D3 Top 25 Fan Poll

[emma17]

I have Franklin at 17. Their game against Whitewater showed that they're pretty much for real.

Really? They lost 45-0 (down 35-0 at halftime and first time shut out in a long time), had less than 200 yards of offense, gave up over 470 yards, and had 4 turnovers. It was a much better game last season in the playoffs. So far this season they have consistently struggled to rush the ball and have turned the ball over way too much. They've fumbled 9 times and thrown 11 interceptions and average turnover margin per game is -1. I just don't have faith in them compared to other teams near the bottom of the top 25.

I was going to say the same thing.

It's what Franklin did AFTER the UWW game that impressed me.

against / after same thing, right?

No

against = including the UWW game specifically

after = not including the UWW game (but all the games following that matchup)

02- When you talk about what Franklin did after the UWW game, what wins are impressing you?  If you look at a one-loss Dubuque, or a one-loss McMurry (to a D3 school), would you not pick either of these teams if they were playing Franklin?  Would you not pick Eau Claire if they were playing Franklin?

[02 Warhawk]

I have Franklin at 17. Their game against Whitewater showed that they're pretty much for real.

Really? They lost 45-0 (down 35-0 at halftime and first time shut out in a long time), had less than 200 yards of offense, gave up over 470 yards, and had 4 turnovers. It was a much better game last season in the playoffs. So far this season they have consistently struggled to rush the ball and have turned the ball over way too much. They've fumbled 9 times and thrown 11 interceptions and average turnover margin per game is -1. I just don't have faith in them compared to other teams near the bottom of the top 25.

I was going to say the same thing.

It's what Franklin did AFTER the UWW game that impressed me.

against / after same thing, right?

No

against = including the UWW game specifically

after = not including the UWW game (but all the games following that matchup)

02- When you talk about what Franklin did after the UWW game, what wins are impressing you?  If you look at a one-loss Dubuque, or a one-loss McMurry (to a D3 school), would you not pick either of these teams if they were playing Franklin?  Would you not pick Eau Claire if they were playing Franklin?

I think all four teams you just mentioned are all at the same level. It'll be tough to say who would beat who.

I put Franklin 25th in my poll...if the poll consisted of 26 teams, McMurry would be 26th. McMurry does have two losses, and I know...one is against a DI-A (or whatever division they are). I guess I gave the SLIGHT edge to the team who's only loss was to a program that won the past two stagg bowls.

Looking at the D3football.com's poll....I'm not alone. For the record, I submit my picks prior to looking at their poll, so I'm not persuaded.

[AUKaz00]

what about 7-0 Endicott? I'm the only one to have them on my ballot.

In the East Region Fan Poll the Gulls didn't crack the top 10, so while their record remains shiny the historical insignificance of the NEFC holds them back.  As has been pointed out in that thread Endicott has never beaten a team outside of the NEFC or ECFC.  The playoffs will be where they can gain credibility.

[smedindy]

I have Franklin at 17. Their game against Whitewater showed that they're pretty much for real.

Really? They lost 45-0 (down 35-0 at halftime and first time shut out in a long time), had less than 200 yards of offense, gave up over 470 yards, and had 4 turnovers. It was a much better game last season in the playoffs. So far this season they have consistently struggled to rush the ball and have turned the ball over way too much. They've fumbled 9 times and thrown 11 interceptions and average turnover margin per game is -1. I just don't have faith in them compared to other teams near the bottom of the top 25.

I was going to say the same thing.

It's what Franklin did AFTER the UWW game that impressed me.

against / after same thing, right?

No

against = including the UWW game specifically

after = not including the UWW game (but all the games following that matchup)

That's the JOKE! I screwed up, OK! 

[02 Warhawk]

I have Franklin at 17. Their game against Whitewater showed that they're pretty much for real.

Really? They lost 45-0 (down 35-0 at halftime and first time shut out in a long time), had less than 200 yards of offense, gave up over 470 yards, and had 4 turnovers. It was a much better game last season in the playoffs. So far this season they have consistently struggled to rush the ball and have turned the ball over way too much. They've fumbled 9 times and thrown 11 interceptions and average turnover margin per game is -1. I just don't have faith in them compared to other teams near the bottom of the top 25.

I was going to say the same thing.

It's what Franklin did AFTER the UWW game that impressed me.

against / after same thing, right?

No

against = including the UWW game specifically

after = not including the UWW game (but all the games following that matchup)

That's the JOKE! I screwed up, OK! 

sorry, didn't pick up on the sarcasm.

[ExTartanPlayer]

what about 7-0 Endicott? I'm the only one to have them on my ballot.

In the East Region Fan Poll the Gulls didn't crack the top 10, so while their record remains shiny the historical insignificance of the NEFC holds them back.  As has been pointed out in that thread Endicott has never beaten a team outside of the NEFC or ECFC.  The playoffs will be where they can gain credibility.

Pretty much what I thought too.  The NEFC has gained a little bit of traction this year, most notably with Salve Regina's win over a decent Union team (actually, that's the only decent win I could find; I think that all of the other NEFC nonconfence wins were against the equally-lowly ECFC).  Correction, I just found that Worcester State beat LL member WPI.

Despite the recent progress by the NEFC, it's pretty obvious that they're still near the bottom of the totem pole.  It's going to take either a) a few more legitimate wins against respectable LL/E8 opponents and b) a second playoff win by an NEFC team.

[smedindy]

It's OK. I should have smiley'd it.

McMurry's kind of snuck up on us all. We were all paying attention to Hardin - Simmons and Louisiana College. Also, McMurry's performance against SF Austin was ghastly (and they are the dregs of scholarship 1-AA). So it was hard to get a read on them before and now they face H-S and LC in the next two weeks.

Dubuque's great season is now overshadowed the lackluster efforts of the IIAC as a whole. Wartburg, Coe and Central aren't what they were in the past, and we now know Augie's pretty bad (so their 'signature' non-conference win is moot).

As for UW-EC, their 'signature' win over St. John's seemingly is now 'fool's gold' and beating the middle of the WIAC is what they should be doing. They also lost to Bethel (TN), a team that was destroyed by North Central.

[emma17]

It's OK. I should have smiley'd it.

McMurry's kind of snuck up on us all. We were all paying attention to Hardin - Simmons and Louisiana College. Also, McMurry's performance against SF Austin was ghastly (and they are the dregs of scholarship 1-AA). So it was hard to get a read on them before and now they face H-S and LC in the next two weeks.

Dubuque's great season is now overshadowed the lackluster efforts of the IIAC as a whole. Wartburg, Coe and Central aren't what they were in the past, and we now know Augie's pretty bad (so their 'signature' non-conference win is moot).

As for UW-EC, their 'signature' win over St. John's seemingly is now 'fool's gold' and beating the middle of the WIAC is what they should be doing. They also lost to Bethel (TN), a team that was destroyed by North Central.

Of course there isn't a right or wrong answer, I was just interested in people's opinions as to how they come to the Franklin decision.  As much as I respect and root for the Franklin program, for me there is no question that I would pick McMurry, Dubuque and Eau Claire to beat them in a game this year. 

Some props for UW-EC; their win over St. John's isn't the big factor for me liking them.  I saw their game vs Oshkosh on video and that was their game to win.  A fumble at the goal line and at least three open receivers missed on long passes is what cost them.  They beat La Crosse last week, which is a team that plays much tougher than their record indicates.  If they hadn't lost to Bethel, TN, a team I saw NCC play and make look silly, I'd rank UW-EC right up with Oshkosh in the polls.       

[Toby Taff]

I'm not a voter here, but I think its crazy that LC is ranked when McMurry is not. The McMurry - LC game in a few weeks will open some eyes. McMurry's passing game is for real.

[BoBo]

I have Franklin at 17. Their game against Whitewater showed that they're pretty much for real.

Really? They lost 45-0 (down 35-0 at halftime and first time shut out in a long time), had less than 200 yards of offense, gave up over 470 yards, and had 4 turnovers. It was a much better game last season in the playoffs. So far this season they have consistently struggled to rush the ball and have turned the ball over way too much. They've fumbled 9 times and thrown 11 interceptions and average turnover margin per game is -1. I just don't have faith in them compared to other teams near the bottom of the top 25.

I was going to say the same thing.

It's what Franklin did AFTER the UWW game that impressed me.

against / after same thing, right?

What does Massey say?   

[smedindy]

Massey says Franklin isn't as good as Whitewater!

[CruFrenzy]

Could someone give me the link to the massey ratings that you guys are talking about? I cant seem to find exactly what i was looking for.

[Ralph Turner]

www.masseyratings.com

http://masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf    Select  NCAA III

[CruFrenzy]

Thanks Ralph.

[sflzman]

15. Centre
17. Washington and Lee