The NCAA report is not out yet.  Let's break down the latest developments from inside the program.

Another day and no official release of the NCAA's report.  I have spoken with a friend of mine, however, inside the program.  FSU is arguing over something unrelated to football or basketball.  Track fans will not be happy (all I can say).

On January 9th I wrote:

FSU will definitely lose more scholarships than the amount they recommended.  The restrictions will last three years and not two.  We will likely lose some wins. 

I now hear that FSU will lose 4 more scholarships than they recommended, almost doubling the penalty.  The 2007 season will be vacated.  The scholarship restrictions will be over 3 years and not two. 

So, What?  Let's have a quick breakdown of what this all means. 

WHAT: FSU will lose double the amount of scholarships that they originally recommended in their (weak) self imposed sanctions report. The sanctions will last three years and not two.

IMPACT:  Ouch.  This will hurt us more than many of our fans realize.  We can deal with this, but we will need to get rid of more than just D'vontrey Richardson and Emmanuel Dunbar.  FSU will need to be more like 'Bama, 'Miami, UNC, and Oklahoma in how they deal with Juniors and Seniors who don't have a future as a football player.  I've mentioned several players who should not be on scholarship this Fall.  I don't want to turn this into an ethical debate.  Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program.  You need scholarships to survive.  FSU can act like the big boys or become a middle of the pack ACC team during the next five years.  It is their choice. 

WHAT: FSU will vacate the entire 2007 season (including the Bowl game). 

IMPACT:  From a football standpoint, this means nothing.  This won't impact how the team plays.  This doesn't matter in recruiting.  Recruits don't care about your historical record in 2007. 

This does impact Bobby Bowden.  FSU went 7-6 in 2007.  Bobby is currently one win behind Joe Paterno.  When the sanctions are finalized, he will be eight wins behind Paterno.  He will still be the second winningiest coach of all time.  This move ends the race between these two coaches.  Eight wins is not a gap he can close playing in the ACC while Penn State crushes the Big 10 and their pathetic out of conference schedule.  I personally don't think Bowden deserves the record, because counting Bowden's lower division wins and not counting Eddie Robinson's lower division wins seems unfair.

This also makes it very interesting when talking with those people who believe that Bowden is solely chasing the record.  I've stated time and again that this will be Bobby's last run and I stand by that.  If he's here in 2010, it is because he wants the all-time wins record,  he is scared to die, or he just wants to keep collecting checks.

FSU's consecutive bowl streak is over.  Again, from a football standpoint, this means nothing.  This won't impact how the team plays.  This doesn't matter in recruiting.  Recruits don't care about a bowl streak.  Plus, we can still verbally remind them that we've played in a bowl every year since the dawn of time (wink, wink).  I think we still hold the record with twenty something consecutive bowls, but these records are made to be broken. 

In 2007, the NCAA made Oklahoma had to vacate their entire 2005 season.  This year, they played for the National Championship.  These things hurt fans more than the program. 

Bottom Line:  If we get out of this with 10 scholarships lost over 3 years, be very happy.  There will be no death penalty for Florida State.