Major Landscape Change in FBS Starting 2010
INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA has had a busy day today announcing the major changes to the football bowl sub-division of college football. One of the biggest pieces of news was the promotion of FCS powerhouse, DCU, to replace the never successful Eastern Michigan Eagles. DCU will be apart of the Independents until they receive a conference bid.
Notre Dame University will no longer be independent, it has accepted a bid to play in the Big East conference to fill the spot left by South Florida, which will be taking its place in Conference USA, replacing Marshall. Marshall has now moved to the MAC to fill the void left by EMU being demoted.
The Big Ten is now the Big XII, while the Big XII is now the Big Ten. With the addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten, the NCAA saw no reason for each conference to retain their names, and the switch will hopefully be less confusing for new fans.
The changes have been mostly received well, at least by those who have gained the most out of this. When asked how he felt about the promotion to FBS, DCU coach Mo Biggins said, "Its like our dreams have came true. We have worked our butts off trying to gain a shot at the big show, and now we have that chance."
DCU certainly has a shot to be successful, however they will have to compete with in-town big brother, the University of Oregon. DCU has always lived in the shadow of Oregon, despite their success many people in Eugene remain Duck fans and lack following DCU. Now that DCU is in the FBS, coach Biggins hopes he can see his fan base increase. "It certainly won't be easy to gain notoriety, we will have to work hard for it, but I think we are all ready to be in this for the long run."
DCU will face a tough all FBS opponent schedule this year which has not been announced yet. DCU will also be trying to prove the new guys can be successful too, something Western Kentucky has failed to prove since their promotion.
Only time will tell how this college football shake up will impact the college football world, but fans should be in for a great season coming in 2010.