I - A A P R E V I E W 1 9 9 4 P R E S E A S O N E D I T I O N *************************************************************** CONTENTS: I. WELCOME ABOARD II. I-AA 101 III. THE STATE OF I-AA FOOTBALL IV. RECAP OF LAST SEASON V. CHANGES IN DIVISION I-AA FOR 1994 VI. THE MAGAZINE POLLS (UP TO TODAY) VII. FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS FOR 1993 VIII. I-AA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TICKET ORDER INFORMATION **************************************************************** I. WELCOME ABOARD Greetings to all readers. This posting appears weekly through the course of the season, and is the only source of comprehensive information for Division I-AA football on the Internet (so far as I know, and believe me, I have looked far and wide). It is usually posted on Tuesday or Wednesday evening, and attempts are made to be as accurate as possible, but when secondary sources, and very few of them, are the root for the information that is posted here, mistakes will be made. If they are noticed, I am very willing to make correction, so please feel free to send me a note; I will thank you for it. For the uninitiated, a word about the format of this newsletter. Typically, it is very specific, and follows the same order each week. The first section begins with a review of the Division I-AA Poll by Sports Network, with rankings, results, and schedules for teams that are included. I am hoping that I may be able to get access to the I-AA Football Committee's poll (which does still exist, and is the important poll, since it determines who goes to the playoffs); if I can, I will use this instead. This is followed by a review of some of the more important games in the division coming up in that weekend. All games between two ranked teams are reviewed, as well as other games of interest, and this year I intend to give predictions for scores (different from last year). I will also predict an "Ugly game of the week" (a total mismatch between two teams) and an "Upset of the week." This section, during the course of the regular season, is the only time I actually express opinion; I try to be as unbiased as possible. Next, the results of the previous weeks games are presented by geographic region. Then, league standings are presented, with results and schedules for conference games in the preceeding and following weeks. The next week's slate of games follows in three categories: 1) Games vs. I-A opponents; 2) Games vs. I-AA opponents; 3) Games vs. lower division opponents (Div. II, III, and NAIA). The last statement in the preview is information on how to order I-AA National Champoionship Game tickets, and is there as a convenience for anyone who wishes to attend (and if you can make it, I encourage you--its lots of fun). I intend to put out 18 issues of the newsletter this season: Preseason, Twelve During the regular season, Four during the playoffs, and one end-of-season wrap-up. The next issue will appear during the last week of August (just before the season kicks off on September 3). The last will be out around December 20. Finally, let me introduce myself. My name is Patrick Dunn, PDunn to Internet, and very interested in I-AA football. This newsletter is basically a one person operation (me), and I am solely responsible for its content. I am a graduate of a I-AA school (Marshall), but I try to be as objective and unbiased as I can during the course of the season. I am always looking for information on I-AA football, so if you have anything important to pass along, please drop me a line, I would appreciate it. ************************************************************** II. I-AA 101 Many people wonder just what I-AA football is. Well, it is a strange classification, because it is a division within a division. The NCAA regards I-AA football as "major college," the same as I-A, but within I-AA itself there is a great deal of variety among programs and the way they are structured. To be Division I-AA, a college must be first be classified as Division I by the NCAA. To do so, a minimum number of men's and women's sports must be played at the varsity level, together with some other requirements. If one of those men's sports is football, the college MUST play in either Division I-AA or Division I-A. To be a I-A school, the college must have a stadium with 30,000 permanent seats, average 17,000 per year in attendence at home games or 25,000 ofr all games home and away, or receive a waiver from the NCAA. Otherwise, the school is classified as I-AA. It's that simple. Schools which are I-AA can give up to 63 full athletic scholarships. But, there is variability in this. Some give a full allottment; others give 50 or even as few as 20; others (most notably, the Ivy, Patriot, Metro Atlantic Athletic and Pioneer Leagues) give none, and basically are Division III programs playing at a I-AA level, and their schedules will show this. It is the schools and conferences which give a full allottment or something close to it are the only schools which seriously contend for the I-AA National Championship. This championship is decided through a playoff, with 16 teams playing a four round, single elimination tournament. The teams are selected by the NCAA I-AA football committee (consisting of four athletic directors, one from each of four geographic regions), and four teams, one in each region, are seeded. Six conferences (Big Sky, Gateway, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Yankee) have automatic bids extended to their champions. The remaining ten spots are at-large berths. The Ivy and Patriot Leagues do not participate in the playoffs by choice, and those from nonscholarship leagues are unlikely to be selected because of weakness of schedule. The first three rounds are played at campus sites, with host teams being determined by a number of factors: record, monetary bid, weather conditions, quality of facilities, etc. The final is at a predetermined site (this year, as the last two, Marshall Stadium in Huntington, WV). The winner of the championship game is the national champion. There you have it: the basics of I-AA football. *************************************************************** III. THE STATE OF I-AA FOOTBALL I-AA football continues for its seventeenth season of existence generally solid but dogged by problems, namely revenue. A couple of seasons ago, the NCAA decided to increase the number of sports Division I schools must sponsor in order to stay at that level, and for many Division I-AA programs, this was a severe financial crunch. When this is coupled with a redoubled vigilence toward gender equity, many athletic directors are looking toward football as the place to make cuts which may be unwanted but may be necessary to secure the lives of their school's athletic programs. Luckily, it was not decided to cut scholarships from 63 to 45 at the last NCAA convention, largely because many of the "haves" would have jumped to I-A and probalby killed I-AA, and the "have nots" were not willing to risk this. Nonetheless, more and more schools toward the dregs of the division are cutting or eliminating scholarships of their own volition. Morehead St. of Kentucky is one example. Never much of anything but an afterthought in either the league or national picture, MSU has decided to begin phasing out its football scholarships over the next four years. The result has been disastorous for the program: many athletes have left school, and for those that have stayed, morale is extremely low. Even the Big Sky, one of the premier leagues in I-AA,has seriously considered limiting scholarships to something around 50 (although Idaho and Boise St. are notable dissenters). It would seem that the rich are going to stay rich and the poor are going to drop further and further behind unless the NCAA does something to remedy the situation. Two suggestions would be made here: 1) drop the "six wins against I-A competition" for bowl consideration in I-A. This would open up doors for a greater number of "revenue games" with I-A teams; besides, its not going to be as if I-A schools are going to go out and schedule a half dozen I-AA opponents. Secondly, for nonscholarship football programs, create a new classification within Division I. Not only would this be fair for those schools with limited resources, it would create a greater parody and competitiveness within Division I-AA; also, it would allow programs that have the resources to play full scholarship football to make decisions which are best for them at the convention, and not force them into I-A, where they just do not have the means to compete. With these problems though, there are reasons to be excited. There are more schools at the I-AA level this season, and the popularity of the tournament continues to increase, with the championship game drawing nearly 30,000 fans again last season. The national championship will again be televised on CBS, and all indications are that this will be a wide-open season with the eventual champion being anyone's guess. There is still life in I-AA, and with some changes, and some true believing by those that follow it, it should do fine over the long haul. *************************************************************** IV. RECAP OF THE 1993 SEASON The 1993 season began with a lot of changes. Two new leagues, the Metro Atlantic and the Pioneer, joined up, together with a ton of new independents. Western Carolina and Middle Tennessee State were early favorites to win the National Championship, with Troy State, in its first year up from Division II, also receiving considerable notoriety. But, as the season played out, Western Carolina and Middle Tennessee did not even make the playoffs, falling on hard times during the regular season. League champions seemed to come from nowhere: Boston U. won the Yankee with an undefeated record; Montana came out on top in the Big Sky. Georgia Southern, in its first year in the league, won the Southern. However, in some conferences, it was business as usual. McNeese St. bested NE Louisiana for the Southland title, and Northern Iowa won the Gateway, after Western Illinois threatened to become the first team in history to advance to the I-AA playoffs with a losing record. Eastern Kentucky took up MTSU's slack in the Ohio Valley to advance to a twelvth game, as usual. There were a great number of Independents with records well enough to make the playoff last season, but in the end it was Youngstown St., Troy St. and Central Florida which advanced. Western Kencucky and Towson St. showed promise but were left out of the big dance. NE Louisiana, Delaware, William and Mary, Marshall, Idaho, Howard, and Stephen F. Austin St. rounded out the at large berths. FIRST ROUND RESULTS: Georgia Southern 14 Eastern Kentucky 12 Youngstown St. 56 Central Florida 30 Boston U. 27 N. Iowa 21 (2 OT) Marshall 28 Howard 14 Delaware 49 Montana 48 Troy St. 42 SF Austin 20 Idaho 34 NE Louisiana 31 McNeese St. 34 William & Mary 28 SECOND ROUND: Youngstown St. 34 Georgia Southern 14 Idaho 21 Boston U. 14 Marshall 34 Delaware 31 Troy St. 35 McNeese St. 28 SEMIFINALS: Youngstown St. 35 Idaho 16 Marshall 24 Troy St. 21 THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: For the third consecutive year, Youngstown St. and Marshall met for the I-AA title. Early mistakes by the Herd allowed the Penguins to score two early TD's, which the Herd could not overcome. After the first five minutes of the game, it was largely a defensive struggle, the highlight of which was a fourth-down stand by YSU against a driving Herd at their goal line. Marshall never could get its offense operating, and YSU won its second I-AA title in three years by a score of 17-5. 1993 NONSCHOLARSHIP FOOTBALL: METRO ATLANTIC CHAMPION: Iona PIONEER LEAGUE CHAMPION: Dayton PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPION: Lehigh IVY LEAGUE CHAMPION: Pennsylvania *************************************************************** V. CHANGES IN DIVISION I-AA FOR 1994 ARRIVALS: Marist and Duquesne join the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as members this season, having previously been I-AA independents. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has moved from Division II to I-AA and retains membership in the mixed I-AA/II America West Conference (NOTE: League standings are not kept for this league because it is split between two classifications; members are considered to be I-AA independents). Monmouth joins as a I-AA nonscholarship independent, as does Robert Morris. DEPARTURES: NE Louisiana, formerly of the Southland Conference, has left for Division I-A (Lotsa luck, guys!). *************************************************************** VI. THE MAGAZINE POLLS (UP TO TODAY) I have seen three preseason I-AA polls up to today. Athlon did not have one this season (unfortunantely). Street and Smith, The Sporting News, and College Sprots Magazine have the only polls I have seen to date: STREET AND SMITH THE SPORTING NEWS COLLEGE SPORTS 1. Youngstown St. 1. Marshall 1. Marshall 2. Marshall 2. Youngstown St. 2. Youngstown St. 3. Montana 3. C. Florida 3. McNeese St. 4. Georgia So. 4. McNeese St. 4. Georgia So. 5. McNeese St. 5. N. Iowa 5. Troy St. 6. Idaho 6. Boston U. 6. C. Florida 7. SF Austin 7. Montana 7. N. Iowa 8. C. Florida 8. Troy St. 8. Montana 9. E. Kentucky 9. Middle Tennessee 9t. Delaware 10. Tennessee Tech 10. Georgia So. 9t. Idaho 11. N. Iowa 11. Delaware (Only 10 ranked) 12. Delaware 12. Alcorn St. 13. Boston U. 13. Howard 14. Alcorn St. 14. Illinois St. 15. Howard 15. Idaho 16. Montana St. 16. E. Kentucky 17. W. Carolina 17. W. Carolina 18. Tennessee-Martin 18. N. Arizona 19. Troy St. 19. Liberty 20 Nicholls St. 20. Pennsylvania 21. Southern (Only 20 Ranked) 22. Pennsylvania 23. S. Carolina St. 24. Massachusetts 25. E. Tennessee St. *************************************************************** VII. FINAL I-AA CONFERENCE STANDINGS FOR 1993 (LEAGUE CHAMPIONS IN CAPS) BIG SKY CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T MONTANA 7 0 0 10 2 0 Idaho 5 2 0 11 3 0 E. Washington 5 2 0 7 3 0 Montana St. 4 3 0 7 4 0 N. Arizona 3 4 0 7 4 0 Weber St. 3 4 0 7 4 0 Boise St. 1 6 0 3 8 0 Idaho St. 0 7 0 2 9 0 * *Idaho St. was forced by the NCAA to forfeit its two 1993 wins because of the use of ineligible players. ----------------------------------------------- GATEWAY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T N. IOWA 5 1 0 8 4 0 SW Missouri St. 4 2 0 7 4 0 W. Illinois 4 2 0 4 7 0 Illinois St. 2 3 1 6 4 1 E. Illinois 2 3 1 3 7 1 Indiana St. 2 4 0 4 7 0 S. Illinois 1 5 0 2 8 1 ------------------------------------------------- IVY LEAGUE CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T PENNSYLVANIA 7 0 0 10 0 0 Dartmouth 6 1 0 7 3 0 Princeton 5 2 0 8 2 0 Brown 3 4 0 4 6 0 Cornell 3 4 0 4 6 0 Yale 2 5 0 3 7 Harvard 1 6 0 3 7 Columbia 1 6 0 2 8 ------------------------------------------------ METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T IONA 5 0 0 9 2 0 Canisius 4 1 0 5 5 0 St. John's (NY) 3 2 0 7 4 0 Georgetown (DC) 2 3 0 4 5 0 St. Peter's 1 4 0 3 7 0 Siena 0 5 0 0 10 0 ---------------------------------------------------- MID EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T HOWARD 6 0 0 11 1 0 S. Carolina St. 4 2 0 8 4 0 Delaware St. 4 2 0 6 5 0 N. Carolina A&T 3 3 0 8 3 0 Florida A&M 3 3 0 5 6 0 Bethune-Cookman 1 5 0 3 8 0 Morgan St. 0 6 0 2 9 0 ------------------------------------------------------ OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T E. KENTUCKY 8 0 0 8 4 0 Tennessee Tech 7 1 0 8 3 0 Tennessee-Martin 4 4 0 6 5 0 Middle Tennessee St 4 4 0 5 6 0 Murray St. 4 4 0 4 7 0 Tennessee St. 4 4 0 4 7 0 Morehead St. 2 6 0 3 8 0 SE Missouri St. 2 6 0 3 8 0 Austin Peay St. 1 7 0 1 10 0 ------------------------------------------------------ PATRIOT LEAGUE CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T LEHIGH 4 1 0 7 4 0 Lafayette 3 1 1 4 5 2 Bucknell 3 2 0 4 7 0 Colgate 2 2 1 3 7 1 Holy Cross 2 3 0 3 8 0 Fordham 1 4 0 1 10 0 ------------------------------------------------------ PIONEER LEAGUE CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T DAYTON 5 0 0 9 1 0 Drake 3 2 0 8 2 0 Butler 3 2 0 4 6 0 Evansville 2 3 0 6 4 0 San Diego 1 4 0 6 4 0 Valparaiso 1 4 0 5 5 0 ------------------------------------------------------ SOUTHERN CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T GEORGIA SOUTHERN 7 1 0 10 3 0 Marshall 6 2 0 11 4 0 Western Carolina 5 3 0 6 5 0 Furman 4 4 0 5 5 1 The Citadel 4 4 0 5 6 0 Appalachian St. 4 4 0 4 7 0 East Tennessee St. 3 5 0 5 6 0 Tennessee-Chattanooga 2 6 0 4 7 0 Virginia Military Inst. 1 7 0 1 10 0 ------------------------------------------------------ SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T MCNEESE ST 7 0 0 10 3 0 NE Louisiana 6 1 0 9 3 0 Stephen F. Austin St. 5 2 0 8 4 0 Northwestern St. (La.) 3 4 0 5 6 0 N. Texas St. 2 5 0 4 7 0 Sam Houston St. 2 5 0 4 7 0 Nicholls St. 2 5 0 3 8 0 SW Texas St. 1 6 0 2 9 0 ------------------------------------------------------ SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T SOUTHERN 7 0 0 11 1 0 Alcorn St. 6 1 0 8 3 0 Grambling 4 3 0 7 4 0 Jackson St. 3 3 1 5 5 1 Alabama St. 3 3 1 4 4 1 Mississippi Valley St. 2 3 2 4 4 2 Texas Southern 1 6 0 3 8 0 Prarie View A&M 0 8 0 0 11 0 ------------------------------------------------------ YANKEE Mid Atlantic Division: CONFERENCE OVERALL W L T W L T WILLIAM & MARY 7 1 0 9 3 0 Delaware 6 2 0 9 4 0 James Madison 4 5 0 6 5 0 Richmond 4 6 0 5 6 0 Villanova 2 7 0 3 8 0 Northeastern 2 8 0 2 9 0 New England Division: BOSTON UNIVERSITY 9 0 0 12 1 0 Massachusetts 7 3 0 8 3 0 Connecticut 5 3 0 6 5 0 New Hampshire 5 5 0 6 5 0 Maine 2 7 0 3 8 0 Rhode Island 1 7 0 3 8 0 ------------------------------------------------------ I-AA INDEPENDENTS W L T Youngstown St. 13 2 0 Troy St. 12 1 1 Alabama-Birmingham 9 2 0 Central Florida 9 3 0 Wagner 8 2 0 Towson St. 8 2 0 W. Kentucky 8 3 0 Hofstra 6 3 1 St. Mary's (Cal) 6 3 1 Davidson 6 4 0 Liberty 6 5 0 C. Connecticut St. 5 5 0 Marist 5 5 0 Samford 5 6 0 Duquesne 4 6 0 Northridge St. 4 6 0 Sacramento St. 4 6 0 St. Francis (Penn) 3 7 0 S. Utah 3 7 1 Charleston Southern 3 8 0 Buffalo 1 10 0 **************************************************************** VIII. I-AA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TICKET ORDER INFORMATION The 1994 Division I-AA National Championship Game will be held at Marshall University Stadium in Huntington, WV on Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 PM. Tickets may be ordered by calling the Marshall University Ticket Office at 1-800-THE-HERD. **************************************************************** * * * * * *+| |+* * |+| |+| * * |+| |+| * |+| |+| * |+| +++++++++++++++ |+| * |+| |+| * |+| |+| * * |+| |+| * *+| |+* * * * * * The WWW site would like to thank the following for the upload: ***************************************************************** Email responses regarding this posting are encouraged. If errors are observed, comments and corrections are very much welcome. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Patrick Dunn pdunn@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu The Ohio State University *****************************************************************