#6 CAA
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17648
Finished 2018 outside all three polls: Stats, CSM, and Hero.
Everything went wrong for New Hampshire last season. The program had made 14 straight playoff appearances until last year.
Moderators: rtb, kmax, SonomaCat
Everything went wrong for New Hampshire last season. The program had made 14 straight playoff appearances until last year.
Duquesne returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. And once there, the Dukes managed to knock off Towson to earn their first ever playoff win. That will be the main goal again in 2019, but it may not be as easy as it looks to win the expanded NEC and earn an automatic spot in the playoffs.
Monmouth has had a couple very good seasons. In 2017 they made the playoffs and last season they just missed out with an 8-3 record. In Big South play it has been Kennesaw State that has stood in their way. That may be the case again in 2019, but the Hawks have the offensive talent to again push for a playoff spot, even if they finish second in the Big South again.
Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
NAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
And the thought of playing football in Tucson or Tempe in August is nauseating. But a kid can go to Flagstaff and play in temps 20-30 degrees cooler, then play inside when it gets cold. With the right program I think they could be stealing a few guys from ASU, UA, and even from Colorado and CA. NAU is a sleeping giant and one of these days they're going to blow up.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
Ball was my #1 choice to replace Ash, I have since seen the error of my ways.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
I wonder why a DC for an FBS school would make what most people would consider a downward career move. I think NAU probably has enough money to pay him close to what Memphis did. If it’s not money, the FBS position would seemingly open more doors for him than a BSC head coach.RobertCats wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 2:39 pmBall was my #1 choice to replace Ash, I have since seen the error of my ways.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 5:58 pmI wonder why a DC for an FBS school would make what most people would consider a downward career move. I think NAU probably has enough money to pay him close to what Memphis did. If it’s not money, the FBS position would seemingly open more doors for him than a BSC head coach.RobertCats wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 2:39 pmBall was my #1 choice to replace Ash, I have since seen the error of my ways.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
It seems to me you have more of a chance to affect your future by being the guy in charge at an FCS school. As a coordinator at a middling FBS school you're mostly dependent on the success of the program, which is dictated by the head coach's success. I'd want to bet on myself to go be the guy in charge and make a bigger impact if the ultimate goal is to be a HC at the highest level.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 5:58 pmI wonder why a DC for an FBS school would make what most people would consider a downward career move. I think NAU probably has enough money to pay him close to what Memphis did. If it’s not money, the FBS position would seemingly open more doors for him than a BSC head coach.RobertCats wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 2:39 pmBall was my #1 choice to replace Ash, I have since seen the error of my ways.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
South Dakota has been very inconsistent during Coach Bob Nielson’s three year tenure leading the program. In 2017 the Coyotes made the playoffs, but the two other seasons South Dakota finished a disappointing 4-7. They will hope 2019 will be less like 2018 and more like 2017.
Returning Leader: Passing: Austin Simmons, QB, 3,124 yards
codecat wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:32 am#31 South Dakota FCS Football-2019 Preview (Coyotes)
#6 Missouri Valley
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17660
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.
[/quoteSouth Dakota has been very inconsistent during Coach Bob Nielson’s three year tenure leading the program. In 2017 the Coyotes made the playoffs, but the two other seasons South Dakota finished a disappointing 4-7. They will hope 2019 will be less like 2018 and more like 2017.
Returning Leader: Passing: Austin Simmons, QB, 3,124 yards
I notice they are predicted to start 0-2. I don't think so with their secondary and that offense, but who knows?
North Dakota got off to a strong start in 2018. They were 5-2, with one of those losses coming against Washington, and were in a very good position to get into the playoffs. However, the Fighting Hawks lost three of their last four games and finished with a disappointing 6-5 record.
Delaware finally made the playoffs again in 2018 after an eight year absence. They lost to James Madison in the first round, but it was still a big step in the right direction. Coach Danny Rocco has a lot of big holes to fill this season, but he has also been bringing in very strong recruiting classes and the hopes remain high heading into 2019.
The Phoenix Metro area is about 1,000,000 people larger than the Seattle Metro area (4.8 million to 3.9 million), while Tucson has a metro area of 1 million compared to 570,000 for Spokane. This should give NAU an advantage at least in recruiting pool, but the on field results haven't materialized in the past 20 seasons.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
Didn't realize Spokane was that large. Was thinking 400000 or so... No wonder I don't like it theregrizband wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:28 pmThe Phoenix Metro area is about 1,000,000 people larger than the Seattle Metro area (4.8 million to 3.9 million), while Tucson has a metro area of 1 million compared to 570,000 for Spokane. This should give NAU an advantage at least in recruiting pool, but the on field results haven't materialized in the past 20 seasons.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
I think Souers did a lot well there, but the football team was handicapped by his low upside. I think a lot of people will be surprised if NAU really steps it up under this new coach. If that happens they'll be right where they should be (in my judgment), but I can see a lot of people not expecting it or being surprised.grizband wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:28 pmThe Phoenix Metro area is about 1,000,000 people larger than the Seattle Metro area (4.8 million to 3.9 million), while Tucson has a metro area of 1 million compared to 570,000 for Spokane. This should give NAU an advantage at least in recruiting pool, but the on field results haven't materialized in the past 20 seasons.Cledus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:50 amNAU should be a lot better than they are. The similarities to EWU are almost identical. Any local talent who doesn't get on with ASU or UA should be snapped up by NAU. You would think. I think the populations of each state are about similar. Phoenix and Seattle are very similar in population. Tucson is probably close to double Spokane, but not quite. The enrollment at NAU is 25,000+, which I think is quite a bit higher than EWU.codecat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:07 am#32 Northern Arizona FCS Football-2019 Preview (Lumberjacks)
#6 Big Sky
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17657
Finished 2018 outside Stats, CSM, and Hero polls.Northern Arizona suffered through a difficult, injury-prone 2018 campaign. New coach Chris Ball should bring the defensive intensity that this team needs. He spent the last three seasons as Memphis’ defensive coordinator and will add a much needed boost to the defense.
If this new coach is any good, NAU could be a new conference powerhouse in a few years or sooner.
The Bottom Line:
The landscape in the Southland Conference changed last season. In the recent past it has been all about Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State. Last year Nicholls won the regular season title and Incarnate Word and Lamar both made their playoff debuts. UCA plays those three playoff teams on the road. The competition is getting tougher and the conference seems to be much more balanced. That will again make it difficult for Central Arkansas to reach seven wins and have a chance at returning to the playoffs.
This will hit them a bit I think:codecat wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:38 am#28 Central Arkansas FCS Football-2019 Preview (Bears)
#4 Southland
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17669
Finished 2018 outside Stats, Hero, and CSM polls.
The Bottom Line:
The landscape in the Southland Conference changed last season. In the recent past it has been all about Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State. Last year Nicholls won the regular season title and Incarnate Word and Lamar both made their playoff debuts. UCA plays those three playoff teams on the road. The competition is getting tougher and the conference seems to be much more balanced. That will again make it difficult for Central Arkansas to reach seven wins and have a chance at returning to the playoffs.