Next Years FCS Championship Game - Early Predictions

[Gil Dobie]

Going with EWU vs UNI, Cap'n Cat may finally see his school get one.

UNH will be the CAA power and make the Semi's.

Towson will have to see how they adjust if West goes pro.

NDSU will have to see how they adjust with new coach and loss of significant Senior players.

[EWURanger]

Going with EWU vs UNI, Cap'n Cat may finally see his school get one.

UNH will be the CAA power and make the Semi's.

Towson will have to see how they adjust if West goes pro.

NDSU will have to see how they adjust with new coach and loss of significant Senior players.

I like this prediction.

Also, congrats on the 3-peat; a truly impressive accomplishment.

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

NDSU and somebody else........................

[JohnStOnge]

NDSU and somebody else........................

I'd say that now goes in the "not likely" category. That's because NDSU had a special nucleus of players who were the core for those three championship runs. Now they're gone and it will truly be a completely different team.

I said the same kind of thing about Sam Houston State when BearKat fans were saying they'd be in the championship game again this year even even though Sam Houston State only had 11 starters coming back, had lost four of its five secondary starters, and had lost their defensive coordinator. Now, at least according to an "unofficial" depth chart I found, NDSU is going to graduate 14 starters including both cornerbacks, their quarterback, and that all world offensive tackle they have.

It's always possible they could go on without missing a beat but I sure wouldn't bet on it. The chances of them still being a quality team are good but the chances of them being at the level they've been at with that core of players that graduates now are not. PLUS they're losing their head coach and most of their current coaching staff.

[SuperHornet]

JSO: I agree...with a caveat. NDSU is ALSO losing their HC. Were any ONE of those two things happening, I'd say that it would be tough but doable. With BOTH...not so much. I'd say the door is wide open. My gut feeling, though, is EWU vs. somebody from the CAA.

[Pwns]

The Furples will probably win the SoCon championship and can make a deep playoff run. A national championship? Don't know about that.

[Gil Dobie]

The Furples will probably win the SoCon championship and can make a deep playoff run. A national championship? Don't know about that.

Furman did have a good young team this year. They should be favored in the conference next year.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

The Furples will probably win the SoCon championship and can make a deep playoff run. A national championship? Don't know about that.

Furman is going to be real good in '14. They had the best defense the Bison saw during the playoffs.

Really young team.

[SACCAT]

Montana State VS Fordham.

[AZGrizFan]

Montana vs UNI

[Grizalltheway]

Montana State VS Fordham.

You funny guy.

[andy7171]

Towson will be solid next year, but they have to do a complete overhaul on the o-line. I can see them making the playoffs, but not a long run like this past one.

[93henfan]

Montana vs Delaware

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Montana vs Delaware

On second thought, Montana could possibly have a good team next year.

[93henfan]

Montana vs Delaware

On second thought, Montana could possibly have a good team next year.

Well thought-out predictions always look dumb a year later, so I'm hoping a dumb one will look well though-out in late December 2014.

[HenZoneNation]

Both NDSU and Towson are going to have their struggles next year. You look at the graduating class for NDSU and you have to compare it to when ASU had Richardson and Lynch. There is just no way of replacing guys like that. The only difference between NDSU now and ASU then is that the Bison lose their starting QB, while ASU at the time still had AE for two years...and you see how that panned out.

I believe that Towson had one freshmen on the OL but the other four were Seniors. If they do bounce back then Ambrose is the real deal...but that will be very hard. The reason why guys like West and Jensen are so special is because you can't replace them.

As far as next year goes you have to assume that EWU will be in the hunt again. If you have a great QB you're always in the hunt. That kid flat out makes plays.

[Grizalltheway]

Montana vs Delaware

On second thought, Montana could possibly have a good team next year.

We have a pretty brutal schedule next year, but if we do well enough with it to earn a playoff berth, we should be able to make some noise. We return pretty much all of our key starters on an offense that showed it can put up EWU-like numbers when the coaches take the reigns off it...just need the defense to figure out how to stop teams before the 3rd quarter.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Both NDSU and Towson are going to have their struggles next year. You look at the graduating class for NDSU and you have to compare it to when ASU had Richardson and Lynch. There is just no way of replacing guys like that. The only difference between NDSU now and ASU then is that the Bison lose their starting QB, while ASU at the time still had AE for two years...and you see how that panned out.

I believe that Towson had one freshmen on the OL but the other four were Seniors. If they do bounce back then Ambrose is the real deal...but that will be very hard. The reason why guys like West and Jensen are so special is because you can't replace them.

As far as next year goes you have to assume that EWU will be in the hunt again. If you have a great QB you're always in the hunt. That kid flat out makes plays.

NDSU is going to be good next year. A lot of players played this year that are underclassmen.

If Wentz (QB) can rise to the occasion, the Bison will make a run.

[AZGrizFan]

On second thought, Montana could possibly have a good team next year.

Well thought-out predictions always look dumb a year later, so I'm hoping a dumb one will look well though-out in late December 2014.

My logic as well.

[89Hen]

Coastal vs EIU vs Fordham

[93henfan]

Coastal vs EIU vs Fordham

Why do you hate Bethune-Cookman?

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Some good teams coming back next year.

Furman
EWU
Montana
UNI
UNH

[89Hen]

Some good teams coming back next year.

Furman
Montana
UNI

That would imply they were good this year.

[Gil Dobie]

Some good teams coming back next year.

Furman
Montana
UNI

That would imply they were good this year.

UNI was until the injury bug hit. Beat Iowa St and played NDSU close, closer than anyone else.

[Grizalltheway]

Some good teams coming back next year.

Furman
Montana
UNI

That would correctly imply they were good this year.

Take your CAAn't colored glasses off.