Thanks in part to the NCAA granting an additional year of eligibility to fall sport athletes due to the pandemic, it appears that the Ball State football team will return 20 of 22 starters next season, including quarterback Drew Plitt, wide receiver Justin Hall, and Associated Press All-Bowl Team member safety Bryce Cosby. They are likely to be a top 25 team in the preseason rankings, coming in with a 7-game winning streak.The biggest game on the Cards' non-conference schedule is at Penn State.

(01-11-2021 09:04 PM)LongtimeFan Wrote:  Thanks in part to the NCAA granting an additional year of eligibility to fall sport athletes due to the pandemic, it appears that the Ball State football team will return 20 of 22 starters next season, including quarterback Drew Plitt, wide receiver Justin Hall, and Associated Press All-Bowl Team member safety Bryce Cosby. They are likely to be a top 25 team in the preseason rankings, coming in with a 7-game winning streak.The biggest game on the Cards' non-conference schedule is at Penn State.

Have they all said they are going to return?

(01-11-2021 10:13 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 09:04 PM)LongtimeFan Wrote:  Thanks in part to the NCAA granting an additional year of eligibility to fall sport athletes due to the pandemic, it appears that the Ball State football team will return 20 of 22 starters next season, including quarterback Drew Plitt, wide receiver Justin Hall, and Associated Press All-Bowl Team member safety Bryce Cosby. They are likely to be a top 25 team in the preseason rankings, coming in with a 7-game winning streak.The biggest game on the Cards' non-conference schedule is at Penn State.

Have they all said they are going to return?

Yes. They love their coach and have an amazing sense of team. I've never seen anything like it.

That's great news Longtime fan. Curious how all thins will work out as believe the 85 scholarship limit stands. Taking the 20 out of 22 coming back, have to think that is potential. Looked at the 2021 recruitment page and see 20 commitments and only 2 unsigned and a transfer. Have any idea how this will shake out?

https://247sports.com/college/ball-state...l/Commits/

(01-12-2021 09:19 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  That's great news Longtime fan. Curious how all thins will work out as believe the 85 scholarship limit stands. Taking the 20 out of 22 coming back, have to think that is potential. Looked at the 2021 recruitment page and see 20 commitments and only 2 unsigned and a transfer. Have any idea how this will shake out?

https://247sports.com/college/ball-state...l/Commits/

That's a good question. I would guess there might be some grayshirts.

(01-12-2021 10:49 AM)LongtimeFan Wrote:  

(01-12-2021 09:19 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  That's great news Longtime fan. Curious how all thins will work out as believe the 85 scholarship limit stands. Taking the 20 out of 22 coming back, have to think that is potential. Looked at the 2021 recruitment page and see 20 commitments and only 2 unsigned and a transfer. Have any idea how this will shake out?

https://247sports.com/college/ball-state...l/Commits/

That's a good question. I would guess there might be some grayshirts.

Seniors will be permitted to return next year and not count against a sport's roster or scholarship limits. Underclassmen will get access to a waiver they can use to extend their careers, but beyond the 2021-22 academic year, those athletes will count against scholarship and roster limits.

Thanks for that information OUBobcat1804. Hope the P5 will refer to this to precedence in two years to expand the scholarship limit, which will hurt all of us non-P5 teams.

Been thinking that being allowed and being able to afford carrying the additional scholarships. Will the financial impact of this COVID reduced revenue year lead to a team or conference decision on how many scholarships to carry by sport?

(01-12-2021 11:08 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Thanks for that information OUBobcat1804. Hope the P5 will refer to this to precedence in two years to expand the scholarship limit, which will hurt all of us non-P5 teams.

Been thinking that being allowed and being able to afford carrying the additional scholarships. Will the financial impact of this COVID reduced revenue year lead to a team or conference decision on how many scholarships to carry by sport?

I am in favor of REDUCING the 85 limit to say 80.

The problem with 85 is that travel squads are what 55? What is the NFL limit?

With 85 scholarship players there maybe be say 5 scholarship QBs. Maybe 7 or 8 offensive tackles. Is there playing time for them?

Reducing scholarships will strengthen G5 schools and FCS football.

I think even going as low as 70 or 75 would be OK...
It would spread out more talent to the MAC/AAC/CUSA etc...

Ball State will definitely be the team to beat in the MAC next year, and possible preseason top 25....

(01-12-2021 02:41 PM)FMRocket Wrote:  Ball State will definitely be the team to beat in the MAC next year, and possible preseason top 25....

Okay, how good will UB be?