The Kindest Cut of All?
The ACC makes a cut
The ACC has just voted to cap football travel squads for league games as a cost-cutting measure.
Don't be surprised if many of the other BCS conferences follow suit.
Believe it or not, this could be a good development for Ivy football.
As I have stated in the past, the loading up of even more top recruits by BCS schools over the past 15 years or so because of more college stars leaving early for the NFL draft has hurt the recruiting talent pool for the Ivies, especially at positions like running back. (Sorry, I realize that was a very long sentence).
Anyway, reduced travel squads might lead to a reduced number of overall players on football scholarships at the BCS schools. That might re-open some doors for the mid majors and the FCS schools.
It could also somehow make things worse if the BCS coaches throw caution to the wind and decide they need to carry even MORE players on their rosters and make the competition for the final 72-player cut even more fierce.
Remember, I don't think the Ivies are starved for talent at all the positions. The league is still producing more than its fair share of outstanding NFL-prospects, especially at the positions where there are a lot of "late bloomers" that are easily missed by BCS recruiters who hone in on 9th graders these days. Many Ivy QB's and offensive linemen have fit into that "late bloomer-turned NFL prospect" category lately.
But I maintain the pronounced decline in 1,000-yard rushers in the Ivies is a direct result of the BCS stockpiling running back talent in a way that they did not do before "coming out early" became the norm for top backs.
Personally, I'd like to see the NCAA go back to some kind of 65 or 70-man rule for ALL games, home or away. (I'd also like to see the NFL ban undergrads from coming out early, but that's a pipe dream). I think there's a chance reducing the number of scholarship athletes on the BCS teams would help everyone. Among other things, it would encourage more students to try to walk on to teams, (does "Rudy" mean anything to you?).
I know the trickle down theory is being skewered in our society these days when it comes to economics, but in college football, what happens to the big boys definitely affects us every time.
posted by Jake @ 11:40:00 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
According to Asia and Sprint66, both Penn and Cornell have several D1 quality RBs in the incoming classes.
I like what you are saying, but, have to disagree with one statement. I think more not less scholarships (full rides) need to be available. Paying for college is a huge financial burden. Most full ride players will see very little, if any, playing time in college. However, they will get a college education for a minimal cost. Obviously most of those players expect to be 1st round draft picks someday, but, a large number of the players are also strictly looking at the sport as a means of paying for college. This is particularly true for the smaller schools and the DI2 schools. To attract those higher quality players, the IVYs need to be like other D1 schools and offer full ride scholarships.
Re Penn's and Cornell's running back recruits:
We'll see. I just don't think there's Ed Marinaro talent available to us anymore. That could change, and you could see a late bloomer, but running backs tend to peak earlier than other football players.
Friend 12:
I'd love to see athletic scholarships come back to the Ivies too, but that's just never going to happen. College tuition at all schools is ridiculous and unjustified anyway. I love the athletes, but EVERYONE at our schools deserve bigger breaks on tuition costs.
Jake, why isn't the list out yet?
Our incoming freshmen list came out last year on May 19th... so, we're not late yet.
I agree tuition cost is terrible and everyone really needs a break.
I know athletic scholarships will never return to the Ivys, but, I will always campaign for more (all schools) and any other means to reduce the burden of college.
I am wondering if the Ivys that went to income based tuition last year are going to continue to do so with the drops in endowments. I was hoping Columbia would go the route before things crashed.
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