We all keep talking on new threads and old threads about the future of SBU Football so I just want to make some points about that;
Many FCS Programs have moved up to FBS and there are other Schools that are contemplating moving up at this time. In fact it's my opinion that the lower FBS Programs are really the high end of the FCS.
The CAA is still the elite conference and I say this because look at the competition in all the other conferences so what I would like to see is the CAA play the winners of all the other FCS conferences in a regular season game as an example CAA against the Big South, CAA against NEC, Etc.
Lastly I think SBU has to play against 2 FBS per year (elite program like say Oregon and non elite like Old Dominion)
I just wanted to start a conversation and look forward to others opinions
I have mixed feelings on this. I think the way SBU currently schedules is good and is in the same vein that Alabama schedules. You play your big game to start the year (the FBS game), play a couple cupcakes to get some wins and build momentum, and then allow the CAA schedule to provide you with the quality wins and SOS you need for a high playoff seed. I think what we currently do is fine. A second FBS game would be a guaranteed loss 9/10 times and would be another tough game on our players we don't need. Our policy of scheduling middling to good G5 teams, or low end P5 teams is a sound one. I wouldn't change the FBS scheduling.
What I would do is during years where we get that 12th regular season game (like 2019), I'd go out and try to get a big dog from another conference on the OOC schedule. A Montana, Sam Houston State, North Dakota State, Eastern Washington, Jacksonville State, Kennessaw State, somebody of that level. A true elite FCS Program. I'd do that in the years we get that 12 game rather than get another game against Bryant or Wagner on the schedule.
All in all I'm happy with our scheduling. It's challenging enough without being so difficult that it hurts our playoff chances. If we absolutely
must make it tougher, replace the second cupcake home game with a home/home series against a strong FCS program.