I see what you're saying now and understand.
While I don't think they would allow a mass exodus, maybe it's a possibility they raise it to 27 ICs and 90 total. Something minor like that.
Or at the very least, allow grad transfers to not count as an IC.
Yes, and you are a good dude who likes to converse. I'm just a bit frustrated with guys who are SWEARING that this is all going to happen and that the NCAA will finally (after 100 years of doing otherwise) help out student-athletes.
There are ton of great possible ideas, I am just concerned that the NCAA has delayed so long and been so inconsistent.
This is no criticism of your idea, I'm just spitballing what a possible objection would be, and that is that only "the best" football players from other programs would get scholarships, and the other kids who want to transfer don't have a shot.
It's just a very interesting debate - do you take half-measures or full-measures? Half-measures probably don't go far enough, and full-measures would rip the NCAA apart. And while the fans may WANT the NCAA to fall apart, what comes next? Part of the appeal of college sports is the fact that it is a "relatively" fair competition level. If, overnight, you eliminated all of the administrative, rule-making, and officiating roles performed by the NCAA, then it's going to take a long time to replace that. There's a reason that the XFL and other football leagues need a couple of years to get their ****e together.
This whole situation is a mess. Here's what we REALLY need:
1. You have over 130 Division I-A universities. Conferences were initially created for ACADEMIC info-sharing. The NCAA should try to create a situation where 100 universities all work together towards Covid-19 best practices, including the development of RAPID TEST RESULTS. Good lord, we have an amazing laboratory and medical testing capability at our nation's universities. If (during WWII) we can get all the auto-makers to build tanks and planes, why in the **** can we not get universities to share info and labs to create the capacity to give same-day results for Covid-19 test results?
2. Once we get the testing online, the NCAA takes a firm stand on how to structure a season for the spring. Set dates, number of conference games, protocols for playing in domed stadiums (in bad-weather situations). Cap the stadium capacity at 40% and require masks for all fans. Don't let the P5 conferences freelance. Use the COMBINED strength of the P5 schools to work with the NFL to push back the draft (and even if upperclassmen still opt out, do NOT create a situation where the draft is happening during the College World Series as currently happens with baseball).
3. Allow everyone the OPTION to opt-out, but with a few different angles. If a kid opts out for the draft, they remain in school, progressing towards a degree (which is one of the few "good" things that the NCAA truly wants). If a kid opts out for the season, they get a 1-year "counter exemption" for the 2021-2022 season. If ANY, and I mean ANY, kid transfers, the school gets an IC back that can be used ON A TRANSFER (no, the Gaytors can't sign 40 freshmen by pushing out 15 kids to the portal).
Just get it done.