An estimated 20 football programs could be in jeopardy of losing their Division I-A status if the NCAA adjusts its membership guidelines, USA Today reported Thursday.

Schools on the bubble

Averaged fewer than five home games vs. I-A (last two years): Mid-American Conference: Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Ohio U., Western Michigan. Sun Belt: Arkansas State, Idaho, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, North Texas. Western Athletic: Boise State, Louisiana Tech, Rice, San Jose State, Texas-El Paso. Conference USA: Houston, Southern Mississippi, Alabama-Birmingham. Independents: Central Florida, Utah State. Averaged less than 15,000 in home attendance (last two years): Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Middle Tennessee, Akron, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Arkansas State, Louisville-Monroe, San Jose State, Buffalo. Source: USA Today

According to the newspaper, the NCAA Management Council will gather early next week in Indianapolis to weigh proposals aimed at tightening minimum standards for participation in big-time college football.

If approved, the measures could go into effect in 2004. USA Today said further votes are scheduled for next spring.

Based on two reported recommendations, the conference most at risk for schools falling out of Division I-A is the Mid-American.

The stipulations: football programs must play at least five regular-season home games vs. I-A opponents each season and average at least 15,000 in attendance.

Currently, nine MAC schools don't meet the first requirement and six fall short in attendance.

Among other schools thought to be on the bubble are Southern Miss and Houston of Conference USA, Rice and San Jose State of the Western Athletic Conference and independents Central Florida and Utah State.

Another proposal reported by USA Today calls for I-A schools to fill at least 90 percent of the 85 football scholarships allotted to major-college programs in a given season and offer a minimum of 16 sports and 200 scholarships overall.

There are currently 115 Division I-A programs.

"The track it's on right now, I would see maybe 20" schools falling out of Division I-A, Management Council chairman Charles Harris told USA Today.