In basketball (the team sport which is closest to
QB in terms of squad size, the way in which one
dominant player can lead a team to victory, etc), one does
not take the JV's or freshmen teams and throw them
against the varsity teams of opposing schools. Yet, in
JV/freshmen matches, one does not change the rules for the JV
and freshmen, one doesn't make the rim lower, be less
lenient on fouls, etc.
I agree with you, Seth, on
the "bump up" effect experienced with D2-only players
are now forced to compete on D1 (harder) questions
against better teams. I hadn't really thought of it
before, but you're right.
We may begin to observe
these things as NAQT clubs move up from D2 to
D1.
What the D2 players need is not artificially easier
questions but rather the chance to hear a question out and
not have it interrupted by some sixth-year player
who's heard all the chestnuts on that answer before,
thus (1) potentially ruining the fun for all but the
most hardcore and (2) ruining the value of the
question for the new team (they don't heard the
intermediate and giveaway clues.)
Shawn Pickrell