Phil Steele's FCS Top 40

[Professor Chaos]

This should get a few people going:

1) SAM HOUSTON ST
2) JAMES MADISON
3) MONTANA ST
4) YOUNGSTOWN ST
5) WOFFORD
6) NORTH DAKOTA ST
7) EASTERN WASHINGTON
8) TOWSON
9) STONY BROOK
10) GEORGIA SOUTHERN
11) NEW HAMPSHIRE
12) DELAWARE
13) STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
14) NORTHERN ARI ZONA
15) NORTHERN IOWA
16) APPALACHIAN ST
17) EASTERN KENTUCKY
18) LEHIGH
19) OLD DOMINION
20) MONTANA
21) ILLINOIS ST
22) SOUTH CAROLINA ST
23) HARVARD
24) JACKSONVILLE ST
25) ALABAMA ST
26) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
27) MCNEESE ST
28) GRAMBLING ST
29) CHATTANOOGA
30) MAINE
31) CENTRAL ARKANSAS
32) MURRAY ST
33) INDIANA ST
34) WILLIAM & MARY
35) PENN
36) NORFOLK ST
37) DUQUESNE
38) UT MARTIN
39) LIBERTY
40) HOLY CROSS

Btw, he had NDSU at 20th to start last season (which was significantly lower than where they were ranked in the "major" polls) so it looks like he hasn't learned his lesson yet.

[344Johnson]

Rating system is flawed. North Dakota was left off the list.

[Bison03]

Wow, east coast bias a bit?

[Civil06]

James Madison better be much improved if he thinks they're #2. I'd put them about 12-15. I only got that far before deciding I couldn't fix this hot mess.

[heffray]

This should get a few people going...

In all seriousness, whether you think that NDSU should be 1, or 2, or even top 5, this is the first poll I've seen that has another MVFC team above the Bison. I mean, come on... REALLY? I don' t know this Phil Steele guy, but man, he looks pretty stupid.

[HoopsBison]

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

[onbison09]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ok- Butt-head voice. I don't know if bulletin material works but if it does, this would qualify

[GradBison]

He actually has SIU ranked.... and 7 spots above InSU. That's all.

[dragonsfan]

second post you guys mention und, at least us at msum have moved on from concordia being our football rival, geez.
Rating system is flawed. North Dakota was left off the list.

[onbison09]

second post you guys mention und, at least us at msum have moved on from concordia being our football rival, geez.

You know what purple font means? And for what it's worth, here's the page on NDSU. Seems pretty high on us. Don't get it https://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012/2012FCSNDSt.pdf

[heffray]

second post you guys mention und, at least us at msum have moved on from concordia being our football rival, geez.

That's an outstanding comparison. Nice job.

[heffray]

You know what purple font means? And for what it's worth, here's the page on NDSU. Seems pretty high on us. Don't get it https://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012/2012FCSNDSt.pdf

Don't bother with this chumbalone.

[dragonsfan]

thanks haffrey, msum would destroy the yuppie beanie's at concordia in football. move on like we have please.

[heffray]

thanks haffrey, msum would destroy the yuppie beanie's at concordia in football. move on like we have please.

Yeah, the difference is that we have one of the oldest rivalries in college sports. It's pretty widely known in the state of ND and most of the surrounding area. I, for one, had no idea that there was so big a rivarly between MSUM and Concordia. So, that should put it in perspective for you.

I hate UND, and I'm not going to move on. Post somewhere else if you are going to try and tell a fanbase of superior quality than your own what to do.

[ndsubison1]

In all seriousness, whether you think that NDSU should be 1, or 2, or even top 5, this is the first poll I've seen that has another MVFC team above the Bison. I mean, come on... REALLY? I don' t know this Phil Steele guy, but man, he looks pretty stupid.

it could happen. they return just about everybody. beat us last year and have a legit shot at winning the conference

[JSUBison]

Montana State at #3 is a bigger joke than NDSU at #6.

[344Johnson]

Montana State at #3 is a bigger joke than NDSU at #6.

Montana St reminds me a lot of Notre Dame while Quinn was there. Beat up on the teams they were supposed to, get pounded in games against top competition.

[ndsubison1]

You know what purple font means? And for what it's worth, here's the page on NDSU. Seems pretty high on us. Don't get it https://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012/2012FCSNDSt.pdf

he said a sizeable drop off from last year would not surprise at LB. we will pick up right where we left off there. Evans was a great run stopper and plugging holes but Olson is a better overall LB imo. Beck will only get better and Littlejohn is a star in the making. We may not have the same depth but we'll be fine there.

[reformedUNDfan]

he said a sizeable drop off from last year would not surprise at LB. we will pick up right where we left off there. Evans was a great run stopper and plugging holes but Olson is a better overall LB imo. Beck will only get better and Littlejohn is a star in the making. We may not have the same depth but we'll be fine there.

jemison is a more than capable backup as well. Linebacker should be fine.

[bajadanny]

NDSU will have to earn all the respect we deserve, just a matter of time and guys like steel will wake up, msu# 3 wow, what have they done ????? bunch of qb hype going on here, can't wait until they come to Fargo and there hype guy will be a senior and we will send him back west knowing the hype was hype

[tcbison]

Montana State at #3 is a bigger joke than NDSU at #6.

I would welcome a game against Montana State anytime. I think the result would be very similar to the last time we played them.

[MNLonghorn10]

Only ranking justified here is ysu @4
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[Herd]

Let's Play . . . "On Something" or "Onto Something"? Which is it?

Steele's Magazine has more detail and incite than any other pulication out there. He doen't care if you were #1 or #119 last year, he just calls it like he sees it for 2012, and the players you have returning. Now I agree . . . it was tipped a little to the right, or the East Coast. Certainly no love for the 2011 accomplishments of our bison, but then again, 2012 is 2012.

I say . . . "Onto Something", Youngstown is a good example, along with his rating of Montana and Big Sky overall. He certainly had more love for the Valley with 6 of 40 vs. 4 of 40 in the Sky, even with their new 50 team conference.

[Bison"FANatic"]

New year what we did last year does not count for anything now when the guys suite up on Saturdays. It is one of the reason they are not allowed to wear championship gear while working out.

If this guy sees it this way well I guess it is his right.

Our defense was and should continue to be kick ass but we have holes on the offensive line, we have not been able to handle a 3-4 D without Richards at center, a unproven receiving core, a offense that down right looks anemic at times, it got the job done last year but I would not want to be in a shoot out game if our D takes a step back or the opposing offenses figure out a plan to pick on our D. We know we have coaches in place but we did lose the D coordinator from that D, I think we should be ok with Klieman as D coordinator but if Hazelton was here, it would not be think, it would be know as he had already proven himself. (It should be as seamless as it can be with the way it all played out but you never know. Yes we won the championship last year but we can't forget we needed a fake punt and a pick off taken to the 1 yard line to score our two touchdowns in the game. This year is going to be a fight and if you step back and look at it objectively things are looking good but there are a lot of unanswered questions, mainly on the offensive side of the ball. It is going to be a fun year and hopefully all goes well but it is no slam dunk.

[Bison"FANatic"]

.....................

[NDSUstudent]

Only ranking justified here is ysu @4
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Not even sure about that, last year they had they had a playoff spot all but sealed and then they crapped the bed vs Missouri State at home. I'd like to see some more consistency from a top 10 team, let alone a top 5 team.

[BisonNeil]

Sure a lot of panties in a bundle about the #6 ranking. Wow...

As has been said, PS puts a lot of stock into the number of returning starters, and the Bison are relatively low in the department. SHSU on the other hand have nearly everyone back as does James Madison. I am not bothered by the two of them being at the top. SHSU dominated our offense (as we did theirs) and JMU scored more points against us than all the other teams put together in the playoffs. PS probably respects that.

I agree though, YSU above NDSU is fraudulent, and SIU after two losing seasons in the top 50 is downright insane.

But, in the end, who really GAFF?

[Hammerhead]

Does it really matter where we are in the pre-season rankings? Everything will settle out by November.

[Loud and Proud Bison fan]

Everything is settled on the field. I can truthfully say, I have not been to a practice or a skimmage yet. Last year, was last year. The Bison are still # 1 in my heart.. and thats the only poll that matters to me until November.

[reformedUNDfan]

Sure a lot of panties in a bundle about the #6 ranking. Wow...

As has been said, PS puts a lot of stock into the number of returning starters, and the Bison are relatively low in the department. SHSU on the other hand have nearly everyone back as does James Madison. I am not bothered by the two of them being at the top. SHSU dominated our offense (as we did theirs) and JMU scored more points against us than all the other teams put together in the playoffs. PS probably respects that.

I agree though, YSU above NDSU is fraudulent, and SIU after two losing seasons in the top 50 is downright insane.

But, in the end, who really GAFF?

i think siu was a top 50 team last year. They played a brutal schedule, and came short repeatedly. respectable performances against ole miss, uni, and ndsu

[CaBisonFan]

The polls are fun to look at.

There's a 3-game stretch with UNI, Youngstown, and Indiana State that holds the key to our season.

And the key to our season is home playoffs.

[ndsubison1]

Does it really matter where we are in the pre-season rankings? Everything will settle out by November.

no but its fun to talk and debate about

[NDSUstudent]

I know SHSU returns a lot but does anyone pay attention to their schedule? Only three home games, one neutral site game and they also have games vs Texas A&M and Baylor. They may have the best team with what they have coming back playerwise but IMO that schedule will have them on the road in the playoffs...

[BisoninNWMN]

Sure a lot of panties in a bundle about the #6 ranking. Wow...

As has been said, PS puts a lot of stock into the number of returning starters, and the Bison are relatively low in the department. SHSU on the other hand have nearly everyone back as does James Madison. I am not bothered by the two of them being at the top. SHSU dominated our offense (as we did theirs) and JMU scored more points against us than all the other teams put together in the playoffs. PS probably respects that.

I agree though, YSU above NDSU is fraudulent, and SIU after two losing seasons in the top 50 is downright insane.

But, in the end, who really GAFF?


Really? What do you consider "relatively low?"

Everyone that is listed on his defensive chart started or played significant minutes except CB Andre Martin. With how much guys rotate in, they could all be classified as returning starters...on defense that is. 7 on offense return.

[KC Bison]

If we all could just accept the fact that the Colonial Conference is the SEC of FCS, we could more easily accept these rankings and appreciate that last year's National Champion got ranked as high as 6th place.

[344Johnson]

If we all could just accept the fact that the Colonial Conference is the SEC of FCS, we could more easily accept these rankings and appreciate that last year's National Champion got ranked as high as 6th place.

And the SoCon is the Big 12?

[BisonNeil]

Really? What do you consider "relatively low?"

Everyone that is listed on his defensive chart started or played significant minutes except CB Andre Martin. With how much guys rotate in, they could all be classified as returning starters...on defense that is. 7 on offense return.

Significant minutes don't mean squat to Steele or anyone elses rankings. It's who started last year and who is back.

Returning starters of defense include:
Perry
Drevlow
Emanuel
Beck
Heagle
Dudzik
Williams

Offense:
Jensen
Lund
Gimmestad
Turner
Grothmann
Smith

That gives me 13, maybe I missed someone, but out of 24 starters (including specialists), that's just over 50%. Pollsters consitently rank the best teams from the previous year when they have 2/3 or more of their starter returning. So by those standards, yes, it's low. There are exceptions of course, but that is the reality. I am not saying I agree, but that is the way it is. And if you want to twist and turn in the wind because some football guru ranked NDSU #6 instead of #1, knock yourself out.

[reformedUNDfan]

Significant minutes don't mean squat to Steele or anyone elses rankings. It's who started last year and who is back.

Returning starters of defense include:
Perry
Drevlow
Emanuel
Beck
Williams
Dudzik
Williams

Offense:
Jensen
Lund
Gimmestad
Turner
Grothmann
Smith

That gives me 13, maybe I missed someone, but out of 24 starters (including specialists), that's just over 50%. Pollsters consitently rank the best teams from the previous year when they have 2/3 or more of their starter returning. So by those standards, yes, it's low. There are exceptions of course, but that is the reality. I am not saying I agree, but that is the way it is. And if you want to twist and turn in the wind because some football guru ranked NDSU #6 instead of #1, knock yourself out.

heagle, whoever else was playing wr last year other than smith and holloway. you also listed williams twice.

[BisoninNWMN]

Significant minutes don't mean squat to Steele or anyone elses rankings. It's who started last year and who is back.

Returning starters of defense include:
Perry
Drevlow
Emanuel
Beck
Heagle
Dudzik
Williams

Offense:
Jensen
Lund
Gimmestad
Turner
Grothmann
Smith

That gives me 13, maybe I missed someone, but out of 24 starters (including specialists), that's just over 50%. Pollsters consitently rank the best teams from the previous year when they have 2/3 or more of their starter returning. So by those standards, yes, it's low. There are exceptions of course, but that is the reality. I am not saying I agree, but that is the way it is. And if you want to twist and turn in the wind because some football guru ranked NDSU #6 instead of #1, knock yourself out.


Even by your #s, I still wouldn't consider alittle over 50%...."relatively low"....but whatever.

PS's goes by last year's starters...that is fine...then we have 13 returning. I consider us having more returning starters with how much most of these guys played.

[LITTLEGUYSINGREEN]

thanks haffrey, msum would destroy the yuppie beanie's at concordia in football. move on like we have please.

Dragons.....Cobbers????????????

Who gives a Sh!#!!!!!!!!

Go away you insignificant little fool.

[penguinpower]

I think that you guys are going to be good again this year (as usual). YSU has added a lot to the defensive side of the ball. They scrimmaged today and held the offense to only 2 TD's and only 2 plays over 10 yards. One of the two over 10 yards ended up going the other way. They appear to be very much improved. Played consistent all day. All 17 starters on offense have returned. I have a feeling YSU is going to be hell on wheels this year. Just like the old days.

[JustinTyem]

I think that you guys are going to be good again this year (as usual). YSU has added a lot to the defensive side of the ball. They scrimmaged today and held the offense to only 2 TD's and only 2 plays over 10 yards. One of the two over 10 yards ended up going the other way. They appear to be very much improved. Played consistent all day. All 17 starters on offense have returned. I have a feeling YSU is going to be hell on wheels this year. Just like the old days.Either am I smoking some wacky tobacky and there are 17 players that start or somebody spiked the peguins Kool Aide !!!!!

[MNLonghorn10]

there seemed like there was 17 guys on offense the day ndsu lost to them last year.

[penguinpower]

Either am I smoking some wacky tobacky and there are 17 players that start or somebody spiked the peguins Kool Aide !!!!!

That was supposed to be an 11.

[344Johnson]

If YSU can figure out some consistency like we seemed to finally figure out last season they can be some bigger trouble in the Valley than they already were last season.

[HandoEX]

YSU has talent all over, except at Head Coach.

[cbline]

I'm glad that the Penguins have to travel back to Fargo this fall. A home game sounds much better than traveling to their place this year.

[CAS4127]

it could happen. they return just about everybody. beat us last year and have a legit shot at winning the conference

Yep, they beat us last year on our home field late in the season when we were ranked #1 in the country I believe--so I can stomach the ranking.

Keep in mind, however, that we had a DJ touchdown run unforced fumble, and I believe Mwill dropped two relatively easy interceptions--just sayin'!!

[Bison Dan]

Yep, they beat us last year on our home field late in the season when we were ranked #1 in the country I believe--so I can stomach the ranking.

Keep in mind, however, that we had a DJ touchdown run unforced fumble, and I believe Mwill dropped two relatively easy interceptions--just sayin'!!It seemed like the team was out of sync that game. Plus their qb could do no wrong. The DJ fumble was a back breaker.