The Portal, 2025 Style

[Boro33]

Isn't being the OC at Shep kind of the same as being the DC for Tomlin (i.e. it's in title only)?

Almost. "OC" calls and coordinates passing game at Shep. HC does run game.

[Ship69]

None. Nobody sniffing 30 let alone 36.

My view, which is probably not a popular one and is not going to happen, is that they need a division with a cap of about 15-20 scholarship equivalencies. The jump from zero to 36 is quite a leap, and it's a leap that most schools obviously aren't making. I figure you might get 80-100 schools in a division with a 20-scholarship cap. Make another division with a 40 cap, similar to the current division 2, and let the teams that have bigger football aspirations play there. In any given year, you probably only have a couple of dozen teams, if that, who are playing top-level Division 2 football now, and they basically beat the crap out of everyone else.

[Fightingscot82]

My view, which is probably not a popular one and is not going to happen, is that they need a division with a cap of about 15-20 scholarship equivalencies. The jump from zero to 36 is quite a leap, and it's a leap that most schools obviously aren't making. I figure you might get 80-100 schools in a division with a 20-scholarship cap. Make another division with a 40 cap, similar to the current division 2, and let the teams that have bigger football aspirations play there. In any given year, you probably only have a couple of dozen teams, if that, who are playing top-level Division 2 football now, and they basically beat the crap out of everyone else.

I don't think the NCAA wants to further separate football. There's already concern that schools will want to split FBS. There's a similar chasm in FCS.

[Ram040506]

My view, which is probably not a popular one and is not going to happen, is that they need a division with a cap of about 15-20 scholarship equivalencies. The jump from zero to 36 is quite a leap, and it's a leap that most schools obviously aren't making. I figure you might get 80-100 schools in a division with a 20-scholarship cap. Make another division with a 40 cap, similar to the current division 2, and let the teams that have bigger football aspirations play there. In any given year, you probably only have a couple of dozen teams, if that, who are playing top-level Division 2 football now, and they basically beat the crap out of everyone else.

Yea, I can't get there. I think there at least should be a minimum of say 18 equivalencies to be D2. D2 should have 18-36 max equivalencies and if you can't fund at least the 18, you should move to D3. We don't need another division of small school football.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yea, I can't get there. I think there at least should be a minimum of say 18 equivalencies to be D2. D2 should have 18-36 max equivalencies and if you can't fund at least the 18, you should move to D3. We don't need another division of small school football.

The 'definition' of 'scholarship' is very vague in the D2 world.

Just in our conference, you have the Catholic blue-light specials, the West Chester creative accounting, etc.

For this to work, all schools would have to report 'football aid' or whatever you want to phrase it in the same manner.

[Ram040506]

The 'definition' of 'scholarship' is very vague in the D2 world.

Just in our conference, you have the Catholic blue-light specials, the West Chester creative accounting, etc.

For this to work, all schools would have to report 'football aid' or whatever you want to phrase it in the same manner.

Totally understand, and I'm good with it. I think it would help the overall product be more consistent across the country as well.

[Boro33]

Totally understand, and I'm good with it. I think it would help the overall product be more consistent across the country as well.

West Chester has approx 13 equivalencies (at best). They are well behind Shep.

[IUPNation]

I feel for your classmates...:p)

You mean the bullies who called me homophobic slurs back in the day? They could barely look at me as I said hello…typical right wing 🐈’s.

I guess you know something about bullying being that Scoreboardgate was form of bullying.

[Ship69]

Yea, I can't get there. I think there at least should be a minimum of say 18 equivalencies to be D2. D2 should have 18-36 max equivalencies and if you can't fund at least the 18, you should move to D3. We don't need another division of small school football.

Well, my suggestion was 15-20. It's apparent that nobody in our conference can do the 36, and most are not even close. Given demographics and costs these days, more than 20 scholies is a lot for a small school to put out.

[Fightingscot82]

18 scholarships would make this a 5 school conference.

[Ram040506]

18 scholarships would make this a 5 school conference.

Say that happens. Would those 5 schools perhaps see a boost at all in being able to maybe field more equivalencies, with less schools out there to compete or fundraise against? Is that maybe a stupid way of projecting that as a possibility?

[Ram040506]

Well, my suggestion was 15-20. It's apparent that nobody in our conference can do the 36, and most are not even close. Given demographics and costs these days, more than 20 scholies is a lot for a small school to put out.

I didn't mean to hijack your number. Just don't think the world needs another level of small school football. D2, mid D2 and D3 or D4... I still think too many play football anyway.

[Fightingscot82]

Say that happens. Would those 5 schools perhaps see a boost at all in being able to maybe field more equivalencies, with less schools out there to compete or fundraise against? Is that maybe a stupid way of projecting that as a possibility?

Not to equivalencies - but you might see those schools be able to recruit better players with less money. Clarion and Edinboro and Gannon make Cal, IUP, and Slippery Rock spend more than they have to and work harder to get the best players. There aren't any dollars transferring though.

[EastStroud13]

Yea, I can't get there. I think there at least should be a minimum of say 18 equivalencies to be D2. D2 should have 18-36 max equivalencies and if you can't fund at least the 18, you should move to D3. We don't need another division of small school football.

Basing D1/2/3 alignment solely on football is not really possible unless the NCAA divorces football alignments from the rest of the sports. Which, to be clear, is something the NCAA desperately needs to do. But there are no signs that they are actually willing to do it.

[Fightingscot82]

Basing D1/2/3 alignment solely on football is not really possible unless the NCAA divorces football alignments from the rest of the sports. Which, to be clear, is something the NCAA desperately needs to do. But there are no signs that they are actually willing to do it.

If the NCAA sanctions it, they have to pay for it. As we can all imagine, staging and funding football playoffs is a huge undertaking. The NCAA wants to reminisce about the golden days of amateur sports and debate NIL, not run playoffs for us serf schools in D2 and D3.