I am hoping that by time the season is over, people as a whole will respect 1AA football more. I am amazed at how everyone from fans to announcers on major networks pencil in automatic wins for any 1A team when facing a 1AA squad.
I understand that 1AA teams get nowhere near the media attention that 1A teams do. However if people are so called "experts", why can't they acknowledge or even understand that these games aren't cupcake W's anymore.
I guess they haven't gotten the memo when teams like Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Portland St, etc... have gone on the road & beat teams including ones from the so called big 6.
The arguement will be well they didn't beat the best teams. However years ago even the worst 1A teams would trounce the best 1AA teams. So this reasoning does not fly with me. The truth is the talent level between the top 20-30 1AA schools is getting closer & closer to even the average 1A schools. Maybe within the next decade we will see some upsets of the bigger powerhouse schools. I doubt it will happen only because the powerhouses won't schedule these teams.
Maybe the 2006 season will be the huge wakeup call to the fans, media & the like about the rise of 1AA football. These victories or close calls aren't flukes, these teams are taking the big boys punch & fighting right back. Years ago they would be happy to show up, now they go expecting to win.
The talent is coming from better recruiting because of better spending on facilities along with picking up players that were recruited by good or top 1A schools but weren't eligible for academic reasons. The transfer factor is also a big one as talented players wanting playing time are switching over because of the loopholes available when transferring between the two divisions.
I am in no way shocked by some of the results of this season especially today. UMass was a team I thought had a great shot to beat a good Navy team. They fell short by 1 point but if you look at the game, UMass outplayed them. UMass beat themselves, not Navy.
The Minutemen D held Navy's rushing attack under 300 yards, won the time of possession, had fewer turnovers, & outgained them in total offense. Unfortunately they shot themselves in the foot when they didn't capitalize on the 7 fumbles by Navy which they recovered 3 of them. The big momentum turner was when they were down by 4 & got picked off at the Navy 3.
I feel bad for the Minutemen as they did not deserve to lose this game!
New Hampshire: Well they showed why they are one of the favorites to win the national title. The #2 marched into Northwestern & whipped them by double digits.
Hofstra while still early in the game is up by 14 on Marshall. I mean when will 1AA get the respect they deserve? Watch how in the future 1A teams will stop scheduling the better 1AA squads. I think some coaches are wising up that the day of cupcake W's against 1AA teams are over.
I understand that 1AA teams get nowhere near the media attention that 1A teams do. However if people are so called "experts", why can't they acknowledge or even understand that these games aren't cupcake W's anymore.
I guess they haven't gotten the memo when teams like Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Portland St, etc... have gone on the road & beat teams including ones from the so called big 6.
The arguement will be well they didn't beat the best teams. However years ago even the worst 1A teams would trounce the best 1AA teams. So this reasoning does not fly with me. The truth is the talent level between the top 20-30 1AA schools is getting closer & closer to even the average 1A schools. Maybe within the next decade we will see some upsets of the bigger powerhouse schools. I doubt it will happen only because the powerhouses won't schedule these teams.
Maybe the 2006 season will be the huge wakeup call to the fans, media & the like about the rise of 1AA football. These victories or close calls aren't flukes, these teams are taking the big boys punch & fighting right back. Years ago they would be happy to show up, now they go expecting to win.
The talent is coming from better recruiting because of better spending on facilities along with picking up players that were recruited by good or top 1A schools but weren't eligible for academic reasons. The transfer factor is also a big one as talented players wanting playing time are switching over because of the loopholes available when transferring between the two divisions.
I am in no way shocked by some of the results of this season especially today. UMass was a team I thought had a great shot to beat a good Navy team. They fell short by 1 point but if you look at the game, UMass outplayed them. UMass beat themselves, not Navy.
The Minutemen D held Navy's rushing attack under 300 yards, won the time of possession, had fewer turnovers, & outgained them in total offense. Unfortunately they shot themselves in the foot when they didn't capitalize on the 7 fumbles by Navy which they recovered 3 of them. The big momentum turner was when they were down by 4 & got picked off at the Navy 3.
I feel bad for the Minutemen as they did not deserve to lose this game!
New Hampshire: Well they showed why they are one of the favorites to win the national title. The #2 marched into Northwestern & whipped them by double digits.
Hofstra while still early in the game is up by 14 on Marshall. I mean when will 1AA get the respect they deserve? Watch how in the future 1A teams will stop scheduling the better 1AA squads. I think some coaches are wising up that the day of cupcake W's against 1AA teams are over.
