NDSU, App, and GS were peer programs when App and GS left FCS. NDSU would likely compete and rise to the level App and GS did if they move up, which (except for the cluster f--k GS's coaching was this year) is pretty darned good.

E22's comments about home field and seeding is right on the money though. What happened last night really puts Georgia Southern's "big 3" record home winning streaks into perspective though. The separate 39 and 38 game home winning streaks are impressive enough, but when you factor a home playoff winning streak of +/- 30 games covering 16 years into it, it really stands out.

lets be honest, the NCAA and ESPN are desperate to attract attention to the FCS season/playoffs, NDSU is pretty much all they got every year in terms of a national audience willing to watch the playoffs, so of course their going to be shown alitte favoritism, and give them as many home playoffs games as possible, its just good business. Now, my comments are a general assessments, I have not kept up with any FCS teams, so I have no idea if NDSU deserved the no.1 seating this year, or in past years, but the bottom line is they have earned the title of greatest FCS program, and the NCAA was/is hoping they continue their remarkable run, and if they help them out alittle bit to keep people watching the playoffs, then so be it.

(12-17-2016 08:24 AM)moehler Wrote:  lets be honest, the NCAA and ESPN are desperate to attract attention to the FCS season/playoffs, NDSU is pretty much all they got every year in terms of a national audience willing to watch the playoffs, so of course their going to be shown a litte favoritism, and give them as many home playoffs games as possible, its just good business. Now, my comments are a general assessments, I have not kept up with any FCS teams, so I have no idea if NDSU deserved the no.1 seating this year, or in past years, but the bottom line is they have earned the title of greatest FCS program, and the NCAA was/is hoping they continue their remarkable run, and if they help them out alittle bit to keep people watching the playoffs, then so be it.

Greatest 5 year run? Yes, no question.

Greatest team? 6>5, 8 top 2 finishes, 13 top 4 finishes, 2 longest home winning streaks, longest home winning playoff streak, most playoff wins beg to differ.

I'll say this though in their defense, their 2013 team was right there in the discussion for all time greatest 1-AA team. Look at their record, stats, and point
differential that year- greatness by any measure.

NDSU should be glad that game wasn't in Harrisonburg. JMU would have blown their doors off on their own field. All of those false start penalties on that 1 player killed them most of the night

I watched the game. Slow, small, and no depth. Compete, maybe. Destroy, hell no.

This is coming from an App guy who had some similar thoughts as this guy after our 3 NC run.

There is a big step from the best in FCS to the best in the Sunbelt.

NDSU could make the move and maybe dominate after a two or three year transition period. They could also make the move and fall on their face. Step up and roll the dice!

NDSU thinks they're tough but there is literally zero competition left in the FCS so their title run isn't as impressive as GS and App's.

(12-17-2016 09:25 AM)southcharlotteapp Wrote:  I watched the game. Slow, small, and no depth. Compete, maybe. Destroy, hell no.

This is coming from an App guy who had some similar thoughts as this guy after our 3 NC run.

There is a big step from the best in FCS to the best in the Sunbelt.

NDSU could make the move and maybe dominate after a two or three year transition period. They could also make the move and fall on their face. Step up and roll the dice!

I was shocked to see the size of the players.. are we that far removed from FCS play to see the drastic size difference? NDSU's line looked small.

well, GS and App, maybe a couple of other teams can atleast make a case for the greatest FCS program, but my opinion, and again its just my feeling, I have put zero effort in my conclusion, that NDSU is the greatest program, not only because they won a record 6? championships in a row, but they have won probably in that 6 year period, more games against FBS programs, and some quality programs, KSU, Iowa than App and GS did during the run in the FCS , yes, I know we beat Michigan, but the reality is we got our asses kicked a lot more often than we won. I will say this in App/GS defense, NDSU has made their run in an FCS that doesn't seem have nearly the same quality of programs when App/GS were dominate. Losing both of us to the FBS has helped clear the way for NDSU, and I might be way off base here, but it just seems that the traditional FCS dominate programs have had a drop in quality the last 10 years, and other than NDSU, no one really stepped in to fill the void, again, just observation, could be totally wrong.

(12-17-2016 09:25 AM)southcharlotteapp Wrote:  I watched the game. Slow, small, and no depth. Compete, maybe. Destroy, hell no.

This is coming from an App guy who had some similar thoughts as this guy after our 3 NC run.

There is a big step from the best in FCS to the best in the Sunbelt.

NDSU could make the move and maybe dominate after a two or three year transition period. They could also make the move and fall on their face. Step up and roll the dice!

unfortunately, we may never know if they could have success at the FBS level, their basically in the same boat as Idaho, there just isn't a FBS conference close enough that makes the travel cost, and lack of market worth inviting them. Nothing is guaranteed, but I don't see them leaving the FCS anytime soon.

Still a FCS fan myself and watch a number of games when I get the chance. Over the last three years is when I've noticed a decent drop off in programs. CAA, SoCon and BigSky have all had down years. They're returning to form, but the last 10 years has been harsh on FCS after losing some key schools who almost always made the playoffs.

(12-17-2016 09:32 AM)TheEagleWay Wrote:  

(12-17-2016 09:25 AM)southcharlotteapp Wrote:  I watched the game. Slow, small, and no depth. Compete, maybe. Destroy, hell no.

This is coming from an App guy who had some similar thoughts as this guy after our 3 NC run.

There is a big step from the best in FCS to the best in the Sunbelt.

NDSU could make the move and maybe dominate after a two or three year transition period. They could also make the move and fall on their face. Step up and roll the dice!

I was shocked to see the size of the players.. are we that far removed from FCS play to see the drastic size difference? NDSU's line looked small.

Yes. It's noticeable almost immediately.

NDSU's FBS streak is more about them getting up for bigger opponents. Stick them in the Sun Belt, and it's not the same fight that you get out of them against P5 teams.

Lot easier to play against 1 P5 school a year and get away with it, playing a full FBS schedule takes its toll on players body's..... with that said i do think NDSU has built a great foundation kinda like App or GS.. WKU played Alabama this year and it effected us for the next 5 games trying to get kids healthy again , we was competitive but we paid the price for it... FCS to FBS is a different beast especially if you play better competition

(12-17-2016 09:55 AM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Still a FCS fan myself and watch a number of games when I get the chance. Over the last three years is when I've noticed a decent drop off in programs. CAA, SoCon and BigSky have all had down years. They're returning to form, but the last 10 years has been harsh on FCS after losing some key schools who almost always made the playoffs.

I want to know what the Heck ever happened to Furman. They were a top 10 to top 5 program from the late 80's to mid 2000's, and now they are almost a doormat in a SoCon with no more Marshall, Georgia Southern, or App State. They don't even have to deal with an Elon team that had a good four year or so run anymore.

I want NDSU to join the MVC just to see the interaction between Wichita State and NDSU fans. Two of the most arrogant full of themselves fan bases.

(12-17-2016 11:53 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(12-17-2016 09:55 AM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Still a FCS fan myself and watch a number of games when I get the chance. Over the last three years is when I've noticed a decent drop off in programs. CAA, SoCon and BigSky have all had down years. They're returning to form, but the last 10 years has been harsh on FCS after losing some key schools who almost always made the playoffs.

I want to know what the Heck ever happened to Furman. They were a top 10 to top 5 program from the late 80's to mid 2000's, and now they are almost a doormat in a SoCon with no more Marshall, Georgia Southern, or App State. They don't even have to deal with an Elon team that had a good four year or so run anymore.

I believe Eagle22 can provide some decent insight into the Furman situation.

NDSU would win the Sun Belt almost every year. They already win a better league year in and year out.

(12-17-2016 02:50 PM)Redbird Ray Wrote:  NDSU would win the Sun Belt almost every year. They already win a better league year in and year out.

Haha. These little jr. high fans like talking smack with the big boys.

How cute?

(12-17-2016 02:50 PM)Redbird Ray Wrote:  NDSU would win the Sun Belt almost every year. They already win a better league year in and year out.

Awe...Illinois State smack. How cute.

I think they'd beat literally every team in the conference to be honest.

(12-17-2016 03:15 PM)asuwon Wrote:  

(12-17-2016 02:50 PM)Redbird Ray Wrote:  NDSU would win the Sun Belt almost every year. They already win a better league year in and year out.

Haha. These little jr. high fans like talking smack with the big boys.

How cute?

What big boys? This isn't the big 10 lol