FCS Bracket Expansion?

[Greenie]

Potential for 20 team bracket by 2010


http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4g38nYBSYGYxqb6kW hCjggRX4_83FSgeKQ5UMA0NEw_Kic1PTG5Uj9Y31s_QL8gNzSi PN9REQDSw7cx/delta/base64xml/L0lJSk03dWlDU1lBIS9JTGpBQUV5QUJFUkVSRUlrLzRGR2dkWW 5LSjBGUm9YZnJDRUEhLzdfMF81VVYvNjc1MzMx?WCM_PORTLET =PC_7_0_5UV_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/NCAA/NCAA+News/NCAA+News+Online/2008/Division+I/Cabinet+eyes+FCS+bracket+expansion

[Greenie]

Terry Vandrovec's article in today's Argus Leader

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080214/SPORTS01/802140333/1002/SPORTS

"If the field does jump to 20, the bids will be split evenly between at-large selections and automatic qualifiers. In that event, the Big South and the Northeast Conference would gain automatic-qualifier status, meaning their respective champions would be guaranteed a place in the bracket.

Meanwhile, the Great West - SDSU's former home and the University of South Dakota's future home - will not yet meet the criteria required to gain automatic qualifier status."

[Hammersmith]

I guess it's no big surprise. The original plan was to add two teams every two years starting in 2008. However, the decision was made too late to allow for schedule changes. This way, everyone gets the time they need, the plan's timetable stays on track, and the Big South will have an autobid waiting for them when they become eligible. Don't be surprised if there's a move to 22 teams in 2012 and/or 24 teams in 2014. The 2014 autobid will be for the Great West if they can get another team by then.