Balance of 1AA--- 6 years 6 diff. champs

[GSU Eagle]

2000--Georgia Southern
2001--Montana
2002--Western Kentucky
2003--Delaware
2004--James Madison
2005--Appalachian St.

6 different champions in the 2000s. Interesting that 4 of them came from the A-10 and SoCon. It is becoming more and more apparent that each year it is wide open. Who knows who will rise to the top in 2006?

[GaSouthern]

it takes a HUGE power to win back to back in I-AA USC's would never last if I-A were doing what we did every year.

[Cocky]

Also consider that Eastern Kentucky was very competitive with ASU and they came in 2nd in the lowly OVC. The balance this year was incredible.

[ngineer]

That's what made this year so great. ASU was preseason #23 and in 2004, I don't even think JMU was ranked--could be wrong, but if they were it was fairly low. Tremendous balance with AGS being more than a slogan. When was the last time a preseason #1 finished #1??

[mainejeff]

UNH had the best chance of winning back to back if it had won this year. Now that parity is here to stay in I-AA, it will be very hard to defend a National Championship.

[Wellington]

Now, who had 3 appearances? :xmas:

[skinny_uncle]

Now, who had 3 appearances? :xmas:
SIU?

[Wellington]

Nope, Montana lost to GSU in 2000 by 2 points, Won in 2001, and lost to JMU in 2004 by 10 points.

[Umass74]

IMHO, I think it is unlikely that we will see one team win multiple national championships in a row in this era.

I-AA is more competive now than in the past. I-A players are dropping down in greater numbers. Also, you have to stay healthy to win and with 63 scholarships, that's hard to do.

I think the era of the national championship always belonging to Montana, GSU or Youngstown State is over. :hurray:

It's better for I-AA with different teams in contention...

[Wellington]

I think the era of the national championship always belonging to Montana, GSU or Youngstown State is over. :hurray:


Never!!!! :argue:

[JMU Duke Dog]

That's what made this year so great. ASU was preseason #23 and in 2004, I don't even think JMU was ranked--could be wrong, but if they were it was fairly low. Tremendous balance with AGS being more than a slogan. When was the last time a preseason #1 finished #1??

JMU was not ranked preseason in 2004. JMU also had not made the I-AA playoffs since 1999 before winning it all in 2004. I do predict that JMU will make the playoffs in 2006 but I have no idea where we will rank in the 2006 preseason polls.