AGS Poll Results 2024 Week 5

[AGSPoll]

9/30/2024




Rank
Team:
Total Points
First Place Votes


1
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
1118
40


2
Montana State Bobcats
1076
4


3
North Dakota State Bison
1023
1


4
South Dakota Coyotes
958



5
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
884



6
Villanova Wildcats
827



7
UC Davis Aggies
813



8
Central Arkansas Bears
797



9
Montana Grizzlies
784



10
Idaho Vandals
748



11
Mercer Bears
723



12
William & Mary Tribe
652



13
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
591



14
Incarnate Word Cardinals
471



15
Tarleton Texans
365



16
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
357



17
Abilene Christian Wildcats
349



18
Sac State Hornets
288



19
Richmond Spiders
272



20
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
208



21
Southern Illinois Salukis
201



22
New Hampshire Wildcats
199



23
Rhode Island Rams
195



24
Chattanooga Mocs
151



25
Illinois State Redbirds
137
















ORV:




26
Wofford Terriers
67



27
Missouri State Bears
63



28
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
56



29
McNeese Cowboys
49



30T
Florida A&M Rattlers
25



30T
Nicholls Colonels
25



32
Stony Brook Seawolves
24



33
Lafayette Leopards
17



34
Lamar Cardinals
14



35T
Monmouth Hawks
12



35T
Western Carolina Catamounts
12



37
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
11



38T
North Carolina Central Eagles
10



38T
Northern Iowa Panthers
10



40
Brown Bears
9
















Most Significant Win:
UC Davis Aggies




Most Significant Loss:
Idaho Vandals

[dbackjon]

Good to see NAU get some recognition.

Tough two weeks for the Jacks now - at Idaho, at Montana

[Professor Chaos]

This week's poll article: https://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-5-top-25-results-6/

A lot high risers this week - UND to their highest ranking since the 2021 spring season. UC Davis and ETSU to their highest rankings since the 2021 fall season. The UAC is looking strong with Tarleton and Abilene Christian to their highest rankings ever and UCA to their highest ranking since the 2019 season. It's pretty crazy to see 4 Dakota teams in the top 5 - and they all play each other so things are going to shook up when that happens. I thought Idaho went a little lower than I expected - despite the narrow loss to UC Davis they still have very impressive road wins over Wyoming and ACU


Good to see NAU get some recognition.

Tough two weeks for the Jacks now - at Idaho, at Montana
Also missed amongst my notes that this is the first time NAU has been ranked in the AGS Top 25 since the 2018 season.

[SeattleCat]

Sac St has done nothing to deserved to be ranked.

[Professor Chaos]

Here was my poll ballot this week:

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota State Bison
4: South Dakota Coyotes
5: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
6: UC Davis Aggies
7: Idaho Vandals
8: Mercer Bears
9: Montana Grizzlies
10: Central Arkansas Bears
11: Villanova Wildcats
12: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
13: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
14: Incarnate Word Cardinals
15: William & Mary Tribe
16: Rhode Island Rams
17: New Hampshire Wildcats
18: Tarleton Texans
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Abilene Christian Wildcats
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Missouri State Bears
23: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
24: McNeese Cowboys
25: Lamar Cardinals

[Chalupa Batman]

For your viewing pleasure:

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: Central Arkansas Bears
4: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
5: North Dakota State Bison
6: UC Davis Aggies
7: Mercer Bears
8: Idaho Vandals
9: South Dakota Coyotes
10: William & Mary Tribe
11: Montana Grizzlies
12: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
13: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
14: Incarnate Word Cardinals
15: Villanova Wildcats
16: Abilene Christian Wildcats
17: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
18: Chattanooga Mocs
19: Sac State Hornets
20: Wofford Terriers
21: Tarleton Texans
22: Western Carolina Catamounts
23: Monmouth Hawks
24: McNeese Cowboys
25: Stony Brook Seawolves

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Sac State Hornets

[ursus arctos horribilis]

This week's poll article: https://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-5-top-25-results-6/

A lot high risers this week - UND to their highest ranking since the 2021 spring season. UC Davis and ETSU to their highest rankings since the 2021 fall season. The UAC is looking strong with Tarleton and Abilene Christian to their highest rankings ever and UCA to their highest ranking since the 2019 season. It's pretty crazy to see 4 Dakota teams in the top 5 - and they all play each other so things are going to shook up when that happens. I thought Idaho went a little lower than I expected - despite the narrow loss to UC Davis they still have very impressive road wins over Wyoming and ACU


Also missed amongst my notes that this is the first time NAU has been ranked in the AGS Top 25 since the 2018 season.

Thought the same thing as some voters were submitting. Missed two pt. conversion on the road, fought back against a tough ranked team to get there and have a real good resume' so far. But, not that out of line just a few that pulled them down that much.

[Redbird 4th & short]

25th for ISUr is kind .. though 25 to 30 seems fair. We might still put something together this season ... but right now, it has been a mostly very disappointing season.

[dbackjon]

This week's poll article: https://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-5-top-25-results-6/

A lot high risers this week - UND to their highest ranking since the 2021 spring season. UC Davis and ETSU to their highest rankings since the 2021 fall season. The UAC is looking strong with Tarleton and Abilene Christian to their highest rankings ever and UCA to their highest ranking since the 2019 season. It's pretty crazy to see 4 Dakota teams in the top 5 - and they all play each other so things are going to shook up when that happens. I thought Idaho went a little lower than I expected - despite the narrow loss to UC Davis they still have very impressive road wins over Wyoming and ACU


Also missed amongst my notes that this is the first time NAU has been ranked in the AGS Top 25 since the 2018 season.

Sad that it has been so long

[Chalupa Batman]

This week's poll article: https://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-5-top-25-results-6/

A lot high risers this week - UND to their highest ranking since the 2021 spring season. UC Davis and ETSU to their highest rankings since the 2021 fall season. The UAC is looking strong with Tarleton and Abilene Christian to their highest rankings ever and UCA to their highest ranking since the 2019 season. It's pretty crazy to see 4 Dakota teams in the top 5 - and they all play each other so things are going to shook up when that happens. I thought Idaho went a little lower than I expected - despite the narrow loss to UC Davis they still have very impressive road wins over Wyoming and ACU


Also missed amongst my notes that this is the first time NAU has been ranked in the AGS Top 25 since the 2018 season.

I think if the consensus swapped Idaho & Montana (along with sliding Villanova out of the top 10) the Vandals would be right where they should be.


Sac St has done nothing to deserved to be ranked.

They did beat Nicholls handily, and the Colonels hung tougher with LSU than they did Sac State. I wouldn't have a huge argument if someone didn't vote them in the top 25, but they are top 25-worthy IMO. Though they are a bit too high in the consensus, and should definitely be behind NAU.

[dbackjon]

Why is Monmouth getting so little love?

[MSUBobcat]

This week's poll article: https://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-5-top-25-results-6/

A lot high risers this week - UND to their highest ranking since the 2021 spring season. UC Davis and ETSU to their highest rankings since the 2021 fall season. The UAC is looking strong with Tarleton and Abilene Christian to their highest rankings ever and UCA to their highest ranking since the 2019 season. It's pretty crazy to see 4 Dakota teams in the top 5 - and they all play each other so things are going to shook up when that happens. I thought Idaho went a little lower than I expected - despite the narrow loss to UC Davis they still have very impressive road wins over Wyoming and ACU


Also missed amongst my notes that this is the first time NAU has been ranked in the AGS Top 25 since the 2018 season.

Victim of circumstance, I think. If UC Davis is #7, and you have the Griz between Davis and Idaho (as I do in my BSC ranking), the best they could be is #9 and I think UCA deserves to slide in there (5-0 with an FBS win), possibly above all 3. The top 10... hell, top 15/16 are some pretty damn good teams. This year feels more wide open than we've had in quite some time.

[Chalupa Batman]

I don't think they would've gotten onto my ballot, but one team that slipped under my radar but should've been looked at is Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles are 2-2 overall, but both losses are to FBS. They just molly whopped a Gardner-Webb team that lost to Wofford, James Madison, and Charlotte by a combined 9 points. TTU was also under 30 seconds away from from beating Middle Tennessee State and claiming an FBS scalp. MTSU had to convert a 4th & 5 with 26 seconds left before scoring the winning touchdown on the next play. Their game at SEMO in a couple of weeks will be a big one for them.

[MSUBobcat]

Why is Monmouth getting so little love?

I think the stigma of losing somewhat big to EWU, who promptly lost to Drake, is tainting people's opinion still, especially following it up with a home loss to Lafayette, who doesn't appear to be the same team that made the playoffs last year. The blowout at Maine is looking better now that they have a winning record and they have an FBS win to boot. We'll see how they perform against Delaware this weekend. A big loss and they may have to wait until the end of October, with W's over Bryant and Towson to get looked at again. Conversely, a close loss should get them in, IMO.

[Chalupa Batman]

Victim of circumstance, I think. If UC Davis is #7, and you have the Griz between Davis and Idaho (as I do in my BSC ranking), the best they could be is #9 and I think UCA deserves to slide in there (5-0 with an FBS win), possibly above all 3. The top 10... hell, top 15/16 are some pretty damn good teams. This year feels more wide open than we've had in quite some time.

I felt like there were about 12 teams or so deserving of a top 10 ranking this week. It was tough at the top.

[clenz]

I wish UNI was good enough to lose by 4+ scores, at home, in a conference game and get enough votes to be ranked.

[MSUBobcat]

I don't think they would've gotten onto my ballot, but one team that slipped under my radar but should've been looked at is Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles are 2-2 overall, but both losses are to FBS. They just molly whopped a Gardner-Webb team that lost to Wofford, James Madison, and Charlotte by a combined 9 points. TTU was also under 30 seconds away from from beating Middle Tennessee State and claiming an FBS scalp. MTSU had to convert a 4th & 5 with 26 seconds left before scoring the winning touchdown on the next play. Their game at SEMO in a couple of weeks will be a big one for them.

This one surprised me. I thought it was going to be G-W that would finally earn some votes after this and they got destroyed instead. Or molly whopped, which I just learned. According to urban dictionary, it's what you're trying to do in a hockey fight. https://i.postimg.cc/FRzx7VMC/the-more-you-know.gif

[POD Knows]

I don't think they would've gotten onto my ballot, but one team that slipped under my radar but should've been looked at is Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles are 2-2 overall, but both losses are to FBS. They just molly whopped a Gardner-Webb team that lost to Wofford, James Madison, and Charlotte by a combined 9 points. TTU was also under 30 seconds away from from beating Middle Tennessee State and claiming an FBS scalp. MTSU had to convert a 4th & 5 with 26 seconds left before scoring the winning touchdown on the next play. Their game at SEMO in a couple of weeks will be a big one for them.
I got Tennessee Tech at 26 in mine. I thought about putting them in the Top 25 but every time I do that to a team that has flashed a little bit they end up losing and I look stupid the next week.

[Chalupa Batman]

I got Tennessee Tech at 26 in mine. I thought about putting them in the Top 25 but every time I do that to a team that has flashed a little bit they end up losing and I look stupid the next week.

They would've been somewhere from 26-29 on mine.

[KPSUL]

Thought the same thing as some voters were submitting. Missed two pt. conversion on the road, fought back against a tough ranked team to get there and have a real good resume' so far. But, not that out of line just a few that pulled them down that much.
100% on target. Sometimes voters feel compelled to rank the result of a matchup between say a #2 Ranked Team, and a #12 team that wins, only with the #12 team higher. Frequently it results in an inappropriately low ranking for the former #2 team.

[smilo]

Cool to see Brown and Stony Brook receiving votes. I think they are closer to 35 but nice to see them get recognition. I never take Stony Brook lightly! Two painful memories there.

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits (-)
2: Montana State Bobcats (+1)
3: South Dakota Coyotes (+1)
4: North Dakota State Bison (+1)
5: UC Davis Aggies (+11)
6: Idaho Vandals (-4)
7: Central Arkansas Bears (+3)
8: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (-)
9: Mercer Bears (+2)
10: North Dakota Fighting Hawks (+2)
11: Southern Illinois Salukis (-3) - feels a little high here but need some internal consistency this early in the year
12: Incarnate Word Cardinals (+3)
13: William & Mary Tribe (+1)
14: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Returned)
15: Abilene Christian Wildcats (+2)
16: Villanova Wildcats (-9)
17: Sac State Hornets (-11)
18: Montana Grizzlies (-5)
19: East Tennessee State Buccaneers (+1)
20: Missouri State Bears (-2)
21: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks (+1)
22: New Hampshire Wildcats (-1)
23: Chattanooga Mocs (Returned)
24: Rhode Island Rams (New)
25: Wofford Terriers (-6)

Dropped: (23) Yale; (24) Lamar; (25) Weber State

[BigBlueMU]

I think the stigma of losing somewhat big to EWU, who promptly lost to Drake, is tainting people's opinion still, especially following it up with a home loss to Lafayette, who doesn't appear to be the same team that made the playoffs last year. The blowout at Maine is looking better now that they have a winning record and they have an FBS win to boot. We'll see how they perform against Delaware this weekend. A big loss and they may have to wait until the end of October, with W's over Bryant and Towson to get looked at again. Conversely, a close loss should get them in, IMO.

Agree. A win over Delaware no doubt gets them in the 25-20 range. Even a close loss may sneak them in.

[Reign of Terrier]

Don’t rank Wofford. I mean, sure we may be top 40, but give it a month (through ETSU) to evaluate it. If we are 5-3 at the end of October, maybe we deserve it.

[KPSUL]

Sorta the same reason your team is not. Recent seasons of inconsistency and the inability to win the key games The good news is that both teams have ample opportunity to climb up the rankings coming up. NAU on the road at Idaho and Montana the next two games, and Monmouth plays Delaware this Saturday.

[Preferred Walk-On]

Forgot to do this last week, but I definitely had some questionable rankings (e.g., Incarnate Word #12 and Southern Illinois #22...yuck) last week. Feel better about this week's, but always open to making my voting better.

-----

Hello Preferred Walk-On,

We have received your AGS Top 25 vote on 9/29/2024 5:55:28

Your vote is listed below.

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
4: Mercer Bears
5: UC Davis Aggies
6: Central Arkansas Bears
7: South Dakota Coyotes
8: North Dakota State Bison
9: Idaho Vandals
10: Chattanooga Mocs
11: Abilene Christian Wildcats
12: Montana Grizzlies
13: William & Mary Tribe
14: Villanova Wildcats
15: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
16: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
17: Incarnate Word Cardinals
18: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Southern Illinois Salukis
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Tarleton Texans
23: Nicholls Colonels
24: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
25: McNeese Cowboys

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Yale Bulldogs
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Missouri Valley Football Conference

[skinny_uncle]

Here was my poll ballot this week:

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota State Bison
4: South Dakota Coyotes
5: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
6: UC Davis Aggies
7: Idaho Vandals
8: Mercer Bears
9: Montana Grizzlies
10: Central Arkansas Bears
11: Villanova Wildcats
12: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
13: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
14: Incarnate Word Cardinals
15: William & Mary Tribe
16: Rhode Island Rams
17: New Hampshire Wildcats
18: Tarleton Texans
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Abilene Christian Wildcats
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Missouri State Bears
23: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
24: McNeese Cowboys
25: Lamar Cardinals
No SIU? Seems a bit hrsh after losing o the current number 4.

[Reign of Terrier]

Just staying consistent with my principle of rewarding teams for not losing, Stony Brook should be ranked.

IMO a game of the week candidate with them against Nova this week.

As a side note, I’m this close to just saying Richmond and William and Mary are playoff locks, simply because the rest of their schedule is so weak.

[dbackjon]

Sorta the same reason your team is not. Recent seasons of inconsistency and the inability to win the key games The good news is that both teams have ample opportunity to climb up the rankings coming up. NAU on the road at Idaho and Montana the next two games, and Monmouth plays Delaware this Saturday.


I wish we all judged each season independently. NAU has a new coach - the past is the past

[SeattleCat]

Not sure my ballot made it thru, no confirmation as of yet.

[Reign of Terrier]

I wish we all judged each season independently. NAU has a new coach - the past is the past

This is why I’m a top 15 kind of guy. There’s a lot of noise in the first month of the season. The top 4 or so are generally locked in. There’s a lot of incumbency advantage if you play in a certain conference or have a certain legacy. But if you’re trying to break in it’s super hard. Having spots 16-25 basically exist to lock in incumbency.

[FU_Paladin08]

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: North Dakota State Bison
3: Montana State Bobcats
4: Villanova Wildcats
5: South Dakota Coyotes
6: Montana Grizzlies
7: Central Arkansas Bears
8: William & Mary Tribe
9: Mercer Bears
10: Tarleton Texans
11: UC Davis Aggies
12: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
13: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
14: Idaho Vandals
15: McNeese Cowboys
16: Rhode Island Rams
17: Stony Brook Seawolves
18: Lamar Cardinals
19: Incarnate Word Cardinals
20: New Hampshire Wildcats
21: Illinois State Redbirds
22: Lehigh Mountain Hawks
23: Monmouth Hawks
24: Southern Illinois Salukis
25: Sac State Hornets


The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Illinois State Redbirds
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Southern Conference

[SeattleCat]

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota State Bison
4: South Dakota Coyotes
5: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
6: Villanova Wildcats
7: Central Arkansas Bears
8: Montana Grizzlies
9: Mercer Bears
10: UC Davis Aggies
11: William & Mary Tribe
12: Idaho Vandals
13: Incarnate Word Cardinals
14: Tarleton Texans
15: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
16: Southern Illinois Salukis
17: Abilene Christian Wildcats
18: Illinois State Redbirds
19: Richmond Spiders
20: Missouri State Bears
21: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
22: Western Carolina Catamounts
23: Lafayette Leopards
24: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
25: New Hampshire Wildcats

[Christiank22]

For your viewing pleasure:

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: Central Arkansas Bears
4: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
5: North Dakota State Bison
6: UC Davis Aggies
7: Mercer Bears
8: Idaho Vandals
9: South Dakota Coyotes
10: William & Mary Tribe
11: Montana Grizzlies
12: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
13: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
14: Incarnate Word Cardinals
15: Villanova Wildcats
16: Abilene Christian Wildcats
17: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
18: Chattanooga Mocs
19: Sac State Hornets
20: Wofford Terriers
21: Tarleton Texans
22: Western Carolina Catamounts
23: Monmouth Hawks
24: McNeese Cowboys
25: Stony Brook Seawolves

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Sac State Hornets

How will you justify UND over NDSU next week when we beat them by 40?

[Christiank22]

Forgot to do this last week, but I definitely had some questionable rankings (e.g., Incarnate Word #12 and Southern Illinois #22...yuck) last week. Feel better about this week's, but always open to making my voting better.

-----

Hello Preferred Walk-On,

We have received your AGS Top 25 vote on 9/29/2024 5:55:28

Your vote is listed below.

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
4: Mercer Bears
5: UC Davis Aggies
6: Central Arkansas Bears
7: South Dakota Coyotes
8: North Dakota State Bison
9: Idaho Vandals
10: Chattanooga Mocs
11: Abilene Christian Wildcats
12: Montana Grizzlies
13: William & Mary Tribe
14: Villanova Wildcats
15: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
16: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
17: Incarnate Word Cardinals
18: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Southern Illinois Salukis
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Tarleton Texans
23: Nicholls Colonels
24: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
25: McNeese Cowboys

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Yale Bulldogs
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Missouri Valley Football Conference

Lol….

[SDFS]

Forgot to do this last week, but I definitely had some questionable rankings (e.g., Incarnate Word #12 and Southern Illinois #22...yuck) last week. Feel better about this week's, but always open to making my voting better.

-----

Hello Preferred Walk-On,

We have received your AGS Top 25 vote on 9/29/2024 5:55:28

Your vote is listed below.

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
4: Mercer Bears
5: UC Davis Aggies
6: Central Arkansas Bears
7: South Dakota Coyotes
8: North Dakota State Bison
9: Idaho Vandals
10: Chattanooga Mocs
11: Abilene Christian Wildcats
12: Montana Grizzlies
13: William & Mary Tribe
14: Villanova Wildcats
15: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
16: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
17: Incarnate Word Cardinals
18: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Southern Illinois Salukis
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Tarleton Texans
23: Nicholls Colonels
24: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
25: McNeese Cowboys

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Yale Bulldogs
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Missouri Valley Football Conference

UND 3 and NDSU 8. I would switch those rankings and give UND +10. That would be about right. UND ranked in the Top 10 is silly. If UND is competitive with NDSU this week. I can see a higher ranking. But, NDSU is going to CRUSH UND on Saturday.

[Chalupa Batman]

How will you justify UND over NDSU next week when we beat them by 40?

Well, in the event that you’re right (and I hope you are) UND will no longer be ahead of NDSU. Good talk.

[SDFS]

I can see 40.. that is about right. As a UND fan, I hope they can keep it at or near 21.

[Christiank22]

Well, in the event that you’re right (and I hope you are) UND will no longer be ahead of NDSU. Good talk.

Looking at your polls I highly doubt that

[Christiank22]

I can see 40.. that is about right. As a UND fan, I hope they can keep it at or near 21.

I don’t think UND has the offense to compete. Granted we have some holes in our passing defense but I genuinely think Romfo might be the worst starting Qb I’ve seen in D1 football

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota State Bison
4: South Dakota Coyotes
5: Central Arkansas Bears
6: UC Davis Aggies
7: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
8: Idaho Vandals
9: Mercer Bears
10: Montana Grizzlies
11: Villanova Wildcats
12: Incarnate Word Cardinals
13: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
14: William & Mary Tribe
15: Tarleton Texans
16: Abilene Christian Wildcats
17: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
18: Chattanooga Mocs
19: Richmond Spiders
20: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
21: New Hampshire Wildcats
22: Wofford Terriers
23: Lamar Cardinals
24: Rhode Island Rams
25: Pennsylvania Quakers

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Southern Illinois Salukis
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Patriot League

[FUBeAR]

Forgot to do this last week, but I definitely had some questionable rankings (e.g., Incarnate Word #12 and Southern Illinois #22...yuck) last week. Feel better about this week's, but always open to making my voting better.

-----

Hello Preferred Walk-On,

We have received your AGS Top 25 vote on 9/29/2024 5:55:28

Your vote is listed below.

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
4: Mercer Bears
5: UC Davis Aggies
6: Central Arkansas Bears
7: South Dakota Coyotes
8: North Dakota State Bison
9: Idaho Vandals
10: Chattanooga Mocs
11: Abilene Christian Wildcats
12: Montana Grizzlies
13: William & Mary Tribe
14: Villanova Wildcats
15: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
16: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
17: Incarnate Word Cardinals
18: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Southern Illinois Salukis
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Tarleton Texans
23: Nicholls Colonels
24: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
25: McNeese Cowboys

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Yale Bulldogs
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Missouri Valley Football Conference
It was a difficult decision, but FUBeAR has decided, due to the remainder of your oh-so-rare objectivity, to excuse your failure to rank Western Carolina.

Well … the Catamounts did go on the road to one of the most difficult Home environments in all of FCS vs. your #12 Team, led by 3 scores, and were within a FG until the final minutes of the 4th quarter…but they did ultimately lose by 11 on a very late TD + 2 pt conversion. So, that’s probably worthy of a ‘pass’ for you…this time.

[Preferred Walk-On]

It was a difficult decision, but FUBeAR has decided, due to the remainder of your oh-so-rare objectivity, to excuse your failure to rank Western Carolina.

Well … the Catamounts did go on the road to one of the most difficult Home environments in all of FCS vs. your #12 Team, led by 3 scores, and were within a FG until the final minutes of the 4th quarter…but they did ultimately lose by 11 on a very late TD + 2 pt conversion. So, that’s probably worthy of a ‘pass’ for you…this time.

Thanks for the backhanded compliment. I'll take it. I think some teams in the SoCon are playing some good football, and it is maybe not being fully recognized to this point.

That said, as for the Catamounts, almost everybody seems to be taking my #12 to within one score these days...except for Western Carolina. Should I rank Eastern Washington? After all, they did beat Monmouth (by two scores) for their one win, compared to Western Carolina beating Elon (by one score) for theirs. If I were FUBeAR, I might have stuck to Furman not being ranked rather than hang FUBeAR's hat on WCU...especially given FUBeAR's SoCon power rankings. Actually, no, by trying to justify Furman, credibility is lost...SCIENCE. ;)

By the way, I again recognize and appreciate the SoCon power rankings and all participating in that thread for their thoughts on the teams in that conference. Also, enjoyed the Mercer @ Wofford game this past weekend. The Bears look tough.

- - - Updated - - -


Lol….
LOL indeed.

[Preferred Walk-On]

UND 3 and NDSU 8. I would switch those rankings and give UND +10. That would be about right. UND ranked in the Top 10 is silly. If UND is competitive with NDSU this week. I can see a higher ranking. But, NDSU is going to CRUSH UND on Saturday.

Like they did last year? As a fan of the Bison, I am not exactly sure which Bison team will decide to show up. Because of that, until NDSU beats (or I hope you are right, CRUSH(ES)) UND, these rankings seem about right. After this weekend, we'll see. Again, I hope you are correct...please be correct...pretty please!!!

[Professor Chaos]

No SIU? Seems a bit hrsh after losing o the current number 4.
They've shown very little since DJ Williams got hurt IMO. Until they can regroup without him or get him back they're out for me.

[caribbeanhen]

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota State Bison
4: South Dakota Coyotes
5: Central Arkansas Bears
6: UC Davis Aggies
7: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
8: Idaho Vandals
9: Mercer Bears
10: Montana Grizzlies
11: Villanova Wildcats
12: Incarnate Word Cardinals
13: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
14: William & Mary Tribe
15: Tarleton Texans
16: Abilene Christian Wildcats
17: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
18: Chattanooga Mocs
19: Richmond Spiders
20: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
21: New Hampshire Wildcats
22: Wofford Terriers
23: Lamar Cardinals
24: Rhode Island Rams
25: Pennsylvania Quakers

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Southern Illinois Salukis
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Patriot League

Penn should be ranked so this is the best poll of the week

[SDFS]

I don’t think UND has the offense to compete. Granted we have some holes in our passing defense but I genuinely think Romfo might be the worst starting Qb I’ve seen in D1 football

I second that.. he is a combined all in "short hop, flyer, stare down" machine.

[mvemjsunpx]

Previous week in parentheses…


1. South Dakota St. (1)
2. Montana St. (2)
3. North Dakota St. (3)
4. South Dakota (5)
5. Central Arkansas (6)
6. North Dakota (7)
7. UC Davis (10)
8. Southeast Missouri St. (9)
9. Idaho (4)
10. Mercer (13)
11. Villanova (11)
12. Montana (12)
13. William & Mary (14)
14. Rhode Island (15)
15. Incarnate Word (17)
16. East Tennessee St. (19)
17. Abilene Christian (NR)
18. Northern Arizona (NR)
19. Sacramento St. (8)
20. Missouri St. (NR)
21. Tennessee-Martin (NR)
22. Duquesne (18)
23. New Hampshire (20)
24. Florida A&M (22)
25. Tennessee-Chattanooga (24)

Dropped - Southern Illinois (16), Lamar (21), Weber St. (23), Harvard (25)


W - Tennessee-Martin
L - Southern Illinois

[NY Crusader 2010]

Penn should be ranked so this is the best poll of the week

Totally agreed. The close road loss at Delaware should have opened some eyes. Brown had a nice W over Harvard but the Bears have some work to do before I'm sold. They ALWAYS seem to play well against the Crimson, even when they don't win.

[Bisonator]

Forgot to do this last week, but I definitely had some questionable rankings (e.g., Incarnate Word #12 and Southern Illinois #22...yuck) last week. Feel better about this week's, but always open to making my voting better.

-----

Hello Preferred Walk-On,

We have received your AGS Top 25 vote on 9/29/2024 5:55:28

Your vote is listed below.

1: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
2: Montana State Bobcats
3: North Dakota Fighting Hawks
4: Mercer Bears
5: UC Davis Aggies
6: Central Arkansas Bears
7: South Dakota Coyotes
8: North Dakota State Bison
9: Idaho Vandals
10: Chattanooga Mocs
11: Abilene Christian Wildcats
12: Montana Grizzlies
13: William & Mary Tribe
14: Villanova Wildcats
15: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
16: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
17: Incarnate Word Cardinals
18: Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
19: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
20: Southern Illinois Salukis
21: Sac State Hornets
22: Tarleton Texans
23: Nicholls Colonels
24: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
25: McNeese Cowboys

The Most Significant Win: UC Davis Aggies
The Most Significant Loss: Yale Bulldogs
Which Conference Does Your Team Play in?: Missouri Valley Football Conference

What impresses you about the Mocs so much? That huge win over an 0-4 team??

[FUBeAR]

What impresses you about the Mocs so much? That huge win over an 0-4 team??
PWO can more than adeptly respond to your query his own self, but FUBeAR can offer the following…

- Took his #4 / AGS #9 to the wire in a 1-score loss
- Led an FBS Team, that has an SEC win on their resume, late in the 4th quarter, before falling by a FG
- Played the 5th toughest schedule in FCS per Massey

[Bisonator]

PWO can more than adeptly respond to your query his own self, but FUBeAR can offer the following…

- Took his #4 / AGS #9 to the wire in a 1-score loss
- Led an FBS Team, that has an SEC win on their resume, late in the 4th quarter, before falling by a FG
- Played the 5th toughest schedule in FCS per Massey
I think his #4 and the AGS #9 are overrated as well
Hey nice moral victory there I suppose, lol it's Georgia State haha
Tough schedule maybe but at some point you have to win games

[FUBeAR]

I think his #4 and the AGS #9 are overrated as well

Tough schedule maybe but at some point you have to win games
Hmmm… FUBeAR would’ve thought your focus would have been more upon how underrated his #15/AGS #16 and/or overrated his #8/AGS #3 are, but, perhaps it’s just a function of perspective and objectivity.

That “point” was last Saturday when the Mocs hung half a hundred and 600 yards on one of those “power conference” teams.

[clenz]

No SIU? Seems a bit hrsh after losing o the current number 4.
Well....

SIU is sub .500 and has lost 2 in a row. Yes, those two losses are to ranked teams, though it's not like they were competitive. 17 point loss to SEMO (AT HOME) and a 29 point loss to South Dakota. Name me one other team that YOU fight for to be ranked that lost 2 in a row in that kind of fashion. It wasn't that you "lost" to USD. The USD game was in less than 20 minutes. It was an actual murder on live TV. The first score of the SEMO game (which was by SEMO) was 6 minutes into the game. Of the 54 minutes where one team was leading, SEMO led for 53:10 of them.

Yes, they did beat UIW ,but they had DJ Williams for that. Their other win is APSU - who's only win is a 0 D1 win SWAC team.

In the 2 FCS games with DJ Williams UIW averaged 33 points and 360ish yards of offense

In the two games without him they are 0-2 they've gone from averaging 200 yards rushing per game to 60. Passing is staying roughly flat but SIU has zero run game outside of Williams making plays. That also means they can't control the clock anymore and their defense, which has been bad to pretty meh on a good year the last 15 or so years, gets even less rest and is on the field more. In the two FCS games with Williams you were over 30 TOP on average, but the last two games you are under 25 per game.

SIU with Williams? Easily top 25 if not top 10-15.

Without? Well they don't appear to be top 25. And...well...they don't have DJ Williams right now it at all again.


Heck, we can break it down even further. Since Williams went out (the 14 minute mark of the 4th quarter against UIW) SIU is averaging a whole 3.9 yards per play as an offense - 201 plays 795 yards.

I get that the FCS, outside of about 6-8ish teams in any given year at this point, is pretty rough. I also get that SIU would still probably win/finish top 2 is basically every league outside of the MVFC, Big Sky, and maybe CAA without DJ. Maybe I'm being too harsh. I just struggle to see how anyone with SIU's resume that is getting you to go "No Team A? That seems a bit harsh after losing to the current #4." that isn't your team.

[Bisonator]

Hmmm… FUBeAR would’ve thought your focus would have been more upon how underrated his #15/AGS #16 and/or overrated his #8/AGS #3 are, but, perhaps it’s just a function of perspective and objectivity.

That “point” was last Saturday when the Mocs hung half a hundred and 600 yards on one of those “power conference” teams.
Lol that "power conference" team is a perennial bottom half of the biggest conference in FCS! Sad to see what the SOCON teams hang their hat on now days!!

[Reign of Terrier]

Lol that "power conference" team is a perennial bottom half of the biggest conference in FCS! Sad to see what the SOCON teams hang their hat on now days!!

I get bashed for being a hater for putting <insert socon team that's impressing right now> under the microscope. I'm a huge buzzkill for other socon fans.

I did it with Western last year (but was vindicated) and was hated for it. Now I'm doing it with Mercer (who I think has at least a top 10 defense, but we should cool the hype until we get more data because Wofford doesn't have everything figured out). I'll probably have to do it to ETSU at some point.

Socon fans (at the moment - Mercer fans) hate me for it, but I'm a slave to wisdom from experience. Tempering your expectations is a good thing, because there have been multiple really good socon teams to be humbled @ a Dakota State team.

When you hype yourself up by saying Mercer is a top 5 team or that Chattanooga is elite (based on what we've seen so far) you're setting yourself up for heartbreak. I'd rather be wrong about them not being elite than wrong about them being elite. The former has advantages of being right and enjoying watching a good team surpass high expectations. The latter makes you look unhinged and silly if/when they blow it. The prudent path is pretty obvious!

[Preferred Walk-On]

What impresses you about the Mocs so much? That huge win over an 0-4 team??


PWO can more than adeptly respond to your query his own self, but FUBeAR can offer the following…

- Took his #4 / AGS #9 to the wire in a 1-score loss
- Led an FBS Team, that has an SEC win on their resume, late in the 4th quarter, before falling by a FG
- Played the 5th toughest schedule in FCS per Massey

I think FUBeAR has hit on the important points. However, I'll say that they are one of the few top teams that up to this point have not had a bit of a head scratcher and/or no real test up to this point. I hesitated just slightly on whether to keep them in the top 10 after this past weekend with Portland State, but the Vikings have the ability to put up points in spurts, and I have decided that there are some teams that should have consideration in the Top 25 until proven otherwise and not because their schedule to this point would potentially have many Top 25, dare I say some Top 10 teams at 1-3. We place teams in the Top 25 based on preseason rankings, then generally move them via slot voting, even if we claim that we don't (just look at how teams have moved in the AGS polls thus far...one team loses and the others simply slide up, for the most part). Regarding Chattanooga specifically, besides having a losing record thus far, what have they done to warrant a precipitous fall? Give a damn tough Mercer team all they could handle and lose by a score? Play not one, but two, FBS teams, and although losing to the #4 FBS, I repeat, #4 FBS team by a bunch, almost prevail against the other? I don't believe in the <.500 "rule", because it is possible that a team may/will have played its four toughest opponents for the year up to this point, and ultimately win out. But as you are well aware, once a team drops low/out of the Top 25, it is damn difficult to return even to a seed (see semifinalist NDSU last year, and if f'n NDSU can't do it, what are the chances of others doing it?). Chattanooga plays AGS @ #16 East Tennessee State this week. ETSU should win by AGS rankings predictions (#16 is better than #24). If ETSU wins, I will adjust accordingly. If Chattanooga wins, how will AGS adjust? Is Chattanooga then at least a Top 15? A Top 10? Or will they simply move up a slot or two? AGS rankings (maybe less so than Coaches/STATS) are often like gas prices, only in the opposite direction. All of the above are why Chattanooga is my #10. Oh, and by the way, I think the Mocs stand a chance against at least half of the AGS Top 5, but that is too much of an opinion to move them any higher.

[FUBeAR]

I get bashed
I'm a huge buzzkill for other socon fans
Socon fans (at the moment - Mercer fans) hate me


- “Mercer is a top 5 team”
- “Chattanooga is elite”

FUBeAR just found this clip from back when RoT played for the NC State Wolfpack…

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gW2zBZm92QAdCn7nmdLXfAYbLJY=/0x0:548x278/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:548x278):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13286241/chubbflop.0.jpg


Also… please post the source of the ‘comments’ you have cited above … where you have, by misleading allusion, implied to anyone reading this thread that FUBeAR has made (in seriousness) either or both of these claims.

To be fair, FUBeAR HAS stated that ‘Mercer has the top Defense in FCS.’ Based on a review of all current FCS Defensive Statistics, that is hardly a far-fetched statement at this time.

Here are a few of those stats…



Defensive Metric

FCS Rank


Stat Value



3RD DOWN CONVERSION PCT DEFENSE

2


16.40%



DEFENSIVE TDS

2T


3



FIRST DOWNS DEFENSE (per game)

3


10.60



PASSES INTERCEPTED

3


9



RED ZONE DEFENSE

3T


50.00%



RUSHING DEFENSE (YPG)

1


29.20



SCORING DEFENSE (PPG)

2


7.8



TEAM PASSING EFFICIENCY DEFENSE

2


87.03



TEAM SACKS (per game)

7T


3.00



TEAM TACKLES FOR LOSS (per game)

6


8.20



TOTAL DEFENSE (YPG)

3


224.00



TURNOVERS GAINED

3


13




Seems at least 1 well-known FCS pundit has no hesitation about putting a superlative tag on the Mercer D…
https://twitter.com/zachmckinnell/status/1840445660522217823

[Preferred Walk-On]

I think his #4 and the AGS #9 are overrated as well
Hey nice moral victory there I suppose, lol it's Georgia State haha
Tough schedule maybe but at some point you have to win games
That some point might be this weekend and onward. We'll see, and if wrong, at least there are 7 more polls to get it right. ;)

[FU_Paladin08]

I get bashed for being a hater for putting <insert socon team that's impressing right now> under the microscope. I'm a huge buzzkill for other socon fans.

I did it with Western last year (but was vindicated) and was hated for it. Now I'm doing it with Mercer (who I think has at least a top 10 defense, but we should cool the hype until we get more data because Wofford doesn't have everything figured out). I'll probably have to do it to ETSU at some point.

Socon fans (at the moment - Mercer fans) hate me for it, but I'm a slave to wisdom from experience. Tempering your expectations is a good thing, because there have been multiple really good socon teams to be humbled @ a Dakota State team.

When you hype yourself up by saying Mercer is a top 5 team or that Chattanooga is elite (based on what we've seen so far) you're setting yourself up for heartbreak. I'd rather be wrong about them not being elite than wrong about them being elite. The former has advantages of being right and enjoying watching a good team surpass high expectations. The latter makes you look unhinged and silly if/when they blow it. The prudent path is pretty obvious!

Putting them under the microscope is fine, but right now Mercer is 5-0 and belong in the top 10. I don’t think any other SoCon team belongs in the Top 25…right now. Having 1 or 2 wins with close losses against good teams is not enough when you have over 25 teams in FCS with 3, 4, and 5 wins. I know my bracket has flaws but seeing ETSU and WCU ranked due to close losses is suspect. UTC ranked is almost acceptable based on finally getting a win and their preseason ranking, but there are more deserving teams…right now.

[Reign of Terrier]

Putting them under the microscope is fine, but right now Mercer is 5-0 and belong in the top 10. I don’t think any other SoCon team belongs in the Top 25…right now.

They're probably top 10. Their defense is very good. Likely elite (top 10) by FCS standards.

I think boasting them as top 5 is definitely rash though. Their defense might be top 5, but they have been beating up on some inferior competition between PC/BC/a Wofford team that hasn't score 28 points in 2 years - that 6 games scored only 11 on a citadel team much worse than the current citadel team.

Their offense is very sketchy though. They scored 15 points on Wofford. 7 of those points were off a turnover. Sure, they moved up and down the field on a couple drives, but lots of untimely turnovers and stalling in the redzone. None of that by itself is damning, (Wofford may be really good on offense) but the consistent inability to capitalize on offense is a through line that will have them vulnerable.

Football isn't all defense. As bad as Wofford was Saturday, it was 8-3 well into the second half and Wofford dropped a touchdown, turned it over in the end zone, and threw a pick six. There are teams just in the socon that will have their affairs more in order than we do on offense and won't make those mistakes.

So before we coronate Mercer, let's wait a little bit. Top 15? Definitely. Top 10? Likely. Elite Defense? Yes.

But I've heard the hype machine here and on podcasts calling them the best defense in the FCS and now some saying a top 5 team. Maybe that's true. But I don't think we can conclude that through the games they've played.

If they maintain this level through 4 more games, they'll earn everything I'm currently skeptical of, but for now, let's wait and see.