FBS programs moving up to Division -1

[Brave Volunteer]

I was just curious if anyone knows if there are any FBS programs thinking of moving up to Division 1.

I think about some of the programs who've had tremendous FBS success such as Montana, UMass, Appy State, Richmond, Delaware, etc and wonder if there are any plans, long or short term, to move up to division 1.

 

[KingNick865]

You mean FCS? I know South Alabama is going to become a member of the Sun Belt in 2013.

I haven't heard much about those teams you mentioned wanting to move up to 1-A.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

You mean FCS? I know South Alabama is going to become a member of the Sun Belt in 2013.

I haven't heard much about those teams you mentioned wanting to move up to 1-A.

Yes, that's what I mean! I hate that name! I still want to call them division 2 teams!

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Seems like every year there's talk of the usual suspects moving up...Montana, UMass, and Appy St. But nothing has ever been anything past speculation.

I thought I heard a few years back Florida A&M was going to move up and was a potential Sun Belt member but maybe I dreamed it.

 

[timmy]

It's not worked out too well for WKU.

 

[milohimself]

It's not worked out too well for WKU.

Too early to tell. I'd be surprised if there were any programs over the last twenty years that produced a winning season in fewer than three or four years after joining D-IA.

 

[SGMVols]

Too early to tell. I'd be surprised if there were any programs over the last twenty years that produced a winning season in fewer than three or four years after joining D-IA.

It didn't take UCONN very long. I think their first season of I-A ball was '01 or '02.

 

[milohimself]

They joined in 2000. They didn't have a winning season until their fourth one in.

 

[GoBigOrangeVols]

Too early to tell. I'd be surprised if there were any programs over the last twenty years that produced a winning season in fewer than three or four years after joining D-IA.

seems like USF was pretty good right away. FAU also had early success. Troy (St.?) also won right away. Boise St. is another one that comes to mind that came up not so long ago.

I think I read a while back that the NCAA was going to put a freeze on teams moving up after South Alabama because a lot of the most recent teams were struggling to meet the minimum attendance and profit requirements.

 

[milohimself]

Broke out some quick research of teams posting winning records three years or sooner joining D-IA in the last twenty years.

FAU won a conference title and a bowl game three years in under Howard Schnellenberger.

Idaho won the Big West their 2nd year in D-IA. But I think they had at least a few wins over D-IAA teams.

LaTech went 8-3-1 their 2nd season in D-IA, but again, a good number of games against D-IAA opponents.

Marshall won the MAC their first year joining D-IA.

MTSU won a share of the Sun Belt third year in.

USF went 8-3 first year in but also a lot of D-IAA teams played.

Troy went 7-5 third season after joining D-IA.

 

[milohimself]

seems like USF was pretty good right away. FAU also had early success. Troy (St.?) also won right away. Boise St. is another one that comes to mind that came up not so long ago.

I think I read a while back that the NCAA was going to put a freeze on teams moving up after South Alabama because a lot of the most recent teams were struggling to meet the minimum attendance and profit requirements.

Boise State did post a 6-5 record in the third season in, but three of them were over CS-Northridge, Portland State and Weber State.

Troy didn't win a share of the Sun Belt until their sixth season in.

 

[KingNick865]

I remember hearing that Grambling was going to move up as a 1-A independent, but decided not to because they'd be the only HBCU in 1-A ball.

 

[KingNick865]

seems like USF was pretty good right away. FAU also had early success. Troy (St.?) also won right away. Boise St. is another one that comes to mind that came up not so long ago.

I think I read a while back that the NCAA was going to put a freeze on teams moving up after South Alabama because a lot of the most recent teams were struggling to meet the minimum attendance and profit requirements.

That freeze will last until 2011, if I'm correct.

Just from a selfish perspective, I'd like to see them just drop the dividing of 1-A and 1-AA, and do it like they did it in the mid 70's.