ATHLON preseason FCS top 25

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I haven't seen them play, but from what I hear they are not your typical "MEAC patsies" (They hung tough with App 2 years straight for goodness sake)

South Carolina State is no joke. They lost Will Ford... but, they have most of their defense back and plenty of weapons on offense. If they get to host a game or go somewhere other than Boone in the first round they'll make some believers.

They made a believer out of me the first time they played App. They solidified it when they played tough again in spite of App. knowing they were no joke. That's tough to do so I won't be penalizing them for their MEAC brethren.

[clenz]

Any poll that doesn't have Yongstown State #1 is a joke...I mean they have Florida kids now...

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Any poll that doesn't have Yongstown State #1 is a joke...I mean they have Florida kids now...

Great now instead of letting the Iowegian thing die you are adding to it by including Ohio in the mix.

How could one EVER defeat the OhIowegian.

[bluehenbillk]

Well, on first look I like everyone else think it's a crappy poll. That being said I can list teams like App, Richmond, W&M, Elon, SCSt, and Penn that I think are too high. Yet only UNH seems to be too low. Shouldn't I have an equal # of teams on the too low list....

[g-webb1994]

Watching most of these national publication try to put out a FCS Top 25 is laughable. They look at last years results and poll, ad make an adjustment or two. Boneheads at best.

I'd rather listen to folks around here, Don Hansen, etc. for FCS insight. AGS used to be good until they went off the ego deep end over there.

As for the Big South, Liberty will be the favorite for sure, the game late in the year at Coastal will be key, but I think #15 is high for them, with the three road games in a row in September they have to deal with.

[clenz]

I'd say they have UNI about right for a preseason poll. With all that was lost on the lines we don't know how strong we will be up front. We have enough talent back in the offensive backfield and the back 7 on defense to be a top 10 team if the lines develop. If they don't that talent won't get to shine, and we will be 7-4 again most likely

[NorthHen]

Regarding South Carolina State, I stated if they started out ranked #10 they'll move up during the season.... not likely to have much competition from their "MEAC patsies". Agree that they're for real. App State will provide a reference.

Side note: two former South Carolina State running backs went to Easton (PA) High School and both came back to Easton to serve as football coaches and Principals....have said often that they owe their successful lives to South Carolina State. GREAT guys...... responsible for lots of kids getting to college.....and more.

[Willie]

App St is too high. And I'd like Montana to be a top-5 team, but I don't think we are. Top 10, maybe. The first couple games will determine a lot.

[MrTitleist]

I can't see App as a top 2 team when they lost the biggest weapon they've ever had.. you don't just replace Armanti Edwards, and you don't just end up 2nd in a preseason poll when the previous season you didn't even finish that high. Strange rankings.. nonetheless, our preseason poll will probably be more accurate.

[T-Dog]

The polls will be very interesting this year to see how much respect mid-level CAA teams will get playing their "brutal" schedule.

[AshevilleApp]

I haven't seen them play, but from what I hear they are not your typical "MEAC patsies" (They hung tough with App 2 years straight for goodness sake)

South Carolina State is no joke. They lost Will Ford... but, they have most of their defense back and plenty of weapons on offense. If they get to host a game or go somewhere other than Boone in the first round they'll make some believers.

I really hope some other team gets those MEAC patsies in the playoffs this year.

[AZGrizFan]

Aren't all polls meaningless? Preseason poll seems to be about the same gauge as a poll after week one when everyone is getting blown out by FBS teams or stomping D-II teams into the ground...

Meaningless till the midpoint of the season after week 6. Then they are semi meaningless.

Is that kind of like only being "mostly dead"?

[BigSkyFootball]

Are you kidding me? Montana State should not be rated in the top 25 and where is Northern Arizona (with most of their injured defense from a year ago returning and likely the best QB in the FCS, Michael Herrick, at the reins of an explosive offense)? These guys must be on crack!

[Catattack]

Are you kidding me? Montana State should not be rated in the top 25 and where is Northern Arizona (with most of their injured defense from a year ago returning and likely the best QB in the FCS, Michael Herrick, at the reins of an explosive offense)? These guys must be on crack!

Why not? They ended the season #20 in gpi and probably return as many or more starters in the Big Sky.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Are you kidding me? Montana State should not be rated in the top 25 and where is Northern Arizona (with most of their injured defense from a year ago returning and likely the best QB in the FCS, Michael Herrick, at the reins of an explosive offense)? These guys must be on crack!

Why not? They ended the season #20 in gpi and probably return as many or more starters in the Big Sky.

I don't see any reason they wouldn't be considered top 25 either?

[green&gold75]

Like App State and Richmond, W&M will have a new starter at QB--it's enough to make me queezy about a top 5 ranking. How many others in this 25 will have new faces at QB?

[danefan]

Penn and Richmond are each 10 spots too high.

UNH is 10 spots too low.

[Willie]

Are you kidding me? Montana State should not be rated in the top 25 and where is Northern Arizona (with most of their injured defense from a year ago returning and likely the best QB in the FCS, Michael Herrick, at the reins of an explosive offense)? These guys must be on crack!

Why not? They ended the season #20 in gpi and probably return as many or more starters in the Big Sky.

MSU should be a top 25 team. They have a legit chance at being 3-0 with EWU coming into Bozeman 9/25.

[DavedS]

Any poll that doesn't have Yongstown State #1 is a joke...I mean they have Florida kids now...

Great now instead of letting the Iowegian thing die you are adding to it by including Ohio in the mix.

How could one EVER defeat the OhIowegian.

Maybe if they get some "Ohio" kids with the talent level of a Mike Furrey or a Bill Bealles then they will get that coveted #1 ATHLON ranking.

[SpeedkingATL]

Like many I feel the first offical polls shouldn't be released until around week 3 or 4, especially when playoff slots are at stake as in FCS. It is much easier to finish in the top 25 if a team starts high and just as difficult to rise when you start unranked. Initial ranking may not keep a team from making the playoffs but it sure could affect seeding. This poll as many other FCS polls know less about the teams that we do on this site, and I'll admit my knowledge of most teams west of the Mississippi is limited because I rarely see any of them play until playoff time.

I have pretty good knowledge of the SoCon and my preseason picks for the conference would be a guess at best.

[SpiderFan5]

#3 for Richmond is too high in my opinion (Although i dont mind it)
And #5 for W&M is too high also, they have just as many questions as UR does

[tribefan40]

#3 for Richmond is too high in my opinion (Although i dont mind it)
And #5 for W&M is too high also, they have just as many questions as UR does

How do you figure?

[kuntryboimike]

yes liberty will have a strong and very fast and talented team this yr. yes Mike Brown isgoing to do amazing thngs as Libertys starting QB. We have the fastest defense this yr the program has probably ever seen which will help stop those random big plays that turn into touchdowns. i think post season liberty will easily be ranked top 15 but i also think its WAY too early to jump to conclusions. a lot can happen between now and the beginning of the season...injuries etc...BUT whether i agree with a preseason poll THIS early or not...ill take 15

[kuntryboimike]

by the way i LOVE how the better team in the Big South has the WORSE OOC schedule.

[grizzaholic]

App St is too high. And I'd like Montana to be a top-5 team, but I don't think we are. Top 10, maybe. The first couple games will determine a lot.

I agree. I know App St will have some guys back and shouldn't worry too much about the QB position but they should be down more than a few spots, as should Montana. I know QB/RB are solid it is some of the other stables that are suspect at this time. After week 3 or 4 the picture will either be bright or bleak.