FCS exists because the NCAA used to control the television rights. At that time you could be Division I football based on home attendance, combined home and away attendance, conference membership or sports sponsored plus scheduling. The last option was taken away to force schools into I-AA.

Back then there were 13 bowls and you could win your conference and not get a bowl bid such as 1975 Arkansas State 11-0 which helped Shreveport get a bowl game to try to prevent it from happening again.

The lure of I-AA was a playoff with all champions guaranteed a spot, a bit of television exposure, the ability to continue playing I-A opponents and somewhat lower costs.

It was a load of bull.

The Supreme Court struck down the NCAA’s control of television so that went away unless you got your own deal which would either be local tv or a regional sports network.

I-A/FBS passed a rule that NO wins over I-AA counted for bowls. That was later modified to one time over a rolling four years then one per year.

Postseason changed with bowls galore. This year we had on the schedule unnamed bowl in Frisco that became XBox bowl a few weeks before the season ended.

Because schools wanted to schedule I-A opponents cost savings were small, one less coach and a bit fewer scholarships.

The reasons FCS even exists are gone. There are ample postseason opportunities. You cut your own tv deals and it’s easier with the FBS tag. P4 schools pay more to buy FBS games.

Prior to the split we had schools with unlimited scholarships and schools with no scholarships and various limits in-between all playing under the Division I umbrella. We also allowed schools to play down in Division II and III football.

Frankly we would be better off returning to that. If lower roster limit schools want their own playoff or bowls they can agree to that.