Top 10 current FCS programs?

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Originally Posted by Red & Black

I agree with most of what you said, but the title of the thread is Top 10 current FCS programs. Yeah, the attendance and facilities should factor into it, but I would think that what the team has accomplished on the field would have more weight. Only a handful of schools have the sort of accolades I listed above.

I think we'll see some improvements in attendance this season as well as some facility improvements coming up but it's just going to take time.

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Red and Black , do you post on the Eagle Forum under a different name?

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Originally Posted by Red & Black

I agree with most of what you said, but the title of the thread is Top 10 current FCS programs. Yeah, the attendance and facilities should factor into it, but I would think that what the team has accomplished on the field would have more weight. Only a handful of schools have the sort of accolades I listed above.

I think we'll see some improvements in attendance this season as well as some facility improvements coming up but it's just going to take time.

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All the elements of a good foundation for future success are there.

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Originally Posted by Red & Black

I agree with most of what you said, but the title of the thread is Top 10 current FCS programs. Yeah, the attendance and facilities should factor into it, but I would think that what the team has accomplished on the field would have more weight. Only a handful of schools have the sort of accolades I listed above.

I think we'll see some improvements in attendance this season as well as some facility improvements coming up but it's just going to take time.

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If it's ONLY on field and extremely current (last year), then EWU is #1. If you go with 10 years EWU is tied for 8th in playoff wins in last 10 years and still in. BUT, the criteria I posted was from the thread creator and he asked for a compliation that included history, support, facilities, etc... EWU is in the honorable mention category for me, as is JSU. This is a fluid list. 10 years ago you wouldn't imagine ever leaving YSU off the list, but I can't put them there now.

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

If it's ONLY on field and extremely current (last year), then EWU is #1. If you go with 10 years EWU is tied for 8th in playoff wins in last 10 years and still in. BUT, the criteria I posted was from the thread creator and he asked for a compliation that included history, support, facilities, etc... EWU is in the honorable mention category for me, as is JSU. This is a fluid list. 10 years ago you wouldn't imagine ever leaving YSU off the list, but I can't put them there now.

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Fair enough.

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Originally Posted by Red & Black

Fair enough.

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Besides, there are too many western teams on the list already.

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

Besides, there are too many western teams on the list already.

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xlolx There's never enough.

I wish I could throw my favorite team, North Dakota State on the list but I can't. We fit the bill for facilities and fan support. Were consistently to 7 in attendance and are pushing 10k season ticket holders. We've got a nice collection of NFL players and coaches. Tons of TV time and media coverage.

Not enough FCS history.

Ask me in 5-7 years. I wish we made the FCS transition a lot sooner.

Athough we were the kings of D2 with 8 National Championships, we lack in the FCS tradition because we've only been playoff eligible for 3 years. Many of our big wins took place during years we were not playoff eligible. We already have an elite 8 season, 4 FBS wins including Kansas and Minnesota. We have been ranked in the polls, as high as #1 during the transition years. Heck we even beat Montana as a D2 team with half the scholarships. Had we been playoff eligible the 06 and 07 teams would have made a playoff run. That would have been 3 appearances in 5 years.

As for the list? Many great programs. A few that come to mind are Appalachian, Georgia Southern, Montana... Im biased but I think the Missouri Valley has 3 teams... Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, and Youngstown.

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Originally Posted by UNH72Plus

Well stated. And throw a couple of Walter Payton Award winners Azumah '98 and Santos '06 and a 21-4 FCS out of conference record since '02, counting playoffs.

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If you're counting playoffs, and you've been to the playoffs seven years running, then you'd have to have three NCs to only have four losses. ???

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Originally Posted by Tod

If you're counting playoffs, and you've been to the playoffs seven years running, then you'd have to have three NCs to only have four losses. ???

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Unless the other losses were to CAA teams.

But, I'd still have to question that stat, because UNI has beat UNH 3 times in the playoffs during that period, and I find it hard to believe that UNH only lost to 1 other non conference program during the stated time period.

Can we get some verification on that stat from someone less lazy than me?

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Originally Posted by ValleyChamp

Unless the other losses were to CAA teams.

But, I'd still have to question that stat, because UNI has beat UNH 3 times in the playoffs during that period, and I find it hard to believe that UNH only lost to 1 other non conference program during the stated time period.

Can we get some verification on that stat from someone less lazy than me?

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UNI and Pitt are the only two OOC opponents UNH has lost to since '05.

Their playoff losses have come against UNI, UMass, UNI, UNI, Villanova and Delaware.

1) App St - best and most consistent program in the FCS right now
2) Montana - sure they had a down year last year but they're still the gold standard of any FCS program
3) Delaware - traditionally the best team in the best conference in the country
4) UNI - even when they're down like last year they're still one of the better teams in the country
5) Georgia Southern - powerhouse in the FCS even though they struggled a bit over the last few years until last year, I think they're back to stay
6) JMU - nice facilities and support, consistently good, and a FBS win machine
7) Villanova - tough to rate but they've consistently good in a very tough conference
8) SIU - always at or near the top of a very tough conference, they'll be back after a down year last year
9) McNeese - the Southland is an underrated conference IMO and they've been the cream of the crop over the last decade
10) EWU - no way I'd put them top 10 before last season but a 13-2 NC season gives them the nod for me

On the cusp: UNH, Wofford, SFA, Cal Poly, Jacksonville St

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Originally Posted by Professor Chaos

the Southland is an underrated conference IMO

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Not sure I agree with that. Southland is 1-6 in the last couple years in the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by bisonnation

Im biased but I think the Missouri Valley has 3 teams... Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, and Youngstown.

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Currently?

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

Not sure I agree with that. Southland is 1-6 in the last couple years in the playoffs.

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I'm not saying the Southland is on par with the upper conferences like the CAA, SOCON, Big Sky, and MVC but I think it's a much better conference than the other one bid conferences around the coutry are.

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

Not sure I agree with that. Southland is 1-6 in the last couple years in the playoffs.

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They don't like coming to Missoula

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Originally Posted by Professor Chaos

I'm not saying the Southland is on par with the upper conferences like the CAA, SOCON, Big Sky, and MVC but I think it's a much better conference than the other one bid conferences around the coutry are.

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Marginally better right now. McNeese (the cream of the crop) has been getting creamed in the playoffs. SCSt has made better showings in the last five years.

UNH 49 - McNeese 13
EWU 44 - McNeese 15
Montana 31 - McNeese 6
NAU 35 - McNeese 3

If it weren't for history and attendance, I would have definitely left them out of the Top 10.

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Originally Posted by Professor Chaos

I'm not saying the Southland is on par with the upper conferences like the CAA, SOCON, and Big Sky but I think it's a much better conference than the other one bid conferences around the coutry are and is comparable to the MVC.

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fify

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Originally Posted by Grizzaholic

They don't like coming to Missoula

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But they sure love playing App St....

1. ASU - no denying this
2. Delaware - 3 title trips/1 win in 10 years. Strong fanbase, tradition. Facilities need work
3. Montana - Debate between putting them 2 or 3. I chose 3
4. GSU - great fanbase, hardware on the wall, tradition, facilities need improvement
5. JMU - good success, great facilities, great fanbase, VT win
6. UNI - always seem to be strong, good facilities, good fanbase
7. UNH - success in getting to playoffs, FBS wins, facilities and fan support lacking
8. SIU - usually good, good fanbase, nice facilities
9. Richmond - tradition, facilities, fanbase (small but loyal), always seem to be in the running
10. Youngstown - although things haven't been good of late, I think they'll come back strong.

Well, let's have a little fun back and ask how the Griz likes playing in Lake Charles?

McNeese absolutely needs to pick it up a notch, or suffer a reputation decline.

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Originally Posted by DG Cowboy

Well, let's have a little fun back and ask how the Griz likes playing in Lake Charles?

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http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...JAjTep9D6NzE4T

i'm making a list but i'm not defining or defending it. it's my list and i'll do what i want to, do what i want to, do what i want to.

1. ASU
2. JMU
3. Delaware
4. Montana
5. GSU
6. EWU
7. William and Mary
8. Wofford
9. UNI
10. UNH

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Originally Posted by jmufan999

i'm making a list but i'm not defining or defending it.

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Good, because it would be pretty darn hard to defend JMU at #2.

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

Good, because it would be pretty darn hard to defend JMU at #2.

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yup

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Originally Posted by TheBisonator

I'm surprised there are a few people on this thread willing to put NDSU on their lists. I like the respect given out to NDSU football on here. Contrary to the posts on the "other" FCS board - Over there, NDSU football is the worst thing to ever happen to this planet, and all its fans are worse than Hitler.

Over on that board, if someone asked the question of what are the 10 most pathetic programs in FCS, I'm sure NDSU would be on most of those lists.

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xbawlingx xrolleyesx

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

Good, because it would be pretty darn hard to defend JMU at #2.

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If I had replied earlier, that is exactly what I would have posted with slightly differing punctuation I would imagine.

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Originally Posted by Houndawg

xbawlingx xrolleyesx

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I am a fan of almost all the Bison posters. Some of those crazy SOB's can get you through a day with relative ease.

Unless you take them too seriously. In that case...

Hounder is the antidote to any of your Bison ills.xlolx

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Originally Posted by Go Lehigh TU owl

UNI and Pitt are the only two OOC opponents UNH has lost to since '05.

Their playoff losses have come against UNI, UMass, UNI, UNI, Villanova and Delaware.

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Montana

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Originally Posted by yorkcountyUNHfan

Montana

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Which was 2004.

right, but part of the current streak

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Originally Posted by 89Hen

Good, because it would be pretty darn hard to defend JMU at #2.

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It would be a lot easier to defend JMU being higher than Delaware.

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Originally Posted by jmufan999

i'm making a list but i'm not defining or defending it. it's my list and i'll do what i want to, do what i want to, do what i want to.

1. ASU
2. JMU
3. Delaware
4. Montana
5. GSU
6. EWU
7. William and Mary
8. Wofford
9. UNI
10. UNH

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Wofford is a strong, up-and-coming program and there are few men that I respect as much as Ayers, but can you elaborate as to why they made your top 10? On field success in the last 5 years certainly, but fan base, facilities name recognition? Please elaborate.

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Originally Posted by The Eagle's Cliff

Past and present success, fan support, name recognition, facilities.

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.

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Huh? None of those are in the top ten, sans Youngstown.
Rube.

^^@app hole - it's easily explainable. He's a JMU fan that knows Richmond belongs on the list, possibly higher than JMU, but he needed to find somebody else to include because he can't stand the hated Ticks. There is no other explanation.

In no particular order, these would be my top 10.

Montana
Northern Iowa
mcNeese St
App St
Ga Southern
North Dakota St
Delaware
JMU
Richmond
Eastern Washington

In order:
1. Montana
2. Appy
3. Ga Southern
4. Delaware
5. James Madison
6. Northern Iowa
7. Youngstown st.
8. Richmomd
9. EWU
10. MsNeese state

My 10 in no particular order:

Appalachian State
James Madison
Montana
Georgia Southern
Southern Illinois
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
Delaware
North Dakota State
William and Mary

Honorable mention: Richmond, Eastern Washington, Furman

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Originally Posted by TheBisonator

My 10 in no particular order:

Appalachian State
James Madison
Montana
Georgia Southern
Southern Illinois
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
Delaware
North Dakota State
William and Mary

Honorable mention: Richmond, Eastern Washington, Furman

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Not to be a dick, but to not have the defending NC's in there is not right.

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Originally Posted by Grizzaholic

Not to be a dick, but to not have the defending NC's in there is not right.

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Not everybody had EWU on their list, ya know.

Their fan support is thinner than high school cafeteria soup, so that's why they're not in my top 10.