LFN: Like A Zombie, The WAC Could Indeed Rise from the Dead

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Recently, I wrote an entire article (http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2016/04/idahos-return-to-big-sky-shows-how.html) about how the way the NCAA allows schools to become FBS is broken.

It turns out I had no idea exactly how broken until I was guided towards the Idaho Vandals Football Consultant report, helpfully posted in full on the University of Idaho's website (http://www.uidaho.edu/president/communications/ftball-announcement?utm_campaign=ftball-conf-announcement2016&utm_source=press-release_vandal-vibe_internal-memo&utm_medium=digital_general).

In that report, one of the possible avenues that Idaho was mulling over was to join the WAC.

I was confused - the WAC had stopped sponsoring FBS football long ago, a couple of years after then-commissioner Karl Benson finished his uncanny impersonation of Baghdad Bob in regards to saving FBS football for that conference - only to leave his job to take over at the Sun Belt Conference.

But it turns out, after a fresh read of the NCAA rulebook, it is indeed true.

Read more at http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2016/05/like-zombie-wac-could-indeed-rise-from.html#PhWqQt30LYu0kLgE.99

Mods, let me know if this format is good going forward.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Read more at http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2016/05/like-zombie-wac-could-indeed-rise-from.html#PhWqQt30LYu0kLgE.99

Mods, let me know if this format is good going forward.

Very nice.xthumbsupx

Give us some good info. on what it is about and let nature take it's course.

[superman7515]

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[Lehigh Football Nation]

You forgot:

https://cdn.meme.am/instances2/500x/5698018.jpg

[Pinnum]

The policy is actually good. It is written in a manner that allows conferences to elevate themselves completely if they have previously been at that level. It also bypassed the conference formation requirements which basically only allow for new conferences to be formed if they are divisions of previously established conferences.

While everything you said, is accurate, it actually wouldn't be too difficult for the parties you mentioned to turn the WAC into an FBS conference. NM State is already a full member so all the conference has to do it agree to sponsor the sport. Considering it use to, I wouldn't be surprised if they already have FBS policies in their conference documents. If Idaho were to join as a full member, it would actually make it much easier.

Under this scenario, UMass gets offered an associate membership along with Liberty who is given a bonafide FBS invitation to an FBS conference with FBS playing members.

The assumption is that scheduling for the FBS requirements will be too difficult to meet the minimum number of FBS games and of conference games. However, if you remove the scheduling assumptions it is possible. There are only two requirements really at issue here. (1) You must play five home games (four of which must be against FBS teams because you can count one FCS game as an FBS contest). In year one of the classification, Liberty would be considered an FCS team but in Year two they would be considered an FBS team for scheduling purposes making it even easier. (2) You must play six conference games.

This is an example of the schedules that would meet all the requirements of the conference for year one. (Assuming Idaho and New Mexico State could find one more Home FBS game for any of their open slots.)



2018 Season






Week
Idaho
New Mexico State
UMass
Liberty


1
At Fresno State*
*At Minnesota*
*at Boston College*



2


____BYE___
#at Georgia Southern #


3
*Wyoming*
Umass
at New Mexico State
!at FIU!


4
*At Northern Illinois*
&Charlotte&
at Liberty
Umass


5
at Umass
^at Ohio^
Idaho



6

at Liberty
*USF*
New Mexico State


7
at New Mexico State
Idaho
Liberty
at Umass


8
Umass

at Idaho
%Coastal Carolina%


9
Liberty

*at Uconn*
at Idaho


10


____BYE___
$Troy$


11
New Mexico State
at Idaho
*BYU*



12
*At Florida*
Liberty
*at Georgia*
at New Mexico State


13
at Liberty
at Umass
New Mexico State
Idaho









Home FBS (counter) games
3+1
3+1
4+1
5


Home FCS games
0
0
0
0


Away FBS games
5
5
5
5


Away FCS games
1
1
1
0


Conference games
6
6
6
6






*Already Scheduled


#Georgia Southern current scheduled to host Umass changed to Liberty


%Coactal Carolina currently scheduled to go to Umass changed to Liberty


$Troy game at Umass switched to Liberty


&Charlotte game at Umass switched to New Mexico State


!FIU game hosting Umass switched to host Liberty


^Umass at Ohio switched to New Mexico State at Ohio

[Pinnum]

Once Liberty played their first season in transition, the WAC could look to expand by looking at other FCS schools that maybe looking to make the move (Maybe UTRGV by then). Or the conference could decide to not have a conference schedule and have everyone would transition to an independent with scheduling agreements in place between all the schools to ensure they all have two home games and two road games to schedule during the heart of conference weeks. This would make scheduling easier for them as independents.

Of course, this is all moot because Idaho is making the wise decision to join their peers in FCS.