I believe the 3rd down percentage for both offense and defence will improve if for no other reason than we are exchanging Iowa and Charleston Southern for MVSU and Robert Morris. I dont put much stock in year to year stat comparisons for this reason. The schedule last year was impressive. Playing that level of competition has a significant effect on 3rd down efficiency on both sides of the ball.
You are correct. The conference 3rd down percentages were down. Conference standings however, remained the same. Glass half full.
STATS article on Fox - 25 top FCS games next season
#1 being NDSU at SDSU Nov 4th
http://www.foxsports.com/college-foo...-in-fcs-060217
Bison also show up at
#9 - Northern Iowa
#17 - Youngstown State
#23 - Illinois State
2016: NDSU converted 41.7% on 3rd down. Opponents converted 42.6%
2015: NDSU converted 51.8% on 3rd down. Opponents converted 29.5%
Let's hope 2016 was an aberration because the 2016 stats look like what I'd expect from a .500 team. 2015 looks like an undefeated conference champ.
Preseason top 25:
https://athlonsports.com/college-foo...cs-top-25-2017
The white jerseys are the best. Don't even bother to argue.
this 1st batch was the top 25 FCS Conference games, Craig Haley followed it with the top 12 non-conference FCS games
http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.as...ec&tm=&src=FCS
NDSU also at #1 here, with the road game at Eastern Washington on Sept 9th.
Craig Haley must be getting ready to go on vacay, putting out all these articles in early June, clears his desk.....
Tweets related to the Top 25 list
Craig Haley @CraigHaley 22m22 minutes ago
Potential regret for preseason #FCS Top 25? Northern Iowa, Albany ...
Craig Haley @CraigHaley 28m28 minutes ago
I think SDSU @GoJacksFB is clear No. 3 for preseaso
Craig Haley @CraigHaley 28m28 minutes ago
No right or wrong answer for preseason #FCS No. 1: @JMUFootball or @NDSUfootball. Most may say defending champs.