Who Wins the Big South (2015)

[Pwns]

Coastal and Liberty come into the game in Lynchburg undefeated in conference. Flip a coin for that one.

Oh, and Kennesaw won't go 0-fer in conference. Guaranteed.

[Ibanez]

Its either gonna be CCU or Liberty. Went with the Flamers since they are hosting, and they have God on their side...

Liberty's schedule looks rather brutal. Might need to win the BS AQ to get in, although 7-4 could get an At-Large with that extra (14th) At-Large for next season's playoffs.Would need 8-3 to be a lock. Smart to finally not schedule 1-2 Div II which seems like they had been doing for a long time.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... rty-flames" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CCU on the other hand, looks like they'll get at at large if they don't beat Liberty (8-3 for an AT Large with the rather soft no I-A game schedule):
http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... anticleers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

God?

[kalm]

Its either gonna be CCU or Liberty. Went with the Flamers since they are hosting, and they have God on their side...

Liberty's schedule looks rather brutal. Might need to win the BS AQ to get in, although 7-4 could get an At-Large with that extra (14th) At-Large for next season's playoffs.Would need 8-3 to be a lock. Smart to finally not schedule 1-2 Div II which seems like they had been doing for a long time.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... rty-flames" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CCU on the other hand, looks like they'll get at at large if they don't beat Liberty (8-3 for an AT Large with the rather soft no I-A game schedule):
http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... anticleers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

God?

Yeah, God. He hates Presbyterians, and will let 1000 kids starve to death in Africa today, but he truly cares about you not getting that speeding ticket and of course, Liberty Football.

[BDKJMU]

Its either gonna be CCU or Liberty. Went with the Flamers since they are hosting, and they have God on their side...

Liberty's schedule looks rather brutal. Might need to win the BS AQ to get in, although 7-4 could get an At-Large with that extra (14th) At-Large for next season's playoffs.Would need 8-3 to be a lock. Smart to finally not schedule 1-2 Div II which seems like they had been doing for a long time.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... rty-flames" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CCU on the other hand, looks like they'll get at at large if they don't beat Liberty (8-3 for an AT Large with the rather soft no I-A game schedule):
http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... anticleers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

God?

[Ibanez]

God?

You have to admit, you have no sense of humor. At least, not one that you convey through your posts.

[bjtheflamesfan]

At this point, if KSU does beat anyone its probably going to be either PC or GWU. I will stick to my predictions posted earlier when I post the official ones right before opening week, but it would not surprise me if they knocked off either or both of those teams. I just don't see them beating any of the top 3 though for sure

[Stickman]

Guess this is how little respect you give PC after a winning season (despite three FBS opponents).....and in the conference.....with road win over CSU....and Western Carolina (both ranked at some point)....with virtually their entire two deep back on defense. And you have picked them to lose to Monmouth as well. So I guess this means Hose will finish next to last. Wow.

PS KSU won't win a BS game. But they will win the conference within five years according to their coach.

At this point, if KSU does beat anyone its probably going to be either PC or GWU. I will stick to my predictions posted earlier when I post the official ones right before opening week, but it would not surprise me if they knocked off either or both of those teams. I just don't see them beating any of the top 3 though for sure

[BJuice]

Charleston Southern.

1. I am an alum, and therefore, a homer. I won't deny it and I'm proud of it.

2. Charleston Southern gets Coastal and Liberty at home this year. It's an odd numbered year. My favorite for the home schedule.

3. There are a number of new recruits (JUCOs and Freshmen) who are talented and will push for playing time right away.

4. Veteran QB

5. Talented and deep receivers and RBs. Glears is back.

6. Another year of the Chadwell/Staggs/Giardina system.

The major thing will be avoiding a slip up. Last year CSU was upset at home by PC. The year before that, CSU was upset at Gardner-Webb which started a late season slide.

[bjtheflamesfan]

My big concern with the Blue Hose is not with the defense, but with the offense. Its great that they can stop teams for a time, which I will go over when I touch on defense in August, but I am not completely sold on the offensive skill players to get the kind of points on the board to take the pressure off the defense, which is why I have then rated where I do, Stickman

[Stickman]

Don't disagree with need for PC to improve offense, can't continue to win with scores of 7-3, 10-7 and 14-7 entirely behind your defense like in 2014. It was so limited last year that I just can't see this not improving, particularly with what is coming back.

PS Respect your opinion, but there is no way this team loses to KSU at home on senior day (or KSU beats anyone else in the BS this year). First year startup will struggle to stop anyone in the conference. Their schedule is so weak early on they will likely get some wins on front end.

My big concern with the Blue Hose is not with the defense, but with the offense. Its great that they can stop teams for a time, which I will go over when I touch on defense in August, but I am not completely sold on the offensive skill players to get the kind of points on the board to take the pressure off the defense, which is why I have then rated where I do, Stickman

[kendradad]

Coastal plays no one this year outside of the conference, very weak schedule, just like last year. They will probably get an at large bid based on their high preseason ranking and should only be tested by Liberty. The conference champion will come down to their game in Lynchburg.

[Ibanez]

Coastal plays no one this year outside of the conference, very weak schedule, just like last year. They will probably get an at large bid based on their high preseason ranking and should only be tested by Liberty. The conference champion will come down to their game in Lynchburg.

Coastal doesn't waste time and money playing FBS teams. Why schedule a loss? Stop being butt hurt.

[SuperHornet]

Coastal plays no one this year outside of the conference, very weak schedule, just like last year. They will probably get an at large bid based on their high preseason ranking and should only be tested by Liberty. The conference champion will come down to their game in Lynchburg.

Coastal doesn't waste time and money playing FBS teams. Why schedule a loss? Stop being butt hurt.

Once again assuming that any FBS game is an auto-loss.

[Ibanez]

Coastal doesn't waste time and money playing FBS teams. Why schedule a loss? Stop being butt hurt.

Once again assuming that any FBS game is an auto-loss.

I think the statistics speak for themselves, Casey. I should've saved them, but at the end of last season I did the stats on the FBS/FCS win/loss ratio and it's so uneven. Why schedule a loss? You schedule a FBS team and win, it's good but considered a fluke. You lose and it's a loss in your column.

"Yeah, we lost but did you see how we hung with them?" I'd rather Coastal continue working on dropping the MEAC from it's schedule and get tougher team in (it'll have to be from the CAA). I'd rather see us fight and beat a good CAA or MVFC team than lose to the Clemson Tigers. To me, losing to a competitive FCS team means so much more than losing to an SEC or ACC team. And what happens if we beat a crappy FBS team? People will ding us for that.

[Ibanez]

From the years 1978-2013, there have been 2,469 games played between the FBS and FCS. Of those 2,469 games, the FCS has won 423. The FBS has won 2,080 and tied 18 of the games.


edit: it's actually 431 wins when you include the 8 wins from last season. Out of the 108 games played between FBS and FCS, the FCS won 8 of them. What's the point? Money? It surely isn't any prestige. And if you happen to be AppState in 2007, you get bragging rights. But that only goes so far.

[dbackjon]

Big South Media Day is July 29th

[BDKJMU]

From the years 1978-2013, there have been 2,469 games played between the FBS and FCS. Of those 2,469 games, the FCS has won 423. The FBS has won 2,080 and tied 18 of the games.


edit: it's actually 431 wins when you include the 8 wins from last season. Out of the 108 games played between FBS and FCS, the FCS won 8 of them. What's the point? Money? It surely isn't any prestige. And if you happen to be AppState in 2007, you get bragging rights. But that only goes so far.

"FBS schools have a record of 2028-423-18 (.824) vs. FCS schools."

So I-AA has won just under 18% before last year. But last year was less than 8%, and its seems to have been around 10% over the last decade. Was was higher during the early days of the late 70s-early 80s...

"In 1978, I-A (FBS) schools lost 29 times to I-AA (FCS) opponents. It’s the single-season record for most losses by FBS schools against FCS schools. Followed by 1980 (26 losses) and 1985 (22 losses).

In 1978, I-A (FBS) schools were 41-29-1 (.585) vs. I-AA (FCS) opponents; their worst win percentage ever against the FCS. Followed by 1980 (.609) and 1981 (.632). Note: Against FCS opponents the FBS hasn’t had a winning percentage below .800 since 2000."
http://www.footballgeography.com/histor ... -fcs-i-aa/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ibanez]

You are still scheduling a loss. Be competitive in your class and beat those tough teams like NDSU. It's nice to beat an ACC school, but the odds are stacked against you.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I went with CCU because of Ibanez, and Murica is all about the gays now.


Just kidding, I went with Liberty because fuck those teal chickens.

[Ibanez]

I went with CCU because of Ibanez, and Murica is all about the gays now.


Just kidding, I went with Liberty because fuck those teal chickens.

Liberty has a real shot. They are the only consistently, competitive team in the conference.

[kalm]

What's the point? Money? It surely isn't any prestige. And if you happen to be AppState in 2007, you get bragging rights. But that only goes so far.

Money is a huge part of it. Picking up the extra FCS game in 2013 (We played OSU and Toledo) enabled us to charter flights to all away games which is huge if you're in the BSC where you only have one or maybe two bus trips. If you're good enough like we were that season, it doesn't even cost you a seed in the playoffs.

I also know that our kids love the challenge. Most of them grew up in the PNW and followed the likes of UW, WSU, OSU, and Oregon. Getting a chance to play at Husky Stadium if you're a Western Washington kid, in front of friends and family, and typically against high school teammates and old opponents is something they look forward to.

Sure the bragging rights only go so far, but you might be underestimating that too. The OSU win is esteemed by many EWU fans to be bigger than the NC game. It garnered more national attention and that exposure brought in more donations and helped with recruiting.

Of course if we were located on the Least Coast, surrounded by 8,123 OOC FCS foes, most of which are glorified DII programs, I might change my tune.

[SuperHornet]

Once again assuming that any FBS game is an auto-loss.

I think the statistics speak for themselves, Casey. I should've saved them, but at the end of last season I did the stats on the FBS/FCS win/loss ratio and it's so uneven. Why schedule a loss? You schedule a FBS team and win, it's good but considered a fluke. You lose and it's a loss in your column.

"Yeah, we lost but did you see how we hung with them?" I'd rather Coastal continue working on dropping the MEAC from it's schedule and get tougher team in (it'll have to be from the CAA). I'd rather see us fight and beat a good CAA or MVFC team than lose to the Clemson Tigers. To me, losing to a competitive FCS team means so much more than losing to an SEC or ACC team. And what happens if we beat a crappy FBS team? People will ding us for that.

It depends on who you schedule. If you pick on UGA, yeah, that's probably an auto-loss. But I really don't see where Coastal would have any problems having at least a decent game, if not flat-out demolishing, a Sun Belt or MAC team. You just have to pick the right one. If Sac State can beat Pac-12 schools on an OCCASIONAL basis, then certainly Coastal can take out FBSINOs fairly regularly....

[Ibanez]

I think the statistics speak for themselves, Casey. I should've saved them, but at the end of last season I did the stats on the FBS/FCS win/loss ratio and it's so uneven. Why schedule a loss? You schedule a FBS team and win, it's good but considered a fluke. You lose and it's a loss in your column.

"Yeah, we lost but did you see how we hung with them?" I'd rather Coastal continue working on dropping the MEAC from it's schedule and get tougher team in (it'll have to be from the CAA). I'd rather see us fight and beat a good CAA or MVFC team than lose to the Clemson Tigers. To me, losing to a competitive FCS team means so much more than losing to an SEC or ACC team. And what happens if we beat a crappy FBS team? People will ding us for that.

It depends on who you schedule. If you pick on UGA, yeah, that's probably an auto-loss. But I really don't see where Coastal would have any problems having at least a decent game, if not flat-out demolishing, a Sun Belt or MAC team. You just have to pick the right one. If Sac State can beat Pac-12 schools on an OCCASIONAL basis, then certainly Coastal can take out FBSINOs fairly regularly....

An occasional win doesn't really show your true strength. What good is that? And if Coastal is beating "FBSINOs" regularly, then they'll get dinged b/c they played a weak team that shouldn't be FBS. Truth.

[BDKJMU]

What's the point? Money? It surely isn't any prestige. And if you happen to be AppState in 2007, you get bragging rights. But that only goes so far.

Money is a huge part of it. Picking up the extra FCS game in 2013 (We played OSU and Toledo) enabled us to charter flights to all away games which is huge if you're in the BSC where you only have one or maybe two bus trips. If you're good enough like we were that season, it doesn't even cost you a seed in the playoffs.

I also know that our kids love the challenge. Most of them grew up in the PNW and followed the likes of UW, WSU, OSU, and Oregon. Getting a chance to play at Husky Stadium if you're a Western Washington kid, in front of friends and family, and typically against high school teammates and old opponents is something they look forward to.

Sure the bragging rights only go so far, but you might be underestimating that too. The OSU win is esteemed by many EWU fans to be bigger than the NC game. It garnered more national attention and that exposure brought in more donations and helped with recruiting.

Of course if we were located on the Least Coast, surrounded by 8,123 OOC FCS foes, most of which are glorified DII programs, I might change my tune.

Same with JMU's win over then #12 VT. Bigger than the NC. And I'm sure Appy fans would say the same about their win over Michigan. But when Appy beat Michigan it was the 1st time in 200 some games between ranked I-A and I-AA that it had happened. Now with JMU over VT and EWU over OSU, and 7 seasons later, its 3 times in 300 some, maybe close to 400 games (used to be a website that had that stat). Bottom line its less than 1% of the time.

I like having ONE I-A game in a season. 2 I-A games in a season is too much though. It really sucks if for financial reasons a team has to whore themselves out twice. And I'd still rather it be a G5 than a P5. Financially it can still be as good, and of course there's the better chance at winning. I know in 2013 JMU got 350K for their Akron games (a 35-33 loss), which was as much as several of their recent P5 games, and is getting 450k+ lodging & local transportation from SMU (a winnable game), which ties with the 450k from VT in 2010. Looking at the stats above if this past decade I-AA is winning about 10%, I bet its closer to 5% vs P5 but closer to 15% vs G5. And I say this even with JMU's VT win. Going back the last doz years JMU has played 8 P5 games and been absolutely destroyed in 6 of them. 2009 took a bad MD team to OT before losing (MD finished 2-10, 1-10 in their I-A games). The VT win was a perfect storm. JMU got VT on a short 5 day rest after their emotional loss to Boise. JMU also the week before played non scholly Morehead who sucked so bad that JMU ran the prior year's offense that they hadn't practiced since the Spring and still rolled. Then JMU unveiled the Pistol vs VT, which JMU had practiced all summer & which VT was totally unprepared for. JMU could have played VT 10 times again and would have lost all 10, some of them badly.

[SuperHornet]

It depends on who you schedule. If you pick on UGA, yeah, that's probably an auto-loss. But I really don't see where Coastal would have any problems having at least a decent game, if not flat-out demolishing, a Sun Belt or MAC team. You just have to pick the right one. If Sac State can beat Pac-12 schools on an OCCASIONAL basis, then certainly Coastal can take out FBSINOs fairly regularly....

An occasional win doesn't really show your true strength. What good is that? And if Coastal is beating "FBSINOs" regularly, then they'll get dinged b/c they played a weak team that shouldn't be FBS. Truth.

CCU would get dinged for that on CS.com and AGS, but they'd still get FBS brownie points with the Committee....