NYT's Joe Nocera on JoePa

[CID1990]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/opini ... yt&emc=rss" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is a very interesting article, and it touches on something that not many reporters have been able to articulate well. I think it goes straight to the heart of the desire to keep things "in house" in the big football programs.

I have always favored small college football over the big time programs, precisely for the reasons listed in the article. It is uncommon to see an actual student athlete on the rosters of SEC or PAC10 schools. They do exist, but not in the same way they exist on the rosters of a Wofford, William and Mary, or The Citadel. Unfortunately, I see FCS football heading in the same direction as the big boys went long ago. We already see the heavy temptation on the part of some schools to move up. Was it App State's president (or WCU's ?) who characterized football programs as a welcome mat for a college?