Athlon Preseason Top 25

[TexasTerror]

Saw this posted on another community...is this our first FCS preseason poll of the year? Thoughts...??

Three SLC teams, with two holding down 2 of 3 final spots in the poll. Is Jacksonville State going to be that good with RP no longer there? Can Liberty keep things going? Is Penn over-rated? Is Prairie View A&M the safe pick in the SWAC?

1 Villanova
2 Appalachian State
3 Richmond
4 Montana
5 William & Mary
6 Elon
7 Southern Illinois
8 S.F.Austin
9 South Dakota State
10 South Carolina State
11 James Madison
12 Eastern Washington
13 Penn
14 New Hampshire
15 Liberty
16 Delaware
17 Northern Iowa
18 Montana State
19 Jacksonville State
20 Eastern Illinois
21 Prairie View A&M
22 Maine
23 McNeese State
24 Furman
25 Texas State

[smallcollegefbfan]

Saw this posted on another community...is this our first FCS preseason poll of the year? Thoughts...??

Three SLC teams, with two holding down 2 of 3 final spots in the poll. Is Jacksonville State going to be that good with RP no longer there? Can Liberty keep things going? Is Penn over-rated? Is Prairie View A&M the safe pick in the SWAC?

1 Villanova
2 Appalachian State
3 Richmond
4 Montana
5 William & Mary
6 Elon
7 Southern Illinois
8 S.F.Austin
9 South Dakota State
10 South Carolina State
11 James Madison
12 Eastern Washington
13 Penn
14 New Hampshire
15 Liberty
16 Delaware
17 Northern Iowa
18 Montana State
19 Jacksonville State
20 Eastern Illinois
21 Prairie View A&M
22 Maine
23 McNeese State
24 Furman
25 Texas State

ASU is too high. SCSU is too low I think. I think UNH will be better than some others do. JSU has talent. If they can reload at QB they should be better. EIU loses their QB but if they can replace him and those 3 studs on the OL they should be solid with RB Mon Williams. Liberty is a little too high I think as well. Anyone else see teams they think are too high?

[Saint3333]

Saw this posted on another community...is this our first FCS preseason poll of the year? Thoughts...??

Three SLC teams, with two holding down 2 of 3 final spots in the poll. Is Jacksonville State going to be that good with RP no longer there? Can Liberty keep things going? Is Penn over-rated? Is Prairie View A&M the safe pick in the SWAC?

1 Villanova
2 Appalachian State
3 Richmond
4 Montana
5 William & Mary
6 Elon
7 Southern Illinois
8 S.F.Austin
9 South Dakota State
10 South Carolina State
11 James Madison
12 Eastern Washington
13 Penn
14 New Hampshire
15 Liberty
16 Delaware
17 Northern Iowa
18 Montana State
19 Jacksonville State
20 Eastern Illinois
21 Prairie View A&M
22 Maine
23 McNeese State
24 Furman
25 Texas State

This poll is a joke, did they do ANY research of the losses of the bolded teams.

All are likely 2 or more spots too high. Richmond isn't likely to finish in the top three of the CAA South much less the nation.

[jmufan999]

This poll is a joke, did they do ANY research of the losses of the bolded teams.

All are likely 2 or more spots too high. Richmond isn't likely to finish in the top three of the CAA South much less the nation.

agreed... i didn't know richmond lost as many players as they did, especially on the o-line. that hurts. the more i think about it, the more i think that Villanova could actually run the CAA table in 2010. probably not a popular opinion but none of us has a crystal ball. edit: that hinges on Sczcur's return or lack thereof. even if he doesn't return, i'll still pick them to win the conference but it will be tighter.

love the respect given to JMU even if i'm not so sure about the ranking... hard to get a feel for the Dukes because we really played well when Dudzik was healthy, but it was only for a very few games. wish we had more of a "sample size".

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

This poll is a joke, did they do ANY research of the losses of the bolded teams.

All are likely 2 or more spots too high. Richmond isn't likely to finish in the top three of the CAA South much less the nation.

Agree. Richmond is probably 10-15 spots too high.

[Cocky]

This poll is a joke, did they do ANY research of the losses of the bolded teams.

All are likely 2 or more spots too high. Richmond isn't likely to finish in the top three of the CAA South much less the nation.

Why would you say we are too high?

[Saint3333]

JSU, like ASU, will have to replace the best QB they've ever had.

Both programs in a preseason poll should be 2-3 spots lower than they finished 2009 due to the uncertainty that is present, but that's just my opinion.

[Saint3333]

agreed... i didn't know richmond lost as many players as they did, especially on the o-line. that hurts. the more i think about it, the more i think that Villanova could actually run the CAA table in 2010. probably not a popular opinion but none of us has a crystal ball. edit: that hinges on Sczcur's return or lack thereof. even if he doesn't return, i'll still pick them to win the conference but it will be tighter.

love the respect given to JMU even if i'm not so sure about the ranking... hard to get a feel for the Dukes because we really played well when Dudzik was healthy, but it was only for a very few games. wish we had more of a "sample size".

If Sczcur leaves this will be extremely difficult to pick the frontrunner for the national title. I've still got Nova as #1 either way. No one else is really entering the 2010 season without a few question marks.

[tribefan40]

Why is Penn ranked, especially that high? I don't know anything about them, someone enlighten me please...

[Redbirdz]

Word around J'ville is this year's team will be better than last year even without Perriloux. Let's see what happens with Ole Miss.

[Cocky]

JSU, like ASU, will have to replace the best QB they've ever had.

Both programs in a preseason poll should be 2-3 spots lower than they finished 2009 due to the uncertainty that is present, but that's just my opinion.

RP was not the best QB we have ever had. He would probably be in the top 5 definitely in the top 10.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Penn lost to Lafayette last year, a team that didn't even win the Patriot League last year, and they're #13. Brilliant. They're a solid team, but geez, to include them and keep Colgate off the list? Ridiculous.

[Ronbo]

This poll is a joke, did they do ANY research of the losses of the bolded teams.

All are likely 2 or more spots too high. Richmond isn't likely to finish in the top three of the CAA South much less the nation.

Every year Montana is told they are ranked too high. So what's new. xlolxxlolxxlolx It's fun getting the last laugh.

[ngineer]

The Owen Thomas tragedy will also have unknown effects. Could be a tremendous rallying point or, could be a big distraction. Penn is given the nod for the IL in some circles due to returning a good group from last year that had a very tough defense. While losing to Lafayette, they also played Villanova very tough. Overall, I think they are a 'little high', but definitely Top 20.

[Head Cat]

Penn gave Villanova more trouble defensively than any team on the Wildcat schedule last season. Matt Szczur returning the opening kickoff for a TD and QB Antwon Young came off the bench in the second half to lead a touchdown drive. Young's TD pass was the only touchdown that night for Villanova.

[ThompsonThe]

I believe that Furman should be a lot higher, Elon much lower, Penn not in poll. Also, what about Georgia Southern? What about Chattanooga? What about Western Carolina?
Looks like a CAA biased poll again. What else is new.

[JSU02]

RP was not the best QB we have ever had. He would probably be in the top 5 definitely in the top 10.

I know Ed Lett will tell you that too xlolx
But in all seriousness, you are correct. RP was good, but not the best. We have plenty of QBs to choose from this fall, so 19 IMHO is a bit too low. I'd say we should start off anywhere from 13-16.

[NHwildEcat]

I think UNH got the shaft in this poll. All the right players, in all the right places. They should be in the top 10, somewhere in the 7-10 range. How Penn is rated higher then them in this poll is a complete joke!

[UNIFanSince1983]

I tend to agree that we are probably too high. We should maybe be in the 20-25 range. I think we can eventually move up into the 10-15 range, but with all that we lose we shouldn't be quite so high in the preseason.


I believe that Furman should be a lot higher, Elon much lower, Penn not in poll. Also, what about Georgia Southern? What about Chattanooga? What about Western Carolina?
Looks like a CAA biased poll again. What else is new.

Really Western Carolina? They were 2-9 last year. I don't care if everybody returns on that team you aren't going to be a Top 25 team preseason after going 2-9 the year before.

[WrenFGun]

Every year Montana is told they are ranked too high. So what's new. xlolxxlolxxlolx It's fun getting the last* laugh.

*second to last, really.

[Libertine]

Penn lost to Lafayette last year, a team that didn't even win the Patriot League last year, and they're #13. Brilliant. They're a solid team, but geez, to include them and keep Colgate off the list? Ridiculous.

So you're saying Lafayette should have been included then? xsmiley_wix

[Squealofthepig]

*second to last, really.

Well, that was just for one year, and this has been recurring for a decade and a half.

That being said - I actually wouldn't have Montana that high, either. There's the normal graduation thing, but we also have a full coaching overhaul and, while we have recruited from within, a coaching change is always a legitimate reason to knock a team down a few pegs until they prove themselves.

PS: And since it's a chance to throw out a nifty word, second to last = penultimate. You can now say that AGS is educational if anyone gives you crap for reading it at work. :)

[UNH Fanboi]

I don't see any reason to put Montana outside the top 5. Losing Mariani will hurt, but Selle and Reynolds still provide a base for a great offense. And they're a recruiting juggernaut, so assume that they'll have plenty of guys ready to step up and fill holes caused by graduation. Having a new coach won't matter if they have considerably more talent than every team they play until the playoffs.

[CrunchGriz]

I don't see any reason to put Montana outside the top 5. Losing Mariani will hurt, but Selle and Reynolds still provide a base for a great offense. And they're a recruiting juggernaut, so assume that they'll have plenty of guys ready to step up and fill holes caused by graduation. Having a new coach won't matter if they have considerably more talent than every team they play until the playoffs.

This is the assumption that many make about Montana, because the Griz have won so many conference championships (or at least co-championships) in a row. Many Griz fans, though, myself included, have a different take.

My feeling is that Montana has not had "considerably more talent than every team they play" during this stretch. They have had probably slightly better overall talent, but not "considerably more talent." They may have had better overall depth, that I will concede.

What Montana has had, in spades, is a team, programmatic and institutional will to win and history of success that has fed on itself. Expecting to win can lead to wins even when you don't have as much overall talent or when you have an off day.

This is why I expect Montana to win this year despite the coaching change and change in both offensive and defensive philosophy. It may be a rockier year than we've gotten used to, especially while they get comfortable with their new systems, but I expect them to win the close ones for the same reason they have in the past--they expect to.

Anywhere between 7 and 3 would seem fine to me for a preseason rank for Montana, based on the questions surrounding the new coaching staff, the loss of arguably Montana's greatest ever receiver, and the loss of three excellent offensive linemen. Much lower than that would be to totally ignore Montana's ability to reload.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

So you're saying Lafayette should have been included then? xsmiley_wix

xlolx xthumbsdownx

[Syntax Error]

...is this our first FCS preseason poll of the year?

It's not a poll, it is a magazine ranking. xreadx

[PhoenixSupreme]

I believe that Furman should be a lot higher, Elon much lower, Penn not in poll. Also, what about Georgia Southern? What about Chattanooga? What about Western Carolina?
Looks like a CAA biased poll again. What else is new.

I agree with you actually. Elon should probably be about 12-13 in my opinion. Furman should also be in the 10-15 range. Chatty should be 20-25.

[jcmanson]

Liberty is a little too high I think as well. Anyone else see teams they think are too high?

We'll finish the year ranked in the top 15.

[Redbird Ray]

Athlon is not really in the business of reporting FCS info accurately. Their expertise is more or less in pro sprots and big time college fball/bball. That said, they should still at least try when putting together a poll for FCS/D2/D3/Juco. This poll is ridiculous.

[Syntax Error]

... they should still at least try when putting together a poll for FCS/D2/D3/Juco. This poll is ridiculous.
Because it is not a poll. There are three polls for FCS; AGS, TSN, FCP (coaches). The rest are all rankings including computers xcoffeex.

[Redbird Ray]

Because it is not a poll. There are three polls for FCS; AGS, TSN, FCP (coaches). The rest are all rankings including computers xcoffeex.

Alright man. xlolx

These rankings still suck though.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Alright man. xlolx

These rankings still suck though.

I think one of the points that SE is trying to make is that as a magazine ranking we don't know how it was compiled. Was it one guy's opinion/evaluation? Was there a committee of staff members involved? Did they query sports writers for newspapers that cover FCS teams?

Basically, calling it a "poll" is giving it too much credence. xtwocentsx

[GtFllsGriz]

Obviously "top 25" is just wishful thinking and speculation at this point but it is sure fun to start thinking about the season. Every team is undefeated at this point.

I am anticipating a fun season. The Griz will go through some growing pains but I think most fans are excited about the possibilities based on the coaching change and the subtle changes in philosophy of the offense and defense. The Griz will be in the mix and I think they will be a top 10 team. There is a lot of talent returning and cupboard is never bare.

[whoanellie]

where did you see this link it does not appear on the Athlon webpage?

[LeadBolt]

Interesting speculation. All teams are still winless, not to mention undefeated and the unusual always happens, repeatedly in FCS, but 7 of top 25 teams from CAA seems about right.....

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Because it is not a poll. There are three polls for FCS; AGS, TSN, FCP (coaches). The rest are all rankings including computers xcoffeex.

Actually there's four.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Actually there's four.

Pete's Poll?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Pete's Poll?

CS

[Syntax Error]

Actually there's four.

What other organization performs an annual recognized preseason poll, one each week during the regular season, and a postseason one (like every other recognized poll does)? None that I know of and I have been studying FCS for a looooooong time.

[Syntax Error]

Pete's Poll?

or maybe SME?

[smallcollegefbfan]

We'll finish the year ranked in the top 15.

That is pretty high but with games against Ball State and James Madison early on you will certainly know quickly if you are a top 15 team. The JMU game is going to be a big clash early on.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Sorry guys I posted the info in another thread and just saw this one. I apologize.

[Mikeyosef]

I'm surprise there aren't more comments about App State being ranked too high in this poll. Without AE there is a huge unanswered question at QB and with that, the Offense which has been our bread and butter. I think we will be better on Defense and our new QB whoever he is will probably be fine and may even be great by the end of the season; that said, there were several wins for us last year that would have been losses without AE. Maybe we will catch teams flat-footed thinking we will be an easier mark this year. I hope so, but I am scared to death of the very first game we play...away, no less, against UTC. We could easily loose that game throwing the rest of the season into question. I don't think that will happen but it certainly could.

[jstclmet]

The Athlon FCS AA Team is listed on page 56;

OFFENSE
QB: Jeremy Moses, SFA
RB: Taiwan Jones, EWU
RB: Chase Reynolds, MT
WR: Tysson Poots, So Utah
WR: Matt Sczcur, Nova
TE: Stephen Skelton, Fordham
OL: Johnny Culbreath, SCSU
OL: Ben Ijalana, Nova
OL: Mike Person, MT State
OL: David Pickard, S. Ill
OL: Will Rackley, Lehigh

DEFENSE
DL: Christian Anthony, Grambling
DL: Kenrick Elllis, Hampton
DL: Martin Parker, Richmond
LB: Tyler Holmes, UMass
LB: J.C. Sherritt, EWU
LB: D.J. Smith, App State
LB: Terence Thomas, Nova
CB: T.J. Heath, Jacksonville St.
CB: Justin Rogers, Richmond
S: Jason House, Southern
S: Mark LeGree, App State

SPECIALISTS
K: Matt Bevins, Liberty
P: Jonathan Plisco, ODU
KR: Terrence Holt, Austin Peay
PR: Kiare Thompson, Grambling