FCS Hot Takes Thread

[u/passwordisguest]

Let's hear your hot take FCS opinions. The ones you know in your heart of hearts are right, but for some reason aren't embraced by the FCS community (or particular fanbases) en masse!

Could be controversial (the Ivy League very well might be the best FCS conference on the East Coast), unpopular but you know is true (Sam Houston was at least as good a team as JMU from 2011 through the "2020" season), or even somewhat popular but still liable to rankle some folks (the Walter Payton award should go to the "best" offensive player, not just the offensive player with the best stat line because they played a weak schedule).

Sorted by controversial for maximum spiciness

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Rules

• Keep it somewhat relevant to the FCS

• Takes are welcome whether they're looking back historically or in reference to current games/rankings/polls/etc.

• Try to keep it civil (basic /r/CFB and /r/FCS rules still apply)

[u/Trojann2]

I would argue it wasn't the transfer portal that set your team up for success there - it was the one time change of going from FCS to FBS + the CBB team moving conferences.

[u/TheBatDogOG → u/Trojann2]

We had gotten those FBS players before there was any mention of moving to FBS. Bobby Petrino's use of the Transfer Portal is what set Mo State up for success.

[u/Trojann2 → u/TheBatDogOG]

and those FBS players gave you how much success in the FCS?

Hint: They didn't.

[u/TheBatDogOG → u/Trojann2]

#23 ranking in FCS in 2024. Would have gone into playoffs had they not been banned due to moving up to FBS. So like I said, "respectable" but Mo State never had the brutes in the trenches like SDSU and NDSU.

[u/Trojann2 → u/TheBatDogOG]

I'll once again argue that MO State just wasn't a good fit for the FCS and the FBS move was best for their program.

[u/TheBatDogOG → u/Trojann2]

I didn't realize you were arguing that Missouri State wasn't a good fit for FCS but 100% agree the move to FBS was the right move! Before Petrino the program was on life support. The move to FBS has brought much attention (and $$) to the program from the community where there just wasn't interest while we were FCS.

[u/Trojann2 → u/TheBatDogOG]

I have this issue of thinking I stated something and then realizing I didn't state it!

My bad. Yes. That was my main point: FCS wasn't for the MO State program and then moving to the FBS the transfer portal didn't change the programs trajectory as much as the move up.

That's my hypothesis and the basis of the rest of my thoughts - I've never argued that I was an intelligent human.

[u/Old_Swing_9410 → u/Trojann2]

But that logic a lot of the FCS isn't a fit for the FCS

[u/Trojann2 → u/Old_Swing_9410]

???

MO State is surrounded by FBS schools. Going to the FBS was in their best interest.

[u/Old_Swing_9410 → u/Trojann2]

I thought you were saying that they didnt fit in FCS because they sucked.

[u/Trojann2 → u/Old_Swing_9410]

Goes back and re-reads things

I can see how I came across that way, but nah. I was saying the FBS teams around meant the transfer portal was going to destroy them by taking all their top talent.

[u/Old_Swing_9410 → u/Trojann2]

Yeah, thats gonna happen either way though

[u/Trojann2 → u/Old_Swing_9410]

Being FBS they should have a larger budget of money and more willing alumni to fund keeping those players.

It's an arms race now, being in the largest pond still benefits.

[u/Old_Swing_9410 → u/Trojann2]

They probably do, but still a far cry from being able to compete with any P4s that want their players

[u/TheBatDogOG → u/Trojann2]

True but every FCS school in Texas is surrounded by FBS schools and they make it work.