The Bobcat Nation

Yesterday I was reading a column touching on the many "meaningless" exhibition FBS bowl games and the author touched on the FCS playoffs as being more entertaining because the games really mean something. However, he also pointed out that there was a big dropoff in competition after the top few teams. Right now you see the top programs are in the Dakotas and Montana, at least for the semis. These are low population states. I have a hard time understanding why there are not more powerful FCS teams from the rest of the country, especially the South given how many football players you have throughout Florida, Georgia, Texas, etc. etc. There are 129 FCS teams and many don't have to deal with the cold weather conditions we do. Mind you, I'm not complaining, but I do find it puzzling.

Fan support and engagement has to be high on the list.

In football terms, all three of the “power” states right now for FCS only have two options to root for. There are no pro teams and there are no FBS teams.

UTM and Tennessee is a great example, TN is almost a quarter the size of MT geographically, and they have 12 D1 programs in the state, not to mention the programs nearby in neighboring states. Outside of some alumni, it’s hard to get people in those areas to care about and support some random FCS program.

In MT, generally speaking, you’re either a Cat or a gris fan, regardless if you went to one of the schools or not.

All the other competitive teams moved up to the FBS.

This may trigger many here, so buckle up...

The FCS isn't as competitive is because the majoarity of teams over the last two decades (even longer) that were competitive, have left for a move the FBS. JMU, App State, Delaware, Sam Houston, et al left because they could. Whether they should've left is another discussion. I'm looking at you, SHSU...

When teams are good, build the program, remain competitive; they bail. And to compound the problem, those that remain are not rising to the occasion, whith the exception of typical power teams in the MVFC and Big Sky. After that; there's a steep drop-off.

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:28 am

This may trigger many here, so buckle up...

The FCS isn't as competitive is because the majoarity of teams over the last two decades (even longer) that were competitive, have left for a move the FBS. JMU, App State, Delaware, Sam Houston, et al left because they could. Whether they should've left is another discussion. I'm looking at you, SHSU...

When teams are good, build the program, remain competitive; they bail. And to compound the problem, those that remain are not rising to the occasion, whith the exception of typical power teams in the MVFC and Big Sky. After that; there's a steep drop-off.

Sam Houston. What a joke. They were the southern FCS anchor team that the subdivision really needs. And they're not even good enough to be an also-ran in FBS.

Most of the Southern FCS powers have moved up in the past decade+ (James Madison, App State, Georgia Southern, Marshall, Coastal Carolina, Jax State, etc). The Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA are basically all former FCS schools. The current FCS schools in the South are like the 5th or worse most prominent program in their respective states. It's hard to get funding and a passionate fanbase when you're a small school in a state with SEC and ACC schools in your backyard. Compare that to the Montana and Dakota schools: big flagship state schools in underrecruited states with no other competition for recruits or eyeballs. There's no pro sports here, so everybody latches onto the Cats or Griz as their team to be a superfan of. The Montanas and Dakotas are in this giant void of FBS and pro sports, so we can be our fans' main focus in a way an FCS school from Texas, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, or anywhere else can't be. And then before somebody throws out the big Northeast schools in the CAA, the Northeast has basically rejected the idea of college football in general. That region has embraced hockey and basketball more than football, which is why schools like Rhode Island and New Hampshire just aren't good, despite being large state schools. Hope this helps

It's partly due to teams moving up, but it's mostly due to NDSU, then SDSU, getting so good. Both of those teams consistently beat or challenged good FBS teams year in and year out and no previous FCS teams ever did anything close to that. Meanwhile the rest of the FCS did little to keep up. You currently see MSU, USD and perhaps UCD moving into the group with those two (those five have played each other close the last two years). I think NDSU is the best team in FCS history and SDSU is at least top 5.

GoldstoneCat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:35 am

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:28 am

This may trigger many here, so buckle up...

The FCS isn't as competitive is because the majoarity of teams over the last two decades (even longer) that were competitive, have left for a move the FBS. JMU, App State, Delaware, Sam Houston, et al left because they could. Whether they should've left is another discussion. I'm looking at you, SHSU...

When teams are good, build the program, remain competitive; they bail. And to compound the problem, those that remain are not rising to the occasion, whith the exception of typical power teams in the MVFC and Big Sky. After that; there's a steep drop-off.

Sam Houston. What a joke. They were the southern FCS anchor team that the subdivision really needs. And they're not even good enough to be an also-ran in FBS.

I agree, hence my comment about whether they should've moved up.

GoldstoneCat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:35 am

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:28 am

This may trigger many here, so buckle up...

The FCS isn't as competitive is because the majoarity of teams over the last two decades (even longer) that were competitive, have left for a move the FBS. JMU, App State, Delaware, Sam Houston, et al left because they could. Whether they should've left is another discussion. I'm looking at you, SHSU...

When teams are good, build the program, remain competitive; they bail. And to compound the problem, those that remain are not rising to the occasion, whith the exception of typical power teams in the MVFC and Big Sky. After that; there's a steep drop-off.

Sam Houston. What a joke. They were the southern FCS anchor team that the subdivision really needs. And they're not even good enough to be an also-ran in FBS.

Sam Houston had a great season and they're in the New Orleans Bowl against Georgia Southern-another former FCS power. Their fans will probably say they're happy. https://www.neworleansbowl.org/

It'll probably take a while for the more recent FCS newcomers to build up such as Abilene Christian and Texas A&M Commerce (now East Texas A&M), etc. I also look at the D-2 finalists to see if there are any potential candidates there. The final 4 was Valdosta State, Minnesota State-Mankato, Slippery Rock, and Ferris State. Valdosta plays Ferris in the final on Saturday I believe. Don't know if any of those are looking to jump. Minnesota State has the 2nd biggest enrollment in Minnesota (bigger than EWU, UM or Idaho) so not sure what the holdup is there.

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 4:10 pm

GoldstoneCat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:35 am

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:28 am

This may trigger many here, so buckle up...

The FCS isn't as competitive is because the majoarity of teams over the last two decades (even longer) that were competitive, have left for a move the FBS. JMU, App State, Delaware, Sam Houston, et al left because they could. Whether they should've left is another discussion. I'm looking at you, SHSU...

When teams are good, build the program, remain competitive; they bail. And to compound the problem, those that remain are not rising to the occasion, whith the exception of typical power teams in the MVFC and Big Sky. After that; there's a steep drop-off.

Sam Houston. What a joke. They were the southern FCS anchor team that the subdivision really needs. And they're not even good enough to be an also-ran in FBS.

Sam Houston had a great season and they're in the New Orleans Bowl against Georgia Southern-another former FCS power. Their fans will probably say they're happy. https://www.neworleansbowl.org/

It'll probably take a while for the more recent FCS newcomers to build up such as Abilene Christian and Texas A&M Commerce (now East Texas A&M), etc. I also look at the D-2 finalists to see if there are any potential candidates there. The final 4 was Valdosta State, Minnesota State-Mankato, Slippery Rock, and Ferris State. Valdosta plays Ferris in the final on Saturday I believe. Don't know if any of those are looking to jump. Minnesota State has the 2nd biggest enrollment in Minnesota (bigger than EWU, UM or Idaho) so not sure what the holdup is there.

You're right, they did, I was conflating their 2023 season and 2024 Kennesaw State. My mistake. Yes, Sam Houston fans would define that as a success. I still have a hard time with midweek games with 1500 people at them being defined as successful, no matter how many of them you win, but from the perspective of the move up you're right they were better this year.

TomCat88 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 16, 2024 11:47 am

It's partly due to teams moving up, but it's mostly due to NDSU, then SDSU, getting so good. Both of those teams consistently beat or challenged good FBS teams year in and year out and no previous FCS teams ever did anything close to that. Meanwhile the rest of the FCS did little to keep up. You currently see MSU, USD and perhaps UCD moving into the group with those two (those five have played each other close the last two years). I think NDSU is the best team in FCS history and SDSU is at least top 5.

Best team or programs?