Quick Thought on Playing Good FCS Teams
Does it seem to anyone else that a good FCS team might be better than a bad FBS team?
Here is why I ask. I watched James Madison beat VT last week, and obviously UMASS today, and both of those teams looked better than some of the lower ranked MAC schools (Ohio, EMU, ect.) and some of the teams like Western Kentucky. I am starting to think that if a team is a Top 25 school in the FCS that they might be able to go 6-6 in one of the weaker conferences (MAC, Sun Belt, C-USA.)
My point is that if you play a team like this it is completely possible that they will come out and give you a reason to worry (like UMASS did to us today.) I know we all think we should have rolled today, but these teams are getting better and we maybe we shouldn't be as surprised as we are that UMASS hung tough today.
September 18th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
I agree with the basic idea of what you are saying, I was just disappointed to see the self-inflicted mistakes we made today. The dropped snaps, kicking problems, the fumble on Gordon's INT, and the coaching decision to go into the I-formation with 5 minutes to go only up by 12.
Nothing against UMass but those contributed a lot to them staying in the game. Without those last two we are still talking about a 3 score win.
September 18th, 2010 at 9:56 PM ^
I have seen plenty of MAC football. The only difference is name of the division they play in.
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<br>Eitherway, UM should crush them.Absolutely no excuse for that performance.
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September 18th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
This thread is not any different than the other ten. It could have been posted in one of those.
September 18th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
There is no good thing about playing a good team from the FCS. Sure we make a good chunk of money but the consequences of a loss are far worse then losing to a good BCS team. Going forward I don't want to see any more of these teams on the schedule unless they are Baby Seal U part deux.
September 18th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
You have nothing to gain, and everything to lose when you play these teams. Frankly D1A teams shouldn't be allowed to count wins against D1AA teams toward a bowl. The practice should be out lawed as its just blood money in the end anyways.
September 18th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
But I'm not surprised about the outcome of the game. Just disappointed. You're right, UMass would most likely stack up favorably in the MAC or Sun-Belt, but that still doesn't make anything better.
September 18th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
....the D is just atrocious regardless of what conference or division UM plays. The D needs to step up and fix the glaring problems it has quickly or we risk seeing a repeat of last year.
September 18th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
Although we obviously have some glaring issues on the defensive side of the ball, I still don't believe we're in any position to face a repeat of last year. Simply put this offense is way too explosive to not just outscore a couple teams (Indiana and Illinois both come to mind here). Furthermore this is a defense that has a ton of young talent and depth that is at the very worst last years defense plus one year of experience. I think today tempers a lot of the "OMG OMG WE'RE GOING TO WIN A NC" crowd, but I also believe we're far from falling to the depths of the last two years.
September 19th, 2010 at 4:51 AM ^
It was explosive enough to outscore Indiana last year so Im not as worried about that game.
September 18th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
i know a few years ago you could only count a win against 1aa teams every 4 years, however that rule was changed to my understanding becasue of the expanstion of so many bowl games. more teams needed to become cowl eligable and this was accomplished through wins over 1aa teams with the added bonus of the smaller schools earning so large cash bonuses to help out their school and/or athletic program
September 18th, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^
Generally these games are scheduled a few years in advance. I suppose we could add a clause to the contract along these lines:
If you get good prior to the date of this game we reserve the right to cancel or postpone the game.
That would probably fix the problem.
Seriously, I agree that these teams are better than they used to be - let's not overreact to this.
September 18th, 2010 at 10:54 PM ^
I wasn't making excuses for them today. They REALLY lacked intensity today, this is more of a comment on how much better the FCS teams have gotten. By the way, sorry if this was posted in earlier comments...I did not read every post game thread today.
September 18th, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^
Quick thought: Stop scheduling FCS "Formerly I-AA" teams.
September 18th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
Either last year or the year before, 2 FCS teams were getting votes in Jeff Sagarin's computer ballot for the BCS.
Before today, Sagarin had UMass as the 69 best team in the country, 3rd in the FCS.