LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2026-30
CHAMPIONSHIPS AND POSTSEASON FOOTBALL -- CONTEST STATUS -- EXCEPTION -- INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: In bowl subdivision football, to eliminate criteria related to an institution's multiyear Academic Progress Rate for identifying alternates if there are an insufficient number of institutions that meet the definition of a deserving team to participate in postseason bowl games.
Bylaws: Amend 18.7, as follows:
[Federated provision, FBS only]
18.7 Postseason Football.
[18.7.1 unchanged.]
18.7.2 Postseason Bowl Games. The conditions and requirements that must be met in order for an institution to participate in a postseason bowl game are set forth in the NCAA postseason football handbook.
18.7.2.1 Contest Status. A contest shall serve the purpose of providing a national contest between deserving teams. A "deserving team" shall be defined as one that has won a number of games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents that is equal to or greater than the number of its overall losses. Tie games do not count in determining a team's won-lost record. Further, if forfeiture of a regular-season football victory is required by the Committee on Infractions or a conference, or is self-imposed by an institution as a result of a violation of NCAA rules, neither of the competing institutions may count that contest in satisfying the definition of a "deserving team."
[18.7.2.1.1 through 18.7.2.1.2 unchanged.]
18.7.2.1.3 Exception -- Insufficient Number of Eligible Institutions. If an insufficient number of institutions meet the definition of a deserving team pursuant to Bylaw 18.7.2.1 to participate in postseason bowl games in a particular year, an institution that meets a condition set forth below shall be eligible to participate as an alternate in such a bowl game. All deserving teams must be selected before an alternate may be selected. The terms of participation in the bowl game shall be the same for the alternate as the terms that were applicable to the originally contracted conference participant. All institutions that meet the first condition below must be selected before an institution that meets the second condition may be selected and so forth in descending order:
[18.7.2.1.3-(a) through 18.7.2.1.3-(c) unchanged.]
(d) An institution that finished its season with a minimum of five wins that count toward meeting the definition of a deserving team and a maximum of seven losses but achieved a multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) that permits postseason participation. Alternates identified pursuant to this condition shall be identified as eligible in descending order based on the institutions' multiyear Academic Progress Rates.
(1) If multiple institutions achieved the same multiyear rate, the institution with the highest single-year Academic Progress Rate, beginning with the most recent reporting year and continuing until a higher rate is found, shall be identified as eligible first. An institution that is identified as an alternate must declare whether it will participate in a bowl game. An alternate institution that declares an intention to participate shall select an available bowl game in which to participate.
[18.7.2.1.3-(d)-(2) renumbered as 18.7.2.1.3-(d)-(1), unchanged.]
[18.7.2.2 through 18.7.2.3 unchanged.]
[18.7.3 through 18.7.5 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee
Effective Date:Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Championships and Postseason Football
Rationale: This proposal provides additional flexibility and opportunities for selection of postseason bowl participants. The proposal does not change the Academic Progress Rate requirement to be considered for postseason competition.
Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Value-Based Legislation.
Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. Postseason Bowl Game selection criteria is nationally significant.
Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. There are no additional monitoring burdens.
How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: This proposal may provide for postseason opportunities for student-athletes.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.
History
| Mar 31, 2026: | In Progress | |
| May 7, 2026: | In Progress | Adopted by the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee pending review by the Division I Cabinet. |
| Jun 24, 2026: | Adopted Final | No Cabinet action. |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 18.7 | Postseason Football. |
| I | 18.7.2 | Postseason Bowl Games. |
| I | 18.7.2.1 | Contest Status. |
| I | 18.7.2.1.3 | Exception -- Insufficient Number of Eligible Institutions. |