FCS & Big Sky News

[SWeberCat02]

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FCS considering five years of eligibility

Since the proposal is sport- and level-specific, it would take only a majority vote from the 12 voting conferences at the FCS level.

Reaching a majority doesn't seem like that large of an obstacle - of the eight conference commissioners available for comment, only Ivy League commissioner Robin Harris and Patriot League commissioner Carolyn Femovich were openly opposed to the idea.

It's likely however, that the largest obstacle will not be the negative votes from the Ivy and Patriot leagues, but whether or not the NCAA would then accept and ratify the decision.

"The downside is nonexistent," Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton said. "The only downside we've ever run into is tradition."

 

[SWeberCat02]

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FCS playoff expansion distinct possibility

Ten of the 20 playoff bids go to conference champions and the other 10 go to at-large qualifiers. There are 11 conferences that are eligible for the 10 automatic bids. The non-scholarship PFL is the one conference that has been denied each of the past two seasons.

The PFL would gain an automatic qualifier if the playoff field increases to 22 teams. Coaches across the FCS, though, generally support a 24-team field, which would add the PFL champ and three more at-large qualifiers.

At 24 teams, 16 could play in the first round, with eight earning byes. Such a bracket makes more sense than 20 or 22 teams.

 

[EWURanger]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4425955

FCS playoff expansion distinct possibility

Ten of the 20 playoff bids go to conference champions and the other 10 go to at-large qualifiers. There are 11 conferences that are eligible for the 10 automatic bids. The non-scholarship PFL is the one conference that has been denied each of the past two seasons.

The PFL would gain an automatic qualifier if the playoff field increases to 22 teams. Coaches across the FCS, though, generally support a 24-team field, which would add the PFL champ and three more at-large qualifiers.

At 24 teams, 16 could play in the first round, with eight earning byes. Such a bracket makes more sense than 20 or 22 teams.

Ughh, keep it at 20 teams........there's no reason to expand the playoffs again. PFL doesn't get in because they've gotten trounced every time one of their teams has gotten in. I think the current system is fine.

 

[WSUFootballer]

Ewu is right. No need for expanding unless FCS is expanding. The less teams in the more significant getting in is. We don't want to be FBS where 75% of teams get in.

 

[SWeberCat02]

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2011 Big Sky position rankings: Linebackers

1 - A.J. Storms, Sr., Idaho State
Comment: 246 tackles in two years? Wow.
2 - Zach Johnson, Sr., Eastern Washington
Comment: Primed to emerge from J.C. Sherrit's shadow.
3 - Nick Webb, Sr., Weber State
Comment: The Wildcats' unquestioned leader on D.
4 - Scott McKeever, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: High-motor man lives in opponents' backfields.
5 - Caleb McSurdy, Sr., Montana
Comment: Led team in tackles, and will surely improve.
6 - Basim Hudeen, Sr., Idaho State
Comment: Hofstra transfer had 100 tackles in first year with ISU.
7 - Jordan Tripp, Jr., Montana
Comment: Third-generation Griz came of age in 2010.
8 - Jody Owens, Jr., Montana State
Comment: Speedy playmaker has all the tools.
9 - Ryan Rau, Sr., Portland State
Comment: Gritty competitor led Viks in tackles in '09 and '10.:
10 - Clay Bignell, Sr., Montana State
Comment: Defensive leader has been plagued by injuries.

When Nick Webb makes a tackle, he doesn't need any help. His most impressive statistic is this: Of Webb's 186 career tackles, 117 have been unassisted. Webb made a team-leading 99 stops last season, and 69 of which were solo. Webb was a no-brainer pick for the preseson All-Conference team.

 

[SWeberCat02]

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FCS exploring playoff expansion, eliminating redshirt seasons

During the league's first teleconference with the nine Big Sky coaches Tuesday morning, each coach gave input into the two proposed changes. All nine were in favor.

"This league is going to deserve a third or fourth (playoff ) team soon and there could be a lot of real good teams that come out of this conference, so playoff expansion would benefit us," said Weber State head coach Ron McBride, who has guided the Wildcats since 2005.

In concern to granting a fifth year of eligibility and doing away with redshirts all together, the BSC coaches showed even more favor.

 

[Wildcat 100]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/article_0e705bd2-bf16-11e0-bf1e-001cc4c03286.html

2011 Big Sky position rankings: Linebackers

1 - A.J. Storms, Sr., Idaho State
Comment: 246 tackles in two years? Wow.
2 - Zach Johnson, Sr., Eastern Washington
Comment: Primed to emerge from J.C. Sherrit's shadow.
3 - Nick Webb, Sr., Weber State
Comment: The Wildcats' unquestioned leader on D.
4 - Scott McKeever, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: High-motor man lives in opponents' backfields.
5 - Caleb McSurdy, Sr., Montana
Comment: Led team in tackles, and will surely improve.
6 - Basim Hudeen, Sr., Idaho State
Comment: Hofstra transfer had 100 tackles in first year with ISU.
7 - Jordan Tripp, Jr., Montana
Comment: Third-generation Griz came of age in 2010.
8 - Jody Owens, Jr., Montana State
Comment: Speedy playmaker has all the tools.
9 - Ryan Rau, Sr., Portland State
Comment: Gritty competitor led Viks in tackles in '09 and '10.:
10 - Clay Bignell, Sr., Montana State
Comment: Defensive leader has been plagued by injuries.

When Nick Webb makes a tackle, he doesn't need any help. His most impressive statistic is this: Of Webb's 186 career tackles, 117 have been unassisted. Webb made a team-leading 99 stops last season, and 69 of which were solo. Webb was a no-brainer pick for the preseson All-Conference team.

:agree: he should have a great season, and with a D-line that has some depth, his numbers should be very solid!