Wins agains BCS opponents weigh heavily for me.
Printable View
Wins agains BCS opponents weigh heavily for me.
This really depends on how you define what "top" means (as many other posters have suggested). To illustrate this, let's take a look at the OP's top ten and look at each team in terms of last decade vs. last year:
1. App State! - No one in their right mind denies ASU place here in either criteria
2. Georgia Southern - I wouldn't have them at #2, but definitely in the top 10. Lots of success.
3. Montana - last decade? Absolutely. Last year? OK, Griz apologists can say it was a fluke. But I could see the Griz being on either side, depending on how you want to define "current FCS programs". Still, can't imagine many in FCS would discount the Griz entirely
4. JMU - Similar to the Griz, but in a stronger conference. They haven't had as many wins, but they've stayed very competitive in the CAA, easily the best conference the last two or three years. Last year a bit of a fluke, but also a couple of plays away from staying in the playoffs. Three home losses last year is probably a fluke for the Dukes.
5. Delaware - the Hens are back! After a few disappointing years (at least for Hens fans) Delaware has reasserted itself. Top ten for last decade? Maybe (just barely). Top ten currently? Absolutely.
6. Furman - here I'll disagree with the OP. A huge fan base and some good seasons, yes - but top ten overall? I think there are some teams from other conferences that might have a stronger claim here. 5-6 last year; 6-5 the year before; 7-5 in '08; 6-5 in '07. I think in terms of last decade or last year, you can't include Furman in a top ten.
7. W&M - I'd have them higher; they've been solid the last couple of years. The Tribe seems a bit quixotic, too - good fan base, but seem to be overshadowed. They're a team that quietly wins a lot and doesn't get upset all that often. If they were in another conference, they'd probably seem like a juggernaut. With either criteria, they're at least solidly in the conversation.
8. Montana State - I'm a Griz fan, just to be fair. But the Cats have an incredible QB and great momentum going into next season. Top ten over last decade I'd say no, but I'd put them at #1 or #2 in terms of teams that are really finding their stride. And that pains me to say. :)
9. Jacksonville State - I had an incredibly hard time ranking this team all last year. Yes, they had the great UMiss win last year. But then there was the rest of the season - OK wins over the OVC, which is generally denigrated by the rest of the FCS fanbase. For me, the Gamecocks are the proverbial wildcard - I still have no idea how to rank them. They should be in the conversation here, but probably more subjective than other teams.
10. Richmond - Look, you can't really leave any team that's won a recent national championship off the list, right? Over the last decade, the Spiders are definitely in the conversation; recent history, though, not sure they'd make a top ten.
So, who else would I at least consider in either decade/year "top 10"? In no particular order: Villanova (how'd they not make the list?); Wofford (I just love the Terriers and their fans); McNeese (more for history); Northern Iowa (more last decade than last year); SIU; EWU (again, a national championship thing); NDSU (still waiting for a breakout season); and UMass (surging) and UNH (last ten years). I'm sure I'm missing a few, but mainly wanted to illustrate how you define "top" teams will greatly influence how you anoint your favorites.
Edit: "annount" changed to "anoint". My God, where was my mind?
Even the Montanans have ecb now.xcoffeex
Seven straight playoff seasons from '03 - '09, FBS wins over Indiana and NIU, FBS losses to Marshall and NIU by a total of 4 pts., and conference victories last year over 2/3 MVC playoff teams. I think SIU has a case for inclusion even if most of you couldn't find it on a map.
I can find it on a map, although I definitely needed one to get there. Last year was a big disappointment for the Salukis, but they have been worthy of consideration over the past decade. With the new stadium I expect they'll be back soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Houndawg
My list based on long term thoughts not just current or past:
1) Montana
2) Delaware
3) North Dakota St
4) Northern Iowa
5) Ga Southern
6) Eastern Washington
7) William & Mary
8) Montana State
9) Harvard
10) South Dakota St
Past and present success, fan support, name recognition, facilities.
1. Montana - I still put them at number one, because they've been the most consistent over the last 10 years.
2. App State - A newcomer in terms of facilities and fan support has doubled in the second half of the last decade, but they're at the top now.
3. Georgia Southern - Facilities upgrades are over due, but on the way. Southern has to be in the top 5 in the other categories.
4. Delaware - Facilities upgrades are definitely needed, but they top most in the other categories.
5. JMU - A couple more flags and playoff runs could move JMU further up the list because the fan support has increased and the facilities are being built.
6. NDSU - Haven't been in FCS long, but their facilities, fan support, and name recognition put them on my list.
7. Jax St. - The Gamecocks, like the Bison, need some playoff wins to solidify their place in the Top 10.
8. Youngstown St. - May be falling off the list, but history and attendance have them hanging on for me.
9. Liberty - Facilities, support, name recognition are there - need some playoff wins.
10. SC St - Has everything in place, but needs to get out of the MEAC.
Honorable Mention: McNeese St., Montana St., Northern Iowa, Chattanooga
*Excluded Ivy and SWAC conferences
**Signs point to Old Dominion being on this list as soon as they meet the "10 years" part of the conversation.
***Eastern US bias (ignorance of Western) acknowledged.
If the topic is CURRENT, how does the program with the longest current playoff streak (seven seasons) with six quarterfinal appearances and five FBS wins during that stretch not get slotted somewhere 7-10? xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx
Yes, I'd love to see what their spreadsheet says!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Skjellyfetti
Can't argue with any of that... I just wish they could draw some fans beause gameday atmospehere and support is definitely a factor.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNH_Alum_In_CT
Which brings me to a subject totally off subject... what would happen to UNH's program if Sean McConnell left? Cou8ld it thrive the way GSU has with 3 different coaches winning NC's?
The key word for me is "program". UNH and others have had a good decade in terms of wins and playoff appearances, but facilities and fan support are way below what they should be, especially for "The" University of New Hampshire. Maybe the folks in New England should realize there is football on Friday night and Saturday and not put all their support behind a bunch of millionaires playing on Sunday.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNH_Alum_In_CT