Phil Steele's Preseason All America Team and Top 25

[smallcollegefbfan]

Here is their list. Now let me make a note here. Phil Steele explained on ESPN Radio that if you are voting for a preseason #1 that App State should be it but he picks his #1 team based on who he thinks will win the title. He picked JMU based on the fact they play ASU at home and almost beat them last year. He also noted that ASU loses several key players on the OL and in the secondary and that usually causes problems down the line to have inexperience there.

Top 25
1. James Madison
2. Appalachian St
3. Richmond
4. Delaware
5. Massachusetts
6. Eastern Washington
7. Youngstown St
8. Northern Iowa
9. North Dakota St
10. Cal Poly
11. New Hampshire
12. Montana
13. Central Arkansas
14. McNeese St
15. Wofford
16. The Citadel
17. Elon
18. Southern Illinois
19. Georgia Southern
20. Colgate
21. UT Martin
22. Harvard
23. Eastern Illinois
24. Weber St
25. Furman

The Best of the Rest: Hofstra, Villanova, SC State,
Lafayette, Holy Cross, Coastal Carolina & Jackson St

All America Team
1ST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Ramses Barden Cal Poly Sr
WR Terrell Hudgins Elon Jr
TE Clay Harbor Missouri State Jr
OT Brent Russum Montana Sr
OT Joel Bell Furman Sr
OG Stephen Field Cal Poly Sr
OG Matt McCracken Richmond Jr
C Kheon Hendricks Delaware Sr
QB Armanti Edwards Appalachian State Jr
RB Tyler Roehl North Dakota State Sr
RB Mike McLeod Yale Sr

1ST TEAM DEFENSE
DE Matt Marcorelle Delaware Jr
DE Jovan Belcher Maine Sr
DT John Faletoese UC Davis Sr
DT Mychal Savage Youngstown State Sr
LB Bobby Daly Montana State Sr
LB Jason Williams Western Illinois Sr
LB Pierre Banks Appalachian State Sr
CB K J Gerard Northern Arizona Sr
CB Sean Smalls Massachusetts Sr
S Ladarius Webb Nicholls State Sr
S Brandon Gathof Eastern Kentucky Sr

1ST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Jon Striefsky Delaware Sr
P Brandon Lane Elon Sr
RS Jeremy Gilchrist Hampton Sr

[putter]

IMO, that is the most realistic poll yet, even over AGS. xnodx

[wapiti]

Weber St ?????
Montana State should be there instead.

[DFW HOYA]

It wasn't that long ago that the favorite in the Patriot could be counted upon for a Top 10 or even Top 15 rank to start.

Not anymore, and when the NEC starts showing up in the polls, it'll be even tougher.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Weber St ?????
Montana State should be there instead.

Phil is always known for having 1 or 2 teams in his FBS and FCS top 25 that most would be surprised to see ranked.

His FBS material has been the most accurate the last 9 years so I say we give him the benefit of the doubt until it is proven wrong.

I would side with you on this but we owe it to his past FBS accuracy to give him the benefit of the doubt this one time. xthumbsupx

[andy7171]

Great! Only 3/5ths of Towsons CAA Southern divisionmates are in the top 5!

[ButlerGSU]

Georgia Southern will have half of its team made up of true freshmen. Any spot in the top 20 is too generous in my opinion.

[colorless raider]

I liked it that Colgate was ranked but where was Fordham??

I would also have Jordan Scott at RB.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Great! Only 3/5ths of Towsons CAA Southern divisionmates are in the top 5!

The guy definitely seems to like the CAA. xwhistlex

[stevdock]

Does Delaware have enough coming back to be 4? And with their brutal schedule it would be an amazing year to stay there.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Does Delaware have enough coming back to be 4? And with their brutal schedule it would be an amazing year to stay there.

No. Delaware has too many question marks to even be in the top 10. As you mentioned, they face a brutal schedule to boot.

[MplsBison]

Any AA list that has a Cal Poly OL on it loses all credibility instantly.


Stop picking your lists based on schools.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Any AA list that has a Cal Poly OL on it loses all credibility instantly.


Stop picking your lists based on schools.

Stephen Field is a returning AA and is among the best in the nation. Picking him is not worse than some things I have seen such as Bobby Reid a 1st teamer or anything like that.

[Dukie95]

Wow! I am just completely floored, flabbergasted, speechless....

...

...


That FCS was discussed on ESPN radio!!

[crusader11]

Kind of surprised that Colgate is ranked and Fordham is not.

[Fordham]

Kind of surprised that Colgate is ranked and Fordham is not.
... not just that but we're also not in the 'best of the rest' and 2 other PL teams are there. xconfusedx

[jmuroller]

Wow....to think we play the 4 teams ranked 2-5

[Jerbearasu]

Phil Steele explained on ESPN Radio that if you are voting for a preseason #1 that App State should be it but he picks his #1 team based on who he thinks will win the title.

22. Harvard

Not arguing with you but does he suspect that Harvard has the 22nd best chance at winning the title? I am not saying that JMU does not deserve to be ranked at the top of the list but his logic is well not logical...

[smallcollegefbfan]

Not arguing with you but does he suspect that Harvard has the 22nd best chance at winning the title? I am not saying that JMU does not deserve to be ranked at the top of the list but his logic is well not logical...

This is not based on the chance of the team just where he thinks they are talent wise. He uses many variables just like he does with the FBS. Not sure what all he uses but there are usually surprise picks that tend to be right. This year he has South Carolina in the top 20 when most don't have them ranked. I don't think you can argue with JMU being considered a top team and with 2 DL out for ASU they are a little less firm at #1. I would think when TSN releases their top 25 there will be several teams earning #1 votes now.

[Cleets]

Top 25
1. James Madison
2. Appalachian St
3. Richmond
4. Delaware
5. Massachusetts
6. Eastern Washington
7. Youngstown St
8. Northern Iowa
9. North Dakota St
10. Cal Poly
11. New Hampshire
12. Montana
13. Central Arkansas
14. McNeese St
15. Wofford
16. The Citadel
17. Elon
18. Southern Illinois
19. Georgia Southern
20. Colgate
21. UT Martin
22. Harvard
23. Eastern Illinois
24. Weber St
25. Furman


This poll can't be correct..!!!
It's got The Citadel ranked higher than Harvard xeyebrowx Impossible

[BDKJMU]

Again, I looked for a link and couldn't find one. Nothing on Phil Steele's website where you can pull up the rankings. So is this just like the Sporting News and Lindys, no link?

[smallcollegefbfan]

Again, I looked for a link and couldn't find one. Nothing on Phil Steele's website where you can pull up the rankings. So is this just like the Sporting News and Lindys, no link?

No link yet but there might be.

[bluehenbillk]

Phil Steele's staff definitely does the most research than any other publication. There probably won't be a link as they magazine is not supposed to be released for a few more weeks.

[furman94]

UT Martin? Weber St?

[Umass74]

Phil Steele definitely tries the hardest to get things right. That's a pretty good preseason list and All-American team.

I do think Fordham should have been included. I think they have the talent to win the PL this year.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Phil Steele definitely tries the hardest to get things right. That's a pretty good preseason list and All-American team.

I do think Fordham should have been included. I think they have the talent to win the PL this year.

I agree but they do more work than any other publication out there and they will carry that in their FCS research. They are the most respected by those in the know for FBS info.

[ericsaid]

He has a point about the depth App loses but the center coming in started the game in michigan last season and only had one false start called and no bad snaps. Mario Acitelli was hurt and he's coming back and was All-Socon as a true freshmen. Brad Coley is coming back so there are only two positions without much experience.

RB has experience with Devon Moore who could produce just as much as Richardson and has potential to produce more. The game he started in place of Richardson against EWU he had 100 yards. Two players in the secondary come in with experience with Leonard Love and Cortez Gilbert.

All of the wide recievers that will step into the starting roles have game time experience, so there shouldn't be any missed production there. The only questions are two DB's and two OL.

It could go either way with JMU and App as number one and may an argument for some other teams but this is an overall respectable poll.

[Syntax Error]

IMO, that is the most realistic poll yet, even over AGS. I agree with the others here that it is wacky. There is at least one team in his top ten that prob won't even break even in 2008. BTW, it is not a poll like AGS, it is one person's opinion and prob not Steele's.
Phil Steele's staff definitely does the most research than any other publication...xsmhx
He uses many variables just like he does with the FBS...What is FBS? Whatever, he needs to bone up on FCS even though you are his advisor.
Phil Steele definitely tries the hardest to get things right...xsmhx
And here comes a reply from SE... And there goes another smack from Josh Swami SmallCollegeFBF... xrolleyesx xnonono2x

[Model Citizen]

I liked it that Colgate was ranked but where was Fordham??

Fordham has to wear the scarlet (u)D. :p

[BDKJMU]

He has a point about the depth App loses but the center coming in started the game in michigan last season and only had one false start called and no bad snaps. Mario Acitelli was hurt and he's coming back and was All-Socon as a true freshmen. Brad Coley is coming back so there are only two positions without much experience.

RB has experience with Devon Moore who could produce just as much as Richardson and has potential to produce more. The game he started in place of Richardson against EWU he had 100 yards. Two players in the secondary come in with experience with Leonard Love and Cortez Gilbert.

All of the wide recievers that will step into the starting roles have game time experience, so there shouldn't be any missed production there. The only questions are two DB's and two OL.

It could go either way with JMU and App as number one and may an argument for some other teams but this is an overall respectable poll.

Was all So-Con what? 1st team? 2nd team? 3rd team? So I looked it up.
Acitelli was 2nd team All So-Con. 1st team and 2nd team are 2 different things. Kind of need to claify that when you say someone was all conference. Just like when someone states "so and so was an All American". Then the ? is, "according to who?" since there are 4-5 different All American teams out there at the end of the season, and Sports Network does 3 AA teams plus several more teams worth of honorable mention.

[JohnStOnge]

All of the wide recievers that will step into the starting roles have game time experience, so there shouldn't be any missed production there.

They had a wide receiver drafted in the third round. Prior to last year, how many wide receivers has App State had in its history that have been drafted in the third round or higher? How many will they have next year that are likely to end up in that category?

[smallcollegefbfan]

Was all So-Con what? 1st team? 2nd team? 3rd team? So I looked it up.
Acitelli was 2nd team All So-Con. 1st team and 2nd team are 2 different things. Kind of need to claify that when you say someone was all conference. Just like when someone states "so and so was an All American". Then the ? is, "according to who?" since there are 4-5 different All American teams out there at the end of the season, and Sports Network does 3 AA teams plus several more teams worth of honorable mention.

Very true. The SoCon only names a 1st and 2nd team. Does any other league besides the CAA name a 3rd team? I don't believe any of them do.

[smallcollegefbfan]

They had a wide receiver drafted in the third round. Prior to last year, how many wide receivers has App State had in its history that have been drafted in the third round or higher? How many will they have next year that are likely to end up in that category?

Hmmm good question. I just looked in their media guide and no WR has ever been drafted from ASU. I figured that but had to double check.

You could look at their roster and say they have 2 possible draft picks at WR.

TJ Courman is rated very close to draftable by some insiders.

Another player that most ASU people seem to believe could have NFL potential is Brian Quick. He is 6'5, 200 and supposedly runs 4.4 but we all know how those HS and college times hold up when the NFL times them. I would guess he runs high 4.5 or low 4.6 for NFL teams.

Here is a list of some of the more highly sought after FCS WRs, according to legit internet rankings I have found on the net.

Ramses Barden Cal Poly
Quinten Lawrence McNeese State
Jeremy Gilchrist Hampton
Justin Brown Hampton
Edward Thompson Idaho State
Dominique Edison Stephen F. Austin
T.J. Courman Appalachian State
Thomas Breaux III Towson
JaRon Harris South Dakota State

[93 dog]

This poll can't be correct..!!!
It's got The Citadel ranked higher than Harvard xeyebrowx Impossible
This is a football poll not academic...We will see who beats Princeton by more!!!

[Peems]

UT Martin? Weber St?

I think the Weber pick is a good one. In the Big Sky thread I picked them as my surprise team. They really came together well at the end of last season and they have the best back in the Big Sky.

[ericsaid]

They had a wide receiver drafted in the third round. Prior to last year, how many wide receivers has App State had in its history that have been drafted in the third round or higher? How many will they have next year that are likely to end up in that category?


Jackson had a lot of dropped passes that were sure TD's and didnt really compete for the ball in the air unless he was already wide open, notice he only had thirty catches and in fifteen games that doesnt add up to much.

Theres 6'5 Brian Quick stepping in as a RS-F and he should progress and T.J. Courman has plenty of experience as does Tavarus Washington who has quickness similar to dexter jackson. If the new transfer from va tech is put at reciever he's obviously quick at a 4.31. Then you have Josh Johnson who isnt the fastest guy but has sure hands and makes almost every catch when he gets the oppurtunity. Don't underestimate the depth a national championship team builds up just because two of the leading recievers leave doesnt mean there are players stepping up who won't keep up that same production.

[Millwoch]

Hmmm good question. I just looked in their media guide and no WR has ever been drafted from ASU. I figured that but had to double check.

You could look at their roster and say they have 2 possible draft picks at WR.

TJ Courman is rated very close to draftable by some insiders.

Another player that most ASU people seem to believe could have NFL potential is Brian Quick. He is 6'5, 200 and supposedly runs 4.4 but we all know how those HS and college times hold up when the NFL times them. I would guess he runs high 4.5 or low 4.6 for NFL teams.

Here is a list of some of the more highly sought after FCS WRs, according to legit internet rankings I have found on the net.

Ramses Barden Cal Poly
Quinten Lawrence McNeese State
Jeremy Gilchrist Hampton
Justin Brown Hampton
Edward Thompson Idaho State
Dominique Edison Stephen F. Austin
T.J. Courman Appalachian State
Thomas Breaux III Towson
JaRon Harris South Dakota State

How legit can the list be without Terrell Hudgins?

[slostang]

Any AA list that has a Cal Poly OL on it loses all credibility instantly.


Stop picking your lists based on schools.

You lost credibility long ago.xnodx xrotatehx xnodx xrotatehx xnodx xrotatehx xnodx xrotatehx

Stephen Field is a three time All-GWFC pick. That is a list voted on by the coaches of the GWFC which included the coaches from NDSU and SDSU.

[Cleets]

This is a football poll not academic...We will see who beats Princeton by more!!!

Agreed... xlolx (Citdog... is that you.?)
They should be a fun home and away practice game

[smallcollegefbfan]

How legit can the list be without Terrell Hudgins?

I was only listing seniors and he is just a junior and I heard he is a 4.7 type guy. Not sure if that is true but he is a possession type guy and most possession guys are 4.6 or 4.7. If that is true, I doubt he will be as highly rated by NFL people as his stats would lead people to believe.

[smallcollegefbfan]

You lost credibility long ago.xnodx xrotatehx xnodx xrotatehx xnodx xrotatehx xnodx xrotatehx

Stephen Field is a three time All-GWFC pick. That is a list voted on by the coaches of the GWFC which included the coaches from NDSU and SDSU.

Field is a great player. No doubt he has to be either on the 1st or 2nd team AA list. I have to agree with you 100%!

[thmst30]

JMU and App. St. can be seen by some as a toss up for #1. Thats what September 20th, 2008 is for.

[ericsaid]

Im thinking the score will be a three point difference either team with App and JMU. The question will be, what gameplan will JMU come with, last year it was pound it out on the ground to keep App's offense off the field, which worked but they still lost.

If they come in with that same game plan how does App get more possession time than 18 minutes?

[McNeese75]

Im thinking the score will be a three point difference either team with App and JMU. The question will be, what gameplan will JMU come with, last year it was pound it out on the ground to keep App's offense off the field, which worked but they still lost.

If they come in with that same game plan how does App get more possession time than 18 minutes?

:( You and your point spreads xcoffeex But at least you do state "I'm Thinking" so carry on.xwhistlex

[GSUjack]

Georgia Southern will have half of its team made up of true freshmen. Any spot in the top 20 is too generous in my opinion.

"Runts have to try harder"

[ericsaid]

:( You and your point spreads xcoffeex But at least you do state "I'm Thinking" so carry on.xwhistlex

Could be ten could be twenty but IMO thats what it may be, and more than likely im wrong but i enjoy guessing.xreadx

[McNeese75]

Could be ten could be twenty but IMO thats what it may be, and more than likely im wrong but i enjoy guessing.xreadx

xthumbsupx

[Pauly LB]

Any AA list that has a Cal Poly OL on it loses all credibility instantly.


Stop picking your lists based on schools.

Just curious MplsBison...

Why such anger for a Cal Poly player? Stephen Field has been an excellent OL/C for Cal Poly and this will be his fourth year as a starter. You do not even bother to back up your statement above with any logical reasoning. You simply come off as an angry Cal Poly hater and that is WEAK !!!

[SiouxFallsJack]

Just curious MplsBison...

Why such anger for a Cal Poly player? Stephen Field has been an excellent OL/C for Cal Poly and this will be his fourth year as a starter. You do not even bother to back up your statement above with any logical reasoning. You simply come off as an angry Cal Poly hater and that is WEAK !!!


That would be a first.xlolx

[CID1990]

The Wofford ranking, IMO, is a little high. However, I think that the ranking is a nod to Coach Ayers, who is known for making do with what he has, and doing well by it. To me, Wofford is too much of a question mark based on their losses to graduation, etc.

Then again, they could very well be underrated. There are just too many variables to say.

[BDKJMU]

Very true. The SoCon only names a 1st and 2nd team. Does any other league besides the CAA name a 3rd team? I don't believe any of them do.

My point was when anyone says so and so was All Conference that infers that they were 1st team. If they wern't 1st team then that should be clarified.

[MplsBison]

Just curious MplsBison...

Why such anger for a Cal Poly player? Stephen Field has been an excellent OL/C for Cal Poly and this will be his fourth year as a starter. You do not even bother to back up your statement above with any logical reasoning. You simply come off as an angry Cal Poly hater and that is WEAK !!!

Upon reviewing Stephen's bio, I have to give him props for a 64 foot shot put as a high schooler.


And he does weigh more than the prototypucal Poly OL at 290 lbs.

But he's only 6'1".



There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".




And with the scheme that Poly runs, no Poly OL should ever make the list.

[ericsaid]

My point was when anyone says so and so was All Conference that infers that they were 1st team. If they wern't 1st team then that should be clarified.


AS a true freshmen though second team all-conference isn't bad and he can only go up from there.

[TheValleyRaider]

Top 25
1. James Madison
2. Appalachian St
3. Richmond
4. Delaware
5. Massachusetts
6. Eastern Washington
7. Youngstown St
8. Northern Iowa
9. North Dakota St
10. Cal Poly
11. New Hampshire
12. Montana
13. Central Arkansas
14. McNeese St
15. Wofford
16. The Citadel
17. Elon
18. Southern Illinois
19. Georgia Southern
20. Colgate
21. UT Martin
22. Harvard
23. Eastern Illinois
24. Weber St
25. Furman

xeekx xeekx xeekx xeekx



















Way to go Phil!!! xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx

Seats filling up fast xbandwagonx xrulesx xnodx xsmiley_wix

(Fordham should still be the Preseason PL favorite xpeacex )

[smallcollegefbfan]

My point was when anyone says so and so was All Conference that infers that they were 1st team. If they wern't 1st team then that should be clarified.

Just making sure. :)

I do agree with you and feel it does make it more clear to make that clarification.

[PaladinFan]

If this poll is any indication, Furman will have to tango with 8 ranked FCS teams (9 ranked teams with the inclusion of Va Tech). Put up or shut up time for Ole FU.

Good to see the human steamroller Joel Bell getting some press. That guy is like a walking refridgerator.

[grizband]

Upon reviewing Stephen's bio, I have to give him props for a 64 foot shot put as a high schooler.


And he does weigh more than the prototypucal Poly OL at 290 lbs.

But he's only 6'1".



There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".




And with the scheme that Poly runs, no Poly OL should ever make the list.
Unless you are North Dakota State, who currently have 5 offensive linemen listed at 6'2" on their roster.

[MplsBison]

Unless you are North Dakota State, who currently have 5 offensive linemen listed at 6'2" on their roster.


There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".

[WildCat In The Hat]

Huge CAA fan here-but 4 of the top 5 teams in the country? I like the sound of it, but it seems a little unrealistic. I even think UNH is high at 11.

[uofmman1122]

There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".If I've got a 6'2" guy on my team that's a better O lineman than a 6'7" guy, he gets the start. Judging players based on their height alone is ridiculous. No...no.....not ridiculous....the word I'm looking for is Bat***** Crazy. xlolx

[slostang]

Upon reviewing Stephen's bio, I have to give him props for a 64 foot shot put as a high schooler.


And he does weigh more than the prototypucal Poly OL at 290 lbs.

But he's only 6'1".



There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".




And with the scheme that Poly runs, no Poly OL should ever make the list.

The more you post, the more you show your total lack of football knowledge. There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3"????? GIVE ME A BREAK.

The scheme that Poly runs??? You mean the scheme that led the FCS in the 2007 regular season with 487 yards a game and put up 39.3 pts a game? Oh by the way, they did that with out an offensive lineman over 300 pounds or over 6'4". In fact, they had one lineman that started who only 6'0" 260. Before you rag on him, know that the coaches named him Freshman of the Year in the GWFC.

[Pauly LB]

Upon reviewing Stephen's bio, I have to give him props for a 64 foot shot put as a high schooler.


And he does weigh more than the prototypucal Poly OL at 290 lbs.

But he's only 6'1".



There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".




And with the scheme that Poly runs, no Poly OL should ever make the list.

I have two words to describe your response to my post and those two words are "ig norant". I actually had to read your response twice because I thought on the first read that nobody could be serious with a comment such as yours. Now, how do I respond to your "rule of thumb" that nobody should ever make the list if they are shorter than 6'3"? And, how do I respond to your comment that no Cal Poly OL should ever make the list because of their offensive "scheme"?

Your reasoning is so unfounded and so NOT logical, that I will not bother to address your response other than to say that both Stephen Field's results and success and Cal Poly's results and success will simply have to stand on their own.

PS -- I guess that I should explain that "ig" and "norant" are not really two words and you may want to do a spell check before you post your replies just so that you can come off as being a bit more intelligent (Example: protypical not protypucal)

[MplsBison]

You mean the scheme that led the FCS in the 2007 regular season with 487 yards a game and put up 39.3 pts a game?

No, the scheme that takes a team loaded with talent, year after year, and dashes their hopes of making it to the playoffs.

Save the one year, 2005, when my grandmother could've coached them into the playoffs because they had so much talent.



Poly's president needs to put his foot down. Another 7 or 8 win season, like this up coming season is going to be, and another team with so much talent going down the drain. How much can he take before he acts?



Ellerson is a nice guy. But his bulls**t schemes have got to go.

Either that or he goes. One or the other.



It's a tragedy that Poly is held down by their schemes when they've had the goods the last 4-5 years to go all the way.



Get a guy who knows something about football and runs normal pro style schemes.


You watch Poly will hire a new coach for 09 and they'll go deep in the playoffs.

[slostang]

No, the scheme that takes a team loaded with talent, year after year, and dashes their hopes of making it to the playoffs.

Save the one year, 2005, when my grandmother could've coached them into the playoffs because they had so much talent.



Poly's president needs to put his foot down. Another 7 or 8 win season, like this up coming season is going to be, and another team with so much talent going down the drain. How much can he take before he acts?



Ellerson is a nice guy. But his bulls**t schemes have got to go.

Either that or he goes. One or the other.



It's a tragedy that Poly is held down by their schemes when they've had the goods the last 4-5 years to go all the way.



Get a guy who knows something about football and runs normal pro style schemes.


You watch Poly will hire a new coach for 09 and they'll go deep in the playoffs.

xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx xoopsx xrotatehx

[mountain_man]

Then you have Josh Johnson who isnt the fastest guy but has sure hands and makes almost every catch when he gets the oppurtunity.

In the NC/SC Shrine Bowl Combines a couple of years ago, Josh ran a 4.38 and a 4.41 40. He is far from slow, and has bulked up quite a bit since then. I look for him to be a big part of how successful the Mountaineers are this year.

[turbodean]

Phil Steele's Top 25 list is getting updated online day-by-day with team stats and his '08 Forecast.

http://www.philsteele.com/


This week you will notice we have begun to put the FCS (IAA) team rankings up. Each day a team is posted, you can download that team’s actual page from the magazine. Starting this Wednesday and running thru this Sunday, you can download any of the teams in the Top 25 that have been released so far but on Monday, when we get to #13, the only team available for download will be th team released on that day. Once the next team is posted you will not be able to download the previous team.

He's considering printing a separate FCS publication in '09, but needs to see the demand for it first. Read on (from his weekly notes section):


If you an FCS (IAA) football fan, I need your help...

I made a tactical error this year by putting the complete FCS preview in the Pac-10 Regional. I did so because the Pac-10 Regional had the fewest amount of pages and I could put the complete FCS preview into it and still have it at a reasonable size (224 pages)...

By putting it in the Pac-10 though, it is not available on the East Coast where most of the FCS teams play...

Now to the part where you can help me increase coverage of the FCS. I am willing to lose money to produce a magazine that I think would really help the growth of the FCS and be beneficial to those schools but I am not willing to lose over $100,000 a year to do so. We had 10,000 copies of the Pac-10 Regional printed and they are available for purchase thru our offices at 1-866-918-7711. As you can tell even if we sold all 10,000, I would still lose money on the project but if we come anywhere near that, I will gladly talk my distributor into placing my FCS Guide on the market for 2009 and will invest in the large amount of man hours that would be needed and pay for the printing, etc. The price for the magazine is just $6.99 and $2.00 for shipping and handling and you will get an FCS book that has TEN times more information than any other preview on the market. THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW - THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT HITS THE NEWSSTANDS AND WILL BE SHIPPED THE DAY YOU ORDER.

http://www.philsteele.com/Misc%20Pages/phil'sweeklynote.html

[smallcollegefbfan]

Phil Steele's Top 25 list is getting updated online day-by-day with team stats and his '08 Forecast.

http://www.philsteele.com/



He's considering printing a separate FCS publication in '09, but needs to see the demand for it first. Read on (from his weekly notes section):



http://www.philsteele.com/Misc%20Pages/phil'sweeklynote.html

I have seen some of the stuff in this year's magazine and it is another outstanding job just like the FBS preview is.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Let's help answer the call and show that we FCS fans support those who put forth the effort to give us a great preview!

[401ks]

Let's help answer the call and show that we FCS fans support those who put forth the effort to give us a great preview!

I am ordering and letting them know that the ONLY reason that I am ordering is because of the FCS coverage. xcoffeex


This week you will notice we have begun to put the FCS (IAA) team rankings up. Each day a team is posted, you can download that team’s actual page from the magazine. Starting this Wednesday and running thru this Sunday, you can download any of the teams in the Top 25 that have been released so far but on Monday, when we get to #13, the only team available for download will be th team released on that day. Once the next team is posted you will not be able to download the previous team.

If you an FCS (IAA) football fan, I need your help. As you probably know by now I love college football. When I look for FCS information, it is SCARCE. No magazine gives decent coverage and even on the internet it is tough to find quality information on each of the schools. I have a staff of 25-30 and we work on nothing but football year round. This year we increased the coverage of the FCS teams from a quarter page to a HALF page. Click on the Top 25 team that is featured today and you can see the in-depth coverage we gave that team this year. Magazine distributors have told me that there is no market for FCS (IAA) ball but I am a college football fan and I feel these games are just as exciting as the FBS (IA) games and would like to help the country get to know some of these teams. I am willing to put out an FCS magazine with a FULL PAGE on each team next year and give these schools the “Phil Steele” coverage (tons of information) that you have come to expect but I need to know there is a market. Now last year we only sold a few hundred regional magazines. If you do the math you can see that it costs me $50-100,000 in man hours to produce the magazine, then another $20-50,000 to print it. I get 400 sales at $6.99 which does not even total $3,000 and you can see why distributors tell me it is not feasible to do more coverage.

I made a tactical error this year by putting the complete FCS preview in the Pac-10 Regional. I did so because the Pac-10 Regional had the fewest amount of pages and I could put the complete FCS preview into it and still have it at a reasonable size (224 pages). Had I put it in another regional, like the ACC/Big East, it would have made that over 270 pages (big book). By putting it in the Pac-10 though, it is not available on the East Coast where most of the FCS teams play. Now to the part where you can help me increase coverage of the FCS. I am willing to lose money to produce a magazine that I think would really help the growth of the FCS and be beneficial to those schools but I am not willing to lose over $100,000 a year to do so. We had 10,000 copies of the Pac-10 Regional printed and they are available for purchase thru our offices at 1-866-918-7711. As you can tell even if we sold all 10,000, I would still lose money on the project but if we come anywhere near that, I will gladly talk my distributor into placing my FCS Guide on the market for 2009 and will invest in the large amount of man hours that would be needed and pay for the printing, etc. The price for the magazine is just $6.99 and $2.00 for shipping and handling and you will get an FCS book that has TEN times more information than any other preview on the market. THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW - THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT HITS THE NEWSSTANDS AND WILL BE SHIPPED THE DAY YOU ORDER.

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doesn't matter

[UNHWILDCATS05]

Received my Pac-10 preview in the mail the other day. The FCS section is GREAT! Over 100 pages dedicated to the FCS. Well worth it... Hopefully enough people will buy it and give way to a separate FCS mag.

[turbodean]

I ordered my Pac 10 edition today (actually 2) and told them I was buying it specifically for the FCS coverage. I am a new FCS fan this year and appreciate all pertinent coverage I can find. I am still forming my own opinion on which resources offer the best coverage. For now, I think all media outlets that cover FCS with an FCS perspective need to be explored and supported. xcoffeex

[smallcollegefbfan]

I am ordering and letting them know that the ONLY reason that I am ordering is because of the FCS coverage. xcoffeex

Same reason I want to read it.

[jaxstatealum]

UT Martin? Weber St?

Exactly xwhistlex

[Ivytalk]

Pretty good poll, IMHO. Almost as good as ours!

[appstate38]

I for one am just glad ASU was considered worthy enough to be included in CAA top 5 rankings.xrolleyesx

[UCAMonkey]

UT Martin? Weber St?

What kind of team is South Dakota State suppose to have this year?

[EWashEagle]

I just called Phil Steele Pubs @ 1-866-918-7711 and ordered my FCS review, which is in their PAC-10 magazine. I told him I wanted the magazine for the FCS info. He said he was surprised by the interest. So if you havent ordered yours yet, call and tell them about your FCS interest.

[turbodean]

I'm relatively new to AGS, so this suggestion may be a bit looney and may even be out of line... but in addition to all of us buying a copy of the Pac10 edition this year, would it make sense for 'all of us' to pitch in together and commit to sponsoring a page on behalf of AGS if he goes ahead and publishes FCS separately next year? xchinscratchx

Please note I have no idea how much this would cost.

[grizband]

I'm relatively new to AGS, so this suggestion may be a bit looney and may even be out of line... but in addition to all of us buying a copy of the Pac10 edition this year, would it make sense for 'all of us' to pitch in together and commit to sponsoring a page on behalf of AGS if he goes ahead and publishes FCS separately next year? xchinscratchx

Please note I have no idea how much this would cost.
I actually think thats a great idea, it could foster a relationship, and advertise AGS to more fans of FCS football.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I actually think thats a great idea, it could foster a relationship, and advertise AGS to more fans of FCS football.

That would be a great idea. I talked with a person there before and will ask them how much a sponsor is.

[turbodean]

I agree, I think it helps promote FCS players and teams and builds AGS awareness in the process.

[turbodean]

sure.


I talked with a person there before. Want me to ask how much a sponsor would need to be for?

[smallcollegefbfan]

sure.

I asked about AGS getting its name on the magazine and they said for 12-15 full page ads and the name on the cover it would be 50-70k but for a half page ad it would be 1k in this magazine.

Prices will vary due to if they have a separate magazine or just put the information in all of the regional magazines. They just can’t take the full cost of a separate magazine without sponsors.

What do you guys think? Maybe 1 or 2 ads? Anyone know of someone with the money to have their company on the cover and get around 15 ads?

They would not need to have the money until next year but if they have a firm commitment now they said they would be willing to move ahead with the plans and commit to doing a 150 plus page preview for next year.

One idea he said they are wanting to do is regional covers. They would maybe have a CAA cover, Big Sky cover, SoCon cover, etc. Would be great to see some school bookstores request the magazines to sell. That would get AGS out there even more.

[turbodean]

Thanks SmCollegeFBFan for the research.

We should probably walk before we run and see if we can even muster up enough support amongst ourselves for a 1/2 page AGS ad. $1K breaks out to 10 guys at $100 each, 20 guys at $50 each for half-page or 20 guys at $100 each for a full page, etc.

I'll put $100 in. Any others? A minimum of nine more gets this ball rolling. Maybe a donation to this cause gets our team logo or helmet on the AGS page. That would all have to be worked out w/AGS of course.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Thanks SmCollegeFBFan for the research.

We should probably walk before we run and see if we can even muster up enough support amongst ourselves for a 1/2 page AGS ad. $1K breaks out to 10 guys at $100 each, 20 guys at $50 each for half-page or 20 guys at $100 each for a full page, etc.

I'll put $100 in. Any others? A minimum of nine more gets this ball rolling. Maybe a donation to this cause gets our team logo or helmet on the AGS page. That would all have to be worked out w/AGS of course.

I am good for 100. If anyone is willing to put up 1k or so themselves then we could go for 2 ads, but let's get one first. xthumbsupx

This is definitely a good opportunity to help grow media interest in the FCS and get the word out on AGS. If they have regional magazines then schools with players on the covers would probably request at least 1,000 mags or so to sell at their bookstores.

Anyone know if App State is selling this year's at their bookstore since AE is on the cover?

[smallcollegefbfan]

I heard the other day that several leagues are giving out copies of the Phil Steele Magazine at media days. Any media on here seen it?

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I am good for 100.
LOL! xlolx Can't put $20 for AGS but can put $100 for an FBS mag!

[T-Dog]

Does he really think four out of the Top 5 teams with a chance to win the NC come from the CAA? I just find that a bit hard to believe. Two tops (and those two IMO are JMU and Richmond). What about NDSU, UNI and EWU?

I also found it funny that he grouped conferences together. I guess that'll be his basis for determining the top conferences.



1. James Madison
2. Appalachian St
3. Richmond
4. Delaware
5. Massachusetts


7. Youngstown St
8. Northern Iowa
9. North Dakota St


10. Cal Poly
11. New Hampshire
12. Montana


13. Central Arkansas
14. McNeese St


15. Wofford
16. The Citadel
17. Elon
18. Southern Illinois
19. Georgia Southern


21. UT Martin
22. Harvard
23. Eastern Illinois

[mvemjsunpx]

Does he really think four out of the Top 5 teams with a chance to win the NC come from the CAA? I just find that a bit hard to believe. Two tops (and those two IMO are JMU and Richmond). What about NDSU, UNI and EWU?

I also found it funny that he grouped conferences together. I guess that'll be his basis for determining the top conferences.


10. Cal Poly
11. New Hampshire
12. Montana


Um… Montana & Cal Poly aren't in the same conference.

[SLO_LIFE]

There should not be an OL on a DI AA list shorter than 6'3".

There are several NFL starting offensive linemen who are listed as being shorter than 6'3". Two of them were pro bowlers this year--Jeff Saturday of Indianapolis and Dan Koppen of New England.

[UNI Pike]

It's well know that NFL players shrink over time. All start 7'. Get of MplsBison's back xnonox

[james_lawfirm]

Im thinking the score will be a three point difference either team with App and JMU. The question will be, what gameplan will JMU come with, last year it was pound it out on the ground to keep App's offense off the field, which worked but they still lost.

If they come in with that same game plan how does App get more possession time than 18 minutes?


OK, I think the JMU/ASU game will be the best game of the early part of the FCS season. This time it is at JMU. I predict Coach Matthews will come again with the ball-control, surprise-plays plan. Coach Moore will respond accordingly and there is no way in Hades-ville that JMU keeps the ball for 40 minutes like last year. If ASU's offense is on the field, they will score. ASU will squeak by again - I hope.

Does this poll guy not realize that ASU has OL players waiting in the wings to play that are almost as good as last year's graduates? Apparently not. We'll see. I don't put much stock in this poll. ASU has got to be the team to beat. I also predict ASU's run defense will be better than last year's, which was not bad, considering the good rushing teams we played.

Further, I know I have seen someone post on AGS (Ralph, maybe) that the AGS poll is the most accurate predictor of post season finishes. Any takers this year?

[smallcollegefbfan]

There are several NFL starting offensive linemen who are listed as being shorter than 6'3". Two of them were pro bowlers this year--Jeff Saturday of Indianapolis and Dan Koppen of New England.

Very true. Just like there are several WRs in the NFL who only run in the 4.6 range. People would be surprised how many exceptions to the rule are in the NFL because the so-called rules just aren't as set in stone as some think.