FCS Upsets Over FBS 2017

[JMUisat14]

Cross posting this from the JMU forum. There's likely some missing or to-be-scheduled games not on here. Let me know what those are and I'll add them.

I like JMU's chances against East Carolina.
Maybe UVA will fall to another Virginia FCS team in the Tribe...
Maine @ UMASS could be interesting too.

What's everyone think?

August 31st:
North Dakota vs. Utah

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina
Youngstown State vs. Pitt
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State on
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State
Montana State vs. Washington State
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State
Tribe vs. UVA
Albany vs. Old Dominion
Cal Poly vs. San Jose State

September 7th:
Idaho State vs. Utah State

September 9th:
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech
Indiana State vs. Tennessee
Chattanooga vs. LSU
Weber State vs. Cal
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii
Villanova vs. Temple
Abilene Christian vs. Colorado State

September 16th:
Samford vs. Georgia
Mercer vs. Auburn
Tennessee Tech vs. Ball St.
Colgate vs. Buffalo

September 23rd:
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina

November 11th:
Maine vs. UMass

November 18th:
The Citadel vs. Clemson
Mercer vs. Alabama

[Bucs2016]

I think Western Illinois over Coastal is the most likely. Coastal still has an FCS roster.

South Dakota over Bowling Green wouldnt be a shocker either.

[JSUSoutherner]

JSU over GT. Book it.

[bonarae]

How many possible upsets I can find? Around 15. This can be a great season for the scalps this season. xcoffeex

[Go...gate]

Colgate over Buffalo (September 16) is a possibility.

[Ivytalk]

Northern Iowa seems to have Iowa State's number.

[dewey]

Northern Iowa seems to have Iowa State's number.

Agreed. I would more surprised if Iowa State won then if UNI won.

Dewey

[POD Knows]

UND plays Utah, could be interesting.

[ElCid]

You forgot The Citadel over Clemson on 18 Nov. It could happen:D

[Cat-in-GA]

You also forgot Western Carolina over Hawaii on September 2nd

[344Johnson]

UND plays Utah, could be interesting.

Idk, Utah is typically pretty good. I'd be surprised if UND scored 14 points.

[Gangtackle11]

You forgot Villanova @ Temple on 9/9.

[Grizalltheway]

You forgot The Citadel over Clemson on 18 Nov. It could happen:D

And UM over UW...ah, can't type it with a straight face.

[lionsrking2]

Cross posting this from the JMU forum. There's likely some missing or to-be-scheduled games not on here but it's a pretty good list.

I like JMU's chances against East Carolina.
Maybe UVA will fall to another Virginia FCS team in the Tribe...
Maine @ UMASS could be interesting too.

What's everyone think?


James Madison vs. East Carolina on September 2nd

Youngstown State vs. Pitt on September 2nd

Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech on September 2nd

Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State on September 2nd

Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State on September 2nd

Montana State vs. Washington State on September 2nd

Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State on September 2nd

Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico on September 2nd

Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU on September 2nd

Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State on September 2nd

Tribe vs. UVA on September 2nd

Idaho State vs. Utah State on September 7th

South Dakota vs. Bowling Green on September 9th

New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern on September 9th

Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech on September 9th

Delaware vs. Virginia Tech on September 9th

Indiana State vs. Tennessee on September 9th

Chattanooga vs. LSU on September 9th

Weber State vs. Cal on September 9th

Samford vs. Georgia on September 16th

Mercer vs. Auburn on September 16th

Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina on September 23rd

Maine vs. UMass on November 11th

I like our chances at UL-Lafayette to open the season.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

The annual thread of grand delusion....xdrunkyx

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

Albany plays Old Dominion. They upended Buffalo last year. Could it happen again?

[DallasSpider]

Most likely in my mind are:
JMU over ECU
Albany over ODU
Maine over UMass
Northern Iowa over Iowa State

No CAA bias here

[ElCid]

And UM over UW...ah, can't type it with a straight face.

Hey, it could happen. I am just going to enjoy a short trip down the mountain to Clemson in the fall.

[Bucs2016]

Hey, it could happen. I am just going to enjoy a short trip down the mountain to Clemson in the fall.

You know...yall have a veteran QB and a really good FCS team who runs triple option. Clemson lost a huge amount of talent and their QB will be a brand spanking new guy with no experience. I wont say Citadel will beat em. But i wouldnt be shocked at all of this game was inside 21 points.

However, you play em in late November after their new guys are broken in so maybe not. If it was the season opener id say CCitadel could make it interesting for 3 quarters. Plus they'll have had a week of prepping for Ga Tech already so the option wont catch em off guard as much.

We open at Mississippi State, wherd South Alabama shocked em last year. If we were taking our 2015 or 2016 squad in there i think we would've maybe had a shot. We dont though.

[TTUEagles]

TTU over Ball St.? TTU has a lot returning from a team that played well at the end, will have a former highly recruited QB (Rutgers) and DB (Rutgers) who were both offered by SEC schools ... Also, it's Ball St.

[Anthony215]

You forgot Villanova @ Temple on 9/9.

Both schools will have new HC on the sideline but I Temple returns a good amount of good talent from their 10 win season a year ago. I think Temple wins by 3 scores but it will be close the first half.

[BEAR]

Kansas State is already ranked #16 in the waaaay too early preseason rankings. UCA isn't going for the win.

[Gangtackle11]

Both schools will have new HC on the sideline but I Temple returns a good amount of good talent from their 10 win season a year ago. I think Temple wins by 3 scores but it will be close the first half.

Fair assessment. Hoping they are flat coming home from Notre Dame.

[JSUSoutherner]

TTU over Ball St.? TTU has a lot returning from a team that played well at the end, will have a former highly recruited QB (Rutgers) and DB (Rutgers) who were both offered by SEC schools ... Also, it's Ball St.
Take out their QB and running back and you guys might have a chance. xcoffeex

[Wildcat1997]

I don't think ACU will beat either New Mexico or Colorado State but I'm hoping they can at least be close games.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer vs. Auburn on September 16th, 2017

Missing: Mercer over Alabama on November 18th, 2017.

...Remember...Mercer will finally be all healed up from those 2013 & 2014 WARS against Reinhardt by this point in 2017; so the Bears will be ready to take down the Elephants. youcanbankonit!

[SFA 93]

With the upgrade in skilled positions at QB WR and a returning healthy RB like Easly I say SFA will hang with SMU in a barn burner before fading in the second half.

[KPSUL]

I see 4 or 5 of these games being an FCS victory; the yes, two of the very possible, one or two of the close and one surprise out of the No.

James Madison vs. East Carolina on September 2nd Close, but No
Youngstown State vs. Pitt on September 2nd No
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech on September 2nd Very Possible
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State on September 2nd No
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State on September 2nd No
Montana State vs. Washington State on September 2nd No
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State on September 2nd Very Possible
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico on September 2nd No
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU on September 2nd No
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State on September 2nd No
Tribe vs. UVA on September 2nd No
Idaho State vs. Utah State on September 7th No
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green on September 9th No
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern on September 9th Close but no
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech on September 9th Close but no
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech on September 9th No
Indiana State vs. Tennessee on September 9th No
Chattanooga vs. LSU on September 9th No
Weber State vs. Cal on September 9th No
Samford vs. Georgia on September 16th No
Mercer vs. Auburn on September 16th No
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina on September 23rd Yes
Maine vs. UMass on November 11th Very Possible
Villanova vs Temple No

[JMUisat14]

Added the missing games and reformatted.

[UAalum72]

Albany plays Old Dominion. They upended Buffalo last year. Could it happen again?Should be closer than the last time we played, but ODU has 16 starters back from a 10-3 squad.

[JMUisat14]

I see 4 or 5 of these games being an FCS victory; the yes, two of the very possible, one or two of the close and one surprise out of the No.

James Madison vs. East Carolina on September 2nd Close, but No




The ECU football board has a thread going on this game already. One guy saying we win by 21 if the two 2016 teams had played at the end of the year xlolx ...and I only see us improving. A decent contingent on there think we're likely 2 to 4 spots above their easiest game. I'd tend to agree looking at their schedule:

Date, Opponent, 2016 End of Season Sagarin

9/2, James Madison, 33
9/9, West Virginia, 28
9/16, Virginia Tech, 15
10/7, Temple, 43
10/14, UCF, 86
10/21, BYU, 36
10/28, Houston, 56
11/4, Connecticut, 154
11/18, Cincinnati, 117
11/25, Memphis, 50

East Carolina, 118

Do I think JMU is really a top 40 team(or was last year)? Ehhh...maybe. Realistically I'd say we're just on the outside looking in.

ECU will be better this year, but they finished 2016 3-9 with their only respectable win coming at home against NC State. Their other two were against Western Carolina and UConn. Our OC, Donnie K., was also the assistant head coach at ECU in 2015, his 11th season there. We should be well prepared.

[taper]

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina
Youngstown State vs. Pitt
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State on
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State
Montana State vs. Washington State
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State
Tribe vs. UVA
Albany vs. Old Dominion
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico


ACU got a double header planned?

[JMUisat14]

ACU got a double header planned?

Long day. Fixed.

[JMUisat14]

The annual thread of grand delusion....xdrunkyx

The football gods will it. I am simply the messenger.

[Gangtackle11]

Historically it's about 10% chance of FCS victories.

31 Total FBS/FCS games. 10% means 3 FCS wins.

Have at it.



August 31st:
North Dakota vs. Utah

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina
Youngstown State vs. Pitt
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State on
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State
Montana State vs. Washington State
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State
Tribe vs. UVA
Albany vs. Old Dominion

September 7th:
Idaho State vs. Utah State

September 9th:
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech
Indiana State vs. Tennessee
Chattanooga vs. LSU
Weber State vs. Cal
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii
Villanova vs. Temple
Abilene Christian vs. Colorado State

September 16th:
Samford vs. Georgia
Mercer vs. Auburn
Tennessee Tech vs. Ball St.

September 23rd:
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina

November 11th:
Maine vs. UMass

November 18th:
The Citadel vs. Clemson
Mercer vs. Auburn

[FUBeAR]

September 16th:
Mercer vs. Auburn

November 18th:
Mercer vs. Auburn

C'mon now. Y'all know beating the same FBS Team twice in the same season is pretty dang hard!

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

These are the most likely, I think 2 wins come from this group
UNI @ Iowa State
James Madison @ ECU
New Hampshire @ Georgia Southern
Western Illinois @ Coastal Carolina

Plausible, some of these games might not be close but I think there's one "surprising" FCS win here
Youngstown State @ Pitt
Eastern Washington @ Texas Tech
Jacksonville State @ Georgia Tech
Villanova vs Temple
Tennessee Tech @ Ball State
Maine @ UMass

[slostang]

I think Cal Poly over San Jose State on Sept. 2nd is a good possibility.

[ElCid]

Historically it's about 10% chance of FCS victories.

31 Total FBS/FCS games. 10% means 3 FCS wins.

Have at it.



August 31st:
North Dakota vs. Utah 7-35 - no

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina 44-28 - maybe
Youngstown State vs. Pitt 28-42 - maybe
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech 42-47 - maybe
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State 10-35 - maybe
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State 24-38 - no
Montana State vs. Washington State 7-42 - no
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State 21-28 - maybe
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico 16-49 - no
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU 21-45 - no
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State 12-35 - no
Tribe vs. UVA 17-34 - maybe
Albany vs. Old Dominion 17-35 - no

September 7th:
Idaho State vs. Utah State 14-45 - no

September 9th:
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green 34-38 - maybe
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern 24-31 - maybe
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech 14-35 - no
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech 7-45 - no
Indiana State vs. Tennessee 17-49 - no
Chattanooga vs. LSU 7-38 - no
Weber State vs. Cal 21-49 - no
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii 24-45 - no
Villanova vs. Temple 6-24 - maybe
Abilene Christian vs. Colorado State 14-51 - no

September 16th:
Samford vs. Georgia 17-41 - no
Mercer vs. Auburn 6-42 - no
Tennessee Tech vs. Ball St. 21-33 - no

September 23rd:
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina 30-34 - maybe

November 11th:
Maine vs. UMass 24-30 - maybe

November 18th:
The Citadel vs. Clemson 3-45 - no


OK, I am bored. Predicted score per the final Massey ratings. Only one favorite...JMU. OBVIOUSLY, new year, new rosters, some new coaches. Just a data point. I put my assessment following the predicted score based upon program losses from last year and program histories. I am sure that there may be one or two totally unexpected upsets as well. You never know.

[bonarae]

August 31st:
North Dakota vs. Utah - no

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina - yes
Youngstown State vs. Pitt - yes
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech - no
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State - no
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State - no
Montana State vs. Washington State - no
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State - 50-50
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico - no
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU - no
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State - no
Tribe vs. UVA - 50-50
Albany vs. Old Dominion - no

September 7th:
Idaho State vs. Utah State - no

September 9th:
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green - yes
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern - yes
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech - 50-50
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech - no
Indiana State vs. Tennessee - no
Chattanooga vs. LSU - no
Weber State vs. Cal - no
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii - no
Villanova vs. Temple - yes
Abilene Christian vs. Colorado State - no

September 16th:
Samford vs. Georgia - no
Mercer vs. Auburn - no
Tennessee Tech vs. Ball St. - no

September 23rd:
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina - yes

November 11th:
Maine vs. UMass - yes

November 18th:
The Citadel vs. Clemson - no

[UNHWildcat18]

GSU is gonna roll UNH. They will also be better in Sun belt play

[Iridebikes]

Would love to see Montana State take down WSU and don't think its outside of the realm of possibility. Cats started playing much better in last three or four games last year and an off season with a young team and new coaching staff can only make them better. Additionally the Cougs of the Leach era have yet to prove that they can handle Big Sky teams. Not holding my breath on this but think its a possibility.

[citdog]

GSU is gonna roll UNH.


I didn't know y'all were playing Georgia State.

[kdinva]

I didn't know y'all were playing Georgia State.

Can Furman beat NC State?

[citdog]

Can Furman beat NC State?


furman sucks

[youcanbankit]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24836&stc=1

I have 7 possible upsets......

August 31st:
North Dakota vs. Utah - Possible

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina - No
Youngstown State vs. Pitt - No
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech - Possible
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State No
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State - Possible
Montana State vs. Washington State - No
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State - Possible
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico - No
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU - No
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State - No
Tribe vs. UVA - No
Albany vs. Old Dominion - No
Cal Poly vs. San Jose State - No

September 7th:
Idaho State vs. Utah State - No

September 9th:
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green - Possible
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern - No
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech - Possible
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech - No
Indiana State vs. Tennessee - No
Chattanooga vs. LSU - No
Weber State vs. Cal - No
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii - Possible
Villanova vs. Temple - No
Abilene Christian vs. Colorado State - No

September 16th:
Samford vs. Georgia - No Comment Yet
Mercer vs. Auburn - No
Tennessee Tech vs. Ball St. - No

September 23rd:
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina - No

November 11th:
Maine vs. UMass - No

November 18th:
The Citadel vs. Clemson - No
Mercer vs. Alabama - No

[KPSUL]

The ECU football board has a thread going on this game already. One guy saying we win by 21 if the two 2016 teams had played at the end of the year xlolx ...and I only see us improving. A decent contingent on there think we're likely 2 to 4 spots above their easiest game. I'd tend to agree looking at their schedule:

Date, Opponent, 2016 End of Season Sagarin

9/2, James Madison, 33
9/9, West Virginia, 28
9/16, Virginia Tech, 15
10/7, Temple, 43
10/14, UCF, 86
10/21, BYU, 36
10/28, Houston, 56
11/4, Connecticut, 154
11/18, Cincinnati, 117
11/25, Memphis, 50

East Carolina, 118

Do I think JMU is really a top 40 team(or was last year)? Ehhh...maybe. Realistically I'd say we're just on the outside looking in.

ECU will be better this year, but they finished 2016 3-9 with their only respectable win coming at home against NC State. Their other two were against Western Carolina and UConn. Our OC, Donnie K., was also the assistant head coach at ECU in 2015, his 11th season there. We should be well prepared.

I hope so, good luck!

[KPSUL]

GSU is gonna roll UNH. They will also be better in Sun belt play

Georgia Southern just announced a 6pm start for the UNH game. (I didn't know GA So. was playing University of New Haven?) That's a great kickoff time. Should be cooler and we should have plenty of time to drown sorrows after we get "rolled" !

[ElCid]

I have 7 possible upsets......

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina - No
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State - Possible

September 9th:
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech - Possible
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii - Possible


Just a couple observations. Not sure why you think JMU doesn't have a chance. ECU is mediocre at best. It is at least, definitely possible. I don't think JSU has a chance. Tech is just too hard nosed. CSU will probably have a tough time with all their turmoil. WCU may very well be better but the Hawaii travel will probably be too much for them. Being at home spots Hawaii 14 or so, especially for an FCS team who be traveling the furthest they ever have. The coaches need to modify their practice time as able to lessen the time difference. Hard playing a game at midnight, NC time. Not sure what time the game is or what day they travel. Circadian rhythm is important.

[Go...gate]

Still missing Colgate vs. Buffalo on September 16. Is the game no longer on?

[bonarae]

As for Colgate at Buffalo on the 16th of September... I have a feeling that it's 50-50.

[UAalum72]

Still missing Colgate vs. Buffalo on September 16. Is the game no longer on?

Still on Buffalo's schedule http://www.ubbulls.com/sports/fball/2017-18/schedule

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

As for Colgate at Buffalo on the 16th of September... I have a feeling that it's 50-50.


50-50 might be a bit optimistic. I'd give Colgate a 15-20% percent chance which is still really high relative to most FCS vs FBS games. The Raiders were hit pretty hard by graduation, especially on defense. Having two games under their belt will help them be prepared. Buffalo has some talent but are beatable by a Top 25ish FCS team imo. To start the year Colgate is probably a Top 40ish type team. They'll likely be either picked 3rd or 4th in the preseason PL poll.

This game is very similar to Maine-UMass. Regional foes with some rivalry elements and both games consist of a solid FCS team vs a below average FBS squad....

[KPSUL]

50-50 might be a bit optimistic. I'd give Colgate a 15-20% percent chance which is still really high relative to most FCS vs FBS games. The Raiders were hit pretty hard by graduation, especially on defense. Having two games under their belt will help them be prepared. Buffalo has some talent but are beatable by a Top 25ish FCS team imo. To start the year Colgate is probably a Top 40ish type team. They'll likely be either picked 3rd or 4th in the preseason PL poll.

This game is very similar to Maine-UMass. Regional foes with some rivalry elements and both games consist of a solid FCS team vs a below average FBS squad....

Below average FBS is excessively generous describing either UMass or Buffalo.

[GodHelpTheBears]

I think Texas Tech will be absolutely God awful this year, the worst P5 program. I don't see an obvious win on their schedule. Eastern Washington should be favored.

[number1]

Historically it's about 10% chance of FCS victories.

31 Total FBS/FCS games. 10% means 3 FCS wins.

Have at it.



August 31st:
North Dakota vs. Utah

September 2nd:
James Madison vs. East Carolina
Youngstown State vs. Pitt
Eastern Washington vs. Texas Tech
Central Arkansas vs. Kansas State on
Charleston Southern vs. Mississippi State
Montana State vs. Washington State
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State
Abilene Christian vs. New Mexico
Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU
Incarnate Word vs. Fresno State
Tribe vs. UVA
Albany vs. Old Dominion

September 7th:
Idaho State vs. Utah State

September 9th:
South Dakota vs. Bowling Green
New Hampshire vs. Georgia Southern
Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech
Delaware vs. Virginia Tech
Indiana State vs. Tennessee
Chattanooga vs. LSU
Weber State vs. Cal
Western Carolina vs. Hawaii
Villanova vs. Temple
Abilene Christian vs. Colorado State

September 16th:
Samford vs. Georgia
Mercer vs. Auburn
Tennessee Tech vs. Ball St.

September 23rd:
Western Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina

November 11th:
Maine vs. UMass

November 18th:
The Citadel vs. Clemson
Mercer vs. Auburn
Missing some games.

[JSUSoutherner]

I don't think JSU has a chance. Tech is just too hard nosed.
Lol.

[Go...gate]

50-50 might be a bit optimistic. I'd give Colgate a 15-20% percent chance which is still really high relative to most FCS vs FBS games. The Raiders were hit pretty hard by graduation, especially on defense. Having two games under their belt will help them be prepared. Buffalo has some talent but are beatable by a Top 25ish FCS team imo. To start the year Colgate is probably a Top 40ish type team. They'll likely be either picked 3rd or 4th in the preseason PL poll.

This game is very similar to Maine-UMass. Regional foes with some rivalry elements and both games consist of a solid FCS team vs a below average FBS squad....

I believe Go Lehigh TU owl has hit it on the noggin.

[tierre]

Alcorn plays FIU on 2/9. FIU has lost the 2 out the last 3 times they played an FCS school

[PaladinNation]

Can Furman beat NC State?

I would expect Furman to play better in this game compared to last season's matchup with MSU.
Most of us (FU Fans) are excited about what we're seeing with the new staff and renewed excitement from the players but we also have to have reality.

New Offense. New Defense. Furman will be playing a ton of players at new positions as well as some rookies at critical positions in 2017.

[Seawolf97]

Stonybrook plays USF on 9/2. No upset there just a plain blowout for the Bulls.

[UNHWildcat18]

Below average FBS is excessively generous describing either UMass or Buffalo.


I think UMASS will be much improved this year. I bet they are better than half of the MAC teams, probably were last year too

[UNHWildcat18]

Sorry KPSUL but I see a Georgia Southern team that didn't lose a lot in graduation that was middle of the pac sunbelt that also runs a triple option. I just don't see us matching up well. Trevor Knight also sucks at throwing IMO

[KPSUL]

Sorry KPSUL but I see a Georgia Southern team that didn't lose a lot in graduation that was middle of the pac sunbelt that also runs a triple option. I just don't see us matching up well. Trevor Knight also sucks at throwing IMO

No apology needed for an honest disagreement. I wouldn't be shocked if we lose by 2-3 TDs. However, I think that this game sets up pretty well for UNH. The 2016 defense was way better against stopping the run then any Wildcat team in recent memory. I think 2017 may be even better. By the end of last season I was no big fan of Knight - I would have preferred to see Reise playing; however, I would not describe his passing skills as harshly as you. I'm also thinking he may display greater poise and confidence with a year as a starter behind him and coming into 2017 as the clear number #1. I didn't do any analysis on Georgia Southern other than to check their 2016 FBS record and see they went 4-7 in one of the weaker conferences. The last couple of years on the west coast it didn't seem to me that we played our FBS competition like we really wanted to win the game. I think that will change in 2017.

But UMass? If sucks describes anything accurately in college football it would be the hapless Minutemen. Better than half the MAC teams? They won two games last year and one was over FCS Wagner. The one FBS win was against equally hapless FIU.

[Mattymc727]

UNH is going to lose bigly

[mvemjsunpx]

But UMass? If sucks describes anything accurately in college football it would be the hapless Minutemen. Better than half the MAC teams? They won two games last year and one was over FCS Wagner. The one FBS win was against equally hapless FIU.


UMass… the Idaho of the East.

[dgtw]

JSU over GT. Book it.

Tech plays Tennessee the Monday night before facing us and we will be coming off a bye week.

[JSUSoutherner]

Tech plays Tennessee the Monday night before facing us and we will be coming off a bye week.
Yup.

I also think we will match up extremely well with them given how their built and what they like to do offensively. The only question area for me is how will our offense match up with their defense because we haven't seen what the offense is going to be like in the Post-Jenkins era.

We may know a little more after tomorrow night.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

The list in the OP probably does not even have half of the FCS-FBS games listed.
I went back and listed all of the G5 versus FCS games (though I could've accidently left out a few)

My Color Code:
Blue = FCS team is clear favorite
Green = Fairly even match, not much farther off than a coin flip
Yellow = winnable, but an uphill battle
Orange = longshot
Red = not a chance

August 31
Austin Paey vs Cincinatti
Holy Cross vs ULM
Tennessee State vs Georgia State
Sacramento State vs Idaho
Elon vs Toledo
Rhode Island vs Central Michigan

September 2nd
James Madison vs East Carolina
Stony Brook vs South Florida
Stephen F Austin vs SMU
Grambling State vs Tulane
SELA vs UL Lafayette
Houston Baptist vs Texas State
Hampton vs Ohio
VMI vs Air Force
Abeline Christian vs New Mexico
Incarnate Word vs Fresno State
Western Carolina vs Hawaii
UC Davis vs San Diego state
Cal Poly vs San Jose State
Howard vs UNLV
Northwesern State vs Louisiana Tech
Lamar vs North Texas
Albany vs Old Dominion
Alabama A&M vs UAB
Eastern Kentucky vs Western Kentucky

September 7th
Idaho State vs Utah State

September 9th
Villanova vs Temple
Savannah State vs App State
New Hampshire vs Georgia Southern
Alabama State vs Troy
Arkansas Pine Bluff vs Akron
Austin Peay vs Miami (OH)
Eastern Illinois vs NIU
Howard vs Kent State
South Dakota vs Bowling Green
Abeline Christian vs Colorado State
Gardner-Webb vs Wyoming
Alcorn State vs FIU
Southern vs Southern Miss


September 16th
Arkansas Pine Bluff vs Arkansas State
Alabama A&M vs South Alabama
Colgate vs Buffalo
Tennessee Tech vs Ball State
Idaho State vs Nevada
Bethune Cookman vs Florida Atlantic

Setpember 23
Southern Illinois vs Memphis
Western Illinois vs Coastal Carolina
Wagner vs Western Michigan

Septmeber 30th
Maine vs UCF

Novermber 11th
Maine vs UMass

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Sorry KPSUL but I see a Georgia Southern team that didn't lose a lot in graduation that was middle of the pac sunbelt that also runs a triple option. I just don't see us matching up well. Trevor Knight also sucks at throwing IMO


No apology needed for an honest disagreement. I wouldn't be shocked if we lose by 2-3 TDs. However, I think that this game sets up pretty well for UNH. The 2016 defense was way better against stopping the run then any Wildcat team in recent memory. I think 2017 may be even better. By the end of last season I was no big fan of Knight - I would have preferred to see Reise playing; however, I would not describe his passing skills as harshly as you. I'm also thinking he may display greater poise and confidence with a year as a starter behind him and coming into 2017 as the clear number #1. I didn't do any analysis on Georgia Southern other than to check their 2016 FBS record and see they went 4-7 in one of the weaker conferences. The last couple of years on the west coast it didn't seem to me that we played our FBS competition like we really wanted to win the game. I think that will change in 2017.

But UMass? If sucks describes anything accurately in college football it would be the hapless Minutemen. Better than half the MAC teams? They won two games last year and one was over FCS Wagner. The one FBS win was against equally hapless FIU.



UNH is going to lose bigly

We actually lost a very good senior class with several guys that will be in NFL camps. Two very experienced QBs are gone, our top receiver, as well as a RB that was on track to be the all-time FBS career yards per carry leader before last season.

All of the skill positions have good players left over, but experience will be an issue and it won't help that we basically replaced almost the entire offensive coaching staff and will have to start over as far as installing the scheme.

The coaching mathcup between Tyson Summers and Sean McDonnell isn't one that looks great for us on paper. The offensive coaching might be okay now but the defensive coaching is questionable.

[tomq04]

EWU has a chance. Both teams lost their head coach and some staff, Tech lost their baller QB, but EWU plays terrible east of the Dakota's for some reason...25% chance? Better than their odds against WSU last year (2% as i recall).

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I don't see Villanova-Temple being a coinflip. The Owls are a 17-21 pt betting favorite imo. With that said, given the rivarly aspect it could be closer.

I'd give 'Nova a 15% chance....

[Gangtackle11]

I don't see Villanova-Temple being a coinflip. The Owls are a 17-21 pt betting favorite imo. With that said, given the rivarly aspect it could be closer.

I'd give 'Nova a 15% chance....


I would like to beg to differ, but I don't.

[JALMOND]

8-26 Portland State at BYU
9-2 Portland State at Oregon State

Not that I think the Viks will win either one, but they were omitted from the list.

[Ivytalk]

Harvard over...oh, wait.

[youcanbankit]

Upset watch!!!

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24857&stc=1
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24859&stc=1

[JSUSoutherner]

Upset watch!!!

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24857&stc=1
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24859&stc=1

I really hope you didn't get that graphic from Samford or something.

[youcanbankit]

not quiet. Got it from JSU....lol

[JSUSoutherner]

not quiet. Got it from JSU....lol

Makes sense. Minimal effort into a graphic no one cares about anyway. :D

[GodHelpTheBears]

EWU has a chance. Both teams lost their head coach and some staff, Tech lost their baller QB, but EWU plays terrible east of the Dakota's for some reason...25% chance? Better than their odds against WSU last year (2% as i recall).

It's a combination of thinking that continuity at your end via promotion will ease any decline, and thinking Texas Tech is royally screwed because I don't see a lot of talent on their roster and their head coach is a paper tiger given a pass because he's a campus legend.

I really, really wish they had kept us on their schedule for next year.

[Mike296]

New Hampshire vs Georgia Southern could be an interesting one, im expecting GaSo to beat New Hampshire just on the fact that GaSo are an option based offense.

[citdog]

Georgia Southern .

Never heard of 'em

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Never heard of 'em

The Real GSU/Pig's Arse/the boys from Eagle Creek

[FUBeAR]

I really hope you didn't get that graphic from Samford or something.

C'mon JSU, you should know that this is the back-up graphic. The 1st Team graphic is AMAZING! It's 7' Tall, uses 128 colors, and was created by a graphic artist transfer from an SEC school!

[youcanbankit]

C'mon JSU, you should know that this is the back-up graphic. The 1st Team graphic is AMAZING! It's 7' Tall, uses 128 colors, and was created by a graphic artist transfer from an SEC school!


Ok....

So its a little homemade. But it gets the job done. Its the thought that counts. Nice schedule though....

[number1]

Southern vs. UT-SA will be closer than the experts think.

[Mike296]

Southern vs. UT-SA will be closer than the experts think.

I disagree, UTSA are a much better team than most people give them credit for, I truly believe this one won't even be close.

[Bisonoline]

I disagree, UTSA are a much better team than most people give them credit for, I truly believe this one won't even be close.

I watched bits of a few UTSA games last year and they were much better than I had envisioned. Didnt UTSA play a few decent teams pretty tough last year.

[number1]

I didn't say we would win, but we can make it interesting before depth takes over.

[WestCoastAggie]

NC A&T vs. Charlotte is September 16th.

The 49ers are on upset alert.

Also, their QB Hassan Klugh transferred up from A&T. He started a few games for us in 2014.

[GodHelpTheBears]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/6648jq/texas_tech_reschedules_game_against_ewu_to_a/

Interesting little non-story...Kirby Hocutt and Kliff Kingsbury must want to ask God directly for mercy before the ass-whuppin' EWU will give them.

[Catatonic]

The list in the OP probably does not even have half of the FCS-FBS games listed.
I went back and listed all of the G5 versus FCS games (though I could've accidently left out a few)

My Color Code:
Blue = FCS team is clear favorite
Green = Fairly even match, not much farther off than a coin flip
Yellow = winnable, but an uphill battle
Orange = longshot
Red = not a chance

August 31
Austin Paey vs Cincinatti
Holy Cross vs ULM
Tennessee State vs Georgia State
Sacramento State vs Idaho
Elon vs Toledo
Rhode Island vs Central Michigan

September 2nd
James Madison vs East Carolina
Stony Brook vs South Florida
Stephen F Austin vs SMU
Grambling State vs Tulane
SELA vs UL Lafayette
Houston Baptist vs Texas State
Hampton vs Ohio
VMI vs Air Force
Abeline Christian vs New Mexico
Incarnate Word vs Fresno State
Western Carolina vs Hawaii
UC Davis vs San Diego state
Cal Poly vs San Jose State
Howard vs UNLV
Northwesern State vs Louisiana Tech
Lamar vs North Texas
Albany vs Old Dominion
Alabama A&M vs UAB
Eastern Kentucky vs Western Kentucky

September 7th
Idaho State vs Utah State

September 9th
Villanova vs Temple
Savannah State vs App State
New Hampshire vs Georgia Southern
Alabama State vs Troy
Arkansas Pine Bluff vs Akron
Austin Peay vs Miami (OH)
Eastern Illinois vs NIU
Howard vs Kent State
South Dakota vs Bowling Green
Abeline Christian vs Colorado State
Gardner-Webb vs Wyoming
Alcorn State vs FIU
Southern vs Southern Miss


September 16th
Arkansas Pine Bluff vs Arkansas State
Alabama A&M vs South Alabama
Colgate vs Buffalo
Tennessee Tech vs Ball State
Idaho State vs Nevada
Bethune Cookman vs Florida Atlantic

Setpember 23
Southern Illinois vs Memphis
Western Illinois vs Coastal Carolina
Wagner vs Western Michigan

Septmeber 30th
Maine vs UCF

Novermber 11th
Maine vs UMass

The list the OP provided may have omitted some games but he spelled Abilene correctly. :)

[KPSUL]

Fair assessment. Hoping they are flat coming home from Notre Dame.

More like spoiling for fight after taking a whupping!

[KPSUL]

NC A&T vs. Charlotte is September 16th.

The 49ers are on upset alert.

Also, their QB Hassan Klugh transferred up from A&T. He started a few games for us in 2014.

If NC A&T wins that one, I don't think I'd consider it an upset.

[ASU33]

If NC A&T wins that one, I don't think I'd consider it an upset.

Me either

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

More like spoiling for fight after taking a whupping!

The first line I saw had ND -6. I'll take that. Notre Dame enters the season with a TON of question marks from a 5-7 team. We have our share too but this should be a 4 quarter game. My guess is ND 24 Temple 13. With that said, I wouldn't be surprised if some "experts" pick Temple as an upset special....

Temple should be pretty good this year. We'll take a step back from last year but the talent level is Top 50. The schedule is tough so I'll say 7-5/8-4. Collins seems like a good fit (better than Dunphy!) based on every objective thing I've read. 'Nova needs to play a helluva game and get a few breaks to have a chance to beat us.

[Catatonic]

The Irish host Georgia the following week. ND and Georgia haven't played since the 1980 national championship game and there will be a lot of hype for the Dawgs-Irish. With any luck Temple might catch ND looking ahead.
The first line I saw had ND -6. I'll take that. Notre Dame enters the season with a TON of question marks from a 5-7 team. We have our share too but this should be a 4 quarter game. My guess is ND 24 Temple 13. With that said, I wouldn't be surprised if some "experts" pick Temple as an upset special....

Temple should be pretty good this year. We'll take a step back from last year but the talent level is Top 50. The schedule is tough so I'll say 7-5/8-4. Collins seems like a good fit (better than Dunphy!) based on every objective thing I've read. 'Nova needs to play a helluva game and get a few breaks to have a chance to beat us.