| Part II: Hand Half the League to Someone Else
There has been talk of splitting the league into divisions, enabling a more regionalized schedule and a postseason league championship game. This is what the PFL did from 2001-2005, with poor results. There were complaints that the South Division was weak and that the championship game never matched the two best teams. The format collapsed when Austin Peay withdrew from the league, leaving the South Division with only three members. A better way to achieve the same results would be to split the PFL into two leagues. The Atlantic Sun Conference, which includes Jacksonville as an all-sports member, has recently discussed sponsoring football. This would be the most logical home not only for JU, but also for Davidson, Campbell, Morehead State, and Marist. The remaining five members were in the PFL from its first game and should remain in the PFL. Instead of making multiple trips outside their time zone to play at PFL schools, the Atlantic Sun teams could play more regional Division I opponents. With the addition of football scholarships (see Part I), those non-league games would be competitive. A commitment to regional scheduling by the PFL and its sister league would encourage schools such as Mercer, Lipsomb, and Detroit Mercy that are considering new football teams to go ahead and get started. The champions of the two leagues could play in the Gridiron Classic, a game that will remain authorized by NCAA bylaws even after the PFL and Northeast Conference complete their agreement this year. Click Here to Continue to Part III... |