Topic: AP Top 25

[Big City]

1. Clemson

2. Alabama

3. Georgia

4. Oklahoma

5. Ohio State

https://sports.yahoo.com/clemson-tops-alabama-in-first-ap-top-25-of-2019-college-football-season-155846695.html

[wasbarryb]

For some reason this came to mind when I read the list

[herdorbust]

For some reason this came to mind when I read the list

Yep the usual suspects. Makes it real exciting when you know you are playing for 20th to 125 before the season starts. But that is college football.

[herdfifteen]

Yep the usual suspects. Makes it real exciting when you know you are playing for 20th to 125 before the season starts. But that is college football.

Do you ever watch a sporting event just for the joy it brings, or is it always about who Is ranked etc.  You seem absolutely hung up on who is capable of winning a championship, can you never just focus on those players who are giving their all representing Marshall University. We had seventeen losing seasons in a row in football, however, many or most of those players were our biggest WINNERS in life.

[herdorbust]

Do you ever watch a sporting event just for the joy it brings, or is it always about who Is ranked etc.  You seem absolutely hung up on who is capable of winning a championship, can you never just focus on those players who are giving their all representing Marshall University. We had seventeen losing seasons in a row in football, however, many or most of those players were our biggest WINNERS in life.

I just like knowing you have the “chance” for the big picture. You dont have to win the whole thing but it sure would be nice knowing you have an avenue!!!! That is why i loved the 1AA days. And enjoyed first few years in 1A. But you finally realize its rigged against most.

[puma]

Not having a shot at a national championship sucks but I can live with it. Realistically, a team that plays predominately against opponents ranked in the triple digits doesn't deserve it in the current system. Hopefully, we'll get an 8-team playoff in the future and things will change.

That being said... A perfect season, top 10 ranking, culminated with a conference championship, and an NY6 berth would be absolutely amazing. That's a prize I could live with and way more desirable than anything in the FCS.

[goherd14562]

Not having a shot at a national championship sucks but I can live with it. Realistically, a team that plays predominately against opponents ranked in the triple digits doesn't deserve it in the current system. Hopefully, we'll get an 8-team playoff in the future and things will change.

That being said... A perfect season, top 10 ranking, culminated with a conference championship, and an NY6 berth would be absolutely amazing. That's a prize I could live with and way more desirable than anything in the FCS.

This should be the goal every year

[herdorbust]

This should be the goal every year

Exactly. But we dont even seem close to it. We get to the point Boise was (i still think they are a far cry from the pederson days and living off that) or what UCF has done then i could get more excited. But we play in arguably the worst conference and have one title in over nine years and dont even win our division. Its hard to feel like a national player when you arent even winning this conference. Really wish i could find that excitement again.

[puma]

I don't really expect to be the next Boise St or UCF but after the 2013-2015 success, I really thought we were going to be to C-USA what NIU is to the MAC. A big fish in a little pond kind of thing. But then 2016 happened.

[THECHAMPISHERE]

Do you ever watch a sporting event just for the joy it brings, or is it always about who Is ranked etc.  You seem absolutely hung up on who is capable of winning a championship, can you never just focus on those players who are giving their all representing Marshall University. We had seventeen losing seasons in a row in football, however, many or most of those players were our biggest WINNERS in life.

[Herdadelphia]

Need that 8 team playoff so there is a path at least.

But I do think the Alabama & Clemson fatigue is real. Some of my east coast buddies who are more NFL guys and only watch big CFB games I find are less and less interested in CFB.

[goherd24]

Not having a shot at a national championship sucks but I can live with it. Realistically, a team that plays predominately against opponents ranked in the triple digits doesn't deserve it in the current system. Hopefully, we'll get an 8-team playoff in the future and things will change.

That being said... A perfect season, top 10 ranking, culminated with a conference championship, and an NY6 berth would be absolutely amazing. That's a prize I could live with and way more desirable than anything in the FCS.

Very well said. Very well. I would just disconnect entirely from Marshall football if we ever officially become FCS. Sure, I'd watch it if we made the title game, but I'd be done. The access bowl is the national title to us, and it is attainable, just not with the current coaches who can only win against the worst of the worst, and lose against any team with a pulse.

[herdorbust]

I don't really expect to be the next Boise St or UCF but after the 2013-2015 success, I really thought we were going to be to C-USA what NIU is to the MAC. A big fish in a little pond kind of thing. But then 2016 happened.

Why? They expected to be us at one time.

[puma]

Why? They expected to be us at one time.

The 2013-2015 seasons included winning the division twice, a conference championship, NY6 buzz, and a 10-win season during a rebuilding year with a Freshman QB. I genuinely thought that was going to be the new norm and it really helped alleviate the sting of being a conference left-behind. It turned out that those seasons were just Doc's flash in the pan.

The success reminded me a lot of what NIU does in the MAC. They don't win it all every year but they're always in contention, year-in and year-out.

And to be fair, maybe wanting to be like NIU is probably unreasonable, too. I just looked at their wiki page -- In the past decade, they've won their division 7 times, conference 4 times, and went to the Orange Bowl. Their bowl record (2-7) is comparatively horrible to The Herd's but I could live with their overall level of success.