Daily Blog - Thursday, August 27th
Today we look at the FCS preseason polls, introduce a great website that follows FCS and other small schools, and much more in our blog! Written by Josh Buchanan.
| Coaches Preseason Top 25 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team (1st Place Votes) 1. Appalachian State (13) 2. Richmond (10) 3. Montana 4. Northern Iowa (1) 5. Villanova (1) 6. James Madison 7. Southern Illinois 8. New Hampshire 9. Weber State 10. Wofford 11. Elon 12. Central Arkansas 13. Cal Poly 14. William & Mary 15. McNeese State 16. South Carolina State 17. Eastern Washington 18. Massachusetts (1) T19. Jacksonville State T19. Maine 21. Texas State 22. Harvard 23. South Dakota State 24. Hofstra 25. Grambling State |
|
PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL COMPARISON
We have been comparing our list with the coaches and media polls and came up with the most underrated and overrated teams.
UNDERRATED (by coaches and media)
HOFSTRA
While I did not vote Hofstra in my top 25 for the media poll we had them #7 in the Phil Steele Top 40 and they were #24 in the coaches poll. They return many starters back from injury and could be a sleeper team this year that nobody else is projecting.
HOLY CROSS
We had them #13 in ours but they were only #29 in the coaches poll. HC could be a sleeper team with the return of QB Dominic Randolph and will go as far as he takes them.
GARDNER-WEBB
We had them #27 but they were not even listed in the coaches poll. They return several key performers from last year that make us feel that they could knock on the door of the top 25 this year.
OVERRATED
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
We had them #35 but the coaches voted them #12. With the loss of QB Nathan Brown and TE Marquez Branson to the NFL coupled with the loss of top receiver Willie Landers we see a great defense but they lack the firepower to win many shootouts.
CAL POLY
CP could be rated #13 based on past performance because we only have them #29. CP lost WR Ramses Barden to the NFL and QB Jonathan Dally and have several key holes to fill.
TEXAS STATE
TSU is not even listed in our top 40 but came in at #21 in the coaches poll. They have several tough games and only have two stars offensively in QB Bradley George and RB Karrington Bush.
PHIL STEELE HAS INFLUENCE?
It looks like we do as the coaches voted Hofstra #24 in their poll after going just 4-8 last season after we listed them #7. The media poll did not have them ranked but they were among those receiving votes. They were just picked 4th in the CAA North Division Preseason Poll (4th place in their own division!!).
JB SCOUTING ANNOUNCES PRESEASON WATCH LISTS
http://www.jbscouting.com/index.php/blog/186-ol-watch-list
http://www.jbscouting.com/index.php/blog/183-jbs-poy-watch-lists
PLEA TO FCS FANS!
To partially quote a line from one of Eminem’s bigger hits, would the FCS fans please stand up… please stand up? We have a grand total of 302 ACC Big East previews that have been sold through our office. Just 302??? We want to produce a national FCS magazine but can only do it if we see the interest from FCS fans. If you are an FCS fan out there please order a copy (PS STORE) or let us know that you bought yours at a newsstand or store because of FCS content by filling out the "We Value Your Opinion" survey on page 300!!
PHIL STEELE INTERVIEW
JB Scouting interviewed Phil Steele earlier this summer and can be read by clicking the link below!
http://www.jbscouting.com/index.php/interviews/3-interviews/161-phil-steele-interview
INJURIES AND TRANSFERS
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF INJURIES AND TRANSFERS FOR FCS TEAMS TO CIRCLE IN YOUR MAG
FCS AND OTHER SMALL SCHOOL SCOUTING COVERAGE
Looking for a website that covers FCS and other small school players in the NFL Draft? Look no further than www.jbscouting.com where I provide news, in depth reports, player rankings, and interviews. For premium content you can also visit www.buyscouting.com.