Blue Bloods

[Hornetfan]

I was trying to go back and look. These are the only top 10 matchups in the first round I could find. Should top 10 be extended to top 20? Are 11-20 considered elite for that year?

Top 10 Matchups in the First Round (1973–2025)

Year	Matchup	National Rankings	Context	Result
2025	NW Missouri St @ Harding	#9 vs. #2	First year of 32-team field (No byes).	Harding 37–21
2025	Minnesota Duluth @ Ashland	#11 vs. #10	High-stakes meeting of northern powers.	Ashland 30–27
2024	Pittsburg State @ Harding	#6 vs. #1	28-team field era: Pitt State was a #6 seed in their region.	Harding 48–3
2017	Ferris State @ Ouachita Baptist	#9 vs. #11	28-team field era: Rare at-large vs. seed meeting.	Ferris St. 24-19

I just went back and search for top 25 teams that played in the first round since 1973 and got this.

Top 25 Matchups in the First Round (1973–2025)

Year	Matchup	Rankings (AFCA)	Winner	Context
2025	NW Missouri St @ Harding	#9 vs. #2	Harding	First #1 vs #2 (Regional Seed) in Rd 1 history.
2025	Minnesota Duluth @ Ashland	#11 vs. #10	Ashland	Battle of Top 12 northern powers.
2025	Valdosta State @ Albany State	#21 vs. #19	Albany St	Traditional GSC vs. SIAC ranked clash.
2024	Pittsburg State @ Harding	#6 vs. #1	Harding	Rare "Power Region" logjam forced this.
2024	Augustana @ Minnesota State	#14 vs. #13	Minnesota St	NSIC conference rivals met as ranked foes.
2024	UIndy @ Grand Valley State	#16 vs. #4	GVSU	Top 20 road test for UIndy in the GLIAC.
2023	Lenoir-Rhyne @ Shepherd	#25 vs. #13	Lenoir-Rhyne	Significant upset by a lower-ranked SAC team.
2022	Slippery Rock @ Assumption	#23 vs. #15	Slippery Rock	Defensive battle between PSAC and NE10.
2021	Lindenwood @ Grand Valley St	#18 vs. #5	GVSU	GVSU survived a high-scoring GLVC offense.
2017	Ferris State @ Ouachita Baptist	#9 vs. #11	Ferris St	The rare "Pre-2025" Top 10 first-round game.
2014	Henderson St @ Ouachita Baptist	#14 vs. #9	Ouachita Bapt.	The "Battle of the Ravine" in the playoffs.
2010	North Alabama @ Valdosta St	#13 vs. #12	N. Alabama	Most famous GSC playoff rivalry ever.
2007	Catawba @ Valdosta State	#22 vs. #8	Valdosta St	Valdosta started their title run here.

FYI In 2015 ESU was ranked #23 in D2football.com and #18 in AFCA poll when they beat #5 (D2Football)/#6 (AFCA) Minn. State Mankato 51-49 in Mankato.

[Predatory Primates]

It’s all about the money. Expanding stadiums, offering twice as many scholarships and NIL money and travel would add significant costs to the program. In GV and Ferris case, the nearest football playing FCS schools are 5 hours away and extend outward from there. IF, and that’s a big IF, GV and Ferris were to move up, the logical geographical move would be to the FBS MAC conference. Western, Central and Eastern Michigan and Toledo are within 2 hours drive with the remaining schools within 5 hours. GV consistently outdraws most MAC schools in attendance and Ferris is expanding their stadium and is close behind. But a move up would cost tens of millions of dollars.

A lot of schools who have done it claim it's more of a "takes money to make money" situation. They claim it's non-linear and they actually made money by doing it.

I don't see it working Ina Pittsburg KS or a Maryville Mo. But could see it working in Grand Rapids.

[canadarican]

When I get bored, I do random stuff like this solely for conversation:

When EA Sports brought back the college football video game series, they decided tiers based on past decade AP Poll. 1 point for finishing 25th, 2 for 24th, and so on. Did the same thing for D2, but used the AFCA poll (sorry Brandon but I couldn't find all the past 10 final D2football polls).

There were 10 programs who scored 100+.

1. Ferris State - 226
2. Harding - 148
3. Northwest Missouri - 144
4. Grand Valley - 141
5. Minnesota State - 136
6. Valdosta State - 132
T7. Colorado Mines - 108
T7. Slippery Rock - 108
9. West Florida - 105
10. Shepherd - 104

Just missed:
11. CSU Pueblo - 96
12. Kutztown - 91

[KPKCBC]

IUP and West Chester are "regional blue bloods" if such a thing could be considered. But not nationally, not by a long shot.

That's a great way to look at it.

[EastStroud13]

IUP and West Chester are "regional blue bloods" if such a thing could be considered. But not nationally, not by a long shot.

[Eagle74]

Valdosta State
Pit State
MW Mo
Grand Valley
Ferris State
Minnesota Duluth
Harding
Carson -Newman
West Chester
Indiana (PA)
Texas A & M Kingsville


that's my list

Augie and Mankato have done quite well recently in the nSIC but are not blue bloods. Augie was the bottom of the old NCC with Morningside. Mankato has a chance to join the list if they stay D2

I wish we could claim Carson Newman as a Blue Blood, but having never won a Division 2 football championship, and not making it to the championship game in 27 years is unfortunately kinda a disqualifier. Hopefully soon.

[Thelakerman]

I really like this take and agree with your definites and maybes. I'm really curious why GV, Pitt, and Ferris aren't looking at moving up to D1 FCS.

It’s all about the money. Expanding stadiums, offering twice as many scholarships and NIL money and travel would add significant costs to the program. In GV and Ferris case, the nearest football playing FCS schools are 5 hours away and extend outward from there. IF, and that’s a big IF, GV and Ferris were to move up, the logical geographical move would be to the FBS MAC conference. Western, Central and Eastern Michigan and Toledo are within 2 hours drive with the remaining schools within 5 hours. GV consistently outdraws most MAC schools in attendance and Ferris is expanding their stadium and is close behind. But a move up would cost tens of millions of dollars.

[KPKCBC]

If Harding is in the convo, maybe Pueblo should be, too?

Yes I agree. But for now the conversation is as far as they get.

I think you have to have multiple titles at this point to be taken seriously as a blue blood.

Actually the Fighting Tony Annese scare my a little calling them a Blue Blood. They don't have the history but I think with 4 titles in 5 years they bully their way into the room.

[Predatory Primates]

I really like this take and agree with your definites and maybes. I'm really curious why GV, Pitt, and Ferris aren't looking at moving up to D1 FCS.

Pitt is busy trying to quit shrinking instead of growing. They are also in a small town, 2 hours from any metro area, I would be shocked if they moved up, ever unless it was for a single minor sport like track.. I can't speak for the others.

[Mulerider]

To me it means usually at least has a shot at the playoffs. Has natties, runner ups or at least super deep runs in multiple eras. (Or maybe has one dynastic run.)

Definites:
VSU, Pitt, NW, GV, Ferris

Maybes:
Harding, UWF, Duluth


To some it would be the schools with the support and resources that make it way more surprising if they have a bad year or 2 than if they make a run.

Under that definition, the field expands a little more.

I really like this take and agree with your definites and maybes. I'm really curious why GV, Pitt, and Ferris aren't looking at moving up to D1 FCS.

[Predatory Primates]

If Harding is in the convo, maybe Pueblo should be, too?

[KPKCBC]

I will admit I don't know the history like some of you. I see some names on here that I have some questions about. Not that they aren't good football programs but I wonder why some consider them Blue Bloods.

1. Harding - Without another title they need 5-10 more years of playing top 10 football to be in the conversation. They are close but you have to draw a line somewhere. IMO if you only have 1 chapionship it's hard to call yourself a Blue Blood. They are a hell of a program though. Is that next title coming soon?

2. West Florida - They have 1 title and a crazy winning percentage. They also only have 9 years of history. I am willing to overlook the lack of history with their track record but not with just 1 title. Go on a run like Ferris State and you are in for sure. Which could happen.

3. IUP - Consitent.....for a long time. Maybe the best program to not be considered a Blue Blood by most...but man, you gotta have some hardware.

4. Carson-Newman - consistet winning program. Haven't won a championship since the NAIA days.

5. Texas A&M Kingsville - read Carson-Newman

6. West Chester - Another team with a great win percentage and long history. No titles, great program.
.

[Predatory Primates]

Piggy backing on this 2024 Pitt versus Harding was flipped.

I think the afca poll started around the year 2000.

[GorillaTeacher]

I was trying to go back and look. These are the only top 10 matchups in the first round I could find. Should top 10 be extended to top 20? Are 11-20 considered elite for that year?

Top 10 Matchups in the First Round (1973–2025)

Year	Matchup	National Rankings	Context	Result
2025	NW Missouri St @ Harding	#9 vs. #2	First year of 32-team field (No byes).	Harding 37–21
2025	Minnesota Duluth @ Ashland	#11 vs. #10	High-stakes meeting of northern powers.	Ashland 30–27
2024	Pittsburg State @ Harding	#6 vs. #1	28-team field era: Pitt State was a #6 seed in their region.	Harding 48–3
2017	Ferris State @ Ouachita Baptist	#9 vs. #11	28-team field era: Rare at-large vs. seed meeting.	Ferris St. 24-19

I just went back and search for top 25 teams that played in the first round since 1973 and got this.

Top 25 Matchups in the First Round (1973–2025)

Year	Matchup	Rankings (AFCA)	Winner	Context
2025	NW Missouri St @ Harding	#9 vs. #2	Harding	First #1 vs #2 (Regional Seed) in Rd 1 history.
2025	Minnesota Duluth @ Ashland	#11 vs. #10	Ashland	Battle of Top 12 northern powers.
2025	Valdosta State @ Albany State	#21 vs. #19	Albany St	Traditional GSC vs. SIAC ranked clash.
2024	Pittsburg State @ Harding	#6 vs. #1	Harding	Rare "Power Region" logjam forced this.
2024	Augustana @ Minnesota State	#14 vs. #13	Minnesota St	NSIC conference rivals met as ranked foes.
2024	UIndy @ Grand Valley State	#16 vs. #4	GVSU	Top 20 road test for UIndy in the GLIAC.
2023	Lenoir-Rhyne @ Shepherd	#25 vs. #13	Lenoir-Rhyne	Significant upset by a lower-ranked SAC team.
2022	Slippery Rock @ Assumption	#23 vs. #15	Slippery Rock	Defensive battle between PSAC and NE10.
2021	Lindenwood @ Grand Valley St	#18 vs. #5	GVSU	GVSU survived a high-scoring GLVC offense.
2017	Ferris State @ Ouachita Baptist	#9 vs. #11	Ferris St	The rare "Pre-2025" Top 10 first-round game.
2014	Henderson St @ Ouachita Baptist	#14 vs. #9	Ouachita Bapt.	The "Battle of the Ravine" in the playoffs.
2010	North Alabama @ Valdosta St	#13 vs. #12	N. Alabama	Most famous GSC playoff rivalry ever.
2007	Catawba @ Valdosta State	#22 vs. #8	Valdosta St	Valdosta started their title run here.

Piggy backing on this 2024 Pitt versus Harding was flipped.

[OldBison]

It’s worth noting that Harding and Lehigh are the only two non-public universities to ever win D2 national championships in football.