I know FBS teams are limited to 85 scholarships. I cannot confirm, but my recollection is that in the early 70's the Big Eight allowed more scholarships than other conferences and was one of the reason the Big Eight finished with the #1, #2 and #3 teams in the final national rankings in 1971-72. This is the only time teams from one conference were rated 1-2-3 in the final poll. (Iowa State's only regular season losses were to those teams.)
I believed, although I can't confirm this either, is that the 1-2-3 finish was the spark that caused scholarship limits to be the same for all major conferences.
What I never knew is that at one time there were no scholarship limits at all. I heard Chuck Long say this on the KXNO show that Chris Williams co-hosts. He mentioned that rich football schools like Oklahoma could give a couple hundred scholarships (I found it was 150 from another source) thus lockup up all the talent so that there were no good players left for schools like Oklahoma State. I found that facinating regarding the history of college football.
The entire discussion was making the point that the FCS schools are competitive with FBS schools because of the lower scholarship limits, now at 85. That leaves more good players available to feed those schools.
Another point that people don't realize regarding FBS schools, is that although they have few scholarships, they are allowed to give partial scholarships.
So one way to look at this is that both FBS and FCS have the same number of players on scholarship, but the FCS scholarships cover only 75% of a full ride. It puts a slightly different twist on what is perceived as a big disadvantage. An FCS school can be very flexible with this such that star players could get full rides, while maybe a punter, kicker, long snapper or players buried on the depth chart might get much less. And it probably can be changed each year.
I believed, although I can't confirm this either, is that the 1-2-3 finish was the spark that caused scholarship limits to be the same for all major conferences.
What I never knew is that at one time there were no scholarship limits at all. I heard Chuck Long say this on the KXNO show that Chris Williams co-hosts. He mentioned that rich football schools like Oklahoma could give a couple hundred scholarships (I found it was 150 from another source) thus lockup up all the talent so that there were no good players left for schools like Oklahoma State. I found that facinating regarding the history of college football.
The entire discussion was making the point that the FCS schools are competitive with FBS schools because of the lower scholarship limits, now at 85. That leaves more good players available to feed those schools.
Another point that people don't realize regarding FBS schools, is that although they have few scholarships, they are allowed to give partial scholarships.
FBS programs are allowed 85 scholarships on its roster at any given time, and generally can sign up to 25 players per year. All 85 scholarships are full rides. There are no partial scholarships given in FBS football.
FCS schools have 63 scholarships to be distributed, and up to 30 incoming players each year can be given aid. Scholarships at FCS schools can be full or partial rides. The 63 grants can be divided up in any way, but no more than 85 players can be put on scholarship.
FCS schools have 63 scholarships to be distributed, and up to 30 incoming players each year can be given aid. Scholarships at FCS schools can be full or partial rides. The 63 grants can be divided up in any way, but no more than 85 players can be put on scholarship.
So one way to look at this is that both FBS and FCS have the same number of players on scholarship, but the FCS scholarships cover only 75% of a full ride. It puts a slightly different twist on what is perceived as a big disadvantage. An FCS school can be very flexible with this such that star players could get full rides, while maybe a punter, kicker, long snapper or players buried on the depth chart might get much less. And it probably can be changed each year.
