FCS programs you consider Elite

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

"Elite" FCS teams: James Madison, Montana, Montana State, Northern Iowa, NDSU, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Sam Houston State

"On the Cusp": Delaware, Youngstown State, Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, Wofford, Elon, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Stony Brook, Albany, Alabama State, Villanova, Richmond, William and Mary.

"Getting there": North Dakota, South Dakota State, Portland State, Maine, Weber State

Lehigh absolutely deserves to be listed with these schools!

[Brock Landers]

"Elite" FCS teams: James Madison, Montana, Montana State, Northern Iowa, NDSU, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Sam Houston State

"On the Cusp": Delaware, Youngstown State, Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, Wofford, Elon, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Stony Brook, Albany, Alabama State, Villanova, Richmond, William and Mary.

"Getting there": North Dakota, South Dakota State, Portland State, Maine, Weber State

WTF is wrong with you guys? Montana State?

You'll have to excuse us. We have to hear ad nauseam about how awesome they are all the time, and it starts to ingrain itself in your head I guess

[89Hen]

I don't understand the love for JMU.

You're not alone.

[89Hen]

I think you have to look at this in terms of the past 10 years or so. There are some schools that would fall into the historically "elite" category that have done very little in that amount of time, so in my opinion, they are no longer elite programs. My thought process is looking at total number of playoff appearances, recent national championships, and other recognition such as individual player awards.

Tier 2 - Schools with at least one recent national title, expected to challenge for their conference title every season, and expected to be in the playoffs every season.

-Delaware
-Eastern Washington
-North Dakota State
-Villanova
-James Madison

If you're talking 10 years, you need to move UD up and GSU down. 1 NC and 2 runner ups compared to 2 semifinalist is no contest.

And FWIW Richmond >= Nova

[DJH]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion as to what they consider "elite", but it is my opinion that you are being foolish if you do not believe UNI is one of the elite FCS programs. If you subscribe to the theory that you need a championship to validate 30 years of achievement, fine, that's your opinion. But having a great program, and having one great season are completely different things. The idea that, if UNI would have had one championship season 20 years ago or whatever, the whole program would be looked upon in a different light is a little silly when you consider the amount of consistent success that they have achieved. (with that said, it is not my intention to devalue a national championship, whatsoever. It is the ultimate achievement for any team, and it is what UNI strives for every single year. It is literally the one and only thing that UNI has not accomplished at the 1AA level.)

Here is my case for UNI:

UNI has 16 playoff appearances (first in 1985), 7 times to the semifinals, 1 time to the championship. Has 16 conference championships in that same period, in one of the top FCS conferences. Has six seasons of 10+ wins since 2001. Has been ranked in the top 5 in the final poll six times since 2001. Has been ranked in 95 consecutive polls.

Only 5 DI football programs in the nation (FBS & FCS combined) have finished Top 5 in the polls at least 6 times since 2001 – USC, Ohio State, Appalachian State, Montana and UNI.

Only 2 DI FCS coaches in the nation have led their schools to 6 seasons of 10+ wins since 2001. UNI's Mark Farley and App. St's Jerry Moore.

UNI has good support, good attendance, fantastic athletic facilities, Mark Farley is one of the highest paid coaches in the country. UNI has been one of the single winningest programs in the country since the start of the FCS division, and has attained consistency in doing so that is almost impossible to achieve.

[89Hen]

I have no problem with UNI being called "elite".

[grizcountry420]

I have no problem with UNI being called "elite".

me either.. I respect their program.

[EWURanger]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion as to what they consider "elite", but it is my opinion that you are being foolish if you do not believe UNI is one of the elite FCS programs. If you subscribe to the theory that you need a championship to validate 30 years of achievement, fine, that's your opinion. But having a great program, and having one great season are completely different things. The idea that, if UNI would have had one championship season 20 years ago or whatever, the whole program would be looked upon in a different light is a little silly when you consider the amount of consistent success that they have achieved. (with that said, it is not my intention to devalue a national championship, whatsoever. It is the ultimate achievement for any team, and it is what UNI strives for every single year. It is literally the one and only thing that UNI has not accomplished at the 1AA level.)

Here is my case for UNI:

UNI has 16 playoff appearances (first in 1985), 7 times to the semifinals, 1 time to the championship. Has 16 conference championships in that same period, in one of the top FCS conferences. Has six seasons of 10+ wins since 2001. Has been ranked in the top 5 in the final poll six times since 2001. Has been ranked in 95 consecutive polls.

Only 5 DI football programs in the nation (FBS & FCS combined) have finished Top 5 in the polls at least 6 times since 2001 – USC, Ohio State, Appalachian State, Montana and UNI.

Only 2 DI FCS coaches in the nation have led their schools to 6 seasons of 10+ wins since 2001. UNI's Mark Farley and App. St's Jerry Moore.

UNI has good support, good attendance, fantastic athletic facilities, Mark Farley is one of the highest paid coaches in the country. UNI has been one of the single winningest programs in the country since the start of the FCS division, and has attained consistency in doing so that is almost impossible to achieve.

You make a compelling case. As such, I've amended my original post.

[AZGrizFan]

I have no problem with UNI being called "elite".

Are the Buffalo Bills elite?

How about the Minnesota Vikings?

[89Hen]

I have no problem with UNI being called "elite".

Are the Buffalo Bills elite?

How about the Minnesota Vikings?

Apples and oranges IMO. NFL vs I-AA isn't even worth comparing. 30 teams all with similar footing (draft, most sell out, get to play everyone else, etc..) vs 115 schools with 4 year players, have to recruit them yourselves, you're not the biggest game in town...

indeed

[AZGrizFan]

Are the Buffalo Bills elite?

How about the Minnesota Vikings?

Apples and oranges IMO. NFL vs I-AA isn't even worth comparing. 30 teams all with similar footing (draft, most sell out, get to play everyone else, etc..) vs 115 schools with 4 year players, have to recruit them yourselves, you're not the biggest game in town...

indeed

Yourself.

[Darell1976]

"Elite" FCS teams: James Madison, Montana, Montana State, Northern Iowa, NDSU, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Sam Houston State

"On the Cusp": Delaware, Youngstown State, Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, Wofford, Elon, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Stony Brook, Albany, Alabama State, Villanova, Richmond, William and Mary.

"Getting there": North Dakota, South Dakota State, Portland State, Maine, Weber State

Getting there...in quite a while. UND has improved, but now entering the BSC and with tougher competition we will see if they are on the path to elite-ness.

[Tod]

If we're to count GSU and YSU as "historically elite", then shouldn't we also count EKU?

Two titles, and I think either one or two runner's up, and they made the playoffs something like 20 times.

[SACCAT]

I also Don't think MSU should be called Elite. We do have 3 National Championships in 3 different levels (I think 5 total) But we SUCKED for the better part of my non fat days, so I would say we lost that lovin feelin. I will say we are on our way up, but still need to prove to everyone out there that we can do it on a consistent basis...

Oh and the Griz suck and, and we rock, and blah blah blah...

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I also Don't think MSU should be called Elite. We do have 3 National Championships in 3 different levels (I think 5 total) But we SUCKED for the better part of my non fat days, so I would say we lost that lovin feelin. I will say we are on our way up, but still need to prove to everyone out there that we can do it on a consistent basis...

Oh and the Griz suck and, and we rock, and blah blah blah...

I swear that number keeps going up every time a Cat fan mentions it. Last I heard was 2.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh has one pretty big claim to fame. They are the only program to reach the 1-AA/FCS playoffs in every decade, 70's 80's, 90', 00's and 10's.

With Umass's move to FBS they will be the only program able to keep that streak alive.

[SACCAT]

I also Don't think MSU should be called Elite. We do have 3 National Championships in 3 different levels (I think 5 total) But we SUCKED for the better part of my non fat days, so I would say we lost that lovin feelin. I will say we are on our way up, but still need to prove to everyone out there that we can do it on a consistent basis...

Oh and the Griz suck and, and we rock, and blah blah blah...

I swear that number keeps going up every time a Cat fan mentions it. Last I heard was 2.

Well....We were both wrong, We have won 3
1956 NAIA
1976 NCAA div.2
1984 NCAA I-AA

I thought there was one in the 20's and 30's as well, but there wasn't. That is why I was bringing it up, I would say we are on the rise, but not Elite. I also don't think EWU, NDSU, or UNI would be "Elite"

[Gil Dobie]

According to GF, your College Division titles count since that level was the equivalent of FCS at the time.

And I agree with Appa's 4.

I don't think they count the same as I-AA titles, but IMO they do count when talking about historical success.

Good to hear, as NDSU has 3 of those titles and 1 FCS title.

[MSUDuo]

MVFC: UNI, YSU. (Close: NDSU, SIU, MO St.)

Missouri State?

On what planet???

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

I think you have to look at this in terms of the past 10 years or so. There are some schools that would fall into the historically "elite" category that have done very little in that amount of time, so in my opinion, they are no longer elite programs. My thought process is looking at total number of playoff appearances, recent national championships, and other recognition such as individual player awards.

Tier 1 - Schools with 2 or more National Titles and expected to make the playoffs every season.

-App State
-Montana
-GA Southern

Tier 2 - Schools with at least one recent national title or championship appearances, expected to challenge for their conference title every season, and expected to be in the playoffs every season.

-Delaware
-Eastern Washington
-North Dakota State
-UNI
-Villanova
-James Madison

Tier 3 - Schools expected to challenge for their conference title generally every season and fairly regular playoff participant. May not have a national title but have the ability to make a playoff run.

-Montana State
-UNH
-William & Mary
-SHSU

Cannot argue with this.

[houndawg]

"Elite" FCS teams: James Madison, Montana, Montana State, Northern Iowa, NDSU, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Sam Houston State

"On the Cusp": Delaware, Youngstown State, Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, Wofford, Elon, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Stony Brook, Albany, Alabama State, Villanova, Richmond, William and Mary.

"Getting there": North Dakota, South Dakota State, Portland State, Maine, Weber State

Dude. How did the Mars rover look while it was landing by your house?


Elite: ASU, Montana, UNI*. NDSU will be elite.

Cusp: EWU, Cal Poly

Getting there:

gave UNI an asterisk in the Dan Marino sense and for some bad playoff losses, and they can't win in Carbondale; put them in the top tier because often enough to notice the road to the NC goes through the dome, like with WAGriz.

[Aho Old Guy]

Far be it for me to defend the indefensible ...

The Vermin of Furman

3 trip to the finals
1 FCS Championship
15 playoff appearances
1982-83-85-86-88-89
1990-96-99
2000-01-02-04-05-06

In their 5 year absence from the playoffs, they have a 21-17 SoCon record with only one losing season in conference play. The Vermin easily could have made the playoffs each year since 2006 except for their inexplicable inability to beat The Citadel in Charleston, and their nasty habit of scheduling one (if not, two) FBS games each year. Real FBS (Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, Missouri, VPI and Clempson), too.

Other than that, they suck, and all I have to add is: Welcome to the Rock, Vermin. Paybacks are a bee-otch.

[SuperHornet]

MVFC: UNI, YSU. (Close: NDSU, SIU, MO St.)

Missouri State?

On what planet???

Did you read the whole post? That section was WITHIN CONFERENCE. I do NOT believe SW to be anywhere near national elite status. But they DO have the potential to get there, unlike someone like, oh, say, Presby....

[eagleskins]

Tier 1: GSU, Montana
Tier 2: Appy, Delaware, Youngstown
Tier 3: Northern Iowa, EWU

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Some of you guys are really missing the boat on the PL teams, especially Lehigh and Colgate. The leagues postseason ban from '86 until '97 really skews the numbers.

Colgate
- 1 finals appearance
- 2 Payton Award winners
- 8 playoff appearances
- 6 PL Titles

Lehigh
- 1 finals appearance
- 9 playoff appearances
- 10 PL Titles
- Only program to make the playoffs each decade
- Lehigh vs Lafayette rivalry

Historically Lehigh is a top 15 fcs program imo and one of the best 4 or 5 without a title. There was a time when Delware and Lehigh battled for northeast supremacy in 1AA.

Then there's Holy Cross....