USA Today I-AA preview & poll

[BDKJMU]

I apologize if someone has already posted this. Bought the USA Today College Football Preview which is mostly Div I-A previews, but also includes a brief I-AA preview along with DII and DIII, and has the complete Div I-A and Div I-AA schedules (the magazine, like others, ignores the FCS/FBS monikers and uses I-A, I-AA). The preview I bought in the Philly area has the Rutgers tailback & so called Heisman hopeful on the cover. I guess they have different guys on the cover for different areas of the country. I can't find an online version of the preview issue that shows the poll, but here's their I-AA preseason poll:
1. ASU
2. UMass
3. YSU
4. Montana
5. UNH
6. Wofford
7. NDS
8. ISU
9. McNeese St
10. JMU
11. S. Ill
12. Furman
13. Portland St
14. C. Ark
15. Tenn-Martin
16. UNI
17.MSU
18. Hampton
19. CC
20. Cal Poly
21. E. Ill
22. UD
23. Yale
24. Lehigh
25. UR

If someone can find a link, great. USA Today's site currently doesn't have one that has the pre season poll listed.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070625/dcm003.html?.v=85

The page I-AA preview is half ASU and the other half has a paragraph on UMass, a paragraph on UNH & Santos, a paragraph on the Southern Conference metioning Furman & Wofford, a paragraph on Montana, a paragraph on YSU, a paragraph on S. Ill & UNI in the Gateway & a paragraph on Portland State & Sam Houston State. Nothing on JMU. Then there is a whole another article on the ASU at Michgan game, being Michigan's 1st ever game against a I-AA team playing the back to back I-AA national champs, and mentions also on Sept 1 Ohio St. will host YSU. It lists 10 players in I-AA to watch, and lists Tony Lezotte, and includes 2 more CAA players, Flacco and Ball. ASU is the only team with 2 players (Lynch & Richardson) highlighted. xcoffeex

[Coastal89]

Nothing on San Diego?xrotatehx

[TexasTerror]

Surprised to see UCA being ranked amongst the top 25 of another preseason poll...they had a great year last year, but lose a lot...

[NDSUFREAK]

FCS Bud.....
even if they don't post it as it i would say to use it anyway

[Grizalltheway]

UMass and YSU both ahead of Montana? Isn't this supposed to be based on how a team looks for this season, not how they did last year? Talk about east-coast bias. xrolleyesx

[Mountain Panther]

UMass and YSU both ahead of Montana? Isn't this supposed to be based on how a team looks for this season, not how they did last year? Talk about east-coast bias. xrolleyesx

Yeah, and UNI 16? That's why it's a bad poll.

[Col Hogan]

UMass at 2 xeekx xeekx xeekx xeekx

A little too high IMHO....

[GreenDay17]

I apologize if someone has already posted this. Bought the USA Today College Football Preview which is mostly Div I-A previews, but also includes a brief I-AA preview along with DII and DIII, and has the complete Div I-A and Div I-AA schedules (the magazine, like others, ignores the FCS/FBS monikers and uses I-A, I-AA). The preview I bought in the Philly area has the Rutgers tailback & so called Heisman hopeful on the cover. I guess they have different guys on the cover for different areas of the country. I can't find an online version of the preview issue that shows the poll, but here's their I-AA preseason poll:
1. ASU
2. UMass
3. YSU
4. Montana
5. UNH
6. Wofford
7. NDS
8. ISU
9. McNeese St
10. JMU
11. S. Ill
12. Furman
13. Portland St
14. C. Ark
15. Tenn-Martin
16. UNI
17.MSU
18. Hampton
19. CC
20. Cal Poly
21. E. Ill
22. UD
23. Yale
24. Lehigh
25. UR

If someone can find a link, great. USA Today's site currently doesn't have one that has the pre season poll listed.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070625/dcm003.html?.v=85

The page I-AA preview is half ASU and the other half has a paragraph on UMass, a paragraph on UNH & Santos, a paragraph on the Southern Conference metioning Furman & Wofford, a paragraph on Montana, a paragraph on YSU, a paragraph on S. Ill & UNI in the Gateway & a paragraph on Portland State & Sam Houston State. Nothing on JMU. Then there is a whole another article on the ASU at Michgan game, being Michigan's 1st ever game against a I-AA team playing the back to back I-AA national champs, and mentions also on Sept 1 Ohio St. will host YSU. It lists 10 players in I-AA to watch, and lists Tony Lezotte, and includes 2 more CAA players, Flacco and Ball. ASU is the only team with 2 players (Lynch & Richardson) highlighted. xcoffeex


I'm certainly surprised to see Idaho State ranked so highly. ;)

[VT Wildcat Fan53]

I'm certainly surprised to see Idaho State ranked so highly. ;)

Ahead of Michigan State @ 16, too! xlolx

[GOKATS]

I apologize if someone has already posted this. Bought the USA Today College Football Preview which is mostly Div I-A previews, but also includes a brief I-AA preview along with DII and DIII, and has the complete Div I-A and Div I-AA schedules (the magazine, like others, ignores the FCS/FBS monikers and uses I-A, I-AA). The preview I bought in the Philly area has the Rutgers tailback & so called Heisman hopeful on the cover. I guess they have different guys on the cover for different areas of the country. I can't find an online version of the preview issue that shows the poll, but here's their I-AA preseason poll:
1. ASU
2. UMass
3. YSU
4. Montana
5. UNH
6. Wofford
7. NDS
8. ISU
9. McNeese St
10. JMU
11. S. Ill
12. Furman
13. Portland St
14. C. Ark
15. Tenn-Martin
16. UNI
17.MSU
18. Hampton
19. CC
20. Cal Poly
21. E. Ill
22. UD
23. Yale
24. Lehigh
25. UR

If someone can find a link, great. USA Today's site currently doesn't have one that has the pre season poll listed.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070625/dcm003.html?.v=85

The page I-AA preview is half ASU and the other half has a paragraph on UMass, a paragraph on UNH & Santos, a paragraph on the Southern Conference metioning Furman & Wofford, a paragraph on Montana, a paragraph on YSU, a paragraph on S. Ill & UNI in the Gateway & a paragraph on Portland State & Sam Houston State. Nothing on JMU. Then there is a whole another article on the ASU at Michgan game, being Michigan's 1st ever game against a I-AA team playing the back to back I-AA national champs, and mentions also on Sept 1 Ohio St. will host YSU. It lists 10 players in I-AA to watch, and lists Tony Lezotte, and includes 2 more CAA players, Flacco and Ball. ASU is the only team with 2 players (Lynch & Richardson) highlighted. xcoffeex

Seems to me to be a fair ranking, preseason.

[GannonFan]

UMass and YSU both ahead of Montana? Isn't this supposed to be based on how a team looks for this season, not how they did last year? Talk about east-coast bias. xrolleyesx


Youngstown is now considered East Coast? Someone should let them know. They're something like 4 states away from the coast. xrolleyesx

[FlyYtown]

Youngstown is now considered East Coast? Someone should let them know. They're something like 4 states away from the coast. xrolleyesx

According to the Geography books I read in my life, Ohio is apart of the Mid-West and the Great-Lakes.

[Grizalltheway]

Youngstown is now considered East Coast? Someone should let them know. They're something like 4 states away from the coast. xrolleyesx


According to the Geography books I read in my life, Ohio is apart of the Mid-West and the Great-Lakes.

Fine, east of the Mississippi bias. xrolleyesx Either way, USA Today obviously doesn't give a crap about much in this part of the States.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Thats why we have the best poll here at AGS. 115 people that don't just take a quick look at what a team did last year, hit copy and paste from the last poll from last year and be done with it.

[saint0917]

2. Umass, to high
14. Central Arkansas, are they that good?

[james_lawfirm]

No one has commented yet that they put Wofford at #6 & Furman at #12. I realize that the AGS poll has them basically swapped, but this time I agree with USA Today. I had Wofford over Furman in my AGS vote. Wofford basically returns the entire team from last year & have a fine coach. The Wofford game last year was the closest of the season for ASU. So, while I disagree with some of the rankings in the USA Today poll, I do think Wofford will go further in '07 than Furman.

[GoGuins]

YSU @ #3 is too high. More like 9-12

[OL FU]

The closer we get to the season the better Wofford gets.

[OL FU]

No one has commented yet that they put Wofford at #6 & Furman at #12. I realize that the AGS poll has them basically swapped, but this time I agree with USA Today. I had Wofford over Furman in my AGS vote. Wofford basically returns the entire team from last year & have a fine coach. The Wofford game last year was the closest of the season for ASU. So, while I disagree with some of the rankings in the USA Today poll, I do think Wofford will go further in '07 than Furman.

I think most App fans look to closely at the how a wounded Furman played and a healthly Wofford play against APP. There may not be much difference between the two teams this year (I have both teams ranked much lower). But first, keep in mind every time you say Wofford has X number of starters returning, I think Furman has X+1. Last year, Wofford and Furman lost to exactly the same teams ( different 1A teams) except that Furman lost to CCU away and Wofford lost at home and Furman beat Wofford in Sparkle City.

[CID1990]

As usual, these rankings will go out the window after the first week of league play.

[BDKJMU]

I'm certainly surprised to see Idaho State ranked so highly. ;)

ISU is for Ill State Univ, unless they are UIS.

[OL FU]

I think most App fans look to closely at the how a wounded Furman played and a healthly Wofford play against APP. There may not be much difference between the two teams this year (I have both teams ranked much lower). But first, keep in mind every time you say Wofford has X number of starters returning, I think Furman has X+1. Last year, Wofford and Furman lost to exactly the same teams ( different 1A teams) except that Furman lost to CCU away and Wofford lost at home and Furman beat Wofford in Sparkle City.

PS, I am not arguing against the conclusion. I don't really know. But the methodology typically used ( Returning players, last years results, etc) I think come to a different conclusion. xnodx

[terrierbob]

[COLOR="Yellow"]No one has commented yet that they put Wofford at #6 & Furman at #12. I realize that the AGS poll has them basically swapped, but this time I agree with USA Today. I had Wofford over Furman in my AGS vote. Wofford basically returns the entire team from last year & have a fine coach. The Wofford game last year was the closest of the season for ASU. So, while I disagree with some of the rankings in the USA Today poll, I do think Wofford will go further in '07 than Furman.


I hope all the hype doesn't jinx us. My wife, a psychologist, terms this "magical thinking". I'm still knocking on wood to ward off the jinx vibes.

[OL FU]

[COLOR="Yellow"]No one has commented yet that they put Wofford at #6 & Furman at #12. I realize that the AGS poll has them basically swapped, but this time I agree with USA Today. I had Wofford over Furman in my AGS vote. Wofford basically returns the entire team from last year & have a fine coach. The Wofford game last year was the closest of the season for ASU. So, while I disagree with some of the rankings in the USA Today poll, I do think Wofford will go further in '07 than Furman.


I hope all the hype doesn't jinx us. My wife, a psychologist, terms this "magical thinking". I'm still knocking on wood to ward off the jinx vibes.

If you guys finish ahead of us I may need to make an appointment with your better halfxsmiley_wix xlolx

[GannonFan]

PS, I am not arguing against the conclusion. I don't really know. But the methodology typically used ( Returning players, last years results, etc) I think come to a different conclusion. xnodx

Uh oh, OL FU is starting to quote himself in threads - maybe we should start emphasizing the "OL" part of the username?? xlolx :p xlolx :p xlolx :p

[g-webb1994]

The SOCON will be deeper this year. To assume both Wofford and FU will not have at least two conference losses is not too far out on a limb. Add in a loss to a D-1, and I can't see a three loss FU or Wofford in say the top 8-10 come the end of the regular season. Appy could very well have two losses too (Michigan and either FU or Wofford).

Does any FCS team in any preseason poll really have a shot at running the table unbeaten this season?

[terrierbob]

I think most App fans look to closely at the how a wounded Furman played and a healthly Wofford play against APP. There may not be much difference between the two teams this year (I have both teams ranked much lower). But first, keep in mind every time you say Wofford has X number of starters returning, I think Furman has X+1. Last year, Wofford and Furman lost to exactly the same teams ( different 1A teams) except that Furman lost to CCU away and Wofford lost at home and Furman beat Wofford in Sparkle City.


Old FU. You are preaching to the choir to all of the Terrier posters on our site. None agree with the hype. I'm sure Ayers doesn't either. Again, until we beat you, I'll always rank FU ahead of Wofford.

[OL FU]

Uh oh, OL FU is starting to quote himself in threads - maybe we should start emphasizing the "OL" part of the username?? xlolx :p xlolx :p xlolx :p

The edit button is too close the the quote buttonxnodx :p

[OL FU]

I think most App fans look to closely at the how a wounded Furman played and a healthly Wofford play against APP. There may not be much difference between the two teams this year (I have both teams ranked much lower). But first, keep in mind every time you say Wofford has X number of starters returning, I think Furman has X+1. Last year, Wofford and Furman lost to exactly the same teams ( different 1A teams) except that Furman lost to CCU away and Wofford lost at home and Furman beat Wofford in Sparkle City.


Old FU. You are preaching to the choir to all of the Terrier posters on our site. None agree with the hype. I'm sure Ayers doesn't either. Again, until we beat you, I'll always rank FU ahead of Wofford.

I understand and I am preaching to all the ASU postersxnodx

[AppStateold299]

No one has commented yet that they put Wofford at #6 & Furman at #12. I realize that the AGS poll has them basically swapped, but this time I agree with USA Today. I had Wofford over Furman in my AGS vote. Wofford basically returns the entire team from last year & have a fine coach. The Wofford game last year was the closest of the season for ASU. So, while I disagree with some of the rankings in the USA Today poll, I do think Wofford will go further in '07 than Furman.

I agree that the Wofford game was very good, but I don't think they took us to double overtime quite like the Georgia Southern game. I do agree though that the Wofford squad is going to go a long ways this year. I am predicting they make the playoffs.

[james_lawfirm]

Uh oh, OL FU is starting to quote himself in threads - maybe we should start emphasizing the "OL" part of the username?? xlolx :p xlolx :p xlolx :p

My thought exactly. Plus, he is already talking about making an appointment with a shrink. Maybe we should just go ahead & make the appointment for him. xeekx

[james_lawfirm]

I think most App fans look to closely at the how a wounded Furman played and a healthly Wofford play against APP. There may not be much difference between the two teams this year (I have both teams ranked much lower). But first, keep in mind every time you say Wofford has X number of starters returning, I think Furman has X+1. Last year, Wofford and Furman lost to exactly the same teams ( different 1A teams) except that Furman lost to CCU away and Wofford lost at home and Furman beat Wofford in Sparkle City.

OK, good points. I based my comparison here on what I saw on the field in Boone last year. Will Felton be healthy and playing when ASU visits? If memory serves he dressed out, but did not play in the regular season game. I think I remember he entered the game a time or two, but only as a decoy.

Bottom line, the SoCon will have four, maybe five if GaSo recovers from its recent maladies, top-notch teams this year.

[OL FU]

OK, good points. I based my comparison here on what I saw on the field in Boone last year. Will Felton be healthy and playing when ASU visits? If memory serves he dressed out, but did not play in the regular season game. I think I remember he entered the game a time or two, but only as a decoy.

Bottom line, the SoCon will have four, maybe five if GaSo recovers from its recent maladies, top-notch teams this year.

Will Felton be healthy? One can only hope.

I do believe there are questions surrounding Furman. We had three good games last year and only three games where we were healthy. Does that mean healthy we are really strong. I think so, but I am a little concerned because even unhealthy some of our close games should not have been close. Chattanooga game was way to Close. Citadel should not have got back in the game in the second half. Tell will tell. Thankfully it is getting closer.

[Sir William]

Will Felton be healthy? One can only hope.

I do believe there are questions surrounding Furman. We had three good games last year and only three games where we were healthy. Does that mean healthy we are really strong. I think so, but I am a little concerned because even unhealthy some of our close games should not have been close. Chattanooga game was way to Close. Citadel should not have got back in the game in the second half. Tell will tell. Thankfully it is getting closer.

As always, I'm concerned about our special teams play and our constant inability to play pass defense. Throw in the fact that we lost probably the best Offensive Line coach in FCS to the Air Force Academy, and I'll be on my knees praying every weekend this fall.

[89Hen]

Fine, east of the Mississippi bias. xrolleyesx Either way, USA Today obviously doesn't give a crap about much in this part of the States.
4. Montana
7. NDS
9. McNeese St
13. Portland St
14. C. Ark
16. UNI
17.MSU
20. Cal Poly

Yeah, 40% of the Top 20 from West of the Miss while only something like 20% of the teams in I-AA are from West of the Miss. xeyebrowx xcoffeex

[saccat]

Yeah, 40% of the Top 20 from West of the Miss while only something like 20% of the teams in I-AA are from West of the Miss. xeyebrowx xcoffeex

It's FCS not I-AA, now dare youxnonox xsmiley_wix

[spelunker64]

Who is NDS?

[McNeese75]

Who is NDS?

University of North Dakota xconfusedx xlolx

[spelunker64]

University of North Dakota xconfusedx xlolx

That's just asking for negative rep points. xrolleyesx xnodx :D

[blackfordpu]

Surprised to see UCA being ranked amongst the top 25 of another preseason poll...they had a great year last year, but lose a lot...

14 is WAY too high for UCA.

[already123]

Coastal and MSU are ranked a little high IMO....I'd like to see NAU crack the top 25, I would say they deserve a ranking

[BEAR]

14. Central Arkansas

I don't care what level of football you play on, if you lose 20+ seniors and most of them were on your defense....you shouldn't even be in the top 25. This preaseason poll has had zero, I say zero research done on it. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact UCA is getting that kind of pub, but as I said earlier, big losses on the defense, second year in FCS with a full schedule and no d2 opponents, well, let's just say it will all come out in the wash. I don't think there is one UCA fan who believes we should start the year out at the top or many who believe we will end up there either. (So none of you SLC brethren can say later...We told you so!...because we see it coming- but you aren't going to like the Bears anyway..xnonono2x )

...But wait til next year....and the year after that...and the year after that..xlolx

[PantherRob82]

Youngstown is now considered East Coast? Someone should let them know. They're something like 4 states away from the coast. xrolleyesx

More east coast than west. xthumbsupx

[CopperCat]

Coastal and MSU are ranked a little high IMO....I'd like to see NAU crack the top 25, I would say they deserve a ranking

xhomerx

NAU didn't do anything last year to earn a ranking. They also lost Murietta. Enough said.

[NFLCB2]

Lehigh at #24xeyebrowx

[Grizalltheway]

4. Montana
7. NDS
9. McNeese St
13. Portland St
14. C. Ark
16. UNI
17.MSU
20. Cal Poly

Yeah, 40% of the Top 20 from West of the Miss while only something like 20% of the teams in I-AA are from West of the Miss. xeyebrowx xcoffeex

Yet several UMass poster have chimed in that #2 is much too high of a ranking for them. That was my main point with the east coast bias thing.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh at #24xeyebrowx

That's where they were ranked in the Pre-season AGS poll. I think they are top 25 worthy heading into the season. They return one of the best QB's in the country along with a good amount of experience including a number of 5th year guys. They seem to be the general favorite to win the league but not by much. I will say that the winner of the league will be better than 6-5 this year, more like 8-3, 9-2 maybe which will put at least 1 PL rep in the Top 25. My guess on Lehigh is 8-3 with losses to Villanova, Yale, and Colgate.

[fuEMO]

Furman played the second half of the season with multiple injuries on the offensive side. So for some reason people seem to think that these injuries are a carry-over in much the same way that Wofford's late season play is a carry-over for success for this season.

Jerome Felton is fine. He played in the spring and will come into the 07 season in his best shape yet. Renaldo Grey has lost around 15 to 18 pounds and he also is participating in summer drills. I think what's more intesting is to look at the schedules for the three ranked SoCon teams.

Furman has APP and Wofford at home, GSU and CIT on the road.
APP has Furman, Wofford and CIT on the road, GSU at home.
Wofford has APP and GSU at home, Furman and CIT on the road.

IF this is the big three of 07 they each have some interesting challenges, and I like the fact that we have both APP and Wofford at home.

[89rabbit]

Where are my rabbits. xbawlingx Of course the USA Today was founded by a University of South Dakota alum. ;) xlolx

[Bulldog87]

How long is Furman's winning streak vs Wofford? The SoCon will be tough this season. Don't sleep on The Citadel this year.

[OL FU]

How long is Furman's winning streak vs Wofford? The SoCon will be tough this season. Don't sleep on The Citadel this year.

Not that long '03 when Wofford was undefeated in the the Socon. Furman lost 6-7 at home. But that games has been the rare one since the late 70's.

[dungeonjoe]

Not that long '03 when Wofford was undefeated in the the Socon. Furman lost 6-7 at home. But that games has been the rare one since the late 70's.
I believe it is time to reverse the trend at least until the late 10's.:)

[OL FU]

I believe it is time to reverse the trend at least until the late 10's.:)

I'll say a little prayer for youxnodx (that should doom your chancesxlolx )

[dungeonjoe]

I'll say a little prayer for youxnodx (that should doom your chancesxlolx )


God seems to like purple over the last few years. I just hope its not a 40 year thing.

[OL FU]

God seems to like purple over the last few years. I just hope its not a 40 year thing.

I think it has to do with us no longer being affiliated with the Southern Baptistxnodx

And God has good taste

[spelunker64]

Where are my rabbits. xbawlingx Of course the USA Today was founded by a University of South Dakota alum. ;) xlolx

In their holes where they belong! xsmiley_wix

[james_lawfirm]

The SoCon will be tough this season. Don't sleep on The Citadel this year.

Agreed.

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

I think it has to do with us no longer being affiliated with the Southern Baptistxnodx

And God has good taste

Can't disagree with that! xthumbsupx

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

That's where they were ranked in the Pre-season AGS poll. I think they are top 25 worthy heading into the season. They return one of the best QB's in the country along with a good amount of experience including a number of 5th year guys. They seem to be the general favorite to win the league but not by much. I will say that the winner of the league will be better than 6-5 this year, more like 8-3, 9-2 maybe which will put at least 1 PL rep in the Top 25. My guess on Lehigh is 8-3 with losses to Villanova, Yale, and Colgate.

If they lose to Villanova, they shouldn't be top 25 material. Villanova returns 5 on offense, losing a QB, RB and OL (as well as two other O-linemen) that received accolades for their play on the field. Last year they had one of the worst D's in the A10. I think they'll continue to improve upon last year's 4-win streak to end the season, but the players that truly got them through that stretch are gone. D will be better, but I think Lehigh is a far better team heading into 2007 than Villanova. Coach Talley should do enough though to have his players keep it close.

[AZGrizFan]

The closer we get to the season the better Wofford gets.

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[BigApp]

Nothing on San Diego?xrotatehx

xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox


xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[NSUDemon98]

Surprised to see UCA being ranked amongst the top 25 of another preseason poll...they had a great year last year, but lose a lot...

Agreed. I would not rank them in the Top 25 at this point. Who knows, they may be at the end of the season but I have a feeling their initiation in the SLC was just a year behind...xnodx

[Hansel]

UCA at 14 is ridiculous