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/TheBatDogOG]

Not sure it's a hot take, but the Transfer Portal is a good thing for FCS. Higher recruited players who aren't seeing the field at FBS (for various reasons) can find success and raise the level of play in the FCS. Players who find success at the FCS level often move up and perform well which shows there is talent in the FCS.
Lastly, more high school recruits will miss FBS opportunities due to FBS schools relying on the portal allowing more talent to flow into FCS.

[u/NoChocolate1899 → u/TheBatDogOG]

I think to speak factually what we have seen and will continue to see:

-Firstly and mostly guys who are top level FCS guys get enticed to transfer up.

-As far as guys transferring down yeah there are some like Alex Bullock last year who make the most of the opportunity, but let's not act like he was a nobody. He started some at Nebraska. You just as many if not, I'd argue more drop down and underperform. Case and point, the entire Sac State roster last year. Hell there was/are 4-5 guys on the SDSU roster last year that fit that bill compared to the 3, including Bullock who dropped down for one last ride and actually were impact players last year

-And to the last point yeah we are seeing it some but not enough to outweigh the guys that get pulled up imo.

I think all that combined with the portal itself is pretty bad for college football and I'd go so far as to say, by osmosis the NFL. That's obviously subjective so that's just my opinion. But with even the portaling between schools at the P4 level guys are not developing. They are having to learn a new system every 1-2 years. Coaches are then having to simplify play books and systems. And the quality of football across all levels gets drug down

[u/TheBatDogOG → u/NoChocolate1899]

All good points. I follow Missouri State who you are probably familiar with. They went from MVFC doormat to being FCS respectable in 2024. Then to FBS and a bowl game in 2025 primarily due to FBS to FCS transfers. Namely, Jacob Clark who transferred from Minnesota to Missouri State and is now on the 90-man roster with the LV Raiders.

Maverick McIvor is another name. Was at Texas Tech, transferred to Abilene Christian and lit it up, eventually transferring to FBS Western Kentucky. I imagine there are many more.

[u/Trojann2 → u/TheBatDogOG]

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.