Anyone else having a hard time putting UNH in the top 10?

[dbackjon]

I just am not buying UNH as a top 10 team.

They have had one good game all year.

Struggled against one of the worst FCS teams (St. Francis, who got blown out by UNI the following week), struggled against Hofstra, beat Dartmouth and Towson, lost to a UMass team that has been blown out in both of the tough games they have played.

[danefan]

They also beat Villanova. I have no problem putting them in the Top 10. While it isn't a traditional Top 10 resume, I cannot find 10 other teams that would be favored to beat UNH.

Can you?

[dbackjon]

They also beat Villanova. I have no problem putting them in the Top 10. While it isn't a traditional Top 10 resume, I cannot find 10 other teams that would be favored to beat UNH.

Can you?

Actually, yes.

In no particular order:

Richmond
Delaware
William and Mary
Montana
Weber State
NAU
SDSU
SFA
SIU
UNI
App State
Elon
Cal Poly

[danefan]

They also beat Villanova. I have no problem putting them in the Top 10. While it isn't a traditional Top 10 resume, I cannot find 10 other teams that would be favored to beat UNH.

Can you?

Actually, yes.

In no particular order:

Richmond
Delaware
William and Mary
Montana
Weber State
NAU
SDSU
SFA
SIU
UNI
App State
Elon
Cal Poly

Than you wouldn't have them in the Top 10.

If UNH played the following teams 10 times, I'd think UNH would win more than 50% of the games against the following teams:

UNI
Weber State
NAU
SFA
Cal Poly
App State

All of which I have ranked below UNH.

[Skjellyfetti]

I think UNI, SFA, and App would beat UNH > 50% of the time.

[dbackjon]

Actually, yes.

In no particular order:

Richmond
Delaware
William and Mary
Montana
Weber State
NAU
SDSU
SFA
SIU
UNI
App State
Elon
Cal Poly

Than you wouldn't have them in the Top 10.

If UNH played the following teams 10 times, I'd think UNH would win more than 50% of the games against the following teams:

UNI
Weber State
NAU
SFA
Cal Poly
App State

All of which I have ranked below UNH.

Your East Coast Bias is rearing it's ugly head.

UNI - one common opponent. UNI crushed them, UNH was lucky to escape with a win
WSU/NAU/SFA/ASU - all have offense sthat would put 35-40 points up on UNH. You really don't have a clue how good the teams out west are this year.

[BlueHen86]

They also beat Villanova. I have no problem putting them in the Top 10. While it isn't a traditional Top 10 resume, I cannot find 10 other teams that would be favored to beat UNH.

Can you?

Actually, yes.

In no particular order:

Richmond
Delaware
William and Mary
Montana
Weber State
NAU
SDSU
SFA
SIU
UNI
App State
Elon
Cal Poly

UNH is 6-1 with wins over Villanova and an FBS. I don't think it's reasonable to rank them behind a 3 loss team.

I also would rank them ahead of Delaware.

[JMU DJ]

Nope.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Jon - your western bias is no better than ECB

[mainejeff]

If UNH were in the CAA South.......no one would have a problem with them.

[JALMOND]

Than you wouldn't have them in the Top 10.

If UNH played the following teams 10 times, I'd think UNH would win more than 50% of the games against the following teams:

UNI
Weber State
NAU
SFA
Cal Poly
App State

All of which I have ranked below UNH.

Your East Coast Bias is rearing it's ugly head.

UNI - one common opponent. UNI crushed them, UNH was lucky to escape with a win
WSU/NAU/SFA/ASU - all have offense sthat would put 35-40 points up on UNH. You really don't have a clue how good the teams out west are this year.

Jon, just as there are some east coast bias, there can be some west coast bias as well. To me this year, Hofstra is like the Northern Colorado of the CAA. Would you give UNH credit for an ugly win (wins were tough to come by for teams this weekend) against Hofstra, as compared to NAU's earlier ugly win at home against the Bears?

I have no problem keeping UNH as a top ten team. They would still be able to contend with Montana for the top spot in the Big Sky, maybe better than Weber.

[AZGrizFan]

They also beat Villanova. I have no problem putting them in the Top 10. While it isn't a traditional Top 10 resume, I cannot find 10 other teams that would be favored to beat UNH.

Can you?

Actually, yes.

In no particular order:

Richmond
Delaware
William and Mary
Montana
Weber State
NAU
SDSU
SFA
SIU
UNI
App State
Elon
Cal Poly

I have those 9 teams ahead of UNH. Plus Villanover is still ahead of them in my poll. App State jumped them this week in my poll.

[dbackjon]

So why UNH over SFA, AZGRIZ?

[93henfan]

My ballot from the other site:

Week 8
Approved
1. Richmond
2. Montana
3. Southern Illinois
4. Villanova
5. William & Mary
6. Elon
7. South Dakota St.
8. New Hampshire
9. Stephen F. Austin
10. Appalachian St.
11. Delaware
12. Northern Arizona
13. Northern Iowa
14. South Carolina St.
15. Central Arkansas
16. McNeese St.
17. Weber St.
18. Massachusetts
19. Eastern Washington
20. Eastern Illinois
21. Liberty
22. Cal Poly
23. Jacksonville St.
24. Montana St.
25. Florida A&M
W. South Dakota St.
L. Jacksonville St.

[dbackjon]

Your East Coast Bias is rearing it's ugly head.

UNI - one common opponent. UNI crushed them, UNH was lucky to escape with a win
WSU/NAU/SFA/ASU - all have offense sthat would put 35-40 points up on UNH. You really don't have a clue how good the teams out west are this year.

Jon, just as there are some east coast bias, there can be some west coast bias as well. To me this year, Hofstra is like the Northern Colorado of the CAA. Would you give UNH credit for an ugly win (wins were tough to come by for teams this weekend) against Hofstra, as compared to NAU's earlier ugly win at home against the Bears?

I have no problem keeping UNH as a top ten team. They would still be able to contend with Montana for the top spot in the Big Sky, maybe better than Weber.

One thing I have noted the past few years is that many Western fans have bought into the BS of Eastern superiority, and dismiss anything Western, other than Montana.

NAU clearly showed they can contend with Montana - and NAU is playing much better today than early in the season.

NAU didn't struggle against a team like St. Francis (who even Idaho State would beat easily). NAU has played one bad game, against UNC, and won.

[AZGrizFan]

So why UNH over SFA, AZGRIZ?

Wins over Villanova and FBS. SFA doesn't have a victory of note.

[dbackjon]

So why UNH over SFA, AZGRIZ?

Wins over Villanova and FBS. SFA doesn't have a victory of note.

You don't think UCA and McNeese, both ranked teams, are of note?

And Ball State?

[AZGrizFan]

Actually, yes.

In no particular order:

Richmond
Delaware
William and Mary
Montana
Weber State
NAU
SDSU
SFA
SIU
UNI
App State
Elon
Cal Poly

I have those 9 teams ahead of UNH. Plus Villanover is still ahead of them in my poll. App State jumped them this week in my poll.

By the way, the NEXT 4 teams in my poll behind UNH are the four above that are NOT highlighted.
NAU/SFA/Cal Poly/UNI, in that order.

[AZGrizFan]

Wins over Villanova and FBS. SFA doesn't have a victory of note.

You don't think UCA and McNeese, both ranked teams, are of note?

And Ball State?

Yes, I do. Perhaps "of note" isn't the right terminology. I think UNH beats SFA. Villanova/Ball State trump UCA/McNeese. There, that make you happy?

[Col Hogan]

Having seen NAU and Montana...Richmond, Delaware, and UMass...all in person... (note, haven't even seen UNH on the tube)...I'd say UNH is a top ten team easy...

Why??? I've talked to some CAA folks who need to know this stuff...and they say the UMass win over UNH was closer to a fluke for UNH than a signature win for the Minutemen...

I'd say the more appropriate question is "Anyone having a hard time putting NAU in the top 10?"

[danefan]

Having seen NAU and Montana...Richmond, Delaware, and UMass...all in person... (note, haven't even seen UNH on the tube)...I'd say UNH is a top ten team easy...

Why??? I've talked to some CAA folks who need to know this stuff...and they say the UMass win over UNH was closer to a fluke for UHN than a signature win for the Minutemen...

I'd say the more apprpriate question is "Anyone having a hard time putting NAU in the top 10?"

I don't have NAU in the Top 10. I had them at 15 last week and they'll probably stay there this week or move up one because of UMass's loss.

[AZGrizFan]

Having seen NAU and Montana...Richmond, Delaware, and UMass...all in person... (note, haven't even seen UNH on the tube)...I'd say UNH is a top ten team easy...

Why??? I've talked to some CAA folks who need to know this stuff...and they say the UMass win over UNH was closer to a fluke for UHN than a signature win for the Minutemen...

I'd say the more apprpriate question is "Anyone having a hard time putting NAU in the top 10?"

UNH may ultimately BE a top 10 team....but right now they are NOT playing good football. A loss to a slightly above average UMass team, followed by a struggle against a decidedly average Hofstra team. Granted, both of those were on the road....fortunately for UNH, 3 of their final four are at home. Unfortunately, the one that's not is Bill & Hillary.

I predict UNH finishes 9-2 and gets in as an at large. I also predict the last poll of the regular season has them in the top 7.

[93henfan]

I'd say the more apprpriate question is "Anyone having a hard time putting NAU in the top 10?"

NAU is close to a top 10 team, IMO. The problem is they only have one quality win (against MSU). If they can keep it respectable against Ole Miss (lose by say four scores or less) and win out in the Big Sky then they may be top 10 worthy with only losses to BCS teams and Montana. A four loss team clearly wouldn't belong anywhere near the top 10.

[JALMOND]

Jon, just as there are some east coast bias, there can be some west coast bias as well. To me this year, Hofstra is like the Northern Colorado of the CAA. Would you give UNH credit for an ugly win (wins were tough to come by for teams this weekend) against Hofstra, as compared to NAU's earlier ugly win at home against the Bears?

I have no problem keeping UNH as a top ten team. They would still be able to contend with Montana for the top spot in the Big Sky, maybe better than Weber.

One thing I have noted the past few years is that many Western fans have bought into the BS of Eastern superiority, and dismiss anything Western, other than Montana.

NAU clearly showed they can contend with Montana - and NAU is playing much better today than early in the season.

NAU didn't struggle against a team like St. Francis (who even Idaho State would beat easily). NAU has played one bad game, against UNC, and won.

One thing to contend, another to beat. Last year, Weber beat Montana at home, but could not beat them at Montana. This year, NAU "contended" with Montana at Flagstaff, how would they do at Missoula?

Don't give me that Eastern superiority crap. Last year, it was blatantly obvious there were three western teams that had a great chance to go to the NC game, and the committee placed all three in the same bracket (Montana, Weber and Cal Poly) so that only one could advance to the semis, let alone the championship. That, my friend, is east coast bias.

I have no problem saying that the CAA is a pretty tough conference this year and better than the Big Sky. If Weber would have won even one of their two FBS games (instead of "contending"), if NAU would have knocked off Arizona, if EWU, MSU and PSU all would have played their games against BCS opponents closer than they did, maybe we would have an argument. I don't buy in to the idea of East Coast superiority, but just like I'm critical of those who don't look west of the Mississippi, I am just as critical of those who don't look east of the Mississippi.

[Uncle Buck]

UNH's defense is pretty good, they fly to the ball and are opportunistic. Offensively, they have some things to sort out. Then again, my beloved Dutch are pretty good defensive team with a completely incompetent Offensive coordinator and QB holding them down.

UNH will finish in the top 10 and be a tough out for anyone they play.