FCS Program you'd most like to see become elite

[Cujo]

I'd like the penguins to return to glory

[SuperHornet]

YSU is a good choice.

I would consider ASU, Montana, Delaware, and UNI the 4 elites.

YSU and GSU provisional based on historical success.

McNeese, EWU, NDSU, JMU, Richmond, New Hampshire, W&M, and Nova as close but something still to prove.

Up and comers with potential: Montana State, SHSU, SIU, Furman

Probably missed someone...

Pretty good list. Based on your definitions, I'd probably bump UNH to provisional status and place Wofford in the close category.

[The Kicker]

Alcorn State!

[Wildcat Ryan]

Ryan: rkw set a ground rule that for purposes of this thread, you can't pick your own team. You got another pick?

That said, since everyone knows I'm a huge Liberty fan (due to my attendance in the Distance Learning Program), I'll take up for Weber and Portland State. One of my UOP teammates played QB and WR at Weber, and another is the current HC at PSU.

As far as schools at which I DON'T have a connection, I'd love to see a return to glory for Youngstown....

Sorry, but the only team in the nation I want to see become elite is my own

[ASUMountaineer]

I say UNI. I know I may get flamed, but I can't call you elite until you win it all--that's not to say that winning it all makes a team elite either (EWU). UNI is definitely the best program to never win it all, and when they do, they will certainly join the ranks of the elite. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later.

I guess it depends on your standard for elite. EWU is one of 7 teams who have made the playoffs 5 times in the last 8 years, plus the NC. Two Buchanan winners and two Payton winners in that stretch doesn't hurt either

If anything, I'd consider us on the cusp. If we went deep or won another NC this year, I'd say that might put us over the edge.

I didn't say EWU was crap, just not elite. I agree that EWU is on the cusp. EWU is not the most elite team in their conference (Montana), so that hurts a little too. Outside of that ridiculous red field, I like EWU and give your team props!

[ASUMountaineer]

I say UNI. I know I may get flamed, but I can't call you elite until you win it all--that's not to say that winning it all makes a team elite either (EWU). UNI is definitely the best program to never win it all, and when they do, they will certainly join the ranks of the elite. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later.

WTF Bitch!? EWU is an ELITE team, and has been for a while.

[UNI88]

I'd like to see UND become elite solely for entertainment purposes.

That would be epic!

[houndawg]

Ryan: rkw set a ground rule that for purposes of this thread, you can't pick your own team. You got another pick?

That said, since everyone knows I'm a huge Liberty fan (due to my attendance in the Distance Learning Program), I'll take up for Weber and Portland State. One of my UOP teammates played QB and WR at Weber, and another is the current HC at PSU.

As far as schools at which I DON'T have a connection, I'd love to see a return to glory for Youngstown....

YSU is a good choice.

I would consider ASU, Montana, Delaware, and UNI the 4 elites.

YSU and GSU provisional based on historical success.

McNeese, EWU, NDSU, JMU, Richmond, New Hampshire, W&M, and Nova as close but something still to prove.

Up and comers with potential: Montana State, SHSU, SIU, Furman

Probably missed someone...

I could go with this if there is an asterisk by UNI. Kind of like if you told me the four greatest QBs were Montana, Bradshaw, Stabauch, and Marino, I'd agree but with an asterisk by Marino.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I guess it depends on your standard for elite. EWU is one of 7 teams who have made the playoffs 5 times in the last 8 years, plus the NC. Two Buchanan winners and two Payton winners in that stretch doesn't hurt either

If anything, I'd consider us on the cusp. If we went deep or won another NC this year, I'd say that might put us over the edge.

I didn't say EWU was crap, just not elite. I agree that EWU is on the cusp. EWU is not the most elite team in their conference (Montana), so that hurts a little too. Outside of that ridiculous red field, I like EWU and give your team props!

I know that's not what you were saying. I agree, I don't think we're quite there. We need to have a "prove it" season, which I'm pretty sure is going to happen this year, barring another disastrous injury plague.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I'd like to see UND become elite solely for entertainment purposes.

That would be epic!

[ASUMountaineer]

I didn't say EWU was crap, just not elite. I agree that EWU is on the cusp. EWU is not the most elite team in their conference (Montana), so that hurts a little too. Outside of that ridiculous red field, I like EWU and give your team props!

I know that's not what you were saying. I agree, I don't think we're quite there. We need to have a "prove it" season, which I'm pretty sure is going to happen this year, barring another disastrous injury plague.

Best of luck to the Eagles out there at the Maxi Pad!

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I know that's not what you were saying. I agree, I don't think we're quite there. We need to have a "prove it" season, which I'm pretty sure is going to happen this year, barring another disastrous injury plague.

Best of luck to the Eagles out there at the Maxi Pad!

Good luck to App against the Griz in the Rape Bowl!

[Appaholic]

I'd like to see Furman & Youngstown return to elite status. I think UNI would be considered elite if the would win a title, but multiples would certainly push them over the top. W&M is a tough out, but need a title as well. EWU & JMU need to win one more to be considered elite.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh now that they have scholarships.

Otherwise, I'd like to see URI get it together.

[ASUMountaineer]

Best of luck to the Eagles out there at the Maxi Pad!

Good luck to App against the Griz in the Rape Bowl!

[JohnStOnge]

Why, McNeese State of course. The program was very close to elite status 1991 - 2003. Made the playoffs 11 of the 13 years. Two national title game appearances. Lost the national championship game by 1 point to Youngstown State under gut wrenching circumstances in 1997 then lost by 2 points in the first round of the playoffs to eventual national champ UMass when a potential game winning field goal near the end barely missed wide right.

The first cracks of decline did show in 2003 though. That was the first time McNeese just flat got blown out in a home playoff game. And the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since. 1991 - 2002 the program had a very strong defensive condition. Usually one of the top 10 defenses in I-AA. But starting with 2003 they lost that and haven't recovered it.

I'd like to see them not only get back to where they were as a program but take the next step.

[henfan]

Eastern Kentucky. We had some great battle with them when I was at school, though we usually came out on the wrong end of things.

[dal4018]

Villanova.

What more could you want? They have the facility, they have the fan base, they have the vision for the future, they have the student support, why wouldn't they become elite??

Agreed they could join Big East right away.

[EWURanger]

There's no denying Nova puts some pretty competitive teams on the field.


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[SUUThunder]

I guess it depends on your standard for elite. EWU is one of 7 teams who have made the playoffs 5 times in the last 8 years, plus the NC. Two Buchanan winners and two Payton winners in that stretch doesn't hurt either

If anything, I'd consider us on the cusp. If we went deep or won another NC this year, I'd say that might put us over the edge.

I didn't say EWU was crap, just not elite. I agree that EWU is on the cusp. EWU is not the most elite team in their conference (Montana), so that hurts a little too. Outside of that ridiculous red field, I like EWU and give your team props!

I'll say EWU is crap but only for the sole purpose of sending falkin over the edge

On a more serious note, I do respect EWU and their accomplishments (aside from their menstrosity of a field). They've had a pretty solid program. I'd put them on the cusp of being elite. If they put up a few more years of play in this decade like they've had in recent history, I'd label them as elite. I just hate to put a crown on a team that hasn't put up as much show as the others aforementioned.

[SUUThunder]

As for who I'd actually like to see move up the ladder... I'd have to say Weber St. If for nothing more than the fact that my beloved SUU has moved into the Big Sky this year and we can hopefully create a great in state rivalry. Always funner to watch your team play a solid program in a rival... and it will certainly make your program step up more to match their level.... So on that note... go Weber

[WWII]

I know it's my team, but I wish Bob Ford some "Elite" FCS years before he retires from UAlbany

[Pwns]

Western Carolina. Great fans, a better stadium than you'd expect, but can't ever seem to get anything going with their program.

[Darell1976]

I'd like to see UND become elite solely for entertainment purposes.

Our first step to becoming elite begins in a couple weeks. Lets see how elite we are in a decade.