dbackjon
November 22nd, 2005, 04:30 PM
A) Scholarship Min/Max
Division I schools will be divided into 4 categories for football, based on scholarships given:
I-A: Between 66 85
I-AA: Between 45 65
I-AAA: Between 0 15
I-B: Does not compete in football on a varsity level
Currently, I-AA can give up to 63 scholarships/equivalents. DII has a 36 scholarship max, while I-A has a limit of 85. At max, I-AA is about halfway between DII and I-A. Adding two more allowable scholarships will push I-AA closer to I-A. Putting a minimum on I-AA scholarship will define those schools that are interested in competing for the I-AA title, and those that are D-III in reality. The new I-AAA classification could then have its own playoffs, if they choose.
B) Playoffs (I-AA)
1) All non-transitional schools that give a minimum of 45 scholarships/equivalents are eligible for selection into the playoffs. The playoff field is comprised of champions of auto-bid conferences (as defined below), plus at-large schools selected by the I-AA playoff committee.
2) A conference shall be eligible for an auto-bid as long as it meets the following criteria:
a) Minimum of seven eligible schools
b) Five of above schools must have been in the conference for at minimum of two years.
3) Playoff size is determined as follows:
9 or fewer eligible auto-bid conferences: 16 teams
10 or more eligible auto-bid conferences: 24 teams
4) Only games against I-AA or I-A teams will be used in determining at- large selections
5) Transition teams: Schools wishing to move from I-AAA to I-AA are given a two-year window in which to get to the 45 scholarship minimum. During this transition period, teams are ineligible for the playoffs, but are considered I-AA in classification for I-AA/I-A wins. A school may choose to shorten the window to one-year, if they reach the 45 scholarship minimum.
Division I schools will be divided into 4 categories for football, based on scholarships given:
I-A: Between 66 85
I-AA: Between 45 65
I-AAA: Between 0 15
I-B: Does not compete in football on a varsity level
Currently, I-AA can give up to 63 scholarships/equivalents. DII has a 36 scholarship max, while I-A has a limit of 85. At max, I-AA is about halfway between DII and I-A. Adding two more allowable scholarships will push I-AA closer to I-A. Putting a minimum on I-AA scholarship will define those schools that are interested in competing for the I-AA title, and those that are D-III in reality. The new I-AAA classification could then have its own playoffs, if they choose.
B) Playoffs (I-AA)
1) All non-transitional schools that give a minimum of 45 scholarships/equivalents are eligible for selection into the playoffs. The playoff field is comprised of champions of auto-bid conferences (as defined below), plus at-large schools selected by the I-AA playoff committee.
2) A conference shall be eligible for an auto-bid as long as it meets the following criteria:
a) Minimum of seven eligible schools
b) Five of above schools must have been in the conference for at minimum of two years.
3) Playoff size is determined as follows:
9 or fewer eligible auto-bid conferences: 16 teams
10 or more eligible auto-bid conferences: 24 teams
4) Only games against I-AA or I-A teams will be used in determining at- large selections
5) Transition teams: Schools wishing to move from I-AAA to I-AA are given a two-year window in which to get to the 45 scholarship minimum. During this transition period, teams are ineligible for the playoffs, but are considered I-AA in classification for I-AA/I-A wins. A school may choose to shorten the window to one-year, if they reach the 45 scholarship minimum.