USA Today 1-128 Rankings

[EastHallApp]

For those who feel like everybody is just sleeping on App, it's not really true. Here's one site that tracks predictions in preseason mags, computer rankings, polls etc. Of the 12 they've gathered so far, six pick App to either win the Sun Belt outright or win a share of the title::

http://preseason.stassen.com/consensus/ ... l#sun-belt

Note that the team that is really lagging behind in the consensus predictions is ULL.

The composite has us 3rd.

Yeah, but look at the breakdown - it's because of one outlier that picks us to finish tied for seventh(!) If you exclude that one, we're just ahead of A-State and just a couple points behind Southern.

[hapapp]

For those who feel like everybody is just sleeping on App, it's not really true. Here's one site that tracks predictions in preseason mags, computer rankings, polls etc. Of the 12 they've gathered so far, six pick App to either win the Sun Belt outright or win a share of the title::

http://preseason.stassen.com/consensus/ ... l#sun-belt

Note that the team that is really lagging behind in the consensus predictions is ULL.

The composite has us 3rd.

Yeah, but look at the breakdown - it's because of one outlier that picks us to finish tied for seventh(!) If you exclude that one, we're just ahead of A-State and just a couple points behind Southern.

I saw that...would love to know what lead to that pick.

[TheMoody1]

The SB Nation Poll.

App in at 82.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal ... r-rankings

[hapapp]

The SB Nation Poll.

App in at 82.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal ... r-rankings

Still have some doubters...have us fourth best in the SBC.

[MDaniels84]

I love the fact that some folks are just not sold on App yet. Many of the people spearheading these rankings have very little knowledge of App's solid program and winning tradition. We have many intangibles that will lead to better success than many of the programs ranked ahead of us. I would not be surprised to see us finish in the top 35 this season IF we stay healthy .

[MtnDevil95]

The problem with pre-season polls is that there are biases inherent and apparent in all of them. UNC-Cheat for the past couple or three years has underperformed their pre-season ranking, as has VaTech. I don’t think this is as much an indication that those 2 teams have underperformed as it is evidence of bias on the pollsters going into the season.

It works the other way too. Some teams that do not have historically powerhouse programs are undervalued and then outperform their preseason rankings. I would like to think Appalachian falls into that category. We’re not only new to the FBS, but we’ve a young coach in his first head coaching job. For many pollsters that’s 2 strikes which will keep us low for the next few seasons regardless. I don’t mind it. I think it’s motivation and can be used.

[EastHallApp]

The SB Nation Poll.

App in at 82.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal ... r-rankings

Still have some doubters...have us fourth best in the SBC.

Ranked by the same dude who not only picked us 4th back in February, but included us in the "2nd tier" of the Sun Belt and added this little gem of analysis: "Really, though, I think last year's top three is this year's top three." In other words, he didn't do certain forms of in-depth research such as checking last year's standings.

[appchicago]

I'd much rather we earn the respect we weren't freely given than be given respect we haven't fully earned.

[APPdiesel]

I'd much rather we earn the respect we weren't freely given than be given respect we haven't fully earned.

Exactly. Unless you're a P5 pushing for a spot in the 4 team playoff preseason rankings don't mean a thing. Just win baby win!

[AtlAppMan]

This guy seems to see things my way on GSU.

http://www.docsports.com/2015/georgia-s ... s-779.html

"Georgia Southern stepped up in their biggest games last year. But they also had one of the easiest schedules in the country last year and took advantage. Southern is still a solid squad but won't reach nine wins again this year. However, I do think they can (and will) lose their four toughest games"