Bigger, Faster, Stronger

 These are the qualities you find in an opponent that is in a higher division than you are. A quick primer on NCAA College Football divisions. There are four divisions in the NCAA:

FBS

FCS

Division II

Division III

 

FBS is the Football Bowl Subdivision. This is one of the two subdivisions that make up Division I. FBS schools are allowed to offer a maximum of 85 full ride football scholarships.  

FCS is the Football Championship Subdivision, which is the other division I subdivision. They can give out 63 full ride scholarships.

Typical FBS schools are Alabama, Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Virginia Tech, UVA, Clemson......The BIG programs

FCS schools have smaller stadiums, and smaller enrollment numbers. Typical FCS Schools are William and Mary, University of Richmond, University of Delaware, University of Rhode Island, University of Maine.

Division II schools are usually even smaller and are allowed even fewer full ride scholarships. These schools are allowed 36 scholarships. 

DII schools in Virginia are Virginia Union University, Virginia State University, UVA Wise, and Emory and Henry.

DIII schools are the smallest of the bunch and are not allowed to offer scholarships for athletics at all.

DIII schools in Virginia are plentiful and they include Randolph- Macon College, Hampden-Sydney, Bridgewater, and Ferrum just to name a few.

When you offer scholarships, you will be able to field a team with more talent, and that is exactly what Ferrum ran into last night.... a team with more talent. This 41-9 loss should not be a surprise, and as long as Ferrum did not incur any serious injuries, they will benefit in the long run. There will be much to be gained from this, and after the film is reviewed, and the coaches break down individual performances, they will make corrections, and show the players what they need to be doing going forward.

There is no need to pour over statistics from this one. They will only show how a Bigger, Faster and Stronger team imposed their scholarship athlete's talent over a non-scholarship program. They would be as one sided as the score and would surprise very few.

I got several messages both during and after the game, and there was a resounding theme that Ferrum did not quit. They played hard for the full game.........in that situation, that's about all you can ask.

So now it's time to get ready for next week as Ferrum opens their home season against Muskingum (OH). This will be the first ever meeting between these two schools, and as they are both DIII schools, it should be more of an evenly matched game. I am hoping to be there.

In case you are wondering, UVA Wise will travel South to take on the FCS team, the University of North Alabama Lions. My guess is that the shoe will be on the other foot for the Cavaliers next week.

Stay Tuned-