I originally tried to post the following synopsis on packers1992 thread, but blew the spacing and ruined the thread. Sorry about that...hopefully this is useful. Here are a few thoughts on how the potential conferences break down:
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Big Sky Lots of questions here. UM has new HC Stitt, and EWU has to replace Vernon Adams at QB. MSU is highly touted seemingly every year, but never seems to deliver. UM gets EWU in Missoula, and usually owns MSU. Idaho St is getting some respect with HC Mike Kramer, but they NEVER deliver. Ever. I would bet Cal Poly to finish higher than ISU. Everyone else will be hard pressed to compete physically with the top 3. Pick: UM #1 EWU#2 and an at large bid could go to the Cats or Cal Poly.
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Big South Liberty under Turner Gill as HC is getting some love in the preseason poles, but this conference is strong nor deep. Coastal Carolina is a team that is on the uptick, and one that has become competitive very quickly. IF CC can wrangle a few home playoff games, then they could easily be playing for all of the marbles. Coastal Carolina #1 by a lot.
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Colonial The CAA is deep every year...this league is tough to call, and in years past when they produce a break away winner, the CAA usually plays for it all. The CAA will likely send 4 or five teams to the FCS playoffs this season.....Villanova has a 1st team AA QB returning, while New Hampshire barely lost to Illinois St in the semis last season...they roll a stout defense. Delaware will continue to slide without HC Keeler, but James Madison and Richmond look to build on solid seasons in 2014. I would not be surprised if a CAA team that I have not mentioned gets an at large bid...the pollsters love the CAA. Villanova returns a 1st team AA Peyton Award winner in QB Robertson. At the FCS level a dominate QB is huge for me.... Villanova #1, New Hampshire #2... James Madison has QB Vad Lee (of G-tech) returning, and Maine returns 3 AA's. Deep league.
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Missouri Valley The MVC is tough. Huge respect for NDSU.......Illinois State is very good....UNI is always competitive. South Dakota St is cycling up with a bunch of returners and a creative coaching staff. The upper Midwest turns out some damn tough football players. Youngstown State hired Bo Pelini...and they wind up in the preseason top 25. 5 teams in the preseason top 25? Wow. I have gone on record stating that NDSU has a tougher schedule than in the past, and will not be as dominate. BUT they still will be good. Illinois St QB Tre Robinson is not even a preseason AA...what? No one will agree with me here, but I am looking for a huge year out of Illinois St......huge enough to win the MVC. Illinois St #1 NDSU #2 SDSU #3, UNI #4.....YSU will be hanging around for an at-large bid. Again, this league could send as many as 5 to the FCS playoffs.
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Northeastern Again, this conference is the FCS of the FCS. Take your pick.
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Ohio Valley The Ohio valley conference has a tradition of playing a decent brand of football, but not top tier...this was evident 2 years ago when a highly ranked Eastern Illinois team was bounced from the playoffs at home by upstart Towson...not even Jimmy Garappolo could save them. Last season Jacksonville St received a 3 seed and was bounced at home by SHSU. This season JSU is a top 10 squad and Eastern Kentucky is ranked #17. Again, my knowledge on this league is limited...I would take either Jax St or Eastern Kentucky. IF the records are good, then both teams go.
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Patriot League See #7....conference winner will get the bid and that is it.....first round matchup against the N'eastern winner, and then eliminated harshly.
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Pioneer League Another one and done......last season I sat in the stands for the first round matchup between Montana and the San Diego Toreros....it was bad....52-14 route. Physically, there just isnt any way.......take your pick.
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Southern Chattanooga is getting big respect @ #8......based mostly off of last season's showing. The Southern conference is tough in that IF they have a team that can become highly ranked and have a great draw to host a few playoff games, then they can find themselves deep in the playoffs. It looks like the only team that can make up that kind of ground is Chattanooga. This will be decided in the first game of the season vs Jacksonville St....the winner of that game has a big leg up on getting a good seed and hosting a few playoff games.
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Southland South Eastern Louisiana and Sam Houston St are the big dogs here....and the rest are little dogs...real little. SELA loses Oregon transfer QB Bennett this season, although they underachieved with him at the helm....SHSU looked like a pop warner team @ NDSU last season in the Fargo Dome, but HC Keeler has a knack of building a program....I would pick SHSU to win the league rather easily, but SELA's schedule is easy. Both teams should make the playoffs.