Sports Network Poll is out

[TwoFeathers]

Wow, App State Retains #3 Ranking.

[TwoFeathers]

1. William & Mary Tribe (105) 7-2 3,902 4
2. Delaware Blue Hens (31) 8-1 3,860 5
3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (10) 8-1 3,402 1
4. Wofford Terriers (5) 8-1 3,400 7
5. Eastern Washington Eagles (4) 7-2 3,373 6
6. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (1) 8-1 3,095 2
7. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1 ) 9-1 2,982 9
8. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 7-2 2,716 10
9. Villanova Wildcats (1) 6-3 2,671 3
10. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3) 9-0 2,586 10
11. Montana State Bobcats (1) 8-2 2,510 12
12. Liberty Flames 7-2 1,953 14
13. Montana Grizzlies 6-3 1,909 13
14. Massachusetts Minutemen 6-3 1,808 15
15. South Carolina State Bulldogs 7-2 1,736 16
16. Northern Iowa Panthers 6-3 1,512 17
17. New Hampshire Wildcats 5-4 1,507 8
18. Penn Quakers 7-1 1,230 18
19. Cal Poly Mustangs 7-3 1,179 19
20. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 899 21
21. Richmond Spiders 5-4 856 20
22. Jacksonville Dolphins 9-1 694 23
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-3 615 24
24. North Dakota State Bison 6-3 561 25
25. Robert Morris Colonials 8-1 485 NR

[Edge316007]

10 different teams with a first place vote? What in the hell? xlolx

[Gil Dobie]

They didn't deny someone giving Montana St a #1 vote.

[Nebuta]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/misc/TSN-DIV-1AA-POLL.htm

Wow. TSN has a serious man-crush on App St.

The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top-25 College Football Poll
Team (First-place votes) Record Points Previous Rank
1. William & Mary Tribe (105) 7-2 3,902 4
2. Delaware Blue Hens (31) 8-1 3,860 5
3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (10) 8-1 3,402 1
4. Wofford Terriers (5) 8-1 3,400 7
5. Eastern Washington Eagles (4) 7-2 3,373 6
6. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (1) 8-1 3,095 2
7. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1) 9-1 2,982 9
8. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 7-2 2,716 10
9. Villanova Wildcats (1) 6-3 2,671 3
10. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3) 9-0 2,586 10
11. Montana State Bobcats (1) 8-2 2,510 12
12. Liberty Flames 7-2 1,953 14
13. Montana Grizzlies 6-3 1,909 13
14. Massachusetts Minutemen 6-3 1,808 15
15. South Carolina State Bulldogs 7-2 1,736 16
16. Northern Iowa Panthers 6-3 1,512 17
17. New Hampshire Wildcats 5-4 1,507 8
18. Penn Quakers 7-1 1,230 18
19. Cal Poly Mustangs 7-3 1,179 19
20. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 899 21
21. Richmond Spiders 5-4 856 20
22. Jacksonville Dolphins 9-1 694 23
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-3 615 24
24. North Dakota State Bison 6-3 561 25
25. Robert Morris Colonials 8-1 485 NR
Others receiving votes: Lehigh 253, Southern Utah 179, Dayton 143, Georgia Southern 108, James Madison 103, Chattanooga 85, McNeese State 74, Sacramento State 39, Jackson State 30, Yale 25, Harvard 21, Central Arkansas 18, Weber State 18, Furman 16, Rhode Island 16, Texas Southern 14, Eastern Kentucky 14, Northwestern State 12, Indiana State 9, Florida A&M 9, Elon 9, Northern Arizona 7, Old Dominion 5, South Dakota State 1, Colgate 1.

[TwoFeathers]

Villanova still got a first place vote. Wonder if they are building in the Szczur factor??

[FargoBison]

SEMO and Jacksonville St= Overrated(I'm shocked they got first place votes).

Having Jacksonville in the poll and SCSU at 15 is a complete joke.

[WestCoastAggie]

I knew B-CU and SCSU would continue to creep higher in the polls but those 1st place votes might be doing just a tiny bit too much, dontcha think?

And hey, Robert Morris finally makes it in! But sadly, it's not going to stop the griping from the NEC Fans about the teams ranking. xlolx But Hey, I agree too y'all, RMU is too low.

[WestCoastAggie]

SEMO and Jacksonville St= Overrated(I'm shocked they got first place votes).

Having Jacksonville and SCSU at 15 is a complete joke.

Trust me, SEMO is not overrated.

[Nebuta]

Nova fell like a rock after lossing to URI. Why didnt they drop 2 spots like ASU? Ga Southern isnt "that" much better then URI.
Looking at the history of the poll and when teams lose, you think that Ga Southern was an FBS bowl eligible school.

[Edge316007]

Wow. TSN has a serious man-crush on App St.

And why is that? Because we lost to a decent team on the road, in OT, in a game that largely doesn't matter? God forbid people still think we're a good team


Nova fell like a rock after lossing to URI. Why didnt they drop 2 spots like ASU? Ga Southern isnt "that" much better then URI.

And LOL to that. Seriously? Nova is 6-3 and unlikely to win a conference championship. App is still 8-1.

Your bias is showing

[TwoFeathers]

One would think with Wofford winning, and App State coming off a fresh loss, and both with the same record, those two would at least be reversed??? No?

[FargoBison]

Trust me, SEMO is not overrated.

They shouldn't be getting first place votes and they should be behind at least Nova and probably SFA and Montana St.

[soccerguy315]

wtf is with this poll... how can Villanova possibly get a #1 vote? How can JSU get a #1 vote?

I'm not going to blast the ASU placement, because that is where I would've put them, though if they lose their last 2 games I would drop them very easily to the bubble and playing in the first round.

[TwoFeathers]

Nova fell like a rock after lossing to URI. Why didnt they drop 2 spots like ASU? Ga Southern isnt "that" much better then URI.

With 3 losses now, perhaps everyone is losing confidence in Villanova.

[ToTheLeft]

Jacksonville St. still has a first place vote.

TSN, you officially lost all credibility.

[Edge316007]

One would think with Wofford winning, and App State coming off a fresh loss, and both with the same record, those two would at least be reversed??? No?

Check the points. They're effectively tied.

[TwoFeathers]

Jacksonville St. still has a first place vote.

TSN, you officially lost all credibility.

JSU, I can live with that, but Villanova? I don't get that one...

[aceinthehole]

10. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3) 9-0 2,586 10
12. Liberty Flames 7-2 1,953 14
15. South Carolina State Bulldogs 7-2 1,736 16
18. Penn Quakers 7-1 1,230 18
20. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 899 21
22. Jacksonville Dolphins 9-1 694 23
25. Robert Morris Colonials 8-1 485 NR

Well RMU finally made the 'official' top-25, but this poll has serious problems!

BCU is not a top-10 team, period.
Liberty should not be 13 spots ahead of RMU.
SCSU, a 2nd place MEAC team, has no business at #15.
Jacksonville is a joke at #22.

[FargoBison]

Jacksonville St. still has a first place vote.

TSN, you officially lost all credibility.

SEMO got a first place vote, their signature win is what? Beating SIU?

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Still no Lehigh. I thought they would sneak in. Hopefully a trouncing of a Georgetown is enough to get them ranked.

[WestCoastAggie]

They shouldn't be getting first place votes and they should be behind at least Nova and probably SFA and Montana St.

Yeah they shouldn't be getting any 1st place votes yet but it's hard to say that they aren't better than SFA and Montana St.

But they will either put up or shut up this weekend.

[TwoFeathers]

Check the points. They're effectively tied.

That's my point, shouldn't they have fallen 1 or 2 spots further than #3 with a loss to unranked GSU?

[WestCoastAggie]

Well RMU finally made the 'official' top-25, but this poll has serious problems!

BCU is not a top-10 team, period.
Liberty should not be 13 spots ahead of RMU.
SCSU, a 2nd place MEAC team, has no business at #15.
Jacksonville is a joke at #22.

I was waiting for this. xlolx

[TwoFeathers]

Uh-oh... did anyone notice that Bethune-Cookman received 3 first-place votes???

[aceinthehole]

TSN, you officially lost all credibility.

They never had any! This is a joke and the NCAA needs to step in and address this.

[Nebuta]

And why is that? Because we lost to a decent team on the road, in OT, in a game that largely doesn't matter? God forbid people still think we're a good team



And LOL to that. Seriously? Nova is 6-3 and unlikely to win a conference championship. App is still 8-1.

Your bias is showing

And who has App St beat again?? Got a little black & gold koolaid on ya.

[FargoBison]

Yeah they shouldn't be getting any 1st place votes yet but it's hard to say that they aren't better than SFA and Montana St.

But they will either put up or shut up this weekend.

This week should tell a lot. As for MT state they did beat EWU and SFA did win at the UNI-Dome. Those are great wins, I don't even have SEMO in my top 10 because their resume lacks that marquee win.

[WestCoastAggie]

They never had any! This is a joke and the NCAA needs to step in and address this.

I'd say just let RMU prove it on the field in a few weeks and have us all eating crow.

[danefan]

Uhh.................Bethune Cookman got 3 first place votes.

Way to go TSN!

[FargoBison]

First place votes are being handed out like it is Christmas, I have no idea how somebody could not vote either W&M, UD, App St, Wofford or EWU at #1.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Note the two point difference between Wofford and App State. Think your vote doesn't count?

[WestCoastAggie]

First place votes are being handed out like it is Christmas, I have no idea how somebody could not vote either W&M, UD, App St, Wofford or EWU at #1.

The Regionality and homerism is quite strong with the voters in this poll.

One of the reasons why there should be an equal amout of voters from each conference as to balance out the homerism.

[LehighFan11]

'Nova deserves to be down at 9. Their best win is vs. Penn. They are much much better than 9 when healthy but until they beat someone in the top 10, hard to justify a high ranking for them.

[aceinthehole]

I'd say just let RMU prove it on the field in a few weeks and have us all eating crow.

No. Win or lose in the playoffs, there is no way they deserved to be ranked this low right now. The MEAC has a horrible SOS and yet they have 2 teams ranked? When BCU gets blown out in round 1 will that matter to voters - I think not.

I would only wish RMU gets BCU in round 1.

[WestCoastAggie]

What else does Ga Southern have to do in order to get respect in this poll?

They would be a great 7-4 team to make the playoffs, if they get to a 7-4 record.

[WestCoastAggie]

No. Win or lose in the playoffs, there is no way they deserved to be ranked this low. The MEAC has a horrible SOS and yet they have 2 teams ranked? When BCU gets blown out in round 1 will that matter to voters - I think not.

I would only wish RMU gets BCU in round 1.

BCU by 10+ in that match-up. xlolx

[Edge316007]

And who has App St beat again?? Got a little black & gold koolaid on ya.

Lol yes, I'm the one being unreasonable. Not the guy who's the biggest CAA homer on this board xlolx

Who exactly has Villanova beaten? Delaware?


That's my point, shouldn't they have fallen 1 or 2 spots further than #3 with a loss to unranked GSU?

A loss in OT on the road against a rival who still may make the playoffs? No. We're still 8-1 and still are a very good team. I don't see anyone I would put ahead of them. Wofford may have the better resume, but I think we're just the better team. A slight edge to us that will be settled this weekend is what I would have predicted.

[FargoBison]

What else does Ga Southern have to do in order to get respect in this poll?

They would be a great 7-4 team to make the playoffs, if they get to a 7-4 record.

They were #20 in my poll.

[aceinthehole]

Also, how can this poll have Jacksonsville at #22, while Dayton with a nearly identical resume did not get a single vote?

(Dayton Flyer where are u?) :)

[danefan]

BCU by 10+ in that match-up. xlolx

xlolx

I'd love to see that, unfortunately it won't happen.

I'm really hopeful that BCU somehow plays Jacksonville in the first round. I'd put money on JU. xnodxxnodxxnodx

[WestCoastAggie]

Also, how can this poll have Jacksonsville at #22, while Dayton with a nearly identical resume did not get a single vote?

(Dayton Flyer where are u?) :)

Yeah, about that...

Dayton can only blame the cosmos and the PFL for this. It is a crying shame that neither Dayton or Jacksonville are playing this season. That would be one heck of a game.

[GaSouthern]

This is just freaking stupid, either ASU needs to fall really far in the polls or GSU needs to be ranked in the top 15 to justify ASU not falling.

[WestCoastAggie]

xlolx

I'd love to see that, unfortunately it won't happen.

I'm really hopeful that BCU somehow plays Jacksonville in the first round. I'd put money on JU. xnodxxnodxxnodx

Jacksonville vs. Bethune-Cookman would be one high scoring affair. Whomever has the ball last will probably win.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Villanova still got a first place vote. Wonder if they are building in the Szczur factor??

I would imagine so. I still don't think they deserve one right now though. The loss this weekend should have killed any chance of first place votes in my mind. Definitely some weird number one votes but I guess when the top three teams lose that is going to happen. I can see BCC, SEMO, W&M, or Wofford having number one votes but I don't get why App, Villanova, EWU, or MSU have them right now. If EWU had more consistent QB play then I could see it.

One thing is obvious is that some voters are a little too high on Villanova and App right now. I firmly believed EWU and Wofford would and should pass App this week. With that said, I do believe App State not only wins this weekend but they win by double digits.

[LehighFan11]

How so? 1 Loss isn't a reason to drop App St out of the top 5. GSU has been inconsistent at best. Losing to Samford at home, regardless of the Shaw injury situation hurts them. 1 win doesn't make them a top 15 team, need a body of work.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

FWIW I am not a TSN voter, but Georgia Southern was in my Top 25 for AGS. Funny story, though. I submitted my poll and then had to re-submit it because I looked at my poll and said, "I forgot about Georgia Southern!" I inserted them pretty high, I think, at No. 18.

I'm on the record saying a 7-4 record and a win over the No. 1 team in the country at the time is absolutely good enough for a playoff berth for them. Oddly, App State could end up as the regular-season No. 1 again since they are only at No. 3 and face two teams that could absolutely fall. That would actually be a serious gold star for the Eagles when it comes to at-large playoff places.

Oh, yeah, I think I dropped App to something like No. 4, right behind Wofford. Helping App too was the fact that a bunch of mid-range teams - Jax State, Villanova - all lost. There were not obvious choices to leapfrog them with those losses.

[Nebuta]

I was just making the arguement, of the "quality of the loss" Ga Southern isnt 'that' much better then URI. URI is a solid squad. I am just saying Nova shouldnt have dropped #9 they should be 6-7th.
App St to only drop 2 slots to a unranked Ga Southern (not an FBS bowl-eligible school). They should have dropped at least 3-4 slots based on. TSN does have a man crush on App St. Reasoning: UD drops 4 slots after lossing to the furture #1 team in the nation by 1 at their place couresty of a late missed fg to win the game. Wofford won at Ga So, while App St lost at Ga Southern. (Simple as that) No reason why Wofford shouldnt be 3 and App St at least 4th.

[TwoFeathers]

I was just making the arguement, of the "quality of the loss" Ga Southern isnt 'that' much better then URI. URI is a solid squad. I am just saying Nova shouldnt have dropped #9 they should be 6-7th.
App St to only drop 2 slots to a unranked Ga Southern (not an FBS bowl-eligible school). They should have dropped at least 3-4 slots based on. TSN does have a man crush on App St. Reasoning: UD drops 4 slots after lossing to the furture #1 team in the nation by 1 at their place couresty of a late missed fg to win the game. Wofford won at Ga So, while App St lost at Ga Southern. (Simple as that) No reason why Wofford shouldnt be 3 and App St at least 4th.

Second that.

[aceinthehole]

Yeah, about that...

Dayton can only blame the cosmos and the PFL for this. It is a crying shame that neither Dayton or Jacksonville are playing this season. That would be one heck of a game.

No, we can blame the VOTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These teams have an IDENTICAL RECORD, and nearly identical resume.

- Both are undefeated in the PFL.
- Both have a non D-I win.
- Dayton beat a AQ conf champion RMU / Jacksonville beat a transitioning ODU
- Dayton lost to NEC #3 team by 4 points / Jacksonville was blown out by a top-5 team in ASU

I think the winner of this game may be worthy of an at-large bid, the fact that they don't play has nothing to do with their ranking.

The voters know who App St. is and give JU credit for the loss based on that alone. The anti-NEC bias is having its effect on Dayton just because they beat our conference champ and playoff participant.

[Nebuta]

This is just freaking stupid, either ASU needs to fall really far in the polls or GSU needs to be ranked in the top 15 to justify ASU not falling.

AMEN!!

[LehighFan11]

What has Nova done so far to be considered the 6th overall ranking? Beat 2 middle of the pack CAA teams? Just because their names are JMU & Richmond doesn't carry any weight this year.

[TwoFeathers]

I would imagine so. I still don't think they deserve one right now though. The loss this weekend should have killed any chance of first place votes in my mind. Definitely some weird number one votes but I guess when the top three teams lose that is going to happen. I can see BCC, SEMO, W&M, or Wofford having number one votes but I don't get why App, Villanova, EWU, or MSU have them right now. If EWU had more consistent QB play then I could see it.

One thing is obvious is that some voters are a little too high on Villanova and App right now. I firmly believed EWU and Wofford would and should pass App this week. With that said, I do believe App State not only wins this weekend but they win by double digits.

Alot of folks will be watching that game...

[TwoFeathers]

What has Nova done so far to be considered the 6th overall ranking? Beat 2 middle of the pack CAA teams? Just because their names are JMU & Richmond doesn't carry any weight this year.

Villanova's at 9, and they should not be receiving any first place votes.

[WestCoastAggie]

It is very safe to say that voters in this poll, at least, are not looking at stats and are only going by name only.

[SouthernMan]

This is just freaking stupid, either ASU needs to fall really far in the polls or GSU needs to be ranked in the top 15 to justify ASU not falling.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I do not know where we should be ranked, but for ASU to fall as if they were "expected" to lose does not make a whole lot of sense and us not crack the top 25 makes 0 sense. Wofford "might" get ahead of them if they win the head to head.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (10) 8-1 3,402 1

The more I look at the 10 voters who still voted App No. 1, the more I think they need their heads examined.

[Nebuta]

A loss in OT on the road against a rival who still may make the playoffs? No. We're still 8-1 and still are a very good team. I don't see anyone I would put ahead of them. Wofford may have the better resume, but I think we're just the better team. A slight edge to us that will be settled this weekend is what I would have predicted.

Your points are weak.
Ga Southern can still make the playoffs,
URI still make the playoffs.
8-1 and still a very good team. I agree.
Your right, Wofford DOES have a better resume.
Wofford beat Ga Southern, App St didnt.

You lose to a unranked team, you should fall in the polls, not take a 2 step drop.

Back of the line HOMER!! lol

[pbr1893]

What has Nova done so far to be considered the 6th overall ranking? Beat 2 middle of the pack CAA teams? Just because their names are JMU & Richmond doesn't carry any weight this year.

i cant wait for jmu to win a game...if possible...theyll move back to the top 15 or so...because theyre STILL getting votes.....wtf!? must be some caa love...

[Nebuta]

What has Nova done so far to be considered the 6th overall ranking? Beat 2 middle of the pack CAA teams? Just because their names are JMU & Richmond doesn't carry any weight this year.

Umm. Defending NC and the injury to starting QB. Next question pls.

[WestCoastAggie]

Umm. Defending NC and the injury to starting QB. Next question pls.

That's a very lame excuse. If anything, without their starting QB, 'Nova is not a top 10-15 team.

[Ud1Hens]

And why is that? Because we lost to a decent team on the road, in OT, in a game that largely doesn't matter? God forbid people still think we're a good team

Not that you aren't a good team but typically teams drop further than 2 spots (yes I know two others lost but still). UD loses by 1 point to a top 5 (now #1) W&M team and drops 4 spots...App St. loses to an unranked GSU team in OT and drops 2 spots.

[JUDolphins]

Jacksonville is ranked ahead of Dayton because of the way JU has handled league play. This weekend was the first time that JU was actually tested in PFL play - the same can't be said of the Flyers.

Plus, that loss to Duquesne is a bad loss.

[Edge316007]

Your points are weak.
Ga Southern can still make the playoffs,
URI still make the playoffs.
8-1 and still a very good team. I agree.
Your right, Wofford DOES have a better resume.
Wofford beat Ga Southern, App St didnt.

You lose to a unranked team, you should fall in the polls, not take a 2 step drop.

Back of the line HOMER!! lol

Every post you've made in this thread has been a huge joke.

URI is 4-5 and will not be making the playoffs. Georgia Southern has a decent shot.

Who cares if Wofford beat Georgia Southern? That has no bearing on what App should be ranked.

And the fact that you called ME a homer is laughable. You might be one of the worst posters I've come across based on this thread alone.

[Edge316007]

Not that you aren't a good team but typically teams drop further than 2 spots (yes I know two others lost but still). UD loses by 1 point to a top 5 (now #1) W&M team and drops 4 spots...App St. loses to an unranked GSU team in OT and drops 2 spots.

Other teams lost, that's your answer. Who would you rank ahead of App that currently isn't?

[Nebuta]

Every post you've made in this thread has been a huge joke.

URI is 4-5 and will not be making the playoffs. Georgia Southern has a decent shot.

Who cares if Wofford beat Georgia Southern? That has no bearing on what App should be ranked.

And the fact that you called ME a homer is laughable. You might be one of the worst posters I've come across based on this thread alone.

you still didnt answer my question, Who has App St beat??

I am just stating facts. URI is till in the hunt, just as a 6-5 CAA team is for an at large. Now if you want to simply just blow the facts off thats on you. The fact of the matter is Wofford should be ranked above App St and TSN poll is a joke just like you.

[Ud1Hens]

Wofford...better resume and beat a team App St lost to. Would not put E. Washington past you, not SEMO, not Jacksonville St.

FWIW, I think App St. beats Wofford this weekend but for this week's poll, I have Wofford 3 and Appy 4

[Fear the Bird]

Wofford...better resume and beat a team App St lost to. Would not put E. Washington past you, not SEMO, not Jacksonville St.

FWIW, I think App St. beats Wofford this weekend but for this week's poll, I have Wofford 3 and Appy 4

Could not agree more, based on year-to-date resume, Wofford 3, App 4, but I do expect App to win this week and flip that

[Edge316007]

you still didnt answer my question, Who has App St beat??

I am just stating facts. URI is till in the hunt, just as a 6-5 CAA team is for an at large. Now if you want to simply just blow the facts off thats on you. The fact of the matter is Wofford should be ranked above App St and TSN poll is a joke just like you.

Yes, I'm a joke. Meanwhile you're parading around here with CAA garbage everywhere while from what I can tell not even rooting for a specific team. That's the joke my friend.

URI is not making the playoffs with 5 losses, end of story. I don't care about CAA this or CAA that, but a 5 loss team does not deserve to go to the playoffs (and won't) no matter the conference. You can call it "still in the hunt", but they really aren't. Heck, they don't even have the 7 D1 wins that are supposedly required. They're done.

Now, maybe just maybe that the pollsters like myself believe that App is a better team than Wofford. Maybe they believe that we'll win this weekend. Maybe they believe we're still the best team in the country, despite the loss. Do you understand how polls work?

[Edge316007]

Could not agree more, based on year-to-date resume, Wofford 3, App 4, but I do expect App to win this week and flip that

Well that makes no sense. You think App is the better team and will win, then pick them ahead of Wofford. That's the whole point of a poll.

Also, pick Wofford based on year to date resume, who they've beaten and the fact that they're undefeated in the FCS. Don't pick them because they beat a team we lost to. That makes no sense.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I have zero problem with the folks that put App at No. 3 or No. 4. But I have a really large problem with the TEN voters that put them No. 1.

[Fear the Bird]

Well that makes no sense. You think App is the better team and will win, then pick them ahead of Wofford. That's the whole point of a poll.

Also, pick Wofford based on year to date resume, who they've beaten and the fact that they're undefeated in the FCS. Don't pick them because they beat a team we lost to. That makes no sense.

Wait a second? The whole point of a poll is who you THINK is the best or resume? If it's based on who you think is better and WILL WIN AT HOME, then my poll would be like this:

Delaware, W&M, Nova, App St, New Hampshire

That's just ridiculous and maybe explains why some polls vary so greatly from others.

And I never once said I picked Wofford for beating a team you lost to - that is just plain dumb agreed

[Edge316007]

Wait a second? The whole point of a poll is who you THINK is the best or resume? If it's based on who you think is better and WILL WIN AT HOME, then my poll would be like this:

Delaware, W&M, Nova, App St, New Hampshire

That's just ridiculous and maybe explains why some polls vary so greatly from others.

And I never once said I picked Wofford for beating a team you lost to - that is just plain dumb agreed

The last bit was me responding to the post above yours but being too lazy to quote it.

Why would you rank those teams in that order though? Nova is 6-3.

[Edge316007]

I have zero problem with the folks that put App at No. 3 or No. 4. But I have a really large problem with the TEN voters that put them No. 1.

Why? We were near unanimous next week. A few bounces go the wrong way in a tough, close road game and suddenly we're not the best anymore?

[Mr. C]

SEMO and Jacksonville St= Overrated(I'm shocked they got first place votes).

Having Jacksonville in the poll and SCSU at 15 is a complete joke.

Have you even seen South Carolina State play? Schedule, or not, the Bulldogs have a great defense and would give a lot of people fits for that fact alone. I've seen SCSU in person once and also on TV and will see them again live on Thursday. How about you?

I've also seen a couple of game films of Jacksonville and they are better than people around here think, too.

You have to judge these teams with your eyes, not with strength of schedule.

[Fear the Bird]

The last bit was me responding to the post above yours but being too lazy to quote it.

Why would you rank those teams in that order though? Nova is 6-3.

Because you just told me that polls are about who I think is better. I think Nova, when fully healthy, would beat App St. That's why it is not a projection or personal opinion. Based on what has happened in 2010, Wofford deserves to be ranked ahead of App St. this week. But BARELY. And obviously it will be settled this week. My personal opinion is App doesn't lose at the Rock, but I can't speculate in this week's poll

[Nebuta]

Yes, I'm a joke. Meanwhile you're parading around here with CAA garbage everywhere while from what I can tell not even rooting for a specific team. That's the joke my friend.

URI is not making the playoffs with 5 losses, end of story. I don't care about CAA this or CAA that, but a 5 loss team does not deserve to go to the playoffs (and won't) no matter the conference. You can call it "still in the hunt", but they really aren't. Heck, they don't even have the 7 D1 wins that are supposedly required. They're done.

Now, maybe just maybe that the pollsters like myself believe that App is a better team than Wofford. Maybe they believe that we'll win this weekend. Maybe they believe we're still the best team in the country, despite the loss. Do you understand how polls work?

Loving a conference and not a specific team is a joke, COM'ON MAN.
I will admit I am a CAA homer and I dont root for a specific team only when it comes to the playoffs. I root for the CAA to wipe the floor with the other conferences, thats my personal opinion but the facts are the facts my friend. Wofford has a better resume then App St. 6-0 in the SoCon. Beat Ga Southern. Wofford has to be ranked above App St because their is no signature win on the resume of App St. Imho At this moment in time, Wofford has to be #3. Now for #4 Yeah App St due to Nova, Jack St, EWU should all be behind the Moutaineers.

[biggie]

Agreed that SCSU is usually pretty good and solid team. Haven't seen them at all this year though.

JU is hard to rationalize because of the blowout in Boone. Its hard to see there would be that big of difference between a top 5 team and a top 20-25 team.

[Mr. C]

I have zero problem with the folks that put App at No. 3 or No. 4. But I have a really large problem with the TEN voters that put them No. 1.

You could make a good case for a number of teams being No. 1, including App State. William & Mary, App State, Delaware, Jacksonville State and Villanova have ALL lost in their past two games. So who is your No. 1 and why?

[FargoBison]

Have you even seen South Carolina State play? Schedule, or not, the Bulldogs have a great defense and would give a lot of people fits for that fact alone. I've seen SCSU in person once and also on TV and will see them again live on Thursday. How about you?

I've also seen a couple of game films of Jacksonville and they are better than people around here think, too.

You have to judge these teams with your eyes, not with strength of schedule.

Sorry that I don't catch a lot of PFL games...Jacksonville only has themselves to blame for their lack of exposure. I'll watch SCSU vs Morgan State on Thursday.

That said at some point you have to beat somebody. Or in Jacksonville's case actually play more than one good team.

[Ud1Hens]

Well that makes no sense. You think App is the better team and will win, then pick them ahead of Wofford. That's the whole point of a poll.

Also, pick Wofford based on year to date resume, who they've beaten and the fact that they're undefeated in the FCS. Don't pick them because they beat a team we lost to. That makes no sense.

Isn't the point of a poll (with the exception of preseason polls) to show what you've done this year, not what you are going to do. Next week is a new poll and will reflect what those teams have done year to date.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

You could make a good case for a number of teams being No. 1, including App State. William & Mary, App State, Delaware, Jacksonville State and Villanova have ALL lost in their past two games. So who is your No. 1 and why?

William & Mary. It wasn't even a contest. They beat Delaware, they came extremely close to knocking off a bowl-eligible team in UNC (and probably would have done it had they not gotten injured), and took care of UNH, a team with everything to play for, this week. I was unimpressed with them when they lost to UMass in Week One, but they have impressed me more and more as the season has rolled along and earned my top spot.

Delaware's been great, but they lost to William & Mary recently for their only loss.

To recap: William & Mary only lost to a bowl-eligible team, and beat two Top Ten teams in the last three weeks. Delaware only lost to my No. 1 team all season. Meanwhile, App State lost to an unranked team - granted, a pretty good one - and they are getting No. 1 votes above the Tribe and Hens? Makes no sense to me.

Voting for App or Jacksonville State No. 1 after last weekend smacks to me of some serious academic laziness. And don't get me started about the Gamecocks' loss to EKU. In my poll, they fell to No. 10.

[HensRock]

How so? 1 Loss isn't a reason to drop App St out of the top 5. GSU has been inconsistent at best. Losing to Samford at home, regardless of the Shaw injury situation hurts them. 1 win doesn't make them a top 15 team, need a body of work.

Speaking of "body of work", you DO realize that ASU's "signature" win right now is Jacksonville (not State).
And ASU's 2007 NC is about as relavent today as GSU's NC in 2000.

[Edge316007]

You could make a good case for a number of teams being No. 1, including App State. William & Mary, App State, Delaware, Jacksonville State and Villanova have ALL lost in their past two games. So who is your No. 1 and why?

Which is what we are obviously seeing here. But some of the votes are a bit ridiculous.

Fearthebird: It's a delicate balance. Nova, when healthy, may beat App on a neutral field. But they aren't and they do have 3 losses.
Nebuta: I agree, a very good case can be made for Wofford. But the fact that they are still behind is really not that big of a deal TBH. I don't see the point in getting worked up about it when they're effectively even anyway. If I were voting I'd probably have the top few as they are.

To be honest, I'm not a real big fan of polls anyway. Football can't be simplified like that. There are many factors that go into everything.

[Edge316007]

Isn't the point of a poll (with the exception of preseason polls) to show what you've done this year, not what you are going to do. Next week is a new poll and will reflect what those teams have done year to date.

Not really...I mean it factors into it a lot, but it's still a ranking of who's supposedly the best. That's why preseason polls exist. If it were solely about resumes then there would be no polls for the first 5 weeks of the season, or some other randomly arbitrary number.

[Nebuta]

Isn't the point of a poll (with the exception of preseason polls) to show what you've done this year, not what you are going to do. Next week is a new poll and will reflect what those teams have done year to date.

Agree its a body of work and how they have performed thru the season up to this point. Not who you think is better team is regardless of record. If you go with some people's theory Ga Southern should be in the top 10, but they look like world beaters on any given saturday.

[ngineer]

Lehigh should definitely be in the top 25 at this point. They are a hugely improved team from the first few weeks. The offense is back in rare form and the defense is still stingy in allowing points. I understand the PL "thing", but in light of some of the other bottom-feeders of the poll, I think the Engineering Mountain Hawks are just as credible at this point.

[Edge316007]

Speaking of "body of work", you DO realize that ASU's "signature" win right now is Jacksonville (not State).
And ASU's 2007 NC is about as relavent today as GSU's NC in 2000.

No it isn't. Chattanooga is unranked currently but still a better win.

And there are still plenty of good players on this team from 2007: Matt Cline, Brian Quick, Coco Hillary off the top of my head.

[Edge316007]

Agree its a body of work and how they have performed thru the season up to this point. Not who you think is better team is regardless of record. If you go with some people's theory Ga Southern should be in the top 10, but they look like world beaters on any given saturday.

GSU beat App, but out of 10 tries they'd probably win 2-4. We're the better team. They were just the better team Saturday.

[DFW HOYA]

9 votes for Indiana State. If this isn't the most underreported turnaround of 2010, what is?

[aceinthehole]

Lehigh should definitely be in the top 25 at this point. They are a hugely improved team from the first few weeks. The offense is back in rare form and the defense is still stingy in allowing points. I understand the PL "thing", but in light of some of the other bottom-feeders of the poll, I think the Engineering Mountain Hawks are just as credible at this point.

I'm with you. Although I think the PL strength has dropped dramatically over the years, there is no way that this year's #2 MEAC team is top-15, while the #1 PL team is outside of the polls. Especially considering they have Penn in the top-20, I'd think Lehigh should probably be somewhere between #22-25.

[HensRock]

No it isn't. Chattanooga is unranked currently but still a better win.

And there are still plenty of good players on this team from 2007: Matt Cline, Brian Quick, Coco Hillary off the top of my head.

Excuse me. ASU's signature win is 5-4 Chattanooga. Sound better?

The Lehigh fan was arguing that you can't rank GSU because of their "body of work" and that ASU should not drop much. I was merely pointing out that ASU was highly ranked without having much of a "body of work" yet this year either.

[Walkon79]

First place votes are being handed out like it is Christmas, I have no idea how somebody could not vote either W&M, UD, App St, Wofford or EWU at #1.

EWU doesn't even have the inside track to win their own conference?

[Aho_Old_Guy]

Human poling is subjective - but it sure beats the alternative (computer rankings). I particularly like the "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" bunch that tends to subjectively beech about movements in the rankings from week-to-week.

It drops the collective IQ of AGS when they do so xnodx

It's interesting to see how some folks judge the transitive value of head-to-head match-ups & records 10 weeks into a football season as some predictor of playoff success. Ask UNH how well that worked out for them last year against 'Nova in the playoffs ...

It's been quite a while since the FCS champ went undefeated :D As a matter of fact going undefeated (and even with 1 loss) is more the exception than the rule when it comes to winning championships:

FCS Champs w/2 loss: 13

FCS Champs w/3 loss: 8

FCS Champs w/1 loss: 7

FCS Champs w/0 loss: 4

And I'm not going back to check all of it ... but I suspect being the #1 seed is pretty much a statistical kiss-of-death. I think #2s - and those that are unseeded - tend to have much more success.

And the teams whose supporters raise the most ruckus during the year tend to disappear by the second round ...

[WestCoastAggie]

I'm with you. Although I think the PL strength has dropped dramatically over the years, there is no way that this year's #2 MEAC team is top-15, while the #1 PL team is outside of the polls. Especially considering they have Penn in the top-20, I'd think Lehigh should probably be somewhere between #22-25.

Recent Playoff Performances and a top 10 Defense is keeping SC state in the polls.

I don't know how many times we have to tell you this.

I don't know why you are "hating" on SC State. Robert Morris and the NEC will be benefiting from the same thing if they have a similar showing as SC State last year or win.

You can keep harping on this or not but it's not changing any time soon.

[Klandbulldog]

The #2 MEAC team was in the top ten of the polls this year too....

[bigchocolate]

I'm with you. Although I think the PL strength has dropped dramatically over the years, there is no way that this year's #2 MEAC team is top-15, while the #1 PL team is outside of the polls. Especially considering they have Penn in the top-20, I'd think Lehigh should probably be somewhere between #22-25.

You are judging SC State base on how you perceive the MEAC conference as a whole and that is not wise. This particular poll ranks the team, not the conference from top to bottom. There isn't 15 teams on the FCS level that I would pick in a head to head matchup with the bulldogs on a neutral site. Its very easy to look at the bottom half of the MEAC and say with confidence that most if not all of the teams in the various conferences of FCS would have success against this years version of A&T, Howard, Del State, or Morgan. The Bulldogs are finally starting to get production out of their young receivers, someone is gonna get more than their pride beat up in the Playoffs. This team is very talented and physical...please take the time to watch them this Thursday night. If their defense gives up more than 150 totals yards I will be totally shocked. This team was really banged up across the the last month (tail back 1 out for the season, back 2 with very limited carries because of injury, Star reserve rb kick off the team, starting middle linebacker out, couple of starting offensive linemen out,....) I know injuries are part of the game but they appear to be getting healthy just in time for the playoffs. I like their chances. Their offense has the potential to be extremely productive....Defense, lights out!

[Jackman]

They never had any! This is a joke and the NCAA needs to step in and address this.

The fault isn't with the NCAA, they have no power over a private, media-run poll. The fault lays with anyone who references the TSN Poll without using "LOL" in the same sentence. For example, if the subject line of this thread was "Sports Network Poll is out LOL", everything would make perfect sense. "The voting in the TSN Poll is great LOL." See how it works? Anyone who forgets to use "LOL" is simply misrepresenting the nature of this poll. We all need to work together to improve on this.

[WileECoyote06]

Recent Playoff Performances and a top 10 Defense is keeping SC state in the polls.

I don't know how many times we have to tell you this.

I don't know why you are "hating" on SC State. Robert Morris and the NEC will be benefiting from the same thing if they have a similar showing as SC State last year or win.

You can keep harping on this or not but it's not changing any time soon.

Dude sounds like a broken record. Come playoff time, the NEC champion better not get molly-whopped. The playoffs are not for the squeamish and hopeful. They are for the talented and well-coached. And the teams that advance are that good. SCSU has earned their benefit of the doubt.

[EdubAlum]

EWU doesn't even have the inside track to win their own conference?

Was this sarcasm? EWU beats Idaho State, then we're Big Sky Conference champions, at least a share of it. Montana beats MSU, we're sole Big Sky Champs.

that being said, i don't think we're the number one team by any means.

[danefan]

The fault isn't with the NCAA, they have no power over a private, media-run poll. The fault lays with anyone who references the TSN Poll without using "LOL" in the same sentence. For example, if the subject line of this thread was "Sports Network Poll is out LOL", everything would make perfect sense. "The voting in the TSN Poll is great LOL." See how it works? Anyone who forgets to use "LOL" is simply misrepresenting the nature of this poll. We all need to work together to improve on this.

The NCAA is doing excatly what you are saying. Forgetting to preface the TSN poll with smiley faces. The NCAA recognizes the TSN poll as the official FCS poll and includes it in the official playoff criterian for the Bridge AQ.

So, as Ace said - the NCAA should really reconsider using the TSN poll until its no longer laughable.

[UAalum72]

And the teams that advance are that good. SCSU has earned their benefit of the doubt.Because they've advanced? Because of whom they've beaten?

[WileECoyote06]

Because they've advanced? Because of whom they've beaten?

They get the benefit of the doubt because they've played well in their playoff appearances. When the NEC champion has a great showing against a conference champion on the road in the 2010 playoffs; they will be afforded that same courtesy in following years.

[UAalum72]

They get the benefit of the doubt because they've played well in their playoff appearances. When the NEC champion has a great showing against a conference champion on the road in the 2010 playoffs; they will be afforded that same courtesy in following years.
When all you have are losses, you don't get benefit of the doubt, you just get doubt.

[R.A.]

SEMO and Jacksonville St= Overrated(I'm shocked they got first place votes).

Having Jacksonville in the poll and SCSU at 15 is a complete joke.

Morgan St. gave North Dakota State some trouble up in the Fargodome. Let's see how much trouble the Morgan State Bears, give the #15 South Carolina State Bulldogs Thursday Night on ESPNU.

[R.A.]

When all you have are losses, you don't get benefit of the doubt, you just get doubt.

You're speaking from you team's experience, right UAalum72?

[LakesBison]

oh cmon now.

AGS and TSN polls are jokes.

Coaches is the ONLY one.... and maybe the GPI

[WileECoyote06]

You're speaking from you team's experience, right UAalum72?

As I tried to imply in my last statement. . . the playoffs are a whole different animal. They better pray Robert Morris gets sent to Lehigh. If they have to deal with Villanova/UNH/Richmond . . . .

[jmufan999]

What has Nova done so far to be considered the 6th overall ranking? Beat 2 bottom of the pack CAA teams? Just because their names are JMU & Richmond doesn't carry any weight this year.

fixed it. i don't think richmond is all that good for the same reasons we're not. nova's still a pretty good team when sczcur gets back, he's that important.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

They better pray Robert Morris gets sent to Lehigh.

No comment.

[WestCoastAggie]

oh cmon now.

AGS and TSN polls are jokes.

Coaches is the ONLY one.... and maybe the GPI

xeyebrowx

Are you sure about that?

[WileECoyote06]

No comment.

Even then, I'd go with Lehigh.

[WestCoastAggie]

You gotta love the fight in the NEC fans.

If only more MEACFans had that kind of fight.

BTW: we gotta get more NEC teams on MEAC schedules. Come on NEC, travel on down below the Mason-Dixon and enjoy a great MEAC football game.

[aceinthehole]

You gotta love the fight in the NEC fans.

If only more MEACFans had that kind of fight.

BTW: we gotta get more NEC teams on MEAC schedules. Come on NEC, travel on down below the Mason-Dixon and enjoy a great MEAC football game.

That's cool, but NEC teams need HOME games too :)

CCSU has and is willing to play MEAC teams and I'd personally would like to see a few more. I would love to see us get a home & home with SCSU, Hampton, or FAMU. And since I'm in DC, I would be OK with a CCSU road game at Howard or Morgan State as well.

CCSU vs. MEAC:
09-20-2008 W, 35-23 vs North Carolina Central (they were Indy at the time)
09-27-2008 W, 28-10 at Delaware St.

[Dane96]

oh cmon now.

AGS and TSN polls are jokes.

Coaches is the ONLY one.... and maybe the GPI

You mean the Coaches poll that is voted on by Sports Information Director's and Assistant AD's? Yes, FACT!

[Dane96]

You gotta love the fight in the NEC fans.

If only more MEACFans had that kind of fight.

BTW: we gotta get more NEC teams on MEAC schedules. Come on NEC, travel on down below the Mason-Dixon and enjoy a great MEAC football game.

I believe the NEC teams have played a number of MEAC teams.

[WestCoastAggie]

That's cool, but NEC teams need HOME games too :)

CCSU has and is willing to play MEAC teams and I'd personally would like to see a few more. I would love to see us get a home & home with SCSU, Hampton, or FAMU. And since I'm in DC, I would be OK with a CCSU road game at Howard or Morgan State as well.

CCSU vs. MEAC:
09-20-2008 W, 35-23 vs North Carolina Central (they were Indy at the time)
09-27-2008 W, 28-10 at Delaware St.

Clarification: NCCU was an indy. team in 2008.

But anywho,

I'd say press your AD to aggressively call up MEAC schools and let's make a deal. The MEAC does need stronger SOS to keep up with the SWAC, at least in either getting ready for the LB or the Playoffs in 2011.

[MacThor]

They get the benefit of the doubt because they've played well in their playoff appearances. When the NEC champion has a great showing against a conference champion on the road in the 2010 playoffs; they will be afforded that same courtesy in following years.

Remind me -- how many ranked teams has SCSt beaten in the past five years?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

That's cool, but NEC teams need HOME games too :)

CCSU has and is willing to play MEAC teams and I'd personally would like to see a few more. I would love to see us get a home & home with SCSU, Hampton, or FAMU. And since I'm in DC, I would be OK with a CCSU road game at Howard or Morgan State as well.

CCSU vs. MEAC:
09-20-2008 W, 35-23 vs North Carolina Central (they were Indy at the time)
09-27-2008 W, 28-10 at Delaware St.

What happened to that "Classic" you guys hosted in 2008 at that large field around New Britain? I thought that was brilliant. Any plans to revive that? A MEAC team is a natural for that.

Hampton, Howard, Delaware State, and maybe Morgan State seem like they'd be willing to consider such a game in the past. :)

[aceinthehole]

What happened to that "Classic" you guys hosted in 2008 at that large field around New Britain? I thought that was brilliant. Any plans to revive that? A MEAC team is a natural for that.

Hampton, Howard, Delaware State, and maybe Morgan State seem like they'd be willing to consider such a game in the past. :)

The "Harmony Classic" was a huge success! We set an NEC attendance record and I think both sides were very happy with the result. But as I noted, NCCU was playing as an Indy as the moved up from D-II. They needed D-I games, but I'm not sure we can get an established D-I HBCU to come to Connecticut.

The problem always remains getting a "name" team to give up a home game. I think CCSU is still on the phone trying to line up another "classic," but there just aren't that many viable opponents. Howard or Morgan State would be a fine home game for CCSU in New Britain, but these games need a great band as well to reall draw a huge crowd and I honestly don't know how all the MEAC bands stack up.

I do think if we could get team that could really draw locals (alumni or name recognition) with a good team and a great band, like a FAMU, and if we can ensure a crowd of more than 10k, it's a possiblity to use Rentschler Field in E. Hartford.

[superman7515]

You gotta love the fight in the NEC fans.

If only more MEACFans had that kind of fight.

BTW: we gotta get more NEC teams on MEAC schedules. Come on NEC, travel on down below the Mason-Dixon and enjoy a great MEAC football game.

You don't even have to travel below it, Delaware State is east of the line.

[SpeedkingATL]

The fact is that the upper half of the CAA (Nova, Richmond, Delaware, W&M, JMU and to a lesser extent UNH) as well as App and Montana are often ranked a little higher than they might deserve based on reputation, which has been earned on the field year after year after year. Just look at their playoff records, National Championships etc. to see why. It may not be right but that's just the way it is and until some of the schools from other conferences start making some real noise in the playoffs and winning championships, that the way it will be. The CAA currently gets the benefit of the doubt because so many of their teams have won Championships in recent years while other conferences like the SoCon and Big Sky have been dominated by one team for a long time and have been the only team from their conference to consistantly successful in the playoffs.

That's just the way it is. That's why App is at #3, Nova is highly ranked with 3 losses and JMU and Richmond still get lots of votes with 4 and 5 losses.

[WileECoyote06]

The "Harmony Classic" was a huge success! We set an NEC attendance record and I think both sides were very happy with the result. But as I noted, NCCU was playing as an Indy as the moved up from D-II. They needed D-I games, but I'm not sure we can get an established D-I HBCU to come to Connecticut.

The problem always remains getting a "name" team to give up a home game. I think CCSU is still on the phone trying to line up another "classic," but there just aren't that many viable opponents. Howard or Morgan State would be a fine home game for CCSU in New Britain, but these games need a great band as well to reall draw a huge crowd and I honestly don't know how all the MEAC bands stack up.

I do think if we could get team that could really draw locals (alumni or name recognition) with a good team and a great band, like a FAMU, and if we can ensure a crowd of more than 10k, it's a possiblity to use Rentschler Field in E. Hartford.

You are going to pay out the tail for FAMU's band to travel that far. They need like 14 or 15 buses. I'd suggest Norfolk or Morgan State.

[TBone]

I honestly don't know how all the MEAC bands stack up.

In addition to a pretty good football team, SC State has a GREAT band.

[tribefan40]

Wow. TSN has a serious man-crush on App St.

1. William & Mary Tribe (105) 7-2 3,902 4
2. Delaware Blue Hens (31) 8-1 3,860 5
3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (10) 8-1 3,402 1
4. Wofford Terriers (5) 8-1 3,400 7
5. Eastern Washington Eagles (4) 7-2 3,373 6
6. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (1) 8-1 3,095 2
7. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1) 9-1 2,982 9
8. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 7-2 2,716 10
9. Villanova Wildcats (1) 6-3 2,671 3
10. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3) 9-0 2,586 10


That top 3 looks spot on to me. Razor thin difference between the three (when healthy). None of the other teams in the top ten belong above APP at this point. xtwocentsx

[mikebigg]

This is just freaking stupid, either ASU needs to fall really far in the polls or GSU needs to be ranked in the top 15 to justify ASU not falling.

I agree!

[LeadBolt]

That top 3 looks spot on to me. Razor thin difference between the three (when healthy). None of the other teams in the top ten belong above APP at this point. xtwocentsx

I think we will know for sure after their date with #4 this weekend...

[Edge316007]

I agree!

Still more people who don't understand how polls work

[HensRock]

And I'm not going back to check all of it ... but I suspect being the #1 seed is pretty much a statistical kiss-of-death. I think #2s - and those that are unseeded - tend to have much more success.


I was curious about that, so I checked. According to my records (which might be flawed) #1 and #2 each have won it all 7 times each going all the way back through I-AA History 1978-present

Breakdown (someone can check me on this because my early records might be off):
#1 7 times (79 EKU, 82 EKU, 83 SIU, 89 GSU, 94 YSU, 01 UM, 06 ASU)
#2 7 times (81 ISU, 87 NE LA, 96 MU, 99 GSU, 03 UD, 05 ASU, 09 VU)
#3 4 times (78 FAMU, 84 MSU, 90 GSU, 00 GSU)
#4 2 times (86 GSU, 88 FU)
#5 1 time (92 MU)
#6 1 time (95 UM)
#7 never
#8 4 times (85 GSU, 91 YSU, 93 YSU, 97 YSU)
#9 never
#10 never
#11 1 time (98 UMass)
unseeded: 4 times (02 WKU, 04 JMU, 07 ASU, 09 UR)

I am not sure what seed Boise State was in 1980

[pbr1893]

Excuse me. ASU's signature win is 5-4 Chattanooga. Sound better?

The Lehigh fan was arguing that you can't rank GSU because of their "body of work" and that ASU should not drop much. I was merely pointing out that ASU was highly ranked without having much of a "body of work" yet this year either.

you have a point...chatty climbed high after losses to us and jack state...then came back down...furman was ranked...elon was ranked also...we saw what happened to our opponents. but how about your body of work...maybe jmu and richmond were over rated...one's barely in the top 25 and the other has almost been taken off life support. if thats the case is your quality win, maine...west chester high school...maybe duquense is your quality win...yes, jmu and richmond were ranked and you could call them signature wins but when looking at your "body of work" as of todays win/loss of your opponents...its not so hot either. but i know its hard to compare apples to APP-les!

[BigApp]

This is just freaking stupid, either ASU needs to fall really far in the polls or GSU needs to be ranked in the top 15 to justify ASU not falling.

It's not that stupid, you've got a heavy anchor holding you down: Samford

[BigApp]

Wofford has to be ranked above App St because their is no signature win on the resume of App St.

then, what is Wofford's "signature win"? Union? Western Carolina?

[Squealofthepig]

Signature wins for App State is a legitimate question to raise. However, you have to then be able to say, OK, for GSU and Wofford, what do you hang your hat on?

Other than the road conference loss, ASU is flawless. OK, maybe no real signature wins, but they take care of business.
Wofford won at GSU. I have them at 5 in my poll. But their toughest two games are probably the last two of the season. (And please note: I love the Terriers. I've been a huge fan since their win in Missoula, if not before).
GSU: Lost at home to Wofford. Lost at Navy. Lost at Chatty. But mainly: Lost at home vs. Stamford.

The win over ASU is one no voter can disregard. But the home loss vs. Stamford is equally as telling. I like GSU, but ASU and Stamford kinda cancel each other out. Is GSU a top 25 team? Yes. Are they a playoff caliber team? That's a question where intelligent minds can differ, I would profer.

[TwoFeathers]

William & Mary. It wasn't even a contest. They beat Delaware, they came extremely close to knocking off a bowl-eligible team in UNC (and probably would have done it had they not gotten injured), and took care of UNH, a team with everything to play for, this week. I was unimpressed with them when they lost to UMass in Week One, but they have impressed me more and more as the season has rolled along and earned my top spot.

Delaware's been great, but they lost to William & Mary recently for their only loss.

To recap: William & Mary only lost to a bowl-eligible team, and beat two Top Ten teams in the last three weeks. Delaware only lost to my No. 1 team all season. Meanwhile, App State lost to an unranked team - granted, a pretty good one - and they are getting No. 1 votes above the Tribe and Hens? Makes no sense to me.

Voting for App or Jacksonville State No. 1 after last weekend smacks to me of some serious academic laziness. And don't get me started about the Gamecocks' loss to EKU. In my poll, they fell to No. 10.

... or 3 top-10 teams in 5 weeks. #1 Villanova, #2 Delaware, outplayed UNC, and #8 UNH. Has anyone else knocked off even 2 top-10 teams? Just checking...

[TwoFeathers]

Which is what we are obviously seeing here. But some of the votes are a bit ridiculous.

Fearthebird: It's a delicate balance. Nova, when healthy, may beat App on a neutral field. But they aren't and they do have 3 losses.
Nebuta: I agree, a very good case can be made for Wofford. But the fact that they are still behind is really not that big of a deal TBH. I don't see the point in getting worked up about it when they're effectively even anyway. If I were voting I'd probably have the top few as they are.

To be honest, I'm not a real big fan of polls anyway. Football can't be simplified like that. There are many factors that go into everything.

"Originally Posted by Mr. C
You could make a good case for a number of teams being No. 1, including App State. William & Mary, App State, Delaware, Jacksonville State and Villanova have ALL lost in their past two games. So who is your No. 1 and why?
"

W&M's loss you refer to was to BCS UNC... which they led 17-7 into the 4th quarter. Book-ended by wins against #1 Villanova, , Rhode Island, #2 Delaware and #8 New Hampshire. I don't think anyone comes close over the last 4-5 weeks.

[Squealofthepig]

... or 3 top-10 teams in 5 weeks. #1 Villanova, #2 Delaware, outplayed UNC, and #8 UNH. Has anyone else knocked off even 2 top-10 teams? Just checking...

Yes, but the question here is where to rank W&M - it's a question of where to rank them with a plus or minus of like two places. Compare that to many of these teams being mentioned, where it's a question of top ten/top fifteen vs. not being ranked at all. If I'm wrong about the Tribe, maybe it affects how much they're ranked in a certain place by a small iota. But other teams? It may make the difference between like #19 or #20 or not being ranked at all.

[HensRock]

... or 3 top-10 teams in 5 weeks. #1 Villanova, #2 Delaware, outplayed UNC, and #8 UNH. Has anyone else knocked off even 2 top-10 teams? Just checking...

Delaware has knocked off 3 Top 10 teams .... Using your method (i.e. rank when played) - Which btw, I do not agree with, just to be clear.

#9 South Dakota State
#5 Richmond
#3 James Madison

... and we did that in FOUR weeks! :p

You asked. I answered. Don't shoot the messenger, because I don't think the "rank when played" method is legit for this very reason.

[Edge316007]

"Originally Posted by Mr. C
You could make a good case for a number of teams being No. 1, including App State. William & Mary, App State, Delaware, Jacksonville State and Villanova have ALL lost in their past two games. So who is your No. 1 and why?
"

W&M's loss you refer to was to BCS UNC... which they led 17-7 into the 4th quarter. Book-ended by wins against #1 Villanova, , Rhode Island, #2 Delaware and #8 New Hampshire. I don't think anyone comes close over the last 4-5 weeks.

It's still a loss. But yeah, I'd vote them #1.

[GaSouthern]

It's not that stupid, you've got a heavy anchor holding you down: Samford

It sucks that our "Star" QB was out for the game and we tried to win it with the backup and save the starter for App state but the plan did not work, I hope voters can realize that was the case.

[tribefan40]

Delaware has knocked off 3 Top 10 teams .... Using your method (i.e. rank when played) - Which btw, I do not agree with, just to be clear.

This. Am I excited that we've won those games? Yes. Do I think it shows how good an deep we are this year? Yes. Does it matter this saturday? No. With the way this season is playing out wins are what matters, and each week is majorly shaking things up for the playoffs. UD and William and Mary stand just as good a chance of winning out as ending up with 3 and 4 losses, respectively.