Where does your team rank?

[PaladinFan]

Couple weeks before the season starts, and this forum is filled with useless bits of information....so I feel obliged to continue the trend.

Where does your team rank amongst the other football teams in the state? I say we should limit this to D-I schools, but if you feel like throwing in everyone feel free.

Rankings always ruffle feathers, but that's half the fun.

South Carolina:
1. USC
2. Clemson
3. Furman
4. Coastal Carolina
5. Wofford College
6. South Carolina State
7. Citadel
8. Charleston Southern

I might make mention I have always been astonished at how many D-I programs a small state like South Carolina has, especially when compared to my homestate, the much larger Georgia, which only has four (if you count Savannah State :smiley_wi )

[OL FU]

Couple weeks before the season starts, and this forum is filled with useless bits of information....so I feel obliged to continue the trend.

Where does your team rank amongst the other football teams in the state? I say we should limit this to D-I schools, but if you feel like throwing in everyone feel free.

Rankings always ruffle feathers, but that's half the fun.

South Carolina:
1. USC
2. Clemson
3. Furman
4. Coastal Carolina
5. Wofford College
6. South Carolina State
7. Charleston Southern

I might make mention I have always been astonished at how many D-I programs a small state like South Carolina has, especially when compared to my homestate, the much larger Georgia, which only has four (if you count Savannah State :smiley_wi )

I think the Citadel is above Charleston Southern:nod: :smiley_wi

We have so many that they are easy to forget.

Also considering recent history and where Clemson is in early polls, they have to sit atop the state rankings

[Pard4Life]

I think Lafayette is a clear #3 behind Penn State and Pittsburgh.. so..

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. Temple
7. LaSalle

But in terms of I-AA, Lafayette is around #25.

[Gil Dobie]

North Dakota

1. North Dakota State I-AA
2. University of North Dakota DII, but moving up in 2 years
3. University of Mary DII

[ButlerGSU]

UGA
GT
GSU
VSU
UWG
SSU

Am I forgetting anyone?

[NoCoDanny]

1. Colorado
2. Colorado State
3. Air Force
4. Northern Colorado
5. Mesa State
6. Western State
7. Colorado Mines
8. Adams State
9. Ft. Lewis
10. Colorado College

[GoGuins]

Most MAC Ohio teams are better than YSU. Akron, who YSU used to dominate, has also passed YSU up.

1. Ohio State
2. Miami, Oh
3. Toledo
4. Bowling Green
5. Cincinatti
6. Akron
7. YSU
8. Ohio U
9. Kent State
10. Ashland
11 Mount Union (DIII powerhouse)
12. Tiffin
13. Dayton

[grizbeer]

I assume we are ranking teams based on how good they are, not based on how popular they are or media attention? Here is how I see the BSC:
Montana:
UM
MSU
Carrol College

Idaho
Boise State
Idaho
Idaho State

Washington
WSU
UW
Eastern Washington
Central/Western

Oregon
UO
OSU
Portland State
Linfield

Arizona
ASU
UA
Northern Arizona

Colorado
CU
CSU
Air Force
Northern Colorado

Utah
Utah
BYU
USU
Weber State
Southern Utah

California (really don't know here, just a guess)
USC
UCLA
Cal
Fresno State
Stanford
San Diego State
Cal Poly
San Jose State
UC Davis
Sac State
San Diego

[Ivytalk]

1. Delaware
2. Wesley College (nationally ranked D-III school)
3. Delaware State

[GeauxColonels]

Louisiana is a pretty tough one.

I would think LSU is as close to a consensus #1 as you can get (but you'll still have people claiming they're not that good). After that, it's sort of a toss-up.

You've got several I-A teams (in no particular order):
Tulane
Louisiana Tech
UL-Monroe
UL-Lafayette

Then numerous I-AA teams (in no particular order):
Grambling State
Northwestern State
McNeese State
Southern
Nicholls State
Southeastern Louisiana

The I-AA teams are pretty darn close to the I-A teams, but I'll take a shot at ranking them (I'm SURE there will be much debate however):

1. LSU
2. Tulane
3. Louisiana Tech
4. UL-Lafayette
5. Nicholls State (based on their sweep of the Louisiana SLC schools)
6. Grambling State
7. McNeese State
8. Northwestern State
9. UL-Monroe
10. Southeastern Louisiana
11. Southern

As I said before, it's a VERY tough task to rank these teams, ULL & ULM, along with ALL the I-AA teams are VERY VERY close to one another.

[Golden Eagle]

1. Tennessee
2. Memphis
3. Vanderbilt
4. Middle Tennessee
5. UT Chattanooga
6. Tennessee State
7. Tennessee Tech
8. UT Martin
9. Austin Peay

[birdsflyhigh]

Here's my take on DI teams in Illinois for this year:

NIU
Northwestern
UI
ISU
SIU
EIU
WIU

ISU, SIU and EIU all have strong teams this year, and WIU is traditionally a good program. NIU has shined for the past few seasons, and Northwestern is consistently good. UI had a good season a few seasons back, but they have been weak overall the last decade.

[GoGuins]

1. Delaware
2. Wesley College (nationally ranked D-III school)
3. Delaware State

My cousin's boy is a freshman at Waynesburg College in PA and their 1st game is at Wesley

Wesley is really better than DSU?

[arranger101]

Couple weeks before the season starts, and this forum is filled with useless bits of information....so I feel obliged to continue the trend.

Where does your team rank amongst the other football teams in the state? I say we should limit this to D-I schools, but if you feel like throwing in everyone feel free.

Rankings always ruffle feathers, but that's half the fun.

South Carolina:
1. USC
2. Clemson
3. Furman
4. Coastal Carolina
5. Wofford College
6. South Carolina State
7. Charleston Southern

I might make mention I have always been astonished at how many D-I programs a small state like South Carolina has, especially when compared to my homestate, the much larger Georgia, which only has four (if you count Savannah State :smiley_wi )


I hope that this is a popularity list of schools, in S.C.:eyebrow: , but even so, it would still be off:rotateh: Not mad buddy at all, but here is what I would have put:

Clemson
South Carolina
Furman
Coastal Carolina
S.C. State
Wofford
Charleston Southern
Presbyterian

WOFFORD...you're on the CLOCK!!!!xcoffeex

[Champs]

Different opinion , GOGuins--

Ohio St.
Toledo
Cincinnati
Miami
Akron
Bowling Green
YSU
Ohio U.
Kent St.
Ashland- (II)
Findlay- (II)
Tiffin-(II)
Mt. Union ( III)
Dayton
Ohio Northern (III)
Capital (III)

And then all the D-IIIs

[NSUDemon98]

Louisiana is a pretty tough one.

I would think LSU is as close to a consensus #1 as you can get (but you'll still have people claiming they're not that good). After that, it's sort of a toss-up.

You've got several I-A teams (in no particular order):
Tulane
Louisiana Tech
UL-Monroe
UL-Lafayette

Then numerous I-AA teams (in no particular order):
Grambling State
Northwestern State
McNeese State
Southern
Nicholls State
Southeastern Louisiana

The I-AA teams are pretty darn close to the I-A teams, but I'll take a shot at ranking them (I'm SURE there will be much debate however):

1. LSU
2. Tulane
3. Louisiana Tech
4. UL-Lafayette
5. Nicholls State (based on their sweep of the Louisiana SLC schools)
6. Grambling State
7. McNeese State
8. Northwestern State
9. UL-Monroe
10. Southeastern Louisiana
11. Southern

As I said before, it's a VERY tough task to rank these teams, ULL & ULM, along with ALL the I-AA teams are VERY VERY close to one another.

If I were basing it on not just one year, but year in and year out I would say this is more accurate.

LSU
Tulane/LaTech
UL-L
McNeese
NSU
UL-M
Nicholls
Southern
Grambling
SLU

[MYTAPPY]

1.NC State
2.North Carolina
3.Appalachian State
4.ECU
5.Western Carolina
6.Wake Forest
7.Duke

Of course #3 has the only football national championship in the state:hurray:

[Ivytalk]

My cousin's boy is a freshman at Waynesburg College in PA and their 1st game is at Wesley

Wesley is really better than DSU?

Probably not, but UD fans love to rag on DSU!:p :nod:

[PaladinFan]

I think the Citadel is above Charleston Southern:nod: :smiley_wi

We have so many that they are easy to forget.

Also considering recent history and where Clemson is in early polls, they have to sit atop the state rankings

I completely forgot The Citadel, I knew I was forgetting someone. Still, 8 division I teams in a state with a population of approximately 4 million. Can anyone say recruiting overlap?

Crap! I forgot Presbyterian College too. Are they Division IAA this year or next? 9 teams?!?! Sheesh.

I am out on USC and Clemson. I guessed and chose the half dozen over six.

South Carolina State was kind of a wild card. This is your season to show the state where you belong. Wofford, IMO, has played good football in a tougher conference. They have beaten GSU 3 out of the past 4. It kinda falls in line with an old debate on whether a top team in a weak conference is better than a mid tier team in a strong conference. This is SCSUs year to prove me wrong.

[JoshUCA]

For Arkansas:

University of Arkansas (IA)
Arkansas State University (IA)
University of Central Arkansas (IAA)
University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (IAA)

Then there are several DII schools in our state that I will not take the time to rank. However over the past several years UCA has been the most successful college football program in the state as far as # of W is concerned!

[PaladinFan]

UGA
GT
GSU
VSU
UWG
SSU

Am I forgetting anyone?

Are those all the football playing schools in Georgia? I know Lagrange College is starting up a team this year. Does North GA have a team up in Delonagah?

Can we throw Valdosta High School in with that? I think they would be above Savannah State.

[bluehenbillk]

Probably not, but UD fans love to rag on DSU!:p :nod:

Wesley - DSU may be closer than you think.

[AppGuy04]

1.NC State
2.North Carolina
3.Appalachian State
4.ECU
5.Western Carolina
6.Wake Forest
7.Duke

Of course #3 has the only football national championship in the state:hurray:

I disagree on everything except #1 and #7, though 7 is getting alot better

1. NC State
2. App
3. UNC
4. Wake
5. Western
6. ECU
7. Duke- closing in on ECU

[Maroons]

I'm going to take some hell for this from several fronts for good reason...
1) We've only beaten WKU once in the past 5 meetings.
2) We're 0-1 against UK all-time and they play in the SEC.

But, I believe this is the year we turn the corner on WKU and UK football is in a sad state of affairs.

Nevertheless, all the Kentucky public schools:
1) University Of Louisville
2) Eastern Kentucky University
3) Western Kentucky University
4) University of Kentucky
5) Murray State University
6) Morehead State University
7) Kentucky State University

[OL FU]

I hope that this is a popularity list of schools, in S.C.:eyebrow: , but even so, it would still be off:rotateh: Not mad buddy at all, but here is what I would have put:

Clemson
South Carolina
Furman
Coastal Carolina
S.C. State
Wofford
Charleston Southern
Presbyterian

WOFFORD...you're on the CLOCK!!!!xcoffeex

The Citadel is not winning any popularity contests, are they?:D

[OL FU]

I completely forgot The Citadel, I knew I was forgetting someone. Still, 8 division I teams in a state with a population of approximately 4 million. Can anyone say recruiting overlap?

Crap! I forgot Presbyterian College too. Are they Division IAA this year or next? 9 teams?!?! Sheesh.

I am out on USC and Clemson. I guessed and chose the half dozen over six.

South Carolina State was kind of a wild card. This is your season to show the state where you belong. Wofford, IMO, has played good football in a tougher conference. They have beaten GSU 3 out of the past 4. It kinda falls in line with an old debate on whether a top team in a weak conference is better than a mid tier team in a strong conference. This is SCSUs year to prove me wrong.

I think PC is still competing in the SAC this year, I repeat I think

[Killtoppers90]

As far as Kentucky goes, I would rank them this way:

1) Louisville
2) WKU
3) EKU
4) UK
5) Murray State
6) Morehead State

[McNeese75]

If I were basing it on not just one year, but year in and year out I would say this is more accurate.

LSU
Tulane/LaTech
UL-L
McNeese
NSU
UL-M
Nicholls
Southern
Grambling
SLU

Wouldn't touch this one with a http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGCOVERS/music/cover200/drc700/c714/c714598g26a.jpg

[JMU Duke Dog]

For Division I-A and I-AA in the state of Virginia heading into the 2006 season:

1. Virginia Tech
2. Virginia
3. James Madison
4. Richmond
5. William & Mary
6. Hampton
7. Liberty
8. VMI
9. Norfolk State

[MYTAPPY]

I disagree on everything except #1 and #7, thought 7 is getting alot better

1. NC State
2. App
3. UNC
4. Wake
5. Western
6. ECU
7. Duke- closing in on ECU

I was showing love for that other moutain school, which I rarely do. I should of put Wake higher. My father went there and I was raised a Deacon fan. I'm looking forward to what Skip Holtz does at ECU and I almost added Davidson to the list, but then I started to laugh. I could of put A&T on the list.

[Maroons]

As far as Kentucky goes, I would rank them this way:

1) Louisville
2) WKU
3) EKU
4) UK
5) Murray State
6) Morehead State

Then we are in agreement with the exception of which school is better... Eastern or Western. That is as it should be. I look forward to Sept. 9th so we can settle this debate until the playoffs at least!

[JaxSinfonian]

Alabama, where they say college football is a religion (what they mean is SEC football is a religion):

1. Auburn
2. UAT
3. UAB
4. (tie) Jax State & Troy (That's based on last year's results. Both are just a shade behind UAB. In previous years I'd have put Troy well ahead of us. I wish we'd schedule a game against the Fighting Prophylactics.)
6. (tie) Samford & Alabama A&M
8. Alabama State

[ncbears]

1. Colorado
2. Colorado State
3. Air Force
4. Northern Colorado
5. Mesa State
6. Western State
7. Colorado Mines
8. Adams State
9. Ft. Lewis
10. Colorado College

I agree with NoCoDanny, but I think we can swap places with Air Force in a couple years. The Falcons have been slipping big time and with our new coach we could be rising.

[aceinthehole]

Connecticut - not a football hotbed or a large state, but based on statewide appeal, Hartford Courant and statewide TV coverage.

UCONN (I-A) - Far and away the #1 team, Big East, etc.
-------
Yale (I-AA) - Ivy League, history, Yale Bowl, alumni, tradition, etc.
Central Conn. St. (I-AA) - State's 2nd largest public university, in New Britain/Hartford market.
----
(Teams ranked by statewide appeal, but generally stronger in their own regional market)
Trinity (III) - very successful NESCAC small collgee team, Hartford location.
Sacred Heart (I-AA) - CCSU conference foe, I-AA team, but in Fairfield County (NYC suburbs).
Wesleyan (III) - NESCAC member, in central region of the state - Middletown.
Southern Conn. St. (II) - very good program, but somewhat "hidden" outside of the greater New Haven market.
Western Conn. St. (III) - good program and coaches, but plays many NJ/NY teams, located in small Danbury market.
Coast Guard (III) - generally not very good team, lower profile DIII opponents, located in Southeastern part of the state - New London.

[JaxSinfonian]

Still, 8 division I teams in a state with a population of approximately 4 million. Can anyone say recruiting overlap?
Alabama, by the way, also has 8 Division I teams, with a population of 4.5 million.

Division II North Alabama should move up, IMHO, to give us 9.

[chrisattsu]

Texas can be pain in the ass because there are so many teams If we are only talking Football...this would be my guess.
( let me know if I am forgetting somebody)

D1A-
U Texas
TX A&M
TX Tech
UTEP
TCU
U North Texas
Baylor
Houston
SMU
Rice


D1AA-
Sam Houston
SFA
Texas State
Texas Southern
Prairie View A&M

D2 -
Texas A&M Kingsville
Tarleton State
Angelo State
West Texas A&M
Texas A&M Commerce
Midwestern State
Abilene Christian

D3-
U. Mary Hardin Baylor
Trinity
Hardin Simmons
(Honestly, I dont know many other D3s with football)

[89Hen]

1) University Of Louisville
2) Eastern Kentucky University
3) Western Kentucky University
4) University of Kentucky


1) Louisville
2) WKU
3) EKU
4) UK

I don't know if you guys are serious or not. I'm sure there's a lot of hate for UK, but c'mon. They have never lost to a I-AA even in 3-8 seasons like last year. Last game UK 52 - EKU 7.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I think Lafayette is a clear #3 behind Penn State and Pittsburgh.. so..

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. Temple
7. LaSalle

But in terms of I-AA, Lafayette is around #25.

I though this was popularity not the best team, even so i don't think they're the clear #3, if they were say 10-1 last year and Lehigh was 8-3 maybe. But both teams are comming off the a season with the same record. Pard fans are really growing big balls after a couple 8-3 years.....

My rankings
1. Penn State
2. Pitt
3T. Lehigh
3T. Lafayette
5. Villanova
6. Penn
7. Temple
8. Duquense
9. Bucknell
10. La Salle

[ucdtim17]

California (really don't know here, just a guess)
USC
UCLA
Cal
Fresno State
Stanford
San Diego State
Cal Poly
San Jose State
UC Davis
Sac State
San Diego

California always changes based on who is winning, but right now ('06) I'd rank it like this:

USC
Cal
UCLA
Stanford
Fresno State
San Diego State

now it gets a little trickier:

SJSU - WAC, I-A, benefit of doubt barely edges
CP/UCD - both rising programs, new stadiums, good developing rivalry - I don't see one having an edge right now

Sac - talking about WAC while continuing to suck in BSC
San Diego - I don't think anyone knows they play football

[Panther88]

Texas can be pain in the ass because there are so many teams If we are only talking Football...this would be my guess.
( let me know if I am forgetting somebody)

D1A-
U Texas
TX A&M
TX Tech
UTEP
TCU
U North Texas
Baylor
Houston
SMU
Rice


D1AA-
Sam Houston
SFA
Texas State
Texas Southern
Prairie View A&M

D2 -
Texas A&M Kingsville
Tarleton State
Angelo State
West Texas A&M
Texas A&M Commerce
Midwestern State
Abilene Christian

D3-
U. Mary Hardin Baylor
Trinity
Hardin Simmons
(Honestly, I dont know many other D3s with football)

NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!!!! :smiley_wi

Have you been keeping up w/ texas football as of late? :confused: unt above Baylor? TSU ahead of PVAMU? lol SFA above TxSt? C'mon now.

[OL FU]

For Division I-A and I-AA in the state of Virginia heading into the 2006 season:

1. Virginia Tech
2. Virginia
3. James Madison
4. Richmond
5. William & Mary
6. Hampton
7. Liberty
8. VMI
9. Norfolk State

Lots of Good 'uns in the state of VA. :nod:

[HiHiYikas]

For what it's worth, Jeff Sagarin's ratings looked like this at the end of the 2005 season:

NC State (33)
North Carolina (43)
Wake Forest (61)
Appalachian State (69)
East Carolina (92)
Duke (133)
Western Carolina (136)
Elon (195) - a 2-time NAIA-I National Champion, btw
NC A&T (206)
Gardner-Webb (209)
Davidson (225)

Ranking fellow semi-finalist Furman 100th to App's 69th is a good reason to question these numbers. With a switch here or there, this winds up looking a lot like the average fan's list. Personally, I'd at least move App State ahead of Wake. I'd figure some of NC's better DII programs would rate better than some of our weaker DI's. Like Elon, DII Lenoir-Rhyne has a national title to its credit, but that's been a long time ago. NC Central is a strong DII team.

[gr8ness97]

Mine

NC State
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Appalachian State
East Carolina
Duke
Western Carolina
NC A&T
Elon
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NC Central (2007 1-aa)
Davidson

[grayghost06]

How's this for being odd..The 9th and 10th ranked states in terms of population ( NJ & GA) have a combined 3 D-1A schools and only a couple more true 1AA football schools ( those that offer a full 63 non need based scholarships). Off the top of my head, I can't think of any in New Jersey. Princeton may offer 63 but they would have to be need based. In Georgia, is there any other school besides Georgia Southern that fits this description?...These are two football hotbeds for high school football talent, yet their home state choices are extremely limited. It's no wonder that big time schools continually raid these states. Why the lack of interest in D1 football in these big poplation states?

[slycat]

NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!!!! :smiley_wi

Have you been keeping up w/ texas football as of late? :confused: unt above Baylor? TSU ahead of PVAMU? lol SFA above TxSt? C'mon now.

unt is ranked way too high. they should be below baylor, houston, and smu. smu didnt have problems until the ncaa busted them.

[Ken_Z]

I think Lafayette is a clear #3 behind Penn State and Pittsburgh.. so..

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. Temple
7. LaSalle

But in terms of I-AA, Lafayette is around #25.


what the ...

you include LaSalle, but omit Bucknell. i can see missing Robert Morris or SFP, but Bucknell, Penn and Duquesne, come on. Lafayette must pay for this.

[Tribe4SF]

For Division I-A and I-AA in the state of Virginia heading into the 2006 season:

1. Virginia Tech
2. Virginia
3. James Madison
4. Richmond
5. William & Mary
6. Hampton
7. Liberty
8. VMI
9. Norfolk State

Norfolk State beat the crap out of Liberty last year.

[Chi Panther]

Iowa
Iowa State
UNI
Drake
Wartburg (DIII)
Central (DIII)
Coe (DIII)
.......many other DIII's
:twocents:

[Lionsrking]

If I were basing it on not just one year, but year in and year out I would say this is more accurate.

LSU
Tulane/LaTech
UL-L
McNeese
NSU
UL-M
Nicholls
Southern
Grambling
SLU

If you're basing it on all-time history, we would be ahead of Nicholls State, and ULM and probably ULL too. Even when you factor in the 18 years we didn't have a team, we've been playing football a lot longer than the Colonels and have a better all-time winning percentage than all three. We also have a national championship (1954). Our all-time record against ULM is 29-15-2 and 17-18-3 against ULL.

When you factor in recent history, it's hard to argue being last since we're a new program but we're progressing rather quickly.

[gophoenix]

Here's my ranking for North Carolina this year, I think I got all the 4 year schools:

NC State
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Appalachian State
East Carolina
Western Carolina
Duke
Elon
NC Central
NC A&T
Gardner-Webb
Catawba
Lenoir-Rhyne
St. Augustine's
Winston-Salem State
Mars Hill
Davidson
Wingate
Fayetteville St
Shaw
Elizabeth City State
Methodist
NC Wesleyan
Livingstone
Johnson C Smith
Greensboro
Guilford
Brevard
Chowan

[slostang]

California always changes based on who is winning, but right now ('06) I'd rank it like this:

USC
Cal
UCLA
Stanford
Fresno State
San Diego State

now it gets a little trickier:

SJSU - WAC, I-A, benefit of doubt barely edges
CP/UCD - both rising programs, new stadiums, good developing rivalry - I don't see one having an edge right now

Sac - talking about WAC while continuing to suck in BSC
San Diego - I don't think anyone knows they play football
This looks about right going into the year. Cal Poly plays four teams on the list, including I-A teams San Jose State and San Diego State, so it will be interesting to see where Poly falls on the list at the end of the year.

[downbythebeach]

6. YSU
7. Ohio U
8. Kent State
9. Ashland
10 Mount Union (DIII powerhouse)
11. Tiffin
12. Dayton

Don't let the dayton poster see this.....they beat Tiffin 38-0 last year:)

[GeauxColonels]

If I were basing it on not just one year, but year in and year out I would say this is more accurate.

LSU
Tulane/LaTech
UL-L
McNeese
NSU
UL-M
Nicholls
Southern
Grambling
SLU
As a historical look at the overall programs I would definitely agree with your rankings. :nod: I just looked at it in the context of last year's teams.

[GeauxColonels]

If you're basing it on all-time history, we would be ahead of Nicholls State, and ULM and probably ULL too. Even when you factor in the 18 years we didn't have a team, we've been playing football a lot longer than the Colonels and have a better all-time winning percentage than all three. We also have a national championship (1954). Our all-time record against ULM is 29-15-2 and 17-18-3 against ULL.

When you factor in recent history, it's hard to argue being last since we're a new program but we're progressing rather quickly.
I would think he was looking at more recent history. Looking at all-time figures, you could put ULM/NLU higher and Connecticut could rank Yale at the top.

But I definitely see what you're saying. As I said, with 11 D-I teams in Louisiana, it's pretty tricky.

[GeauxColonels]

Don't let the dayton poster see this.....they beat Tiffin 38-0 last year:)
Go Dragons baby! :hurray: :hurray:

[DUPFLFan]

Iowa
Iowa State
UNI
Drake
Wartburg (DIII)
Central (DIII)
Coe (DIII)
.......many other DIII's
:twocents:

That sounds about right...

[SO ILLmatic]

California always changes based on who is winning, but right now ('06) I'd rank it like this:

USC
Cal
UCLA
Stanford
Fresno State
San Diego State

now it gets a little trickier:

SJSU - WAC, I-A, benefit of doubt barely edges
CP/UCD - both rising programs, new stadiums, good developing rivalry - I don't see one having an edge right now

Sac - talking about WAC while continuing to suck in BSC
San Diego - I don't think anyone knows they play football


I dont know about giving San Jose St. that much respect. I would put CP UC-Davis, and Sac St above them. Then it starts to get tricky when deciding if they should go above, below, or be tied with San Diego. Becuase quite frankly I feel SJSU would have difficulty being a mid-tier i-aa team or even compete for a Big Sky championship.

[Husky Alum]

I'm only going to do I-A and I-AA in Massachusetts - there are WAY too many D II and D III schools, but to give credit where credit is due, the best D II program is probably Bentley in Waltham (they make the D-II playoffs now and then) and the best D III program is Williams in Williamstown.

Rankings are based on current status, if we were basing it on sustained history, you'd have Harvard 1, BC 2, UMass 3, Holy Cross 4.

1. Boston College
2. UMass
3. Harvard
4. Holy Cross
5. Northeastern

I think I have the population of D-I schools in MA, but if I forgot someone, just shoot me.

[DUPFLFan]

Different opinion , GOGuins--

Ohio St.
Toledo
Cincinnati
Miami
Akron
Bowling Green
YSU
Ohio U.
Kent St.
Ashland- (II)
Findlay- (II)
Tiffin-(II)
Mt. Union ( III)
Dayton
Ohio Northern (III)
Capital (III)

And then all the D-IIIs

Another opinion...

Ohio St.
Toledo
Cincinnati
Miami
Akron
Bowling Green
YSU
Ohio U.
Kent St.
Dayton
Ashland- (II)
Findlay- (II)
Tiffin-(II)
Mt. Union ( III)
Ohio Northern (III)
Capital (III)

There is no way that Dayton should be ranked lower than the D-II schools...

[catbob]

Well this one is easy:

1. Montana State
2. Montana
3. A handful of NAIA teams

Sorry Griz, but if this isn't the perfect time for in-state bragging rights I don't know when is. ;)

[rjacks21]

South Dakota

1. South Dakota State
2. Univeristy of South Dakota (D-II)
3. Augustana College (D-II)
4. University of Sioux Falls (NAIA)
5. Northern State University (D-II)

[douglasdmb]

Easy...

1. Mizzou
2. MO State
3. SEMO

Honestly, a good argument could be made for the Div 2 powerhouse, NW Missouri St., being the #2 football program in Missouri.:nonono2:

[Ivytalk]

I'm only going to do I-A and I-AA in Massachusetts - there are WAY too many D II and D III schools, but to give credit where credit is due, the best D II program is probably Bentley in Waltham (they make the D-II playoffs now and then) and the best D III program is Williams in Williamstown.

Rankings are based on current status, if we were basing it on sustained history, you'd have Harvard 1, BC 2, UMass 3, Holy Cross 4.

1. Boston College
2. UMass
3. Harvard
4. Holy Cross
5. Northeastern

I think I have the population of D-I schools in MA, but if I forgot someone, just shoot me.

That's spot-on, Husky!:nod: :nod: :thumbsup:

[PaladinFan]

How's this for being odd..The 9th and 10th ranked states in terms of population ( NJ & GA) have a combined 3 D-1A schools and only a couple more true 1AA football schools ( those that offer a full 63 non need based scholarships). Off the top of my head, I can't think of any in New Jersey. Princeton may offer 63 but they would have to be need based. In Georgia, is there any other school besides Georgia Southern that fits this description?...These are two football hotbeds for high school football talent, yet their home state choices are extremely limited. It's no wonder that big time schools continually raid these states. Why the lack of interest in D1 football in these big poplation states?

Lets see if I can answer this.

There are only four D-I football schools in the state of Georgia, UGA, GT, Georgia Southern, and Savannah State. However, you are right in saying that Georgia gets raided by other schools. On another thread I made mention that Furman's football team has 52 players from Georgia, roughly half the team.

I think another large part is the proximity of other big name football schools. From my house in Western Georgia I am a three hour driving distance to UGA, GT, FSU, Auburn, Alabama, and Clemson. Lengthen that to five hours and you pick up Vandy, Florida, UT, Ole Miss, MSU, and USC. And those are just the big name schools. There is A LOT of competition for the same players.

It is very easy to poach players, Florida State, Auburn, and Clemson in particular are less than 30 mins from the Georgia state line. If you take time to scan the rosters of those schools, you will find a large chunk of players, and often starters hailing from Georgia.

I think some of it has to do with allegiances too. Georgian's kind of have a mentality of "go big or go home." Lower division football is seem somewhat as second class. Part of that probably has to do with the success of UGA and GT over their history. A lot of their fans have grown up following a winner.

Yeah, it's suprising that South Carolina, a state with 1/2 the population of Georgia will have over twice as many D-I programs, but I think that will change in the next 10 years or so.

[OL FU]

:nod:
Here's my ranking for North Carolina this year, I think I got all the 4 year schools:

NC State
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Appalachian State
East Carolina
Western Carolina
Duke
Elon
NC Central
NC A&T
Gardner-Webb
Catawba
Lenoir-Rhyne
St. Augustine's
Winston-Salem State
Mars Hill
Davidson
Wingate
Fayetteville St
Shaw
Elizabeth City State
Methodist
NC Wesleyan
Livingstone
Johnson C Smith
Greensboro
Guilford
Brevard
Chowan

Looks like a helluva first game

[Maroons]

I don't know if you guys are serious or not. I'm sure there's a lot of hate for UK, but c'mon. They have never lost to a I-AA even in 3-8 seasons like last year. Last game UK 52 - EKU 7.

You're referring to the 1 UK-EKU game that UK has ever been willing to play. I mentioned that in one of my "qualifiers" about my list. That game took place in 1998, UK's best season since 1977. Tim Couch was a Heisman candidate and EKU barely managed to keep the winning season streak alive with a 6-5 record. Simply put, UK was at its best in 30 years and EKU was at its worst. Hmm... funny how that's the only time the two schools have played.

Flash forward to the present where WKU is only 4 years removed from a national championship, EKU is poised for a return to greatness and UK is coming off a season where they needed kick return heroics with under 5 minutes to play to vanquish Idaho State. Idaho State (of Big Sky fame) went on to finish 5-6. UK finished 3-8 with the other two wins coming over Vandy and Miss. State.

So... yes, I'm serious. I think EKU and WKU have legitimately better teams and if it were possible to schedule Home and Home series' with UK, the records would show that. Plus, how many times has UK played a I-AA team since the division was founded? I count about 5 and yes, they have won those 5 games... but that's not much of a sample size.

As it stands, we'll have to do it the hard way, playing them at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington next year.

[ucdtim17]

I dont know about giving San Jose St. that much respect. I would put CP UC-Davis, and Sac St above them. Then it starts to get tricky when deciding if they should go above, below, or be tied with San Diego. Becuase quite frankly I feel SJSU would have difficulty being a mid-tier i-aa team or even compete for a Big Sky championship.


San Jose is definitely above Sac - more fans, better team, better stadium, bigger market, I-A, WAC, more history, etc etc etc. Their program was on the chopping block a few years ago like Sac, but they hired Tomey and don't really have anywhere to go but up. WAC cellar dweller > BSC cellar dweller

[Griz Grunt]

1. UM
2. MSU
3. Carroll College
4. MT. Tech.

http://people.montana.com/~rkdl/Adjusted-2.gif:thumbsup:

[89Hen]

Flash forward to the present where WKU is only 4 years removed from a national championship, EKU is poised for a return to greatness and UK is coming off a season where they needed kick return heroics with under 5 minutes to play to vanquish Idaho State. Idaho State (of Big Sky fame) went on to finish 5-6. UK finished 3-8 with the other two wins coming over Vandy and Miss. State.

So... yes, I'm serious. I think EKU and WKU have legitimately better teams and if it were possible to schedule Home and Home series' with UK, the records would show that. Plus, how many times has UK played a I-AA team since the division was founded? I count about 5 and yes, they have won those 5 games... but that's not much of a sample size.

As it stands, we'll have to do it the hard way, playing them at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington next year.
There were 7 games, but you're correct, that's not a lot. But it is still 7-0. UK has Texas State this year and as you said EKU next year. We will have to revisit this in 13 months. BTW, I hope you beat the tar out of them, I have no love for UK. :thumbsup:

[EKU05]

I'm going to take some hell for this from several fronts for good reason...
1) We've only beaten WKU once in the past 5 meetings.
2) We're 0-1 against UK all-time and they play in the SEC.

But, I believe this is the year we turn the corner on WKU and UK football is in a sad state of affairs.

Nevertheless, all the Kentucky public schools:
1) University Of Louisville
2) Eastern Kentucky University
3) Western Kentucky University
4) University of Kentucky
5) Murray State University
6) Morehead State University
7) Kentucky State University

I'm going to re-rank...thinking only slightly less with my heart....

1. Louisville--No doubt here. The Cards are a top 10 I-A team.

2. Kentucky--Only because they are deeper. First 22 are no better (and maybe worse) than #3

3. Eastern Kentucky--Colonels always have a solid defense, but this time are loaded on offense as well.

4. Western Kentucky--Tops aren't as bad as the end of last season made them look, but their offense is a Lerron Moore injury away from disaster.

5. Morehead State--Young, but the non-scholarship Eagles are always solid.

6. Murray State--Very well may prove me wrong here with Griffin at the helm, but Morehead has been better recently and I'm not going to hand it to the racers just because of a new coach.

7. Kentucky State--Division II (the only one in the Commonwealth without KWC now).

[Go...gate]

OK, you Red Raiders, Bulls, Rams, Big Red, Orange, Lions, Seahawks, Pride, Gaels, Seawolves, Great Danes, Cadets and others - Syracuse sucks right now so the NY State Division I (!) sweepstakes is much tighter than usual, with many places interchangeable - I hope I remember everyone:

Syracuse (I-A coming off a 1-10 in the Big East)
Army (added thanks to the close scrutiny of UA Alum)
Hofstra
Buffalo (I-A coming off a 1-10 in the MAC)
Colgate
Cornell
Albany
Columbia
Fordham
Stony Brook
Marist
Wagner
Iona

:twocents:

[Maroons]

2. Kentucky--Only because they are deeper. First 22 are no better (and maybe worse) than #3

3. Eastern Kentucky--Colonels always have a solid defense, but this time are loaded on offense as well.

::shakes head in disapproval::

[Go...gate]

I think Lafayette is a clear #3 behind Penn State and Pittsburgh.. so..

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. Temple
7. LaSalle

But in terms of I-AA, Lafayette is around #25.

Clearly, LC can compete with Lehigh, and is ahead of Bucknell at this time. But I think Temple may get better simply because they have a more manageable schedule and a more reasonable conference affiliation. Villanova is also on the way back, IMO. Like I picked Hofstra and Buffalo over Colgate in NY State, I see Temple and Villanova a notch higher than the Leopards in Pennsy.

[Maroons]

BTW, I hope you beat the tar out of them, I have no love for UK.

Now you're talking! Next year should be our peak year... which could be absolute delight for Colonel fans.

[Cocky]

UGA
GT
GSU
VSU
UWG
SSU

Am I forgetting anyone?

LaGrange College has a team as mentioned in another post. LaGrange High School could probably beat them.

Shorter College in Rome has a team as does Albany State.

[GeauxColonels]

Any other people from Louisiana care to take a stab at ranking the teams? So far I've seen myself and posters from Northwestern State and Southeastern. Where are all the McNeese State, Grambling State and Southern guys?!

I'm really curious to see what everyone else thinks. Of course, I think that ranking the teams by their history is easier than doing ranking of the teams based on their current status, I welcome either views.

[Demon Fan]

Any other people from Louisiana care to take a stab at ranking the teams? So far I've seen myself and posters from Northwestern State and Southeastern. Where are all the McNeese State, Grambling State and Southern guys?!

I'm really curious to see what everyone else thinks. Of course, I think that ranking the teams by their history is easier than doing ranking of the teams based on their current status, I welcome either views.

I concur with NSUDemon98's assesment; but then I've always liked to do things the easy way.

[EKU05]

Now you're talking! Next year should be our peak year... which could be absolute delight for Colonel fans.

Oh, we will. I think EKU will be even better in 2007 than this year...and I think the Cats won't be able to help but take us lightly. But let's get one thing straight....NO ONE hates the mildcats more than I do.

Plus, all signs point to the EKU vs. UK game being the first game under a new coaching regime for Kentucky...

[UAalum72]

OK, you Red Raiders, Bulls, Rams, Big Red, Orange, Lions, Seahawks, Pride, Gaels, Seawolves, Great Danes and others - Syracuse sucks right now so the NY State Division I (!) sweepstakes is much tighter than usual, with many places interchangeable - I hope I remember everyone:

Syracuse (I-A coming off a 1-10 in the Big East)
Hofstra
Buffalo (I-A coming off a 1-10 in the MAC)
Colgate
Cornell
Albany
Columbia
Fordham
Stony Brook
Marist
Wagner
Iona

:twocents:And after the discussion of what a great place to watch a game - you've forgotten the US Military Academy (although I can see how you could think of it as a national institution, not specific to NY) - possibly now at the top of the list.

[Go...gate]

And after the discussion of what a great place to watch a game - you've forgotten the US Military Academy (although I can see how you could think of it as a national institution, not specific to NY) - possibly now at the top of the list.

OH, SH-T!!!!!!!. I will edit the post.

Off all the schools to forget!!!

Many thanks.

[bobcatalum05]

Texas can be pain in the ass because there are so many teams If we are only talking Football...this would be my guess.
( let me know if I am forgetting somebody)

D1A-
U Texas
TX A&M
TX Tech
UTEP
TCU
U North Texas
Baylor
Houston
SMU
Rice


D1AA-
Sam Houston
SFA
Texas State
Texas Southern
Prairie View A&M

D2 -
Texas A&M Kingsville
Tarleton State
Angelo State
West Texas A&M
Texas A&M Commerce
Midwestern State
Abilene Christian

D3-
U. Mary Hardin Baylor
Trinity
Hardin Simmons
(Honestly, I dont know many other D3s with football)

You must have been just listing these because otherwise you are dillusional.

DI-A
1. UT
2. A&M
3. Tech
4. TCU
5. Baylor
6. UTEP
7. Houston
8. North Texas
9/10. Rice/SMU

DI-AA
1. Texas State
2. Sam Houston
3. SFA
4. TXSO/PV A&M


I think Texas State would be around North Texas but above Rice and SMU. Same for Sam Houston and SFA.

[treacherous]

If we're going by who has played the best Division I (A & AA) football in Texas in recent years...

1. Texas
2. Texas Tech
3. TCU
4. UTEP
5. Texas A&M
6. Houston
7. Baylor
8. Texas State
9. North Texas
10. SMU
11. Sam Houston State
12. Rice
13. SFA
14. Prairie View A&M
15. Texas Southern

Any I forgetting any D-I teams in Texas?

[bobcatalum05]

You forgot North Texas, but that wasnt very hard was it.

I went by fan support/quality of teams.

[GSUhooligan]

LaGrange College has a team as mentioned in another post. LaGrange High School could probably beat them.

Shorter College in Rome has a team as does Albany State.

Pretty sure Fort Valley has a team as well.

[DFW HOYA]

The list:

I-A (10): Texas A&M, Texas, TTech, Baylor, TCU, SMU, Houston, Rice, UTEP, North Texas

I-AA (5): Texas State, SFA, Sam Houston, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M

II (6): Angelo St., Tarleton, West Texas A&M, A&M-Kingsville, Midwestern, Abilene Christian

III (9): Austin, McMurry, Hardin-Simmons, Mary Hardin-Baylor, East Texas Baptist, Howard Payne, Sul Ross, Texas Lutheran, Trinity

NAIA (3): Paul Quinn, Texas College, SW Assemblies of God.

JC: (5) Kilgore, Navarro, Blinn, Trinity Valley, Tyler

Oh, and just under 1,300 high schools, with enrollments ranging from 50 to just under 5,000.

IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON!

[tralfangar]

If the rankings are for this upcoming year:

1. UNC
2. NC State
3. Wake Forest
4. Appalachian State
5. ECU
6. Western

If Duke beats Richmond I'll add them to the list.

[EKU05]

You're referring to the 1 UK-EKU game that UK has ever been willing to play. I mentioned that in one of my "qualifiers" about my list. That game took place in 1998, UK's best season since 1977. Tim Couch was a Heisman candidate and EKU barely managed to keep the winning season streak alive with a 6-5 record. Simply put, UK was at its best in 30 years and EKU was at its worst. Hmm... funny how that's the only time the two schools have played.

Flash forward to the present where WKU is only 4 years removed from a national championship, EKU is poised for a return to greatness and UK is coming off a season where they needed kick return heroics with under 5 minutes to play to vanquish Idaho State. Idaho State (of Big Sky fame) went on to finish 5-6. UK finished 3-8 with the other two wins coming over Vandy and Miss. State.

So... yes, I'm serious. I think EKU and WKU have legitimately better teams and if it were possible to schedule Home and Home series' with UK, the records would show that. Plus, how many times has UK played a I-AA team since the division was founded? I count about 5 and yes, they have won those 5 games... but that's not much of a sample size.

As it stands, we'll have to do it the hard way, playing them at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington next year.

And for the record...last year UK had to come from way behind to nip Idaho State who finished 5-6 in I-AA. Now do you think we're crazy?

[89Hen]

And for the record...last year UK had to come from way behind to nip Idaho State who finished 5-6 in I-AA. Now do you think we're crazy?
No, I don't think you're crazy, but UK wasn't way behind in that game. UK ked 7-6 after 1, ISU led 16-14 at half, UK led 28-16 after 3. ISU took the lead for 15 seconds in the 4th with a blocked punt return for a TD, then UK returned the ensuing KO for a TD and scored one more TD to end the game. I'm sure it was a lot closer than UK wanted, but they didn't come from way behind.

[EKU05]

Well, then there that is. I only saw a few highlights. That game was actually the same night as EKU @ WKU last year. It was an all-around disapointing night with UK hanging on and EKU blowing it in the final minute on a high punt snap.

[ccd494]

1. University of Maine (I-A)

Then all DIII's, but the tough part is that the NESCAC schools don't play anyone else. But using popularity I'll say:

2. Husson College (III)
3. Maine Maritime Academy (III)
4. Colby College (III)
5. Bowdoin College (III)
6. Bates College (III)

but I'd say the NESCAC schools are better than MMA, who would beat Husson. None of them play each other, however.

[BULLDOG8180]

The Citadel is not winning any popularity contests, are they?:D


We don't play college football to win popularity contests. Have your fun with your little polls.

[crunifan]

My rankings for Iowa would be...

1) Iowa
2) Iowa State
3) UNI
4) Drake
5) St. Ambrose (NAIA)
6) Wartburg (D-III)
7) Coe (D-III)
8) Central (D-III)
9) The other dozen schools in D-III here

[D1B]

My rankings for Iowa would be...

1) Iowa
2) Iowa State
3) UNI
4) Drake
5) St. Ambrose (NAIA)
6) Wartburg (D-III)
7) Coe (D-III)
8) Central (D-III)
9) The other dozen schools in D-III here


Back in the day you coulda put Ellsworth up there at #4 or #5

[ucdtim17]

There are a lot of people ranking I-AA's above I-A's which is odd considering that I-AA's were 2-52 or something against I-A's last year - a lot of this seems like wishful thinking . . .

[EKU05]

There are a lot of people ranking I-AA's above I-A's which is odd considering that I-AA's were 2-52 or something against I-A's last year - a lot of this seems like wishful thinking . . .

That's mainly the reason I didn't jump the gun on putting EKU above UK. I do feel that we're perfectly capable of beating them though.

[D1B]

There are a lot of people ranking I-AA's above I-A's which is odd considering that I-AA's were 2-52 or something against I-A's last year - a lot of this seems like wishful thinking . . .

Home field advantage.

[blukeys]

Probably not, but UD fans love to rag on DSU!:p :nod:


I am probably the only one on this board who saw UD, DSU, and Wesley last year. In my view DSU would beat Wesley 7 times out of ten. That is no knock on Wesley as they are a D-3 program and they are on the way up.

Wesley last year averaged 3,500 fans and had 4,000 plus at their home playoff games. There is no way Del State had anywhere near that attendance for any game other than homecoming. WDEL the former radio station for Delaware football has just picked up Wesley for all of its games. As it stands right now Wesley's radio coverage is superior to DSU's although WDEL's signal strength is better in Northern Delaware then Kent County where Wesley is located.

As a UD grad and a DSU student I would love to see DSU step up and become the premier educator in downstate DE. However, the reality is that DSU is struggling for students against Wesley and Wilmington College who both are taking numerous local students from Del State not to mention DTCC, who is absolutely kicking DSU's butt.

The fact is the HBCU label kills DSU for recruitment of local students. Wesley will pass DSU in undergraduate enrollment in this decade. Wilmington College in Dover alone will pass DSU by 2020.

[Gambit]

I'm going to re-rank...thinking only slightly less with my heart....

1. Louisville--No doubt here. The Cards are a top 10 I-A team.

2. Kentucky--Only because they are deeper. First 22 are no better (and maybe worse) than #3

3. Eastern Kentucky--Colonels always have a solid defense, but this time are loaded on offense as well.

4. Western Kentucky--Tops aren't as bad as the end of last season made them look, but their offense is a Lerron Moore injury away from disaster.

5. Morehead State--Young, but the non-scholarship Eagles are always solid.

6. Murray State--Very well may prove me wrong here with Griffin at the helm, but Morehead has been better recently and I'm not going to hand it to the racers just because of a new coach.

7. Kentucky State--Division II (the only one in the Commonwealth without KWC now).


No mention of Georgetown? How many National Championships have they competed for or won? And how can you rank yourself over a team you lost too? Excuses, I'm sure will be replied with but losing is losing. Granted our depth isn't great at RB this season, but that doesn't qualify you as a better team.

On the other hand I do agree with you about UK. I know players from every school I-AA and up in the Commonwealth and most if not all players on the I-AA squads would admit there is vast difference in talent level of the skill players and mere size and depth on the roster. Plus, Kentuckys running back Rafael Little is a stud (lead the nation in all-purpose yards most of the season last year), and there is a stable of RB's behind him. They are much deeper. I'll give you the Idaho State game, but read between the lines guys...they play in the SEC. If Kentucky took the team they had right now and were in another conference IMO they would've won 6 atleast.

And, on a third and final note about Kentucky collegiate football. For you Kentuckians or fans, Kentucky Christian College in Grayson (Carter County) is adding football. Grayson, about 15 miles up the road from Morehead State.

[aceinthehole]

I am probably the only one on this board who saw UD, DSU, and Wesley last year. In my view DSU would beat Wesley 7 times out of ten. That is no knock on Wesley as they are a D-3 program and they are on the way up.

Wesley last year averaged 3,500 fans and had 4,000 plus at their home playoff games. There is no way Del State had anywhere near that attendance for any game other than homecoming. WDEL the former radio station for Delaware football has just picked up Wesley for all of its games. As it stands right now Wesley's radio coverage is superior to DSU's although WDEL's signal strength is better in Northern Delaware then Kent County where Wesley is located.

As a UD grad and a DSU student I would love to see DSU step up and become the premier educator in downstate DE. However, the reality is that DSU is struggling for students against Wesley and Wilmington College who both are taking numerous local students from Del State not to mention DTCC, who is absolutely kicking DSU's butt.

The fact is the HBCU label kills DSU for recruitment of local students. Wesley will pass DSU in undergraduate enrollment in this decade. Wilmington College in Dover alone will pass DSU by 2020.

Do you think that is one of the reason why DSU considered leaving the MEAC and had expressed interest in joining the NEC?

I know very little about DSU except what I've read on the internet. Its clear their academic standards are lower than many others, but what can they do to become a more attractive school (other than more state funding, of course)?

[grizbeer]

I dont know about giving San Jose St. that much respect. I would put CP UC-Davis, and Sac St above them. Then it starts to get tricky when deciding if they should go above, below, or be tied with San Diego. Becuase quite frankly I feel SJSU would have difficulty being a mid-tier i-aa team or even compete for a Big Sky championship.It seems like SJSU is about that level, but the truth is SJSU has never lost to a Big Sky team, including a win over Eastern Washington last year.

[PaladinFan]

LaGrange College has a team as mentioned in another post. LaGrange High School could probably beat them.

Shorter College in Rome has a team as does Albany State.

I would have put that Lagrange High School team with Blake Mitchell (now QB at USC) and Trey Blackmon (LB at Auburn) up against nearly anyone. Those guys were amazing. 7 top I-A prospects out of the starting 22.

This is Lagrange College's first year. I believe they will start out DIII, but I wouldn't be suprised to see them soon move into DII with West GA and Valdosta State. I am pretty sure their home games are going to be played at Callaway High School.

[DetroitFlyer]

http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090305aaa.html

Those of you that are ranking Dayton below Division II and Division III teams, especially Tiffin, let me remind you that Dayton won at Tiffin last season, 38-0!!!! YSU needs to make a sincere effort to schedule Dayton, no excuses! Let's see who has the best I-AA team in Ohio! As I have mentioned previously, Dayton has never lost to YSU all time.

[Pard4Life]

I think Lafayette is a clear #3 behind Penn State and Pittsburgh.. so..

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. Temple
7. LaSalle

But in terms of I-AA, Lafayette is around #25.

Crikey I forgot someone...

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. UPenn
7. Temple
8. LaSalle

Normally UPenn would be 3 or 4 but it is unseen how they will respond this year. They never have consecutive poor seasons and usually end up with 8+ wins.

[AppGuy04]

If the rankings are for this upcoming year:

1. UNC
2. NC State
3. Wake Forest
4. Appalachian State
5. ECU
6. Western

If Duke beats Richmond I'll add them to the list.

maybe you forgot that Carolina is starting not one, but two freshman QB's

[89Hen]

maybe you forgot that Carolina is starting not one, but two freshman QB's
Ronald Curry was a Frosh once...

1998 ... Freshman Season
Most Valuable Offensive Player in the Tar Heels... 20-13 win over San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl ... Led all rushers in the bowl game with 93 yards and scored on a dazzling, 48-yard run on the final play of the opening quarter ... Finished second in the voting for ACC Freshman of the Year behind NC State tailback Ray Robinson ... Led the Tar Heels with 1,394 total offense yards, a UNC single-season total offense record for a freshman ...

[dbackjon]

Easy one for Arizona - since there are only three schools that play football.

1) Arizona State
2) Arizona
3) Northern Arizona

[carney2]

1. Penn St.
2. Pitt
3. Lafayette
4. Lehigh
5. Villanova
6. UPenn
7. Temple
8. LaSalle

1. Penn State
2. Pittsburgh
3. Temple
4. (Tie) Lafayette
4. (Tie) Villanova
6. Penn
7. Lehigh
8. Bloomsburg University (D-II)
9. Bucknell
10. Duquesne
11. East Stroudsburg University (D-II)
12. Robert Morris
13. California (PA) University (D-II)
14. LaSalle

If we've forgotten anyone now, they probably deserve it.

[AppGuy04]

Ronald Curry was a Frosh once...

1998 ... Freshman Season
Most Valuable Offensive Player in the Tar Heels... 20-13 win over San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl ... Led all rushers in the bowl game with 93 yards and scored on a dazzling, 48-yard run on the final play of the opening quarter ... Finished second in the voting for ACC Freshman of the Year behind NC State tailback Ray Robinson ... Led the Tar Heels with 1,394 total offense yards, a UNC single-season total offense record for a freshman ...

Ronald Curry is also a talent that is seldom seen at any school, could have gone pro in basketball or football. The main reason I mention the 2 QB's is that they will be rotating, which we all know, never works.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

1. Penn State
2. Pittsburgh
3. Temple
4. (Tie) Lafayette
4. (Tie) Villanova
6. Penn
7. Lehigh
8. Bloomsburg University (D-II)
9. Bucknell
10. Duquesne
11. East Stroudsburg University (D-II)
12. Robert Morris
13. California (PA) University (D-II)
14. LaSalle

If we've forgotten anyone now, they probably deserve it.

Can you please justify Lafayette, Villanova, and Penn above Lehigh? I know you wear maroon and white glasses but you're plain wrong. I guess having the best winning % over the last 8 years or 8 straight 8 win seasons means nothing to you.

[DFW HOYA]

DC:

1. Howard
2. Georgetown
3. Catholic (D-III)
4. Gallaudet (D-III)

That's it.

[thirdgendin]

I disagree on everything except #1 and #7, though 7 is getting alot better

1. NC State
2. App
3. UNC
4. Wake
5. Western
6. ECU
7. Duke- closing in on ECU

I'm surprised with everyone ranking Western ahead of ECU and Duke. Just a few years ago, a terrible Duke team destroyed Western. I think you're giving them a little too much credit here.

[AppGuy04]

I'm surprised with everyone ranking Western ahead of ECU and Duke. Just a few years ago, a terrible Duke team destroyed Western. I think you're giving them a little too much credit here.

Western of the present is much better than that team and Duke hasn't gotten much better. Sure, all of us may be a little biased to I-AA teams, but I honestly think they could give Duke a game.

Newest Sagarin ratings:
NC State- 32
North Carolina- 52
Wake Forest- 59
App State- 100
ECU- 103
Duke- 111
Western- 163
W-S State- 200
Gardner-Webb- 201
Elon- 202
Davidson- 231

[bobcatalum05]

There are a lot of people ranking I-AA's above I-A's which is odd considering that I-AA's were 2-52 or something against I-A's last year - a lot of this seems like wishful thinking . . .


Thats because the bottom Tier DI-A's wont play a Top Tier DI-AA team. They know what might or would happen.

[Fordham]

Hmmm ... didn't see any NY takes on this, so I'll throw out the following off the top of my head. People can add any I-A or I-AA's that I may have missed:

1. Syracuse
2. Army
3. Hofstra
4. Colgate
5. SUNY-Buffalo
6. SUNY-Albany
7. Fordham
8. SUNY-Stony Brook
9. Columbia
10. Marist
11. Iona

I think 2 - 5 could be argued for in any direction (especially 3 & 4) and I also think if we're basing it on pre-season expectations for '06 only you have to put Albany ahead of Fordham.

[Killtoppers90]

Oh, we will. I think EKU will be even better in 2007 than this year...and I think the Cats won't be able to help but take us lightly. But let's get one thing straight....NO ONE hates the mildcats more than I do.

I'll give you a run for your money on that front, but at least we share a common hater as well! I HATE sUK!

[Killtoppers90]

I'm going to re-rank...thinking only slightly less with my heart....

1. Louisville--No doubt here. The Cards are a top 10 I-A team.

2. Kentucky--Only because they are deeper. First 22 are no better (and maybe worse) than #3

3. Eastern Kentucky--Colonels always have a solid defense, but this time are loaded on offense as well.

4. Western Kentucky--Tops aren't as bad as the end of last season made them look, but their offense is a Lerron Moore injury away from disaster.

5. Morehead State--Young, but the non-scholarship Eagles are always solid.

6. Murray State--Very well may prove me wrong here with Griffin at the helm, but Morehead has been better recently and I'm not going to hand it to the racers just because of a new coach.

7. Kentucky State--Division II (the only one in the Commonwealth without KWC now).

I'll not argue your point on sUK and your #3 & 4 could swap places if things go well for the Tops. Either way, I am looking forward to our meeting in Sept.

[carney2]

Can you please justify Lafayette, Villanova, and Penn above Lehigh? I know you wear maroon and white glasses but you're plain wrong. I guess having the best winning % over the last 8 years or 8 straight 8 win seasons means nothing to you.

Actually, you could throw those 4 in a hat and draw them out in any order that would be as good as - or better than - the one I chose. Here is what passes for logic in my demented mind:

LAFAYETTE A homer call, pure and simple.

VILLANOVA I've blown hot and cold on Villanova since last November. At one point I had the 9/9 Lehigh @ Nova game listed as a Lehigh gimme, but right now I'm warming up to the Mildcats. Burroughs returns at QB after missing almost all of 2005. He's no Richie Williams (ASU), but he may be a Stacey Tutt (Richmond). He is the straw that stirs the drink. Andy Talley has year in and year out had good teams, with the last year or two being the exception rather than the rule. Gut feel is that Burroughs will pull them out of the rut that they have been in. No championship. No playoff. Just respectability - and in the A-10 that's pretty good.

PENN Always a top notch program in the Ivy League. Again, with the exception of last year, Al Bagnoli has done an outstanding job. I see that blue helmet and think "quality." I feel that they are a "rebound" team that will win the Ivy League, going 8-2. They could clean Lafayette's clock in week 3, but I'm hoping not.

LEHIGH A lot of holes: running back, receiver, defensive backfield, linebacker. Lehigh has shown an ability, year in and year out, to plug the holes and keep on keepin' on. Can they plug all of the holes, adjust to a new coach, and keep Threatt healthy with all of that Randall Cunningham running around? Also, there is this nagging feeling that Lembo would not have jumped ship for an Elon if he thought that the stable was full for 2006. Will Coen get all of this straightened out? I think he will, but not by week 2 @ Nova.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

LEHIGH A lot of holes: running back, receiver, defensive backfield, linebacker. Lehigh has shown an ability, year in and year out, to plug the holes and keep on keepin' on. Can they plug all of the holes, adjust to a new coach, and keep Threatt healthy with all of that Randall Cunningham running around? Also, there is this nagging feeling that Lembo would not have jumped ship for an Elon if he thought that the stable was full for 2006. Will Coen get all of this straightened out? I think he will, but not by week 2 @ Nova.

1. Lehigh returns the most starters in the league, so in reality Lafayette and Colgate are plugging more holes than Lehigh is.

2. Lembo did jump to Elon because of an empty stable. ATLEAST 14 players threatened to leave the team last year if something was not done about the coaching situation. He was resented by much of the team and the alumni had turned against him. It was openly known that it became so bad that many of the players turned the other cheek when he spoke to them and refused to play for him, they played for eachother.

[OL FU]

Western of the present is much better than that team and Duke hasn't gotten much better. Sure, all of us may be a little biased to I-AA teams, but I honestly think they could give Duke a game.

Newest Sagarin ratings:
NC State- 32
North Carolina- 52
Wake Forest- 59
App State- 100
ECU- 103
Duke- 111
Western- 163
W-S State- 200
Gardner-Webb- 201
Elon- 202
Davidson- 231

I realize this is pre-season, but that is sad for Elon:eyebrow:

Come on guys I am pulling for ya:hurray:

[blukeys]

Do you think that is one of the reason why DSU considered leaving the MEAC and had expressed interest in joining the NEC?

I know very little about DSU except what I've read on the internet. Its clear their academic standards are lower than many others, but what can they do to become a more attractive school (other than more state funding, of course)?


In part Yes, Dr. Sessoms wants to get DelState up to an undergrad enrollment up 10,000. He wants DelState to be the alternative for Delaware students who don't get into UD.

The problem for Dr. Sessoms is that DelState has a lot of competition in Central Delaware. Within 3 miles of the DelState campus, There are 3 other campuses of higher education. Wesley College 3,500 Students Wilnington College 900 Undergraduate Students and Delaware Technical and Community College 1,500. All three of these local programs are growing.

DelState's lower standards hurts it in recruiting Grad students which is where some other schools are doing quite well.

Dr. Sessoms is getting a lot of internal grief for trying to make these moves as there are many who want DelState to maintain the "character" of being an HBCU.

State funding for DelState has been more than adequate. They have been on a building boom and have upgraded numerous facilities (including the football Field)

Of course educators will always claim they need more money.

[ChickenMan]

Del St needs to be an alternative for students who can't get accepted into UD. Right now Delaware HS students and their parents really have no viable in-state alternative if they don't get accepted at UD. Del St isn't an academic option and while Wesley and Wilmington College are better academically than Del St... neither school is near UD standards and both are a far more costly option. I hope Del St does become an nice alternative choice or Delaware HS students... but unfortunately I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[AppGuy04]

I realize this is pre-season, but that is sad for Elon:eyebrow:

Come on guys I am pulling for ya:hurray:

It is sad seeing a fellow SoCon member behind WSSU and G-W

[UAalum72]

Hmmm ... didn't see any NY takes on this, so I'll throw out the following off the top of my head. People can add any I-A or I-AA's that I may have missed:

1. Syracuse
2. Army
3. Hofstra
4. Colgate
5. SUNY-Buffalo
6. SUNY-Albany
7. Fordham
8. SUNY-Stony Brook
9. Columbia
10. Marist
11. Iona

You missed Cornell and Wagner. I'd put Columbia over Stony Brook.

go...gate listed NY back at post 71 :
Syracuse (I-A coming off a 1-10 in the Big East)
Army (added thanks to the close scrutiny of UA Alum)
Hofstra
Buffalo (I-A coming off a 1-10 in the MAC)
Colgate
Cornell
Albany
Columbia
Fordham
Stony Brook
Marist
Wagner
Iona

[dbackjon]

Del St needs to be an alternative for students who can't get accepted into UD. Right now Delaware HS students and their parents really have no viable in-state alternative if they don't get accepted at UD. Del St isn't an academic option and while Wesley and Wilmington College are better academically than Del St... neither school is near UD standards and both are a far more costly option. I hope Del St does become an nice alternative choice or Delaware HS students... but unfortunately I don't see it happening anytime soon.

What needs fixing at DSU?

[carney2]

1. Lehigh returns the most starters in the league, so in reality Lafayette and Colgate are plugging more holes than Lehigh is.

2. Lembo did jump to Elon because of an empty stable. ATLEAST 14 players threatened to leave the team last year if something was not done about the coaching situation. He was resented by much of the team and the alumni had turned against him. It was openly known that it became so bad that many of the players turned the other cheek when he spoke to them and refused to play for him, they played for eachother.

There ya go. As I said, any order for those 4 is as good as any other.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

There ya go. As I said, any order for those 4 is as good as any other.

I missed the did NOT jump to Elon because of an empty stable. Figure you realized the typo. Once it became known the Lembo would not be returning 90% of those would be transfers decided to return to the team.

[carney2]

I missed the did NOT jump to Elon because of an empty stable. Figure you realized the typo. Once it became known the Lembo would not be returning 90% of those would be transfers decided to return to the team.

All, of that is news. Thanks. I just kind of observed that he lost control of the 2004 team. In my opinion, they actually quit during the Lafayette game. (But then, how come they gave James Madison such a tussle the next week?!!?) There were rumors of disaffection with last year's bunch, but this is the first concrete info that I have heard.