2010 Early Top 5

[dgreco]

It seemed like Szcur was the go to go in every part of the offense. The wildcat, the run the pass etc.. He was all over the place. I do not know enough of the rest of the team but that seems like a huge loss.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Delaware is only 4 or 5 quality FBS transfers away from fielding a very competive team next year.

[bluehenbillk]

Delaware is only 4 or 5 quality FBS transfers away from fielding a very competive team next year.

Do they all play OL??

In all seriousness the only CAA team I'd put ahead of UD is 'Nova. UNH will compete as will W&M and JMU. Maine, UMass & UR are notches down and URI, Bye & Towson are stratospheres back.

[McNeese75]

My question with McNeese is that they have to replace their QB and they lose 14 from this year's team. I know their younger guys got pt so we'll have to sit on this and see. SFA loses their receiving corps and need younger guys to step up. If that happens they will be ok but they need to become more than one dimensional on O. If they find a good/better RB (or 2) they could repeat. They need to open up a running game badly.

Both these teams need to shore up their D or they will have the same fate in playoffs as this past year. That and the SLC usually has to go through Montana to get anywhere. We were fortunate in 2005 because we didn't face them.

It should be interesting. McNeese should be better on defense (basically will return all starters). The offense will be a work in progress as there are skill players to be replaced but the #2's got a lot of time in this year. It seems as if the fans are more concerned about the QB position than the coaches appear (maybe they know something we don't, lol).

Maybe they are counting on this young man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abVrcAGlT_U

The biggest issue for McNeese next year will be qualifying for the playoffs (if they are capable). Missouri, LSU and a non-qualifying game with Lamar are going to make it hard to make it without the league AQ.

[dbackjon]

Why won't the Lamar game count?

[CatMom]

Why won't the Lamar game count?

I believe they are a non-qualifying Indie next year...not playing a full DI slate. Not sure though.

Edit: But I don't see why they wouldn't count. UCA always counted for us (even if they were losses until this year )

[T-Dog]

I believe Jamal Jackson will be the App QB starting next season. He red-shirted this year which many people believe was so we could groom him to go 4 years. His bio says he's 6-4, 185 pounds but I bet he'll be up to 200 by the start of next year so he'll have the physical credentials.

The insiders have said he's a lot like Richie Williams, so if he can manage the game and keep mistakes to a minimum, App will be very dangerous with most everyone else coming back.

[mainejeff]

Delaware is only 4 or 5 quality FBS transfers away from fielding a very competive team next year.

Do they all play OL??

In all seriousness the only CAA team I'd put ahead of UD is 'Nova. UNH will compete as will W&M and JMU. Maine, UMass & UR are notches down and URI, Bye & Towson are stratospheres back.

Maine is not a "notch down" next season......especially behind the equally unproven Delaware and JMU. At least everyone can settle it on the field next season minus one opponent.

[bluehenbillk]

Do they all play OL??

In all seriousness the only CAA team I'd put ahead of UD is 'Nova. UNH will compete as will W&M and JMU. Maine, UMass & UR are notches down and URI, Bye & Towson are stratospheres back.

Maine is not a "notch down" next season......especially behind the equally unproven Delaware and JMU. At least everyone can settle it on the field next season minus one opponent.

I'll take another W against Maine this year gladly. We beat you in Orono at a point in time when we weren't even playing well.

[McNeese75]

Why won't the Lamar game count?

I believe they are a non-qualifying Indie next year...not playing a full DI slate. Not sure though.

Edit: But I don't see why they wouldn't count. UCA always counted for us (even if they were losses until this year )

From Geaux Cowboys

The NCAA Board of Directors, in addition to restricting any divisional movement during the moratorium, also prohibited any startup program from being declared DI FCS during this time. Thus, Lamar will technically be unclassified by the NCAA during the 2010 season, or non-Division I for the rest of their opponents. When the moratorium ends and LU begins a league schedule in 2011, they'll fully count.

[dbackjon]

Interesting. The other startups the same?

[JConnolly]

I believe Jamal Jackson will be the App QB starting next season. He red-shirted this year which many people believe was so we could groom him to go 4 years. His bio says he's 6-4, 185 pounds but I bet he'll be up to 200 by the start of next year so he'll have the physical credentials.

The insiders have said he's a lot like Richie Williams, so if he can manage the game and keep mistakes to a minimum, App will be very dangerous with most everyone else coming back.

I saw him warming up before the App vs. Elon game this year, and he looks like he would be the same type of player as Armanti Edwards. He is almost the same size, and he is also a lefty too. App wouldn't have to change a thing on offense, maybe simplify stuff until he learns the playbook, but he looked like he has a lot of potential

[Silenoz]

1- Villanova
2 - William and Mary
3 - UNH
4 - JMU
5 - Montana State

[houndawg]

Who is your early top 5 and who is a sleeper to watch for?

5 Teams to watch, not in order, for me are:

W&M- if that new QB is any good
SIU- you know they will get a new RB
SFA- if they can replace those WRs they have a lot of talent back
SC State- they have a lot of talent back and only need to replace 1 key WR and the 2 RBs
JMU- they could be back as long as they can replace the TE and the WRs

Sleeper team for me is either Missouri State or Liberty.

I think Villanova, Montana, Richmond, App State, etc. will all be top 10 caliber teams but there are some major question marks that I think keep them out of the top 5 at this point next year.

What do you guys think?

SIU has visits by RBs from Michgan State and Pitt. The Salukis lose 17 starters, 10 on defense, the last of Jerry Kill's recruits. Job one is replacing three starters on the o-line.

[BullDog85]

no order

WM
UNH
Montana
SC State
SFA

I think SC State would be viewed a lot more positively if they didnt have App St. in the first round the last two years. They could of won a game or two each year maybe and they would of begun 09 higher and would probably begin 10 higher.

SCST without William Ford or Oliver Young (or their next two receivers) isn't the same SCST, IMO. I wouldn't start them off any higher then 15.

I'm also not so sure a team that lost 50-something to nothing in the playoffs can be considered a top 5 team the next year.

And no Villanova? Even without Szcur I think Villanova has to be a Top 5 preseason team.

SC State will survive. They got our prized RB Ashton Jordan from the 2008 season. Averaged 5 yrds per carry, 711 yrds total rushing in a pass happy offense and he rushed 4.7 yrds per carry in Florida game. He had to sit out last season due to transferring. The Honor system at El Cid ended his tenure...he got nailed by a professor for not properly giving credit when credit was due.

[89Hen]

The Salukis lose 17 starters, 10 on defense, the last of Jerry Kill's recruits. Job one is replacing three starters on the o-line.

Scratch SIU. Does anyone know what SDSU has returning?

[93henfan]

Does anyone know what SDSU has returning?

I second this request. That game is going to be the equivalent of what the Richmond game was for UD last year: an early season matchup that could make the difference between a special season and 6-5.

[Thumper 76]

Does anyone know what SDSU has returning?

I second this request. That game is going to be the equivalent of what the Richmond game was for UD last year: an early season matchup that could make the difference between a special season and 6-5.

Ok heres what I got for ya. We lose three starting O-linemen, which will be our toughest pieces to replace for sure, seeing as they were all getting some NFL attention. We lose both starting recievers, but have some very talented kids replacing them, so Im not too worried there. The young guys may actually meld w our qb a bit better. Thats what appears to be moving on from the offense, we get our qb, running back, TE's all back.

On defense we lose all american danny batten, which should hurt, but with the emergence of Jake Steffen last year Im not too upset. Besides him we lose our two middle lbs, which hurts because they were to me the heart of the defense, but we have guys with plenty of experience replacing them, and I believe the guys will have the same intensity. other than that I believe we return the rest of the defense, as well as getting some talented redshirts able to play from last year. should be a heck of a game at delawhere

[Fact]

I really question people's knowledge if they think the defending national champion who will return as many as 15 starters plus both kickers will not even be one of the best five teams in the nation this year with some questioning if they're even a playoff team?? Even if Szczur doesn't come back next year (I think he will,) Villanova will still return their First Team All-CAA Quarterback, Probably the best returning Offensive Lineman at our level, The three deep at running back, most of the defense and the kickers. Matt Szczur wasn't our entire team.. Chris Whitney ran for over 100 yards in the championship game and Aaron Ball will want to return to his '07 form.

[danefan]

I really question people's knowledge if they think the defending national champion who will return as many as 15 starters plus both kickers will not even be one of the best five teams in the nation this year with some questioning if they're even a playoff team?? Even if Szczur doesn't come back next year (I think he will,) Villanova will still return their First Team All-CAA Quarterback, Probably the best returning Offensive Lineman at our level, The three deep at running back, most of the defense and the kickers. Matt Szczur wasn't our entire team.. Chris Whitney ran for over 100 yards in the championship game and Aaron Ball will want to return to his '07 form.

I agree. With or without Szczur - Nova is a definite Top 5 team next year.

Not to mention that Nova has the schedule to be sitting pretty come playoff time.

[89Hen]

Matt Szczur wasn't our entire team..

Just 90% of the offense.

[UD77]

Sczur announced at the year end banquet that he is coming back so I would say NOVA is still number one until someone can prove that they can beat them.

Richmond looses a lot of starters but they apparently picked up the previous starting QB from USC in a transfer. May still be too much to overcome but not a bad pickup in the large hole that was open when Ward left.

I have my fingers crossed for UD. Team has been so inconsistent under Keeler. Maybe the year of another playoff run or another gross disappointment. We do have a lot of returning starters but that may not be a good thing.

[green&gold75]

I really question people's knowledge if they think the defending national champion who will return as many as 15 starters plus both kickers will not even be one of the best five teams in the nation this year with some questioning if they're even a playoff team?? Even if Szczur doesn't come back next year (I think he will,) Villanova will still return their First Team All-CAA Quarterback, Probably the best returning Offensive Lineman at our level, The three deep at running back, most of the defense and the kickers. Matt Szczur wasn't our entire team.. Chris Whitney ran for over 100 yards in the championship game and Aaron Ball will want to return to his '07 form.

I agree. With or without Szczur - Nova is a definite Top 5 team next year.

Not to mention that Nova has the schedule to be sitting pretty come playoff time.

Agree also. Appreciate the love W&M has gotten, but have concerns. 3 strong linebackers returning and most of the 2ndary, but wouldn't underestimate the loss of the heart of our D line.

[Col Hogan]

Sczur announced at the year end banquet that he is coming back so I would say NOVA is still number one until someone can prove that they can beat them.

Richmond looses a lot of starters but they apparently picked up the previous starting QB from USC in a transfer. May still be too much to overcome but not a bad pickup in the large hole that was open when Ward left.

I have my fingers crossed for UD. Team has been so inconsistent under Keeler. Maybe the year of another playoff run or another gross disappointment. We do have a lot of returning starters but that may not be a good thing.

I don't believe the kid UR picked up from USC was a starter...and the bigger hole is the loss of coaches...almost all departed, and so a new system, and all new assistants...in addition to a new QB and lots of other losses due to graduatiuon mean the Spiders will be in for a tough season...

[Fact]

Sczur announced at the year end banquet that he is coming back so I would say NOVA is still number one until someone can prove that they can beat them.

Richmond looses a lot of starters but they apparently picked up the previous starting QB from USC in a transfer. May still be too much to overcome but not a bad pickup in the large hole that was open when Ward left.

I have my fingers crossed for UD. Team has been so inconsistent under Keeler. Maybe the year of another playoff run or another gross disappointment. We do have a lot of returning starters but that may not be a good thing.

I don't believe the kid UR picked up from USC was a starter...and the bigger hole is the loss of coaches...almost all departed, and so a new system, and all new assistants...in addition to a new QB and lots of other losses due to graduatiuon mean the Spiders will be in for a tough season...

Aaron Corp would have started at USC had he not hurt his knee in Fall Camp as he was #1 all the way from spring practice.