I-AA Game of the Week - WEEK 11

[89Hen]

It is funny how only Delawhere fans are saying its a down year.

URI > UD > TOWNSON > MAINE > URI
UMASS > UD > ODU > UMASS

[DSUrocks07]

When we're talking about maybe a second MEAC, PL and OVC or a Pioneer team to fill the field... I-AA IS down.

if a (perceived) lower level league gets multiple selections, the entire division sucks (SEC argument)

[DSUrocks07]

For a subdivision who claims that we don't have to worry so much about polls...we really do seem to worry a lot about polls...

[Aho Old Guy]

The 'issue' is that (based upon last year) a 7-4 team is quite capable of making of deep playoff run in 2011.

Even UD

See GaSo, Villanova, UNH and NDSU from 2010.

[89Hen]

When we're talking about maybe a second MEAC, PL and OVC or a Pioneer team to fill the field... I-AA IS down.

if a (perceived) lower level league gets multiple selections, the entire division sucks (SEC argument)

It's looking like maybe multiple lower level leagues this year. That's the point.

Right now it looks like the OVC has possibly one great team and one good team. I don't think either ISU is much to write home about. I've been warning folks all year that InSU is not a top team (yes, they're better than in past years, but still not great). The CAA has no clear cut great teams (see above). Do you really see anyone in the CAA making the NC game? It would be the first time in 6 years that's happened. The Big Sky is back to the old Montana/MSU show it was a few years back. The SoCon has the regular cast of characters and the top four teams can't seem to separate themselves from each other. Even the "lower level" leagues don't have the good OOC wins they've had in the past.

I've spelled out my position quite clearly. Can somebody who disagrees come up with anything that would show otherwise?

[Pwns]

if a (perceived) lower level league gets multiple selections, the entire division sucks (SEC argument)

It's looking like maybe multiple lower level leagues this year. That's the point.

Right now it looks like the OVC has possibly one great team and one good team. I don't think either ISU is much to write home about. I've been warning folks all year that InSU is not a top team (yes, they're better than in past years, but still not great). The CAA has no clear cut great teams (see above). Do you really see anyone in the CAA making the NC game? It would be the first time in 6 years that's happened. The Big Sky is back to the old Montana/MSU show it was a few years back. The SoCon has the regular cast of characters and the top four teams can't seem to separate themselves from each other. Even the "lower level" leagues don't have the good OOC wins they've had in the past.

I've spelled out my position quite clearly. Can somebody who disagrees come up with anything that would show otherwise?

The SoCon may be as good as I've ever seen it. The race has just been much more orderly than it could have been. Chatty creamed Jax State and lost to GSU, App. State, and Furman by a combined total of 10 points (and they had to play in Statesboro and Boone). The Citadel went down to the wire against App. and GSU and beat Chatty. And I don't understand the 'more teams from the lesser conferences = weaker FCS' argument. If the conferences are more balanced and less top-heavy, teams with 7 DI wins can be in short supply.

Personally, I think it is better to measure the overall strength of the league by FBS performances, and by that measure I'd say the overall strength of the league is average. The CAA did bad other than Maine and Richmond. App. State got obliterated by Virginia Tech but Wofford certainly put on a good show at Clemson. Indiana State destroyed one of the best Sun Belt teams and NDSU beat a bad Big Ten team by double digits. Also a lower-tier Big Sky team beat a lower-tier Pac-whatever team and Southern Utah (who has lost 3 Great West games) thumped a mid-level Mountain West team. Overall a mixed bag.

[89Hen]

Personally, I think it is better to measure the overall strength of the league by FBS performances, and by that measure I'd say the overall strength of the league is average. The CAA did bad other than Maine and Richmond. App. State got obliterated by Virginia Tech but Wofford certainly put on a good show at Clemson. Indiana State destroyed one of the best Sun Belt teams and NDSU beat a bad Big Ten team by double digits. Also a lower-tier Big Sky team beat a lower-tier Pac-whatever team and Southern Utah (who has lost 3 Great West games) thumped a mid-level Mountain West team. Overall a mixed bag.

First, I'm not sure I-A games are the best barometer. But even if you want to use them, Clemson often struggles with I-AA teams. WKU? They haven't won a game outside of the SunBelt since joining the conference. NDSU is 2-1 vs Minny and the loss was by 1 point, nothing new here. UNLV is a mid-level MWC team? They are 6-13 in the last three years. Overall, nothing really of note in I-AA vs I-A games this year.

[Herky]

What, no one wants to watch Sac State and Idaho State slap fight on Saturday?

[Pwns]

First, I'm not sure I-A games are the best barometer. But even if you want to use them, Clemson often struggles with I-AA teams. WKU? They haven't won a game outside of the SunBelt since joining the conference. NDSU is 2-1 vs Minny and the loss was by 1 point, nothing new here. UNLV is a mid-level MWC team? They are 6-13 in the last three years. Overall, nothing really of note in I-AA vs I-A games this year.

When has Clemson ever had an FCS game that was even close? I sure can't remember one in recent history.
Yes, I think for this year UNLV could finish in the middle of the MWC.
I agree that there aren't necessarily any historic wins but I'm saying against the FBS it has been an average year despite some poor showings by the CAA and App. State.

[89Hen]

When has Clemson ever had an FCS game that was even close? I sure can't remember one in recent history.
Yes, I think for this year UNLV could finish in the middle of the MWC.
I agree that there aren't necessarily any historic wins but I'm saying against the FBS it has been an average year despite some poor showings by the CAA and App. State.

Average at best. IIRC Furman had some fairly close games with Clempson in the somewhat recent past.