(01-06-2020 06:07 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 05:56 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 05:16 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 04:43 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  What has killed the SoCon is the introduction of 10+ FBS programs since 2010 in the southeast. That is ~800 scholarship players not funneling through the FCS ranks and the SE was hit the hardest.

The move to FBS wasn't just a move to get better it was a move of survival.

Yeah, this is an excellent point. I think they were all in the southeast, except for Texas State, UTSA, and UMass. South Alabama, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Coastal, App, Charlotte, ODU, and Liberty all moved up in the 2010's. WKU was just a few years prior.

I'm so glad that App, which was passed over by CUSA in favor of Charlotte, has become the standout of all the programs that moved up (or new from scratch).

Just curious if your thoughts. How would you rank the move ups based on success at the FBS level?

Going how far back, and based on what time period?

I'd put Marshall a slight edge over App for best six year start in FBS. I'd put App number one for best start among teams moving up since 2000. And I'd put Boise number one overall for best tenure in FBS after being in the FCS.

I don't know what timeline parameters I should use to give a ranking, but here are some standouts:

WKU for multiple CUSA titles and a top 25 finish.
FAU for multiple CUSA titles.
Troy for multiple SBC titles.
UConn for going to a BCS bowl (but this one is shaky due to their dismal past decade).
Ga. Southern for making 3 bowl games in five years of eligibility.
UCF, who has been dominant in the AAC. They were once an 1-AA independent.