FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WUPHF]

The UW schools also have many more grad programs, and majors, than other D3 schools.  Most, if not all, 5th years players live off campus.  4 to 6 roommates in a house, so the break down might be 500-600 a month.  You have to live somewhere.

But that was not approach that was mentioned.

Every undergraduate degree involves 120 or so credit hours.  The gray shirting idea was to save one course for the ninth semester.  I get that it happens, I have seen it happen.  But I am not sure how more majors or graduate programs factor in.

Graduate programs may become more of an issue with 5 in 5.
 

I'll never get rid of all the built-in advantages the WIAC has, but this would be a start.

There will always be leagues and schools that have built-in advantages.  Even within the CCIW and WIAC, some have advantages over others, obviously.  I believe this could begin to level the field, that is possible, but I do not understand how.

[D3fanboy]

First, the pitch isn't that you take a full course-load that 5th fall semester. Just like a player returning with a medical hardship, save a single class required for graduation.

That is exactly what he said in his post.

And yes, the 5 for 5 for football has real potential to level the playing field. Call it 90% of a WIAC Sr class are 5th year players, where most of D3 that percentage is probably flipped. 5 for 5 for football would flatten that advantage, but it's much harder for two semester sports.

On paper, it seems easy to think any league could do Grey Shirting, but sticker shock is real. When most private schools are already more money, explaining to a prospective player (and especially parents) that they'll be doing an extra semester of coursework falls on deaf ears, even if it's probably just a single course.

I still do not understand.

Let's say the aforementioned Iowa college is more expensive, so saving a three credit hour course for a ninth semester at a cost of $2,265 is cost prohibitive.

But the gray-shirting friend at UW-Stout pays $812-1,239 so game changer?

I get it, the average player at Stout may pay less over time and may therefore be more capable of absorbing the extra 8 months of room and board.

But then, how does the 5 in 5 change all that?

The UW schools also have many more grad programs, and majors, than other D3 schools.  Most, if not all, 5th years players live off campus.  4 to 6 roommates in a house, so the break down might be 500-600 a month.  You have to live somewhere.  The bigger problem in D3 is the Kaleb Blaha situation from last year.  That was his 6th year in College. 5 for 5 would eliminate the small number of schools that have a huge advantage over many others.  You'll never get rid of all the built-in advantages the WIAC has, but this would be a start.

That's Dr. Blaha to you!!!  show some respect!!!

[NCC2010]

Here's my guess at NCC's starting lineup on Saturday based on the open practice and scrimmage. 

Offense:
QB Garret Wilson (RS SO)
RB Jordan Williams (SR) / Duke Guenther (RS SO)
WR Jack Rummell (5th yr)
WR Jim Curtin (JR)
WR David Ballard III (SO)
TE Will Diamond (JR) / Dawson Trebolo (SR)
LT Tyson Cramer (SR)
LG Dennis Dracup (SO)
C Austin Roush (SO)
RG Cortez Jones (SR)
RT Jake Buckley (Freshman)

Defense:
DE Bobby Medina (SR)
DT Maverick Ohle (RS JR)
DT Graham Wight (SR)
DE Troy Kashul (SO)
LB Matt Janiak (JR)
LB Philip Carlton Jr. (SR)
OLB Ethan Groark (5th yr)
Safety Brayden Garrigan (SR)
Safety Kyler Green (SR)
CB Kaden Hartnett (SR)
CB Aahil Khan (SO)

While Bethel definitely has more production returning, NCC is only starting 6 out of 22 players that are true sophomore's or younger. 

Whichever team's revamped offensive line plays the best may win the game.  I believe Bethel has 4 new starters and NCC has 3, all of which are pretty young.

Of note, Jarod Thornton has joined the coaching staff. He started 59 games at center for NCC from 2019-2023 and won the Rimington Award for best center in D3 in 2023.  I'm assuming he is mentoring the young guys on the interior offensive line.

The weather could definitely be a factor as well with the up tempo offense Bethel plays.  Currently forecasted for high 80s temp at kickoff and throughout the duration of the game.