Georgia Southern wins Sun Belt Championship

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Finished with an 8-0 conference record...not only that, but Georgia Southern and App State are a combined 13-1 against the other 9 teams in the league.

I know folks will just say the Sun Belt is terrible but compared to who? Conference USA's west division champion lost to an FCS team that didn't even make the playoffs, FIU lost to Bethune Cookman and won 3 conference games, and ODU (who has dropped off since they were in the FCS playoffs a few years ago) won 4 games with their terrible defense. And the MAC, they aren't really all that great either.

The gap between the G5 and FCS is a complete myth. That's the take-away from this. xnodx

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Finished with an 8-0 conference record...not only that, but Georgia Southern and App State are a combined 13-1 against the other 9 teams in the league.

I know folks will just say the Sun Belt is terrible but compared to who? Conference USA's west division champion lost to an FCS team that didn't even make the playoffs, FIU lost to Bethune Cookman and won 3 conference games, and ODU (who has dropped off since they were in the FCS playoffs a few years ago) won 4 games with their terrible defense. And the MAC, they aren't really all that great either.

The gap between the G5 and FCS is a complete myth. That's the take-away from this. xnodx

I said that both of you guys would compete for that Championship. I don't know if App did or not but it would appear they were one of your closest competitors for the title?

Congratulations to you Eagles. Sincerely, I know if I had the time to look I could find the places I said I thought you'd both challenge for this but GSU is just the one that is "different" enough to have an advantage in the talent necessary between you guys and App State...at least initially.

As you say, there is no disparity between competing at the top of FCS and the G5 at this particular time. Happy you guys showed that in the flesh to all the peops that don't get it.xthumbsupx

[FormerPokeCenter]

I said last year that if you two didn't run the Slum Belch table, something was bad wrong.....

[citdog]

Who cares?

[AshevilleApp2]

Finished with an 8-0 conference record...not only that, but Georgia Southern and App State are a combined 13-1 against the other 9 teams in the league.

I know folks will just say the Sun Belt is terrible but compared to who? Conference USA's west division champion lost to an FCS team that didn't even make the playoffs, FIU lost to Bethune Cookman and won 3 conference games, and ODU (who has dropped off since they were in the FCS playoffs a few years ago) won 4 games with their terrible defense. And the MAC, they aren't really all that great either.

The gap between the G5 and FCS is a complete myth. That's the take-away from this. xnodx

Congratulations to GSU, y'all put together a good season. App looked bad early in the season, but recovered late. I agree with you about the talent gap myth between FCS and G5.

[Cleets]

There are 20+ some odd teams in FCS who would "compete" for the Sun Belt Championship tomorrow if they joined...
I'm not sure I understand the significance of your post..?



xeyebrowx

[CID1990]

There are 20+ some odd teams in FCS who would "compete" for the Sun Belt Championship tomorrow if they joined...
I'm not sure I understand the significance of your post..?



xeyebrowx

Sounded like a preemptive attempt at self validation to me.

I actually thought this was a FCS board. Maybe this thread should be moved to "other sports".

BTW Sun Blet contender App State lost their FCS match to Liberty

GSU got absolutely skull****ed by a mediocre Navy squad, and also lost to a dismal NC State, who would be 3rd place in the MVC. That tells us all we need to know about the Sun Blet

[Sammy94]

Congrats Coach Fritz and staff. Keep it up and you won't be there long.

[wmmii]

Georgia Southern and their fans have always been a class act, congrats and thanks for letting us know how you did!

[OL FU]

Congrats to the Eagles!!!!

[OL FU]

There are 20+ some odd teams in FCS who would "compete" for the Sun Belt Championship tomorrow if they joined...
I'm not sure I understand the significance of your post..?



xeyebrowx

Maybe because the newly departed have been an important part of FCS for a long time. And for the most part, have been an enjoyable experience. The occasional GSU answer to citdog (aka as Sean Taylor) is the aberration.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Sounded like a preemptive attempt at self validation to me.

I actually thought this was a FCS board. Maybe this thread should be moved to "other sports".

BTW Sun Blet contender App State lost their FCS match to Liberty

GSU got absolutely skull****ed by a mediocre Navy squad, and also lost to a dismal NC State, who would be 3rd place in the MVC. That tells us all we need to know about the Sun Blet

NC State won 3 ACC games and made it to a bowl. They're not that great, but they aren't dismal.
Oh yeah, and there was the loss to Tech off of a call by officials of which the ACC apologized for.

And I'd rather have one of our top teams lose to Liberty (who beat JMU) than lose to Northwestern State.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Sounded like a preemptive attempt at self validation to me.

I actually thought this was a FCS board. Maybe this thread should be moved to "other sports".

BTW Sun Blet contender App State lost their FCS match to Liberty

GSU got absolutely skull****ed by a mediocre Navy squad, and also lost to a dismal NC State, who would be 3rd place in the MVC. That tells us all we need to know about the Sun Blet

It's been on the other sports board since he started it so it is in the correct spot and like any other sport or team is open for discussion here if people want to participate. Maybe I'm missing the point you were making?

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

There are 20+ some odd teams in FCS who would "compete" for the Sun Belt Championship tomorrow if they joined...
I'm not sure I understand the significance of your post..?



xeyebrowx


Finished with an 8-0 conference record...not only that, but Georgia Southern and App State are a combined 13-1 against the other 9 teams in the league.

I know folks will just say the Sun Belt is terrible but compared to who? Conference USA's west division champion lost to an FCS team that didn't even make the playoffs, FIU lost to Bethune Cookman and won 3 conference games, and ODU (who has dropped off since they were in the FCS playoffs a few years ago) won 4 games with their terrible defense. And the MAC, they aren't really all that great either.

The gap between the G5 and FCS is a complete myth. That's the take-away from this. xnodx

This is the main point, in case it was too much trouble to actually read the OP.

Honestly, people bash the Sun Belt because it's the Sun Belt, as if the SBC is the only FBS conference that loses to mediocre FCS teams.

[Thundar]

This is the main point, in case it was too much trouble to actually read the OP.

Honestly, people bash the Sun Belt because it's the Sun Belt, as if the SBC is the only FBS conference that loses to mediocre FCS teams.


the big 10 does to


south Dakota over Minnesota

[GAD]

Finished with an 8-0 conference record...not only that, but Georgia Southern and App State are a combined 13-1 against the other 9 teams in the league.

I know folks will just say the Sun Belt is terrible but compared to who? Conference USA's west division champion lost to an FCS team that didn't even make the playoffs, FIU lost to Bethune Cookman and won 3 conference games, and ODU (who has dropped off since they were in the FCS playoffs a few years ago) won 4 games with their terrible defense. And the MAC, they aren't really all that great either.

The gap between the G5 and FCS is a complete myth. That's the take-away from this. xnodx
Are you playing in the New Orleans Bowl?

[bonarae]

Congratulations. Are you awaiting even a bowl invite in your first ever year in the Belch? That's my take-away from this - if SBC is the PFL of the FBS, why not compare their performances in the postseason?

[TheRevSFA]

Proof that the sun belt is just a glorified FCS conference

[The Eagle's Cliff]

Proof that the sun belt is just a glorified FCS conference

I agree that it is like an FCS conference in the since that budgets and attendance are on par with the top of FCS. There's no doubt the top of FCS could compete in any G5 conference, however the depth issue is real. We limped into the last 3 weeks of the season as we lost several starters where the drop-off from "one's" to "two's" is still huge. I think the ultimate difference is what we've always known and that is perception. Recruits hear "D1" and think Ball State and Middle Tennessee are "better" than FCS. We know that's not true, but our culture is about perception which is influenced by marketing. The G5's aren't huge, but do a presence in College Football market that FCS doesn't have. We won't win NC's, but our recruiting will keep getting better along with our national name recognition, donors, and attendance. The equivalent of a NC goal for us is to be the highest ranked G5 and get an automatic invite to one of the Big Bowls (payout $18 million). Being at the top of our conference will help us get the depth to win some OOC games against some P5's which will get us ranked. It was fun being recognized on College Gameday and reading comments from fans across the nation who saw us play 7 games on ESPNU, ACC Network, and Southwest Regional Fox Sports and even that dismal thumping by Navy on CBS Sports.

FBS isn't the right move for every school, including some of the one's who are there (Idaho), but with our Geography and fan base, it;s the right move. Good Luck in the playoffs. I'll be watching.

[Smitty]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1098039751/oscar2_normal.jpgSandlapper Spike @SandlapperSpike (https://twitter.com/SandlapperSpike) · Nov 30 (https://twitter.com/SandlapperSpike/status/539135887238787073)


Appalachian State and Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt this year: a combined 14-2. In the SoCon last year: 8-8. Improved competition?




Saw this in the twitter world.

[Cleets]

This Thread... xblahx


Spin xrotatehx

[blueballs]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1098039751/oscar2_normal.jpgSandlapper Spike @SandlapperSpike (https://twitter.com/SandlapperSpike) · Nov 30 (https://twitter.com/SandlapperSpike/status/539135887238787073)


Appalachian State and Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt this year: a combined 14-2. In the SoCon last year: 8-8. Improved competition?

Saw this in the twitter world.

Apples and oranges...

GS was light years better this year than last and you need only look at 3 reasons, although there are many more: a) Ellison grew from a freshman thrust into the starting QB spot about halfway through the season last year to a conference POTY candidate this year, b) GS was decimated by injuries in 2013, they remained relatively healthy this year, and c) Doak Walker Award semi-finalist Matt Breida.

[citdog]

Apples and oranges...

GS was light years better this year than last and you need only look at 3 reasons, although there are many more: a) Ellison grew from a freshman thrust into the starting QB spot about halfway through the season last year to a conference POTY candidate this year, b) GS was decimated by injuries in 2013, they remained relatively healthy this year, and c) Doak Walker Award semi-finalist Matt Breida.


WHATEVER you have to tell yourself bro. The #'s are what they are. You joined a conference that is worse than the one you left.

[PaladinFan]

GSU fans said a lot about their injury issues while losing to SoCon teams, but all that talk went pretty much silent after beating Florida.

Too injured to beat Furman, but not Florida. Of course.

[FormerPokeCenter]

POTY in the Slum Belch? Gee....that's a pretty distinguished group <giggle> Out of the entire history of the league's POTY award, there's only one guy currently on an NFL roster...

Having said that, however, I'm very glad that Ga. Southern won the league outright and that App State had a good year. Those two facts continue to make it easy for me to talk **** to my Slum Belch friends ;)

[blueballs]

GSU fans said a lot about their injury issues while losing to SoCon teams, but all that talk went pretty much silent after beating Florida.

Too injured to beat Furman, but not Florida. Of course.

Indeed, that was a great win for you. GS got a few players back over that two week period between the two games and was able to accomplish something that no other SoCon team has accomplished in over 20 years- defeating a SEC team.

BTW, how did this year go for the Paladins and the rest of the SoCon?

[blueballs]

WHATEVER you have to tell yourself bro. The #'s are what they are. You joined a conference that is worse than the one you left.

Really? How many SoCon teams made the playoffs this year? How many are ranked in the top 100? And finally, how many averaged more than 15k/home game attendance?

Look me up next year when y'all come to Paulson... you won't recognize the place with all the changes/upgrades.

Look, I'm not here to denigrate FCS or even the SoCon in any way, merely to express my opinion that the top teams in FCS can play on even footing with all but the very top of FBS, but I'm also going to call BS on BS.

GS had a helluva year this year and based on what I saw from GS and the SoCon and the schedule GS would have been playing had they remained a SoCon member, Chatty is the only team that would have stood a chance, and that is primarily because that game would have been in Chatty. There is a very high probability GS would have swept the conference with every game being a blowout and be a very high- if not the top- seed in the playoffs. Fritz even said that once he saw the kids on the field and the talent level in the program that if they were in FCS he would have been disappointed if they didn't win the NC.

I don't know how anybody can argue (except in spite) that the SoCon is better off without App and GS, or that the SoCon is stronger than the Sunbelt, especially in a year that the SoCon was a one bid league and the champion is only an 8 seed.

Citadel will get their chance to prove me wrong next year...we'll see how that works out for them.

[Cleets]

Really? How many SoCon teams made the playoffs this year? How many are ranked in the top 100? And finally, how many averaged more than 15k/home game attendance?

Look me up next year when y'all come to Paulson... you won't recognize the place with all the changes/upgrades.

Look, I'm not here to denigrate FCS or even the SoCon in any way, merely to express my opinion that the top teams in FCS can play on even footing with all but the very top of FBS, but I'm also going to call BS on BS.

GS had a helluva year this year and based on what I saw from GS and the SoCon and the schedule GS would have been playing had they remained a SoCon member, Chatty is the only team that would have stood a chance, and that is primarily because that game would have been in Chatty. There is a very high probability GS would have swept the conference with every game being a blowout and be a very high- if not the top- seed in the playoffs. Fritz even said that once he saw the kids on the field and the talent level in the program that if they were in FCS he would have been disappointed if they didn't win the NC.

I don't know how anybody can argue (except in spite) that the SoCon is better off without App and GS, or that the SoCon is stronger than the Sunbelt, especially in a year that the SoCon was a one bid league and the champion is only an 8 seed.

Citadel will get their chance to prove me wrong next year...we'll see how that works out for them.


Should we create an area on this website for you to talk about the Sun Belt and Georgia Southern..? (Your own side forum?)
Because obviously nobody out there in the Football world is talking about the Sun Belt and Georgia Southern

So you bring it here to get traction?



xcoffeex We'll see what we can do to help you and the Sun Belt out

[blueballs]

Should we create an area on this website for you to talk about the Sun Belt and Georgia Southern..? (Your own side forum?)
Because obviously nobody out there in the Football world is talking about the Sun Belt and Georgia Southern

So you bring it here to get traction?



xcoffeex We'll see what we can do to help you and the Sun Belt out

Nope. I came here to state that the top of FCS- read seeded teams- could play on equal footing with all but the very top of FBS. I even started a thread comparing what I saw in FCS over 30 years to what I saw in FBS this year. This is now at least the third time I've typed it in the last few days on this site. However, some of my former SoCon foes couldn't resist taking pot shots so I defended my team. Sue me.

[OL FU]

Nope. I came here to state that the top of FCS- read seeded teams- could play on equal footing with all but the very top of FBS. I even started a thread comparing what I saw in FCS over 30 years to what I saw in FBS this year. This is now at least the third time I've typed it in the last few days on this site. However, some of my former SoCon foes couldn't resist taking pot shots so I defended my team. Sue me.

Hey Can we at least agree that Monken Sucksxlolx


BTW congrats on a great season.

[blueballs]

Ol FU, you and I were/am in total agreement about Monken's lack of sportsmanship. He won a lot of games and ran a tight ship academically but I thought a lot of the stuff (going for two against you in 2012, faking a punt against Savannah State up 40+) he did was beneath the program and classless. If I didn't have a rooting interest I might even say that Furman's win over GS in 2013 was karma. ;-)

[Cleets]

Nope. I came here to state that the top of FCS- read seeded teams- could play on equal footing with all but the very top of FBS. I even started a thread comparing what I saw in FCS over 30 years to what I saw in FBS this year. This is now at least the third time I've typed it in the last few days on this site. However, some of my former SoCon foes couldn't resist taking pot shots so I defended my team. Sue me.

Really..? Psych 101 says otherwise
Because the whole things smacks of "Look at me, look at me!" in a place where you used to really matter
and just to make sure your ex-girlfriend knows you're doing great you do this

I'm just saying:
I think we can set aside space for you to talk about your exciting new relationship



:D

[FormerPokeCenter]

I'm not sure that bragging about banging a buncha new easy chicks really makes your ex girlfriend jealous...

She still remembers the four times you couldn't get it up before you guys broke up last year....

[OL FU]

Ol FU, you and I were/am in total agreement about Monken's lack of sportsmanship. He won a lot of games and ran a tight ship academically but I thought a lot of the stuff (going for two against you in 2012, faking a punt against Savannah State up 40+) he did was beneath the program and classless. If I didn't have a rooting interest I might even say that Furman's win over GS in 2013 was karma. ;-)

Blue, you, Baldy and numerous other GSU fans made this place and FCS football fandom interesting.

By the way, the GSU poster, Sean Taylor, sucks too.:D

[PaladinFan]

Ol FU, you and I were/am in total agreement about Monken's lack of sportsmanship. He won a lot of games and ran a tight ship academically but I thought a lot of the stuff (going for two against you in 2012, faking a punt against Savannah State up 40+) he did was beneath the program and classless. If I didn't have a rooting interest I might even say that Furman's win over GS in 2013 was karma. ;-)

No. GSU's failed kick on the road against NDSU was the karma. Didn't trust the kicker to get you 1 up by a bunch at Furman, but sure, let's run him out there for the biggest kick in 15 years.

I did gain satisfaction after Bruce Fowler kneeled the ball inside Georgia Southern's five yard line in 2013. Could have put Furman up another score, and chose not to. Last play ever between Georgia Southern and Furman was a simple kneel down that, I thought, spoke a lot about the men running their football programs.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

blueballs, always one of my favorites so tell cleets to shut his pie hole and beat citdog down with reckless abandon my friend! xlolx

BTW this is in the proper section for this sort of thing and I liked the GF analogy cleetsy but FPC elevated for you.

[FormerPokeCenter]

blueballs, always one of my favorites so tell cleets to shut his pie hole and beat citdog down with reckless abandon my friend! xlolx

BTW this is in the proper section for this sort of thing and I liked the GF analogy cleetsy but FPC elevated for you.


I'm waiting for somebody to chime in with a "Did He?" anytime now....

[Cleets]

If I can't harass Blue now... then when?

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/550095/you-re-my-boy-blue-o.gif

[ursus arctos horribilis]

If I can't harass Blue now... then when?

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/550095/you-re-my-boy-blue-o.gif

I get it and glad you posted that cuz it reminds me of Grizo's problems in Fargo and how eerily similar this scene is to what actually took place after the great fall....kamikaze...whatever the hell he was doing.

We had just gotten done drinking with good cleets (miss that guy) and having so much fun.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnywlzr7Y1o

[Cleets]

I get it and glad you posted that cuz it reminds me of Grizo's problems in Fargo and how eerily similar this scene is to what actually took place after the great fall....kamikaze...whatever the hell he was doing.

Don't beat yourself up over it, there was nothing you could do
That's what old people do, they die...

[ursus arctos horribilis]

That's what old people do, they die...

That's the one.

F'n Grizo, dude really is legendary.

[Cleets]

I think they've captured his image beautifully
That is what he was drinking right..?

http://justintoxicate.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/wpid-20131126_0519341.jpg

[blueballs]

No. GSU's failed kick on the road against NDSU was the karma. Didn't trust the kicker to get you 1 up by a bunch at Furman, but sure, let's run him out there for the biggest kick in 15 years.



That story might work had Monken ran out Hanks, who was the kicker who struggled so much in 2012; but Monken instead sent out a kid named Drew Ruggles, who had joined the team the day before from the GS soccer program. Let's not, however, let facts get in the way of a good story.

As I wrote earlier, I was not a fan of Monken's lack of sportsmanship. I haven't seen where that's an issue with Fritz, but maybe some of the Southland folks know something I don't. Speaking of coaches, how many more 3 win turds are the Furman folks gonna' let Fowler get away with? I was looking for Furman to take the leap into the top 10 this year and be a national player again after the way they finished 2013.

[blueballs]

Really..? Psych 101 says otherwise
Because the whole things smacks of "Look at me, look at me!" in a place where you used to really matter
and just to make sure your ex-girlfriend knows you're doing great you do this

I'm just saying:
I think we can set aside space for you to talk about your exciting new relationship



:D

Your psychology sucks, Cleets.... don't take anything away from my posting in this thread except that the GSUFANS site is down, I am bored at work, and it is too windy to fish.

[Cleets]

The weirdest thing is that Georgia Southern isn't ranked in the top 128 teams...
I checked and couldn't find them

How do you get ranked lower than 128..? (at anything)


http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rankings/cbs/128

[AshevilleApp2]

The weirdest thing is that Georgia Southern isn't ranked in the top 128 teams...
I checked and couldn't find them

How do you get ranked lower than 128..? (at anything)


http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rankings/cbs/128


Check #43 again.

[PaladinFan]

That story might work had Monken ran out Hanks, who was the kicker who struggled so much in 2012; but Monken instead sent out a kid named Drew Ruggles, who had joined the team the day before from the GS soccer program. Let's not, however, let facts get in the way of a good story.

As I wrote earlier, I was not a fan of Monken's lack of sportsmanship. I haven't seen where that's an issue with Fritz, but maybe some of the Southland folks know something I don't. Speaking of coaches, how many more 3 win turds are the Furman folks gonna' let Fowler get away with? I was looking for Furman to take the leap into the top 10 this year and be a national player again after the way they finished 2013.

I understand the facts. I know it was a different kicker, and in my opinion, makes his decision at Furman worse. Kid at least could have used the practice.

2013 was a rough year. About 1/3 of Furman's roster missed time to injury. Fowler gets a pass, I think, as anyone in the stands could see there were darn near as many players in sweats as there was in uniform. DC and Special Teams Coordinator have already been canned, though. Maybe some more changes coming.

The question Furman fans have is whether the terrible hand that was dealt in 2014 is just poor luck or something more systemic.

[blueballs]

I understand the facts. I know it was a different kicker, and in my opinion, makes his decision at Furman worse. Kid at least could have used the practice.

2013 was a rough year. About 1/3 of Furman's roster missed time to injury. Fowler gets a pass, I think, as anyone in the stands could see there were darn near as many players in sweats as there was in uniform. DC and Special Teams Coordinator have already been canned, though. Maybe some more changes coming.

The question Furman fans have is whether the terrible hand that was dealt in 2014 is just poor luck or something more systemic.

Sounds like GS's 2013 season with all the injuries... sometimes things just snowball for no apparent reason so you never know.

This might interest you... When Fritz came to GS he changed the way they practiced in fall camp. They did not tackle to the ground in practice and - viola!- the injuries that were so widespread the year before seemed to not return. And you know what? GS was a pretty good tackling team this year so it would seem the tactic accomplished all of its goals. That might be food for thought for Fowler's staff.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Really..? Psych 101 says otherwise
Because the whole things smacks of "Look at me, look at me!" in a place where you used to really matter
and just to make sure your ex-girlfriend knows you're doing great you do this

I'm just saying:
I think we can set aside space for you to talk about your exciting new relationship



:D

It became apparent early in the season Georgia Southern would finish better than the 8th place that they were projected preseason, yet there was no thread about it all year until the very end of the season.

The funny thing is, I can tell you that our fans that are the most contemptuous of the FCS and would most like to rub any of our success at the FBS in the faces of people here are the ones saying the Sun Belt is a dumpster fire and we need to get out ASAP. These folks are either clueless about the FBS landscape or think Conference USA is what it was in 2004.

And I don't know bluebells personally but I can tell you that he is like me in that he has a soft spot for the FCS and wants to see the subdivision get the respect it deserves. You are preaching to the choir saying this kind of stuff to us.

[PaladinFan]

Sounds like GS's 2013 season with all the injuries... sometimes things just snowball for no apparent reason so you never know.

This might interest you... When Fritz came to GS he changed the way they practiced in fall camp. They did not tackle to the ground in practice and - viola!- the injuries that were so widespread the year before seemed to not return. And you know what? GS was a pretty good tackling team this year so it would seem the tactic accomplished all of its goals. That might be food for thought for Fowler's staff.

I think Moglia at CCU has instituted a similar system. Seems like a fine idea, really. We even lost our daggum longsnapper for the season this year.

I personally think that Furman will have to do a top down examination of how they run things. Injuries happen in football, several of Furman's key injuries were not sustained in actual games against opponents, but in offseason workouts and practices.

At the FCS level, every injury to a starter becomes a problem given the reduced number of scholarship players. Furman had several games where they played without four or five all SoCon calibre players. Any team would be hard pressed to overcome that.

[citdog]

I have said it before but it bears repeating. ALL of the furple injury problems come from the school turning its face away from the Jewish carpenter in the name of attracting more northeast Yankee students. Locusts are next in Travelers Rest

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Finished with an 8-0 conference record...not only that, but Georgia Southern and App State are a combined 13-1 against the other 9 teams in the league.

I know folks will just say the Sun Belt is terrible but compared to who? Conference USA's west division champion lost to an FCS team that didn't even make the playoffs, FIU lost to Bethune Cookman and won 3 conference games, and ODU (who has dropped off since they were in the FCS playoffs a few years ago) won 4 games with their terrible defense. And the MAC, they aren't really all that great either.

The gap between the G5 and FCS is a complete myth. That's the take-away from this. xnodx

A little over a year later, I still stand by this...

Georgia Southern and App State's 25-3 record in conference isn't due to the Sun Belt being bad. We went 5-0 in G5 non-conference competition including 3-0 against top MAC teams.

[CID1990]

I have said it before but it bears repeating. ALL of the furple injury problems come from the school turning its face away from the Jewish carpenter in the name of attracting more northeast Yankee students. Locusts are next in Travelers Rest

that, and also because they softened their stance on dancing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Twentysix]

A little over a year later, I still stand by this...

Georgia Southern and App State's 25-3 record in conference isn't due to the Sun Belt being bad. We went 5-0 in G5 non-conference competition including 3-0 against top MAC teams.

Hopefully we are competitive right away when NDSU ends up in the MWC or MAC. Congrats on your success.

[AshevilleApp2]

Hopefully we are competitive right away when NDSU ends up in the MWC or MAC. Congrats on your success.

Y'all have plans on moving to FBS?

[centennial]

Y'all have plans on moving to FBS?
No one has come calling. So no.

[AshevilleApp2]

No one has come calling. So no.

Would you though?

[Bisonoline]

Would you though?

Nobody really knows. Theres a lot of questions that need to be answered. At first we need an invite. All depends on the conference. Is it in our footprint, what is the conference bowl tie in, Funding, academic compatability, etc etc etc.

[Twentysix]

Y'all have plans on moving to FBS?

Surely it is in the cards some day. Not anytime that soon though.

[AshevilleApp2]

Surely it is in the cards some day. Not anytime that soon though.

Fair enough. That was just the first time I recall seeing it mentioned by an NDSU fan. You would absolutely be able to compete, as would several other FCS teams.

[centennial]

Fair enough. That was just the first time I recall seeing it mentioned by an NDSU fan. You would absolutely be able to compete, as would several other FCS teams.

Moving to the SBU isn't in our interest.MAC is too far east and MWC is too far south west. The reality is unless the MVFC combines with some programs from MWC, with extra teams from the OVC, and Big Sky we are stuck. We would absolutely compete right away. With FCOA we are already recruiting at the MAC level.

[AshevilleApp2]

Moving to the SBU isn't in our interest.MAC is too far east and MWC is too far south west. The reality is unless the MVFC combines with some programs from MWC, with extra teams from the OVC, and Big Sky we are stuck. We would absolutely compete right away. With FCOA we are already recruiting at the MAC level.

Under the current scenario that isn't likely to happen. You're in a good place though.

If the P5 gets tired of sharing money with we Plebeians in the G5, things could change.

[blueballs]

A little over a year later, I still stand by this...

Georgia Southern and App State's 25-3 record in conference isn't due to the Sun Belt being bad. We went 5-0 in G5 non-conference competition including 3-0 against top MAC teams.

There is a gap, though. The best G5's have more in common with the P5's than FCS, just like the top of FCS has more in common with G5 than D-2, and the difference in depth is real.

Oh, and for the earlier posts in this thread about the SunBelt being no better than the SoCon... I would reference this meeting between the 2nd place one loss in conference SoCon team who made the playoffs vs. the #3 SunBelt team:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400787441

[Ivytalk]

There is a gap, though. The best G5's have more in common with the P5's than FCS, just like the top of FCS has more in common with G5 than D-2, and the difference in depth is real.

Oh, and for the earlier posts in this thread about the SunBelt being no better than the SoCon... I would reference this meeting between the 2nd place one loss in conference SoCon team who made the playoffs vs. the #3 SunBelt team:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400787441
Heh-heh-heh! Bellhops!

[BisonFan02]

There is a gap, though. The best G5's have more in common with the P5's than FCS, just like the top of FCS has more in common with G5 than D-2, and the difference in depth is real.

Oh, and for the earlier posts in this thread about the SunBelt being no better than the SoCon... I would reference this meeting between the 2nd place one loss in conference SoCon team who made the playoffs vs. the #3 SunBelt team:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400787441

Then explain Coastal Carolina. :D xlolx #whipfannies

[blueballs]

Then explain Coastal Carolina. :D xlolx #whipfannies

Do you mean the CCU who was a member of the Big South in 2015 and hasn't even started their transition yet? Or is there another one that you're referring to that is already FBS?

[PaladinFan]

Do you mean the CCU who was a member of the Big South in 2015 and hasn't even started their transition yet? Or is there another one that you're referring to that is already FBS?

Never thought I'd see a Georgia Southern fan trumpeting a win over the Citadel.

From my view, GSU and App State were pretty well whipped their last season in the SoCon. The very next season they went on to finish, what, first and third in the Sun Belt? I guess I never really thought terribly much about how much tougher the competition was. Virtually the same teams finished middle of the back in the SoCon in 2013 and then ran right through the SunBelt in 2014.

It is a argument without an end. I said before GSU/App left that we would never know if it was a good move. They will never admit that it was not a good move. The teams do not routinely play one another, so it cannot be settled on the field. We don't have access to financials, so we do not even know whether the net money is better.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Never thought I'd see a Georgia Southern fan trumpeting a win over the Citadel.

From my view, GSU and App State were pretty well whipped their last season in the SoCon. The very next season they went on to finish, what, first and third in the Sun Belt? I guess I never really thought terribly much about how much tougher the competition was. Virtually the same teams finished middle of the back in the SoCon in 2013 and then ran right through the SunBelt in 2014.

It is a argument without an end. I said before GSU/App left that we would never know if it was a good move. They will never admit that it was not a good move. The teams do not routinely play one another, so it cannot be settled on the field. We don't have access to financials, so we do not even know whether the net money is better.

And both Georgia Southern and App State were arguably top 15 if not top 10 G5 teams in 2014 and 2015. What does that say?

I more or less agree with blueballs, though. This is the tiers in college football

1. The better P5 teams, an occasional G5 team like 2009 Boise State
2. The lesser P5 teams, top 30-40% of G5 teams, anywhere from just the top few to 10 or more FCS teams depending on the season.
3. The worst G5 teams, mediocre full-scholarship FCS teams.
4. The lowest rungs of the FCS.

[PaladinFan]

And both Georgia Southern and App State were arguably top 15 if not top 10 G5 teams in 2014 and 2015. What does that say?

I more or less agree with blueballs, though. This is the tiers in college football

1. The better P5 teams, an occasional G5 team like 2009 Boise State
2. The lesser P5 teams, top 30-40% of G5 teams, anywhere from just the top few to 10 or more FCS teams depending on the season.
3. The worst G5 teams, mediocre full-scholarship FCS teams.
4. The lowest rungs of the FCS.

It is a hard comparison to make. I think the jump between the first two tiers of your table is gigantic. The jump between tiers two and three is decidedly less so.

[blueballs]

Never thought I'd see a Georgia Southern fan trumpeting a win over the Citadel.

From my view, GSU and App State were pretty well whipped their last season in the SoCon. The very next season they went on to finish, what, first and third in the Sun Belt? I guess I never really thought terribly much about how much tougher the competition was. Virtually the same teams finished middle of the back in the SoCon in 2013 and then ran right through the SunBelt in 2014.

It is a argument without an end. I said before GSU/App left that we would never know if it was a good move. They will never admit that it was not a good move. The teams do not routinely play one another, so it cannot be settled on the field. We don't have access to financials, so we do not even know whether the net money is better.

Sigh...... I covered that in post #22 in this thread a rear ago.

Riddle me this if the SoCon is so good... which current SoCon team would defeat the MAC champs by 31 points and take a 10 win SEC team to OT on the road? And if any further explanation is needed listen to Mark Richt's press conference after playing GS.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mark+richt+press+conference+after+georgia +southern&&view=detail&mid=2D36FDFCD5A4B7EE12BD2D36FDFCD5A4B7EE12BD

And take a look at the TV ratings of the GoDaddy Bowl, which drew 3 times as many viewers (2.3mm) as the highest rated FCS playoff GS ever played in.

http://www.tv-recaps-reviews.com/2015/12/wednesday-cable-ratings-december-23.html?m=1

[Baldy]

Never thought I'd see a Georgia Southern fan trumpeting a win over the Citadel.

From my view, GSU and App State were pretty well whipped their last season in the SoCon. The very next season they went on to finish, what, first and third in the Sun Belt? I guess I never really thought terribly much about how much tougher the competition was. Virtually the same teams finished middle of the back in the SoCon in 2013 and then ran right through the SunBelt in 2014.

It is a argument without an end. I said before GSU/App left that we would never know if it was a good move. They will never admit that it was not a good move. The teams do not routinely play one another, so it cannot be settled on the field. We don't have access to financials, so we do not even know whether the net money is better.
I wouldn't consider it trumpeting. Just using that game as an example of the disparity.

I can't speak for App, but the 2013 season was a season of turmoil for GS. The locker room was extremely toxic. The S&C coach was run out of town in the middle of the night. Players having to pull coaches off each other on the practice field. The caustic relationship between the HC/AD/President, etc. The coaching change at the end of the 2013 season set the table for the run in 2014. If we were still in the SoCon in 2014, we would have gone through the conference like feces through a tin horn. xnodx

The money is definitely better, but, of course, the expenses are much more. Instead of having to pay someone to broadcast our games, we get $1M per year for the TV contract, 800K from Learfield Sports for marketing rights, the CFP payout, 2X the amount from P5's per game, etc. Season tickets have increased by about 40%, and donations (most were mandated) have increased dramatically. The athletic budget has doubled 2 years into FBS, but it needed to...

I basically agree with pwns and Bb regarding the disparity between the different "classes". The only difference I see is that there is only a small handful of FCS teams who could legitimately compete with the top 25% of the G5.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

I can't speak for App, but the 2013 season was a season of turmoil for GS. The locker room was extremely toxic. The S&C coach was run out of town in the middle of the night. Players having to pull coaches off each other on the practice field. The caustic relationship between the HC/AD/President, etc.


Errrr WTH? xeyebrowx

I always kind of thought the big problem was practicing one offense in the spring and doing something different when the season started.

What's the story, Baldy?

[Nor Eastern]

Never thought I'd see a Georgia Southern fan trumpeting a win over the Citadel. From my view, GSU and App State were pretty well whipped their last season in the SoCon. The very next season they went on to finish, what, first and third in the Sun Belt? I guess I never really thought terribly much about how much tougher the competition was. Virtually the same teams finished middle of the back in the SoCon in 2013 and then ran right through the SunBelt in 2014. . Yeh. App was with a brand new coach. GSU was going through hell in their admin and locker room. Not too surprising. Either team wouldn't flinch at a SoCon team this year.

[Baldy]

Errrr WTH? xeyebrowx

I always kind of thought the big problem was practicing one offense in the spring and doing something different when the season started.

What's the story, Baldy?
Yes, practicing one thing while running something else was definitely part of the coaching ills....and tension.

All that is water under the bridge. I can't explain how happy I am that all that drama is in West Point now. xnodx