FCS Playoff Regionalization is Gone (Sort of)

Up until last year, the NCAA sought to minimize travel costs by using regionalization to help set playoff match-ups. The concept basically mandated that schools should play an opponent within a certain radius whenever possible in the first round. Theoretically, this would keep save money and lead to more regional rivals facing each other in the postseason. In reality, it frustrated fans who believe that it set up a competitive imbalance. Some teams benefited by being in close proximity to weaker conferences, increasing the likelihood of facing a easier first round match-up (a la RU vs. Hampton). Others felt that being located near a power program put certain schools at a disadvantage (basically anyone who has to go to NDSU). And playing conference rivals in the playoffs sounds great, until a whole bunch of MVC or CAA teams find themselves on one side of the bracket and knock each other out.

The gripes are legit. Well intentioned as it might have been, regionalization was a bit of a bummer. Well now it’s going away. Sort of. The NCAA Division 1 Football Oversight Committee voted to eliminate regionalization starting in this years’ playoffs. But there’s a catch. The change will only go into effect if four teams from a single conference make the 24 team playoff. The change still needs to be passed by the NCAA Division 1 Council at its meeting in October, but signs indicate it will.

We’re fully on board with this change. JMU plays in the CAA, one of the top FCS leagues in the country. You’ll never catch us cheering for the Ticks or the Blue Chickens, but more postseason success is good for the whole league. CAA teams facing each other deep in the playoffs is great. CAA teams knocking each other out in the first two rounds stinks. Especially when weaker teams slide through thanks to regionalization. And as the current top dog conference, the above applies to the MVC tenfold. This is a positive change that will be good for FCS.