Running FCS thread

Is Sam Houston State a serious contender, or a soft unbeaten?

 

Hard to tell. Southland doesn't appear to be any great shakes this year, and the Bearkats may be the only playoff-eligible team they have (unless the Central Arkansas/Northwestern State winner wins the rest of their games). On the other hand, they did beat New Mexico, which still qualifies as an FBS school. They've been pretty dominant, especially in the last four games, but with only one decent win. Sorta like Boise State.

They'll get a first-round bye for sure, but whoever they play in the second round will be easily their toughest FCS opponent to date.

 

Yeah, not sure what to make of Sam.

North Dakota State is definitely No. 1. The top five on my TSN ballot:

1. North Dakota State
2. Montana State
3. Sam Houston State
4. Maine
5. Appalachian State

UNI, Lehigh just outside of the top 5.

 

The Southland is slipping toward OVC territory. Too many new programs in the same footprint (Lamar, Southeastern La., South Alabama competes with SLC schools in some areas, Texas-San Antonio). Like Johnny, I'm curious about Sam Houston. Perhaps they've gained an edge on recruiting in Houston's booming north/northwestern suburbs. If so, this could be success that translates across the division and might be sustainable.

But I'm a little bit skeptical of it because Houston may be the single most heavily recruiting city in the country. You'll run into Houston kids on rosters coast to coast, north and south. It's too easy to fly into Bush and be within spitting distance of dozens of schools that have good athletes and put way too much emphasis on their high school football.

 

To put Sam Houston State in perspective: The TSN poll just came out, and despite being one of two unbeatens left in FCS, the Bearkats are ranked fourth with just one of a possible 158 first-place votes.

1. North Dakota State Bison (133) 8-0 3,918 3
2. Montana State Bobcats (19) 8-1 3,671 4
3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (5) 6-2 3,567 5
4. Sam Houston State Bearkats (1) 8-0 3,416 6
5. Georgia Southern Eagles 7-1 3,193 1
6. Northern Iowa Panthers 6-2 3,065 2
7. Maine Black Bears 7-1 2,987 8
8. Lehigh Mountain Hawks 7-1 2,983 7
9. New Hampshire Wildcats 6-2 2,601 10
10. Montana Grizzlies 7-2 2,532 11
11. Wofford Terriers 6-2 2,443 12
12. Old Dominion Monarchs 7-2 2,163 15
13. James Madison Dukes 5-3 1,747 9
14. Towson Tigers 6-2 1,364 13
15. Jackson State Tigers 7-1 1,235 19
16. Delaware Blue Hens 5-4 1,076 21
17. Illinois State Redbirds 6-3 977 22
18. Jacksonville State Gamecocks 5-3 955 14
19. William & Mary Tribe 4-4 928 18
20. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 5-2 926 25
21. Indiana State Sycamores 5-3 853 20
22. Liberty Flames 6-3 710 23
23. Harvard Crimson 6-1 653 24
24. South Dakota Coyotes 5-4 456 17
25. Central Arkansas Bears 6-3 414 NR

 

158 people vote as part of this poll? Holy shit, I wouldn't want to be the guy who coordinates that.

 

There's a voting site with pull-down menus and such, so he doesn't have to count every vote individually.

Also W&M is still way too high.

 

Elon's Jamal Shuman believes he is entitled to more playing time:

http://deadspin.com/5854783/the-sad-saga-of-a-college-football-player-who-didnt-understand-how-twitter-works/gallery/13

 

Maybe he thought it was like Creed's blog.

 

TTU is ranked? Prepare to meet thy maker.

 

Man, Virginia plays some FCS football. Missing from that poll: The most recent Virginia school to win an FCS title.

 

It's a great way to do the poll. Very easy to do every week.