Most impressive run to a title [Archive]

clenz

January 6th, 2015, 09:22 PM

Which team had the most impressive single season playoff run all time?

I've been doing a ton of playoff research the last couple days for a sheet I'm putting together and there are a couple that stand out.

I've added mine as a poll to vote on. If you vote other please list the year, scores, and why

1983 SIU Salukis:
23-7 over Indiana State
43-7 over Nevada
43-7 over Western Carolina

1986 Georgia Southern Eagles:
52-21 over NC A&T
55-31 over Nicholls St
48-38 over Nevada
48-21 over Arkansas State

1989 Georgia Southern Eagles:
52-36 over Villanova
45-3 over Middle Tennessee State
45-15 over Montana
37-34 over Stephen F. Austin

1990 Georgia Southern Eagles:
31-0 over The Citadel
28-27 over Idaho
44-7 over Central Florida
36-13 over Nevada

1995 Montana Griz:
48-0 over EKU
45-0 over Georgia Southern
70-14 over SFA
22-20 over Marshall (in Huntingtown, WV)

1996 Marshall Thundering Herd:
59-14 over Delaware
54-0 over Furman
31-14 over Northern Iowa
49-29 over Montana

2003 Delaware Blue Hens:
48-7 over Southern Illinois
37-7 over Northern Iowa
24-9 over Wofford
40-0 over Colgate

2013 North Dakota State Bison:
38-7 over Furman
48-14 over Coastal Carolina
52-14 over New Hampshire
35-7 over Towson

BisonFan02

January 6th, 2015, 09:54 PM

Homer alert, but last years Bison dominated all year with a FBS win over K State.

Go Lehigh TU owl

January 6th, 2015, 09:57 PM

I went with 1995 Montana. To go into Huntington at that time and beat Marshall does it for me. The 'Griz absolutely dominated everyone else in the playoffs. I think NDSU last year is #2.

While not a "dominating" performance, what JMU did in 2004 might never be duplicated again.

Go Lehigh TU owl

January 6th, 2015, 10:00 PM

Homer alert, but last years Bison dominated all year with a FBS win over K State.

I think this is strictly most dominating playoff run. Personally, '95 Montana, '96 Marshall, '99 GSU and last year's NDSU team are the best I've seen throughout the course of the year.

Bisonwinagn

January 6th, 2015, 10:06 PM

Go Lehigh TU owl

January 6th, 2015, 10:13 PM

2012 Bison was the most impressive to me having to play 3 extremely physical teams in a row with Georgia Southern being the last. Those teams were much better than the competition played in 2013.

SDSU 28-3
Wofford 14-7
Georgia Southern 23-20
SAM 39-13

FCS overall was better in 2012. While NDSU was a historically great team last year I think FCS overall was down.

Likewise in 2003 when Delaware won. It was the perfect year for a team like Colgate to make the finals. I remember it being pretty much UD and everyone else all season.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 6th, 2015, 10:16 PM

2012 Bison was the most impressive to me having to play 3 extremely physical teams in a row with Georgia Southern being the last. Those teams were much better than the competition played in 2013.

SDSU 28-3
Wofford 14-7
Georgia Southern 23-20
SAM 39-13

Wins are wins and I'd have been ecstatic with those wins but they ain't what you'd call overly impressive at least as far as numbers go. The reason you thought those teams were tougher was because your team was not as good as your team was last year.

1995 Griz -1
2013 Bison-2
2003 Delaware-2a

I also think JMU's "all road" NC was probably a 2b ranking in my book. That is extremely tough.

dewey

January 6th, 2015, 10:20 PM

I voted for the 2013 NDSU team. Like others mentioned they beat a Kansas State team that went 8-5 (5-4 in the Big 12) in Manhattan. That was the same night theg held the grand opening of the renovated Bill Snyde and family stadium and lead by legendary coach Bill Snyder.

The way that NDSU absolutely dominated all the teams in the playoffs as well.

Dewey

ursus arctos horribilis

January 6th, 2015, 10:23 PM

I don't know what any of that has to do with a playoff run dewey. It's great and all but wasn't part of the presented question as I saw it anyway.

dewey

January 6th, 2015, 10:25 PM

I don't know what any of that has to do with a playoff run dewey. It's great and all but wasn't part of the presented question as I saw it anyway.

I think of the run to the title as a culmination of the entire season and not just the playoffs. Now if the question was who had the most impressive play during the playoffs then I would agree with your point.

Finishing the season undefeated is a huge feather in the hat.

Dewey

Go Lehigh TU owl

January 6th, 2015, 10:26 PM

2013 vs 2003 Delaware would have been a war. Those are the two most physically imposing teams I remember. Shawn Johnson was JJ Watt'ish in the playoffs for the Hens that year.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 6th, 2015, 10:35 PM

I think of the run to the title as a culmination of the entire season and not just the playoffs. Now if the question was who had the most impressive play during the playoffs then I would agree with your point.

Finishing the season undefeated is a huge feather in the hat.

Dewey

Well clenzy put it as run to a title so that leaves some room for interpretation but I took my cue from this aspect.

2013 North Dakota State Bison:
38-7 over Furman
48-14 over Coastal Carolina
52-14 over New Hampshire
35-7 over Towson

Only playoff games listed so figured it was based on this.

BisonFan02

January 6th, 2015, 10:52 PM

Well clenzy put it as run to a title so that leaves some room for interpretation but I took my cue from this aspect.

2013 North Dakota State Bison:
38-7 over Furman
48-14 over Coastal Carolina
52-14 over New Hampshire
35-7 over Towson

Only playoff games listed so figured it was based on this.

Yeah, I took it the same kinda way Dewey did. If we are only looking at the postseason, I wouldn't even include 2013's NDSU as an option due to the lack of competition that post season in comparison to 2012. To me, the undefeated season with the target squarely on their back all year in route to a 3 peat was incredible.

Strictly postseason run, 95 Montana runs away with it...that was a gong show.

mvemjsunpx

January 6th, 2015, 11:01 PM

Gotta go with 1995 Montana. The first three rounds were obviously the most dominant of any team on the list, but getting a road win over a Marshall squad with multiple future NFL starters (Billy Lyon, Jermaine Wiggins, Chad Pennington, Olandis Gary—Wiggins & Gary followed Jim Donnan to Georgia after the season) was also quite impressive in retrospect.

1996 Marshall also had a dominant run, but calling them "I-AA" was a bit of a stretch.

FargoBison

January 6th, 2015, 11:04 PM

I voted for NDSU but I thought it was overall, if that is the case it is NDSU by a landslide but since it just playoffs I might have to go with Montana after thinking about it.

MR. CHICKEN

January 7th, 2015, 07:19 AM

Homer alert, but last years Bison dominated all year with a FBS win over K State.

20459....2003....SAW DELAWARE ....GO 15-1...WHIFF NUMBERAH UNO...TOUGHEST RATED SKED........WENT THRU PLAYOFFS.....LIKE CHILLI WHIFF BEANS........OWN-LAH CHAMPIONSHIP SHUT-OUT.....EVERAH.......INCLUDIN'...OURAH OWN FBS W...OVERAH NAVY......YES...HOMER ALERT...xcoolx..BRAWK!

48-7 S. ILLINOIS
37-7 N. IOWA
24-9 WOFFY
40-0 COLGATE/JAMAL BRANCH....OWN-LAH EGG...EVERAH LAID IN PLAY-OFFS.....AWK!

Gil Dobie

January 7th, 2015, 07:29 AM

20459....2003....SAW DELAWARE ....GO 15-1...WHIFF NUMBERAH UNO...TOUGHEST RATED SKED........WENT THRU PLAYOFFS.....LIKE CHILLI WHIFF BEANS........OWN-LAH CHAMPIONSHIP SHUT-OUT.....EVERAH.......INCLUDIN'...OURAH OWN FBS W...OVERAH NAVY......YES...HOMER ALERT...xcoolx..BRAWK!

48-7 S. ILLINOIS
37-7 N. IOWA
24-9 WOFFY
40-0 COLGATE/JAMAL BRANCH....OWN-LAH EGG...EVERAH LAID IN PLAY-OFFS.....AWK!

Good ole Michigan Bluehens ;)

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 08:03 AM

It's not overall...

That's why only the damn playoff games were listed.

If I wanted season included I'd include their entire damn schedule.

Mattymc727

January 7th, 2015, 08:04 AM

Im probably too young to vote on the issue, but last year was just so impressive. There was zero shot of anyone in the FCS beating NDSU during the playoffs. Atleast for UNH, if it wasnt a bad throw and garbage time TD, UNH probably would have been shut out too.

Those 95 and 03 numbers are impressive though.

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 08:04 AM

Although, nothing shows true homerism like making AGS poll votes public.

14 votes for NDSU...10 from NDSU fans.

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 08:06 AM

ALSO...

HOLY **** FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK IT'S THE ENTIRE SEASON.

WHAT DOES MY VERY FIRST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST POST SAY?

Which team had the most impressive single season playoff run all time?

I'LL REPEAT IT WITH EMPHASIS ADDED

Which team had the most impressive single season playoff run all time?

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 08:09 AM

BTW, I agree I probably snubbed JMU's 04 title run. Part of the reason was UNI got to the title game in 05 doing the exact same thing

04 JMU
@ Lehigh
@ Furman
@ William & Mary
title game

05 UNI - though I forgot UNI played EWU in the dome in the first found
vs EWU
@ #1 UNH
@ #3 Texas State
title game

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 08:12 AM

Wins are wins and I'd have been ecstatic with those wins but they ain't what you'd call overly impressive at least as far as numbers go. The reason you thought those teams were tougher was because your team was not as good as your team was last year.

1995 Griz -1
2013 Bison-2
2003 Delaware-2a

I also think JMU's "all road" NC was probably a 2b ranking in my book. That is extremely tough.
Exactly how I'd vote.

That 1995 Montana team beats every other team on this list by a wide margin...yes NDSU fans, that includes the untouchable Bison. Think EWU's offense (but better) with your defense and you have that 1995 Montana team

Bisonator

January 7th, 2015, 08:45 AM

I picked the Montana just by the huge point differentials but they're all pretty impressive. I mean to only give up 21 points in 3 games like SIU and 23 in 4 like UD those are stoudt defenses. I really think last years NDSU team could have probably picked the score for any of those games and could have put up more points but that just isn't their game. That is still to me the best FCS team I've ever seen.

Gil Dobie

January 7th, 2015, 08:55 AM

Exactly how I'd vote.

That 1995 Montana team beats every other team on this list by a wide margin...yes NDSU fans, that includes the untouchable Bison. Think EWU's offense (but better) with your defense and you have that 1995 Montana team

That was a great Montana team, however, they did not play a conference champion in the playoffs, and they were the 2nd team to beat Marshall at home that year.

Professor Chaos

January 7th, 2015, 09:05 AM

I was really trying not to be a homer vote but I just couldn't do it :D

I can't make a good argument against anyone that says Montana in 95 or Delaware in 03 was the tops though.

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 09:21 AM

That was a great Montana team, however, they did not play a conference champion in the playoffs, and they were the 2nd team to beat Marshall at home that year.
NDSU's playoff run

Furman - not a conference champion. had losses to Gardner Webb, CCU, Elon, and Chatty with impressive 1 point win over Presby and 7 pt win over The Citadel
CCU - let's be honest. 2013 CCU was 1/2 of this years team and boosted by the Big South being crap
New Hampshire - not a conference champion. Good team but not special
Towson - Not a conference champion. West was very impressive but as we saw was their team

You played one...from the second worst AQ conference in 2013

Let's not act like you played the #2, 3, 4 and 5 ranked teams in the nation on the way to the title.

Marshall, at Marshall, is 15000% times more impressive than any win NDSU had last season

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 09:29 AM

Also
1995 EKU was 9-2 and had outscored opponents 368-164
1995 SFA was 11-1 going into that game and had given up less than 200 points in 12 games prior and had scored over 350
1995 GSU was 9-3 going into that game and had given up less than 200 points in the 12 games prior
1995 Marshall was 12-2 going into that game (at their stadium for the title) scoring over 470 points on the season and had boat raced everyone

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 09:32 AM

I didn't vote SIU...but that 83 title team isn't getting the respect it deserves, IMO.

PAllen

January 7th, 2015, 09:33 AM

UMass '98. While the scores may not be as impressive, they beat some of the best teams I've seen play.

MR. CHICKEN

January 7th, 2015, 09:51 AM

ALSO...

HOLY **** FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK IT'S THE ENTIRE SEASON.

WHAT DOES MY VERY FIRST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST POST SAY?

I'LL REPEAT IT WITH EMPHASIS ADDED

20461......DELAWARE...DID HAVE DUH #1 RATED REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE...BAH MOST SPORTS WRITERS/MAGS......AH CAN READ....IT'S IN DUH POST...TA PUMP UP.....DUH DANCIN' RECORD.......GUESS...AH JES'.....PUMPED YOU UP......AWK!

....NUFFIN' WRONG WHIFF......POST..EMBELLISHMENT...NO?

Gil Dobie

January 7th, 2015, 09:57 AM

NDSU's playoff run

Furman - not a conference champion. had losses to Gardner Webb, CCU, Elon, and Chatty with impressive 1 point win over Presby and 7 pt win over The Citadel
CCU - let's be honest. 2013 CCU was 1/2 of this years team and boosted by the Big South being crap
New Hampshire - not a conference champion. Good team but not special
Towson - Not a conference champion. West was very impressive but as we saw was their team

You played one...from the second worst AQ conference in 2013

Let's not act like you played the #2, 3, 4 and 5 ranked teams in the nation on the way to the title.

Marshall, at Marshall, is 15000% times more impressive than any win NDSU had last season

I wasn't comparing that to 2013 NDSU, and Furman was a 2013 co-champ in the Southern Conference.

2003 Delaware beat 4 conference champions on the way to the championship, which included both of the Gateway co-champs.

Mattymc727

January 7th, 2015, 09:57 AM

Gil Dobie

January 7th, 2015, 10:07 AM

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 10:09 AM

So, you voted UD then?

Gil Dobie

January 7th, 2015, 10:28 AM

So, you voted UD then?

No, but after doing some background research, I may have voted UD instead. Someday, if I have time, it would be interesting to see the final poll of the teams prior to the playoffs.

OhioHen

January 7th, 2015, 10:37 AM

All those points look good in newspapers, but Delaware gave up 23 points in 4 games.

And beat 4 conference champions in the process (SIU and UNI were co-champions of the Gateway).

The Hens also achieved both the biggest margin of victory ever for a championship game and the only shutout.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 10:47 AM

I didn't vote SIU...but that 83 title team isn't getting the respect it deserves, IMO.

That is very true.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 10:49 AM

UMass '98. While the scores may not be as impressive, they beat some of the best teams I've seen play.

Isn't that the year GSU fumbled away like 7 times? They were not a better team on a normal day than GSU and needed everything GSU gave them to win it if I'm remembering correctly. Still a good team but...

Gil Dobie

January 7th, 2015, 10:52 AM

Delaware keeps looking better

1995 Montana #8
EKU #10
GSU #15
SFA #5
Marshall #6

1996 Marshall #1
Delaware #10
Furman #9
UNI #3
Montana #2

2003 Delaware #3
SIU #4
UNI #7
Wofford #2
Colgate #6

2013 NDSU #1
Furman
CCU #11
UNH #15
Towson #5

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 10:55 AM

Looking at the schedules, the 2013 NDSU team may have had the better season resume, but the 95 Montana team had the more impressive playoff run. So to answer the threads actual question, the 95 team may have the edge, but its speculative.

should we fantasize about a 2013 NDSU, 2003 Delaware, 1995 Montana, and 1983 SIU four team tournament?

We always like to dream about a great simulation game like that don't we? xlolx

The closest style of team that matches what NDSU is about now back then would have been Marshall. Just tough as nails, great defense, great RB with an Oline that could move most people around, great QB play without being overly flashy. I think with any of those 3 teams those games would be in the 20's and barely won one way or the other.

Mattymc727

January 7th, 2015, 11:17 AM

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 11:36 AM

One thing that has to be taken into account is how much the game has changed, even since 2003. Those defenses werent facing the offenses that the FCS is putting up now. Not saying that EWU, UNH, or CCU would put up 30 on those champions, but these offenses are faster paced and quick strike.

You really don't have a good understanding of FCS history yet UNH. Go look at the 1995 Montana offense and try to say that with a straight face.

semobison

January 7th, 2015, 11:36 AM

Since nobody has voted for GSU in 86, I vote for NDSU's 86 team who outscored opponents 112-19 in its run to the title....What....what...

Sycamore62

January 7th, 2015, 11:38 AM

Clenz, try sleeping with your ass against the wall, It will keep you from waking up on the wrong side of the bed.:D

it may be my photogenic memory but I never thought anyone was going to stop Randy Moss from making them look stupid in '96.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 11:43 AM

Mattymc727

January 7th, 2015, 12:44 PM

You really don't have a good understanding of FCS history yet UNH. Go look at the 1995 Montana offense and try to say that with a straight face.

Same could be said about the Rams "greatest show on turf" of the late 90s, Dan Marino, the 49ers of the 80s. Great offenses of their time period. Nowadays there are new schemes, pass happy teams, more defensive penalties, and faster no huddle offenses. Did the 95 Montana have a great offense, yes. Was it that much better than any of the great offenses today? Not so sure.

Again, I didnt have eyewitness account, and maybe im pulling too much data from the NFL, but there is so much more scoring these days than even 10 years ago.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/college_footballs_scoring_bing.html

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 12:55 PM

Same could be said about the Rams "greatest show on turf" of the late 90s, Dan Marino, the 49ers of the 80s. Great offenses of their time period. Nowadays there are new schemes, pass happy teams, more defensive penalties, and faster no huddle offenses. Did the 95 Montana have a great offense, yes. Was it that much better than any of the great offenses today? Not so sure.

Again, I didnt have eyewitness account, and maybe im pulling too much data from the NFL, but there is so much more scoring these days than even 10 years ago.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/college_footballs_scoring_bing.html
It's because defenses can't play like they used to. That's well documented.

To put those numbers up while playing against defensive backs that would be put in jail, by today's rules, for doing what they did is nuts.

You must be really....really...new to football

BisonFan02

January 7th, 2015, 12:58 PM

It's not overall...

That's why only the damn playoff games were listed.

If I wanted season included I'd include their entire damn schedule.

Maybe I included season because I assumed, as a UNI fan, that's all you guys ever want to talk about. :D

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 01:29 PM

Same could be said about the Rams "greatest show on turf" of the late 90s, Dan Marino, the 49ers of the 80s. Great offenses of their time period. Nowadays there are new schemes, pass happy teams, more defensive penalties, and faster no huddle offenses. Did the 95 Montana have a great offense, yes. Was it that much better than any of the great offenses today? Not so sure.

Again, I didnt have eyewitness account, and maybe im pulling too much data from the NFL, but there is so much more scoring these days than even 10 years ago.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/college_footballs_scoring_bing.html

clenz pointed it out but you have this exactly backwards. I can see what we have today as I'm watching what you are now watching. It's not like I am looking this from only one data point as you are doing now.

Professor Chaos

January 7th, 2015, 01:36 PM

It's because defenses can't play like they used to. That's well documented.

To put those numbers up while playing against defensive backs that would be put in jail, by today's rules, for doing what they did is nuts.

You must be really....really...new to football
By the same token having a defense like NDSU has fielded in the last few years including 2013 who dominated opposing offenses despite the rules being slanted more towards the offense underscores how great they were as a unit.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 01:40 PM

By the same token having a defense like NDSU has fielded in the last few years including 2013 who dominated opposing offenses despite the rules being slanted more towards the offense underscores how great they were as a unit.

There is no need to accentuate. They are the best I've seen. It would have been 20% less pass completions probably though.:D

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 01:43 PM

clenz pointed it out but you have this exactly backwards. I can see what we have today as I'm watching what you are now watching. It's not like I am looking this from only one data point as you are doing now.
I'm 26 (less than 2 weeks from being 27) and have only followed the FCS in any "real depth" since about 2006 but always loosely followed prior to as I have a lot of family and football players from my high school that played at UNI through the years (now, in the 8-9 seasons I've followed it in depth I've spent enough time looking at box scores/watching to make it "feel like" I've been following MUCH longer).

This isn't an FCS issue. This is a football in general issue. I've watched football since...well...I have a photo of me at 10 months old sitting in front of my TV watching a Minnesota Vikings game wearing a Tommy Kramer jersey (October 1988).

Have the # of plays gone up in games? Yep. Simple reason (other than more fast paced offenses). There are more passes being thrown in a game. That means more clock stoppages on in completions. Running the ball doesn't stop the clock. That right there is more than enough to increase the number of plays significantly. Passing also gains chunk yardage more than running. That means less plays to get down field to score points. Kickers have greatly improved. It used to be you had to be within 30 yards for a kicker to be reliable. Now if your kicker can't hit from 40-45 with ease you're doing it wrong. Defenses used to be able to tackle WR to keep them off of routes. Now you literally aren't, by rule, allowed to touch them. QB's used to be mindful of DL/LB coming at them, because they would get blasted. Now they know if anyone lays a finger on them there is a chance it's a 15 yard penalty. That creates a lot of calmness, inherently. Passing has become more common, which means QB's are working on throwing the ball a lot more. Even 25 years ago QB's only threw the ball (except rare QBs like Montana or Marino) 20-25 times per game. Not a lot of work was put in while they were growing up, or even in practice, to hone the skill. Now kids have private QB coaches before they turn 10. The understand of mechanics has improved. QBs only throwing 20-25 times per game are "game managers" and no one wants that. I didn't look at numbers, but I bet the average attempts per game this season was over 70-75 (between both teams).

The view RWU has is very short sided...

Mr. C

January 7th, 2015, 01:49 PM

You really don't have a good understanding of FCS history yet UNH. Go look at the 1995 Montana offense and try to say that with a straight face.
Some people think that no one had a high-powered offense before the spread. Those Tracy Ham-led Georgia Southern offenses with the triple option in the 1980s were pretty powerful, too.

OSBF

January 7th, 2015, 01:49 PM

I voted for SIU

Purely sentimental

That year was my initial introduction to what was them I-AA football and the good ol' Gateway Conference

ursus arctos horribilis

January 7th, 2015, 02:08 PM

Some people think that no one had a high-powered offense before the spread. Those Tracy Ham-led Georgia Southern offenses with the triple option in the 1980s were pretty powerful, too.

They were unbelievable. It was an air raid ground attack.

grizband

January 7th, 2015, 02:24 PM

If only 1996 and 2009 Montana teams could have win titles...New poll idea, best playoff run of team not to win titles

Sycamore62

January 7th, 2015, 02:25 PM

I voted for SIU

Purely sentimental

That year was my initial introduction to what was them I-AA football and the good ol' Gateway Conference

Plus they beat ISUb in the playoffs. Very few teams can say that. Its almost a historical feat.

BisonFan02

January 7th, 2015, 02:30 PM

Plus they beat ISUb in the playoffs. Very few teams can say that. Its almost a historical feat.

This. That was really the only thing left for Chatty to do in the FCS...their program is now complete.

GannonFan

January 7th, 2015, 02:32 PM

Remember in UD's crushing run to the title in '03, Wofford tacked on a meaningless TD late in the 4th quarter of a game already decided. Even called some timeouts to get one more chance at the endzone. Take those 6 points away and UD only gave up 17 points in the whole playoffs. And of course, 40-0 in the finals. Hard to get more dominant than that. Beat both Gateway co-champs and the SoCon champ as well.

clenz

January 7th, 2015, 02:36 PM

If only 1996 and 2009 Montana teams could have win titles...New poll idea, best playoff run of team not to win titles
Something I'll work on for later in the month.

My early nod goes to UNI in 05...or UD in 2007

grizband

January 7th, 2015, 02:38 PM

I'll help you put some research together, something that has always been an interest of mine. This could also include the entire season, rather than just playoffs

Silenoz

January 7th, 2015, 03:58 PM

Ass, I somehow double clicked opening the thread and voting ><

Grizalltheway

January 7th, 2015, 04:37 PM

Way to go, Mr. Hanging Chad.

Mountaineer

January 7th, 2015, 07:12 PM

Went with the 95 Griz. To win in Huntington against Marshall was huge. If I could vote for two, I'd have 2003 Delaware in there as well. Curb-stomping.

mvemjsunpx

January 7th, 2015, 10:39 PM

mvemjsunpx

January 7th, 2015, 10:45 PM

Ass, I somehow double clicked opening the thread and voting ><

Now you are legally required to explain why the 1990 Georgia Southern Eagles had the greatest playoff run ever. xcoffeex

Tribe4SF

January 8th, 2015, 06:24 AM

2004 JMU winning road games at Lehigh, Furman and W&M and then taking down Montana on that awful field in the final. One of the best offensive lines ever in FCS.

Mattymc727

January 8th, 2015, 07:06 AM

Sure Im young, but Ive watched football my whole life too. There is NO right answer to this question. Ive found when debating teams from different decades, the change of game has to be taken into account. Even in conversations with my dad, who is almost 60, change of game always comes up. Do offenses these days run more plays and score more? Yes. Do defenses get penalized more? Yes. Im not saying this the SOLE issue to choose from, but should be CONSIDERED. Sorry to offend all you knowledgeable football veterans with my youthful, shortsighted mind......

GannonFan

January 8th, 2015, 10:15 AM

The thing going against '03 Delaware is how weak the playoff field was that year. The MEAC got an at-large that they would've had no business getting most any other year, the #1 seed got comically embarrassed at home by NAU of all teams, that same NAU team got stomped at home by unseeded FAU the next week, and the #4 seed elected to play FAU on the road in the semis & still won by double digits.

Another oddity about 2003… There were two teams in the field that year with FBS wins and non-DI losses: FAU beat Middle Tennessee and lost to Valdosta State; Montana crushed Idaho but lost to NDSU.

All of that in 2003 would've mattered if UD played any of those weak teams. You could argue that Colgate wasn't all that, since they were on that side of the bracket with the teams you are talking about, but SIU, UNI, and Wofford were all conference champs from conferences that were plenty strong that year. I don't see how a weak playoff field mattered much if UD didn't play that part that was weak.

Go...gate

January 8th, 2015, 11:45 PM

mvemjsunpx

January 9th, 2015, 12:03 AM

All of that in 2003 would've mattered if UD played any of those weak teams. You could argue that Colgate wasn't all that, since they were on that side of the bracket with the teams you are talking about, but SIU, UNI, and Wofford were all conference champs from conferences that were plenty strong that year. I don't see how a weak playoff field mattered much if UD didn't play that part that was weak.

Where did I say those were the only examples of weakness?

The lower half of the bracket had the MEAC champ (who Wofford beat in the 1st. round), the OVC champ in what might've been the worst year for the OVC ever, a 7-5 Montana State team (who UNI beat in the 1st. round), and a #3-seed that had never been in the playoffs before. It's also difficult to argue that Wofford won a strong conference when no other SoCon team made the playoffs that year. You are right that Delaware dodged some of the weakest teams, but the field as a whole was still a bit weaker than average. That hurts Delaware's argument for the subject of this thread, especially when compared to teams that had equally lopsided or more lopsided playoff runs.

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Weren't we the #4 seed that year?

I think those were the poll rankings.

frozennorth

January 9th, 2015, 03:08 AM

2011 NDSU.

uni88

January 9th, 2015, 09:25 AM

'95 Montana ... beating Marshall in Huntington could be compared to beating the '13 Bison in Fargo for an NC.

blueballs

January 9th, 2015, 03:56 PM

The thread regarding the biggest upset got me to thinking about the most impressive playoff run. I guess the issue is how do you define impressive? If it is the most dominant (which is the way most of you have been answering) I'd go with a coin flip between Delaware 2003 and NDSU last year. If the definition of impressive is defeating the very best and hottest competition on their own turf then Georgia Southern's run in 1985 has to be the most impressive.

As stated earlier, GSC defeated #1 ranked and undefeated MTSU (11-0 at the time, 11 game winning streak) on the road in the quarters, then went to Northern Iowa (11-1 at the time, 10 game winning streak) and won in the semis, and finally defeated Furman (12-1 at the time, 11 game winning streak) in the title game. 2 road and 1 neutral site wins against 3 teams that all entered the game with double digit win streaks.... impressive. The combined records of GSC's 4 playoff opponents before being eliminated by GSC was 42-4. I can't think of any team that has come close to that accomplishment.

ursus arctos horribilis

January 9th, 2015, 04:02 PM

The thread regarding the biggest upset got me to thinking about the most impressive playoff run. I guess the issue is how do you define impressive? If it is the most dominant (which is the way most of you have been answering) I'd go with a coin flip between Delaware 2003 and NDSU last year. If the definition of impressive is defeating the very best and hottest competition on their own turf then Georgia Southern's run in 1985 has to be the most impressive.

As stated earlier, GSC defeated #1 ranked and undefeated MTSU (11-0 at the time, 12 game winning streak) on the road in the quarters, then went to Northern Iowa (11-1 at the time, 10 game winning streak) and won in the semis, and finally defeated Furman (12-1 at the time, 11 game winning streak) in the title game. 2 road and 1 neutral site wins against 3 teams that all entered the game with double digit win streaks.... impressive. The combined records of GSC's 4 playoff opponents before being eliminated by GSC was 42-4. I can't think of any team that has come close to that accomplishment.

It's a pretty strong case.

clenz

January 9th, 2015, 04:02 PM

The thread regarding the biggest upset got me to thinking about the most impressive playoff run. I guess the issue is how do you define impressive? If it is the most dominant (which is the way most of you have been answering) I'd go with a coin flip between Delaware 2003 and NDSU last year. If the definition of impressive is defeating the very best and hottest competition on their own turf then Georgia Southern's run in 1985 has to be the most impressive.

As stated earlier, GSC defeated #1 ranked and undefeated MTSU (11-0 at the time, 12 game winning streak) on the road in the quarters, then went to Northern Iowa (11-1 at the time, 10 game winning streak) and won in the semis, and finally defeated Furman (12-1 at the time, 11 game winning streak) in the title game. 2 road and 1 neutral site wins against 3 teams that all entered the game with double digit win streaks.... impressive. The combined records of GSC's 4 playoff opponents before being eliminated by GSC was 42-4. I can't think of any team that has come close to that accomplishment.
This is why I wanted to bring this out to the open.

I picked based on impressive scores and that left this run off because none of the scores jumped out too me. That caused me to miss the quality of wins that GSU had in 85