU fan come tell me they would have beaten us last year...4-8 record losing 7 games by 2 TDs or more.

Agreed there. The others won't admit it but they know. Poll the rest of the country and they know we are as well. If we weren't I would admit it and in 2019 we were the best for sure. As far as this year I think UNC is possibly better but we won't know for sure. I just hope we still play Wake Forest so we can have a gauge. If they beat UNC and we beat them then I think we could easily claim to be the best.
[/quote]

UNC showed a lot of positive last year but I am not convinced it was progress. They caught a lot of teams by surprise. If they continue to grow then I'll give them the credit they deserve but I won't be like every professional sports writer/voice out there praising them b/c its the popular thing to do.

I hope that situation COVID has created in recruiting helps us and Im really glad we have a guy like Shawn Clark and not Drink leading the team right now. Our ceiling is so high right now and I want so badly to see us succeed as the best team in the state.
[/quote]

I know we hate UNC but if you look at the talent they have returning and the expectation that their QB should take the next step and become one of the top 5 QBs in the country then I can see why. They still have to prove it on the field so I get your approach but I also understand the media because of the talent they return.

I am with you on Shawn. I just hope we continue to take advantage and recruit well. Great coaches need talent or else their ceiling is not very high. It feels like we are getting a good group.

[bigdaddyg]

Heard the Elon AD get interviewed earlier. I’m sure he’s a great guy but if he said “student athletes “ one more time I was going to vomit. I’ve come to hate the term. I guess it’s because most of the time when it’s used it’s BS. For the life of me I see zero reason for them to play independent- if there are no fans. Who on earth will they play?

[AppStFan1]

Heard the Elon AD get interviewed earlier. I’m sure he’s a great guy but if he said “student athletes “ one more time I was going to vomit. I’ve come to hate the term. I guess it’s because most of the time when it’s used it’s BS. For the life of me I see zero reason for them to play independent- if there are no fans. Who on earth will they play?

For some reason Elon is a school I have no desire to play and wish we would not ever play them. They were awful to us down there and every year seemed to think they would beat us.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Heard the Elon AD get interviewed earlier. I’m sure he’s a great guy but if he said “student athletes “ one more time I was going to vomit. I’ve come to hate the term. I guess it’s because most of the time when it’s used it’s BS. For the life of me I see zero reason for them to play independent- if there are no fans. Who on earth will they play?

They likely will not have a full schedule and bus there, play and bus home. They might have the money to stay overnight and get into Va. I think JMU is going to try this as well. Might be some Home and Home in the same season.

Personally, I will now go on record and state Elon is not going to be playing football this fall and neither is App State. I have lost faith in everyone doing what needs to be done to get this under control and any work done will be for naught on the part of the Elon AD getting a season together. Maybe a few games in Nov and maybe we have some spring ball. I think spring ball is our last best hope.

[AppStFan1]

Heard the Elon AD get interviewed earlier. I’m sure he’s a great guy but if he said “student athletes “ one more time I was going to vomit. I’ve come to hate the term. I guess it’s because most of the time when it’s used it’s BS. For the life of me I see zero reason for them to play independent- if there are no fans. Who on earth will they play?

They likely will not have a full schedule and bus there, play and bus home. They might have the money to stay overnight and get into Va. I think JMU is going to try this as well. Might be some Home and Home in the same season.

Personally, I will now go on record and state Elon is not going to be playing football this fall and neither is App State. I have lost faith in everyone doing what needs to be done to get this under control and any work done will be for naught on the part of the Elon AD getting a season together. Maybe a few games in Nov and maybe we have some spring ball. I think spring ball is our last best hope.

You might be right but the NFL will need to move their off-season schedule back or else top players will sit out for sure. There are many players who may do that no matter what. I keep hearing that we are close to seeing many big names pull out regardless. I wish they would wait and play when we can but we all know how these agents can be with these kids. They will talk players into declaring early who have no business doing so.