{"id":7926,"date":"2015-08-30T21:21:44","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T01:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=7926"},"modified":"2015-08-30T21:21:44","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T01:21:44","slug":"would-you-rather-jmu-play-an-fcs-power-or-an-fbs-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=7926","title":{"rendered":"Would You Rather JMU Play an FCS Power or an FBS Team?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[polldaddy poll=9050363]The 2015 college football season got started with a bang yesterday, as #12 Montana defeated #1 North Dakota State in a 38-35 thriller<\/a>. It was a real treat to see two traditional FCS heavyweights duke it out. The fact that it was nationally televised on ESPN2 and had Brent Musburger on the call definitely added to the excitement. Regardless of the coverage, it was an awesome game and a real treat for football fans.<\/p>\n

If you could cast aside any discussion of JMU moving up to FBS (please), it’s hard not to see the appeal of these big intra-FCS matchups. JMU’s upset over Virginia Tech is easily the most memorable moment in JMU football history for a lot of fans. And with good reason. As someone who was lucky enough to attend the 2008 home game against Appalachian State, which at the time was a legendary FCS program, let me tell you that it was about as exciting as any football game I’ve attended. At any level. To say that campus was electric all day wouldn’t be doing it justice. And the game, which featured the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the country, actually exceeded the hype.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, there is something particularly enticing about getting a chance to face a larger FBS program. While the chances for an upset against a legitimate power team are small, the victory in Blacksburg proved that it’s amazing when it happens. Of course, there are also games against the relative bottom tier of FBS, which are much more winnable, but probably don’t generate anywhere near the buzz of beating a top P5 program. There’s also the payday element. Playing one game against a top team for a few hundred thousand dollars is nothing to ignore.<\/p>\n

Personally speaking, I’d prefer to do a home and home against a top FCS program. Give me a game in Bridgeforth against North Dakota State or a chance to trek out to Montana to take on the Grizzlies over a random FBS game anyday. Beating VT was amazing. Losing to Maryland, Akron, and West Virginia was not. But I’m sure others may disagree though. So vote in the poll and feel free to elaborate in the comments.<\/p>\n

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