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From David Teel of the Daily Press.

"To me it's pretty much all positive," William and Mary coach Jimmye Laycock said Monday. "It's such a developmental game, and everybody tries to redshirt people. But when you do, with the scholarship numbers, you get very thin.

"That fifth year makes a big, big difference."

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/colleg ... 460.column" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who votes for that, just FCS schools or do FBS schools have a say?

No way FBS votes for it...they prey on us and one not-so-insignificant reason is the FCS lack of depth.

somewhere mplsbison is smiling.

I like this concept. But, yeah, if this needs approval from members of the BCS then forget about it. The fact that the BCS is not affiliated with the NCAA might preclude their involvment though....which is hopefully the case.

I think FCS has its own committee, which would recommend to the council of presidents for final approval.

I support the idea. It would definitely help level the playing field a bit in FCS vs. FBS games. Assuming that scholarships are evenly distributed among classes and that all players red shirt, the average FCS program has 50 scholarship players (plus 13 redshirts), while the average FBS program as 68 scholarship players (plus 17 redshirts). Giving FCS players a fifth year of eligibility would level things out to 63 in FCS vs. 68 in FBS. The difference in depth would be all but eliminated, although the FCS teams would be playing with unseasoned true freshmen.

I just question whether FCS can pass this regulation on their own. Doesn't the NCAA have some overriding rule regarding years of edibility in all sports? I would expect all Division I members to have to vote on this issue. If that happens, there's no way the FBS schools support it.

The big question is what happens to FBS->FCS transfers. If an FBS player plays in each of his first 4 years, and doesn't go on to professional football, can he "transfer/enroll" at an FCS school and play one more year? What happens with 3 years at FBS? Can you get 2 more at FCS? Will 3 get you 2 more? Will 2 get you 3 more? Will 1 get you 4 more?

Meh, it will likely get shot down anyway.

Article in the virginian pilot with some of ODU's Head Coach Bobby Wilder thoughts about the proposal.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/06/odus-wi ... ility-plan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;