FCS Programs

[WoVeU]

I thought this article was pretty good...and rather short.

http://dailycollegian.com/2010/09/21/gap-between-fbs-and-fcs-schools-closing/

[WoVeU]

I've talked for a while that the top 16 or so programs in FCS are tough. You make a case of not enough data on the W and Ls...need more to show a trend, but the point differential is going down. And it seems the lesser performing FBS schools notice it, they seem to be scheduling deeper into the FCS ranks, and for some time now. I think from some recruiting cross-overs, they have seen how these teams are improving with quality of players. I'd like to see the trend on what FBS teams schools are playing the likes of New Hampshire, Villanova, Richmond, Montana, App St., Delaware and a few others over the last 10 years. I think a pattern might emerge, and if not check out the next 5.

[Spence]

The top 16 can't play with anyone. There is no evidence of that. What you have evidence of is that if FCS schools play enough games with FBS schools they will win some. Big deal.

[WoVeU]

I'm patient.

But won't wait on the evidence...teams will quit playing them! And I'd lay money on that. (And let me say it louder for the old folk...I don't need W's and L's to tell me the story. The point differential tells a whole lot. How many close ones, within 7 or 8 points. And how many would you have seen back in 1990? My recall is seeing 64-3 and 72-0 scores float through my head.)

[Eric]

The top 16 can't play with anyone. There is no evidence of that. What you have evidence of is that if FCS schools play enough games with FBS schools they will win some. Big deal.

Sure, they'll win some, but that winning percentage is similar to what you'd see from an average non-BCS school (with the top echelon of the FCS). I think the top teams like App State, Delaware, New Hampshire, etc. have proven their worth by beating and competing with FBS schools in the past.

[WoVeU]

Oh and I don't think they can play with anyone! Heck no.

But teams below the Top 50 or so FBS schools...yeah the top 16 FCS can play with them.

[RazorHawk]

Both Iowa and Iowa St have played some very competitive games against Northern Iowa. Northern Iowa is one of those top 16 FCS teams. The last time Iowa played Northern Iowa (Last Year) it was to fill a spot when Missouri backed out of their home and home with Iowa and Northern Iowa could have, or maybe should have beaten Iowa. Iowa went on to beat Georgia Tech in a BCS bowl game.

Not saying that a one-time event is enough evidence and certainly, Northern Iowa would not be able to sustain that through an entire season of that kind of competition. Also they caught Iowa sleeping, I believe.

[Eric]

Okay, one game won't do it for evidence. Let these FCS teams play LSU, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina in consecutive weeks. Then we will talk. Can Appalachian State beat Duke? Probably. Can New Hampshire beat Maryland? Probably. Can Richmond beat Western Kentucky? Maybe. Over the past few years (don't just count this year), where have these FBS teams I just mentioned been ranked/listed in the 120 teams? What WoVeU just said. Outside the top 50 or more, yeh maybe so.

I think that's all that is being suggested. Appalachian State (#1 in FCS currently), Jacksonville State (undefeated), and Delaware would probably be the only teams, if they played in non-BCS conferences, to compete for a conference title. If they played in the MAC or Sun Belt, I think they could be in contention. Other teams that would probably make bowl games in non-BCS conferences could be Stephen F. Austin, William & Mary, James Madison, Montana, Villanova, and UMass.

I don't think any of these schools could make bowl games if they played in BCS conferences, except maybe the Big East and that would have to be dependent on who they schedule in their 5 non-conference dates.

[WoVeU]

Okay, one game won't do it for evidence. Let these FCS teams play LSU, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina in consecutive weeks. Then we will talk. Can Appalachian State beat Duke? Probably. Can New Hampshire beat Maryland? Probably. Can Richmond beat Western Kentucky? Maybe. Over the past few years (don't just count this year), where have these FBS teams I just mentioned been ranked/listed in the 120 teams? What WoVeU just said. Outside the top 50 or more, yeh maybe so.

I think that's all that is being suggested. Appalachian State (#1 in FCS currently), Jacksonville State (undefeated), and Delaware would probably be the only teams, if they played in non-BCS conferences, to compete for a conference title. If they played in the MAC or Sun Belt, I think they could be in contention. Other teams that would probably make bowl games in non-BCS conferences could be Stephen F. Austin, William & Mary, James Madison, Montana, Villanova, and UMass.

I don't think any of these schools could make bowl games if they played in BCS conferences, except maybe the Big East and that would have to be dependent on who they schedule in their 5 non-conference dates.

That is all I have ever said. And we see teams get caught by Non-BCS schools...so I'm just saying, nobody, especially the lower 50 or 60 schools should schedule them and, "get caught sleeping." Yes, Razor, N. Iowa is one of those schools. People in Iowa know about N. Iowa, and I don't think it fully possible for the Hawkeyes to have gotten caught sleeping, but almost for sure they got caught thinking they were going in with a win and rather expected that 2nd quarter throttle and pull away to just come. It wasn't a fluke that Marshall came over and simply proceeded to own the MAC. (But Marshall was a grade A cut of the FCS/Div I-AA.)

Nova could come in and play in the MAC, but they won't compete very well in the Big East, still too much depth. I think if they were to go FBS, they should try to stagger in, Independent and take 3 to 4 years scheduling MAC, Sun Belt, and Conference USA schools and start picking up Big East games the 2nd year. I think that is a much better way to come in. Coming in and going 3-9 can't be great for recruiting.