Division II Top 25 Polls (9/8)

[wscsuperfan]

AFCA Division II Top 25 (9/8)
1. Ferris State (31) (2-0)
2. Harding (1-0)
3. Grand Valley State (2-0)
4. Slippery Rock (1-0)
5. West Florida (2-0)
6. Kutztown (1-0)
7. Minnesota State-Mankato (2-0)
8. Angelo State (2-0)
9. Western Colorado (2-0)
10. California (PA) (1-0)
11. Augustana (2-0)
12. Texas-Permian Basin (2-0)
13. Virginia Union (1-0)
14. Colorado State-Pueblo (1-1)
15. Central Oklahoma (1-1)
16. Delta State (2-0)
17. West Alabama (2-0)
18t. Central Washington (1-1)
18t. Charleston (1-1)
20. Ashland (1-0)
21. Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1)
22. Valdosta State (1-1)
23. Carson-Newman (1-0)
24t. Minnesota-Duluth (2-0)
24t. Pittsburg State (0-2)

Dropped Out
Ouachita Baptist (#15), Indianapolis (#17)

Others Receiving Votes
Johnson C. Smith, Indianapolis, Wingate, Ouachita Baptist, Colorado School of Mines, Michigan Tech, Albany State, Sioux Falls, Fort Hays State, Southern Arkansas, Frostburg State, Fairmont State, Findlay, Davenport, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Nebraska-Kearney, Virginia State


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D2Football Top 25 (9/8)
1. Ferris State (2-0)
2. Harding (1-0)
3. Minnesota State-Mankato (2-0)
4. Kutztown (1-0)
5. Grand Valley State (2-0)
6. Western Colorado (2-0)
7. West Florida (2-0)
8. Angelo State (2-0)
9. Slippery Rock (1-0)
10. Texas-Permian Basin (2-0)
11. Augustana (2-0)
12. Central Oklahoma (1-1)
13. Colorado State-Pueblo (1-1)
14. California (PA) (1-0)
15. Virginia Union (1-0)
16. Pittsburg State (0-2)
17. Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1)
18. West Alabama (2-0)
19. Delta State (2-0)
20. Ashland (1-0)
21. Central Washington (1-1)
22. Fort Hays State (1-1)
23. Johnson C. Smith (2-0)
24. Colorado School of Mines (1-0)
25. Indianapolis (1-1)

[mineguy]

A few personal observations:

• I watched Slippery Rock last week and would say they are overrated, but time will tell.
• Same comment on Minnesota Mankato, but if they beat Duluth soundly this week, I'll change my mind.
• Harding played a team that was outmatched. Won't be tested until Sep 20 and 27 against Southern Arkansas and Ouachita. They should schedule an out of conference contender next year to give us a better idea.
• Central Washington was impressive against Montana and it will be a dogfight among UTPB, Angelo, and Central Washington.
• I watched West Texas A&M play Western Colorado and Colorado Mines. Based on their performance, I expect them to upset at least one of the top three LSC teams mentioned above.
• I'm looking forward to Kutztown vs. Edinboro this week after Edinboro beat East Stroudsburg convincingly.

[Divisiontwo]

A few personal observations:

• I watched Slippery Rock last week and would say they are overrated, but time will tell.
• Same comment on Minnesota Mankato, but if they beat Duluth soundly this week, I'll change my mind.
• Harding played a team that was outmatched. Won't be tested until Sep 20 and 27 against Southern Arkansas and Ouachita. They should schedule an out of conference contender next year to give us a better idea.
• Central Washington was impressive against Montana and it will be a dogfight among UTPB, Angelo, and Central Washington.
• I watched West Texas A&M play Western Colorado and Colorado Mines. Based on their performance, I expect them to upset at least one of the top three LSC teams mentioned above.
• I'm looking forward to Kutztown vs. Edinboro this week after Edinboro beat East Stroudsburg convincingly.

Yes. Harding’s game felt a lot like playing Mines.

[Matt Witwicki]

A few personal observations:

• I watched Slippery Rock last week and would say they are overrated, but time will tell.
• Same comment on Minnesota Mankato, but if they beat Duluth soundly this week, I'll change my mind.
• Harding played a team that was outmatched. Won't be tested until Sep 20 and 27 against Southern Arkansas and Ouachita. They should schedule an out of conference contender next year to give us a better idea.
• Central Washington was impressive against Montana and it will be a dogfight among UTPB, Angelo, and Central Washington.
• I watched West Texas A&M play Western Colorado and Colorado Mines. Based on their performance, I expect them to upset at least one of the top three LSC teams mentioned above.
• I'm looking forward to Kutztown vs. Edinboro this week after Edinboro beat East Stroudsburg convincingly.

Appreciate you joining and posting. Looks like you watch more D2 football than most fans. Kudos.

[codeblack]

Harding had faired pretty well OOC in their playoff bids as of late. I’m confident they’ll contend without an OOC game in the regular season. Poo poo all you want with the silo but I’ll take my money on HU and I am a betting man.

[Redwing]

Harding had faired pretty well OOC in their playoff bids as of late. I’m confident they’ll contend without an OOC game in the regular season. Poo poo all you want with the silo but I’ll take my money on HU and I am a betting man.

That's been true the last few years, so hats off to Harding. But there has been more than a bit of chatter from GAAC supporters about PO seating/spots for the GAC. The silo is a major driver of that. And I have to throw some shade... so the GAC wants respect but they remain the only conference that won't play other non-con games? Convenience sure, but detractors can easily point to the GAC is afraid to play outside of GAC.

[Divisiontwo]

That's been true the last few years, so hats off to Harding. But there has been more than a bit of chatter from GAAC supporters about PO seating/spots for the GAC. The silo is a major driver of that. And I have to throw some shade... so the GAC wants respect but they remain the only conference that won't play other non-con games? Convenience sure, but detractors can easily point to the GAC is afraid to play outside of GAC.

You're not directly talking to me or to harding really at all. But i'll interject by saying I simply don't care about how the conference is viewed. Harding has earned their reputation. If SAU or Ouachita or somebody wants to increase their stock, it's simple, win more games. Majority of years, the GAC gets to 2 representatives. I don't really think the league needs more than that. And at this point, which league actually does?

Do I wish Harding had the ability to play a Delta or Pitt St. non con? Sure. But that's from a simple entertainment stand point on my end. It does nothing really to help HU if they handle business.

[Redwing]

You're not directly talking to me or to harding really at all. But i'll interject by saying I simply don't care about how the conference is viewed. Harding has earned their reputation. If SAU or Ouachita or somebody wants to increase their stock, it's simple, win more games. Majority of years, the GAC gets to 2 representatives. I don't really think the league needs more than that. And at this point, which league actually does?

Do I wish Harding had the ability to play a Delta or Pitt St. non con? Sure. But that's from a simple entertainment stand point on my end. It does nothing really to help HU if they handle business.

My post was more about the GAC. Still, Harding is indeed a member of the GAC, so it goes with the territory. And it wasn't all that long ago that Ouachita was as much or more recognized as Harding. That pendulum swings. Enjoy it while you can.

[BisonswithanS]

That's been true the last few years, so hats off to Harding. But there has been more than a bit of chatter from GAAC supporters about PO seating/spots for the GAC. The silo is a major driver of that. And I have to throw some shade... so the GAC wants respect but they remain the only conference that won't play other non-con games? Convenience sure, but detractors can easily point to the GAC is afraid to play outside of GAC.

To insinuate GAC teams are "afraid" to play outside of the conference is at best a poor choice of words - but more likely anonymous rock throwing from the other side of a digital fence. If you've been or know a 20 year old college athlete - they're not afraid to strap up and line up across from anybody. I don't care if they were 0-11 or 15-0 last year. None of the other GAC teams are "afraid' to play Harding either - in fact I would venture to guess they circle the Harding date in anticipation.

GVSU has been a perennial power house program that earned their reputation by slobber knocking other teams at the line of scrimmage - something to "fear". If the other GAC teams aren't afraid to play Harding...they're not afraid to play GVSU or any other D2 team in the country.

[Divisiontwo]

My post was more about the GAC. Still, Harding is indeed a member of the GAC, so it goes with the territory. And it wasn't all that long ago that Ouachita was as much or more recognized as Harding. That pendulum swings. Enjoy it while you can.

All their playoff wins must’ve gotten them recognized..

[Redwing]

To insinuate GAC teams are "afraid" to play outside of the conference is at best a poor choice of words - but more likely anonymous rock throwing from the other side of a digital fence. If you've been or know a 20 year old college athlete - they're not afraid to strap up and line up across from anybody. I don't care if they were 0-11 or 15-0 last year. None of the other GAC teams are "afraid' to play Harding either - in fact I would venture to guess they circle the Harding date in anticipation.

GVSU has been a perennial power house program that earned their reputation by slobber knocking other teams at the line of scrimmage - something to "fear". If the other GAC teams aren't afraid to play Harding...they're not afraid to play GVSU or any other D2 team in the country.

I'm not insinuating a thing. I am saying that detractors can post to that issue. I do respect the GAC and Harding, OBU, and Henderson likely don't get all the recognition that they deserve. And as for being afraid. I agree with your point. No doubt that a team would play anyone. But we all know that many admins are indeed not inclined to play some schools. You can come up with your own reason. That is a plus of silo. Silo schools don't have to seek out opponents. But we all know that there are far to many open dates that aren't due to travel costs. I guess I should drop this as it's gone off topic.

[BisonswithanS]

I'm not insinuating a thing. I am saying that detractors can post to that issue. I do respect the GAC and Harding, OBU, and Henderson likely don't get all the recognition that they deserve. And as for being afraid. I agree with your point. No doubt that a team would play anyone. But we all know that many admins are indeed not inclined to play some schools. You can come up with your own reason. That is a plus of silo. Silo schools don't have to seek out opponents. But we all know that there are far to many open dates that aren't due to travel costs. I guess I should drop this as it's gone off topic.

No worries. The one point I want to make is that the GAC doesn't have any open dates - other than week 0. Its a 12 team conference and all teams play 11 games. I'm not sure you were contending that the silo schedule allowed for open dates - if you were - that's not the case. And short of a conf scheduling overhaul, Harding's likely not looking to put 12 games of wear and tear on their players just to satisfy silo skd detractors. Also - I guess SOS aside - who wants to play the flex bone in week 0?

[Redwing]

No worries. The one point I want to make is that the GAC doesn't have any open dates - other than week 0. Its a 12 team conference and all teams play 11 games. I'm not sure you were contending that the silo schedule allowed for open dates - if you were - that's not the case. And short of a conf scheduling overhaul, Harding's likely not looking to put 12 games of wear and tear on their players just to satisfy silo skd detractors. Also - I guess SOS aside - who wants to play the flex bone in week 0?

Cool. Nope. I agree that the GAC doesn't open dates. They wouldn't have a balanced schedule to get 1 or two OOC games, which is a fair point. As for who want to play the flex bone in week, O? I know there is at least one, if not more teams up north that would take that game. ;-)

[MeanMachineOffense]

If you've been or know a 20 year old college athlete - they're not afraid to strap up and line up across from anybody. I don't care if they were 0-11 or 15-0 last year.

The kids don't make the schedule, so that's pretty clearly not what that person was referring to.

[BisonswithanS]

The kids don't make the schedule, so that's pretty clearly not what that person was referring to.

So the AD is "afraid" to have their football team go play any other football team? And by any other I mean any other team outside of the GAC? Or the grown a$$ men coaching in the GAC - you think they might be the ones that are afraid to go play some team in another conference? Its the players, admin or the coaching staff. What did he mean? I just looked at the reigning national champs schedule. Their last game was an out of conference game - against Lake Erie who was 2-9 in the GMAC last year. Which GAC teams do you believe shutters at the thought of seeing Lake Erie on their schedule? Nothing against the kids at Lake Erie - because no one in the GAC is afraid to play Lake Erie or Ferris's first OOC game - Pitt State. While there may be more than one decision driver - fear doesn't make the list - the fact that the GAC already drives an 11 game schedule likely does.