[BJWilliams]

Really itll depend on how we do these first four games. If we come out 3-1 or 4-0 (4-0 is a definite longshot) we could end up in the top 10 (outside chance of a top 5). the thing is we are on the road at Charleston Southern (where we only won by a TD last time) and Stony Brook (and I dont even have to repeat what happened there). Those two are probably the ones Id be most worried about in conference. I think you can pretty much put every home game as a W in ink except JMU. If we can play like we did in 2009 (except we beat SBU and JMU) we could be top 5 by season's end.

[Chippy]

JMU is playing WVU at Fedex in DC next year (2012) - that's big time!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 47644.html

[NG33]

That's kind of strange.

Agreed. It's essentially a home game for JMU

[BigAl57]

JMU is playing WVU at Fedex in DC next year (2012) - that's big time!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 47644.html

from the article: WVU athletic director Oliver Luck said the school is guaranteed $2.3 million for the game, at least $500,000 more than it typically nets for a home game at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Looks like it it all about the green. I would have never thought that WVU makes 1.8M every home game.

[Kolzilla41]

Really itll depend on how we do these first four games. If we come out 3-1 or 4-0 (4-0 is a definite longshot) we could end up in the top 10 (outside chance of a top 5). the thing is we are on the road at Charleston Southern (where we only won by a TD last time) and Stony Brook (and I dont even have to repeat what happened there). Those two are probably the ones Id be most worried about in conference. I think you can pretty much put every home game as a W in ink except JMU. If we can play like we did in 2009 (except we beat SBU and JMU) we could be top 5 by season's end.

If we come off 4-0, we will definitely be top 3.

[Chippy]

JMU is playing WVU at Fedex in DC next year (2012) - that's big time!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 47644.html

from the article: WVU athletic director Oliver Luck said the school is guaranteed $2.3 million for the game, at least $500,000 more than it typically nets for a home game at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Looks like it it all about the green. I would have never thought that WVU makes 1.8M every home game.

I wonder what JMU's take is.

[jcmanson]

JMU is playing WVU at Fedex in DC next year (2012) - that's big time!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 47644.html

from the article: WVU athletic director Oliver Luck said the school is guaranteed $2.3 million for the game, at least $500,000 more than it typically nets for a home game at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Looks like it it all about the green. I would have never thought that WVU makes 1.8M every home game.

I wonder what JMU's take is.

They are guaranteed $350k, but can get an additional $150k based on attendance.

[No Fear]

Well, that won't ever happen - half of WVU fans don't have cars and the other half won't be able to find D.C.
Thats a Lose - Lose for JMU: Lose $$$ and lose a game...

[jcmanson]

Welcome to the board No Fear, but I have to disagree with you. It's a win-win for JMU. They get at least $350k and could get as much as $500k. That's a lot of money for 1 game for an FCS team. Not to mention the added bonus of playing a Big East team and in an NFL Stadium. Even if they lose, it won't hurt them. They're expected to lose. It's just like us against NC State. We have nothing to lose. We're supposed to lose, so if we do, big deal. But if we win, huge bonus.

[Chippy]

It's also a big recruitment enticement.

[From the class of 09]

Absolutely nothing but positive for JMU. Get to cash a 6 figure check to play at a neutral site in a city filled with JMU alum. I hate em but that stadium will be filled with JMU alum.

[jbock13]

Not sure why WVU would play JMU in a neutral field?

Weird. As my second favorite team, and a huge Oliver Luck fan, not sure what he's up to here. Maybe I'm missing something.

[From the class of 09]

Not sure why WVU would play JMU in a neutral field?

Weird. As my second favorite team, and a huge Oliver Luck fan, not sure what he's up to here. Maybe I'm missing something.

$500k

[No Fear]

I think he is wondering why D.C., and not WVU. These "opening games" with FBS/FCS teams are definitely good for the programs and fans. JMU and LU both have a great opportunity, and I am sure it helps to provide a picture for future "conference planning".
The doors open... come on in.

[Sly Fox]

CSN has added their rankings to the list. Big shock that Coulson has his Mountaineers at #1

College Sporting News 2011 Preseason Top 25

1. Appalachian State
2. Georgia Southern
3. Delaware
4. William & Mary
5. Eastern Washington
6. Montana State
7. New Hampshire
8. Northern Iowa
9. Wofford
10. North Dakota State
11. Villanova
12. Jacksonville State
13. McNeese State
14. James Madison
15. Penn
16. Lehigh
17. Southern Illinois
18. Stephen F. Austin
19. Montana
20. Liberty
21. Western Illinois
22. Florida A&M
23. Bethune-Cookman
24. Harvard
25. Central Arkansas

Others receiving votes: Chattanooga, Colgate, Sam Houston State, Murray State, Southern Utah, Central Connecticut State, South Carolina State, Grambling, Robert Morris.

Click Here for Full Release

[BigAl57]

CSN has added their rankings to the list. Big shock that Coulson has his Mountaineers at #1

Where else would he have them at? doesn't the FCS world revolve around Boone.

[BJWilliams]

They could finish 0-11 the previous year and he'd still have them #1...

[Cider Jim]

PLEASE schedule Appy State and JMU and Richmond on a regular basis. Beating them is the only way we will get respect in I-AA. "To be the best, you've got to beat the best."

[BJWilliams]

I think the JMU and Richmond series will run concurrent in 2012...not a hundred percent sure on that though

[jcmanson]

We do not play UR in football until 2013.

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for that manson...I wasnt a hundred percent sure if our series with Richmond started in 2012 or 2013.

[jcmanson]

TSN's preseason poll:
http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4428748

1 Eastern Washington
2 App State
3 William & Mary
4 Georgia Southern
5 Delaware
6 Montana State
7 Northern Iowa
8 Wofford
9 Jacksonville State
10 New Hampshire
11 North Dakota State
12 Montana
13 Lehigh
14 Villanova
15 James Madison
16 Richmond
17 Stephen F. Austin
18 Central Arkansas
19 Southern Illinois
20 McNeese State
21 Chattanooga
22 Liberty
23 South Carolina State
24 Sacramento State
25 Massachusetts

[BigAl57]

TSN's preseason poll:
http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4428748

1 Eastern Washington
2 App State
3 William & Mary
4 Georgia Southern
5 Delaware
6 Montana State
7 Northern Iowa
8 Wofford
9 Jacksonville State
10 New Hampshire
11 North Dakota State
12 Montana
13 Lehigh
14 Villanova
15 James Madison
16 Richmond
17 Stephen F. Austin
18 Central Arkansas
19 Southern Illinois
20 McNeese State
21 Chattanooga
22 Liberty
23 South Carolina State
24 Sacramento State
25 Massachusetts

where's SBU? I know that it is preseason polls but they are in some polls as high as 15 and not in others.

[Rooster Cogburn]

I still say that is low to rank us, but I get it to with our conference and the head scratching losses dragging us down. But, it gives us plenty of room to move up. And after all at this point in time polls are as worthless as they are in politics all the time.

[TH Spangler]

Beat NC State ... and move up a dozen spots in one week!