Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dbackjon
What tradition does Villanova have?
While I wouldnt put us in the Top 10 (if were talking through the history of the program) I would say we are strong honorable mention, probably around a 12 or 13.
Before dropping football we won the Sun Bowl and Harbor Bowl, and tied the Bacardi Bowl. During that era we had alumni in the pros like Mike Siani and Hall of Famer Howie Long. Since starting in FCS, or then IAA Andy Talley has won the Robinson Award, and Westbrook and Finneran have won the Payton. In that time we've had 16 All Americans, posted a 188-107 record(63.7%), 10-9 playoff record. We won the National Championship in 2009 and have beaten 3 FBS teams (Rutgers and Temple twice).
I know this doesnt stack up to the Montana's, App States, Georgia Southerns, or any of them, but its still pretty impressive and should atleast be up for alittle consideration. From the orginal list posted by Apphole, I would have to argue that Youngstown, UNI, and McNeese should be up there.
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cocky
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
Think long and hard, but I believe you missed an obvious one...
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Saint3333
Think long and hard, but I believe you missed an obvious one...
SUU?
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Saint3333
Think long and hard, but I believe you missed an obvious one...
More than one
I said long term, so a few present FCS schools are left off. They will be FBS ASAP.
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
1. Cal Poly
2. App State
3. Georgia Southern
4. Montana
5. JMU
6. Delaware
7. Furman
8. W&M
9. Montana State
10. Jacksonville State
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Dback as usual makes some real good points in his argument. I put Youngstown in mine because the were dominant when they were there and I wasn't specifically thinking about just the last 10 yrs.
I wanted to put EWU in because they are a way better program than they should be. They do so much with recruiting and coaching in spite of not being the cherry as far as facilities and fans go. The fans they have are rabid and great supporters but they just don't have the numbers right now. The NC and dramatic playoff wins resonates with me a lot and had me wanting to put them in the top 10.
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Eagle's Cliff
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.
I don't think facilities should really factor into the discussion, but I agree that UNH is not worthy of being considered a top 10 program since 1AA began (I assume we're talking about since 1978) because we've never made it past the quarters and we're mediocre prior to 2004. The last 10 years, we're definitely top 10 because of consistency, but overall, no.
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
UNH Fanboi
I don't think facilities should really factor into the discussion, but I agree that UNH is not worthy of being considered a top 10 program since 1AA began (I assume we're talking about since 1978) because we've never made it past the quarters and we're mediocre prior to 2004. The last 10 years, we're definitely top 10 because of consistency, but overall, no.
Everybody has differing opinions on what should factor in and the weight it should carry. I definitely factor in facilities & fans and so forth. They matter to a program.
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
manbearpig
Can't argue with any of that... I just wish they could draw some fans beause gameday atmospehere and support is definitely a factor.
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?
Based on those NCAA attendance figures that I've seen, UNH has been near capacity or over capacity for the past few seasons. Some really nasty monsoon games have been the only really poorly attended games during that time. We've got a small stadium so the numbers don't look impressive, but we do about as well as possible considering. You know what, at least half of that 32.8K that attended the game at Gillette Stadium were UNH fans.
It's funny how ever body says you can't draw in the payoffs yet UNH was over capacity for both its home playoff games. And IMHO the attendance was the usual under reporting so famous in the playoffs. And one of those games was during snow flurries and the other on a cold, crisp NH December day.
BTW, it's Sean McDonnell. And he's only the second head coach we've had since the early 70's so coaching changes aren't something we're accustomed to. If three head coaches bought into the New Hampshire way like Sean and Bill Bowes did, then UNH would be fine. xtwocentsx
Re: Top 10 current FCS programs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Eagle's Cliff
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.
Sorry, I thought the evaluation was based on what happened on the actual gridiron in the past ten years or so. Yep, our facilities suck and we're located in the Snow Belt. And our attendance has been near or over capacity for the past few seasons. Sorry, the NH State Legislature is trying to cut funding for the academic side of UNH, they sure aren't going to pop for a stadium enhancement in this economy.
FWIW, Friday night football isn't the norm in New England, just as many HS games are played on Saturday afternoon. Add in all the colleges in the region that also play football and you'll see there is quite a bit of competition outsides those millionaires you mentioned. People in New England also tend to be active folks who are just as likely to be out hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, fruit picking, attending county fairs, etc. on beautiful Fall days. Football isn't a religion up here, but UNH gets their fair share of fans.
