Preseason Rankings

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Athlon: 12th
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?109269-Athlon-Top-25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AGS: 18th
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?108996-AGS-Top-25-Preseason-Poll-Results" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lindy's: 22nd
http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=30487" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Phil Steele: 7th
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?111727-Phil-Steele-Preview-Coming-Soon....&p=1822861&viewfull=1#post1822861" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CSN: 12th
http://www.collegesportingnews.com/content.php?769-Defending-Champion-North-Dakota-State-Runner-Up-Sam-Houston-State-Highlight-the-2012-Preseason-Ranking" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TSN (the one that counts): 12th
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/misc/cfoot225poll.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Coaches: 15th
http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/coaches" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[EWURanger]

I think anywhere from 10-25 is about right.

 

[clawman1]

The problem I have with the pre-season ranking, especially in FCS, is they are not based on what is actually going on in a program rather the schools long term reputation. ex. Montana and Ap state are having some serious internal discipline problems yet they are ranked in the top 10. Our example is we had an off year due to injuries and added an outstanding QB yet we are as low as 22.
So unless we win at least one of our first two games vs FBS opponents we will not be in the top 25 and destined to remain ranked low and a poor playoff seeding. Meanwhile Montana does not have an FBS opponent on their schedule and of the 3 out of conference games 2 are at home.
It would not surprise me if even after we stomp the grizzls on Sept 29 we will still be ranked lower than them
Bottom line these polls do not have much credibility, especially early season.
Oops, I'm afraid I've opened the door to another rant by Ldopa.issed:

 

[ewueagle2010]

Let's be honest, there is no way in hell that Montana is a top 5 program right now. They have as many question marks are we do here at EWU, and that's just player wise. Then add on the off the field distractions and you've got a mess. Now of course, Griz fans think they'll be just fine. I've even heard that if they win their first two games, they'll roll into the National Title game undefeated. I've never heard so much bull sh*t in my life!!! I really think they'll be lucky to get to 7 wins...

As for EWU, I think #22 is a little low, but I'd say mid-teens would be more respectable at this point with a new quarterback and all. Let's not forget we were ranked #18 at the start of the 2010 season!

 

[93bird]

You're on your game this week Clawman. In the FBS, preseason polls are a major hurdle for quality non AQ teams ranked outside the top 10. There isn't enough time for these teams to climb over the AQ teams that were ranked higher before the season starts. Even if they go undefeated. Fortunately, in the FCS reputation doesn't count for quite as much and you can make the playoffs with a 7-4 record. Hell, with a little luck you can host three games with a 5 seed in the playoffs. Let's hope we don't need too much luck to get us there this year.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Rankings are usually pretty bad in the FCS. Most of the writers rating teams haven't even seen half of the teams they are ranking.

For Eastern, I still think the season will hinge on game #1. That Idaho game will be absolutely huge for confidence and getting off on the right foot before a rash of road games.

 

[flyingnail]

Another season, another brutal start, 0-4 with a miracle to make the play-offs, cant buy a gimme in Sept ! You can bag the Grizz all you want, I can't stand them, however ! 10pts better than any other team because of their reputation, if you want to get to the post-season this year, it runs thru Montana ! Just saying ! GOEAGS !

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Another season, another brutal start, 0-4 with a miracle to make the play-offs, cant buy a gimme in Sept ! You can bag the Grizz all you want, I can't stand them, however ! 10pts better than any other team because of their reputation, if you want to get to the post-season this year, it runs thru Montana ! Just saying ! GOEAGS !

There was nothing "GOEAGS!" about that. hno:

Who needs Griz fans when we have flyingnail!? :lol: :? :shock:

 

[flyingnail]

Another season, another brutal start, 0-4 with a miracle to make the play-offs, cant buy a gimme in Sept ! You can bag the Grizz all you want, I can't stand them, however ! 10pts better than any other team because of their reputation, if you want to get to the post-season this year, it runs thru Montana ! Just saying ! GOEAGS !

There was nothing "GOEAGS!" about that. hno:

Who needs Griz fans when we have flyingnail!? :lol: :? :shock:

Just the facts Screamer, win that game against the Griz and you probably have enough momentum to get into the playoffs, I cant stand them either however thats the facts ! And by the way Screamer I am a loyal Eagles fan that hates losing to anybody ! Lets hope for a better start than last year so we can extend the season, brutal schedule though ! GOEAGS!

 

[93bird]

The Griz are a red herring. We've made the playoffs five times in the last ten years. Only twice did we beat the Griz in a playoff year. Even with an 0-4 start last year including a loss to the Griz, we could've made the playoffs with a win against PSU. We have all the pieces this year to own the Big Sky, AND beat Idaho and WSU. Forget about the Griz as the signature win of a season.

 

[EWURanger]

GRIZ = OLD AND BUSTED

EAGS = THE NEW HOTNESS

:nod:

 

[LDopaPDX]

I agree that beating Montana is huge for mkaing the playoffs. However, if we are oh-fer going into that game, we can kiss it goodbye. Teams don't rise up and win big games when they have no confidence or momentum. We need to win 2 of those first 3 IMO to have any shot at the conference title. We do that, the Griz game is very winnable.

And, to rant on, that is why are nearly annual scheduling snafus are so irritating. Why make things harder for ourselves by going all road warrior against tough teams in September, especially when we'd probably sell out Roos with a Saturday game against Eastern Oregon in the first weekend? I don't understand the athletic or financial benefit of playing Idaho on the road...

 

[93bird]

You don't schedule Eastern Oregon or any other NAIA, DII, or DIII team because the win wouldn't count toward a playoff berth. You also don't travel across the country to play a Southern or MEAC team when a sufficiently weak Idaho is a 70 mile bus ride away. Finally, almost every other FCS team west of Texas is already a Big Sky member.

 

[Obzerver]

1st of all I don't like starting off the season with two FBS teams(don't care who they are). And I really don't like it when we will be breaking in a new QB(don't care who it is). I'd rather play a home game(don't care who it is) to start the season off when breaking in a new QB(don't care who it is). And for those who think Idaho is weak and will be a win best think again...1) How much are they paying us? 2) How much could we make with a home game?

 

[LDopaPDX]

All of you who talk as though Idaho is "in the bag" better be right. The reality is our record against Idaho is abyssmal. If we lose, we wind up forcing absolute must-wins against Weber on the road and Montana at home just to get back to .500.

I did the analysis on this last year... Eastern has been tremendously more successful in making the playoffs when they schedule a non-DI team and has NEVER made the playoffs when scheduling two FBS teams. This "it doesn't count" thing is pure nonsense. Winning is what counts. Getting confidence counts. Functioning smoothly counts; as does staying healthy.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Negative Nellys: We will be fine.

 

[clawman1]

1st of all I don't like starting off the season with two FBS teams(don't care who they are). And I really don't like it when we will be breaking in a new QB(don't care who it is). I'd rather play a home game(don't care who it is) to start the season off when breaking in a new QB(don't care who it is). And for those who think Idaho is weak and will be a win best think again...1) How much are they paying us? 2) How much could we make with a home game?

If every AD felt that way there would be no games.

 

[kalm]

We will more than likely start 0-2, then 2-2. @ MSU and @PSU are the lynch pins.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Kalm- it scares me that we might start 0-2. If we lose two out of the gate, IMO the odds of us beating Weber State in Ogden goes WAY down. Weber has had some issues, but they don't beat us much and will be foaming at the mouth to beat a winless Eagles squad to start the conference slate if we come out with nothing to show from our first two.

The very fact that we will be a road team in two underdog games (one a HUGE underdog) is enough to tell me our schedule was poorly planned. Add in that we go into the fifth weekend without a home game (the very time of year we've always drawn well) and that shows me the schedule was VERY poorly planned.

 

[LDopaPDX]

1st of all I don't like starting off the season with two FBS teams(don't care who they are). And I really don't like it when we will be breaking in a new QB(don't care who it is). I'd rather play a home game(don't care who it is) to start the season off when breaking in a new QB(don't care who it is). And for those who think Idaho is weak and will be a win best think again...1) How much are they paying us? 2) How much could we make with a home game?

If every AD felt that way there would be no games.

I don't get it... why no games? Eastern has never had a hard time bringing in a cupcake to Cheney early in the year until recently. Every other AD in history managed to do it, now it seems like we can't for whatever reason. Yet we make more in gate revenue now than ever before... the fact is it should be EASIER now than ever before. Montana has never struggled to find an opponent, nor has Montana State. Portland State strangely scheduled two home patsies last year. Yet Eastern hasn't found a way to do it in the recent past?