Week 1 Poll Discussion

[ToTheLeft]

1. Montana (28) 1856
2. Villanova (39) 1815
3. Southern Illinois (1) 1676
4. Appalachian St. (2) 1628
5. New Hampshire 1524
6. Jacksonville St. (6) 1508
7. Elon 1262
8. South Dakota St. 1198
9. Richmond 1084
10. William & Mary 1009
11. South Carolina St. 925
12. James Madison 890
13. Stephen F. Austin 843
14. Delaware 839
15. Northern Iowa 821
16. North Dakota St. (2) 749
17. Eastern Washington 735
18. Massachusetts 734
19. McNeese St. 678
20. Liberty 586
21. Weber St. 492
22. Montana St. 401
23. Furman 290
24. Eastern Illinois 222
25. Pennsylvania 166
Others receiving votes (minimum of 5 votes): Holy Cross (45), Prairie View A&M (29), Chattanooga (26), Northern Arizona (23), Cal Poly (18), Colgate (18), Missouri St. (18), Albany (14), Southeastern Louisiana (12), Texas St. (9), Wofford (8), Georgia Southern (7), Central Arkansas (4), Florida A&M (4), Illinois St. (4), Lafayette (4), Lehigh (4), Southern Utah (4), UC Davis (4), Harvard (3), Southern (3), Youngstown St. (3), Dayton (2), Grambling St. (2), Stony Brook (2)

MOST SIGNIFICANT WIN OF THE WEEK: Jacksonville St.
MOST SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF THE WEEK: William & Mary

[ToTheLeft]

This is why preseason polls can ruin things a bit. No reason at all for W and M to be ahead of UMass. None at all.

Other than that it looks alright to me.

[Gil Dobie]

I agree, W&M should be below the team that defeated them head to head.

[Native]

This is why preseason polls can ruin things a bit. No reason at all for W and M to be ahead of UMass. None at all.

Other than that it looks alright to me.

Fantastic win for UMass. The Minutemen were ahead of the tribe on my ballot.

Until we see the results from more teams in head-to-head action, my early season ballots are volatile.

[uofmman1122]

Wow....Nova got 11 more first place votes than Montana, but still finished 2nd? How many people had them out of the top 5, then? xeyebrowx

[ToTheLeft]

I would just hope that voters will continue to consider UMass and their win over William and Mary as the season goes on, and things sort themselves out.

[ToTheLeft]

Wow....Nova got 11 more first place votes than Montana, but still finished 2nd? How many people had them out of the top 5, then? xeyebrowx

I noticed that too. I think a lot of people thought Temple was a game that should have been won. With big wins by other teams, they bumped them down with the loss below JSU, SIU, Montana, etc.

[Keenan]

This is why preseason polls can ruin things a bit. No reason at all for W and M to be ahead of UMass. None at all.

Other than that it looks alright to me.

My ballott...
#9 UMass
#10 William & Mary

[tribe_pride]

Coming from a Tribe fan, no way W&M should be put above UMass (and I did vote UMass 4 spots ahead of W&M though I could see someone voting W&M 1 spot behind). Maybe if the Tribe plays better in the future and UMass plays worse, then the Tribe should be put ahead but not right now.

[OL FU]

From past experience this weekend was always a tough weekend for the poll. Vote tally is usually way down. It will be interesting to see what it looks like next week. Could be some swings as pollsters re-enter the scene

[UNHWildCats]

Im sorry, but voting NDSU #1 based on a pathetic 6-3 win over a pathetic FBS team is well pathetic.

[UNHWildCats]

34% of the top 20 is CAA!

[GoAgs72]

I had Villanova #1 and Montana #2.
UMass at #9 and W&M #12.

I had Southern Utah at #25 - if they keep up with strong play, I expect others to vote for them eventually. No other Great West team really deserved any votes.

[WrenFGun]

I actually agree. I was impressed by SUU's week one performance.

I don't have any problem with NDSU or Jacksonville State getting #1 votes. I didn't do it, but they had the best wins and if you're a voter that believes the season can be viewed entirely over one week, it'd be insane not to have NDSU or JSU #1.

What I don't understand is how Montana finished in first with 11 less 1st place votes. Really curious to the voters who had 'Nova outside the top 2.

[SalukiJim]

34% of the top 20 is CAA!

hmm, if my ciphering is correct, 34% of 20 =6.8.xconfusedx

[uofmman1122]

What I don't understand is how Montana finished in first with 11 less 1st place votes. Really curious to the voters who had 'Nova outside the top 2.That's what I don't get. Nova, to me, is still the team to beat in FCS. I really would like to hear the reasoning of putting more than maybe 2 teams ahead of Nova at this point.

IMO, Montana shouldn't be one of them. xcoffeex

[Torgo]

hmm, if my ciphering is correct, 34% of 20 =6.8.xconfusedx

Sounds about right. James Madison is only .8 of a school. xsmiley_wix

[Gil Dobie]

I actually agree. I was impressed by SUU's week one performance.

I don't have any problem with NDSU or Jacksonville State getting #1 votes. I didn't do it, but they had the best wins and if you're a voter that believes the season can be viewed entirely over one week, it'd be insane not to have NDSU or JSU #1.

What I don't understand is how Montana finished in first with 11 less 1st place votes. Really curious to the voters who had 'Nova outside the top 2.

I was more impressed with Jacksonville St WIN and U Mass WIN than a Nova LOSS to a MAC team that they beat last year. Is Nova worse than last year or is Temple better? Montana did nothing to improve or lower my opinion of them.

For the record I put NDSU at #20.

[GrizzlyEdd]

That's what I don't get. Nova, to me, is still the team to beat in FCS. I really would like to hear the reasoning of putting more than maybe 2 teams ahead of Nova at this point.

IMO, Montana shouldn't be one of them. xcoffeex

Again I agree. Way to early for Montana to be anywhere close to #1. NOVA played one helluva game. They should still be #1.

[UNHWildCats]

Sounds about right. James Madison is only .8 of a school. xsmiley_wix
LOL

[UNHWildCats]

hmm, if my ciphering is correct, 34% of 20 =6.8.xconfusedx
Sorry... 35% :P

[Ronbo]

My, my, as usual the Griz fans think they are smarter than the National Coaches, National Media, etc. I've watched these polls for years and there is always several Griz fans saying we don't deserve to be ranked that high. Pull up your skirts ladies, you take what they deal you and you FIGHT to keep it.xnodxxeyebrowxxtwocentsx I'm sick of the target on the back cowardess thinking.

[uofmman1122]

My, my, as usual the Griz fans think they are smarter than the National Coaches, National Media, etc. I've watched these polls for years and there is always several Griz fans saying we don't deserve to be ranked that high. Pull up your skirts ladies, you take what they deal you and you FIGHT to keep it.xnodxxeyebrowxxtwocentsx I'm sick of the target on the back cowardess thinking.If we played Nova this week, we'd lose. Plain and simple. Sure, if our offense gets it together by the end of the season, I think we have a legit shot at the title again this year, but right now they didn't look anything close to spectacular.

I'm not afraid of being #1. But it certainly seems like we aren't quite deserving of it just yet.

[Ronbo]

If we played Nova this week, we'd lose. Plain and simple. Sure, if our offense gets it together by the end of the season, I think we have a legit shot at the title again this year, but right now they didn't look anything close to spectacular.

I'm not afraid of being #1. But it certainly seems like we aren't quite deserving of it just yet.

Really? And this info was pulled from your new crystal ball????xlolxxlolxxlolxxlolxxlolxxlolx

[uofmman1122]

Really? And this info was pulled from your new crystal ball????xlolxxlolxxlolxxlolxxlolxxlolxAll I'm saying is we're not quite there yet.

I'd love for you to be right, and our Griz roll through Poly and EWU, cruising to 400+ yards of offense each game, but I don't see it happening.

Not saying we're going to lose, but I just don't think we're the #1 team right now.

[bluehenbillk]

Will all voters that have Richmond in their top 10 man up & simply type, "I am clueless".

[SalukiJim]

Sorry... 35% :P

it's all good UNH. :D

[EmeryZach]

I have Delaware at #3, so i think they are waaaaay too low at #14.

Devlin is dangerous.

[KAUMASS]

I don't vote in the polls anymore, way to political for this ex-player. Appalachian should be number 1, as they beat a FCS Socon school. Vanilla should be #2, as a loss to an FBS school should drop no more than 2 slots, especially with a close game. Montana & SIU played a D2 school, should not be allowed to move up after a D2 win. Delaware & JMU should have dropped down after playing D2 schools, actually they shouldn't have been in the top 20 to start anyhow with their seasons from last year. Bill/Mary should be below UMass's ranking after losing head to head. We'll have a much better in a month. Early season polls are like kissing your sister, you shouldn't be pitching any tents with that info...

[SalukiJim]

I don't vote in the polls anymore, way to political for this ex-player. Appalachian should be number 1, as they beat a FCS Socon school. Vanilla should be #2, as a loss to an FBS school should drop no more than 2 slots, especially with a close game. Montana & SIU played a D2 school, should not be allowed to move up after a D2 win. Delaware & JMU should have dropped down after playing D2 schools, actually they shouldn't have been in the top 20 to start anyhow with their seasons from last year. Bill/Mary should be below UMass's ranking after losing head to head. We'll have a much better in a month. Early season polls are like kissing your sister, you shouldn't be pitching any tents with that info...

Couldn't agree more on the D2 thing. I wish we would stop scheduling these blood-donor games. I thought we were past that when we played Hampton opening day a couple of years ago...

[OldSouth]

I don't vote in the polls anymore, way to political for this ex-player. Appalachian should be number 1, as they beat a FCS Socon school. Vanilla should be #2, as a loss to an FBS school should drop no more than 2 slots, especially with a close game. Montana & SIU played a D2 school, should not be allowed to move up after a D2 win. Delaware & JMU should have dropped down after playing D2 schools, actually they shouldn't have been in the top 20 to start anyhow with their seasons from last year. Bill/Mary should be below UMass's ranking after losing head to head. We'll have a much better in a month. Early season polls are like kissing your sister, you shouldn't be pitching any tents with that info...

Well Said

[JMad03]

JMU's opponent was not a Division II school. Morehead State is Div I. Nice try, though.

[rjpineres]

I don't vote in the polls anymore, way to political for this ex-player. Appalachian should be number 1, as they beat a FCS Socon school. Vanilla should be #2, as a loss to an FBS school should drop no more than 2 slots, especially with a close game. Montana & SIU played a D2 school, should not be allowed to move up after a D2 win. Delaware & JMU should have dropped down after playing D2 schools, actually they shouldn't have been in the top 20 to start anyhow with their seasons from last year. Bill/Mary should be below UMass's ranking after losing head to head. We'll have a much better in a month. Early season polls are like kissing your sister, you shouldn't be pitching any tents with that info...

No offense intended, but when posting one should have the facts straight. JMU did not play a DII team, as Morehead State is part of the Pioneer Football League. Last time I checked, the PFL is part of FCS football. While I do agree that JMU has much to prove and probably is ranked a little high for what they have shown, they will be credited with a DI win for the win this past weekend should they be in the mix for a playoff spot come the end of the season.

[caribbeanhen]

I have Delaware at #3, so i think they are waaaaay too low at #14.

Devlin is dangerous.

I dont have a problem with #14 now, but your right about Devlin...only wish he had a big time receiver to go with his big time talent

[caribbeanhen]

Delaware & JMU should have dropped down after playing D2 schools, actually they shouldn't have been in the top 20 to start anyhow with their seasons from last year.

a 6-5 CAA team is better than half the non-CAA teams that make the playoffs and thats being ultra conservative

[PantherRob82]

I agree on the sub D-I games. UNI's non-conf is the best it's been in years: Stephen F Austin, Iowa State (winable FBS), and South Dakota.

[JMUNJ08]

So if Miami of Ohio beat Florida this past weekend they should have been ranked ahead of Florida???? Its called any given saturday for a reason. Shhhhtuff happens. I'd be shocked if UMass, who lost ALOT from a .500 club last year who now plays a larger slate of southern CAA schools this year will be better than W&M who many see as a playoff caliber team again.

At year's end if they are both 8-3/7-4 and ranked, sure the head to head makes sense and that is when there is ZERO justification for W&M to be ahead unless they have some MAJOR victories (Nova for example).

[UNH Fanboi]

I'd be shocked if UMass, who lost ALOT from a .500 club last year who now plays a larger slate of southern CAA schools this year will be better than W&M who many see as a playoff caliber team again.

I wouldn't be shocked. They picked up a ton of transfers, including the best running back in the CAA. And W&M had some losses too.

[Houndawg]

a 6-5 CAA team is better than half the non-CAA teams that make the playoffs and that being ultra conservative

Not better than NDSU before they were in the MVC. xnonox

[tribefan40]

I agree, W&M should be below the team that defeated them head to head.

So then Chatty should be #5 right? Because they only lost by one to #4 ASU. At least in the top 10. This is the logic that puts Montana, who beat a lower level team, above Villanova, who barely lost to an FBS school. I'm not gonna sit here and say we should still be up there or not give UMass its due, but its week 2 kids, still lots of football to be played.

[caribbeanhen]

Not better than NDSU before they were in the MVC. xnonox

we'll never know... Vegas would lean with the 6-5 CAA team - whats your take on Delaware vs SDSU?

[ToTheLeft]

William and Mary lost to UMass. They should be below them. It's not some huge upset, it was conceivable for UMass to win. And they did. If anything, it showed that in the preseason polls, people just didn't know about UMass.

If Chatty had beat ASU, I'd expect them to be ahead of the 'neers, as well. But they didn't win, so they don't belong that high. They probably will get more recognition for their close loss, tho.

If head-to-head matchups don't count, then why have a poll? Let's just have a beauty pageant and whichever teams we like most get to go to Frisco.

[Houndawg]

we'll never know... Vegas would lean with the 6-5 CAA team - whats your take on Delaware vs SDSU?

Looks grim for the Jacks, playing your first game on the road against a good team with a game under their belts ain'tg how you make the playoffs..

[UNH Fanboi]

There are several teams in this poll that I think are over or under ranked, but it's silly to get too upset about it at this point. Early season polls inherently involve a lot of extremely subjective distinctions. How do you value last seasons results vs one game from this season, how important is number of returning players and potential, how do you compare a close FBS loss to a DII blowout, etc.? When I submitted my ballot, I felt like I was just throwing darts, and I might be one of the more dilligent voters.

Anyway, the wheat will be separated from the chaff soon enough. I just encourage people to keep an open mind and do their research. I hate voters who basically just take the preseason poll, bump down the losers, and bump up the winners in lock step. I currently have Nova as my #1, but I will not hesitate to move them down if they play like **** while still managing to win.

[89Hen]

6. Jacksonville St. (6)

Nice to see the JaxSt homers are still alive. xlolx xsmhx

[89Hen]

Montana & SIU played a D2 school, should not be allowed to move up after a D2 win. Delaware & JMU should have dropped down after playing D2 schools
I agree that you shouldn't move up with D2's, but why should UD move down, and JMU played a I-AA, not a D2.

[JaxSinfonian]

Nice to see the JaxSt homers are still alive. xlolx xsmhx

I didn't vote Jax State No. 1. I noticed a number of fans of other school who post saying they were going to put the Cocks on top of their polls, but I think most JSU fans understand the team just took a big step in a LONG walk. Besides, who wants to be No. 1 this early in the season? Nowhere to go but down. (I'll wager all six people who JSU first were Montana fans.)

[caribbeanhen]

Looks grim for the Jacks, playing your first game on the road against a good team with a game under their belts ain'tg how you make the playoffs..

Hmmm, well I can tell you Delaware fans expect a great ball game.... SDSU might be eager to get the bitter taste of blowing it against Montana - they sure looked good in the first half

[89Hen]

I didn't vote Jax State No. 1. I noticed a number of fans of other school who post saying they were going to put the Cocks on top of their polls, but I think most JSU fans understand the team just took a big step in a LONG walk. Besides, who wants to be No. 1 this early in the season? Nowhere to go but down. (I'll wager all six people who JSU first were Montana fans.)
I'd take that wager if I knew if there were other JSU fans still voting. When I used to be the poll moderator, I can tell you that some of your fellow Gamecock fans were amongst the biggest homers voting.

[JMUNJ08]

I agree that you shouldn't move up with D2's, but why should UD move down, and JMU played a I-AA, not a D2.

I thought we played a FCS team xoopsx

I'm still speechless that Montana beat their sister this weekend and people think that carries more weight to move up on the heels of a Villanova loss to an FBS team in the 4th quarter

[Fear the Bird]

I'm still speechless that Montana beat their sister this weekend and people think that carries more weight to move up on the heels of a Villanova loss to an FBS team in the 4th quarter

I couldn't agree more - it's absolutely ridiculous. Just because Nova beat Temple last year and the upper echelon FCS teams have had recent success against FBS teams doesn't mean it should be expected everytime out and be grounds for disappointment. Nova still played a solid game against a very much improved Temple squad.

[100%GRIZ]

I agree that Villanova should still be in the #1 spot! Too many are looking at a win for MT and a loss for Nova! But the poll will equal itself out in the end!

[GaSouthern]

GSU does not belong in the recieving votes category IMO... If we beat Navy we should be in the 20-25 ranks next week though.

[Fear the Bird]

Interesting to see the AP FBS poll just as volatile if not more - Pitt and UNC drop out after close losses to ranked teams? Yikes

[superman7515]

we'll never know... Vegas would lean with the 6-5 CAA team - whats your take on Delaware vs SDSU?


Looks grim for the Jacks, playing your first game on the road against a good team with a game under their belts ain'tg how you make the playoffs..

I'm hoping for a delayed flight, lots of turbulence, plenty of jet lag, and maybe the flu... Then I'll feel comfortable about this game.

[bkrownd]

William and Mary lost to UMass. They should be below them. It's not some huge upset, it was conceivable for UMass to win. And they did. If anything, it showed that in the preseason polls, people just didn't know about UMass.


You gotta wonder who the n00bs are who place the losers so high above the winners. Get a clue! xliarx

[NHwildEcat]

Interesting to see the AP FBS poll just as volatile if not more - Pitt and UNC drop out after close losses to ranked teams? Yikes

Utah wasn't ranked...they are now though...

[GeauxLions94]

I wanna know who's the other person who voted Appy No. 1?