2010 FCS (I-AA) Football Thread

[wade moore]

I know we still have some folks that follow I-AA football around here. So, starting a thread again this year - gonna try to keep it more up to date.


FOFC Teams of alumni/students/fans:

William and Mary - wademoore, lordscarlet, KingOfNewYork
Youngstown State - stevew
Coastal Carolina - Thomkal
Villanova - RedKingGold
Massachusetts - BishopMVP
Southern Illinois - I forget? Illinifan999?
Old Dominion University - HiFiRevival, Tim Tellean
Liberty University - HiFiRevival

The pre-season TSN Poll (I've highlighted teams I know people here follow/graduated from - if I'm missing any, let me know - would love to highlight for those fans as news comes about):

The Sporting Network Poll

Others receiving votes: Illinois State 488, Wofford 311, Northern Arizona 286, Cal Poly 239, Furman 229, Texas State 206, Florida A&M 153, Lafayette 98, Maine 88, Harvard 85, Eastern Kentucky 81, UC Davis 61, Samford 61, Massachusetts 45, Southeastern Louisiana 45, Alabama A&M 45, Missouri State 40, Central Arkansas 39, Norfolk State 28, Lehigh 27, Old Dominion 25, Grambling State 24, Davidson 23, Georgia Southern 22, Princeton 21, Dayton 20, Portland State 18, Chattanooga 17, Youngstown State 15, Idaho State 15, Southern utah 14, Northwestern State 12, Indiana State 12, Stony Brook 12, Hampton 12, Gardner-Webb 11, Tennessee Tech 9, Robert Morris 9, North Dakota 8, Southern 8, Central Connecticut State 7, Morgan State 7, Jackson State 7, North Carolina A&T 6, VMI 5, North Dakota State 5, Austin Peay 4, Butler 4, Alcorn State 3, Jacksonville 2, Texas Southern 2, Brown 2, Howard 2, Cornell 1, Coastal Carolina 1.

Coach's Poll

Any Given Saturday Poll:

Some games were played yesterday, but nothing all that critical to the state of FCS.

[wade moore]

So three CAA teams in the top 10 and six in the top 25. Still the conference to beat and with an expanded playoffs this year, it's likely that at least 3 make it into the playoffs again this year, and as many as 5.

[wade moore]

W&M has a big game @ UMass on Saturday. We've had a 3-way QB battle this pre-season and surprising to most, a 5th year senior QB with no regular season action won out over transfer Mike Paulus from UNC (yes, that Paulus family). So, we'll be playing losing two defensive players to the NFL draft and a new QB. We have to win games early to get some momentum and confidence if we're going to live up to our #4 ranking.

[Izulde]

Thomkal follows Coastal Carolina I know.

I wonder how Montana will be this year without Coach Hauck.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Izulde

Thomkal follows Coastal Carolina I know.

I wonder how Montana will be this year without Coach Hauck.

Good call on Coastal, added.

I need to look for other polls - cause something is wrong with this one. ODU has votes, no way a legit poll has that - seriously. They're a second year startup program.

[stevew]

I go to youngstown state

[wade moore]

There we go, all 3 major polls are up.

I have no idea who participates in The Sporting Network, then you have the coach's poll, and I think that the AGS poll is just by posters on AGS.

[wade moore]

I've put a list of who follows what team at the top, so I'll keep updating that as others drop in.

[RedKingGold]

Was thinking of going to the Mayor's Cup ('Nova - Temple) game at the Linc tonight but it's a weather related game-time decision

[Tim Tellean]

Can't wait to see how ODU does before the intro to CAA next season, they've had great recruiting classes.

[Tim Tellean]

I saw a couple games last year and look forward to making the trip again this year, good excuse to see my son that goes to ODU.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Tim Tellean

Can't wait to see how ODU does before the intro to CAA next season, they've had great recruiting classes.

I have a particular hatred for ODU (CAA Basketball related), but I'm happy to see their program doing well.

That being said, I can't wait to laugh in the faces of many of their obnoxious, overly cocky fans when we pwn them on 9/18.

Too bad it's impossible to get tickets, I'll have to watch on TV.

[wade moore]

Dola: And to add to that. They are doing well for a startup program, but they're quite a ways away from being a competitor in the CAA. They'll do it faster than most teams would, but it'll take at least 5 years for them to be competing for a playoff spot.

[Tim Tellean]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I have a particular hatred for ODU (CAA Basketball related), but I'm happy to see their program doing well.

That being said, I can't wait to laugh in the faces of many of their obnoxious, overly cocky fans when we pwn them on 9/18.

Too bad it's impossible to get tickets, I'll have to watch on TV.

Don't worry Gerald Lee graduated. But we're still very good.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Tim Tellean

Don't worry Gerald Lee graduated. But we're still very good.

I don't worry, I know. Next year is the year I hope for something out of W&M BBall - we'll see.

[Thomkal]

Thanks for this thread Wade. Not really sure what to expect from Coastal Carolina this season...well except getting blown out by West Virginia this weekend that is. They start the season pretty healthy and some excitement generated around their TE's and secondary.

good luck to all you I-AA fans

[LloydLungs]

Went to the Superdome last night and saw SE Louisiana JUST miss knocking off Tulane. Hard to beat an FBS on the road if you commit four turnovers, but they were one Hail Mary away from pulling it off (27-21).

Always kept an eye on SELA but with the collapse of athletics at my alma mater, UNO, am really throwing myself into Lion football this year.

[GreenMonster]

Georgia State Alum here. GSU won it's inaugural game last night against Shorter College 41-7. Football Finally...

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

Georgia State Alum here. GSU won it's inaugural game last night against Shorter College 41-7. Football Finally...

Oh no, now a GSU fan - the only team I want to see fail more than ODU .

Honestly, it's just because of some really, REALLY bad apples on the CAA boards.

[PilotMan]

North Dakota State Bison Alum here! After a couple of simply fantastic year we fell on our asses last year. I have no idea what the expectation is for this season, but it's got to be better than last year. I see we are at least getting some top 25 votes. We start the year off on the road at Kansas tomorrow.

[stevew]

I'm hoping to get to a game this year. I've determined over the years that I fuckin hate Penn State so if the Penguins win tomorrow(and they won't) I will be so happy.

[digamma]

Go Crimson.

[RainMaker]

Not an alum but a fan of Eastern Illinois since my brother recently graduated from there. Made the playoffs last year.

[Thomkal]

7 minutes into the WVU-Coastal game and CCU is only down 7-0!

[Philliesfan980]

Was at the Mayors Cup last night, and as a Temple Fan (Nova fan second), all I can say is what a game. Probably not the most well played game, but probably the most exciting game I've ever been to.

UMASS is about to take a 14-13 lead on William and Mary. Great game to start the season in the CAA.

[Thomkal]

Amazingly enough its just 10-0 WVU over Coastal at the half.

[BishopMVP]

UMass pulls it out late over W&M 27-23. Over 200 yards and 3 TD's from our two running backs.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by HiFiRevival

WVU only beat Libery 33-20 last year and 13 was their biggest lead. With the new QB etc. you may be catching them at just the right time.

Unfortunately it wasn't the right time. 31-0. But that was actually better than I expected, so slight good news I guess.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

Was at the Mayors Cup last night, and as a Temple Fan (Nova fan second), all I can say is what a game. Probably not the most well played game, but probably the most exciting game I've ever been to.

UMASS is about to take a 14-13 lead on William and Mary. Great game to start the season in the CAA.

I wish I went, this is a must go next year. It's setting up to be a somewhat decent rivalry, especially if Nova does go D-I at some point in the future.

[PilotMan]

NDSU just knocked off Big 12 Kansas 6-3 in Kansas. Go Bison!

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

NDSU just knocked off Big 12 Kansas 6-3 in Kansas. Go Bison!

Big Ten (Minnesota), Big Twelve. No Big Deal.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

NDSU just knocked off Big 12 Kansas 6-3 in Kansas. Go Bison!

Congrats, PM.

It's going to be a long year for us

SI

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

I wish I went, this is a must go next year. It's setting up to be a somewhat decent rivalry, especially if Nova does go D-I at some point in the future.

Unless there is a huge fallout from the BCS conferences splitting off and the rest of 1A dropping into a third tier with most of the CAA joining them, it will never happen. Villanova's administration seems 100% content with the status quo, and understand they wouldn't suddenly top 20,000 if they went 1A, nor have the alumni base to do so.

[henry296]

Penn Quaker alum here. Since we can't go to the playoffs, I just hope of the highest ranking possible.

My brother went to JMU, so I have a rooting interest there.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by henry296

Penn Quaker alum here. Since we can't go to the playoffs, I just hope of the highest ranking possible.

My brother went to JMU, so I have a rooting interest there.

I still don't get why they won't allow it. The Finals excuse is bullshit too since other sports finish at the same time. And it's not like every team in the conference is going to be playing that late into the year. Maybe once every few years do you even have the possibility of a conflict.

[tarcone]

Im a UNI fan. Also, a Missouri St. fan.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

UMass pulls it out late over W&M 27-23. Over 200 yards and 3 TD's from our two running backs.

Didn't end up getting to watch the game, sounds like it was a great showing from your backs and/or bad showing from our defense.

I was gone all weekend and had no Internet access - I'll update the list of teams to follow at the top as soon as I can.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Congrats, PM.

It's going to be a long year for us

SI

Yeah, unfortunately neither team looked good. Last year we went from title contenders to 3-8 in one season. We play Northern Iowa this week, that's a team that wins. We are going to have to play a lot better if we want to climb back to the top of the FCS.

[lynchjm24]

I follow Central Connecticut - their votes in the polls are probably going away after this week's debacle at UNH.

[illinifan999]

SIU opened up their new stadium last week against a cupcake (Quincy) whose starting QB was an SIU backup last year. I believe it was a sellout which is absolutely incredible for SIU, and the stadium looks beautiful.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Unless there is a huge fallout from the BCS conferences splitting off and the rest of 1A dropping into a third tier with most of the CAA joining them, it will never happen. Villanova's administration seems 100% content with the status quo, and understand they wouldn't suddenly top 20,000 if they went 1A, nor have the alumni base to do so.

Looks like the Big East is saying shite or get off the pot, though:

Villanova considering Big East invitation

---

ESPN.com news services

PHILADELPHIA -- Villanova is studying a proposal to join the Big East Conference in football, the school's athletic director told the Philadelphia Daily News.


"The Big East very recently communicated its interest in adding Villanova as a football member," AD Vince Nicastro told the Daily News on Thursday. "As a result, we have decided to embark on an in-depth evaluation of this opportunity."

Big East blog


ESPN.com's Brian Bennett writes about all things Big East in his conference blog. • Blog network:
College Football Nation





The Big East currently has eight members for football. Villanova is a member of the conference in other sports, including men's and women's basketball. A ninth member would allow the Big East to play eight conference games -- four home and four on the road. Currently, teams alternate playing more home than road conference games each year.


Villanova currently plays in the Football Championship Subdivision, where it is ranked second in the nation. The Wildcats won the national title a year ago.


The Big East declined to comment. Sources told the Daily News and ESPN.com that the Big East would like an answer from Villanova by the end of the year.


One issue for Villanova is its home field, which seats 12,000 -- 3,000 fewer than the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision minimum. The school also would need to fund 22 more scholarships for football, and a similar number for women's athletics to meet Title IX requirements. Upgrades to on-campus training facilities also would be needed.


Information from ESPN.com Big East blogger Brian Bennett is included in this report.

Report: Villanova considers Big East football invitation - ESPN

[wade moore]

I'm slackin' on this thread, sorry guys - works been a bit nuts. I'll update as soon as I can.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by HiFiRevival

Gardner Webb with the OT win at Akron.

Way to represent the Big South Conference.

Woot Big South! Hope Coastal will represent tonight against Towson. They lost to them last year but only by 3 or 4 points. But Coastal should be a healthier and better team this year.

[wade moore]

South Dakota over Minnesota and JMU over Tech - FCS is really representing this year!