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0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, August, 2008 | by Jeff McLane Inquirer Staff Writer

After being stunned by Appalachian State last year, Michigan had to be asking itself, "And we paid for this?" And yet, when No. 22 Penn State hosts Coastal Carolina today, it's just one example that Football Bowl Subdivision (nee Division I-A) teams are still willing to pay to play Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) teams despite the risk of becoming the next national punch line.

And why not? FBS teams have won close to 90 percent of the time, and the premier programs are guaranteed a nice gate even after doling out close to half a million dollars to lure little guys to their gigantic stadiums. But it's not as if the deal is one-sided. Coastal Carolina, for instance, will earn somewhere between $400,000 and $450,000, according to Penn State director of athletics Tim...