FCS Football Championship goes to 24 teams in 2013

[VULB#62]

From the Northwest Indiana Times, posted yesterday.  With the newly expanded format, the Patriot League will be receiving an automatic bid as of next season (2013).  Doubt that the PFL's regular season champion will ever get seeded among the top 8, but for all PFL teams it is an additional, but probably small piece in the recruiting scheme.  Nice to see this come about.


http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/fcs-set-to-expand-playoffs-to-teams-in/article_818e9756-0f9f-5285-8ef7-79dee944bf82.html

[valpotx]

The caveat in the statement could be 'for those that want one.'  In the past, our commissioner has stated that she does not want the PFL to have an automatic bid, as it could be 'dangerous.'

[VULB#62]

Ivy and SWAC have opted out for years.  But got the impression, though, that the initial position has changed -- witness the increased scheduling of scholarship FCS schools across the league in recent years.  It's something to watch.

12:48 PM EDST -- Post script:  Got a communication from Dale Carlson that VUFB has been using the impending FCS Championship slot for PFL as an added part of their recruiting chats.

[milanmiracle]

The caveat in the statement could be 'for those that want one.'  In the past, our commissioner has stated that she does not want the PFL to have an automatic bid, as it could be 'dangerous.'

The PFL commissioner might not want it because it's dangerous (and she's likely right), but how much worse can it be than that beating YSU laid on Valpo last year and will again this year?

Being the 24th seed (any PFL team will likely land in this spot) every year means being the punching bag for the #1 seed, but sombody has to get pounded, might as well be the PFL and get some additional exposure.

[IndyValpo]

The caveat in the statement could be 'for those that want one.'  In the past, our commissioner has stated that she does not want the PFL to have an automatic bid, as it could be 'dangerous.'

The PFL commissioner might not want it because it's dangerous (and she's likely right), but how much worse can it be than that beating YSU laid on Valpo last year and will again this year?

Being the 24th seed (any PFL team will likely land in this spot) every year means being the punching bag for the #1 seed, but sombody has to get pounded, might as well be the PFL and get some additional exposure.

I would guess that the top 8 get first round byes so it would be vs. a #3 seed...still a daunting task!

[VULB#62]

Both good points miracle & indy. And I gotta believe that the #1 PFL team could give a competitive game (almost inevitably in a losing effort) to a scholarship FCS program.  But that is still good from a promotional perspective and very good from a recruiting angle.  Ivy League (because they're the Ivy League and can attract some incredible students) and Patriot League FB programs fare pretty well regular season against the Colonial Athletic Association schools who regularly send 3-4 schools to the NCAA FCS annually.  And a Patriot team usually gets a first round invite to the dance. At least in comparison to the Patriot League, cuz the Ivies don't go to the FCS, now the PFL has the same recruiting point to make. Don't know if Valpo will ever consistently be in the PFL top 4, but we can hope.