r/fcs • u/Adamscottd • 10h ago
Discussion We in the FCS can once again be thankful for our playoff format
It's been reported that the FBS is expanding to 24 teams in their playoff, but only one spot will be reserved for a G6 team. The top five conference champions (four of which will be from power conferences) plus 19 at large teams will make up the field.
I think this is disgraceful. G6 teams make up more than half of the FBS and yet most years they'll be playing for a single playoff bid.
I'm a fan of an FCS team that would, in theory, benefit from that format if it were instituted in the FCS. Missouri Valley and Big Sky teams would be the biggest beneficiaries of such a change. At the same time, I'm a fan of an FBS team who is a huge benficiary of the 23+1 format, as it substantially increases their chances to make the new playoff.
But even with all that in mind, I'm completely against it. Every conference champion should get a playoff birth, full stop. I'm so thankful the FCS is sensible in this regard. I think it's great that OVC schools, PFL schools, NEC schools, etc still have a straightforward avenue to make the big dance. And beyond that, it makes me a lot more incentivized to pay attention to those teams' seasons; even if they're not championship contenders, it's fun to watch their games as they battle for a playoff spot. The new FBS playoff format makes most G6 teams' seasons irrelevent.
So as the FBS expands and cuts out smaller programs, it gives us followers of the FCS a great opportunity to appreciate how good we've got it.