NDSU in FBS?

[Killamike259]

Alright guys this is going to be straight and to the point. Do you guys think that NDSU could hold their own in the FBS? If you think about it. Georgia Southern practically did the same thing they were a good FCS team, made the FBS jump and they ended "winning" the Sun Belt their first year in the FBS. I think NDSU could easily hold their own in the FBS. Heck they could possibly be next Georgia Southern.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Alright guys this is going to be straight and to the point. Do you guys think that NDSU could hold their own in the FBS? If you think about it. Georgia Southern practically did the same thing they were a good FCS team, made the FBS jump and they ended "winning" the Sun Belt their first year in the FBS. I think NDSU could easily hold their own in the FBS. Heck they could possibly be next Georgia Southern.

You are talking about the Sun Belt. It may be termed FBS but it would rank below some FCS conferences...conferences, not teams. It's an FCS conference with more scholarships. Yes NDSU would win that hands down. At this point they would compete in all the lower FBS conferences but who cares? That's not really a big deal to me.

[AZGrizFan]

Alright guys this is going to be straight and to the point. Do you guys think that NDSU could hold their own in the FBS? If you think about it. Georgia Southern practically did the same thing they were a good FCS team, made the FBS jump and they ended "winning" the Sun Belt their first year in the FBS. I think NDSU could easily hold their own in the FBS. Heck they could possibly be next Georgia Southern.

You are talking about the Sun Belt. It may be termed FBS but it would rank below some FCS conferences...conferences, not teams. It's an FCS conference with more scholarships. Yes NDSU would win that hands down. At this point they would compete in all the lower FBS conferences but who cares? That's not really a big deal to me.

I would rate the Sun Belt below the MVFC for sure.

[kalm]

Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt last year? Awesome!

[Stickman]

The Sun Belt is like the island of misfit toys. A mishmash of schools who want to be D-1, but couldn't find a conference so they ended up together just so they can say they are FBS football. I feel sorry for athletes in some of the other non revenue sports who travel like they do with that crazy geography.

[93henfan]

Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt last year? Awesome!

That's what I was thinking. I really liked Georgia Southern but couldn't give a rats ass about bottom on the barrel FCS.

Regarding the OP, sure move on up. All it takes is money and an invite.

[BDKJMU]

They'd have to come up with $$$ for a new dome. I guess in the 30,000-35,000 range capacity..That would be what, maybe 100-150 million ballpark?

[clenz]

The SBC was below only the MVFC, but essentially even with other FCS conferences last year in Sagarin's ratings

1 SEC-WEST (A) = 88.75 88.95 ( 1) 7 88.88 ( 1)
2 PAC-12(SOUTH) (A) = 80.09 78.64 ( 3) 6 79.31 ( 3)
3 SEC-EAST (A) = 79.55 78.78 ( 2) 7 79.35 ( 2)
4 BIG 12 (A) = 76.22 76.60 ( 5) 10 76.32 ( 5)
5 BIG TEN-EAST (A) = 76.14 78.09 ( 4) 7 78.49 ( 4)
6 ACC-ATLANTIC (A) = 74.80 74.13 ( 8) 7 74.60 ( 7)
7 PAC-12(NORTH) (A) = 74.79 76.14 ( 6) 6 75.27 ( 6)
8 ACC-COASTAL (A) = 74.35 74.78 ( 7) 7 74.54 ( 8)
9 BIG TEN-WEST (A) = 73.09 73.11 ( 9) 7 73.10 ( 9)
10 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 68.49 67.79 ( 10) 4 68.43 ( 10)
11 MWC-MOUNTAIN (A) = 66.80 66.41 ( 11) 6 66.64 ( 11)
12 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 64.12 64.35 ( 12) 10 64.34 ( 12)
13 CONFERENCE USA-EAST (A) = 62.30 63.41 ( 13) 7 62.73 ( 13)
14 MAC-WEST (A) = 61.61 59.95 ( 16) 6 61.09 ( 14)
15 AMERICAN ATHLETIC (A) = 60.88 59.97 ( 15) 11 60.47 ( 16)
16 CONFERENCE USA-WEST (A) = 60.15 61.40 ( 14) 6 60.84 ( 15)
17 MWC-WEST (A) = 57.52 57.13 ( 17) 6 57.24 ( 17)
18 SUN BELT (A) = 55.95 55.78 ( 18) 11 55.89 ( 18)
19 MAC-EAST (A) = 53.09 52.90 ( 19) 7 52.91 ( 19)
20 BIG SOUTH (AA)= 52.56 52.56 ( 20) 6 52.57 ( 20)
21 SOUTHERN (AA)= 50.54 50.59 ( 21) 8 50.53 ( 21)
22 COLONIAL (AA)= 48.11 48.00 ( 22) 12 48.09 ( 22)
23 SOUTHLAND (AA)= 47.11 44.58 ( 27) 11 47.30 ( 23)
24 BIG SKY (AA)= 46.47 47.18 ( 23) 13 46.90 ( 24)
25 OHIO VALLEY (AA)= 45.52 45.25 ( 24) 9 45.52 ( 25)
26 I-AA INDEPENDENTS (AA)= 44.63 44.63 ( 26) 1 44.63 ( 27)
27 PATRIOT (AA)= 44.45 44.97 ( 25) 7 44.67 ( 26)
28 NORTHEAST (AA)= 42.68 41.12 ( 28) 7 42.21 ( 28)
29 IVY LEAGUE (AA)= 39.84 39.55 ( 29) 8 39.84 ( 29)
30 MID-EASTERN (AA)= 36.13 35.33 ( 30) 11 35.99 ( 30)
31 SWAC-WEST (AA)= 32.11 31.32 ( 32) 5 31.55 ( 32)
32 SWAC-EAST (AA)= 31.59 32.23 ( 31) 5 31.78 ( 31)
33 PIONEER (AA)= 24.27 24.76 ( 33) 11 24.55 ( 33)
34 ***UNRATED*** (__)= -90.00 -90.00 ( 34) 1 -90.00 ( 34)



Essentially the MVFC is better than the AAC, MAC, CUSA, SBC and even/slightly a head of the MWC. The MVFC is essentially an FBS conference with FCS scholarship limits.

[AZGrizFan]

The SBC was below only the MVFC, but essentially even with other FCS conferences last year in Sagarin's ratings

1 SEC-WEST (A) = 88.75 88.95 ( 1) 7 88.88 ( 1)
2 PAC-12(SOUTH) (A) = 80.09 78.64 ( 3) 6 79.31 ( 3)
3 SEC-EAST (A) = 79.55 78.78 ( 2) 7 79.35 ( 2)
4 BIG 12 (A) = 76.22 76.60 ( 5) 10 76.32 ( 5)
5 BIG TEN-EAST (A) = 76.14 78.09 ( 4) 7 78.49 ( 4)
6 ACC-ATLANTIC (A) = 74.80 74.13 ( 8) 7 74.60 ( 7)
7 PAC-12(NORTH) (A) = 74.79 76.14 ( 6) 6 75.27 ( 6)
8 ACC-COASTAL (A) = 74.35 74.78 ( 7) 7 74.54 ( 8)
9 BIG TEN-WEST (A) = 73.09 73.11 ( 9) 7 73.10 ( 9)
10 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 68.49 67.79 ( 10) 4 68.43 ( 10)
11 MWC-MOUNTAIN (A) = 66.80 66.41 ( 11) 6 66.64 ( 11)
12 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 64.12 64.35 ( 12) 10 64.34 ( 12)
13 CONFERENCE USA-EAST (A) = 62.30 63.41 ( 13) 7 62.73 ( 13)
14 MAC-WEST (A) = 61.61 59.95 ( 16) 6 61.09 ( 14)
15 AMERICAN ATHLETIC (A) = 60.88 59.97 ( 15) 11 60.47 ( 16)
16 CONFERENCE USA-WEST (A) = 60.15 61.40 ( 14) 6 60.84 ( 15)
17 MWC-WEST (A) = 57.52 57.13 ( 17) 6 57.24 ( 17)
18 SUN BELT (A) = 55.95 55.78 ( 18) 11 55.89 ( 18)
19 MAC-EAST (A) = 53.09 52.90 ( 19) 7 52.91 ( 19)
20 BIG SOUTH (AA)= 52.56 52.56 ( 20) 6 52.57 ( 20)
21 SOUTHERN (AA)= 50.54 50.59 ( 21) 8 50.53 ( 21)
22 COLONIAL (AA)= 48.11 48.00 ( 22) 12 48.09 ( 22)
23 SOUTHLAND (AA)= 47.11 44.58 ( 27) 11 47.30 ( 23)
24 BIG SKY (AA)= 46.47 47.18 ( 23) 13 46.90 ( 24)
25 OHIO VALLEY (AA)= 45.52 45.25 ( 24) 9 45.52 ( 25)
26 I-AA INDEPENDENTS (AA)= 44.63 44.63 ( 26) 1 44.63 ( 27)
27 PATRIOT (AA)= 44.45 44.97 ( 25) 7 44.67 ( 26)
28 NORTHEAST (AA)= 42.68 41.12 ( 28) 7 42.21 ( 28)
29 IVY LEAGUE (AA)= 39.84 39.55 ( 29) 8 39.84 ( 29)
30 MID-EASTERN (AA)= 36.13 35.33 ( 30) 11 35.99 ( 30)
31 SWAC-WEST (AA)= 32.11 31.32 ( 32) 5 31.55 ( 32)
32 SWAC-EAST (AA)= 31.59 32.23 ( 31) 5 31.78 ( 31)
33 PIONEER (AA)= 24.27 24.76 ( 33) 11 24.55 ( 33)
34 ***UNRATED*** (__)= -90.00 -90.00 ( 34) 1 -90.00 ( 34)

Sorry, but no way MFVC (as a whole) is better than the MWC West.

[SuperHornet]

I can see it, as MWC West does NOT include Boise. I just looked at Fresneck's 2014 schedule, and it's pretty apparent that the AD did them no favors with their opening three games (blowout losses to #15 U$C, Utah, and Nebraska), and then they shot themselves in the foot with a horrible three-game skid against the likes of UNLV and Wyoming. Of course, they lost to Boise in that stretch, too. They only got into the MWC title game because the MWC West is so bloody weak, and it showed when Boise beat them by 2 TDs, and then they got taken out to the woodshed by Rice of all schools in a bowl game they didn't deserve. SDSU was a bit better, but losing to Fresneck killed their whole season, which ended with a home bowl loss to Navy. After those two, the MWC West takes a HUGE drop. Nevada proved how horrible they are when they got beat by SW LA in a bowl, and nobody beyond that was even close to bowl eligible.

On the other hand, well over HALF of the MVFC was playoff-eligible (at least by rule; what's competitive for the Committee is another story). We already know how good NDSU and IL State are at the top; NDSU beat who they were supposed to beat, AND included a Big XII win (albeit over a woeful IA State squad). IL State didn't have any FBS games, but the way they handled some of the upper-tier FCS programs indicates they would have done well. UNI had a major insurgence last year after some recent struggles; they won some very important FCS games, and were competitive in close FBS losses, particularly against MWC West foe Hawai'i. It settles down a tad after that, but suffice it to say that even middle-of-the-road MVFC programs like IN State and YSU didn't exactly embarrass themselves in FBS games last year.

I would hold MVFC at least equivalent to MWC West, if not higher. I would posit that the upper 1/4 to 1/2 of the MVFC would DESTROY the lower half of the MWC West, and be at least competitive with Fresneck and SDSU. NDSU and IL State in particular, I would posit for outright wins against the entire West Division of the MWC.

[AZGrizFan]

I can see it, as MWC West does NOT include Boise. I just looked at Fresneck's 2014 schedule, and it's pretty apparent that the AD did them no favors with their opening three games (blowout losses to #15 U$C, Utah, and Nebraska), and then they shot themselves in the foot with a horrible three-game skid against the likes of UNLV and Wyoming. Of course, they lost to Boise in that stretch, too. They only got into the MWC title game because the MWC West is so bloody weak, and it showed when Boise beat them by 2 TDs, and then they got taken out to the woodshed by Rice of all schools in a bowl game they didn't deserve. SDSU was a bit better, but losing to Fresneck killed their whole season, which ended with a home bowl loss to Navy. After those two, the MWC West takes a HUGE drop. Nevada proved how horrible they are when they got beat by SW LA in a bowl, and nobody beyond that was even close to bowl eligible.

On the other hand, well over HALF of the MVFC was playoff-eligible (at least by rule; what's competitive for the Committee is another story). We already know how good NDSU and IL State are at the top; NDSU beat who they were supposed to beat, AND included a Big XII win (albeit over a woeful IA State squad). IL State didn't have any FBS games, but the way they handled some of the upper-tier FCS programs indicates they would have done well. UNI had a major insurgence last year after some recent struggles; they won some very important FCS games, and were competitive in close FBS losses, particularly against MWC West foe Hawai'i. It settles down a tad after that, but suffice it to say that even middle-of-the-road MVFC programs like IN State and YSU didn't exactly embarrass themselves in FBS games last year.

I would hold MVFC at least equivalent to MWC West, if not higher. I would posit that the upper 1/4 to 1/2 of the MVFC would DESTROY the lower half of the MWC West, and be at least competitive with Fresneck and SDSU. NDSU and IL State in particular, I would posit for outright wins against the entire West Division of the MWC.

blah blah blah.

Outside of NDSU and MAYBE Illinois State on any given Saturday, the rest of the MVFC would get regularly DESTROYED by the entire MWC West. Destroyed.

[clenz]

I can see it, as MWC West does NOT include Boise. I just looked at Fresneck's 2014 schedule, and it's pretty apparent that the AD did them no favors with their opening three games (blowout losses to #15 U$C, Utah, and Nebraska), and then they shot themselves in the foot with a horrible three-game skid against the likes of UNLV and Wyoming. Of course, they lost to Boise in that stretch, too. They only got into the MWC title game because the MWC West is so bloody weak, and it showed when Boise beat them by 2 TDs, and then they got taken out to the woodshed by Rice of all schools in a bowl game they didn't deserve. SDSU was a bit better, but losing to Fresneck killed their whole season, which ended with a home bowl loss to Navy. After those two, the MWC West takes a HUGE drop. Nevada proved how horrible they are when they got beat by SW LA in a bowl, and nobody beyond that was even close to bowl eligible.

On the other hand, well over HALF of the MVFC was playoff-eligible (at least by rule; what's competitive for the Committee is another story). We already know how good NDSU and IL State are at the top; NDSU beat who they were supposed to beat, AND included a Big XII win (albeit over a woeful IA State squad). IL State didn't have any FBS games, but the way they handled some of the upper-tier FCS programs indicates they would have done well. UNI had a major insurgence last year after some recent struggles; they won some very important FCS games, and were competitive in close FBS losses, particularly against MWC West foe Hawai'i. It settles down a tad after that, but suffice it to say that even middle-of-the-road MVFC programs like IN State and YSU didn't exactly embarrass themselves in FBS games last year.

I would hold MVFC at least equivalent to MWC West, if not higher. I would posit that the upper 1/4 to 1/2 of the MVFC would DESTROY the lower half of the MWC West, and be at least competitive with Fresneck and SDSU. NDSU and IL State in particular, I would posit for outright wins against the entire West Division of the MWC.

blah blah blah.

Outside of NDSU and MAYBE Illinois State on any given Saturday, the rest of the MVFC would get regularly DESTROYED by the entire MWC West. Destroyed.

Hey...who was the only team to beat both ISU and NDSU last season? I believe both were by at least TDs (both would have been 3TDs had a defensive back not taken a knee in the closing seconds after a pick that had a wide open field for a pick 6)

[AZGrizFan]

blah blah blah.

Outside of NDSU and MAYBE Illinois State on any given Saturday, the rest of the MVFC would get regularly DESTROYED by the entire MWC West. Destroyed.

Hey...who was the only team to beat both ISU and NDSU last season? I believe both were by at least TDs (both would have been 3TDs had a defensive back not taken a knee in the closing seconds after a pick that had a wide open field for a pick 6)

I would include UNI in that group except they always seem to step on their dick at the last minute when playing FBS teams...

[SuperHornet]

So, UNLV and SJSU "destroy" IN State and SD State?

[clenz]

11 MWC-MOUNTAIN (A) = 66.80
36 Boise State A = 77.33
52 Utah State A = 72.65
65 Colorado State A = 69.39
75 Air Force A = 67.74
126 Wyoming A = 56.26
132 New Mexico A = 55.11

17 MWC-WEST (A) = 57.52
90 Nevada A = 64.18
91 San Diego State A = 64.10
111 Fresno State A = 59.02
123 Hawai'i A = 56.62
153 San Jose State A = 52.01
172 UNLV A = 46.87



12 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 64.12
32 North Dakota State AA = 79.73
41 Illinois State AA = 75.14
55 Northern Iowa AA = 72.15
67 South Dakota State AA = 69.09
92 Indiana State AA = 63.91
108 Southern Illinois AA = 60.65
110 Youngstown State AA = 60.15
113 Missouri State AA = 58.60
118 Western Illinois AA = 57.61
175 South Dakota AA = 46.46


In order
32 North Dakota State AA = 79.73 MVFC
36 Boise State A = 77.33 MWM
41 Illinois State AA = 75.14 MVFC
52 Utah State A = 72.65 MWM
55 Northern Iowa AA = 72.15 MVFC
65 Colorado State A = 69.39 MWM
67 South Dakota State AA = 69.09 MVFC
75 Air Force A = 67.74 MWM
90 Nevada A = 64.18 MWW
91 San Diego State A = 64.10 MWW
92 Indiana State AA = 63.91 MVFC
108 Southern Illinois AA = 60.65 MVFC
110 Youngstown State AA = 60.15 MVFC
111 Fresno State A = 59.02 MWW
113 Missouri State AA = 58.60 MVFC
118 Western Illinois AA = 57.61 MVFC
123 Hawai'i A = 56.62 MWW
126 Wyoming A = 56.26 MWM
132 New Mexico A = 55.11 MWM
153 San Jose State A = 52.01 MWW
172 UNLV A = 46.87 MWW
175 South Dakota AA = 46.46 MVFC


So...3 of the top 5 and 4 of the top 7 are MVFC.

[AZGrizFan]

So, UNLV and SJSU "destroy" IN State and SD State?

Yes, they do.

[AZGrizFan]

In order
32 North Dakota State AA = 79.73 MVFC
36 Boise State A = 77.33 MWM
41 Illinois State AA = 75.14 MVFC
52 Utah State A = 72.65 MWM
55 Northern Iowa AA = 72.15 MVFC
65 Colorado State A = 69.39 MWM
67 South Dakota State AA = 69.09 MVFC
75 Air Force A = 67.74 MWM
90 Nevada A = 64.18 MWW
91 San Diego State A = 64.10 MWW
92 Indiana State AA = 63.91 MVFC
108 Southern Illinois AA = 60.65 MVFC
110 Youngstown State AA = 60.15 MVFC
111 Fresno State A = 59.02 MWW
113 Missouri State AA = 58.60 MVFC
118 Western Illinois AA = 57.61 MVFC
123 Hawai'i A = 56.62 MWW
126 Wyoming A = 56.26 MWM
132 New Mexico A = 55.11 MWM
153 San Jose State A = 52.01 MWW
172 UNLV A = 46.87 MWW
175 South Dakota AA = 46.46 MVFC


So...3 of the top 5 and 4 of the top 7 are MVFC.

Colorado State would beat UNI 9 out of 10 times. Air Force, Nevada and SDSU beat UNI 8 of 10 and South Dakota State 9 of 10 times.

I place ZERO value in these rankings....to say the bottom five of the MWC are WORSE than EVERYBODY in the MFVC except USD is fucking laughable. All you have to do is actually WATCH a football game or two and know that's not even close to reality.

[kalm]

In order
32 North Dakota State AA = 79.73 MVFC
36 Boise State A = 77.33 MWM
41 Illinois State AA = 75.14 MVFC
52 Utah State A = 72.65 MWM
55 Northern Iowa AA = 72.15 MVFC
65 Colorado State A = 69.39 MWM
67 South Dakota State AA = 69.09 MVFC
75 Air Force A = 67.74 MWM
90 Nevada A = 64.18 MWW
91 San Diego State A = 64.10 MWW
92 Indiana State AA = 63.91 MVFC
108 Southern Illinois AA = 60.65 MVFC
110 Youngstown State AA = 60.15 MVFC
111 Fresno State A = 59.02 MWW
113 Missouri State AA = 58.60 MVFC
118 Western Illinois AA = 57.61 MVFC
123 Hawai'i A = 56.62 MWW
126 Wyoming A = 56.26 MWM
132 New Mexico A = 55.11 MWM
153 San Jose State A = 52.01 MWW
172 UNLV A = 46.87 MWW
175 South Dakota AA = 46.46 MVFC


So...3 of the top 5 and 4 of the top 7 are MVFC.

Colorado State would beat UNI 9 out of 10 times. Air Force, Nevada and SDSU beat UNI 8 of 10 and South Dakota State 9 of 10 times.

I place ZERO value in these rankings....to say the bottom five of the MWC are WORSE than EVERYBODY in the MFVC except USD is fucking laughable. All you have to do is actually WATCH a football game or two and know that's not even close to reality.

This. Now, where's JSO to defend the computers?

[JohnStOnge]

Alright guys this is going to be straight and to the point. Do you guys think that NDSU could hold their own in the FBS? If you think about it. Georgia Southern practically did the same thing they were a good FCS team, made the FBS jump and they ended "winning" the Sun Belt their first year in the FBS. I think NDSU could easily hold their own in the FBS. Heck they could possibly be next Georgia Southern.

I don't know but I don't think there is any former I-AA/FCS team that moved to I-A/FBS and historically has a winning record against what I'd call the "mainstream" of FBS. If anybody does it's Boise State but probably not.

When you talk about Georgia Southern winning the Sun Belt you have to realize that the Sun Belt has a 0.500 record in head to head competition against the Southland Conference since it became a football league. It's bascially a FCS caliber conference.

What I call the "mainstream" used to be the BCS leagues and now I'd say it's the Big 5. Georgia Southern was 0-2 against programs now in the "Big 5" last year.

North Dakota State is interesting because they have a winning record against Big 5 league teams as a I-AA/FCS.

But I think the reality is this: If you're talking about being able to fashion winning records against the "other guys" in FBS...the non Big 5 guys...that's possible. But if you're talking about being good enough to consistently have winning records against what I'd call the mainstream of FBS probably not.

[Mvemjsunpx]

So, UNLV and SJSU "destroy" IN State and SD State?

Yes, they do.

No. UNLV barely beat Northern Colorado.

[Pwns]

The Sun Belt is like the island of misfit toys. A mishmash of schools who want to be D-1, but couldn't find a conference so they ended up together just so they can say they are FBS football. I feel sorry for athletes in some of the other non revenue sports who travel like they do with that crazy geography.

There's something funny about a fan of a Patriot League team saying this about a conference. It sounds exactly like the type of elitism the lower-tier conferences of the FCS resent and try to fight. At least the Sun Belt offers the maximum number of scholarships allowed by their subdivision.

I'm honestly pretty befuddled that people single out the Sun Belt for ridicule like they do. Marshall and Nevada won the MAC and WAC in their first years in the FBS, but the Sun Belt is terrible because Georgia Southern and App State can compete right away in it? Also, it's terrible for App to lose to Liberty (arguably a top-10 FCS team last year), but no one mentions the Conference USA runner up losing to Northwestern State?

BTW, for the talk about the Mountain West... the lowly Sun Belt's 4th place team beat Utah State in Logan, and the ULL team that App State abused in Lafayette beat Nevada by 2 touchdowns and it wasn't that close.

The Sun Belt isn't in a tier by itself, the gap between the best of the FCS and the G5 is a myth. I've said this on AGS for years and I'm now more convinced than ever. So yeah, of course NDSU can compete in the FBS, and not just NDSU.

[kalm]

The Sun Belt is like the island of misfit toys. A mishmash of schools who want to be D-1, but couldn't find a conference so they ended up together just so they can say they are FBS football. I feel sorry for athletes in some of the other non revenue sports who travel like they do with that crazy geography.

There's something funny about a fan of a Patriot League team saying this about a conference. It sounds exactly like the type of elitism the lower-tier conferences of the FCS resent and try to fight. At least the Sun Belt offers the maximum number of scholarships allowed by their subdivision.

I'm honestly pretty befuddled that people single out the Sun Belt for ridicule like they do. Marshall and Nevada won the MAC and WAC in their first years in the FBS, but the Sun Belt is terrible because Georgia Southern and App State can compete right away in it? Also, it's terrible for App to lose to Liberty (arguably a top-10 FCS team last year), but no one mentions the Conference USA runner up losing to Northwestern State?

BTW, for the talk about the Mountain West... the lowly Sun Belt's 4th place team beat Utah State in Logan, and the ULL team that App State abused in Lafayette beat Nevada by 2 touchdowns and it wasn't that close.

The Sun Belt isn't in a tier by itself, the gap between the best of the FCS and the G5 is a myth. I've said this on AGS for years and I'm now more convinced than ever. So yeah, of course NDSU can compete in the FBS, and not just NDSU.

What? You're leapfrogging the noticeable gap within FBS itself. Anecdotal evidence aside.

[clenz]

The WAC was garbage, there's a reason it doesn't exist anymore. Good FBS leagues don't fold because they can't keep whatever bright spot they may have.
The Marshall teams of the late 90s were not a MAC or FCS team. They were loaded with highly ranked and recruited transfers. Notice that once they worked out of the system Marshall fell off pretty hard...that also coincided with them moving to a better conference, at that time.

The MAC of today is significantly better than the MAC of a decade ago.



Liberty was not a top 10 team last year. Don't kid yourself into maki g up lies to support a point your efforting

[Pwns]

Why is tha MAC better now than when it had Temple and UCF? Because they have teams that play pitiful non-conference schedules and get ranked? Like that 2012 Akron team that got beat by Arkansas State team or the NIU team from that same year whose non-conference opponents had 2 or 3 FBS wins combined? Heck I feel sure Georgia Southern could've gotten a ranking with that schedule.

The WAC doesn't exist anymore because the Mountain West took most its teams, the same league people are now calling an exemplary G5 league.

Also, name me 10 teams in the FCS you can be confident were better than Liberty. That's really beside the point though because they were definitely better than Northwestern State.

[clenz]

10 teams better than Liberty last year?

NDSU
Illinois State
Northern Iowa
South Dakota State
Coastal Carolina
New Hampshire,
Jacksonville State
Eastern Washington
Sam Houston State
Villanova
Harvard
Montana
Richmond
Indiana State
Sorry...you only asked for 10. I'll stop

Liberty got a BIG record boost from the Big South