AP#26

[Saint3333]

Finished 26th again, similar to 2019 although that felt like a more successful year.

https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

I'll take it. 9-3 season with a new coach with all 3 losses being close to teams that were ranked at some point in the season, I think that's about where we deserved to be.

[EastHallApp]

Honestly pretty generous, and partly a reflection of some conferences playing limited schedules. 2018 absolutely was a more successful year and just a better team. Still appreciate the recognition, though.

[MAD Doctor]

Still ranked higher than ALL CUSAs and all but one AAC.
EZU, you're on the clock.

[bigdaddyg]

I believe all of name recognition, branding and track record stuff is taking hold. We have officially moved past the little mountain school that “shocked the world” (now 14 years ago) at the Big House. Granted the rankings are adjusted due to the crazy season but it’s still nice to see. To all of the glass half empty guys on this board those losses didn’t destroy our credibility in the college football world. In my mind if we as a program can remain legitimately in the top 25% of FBS every year I’ll take it. By my calculations that mean being ranked no worse than about number 32 or so. App State is strong. Let’s all hope we will be packing KBS in about 8 months!

[appstate77]

I expected a significant move upwards when there were multiple losses in the bottom half of the rankings. Disappointed but understand why we could not crack the 25. Coaches Poll and ESPN power index yet to come, also the CBS poll. Still hoping.

[WASU 93]

Army moved ahead of us in their version

Coastal Carolina #11
Louisiana #12
Liberty #15
North Carolina #16
App State #27
NC State #29
GaSo #49
GaSt #57
Wake Forest #61
ECU #99
South Carolina #102
Charlotte #106
Duke #109

[appstate77]

S+P has us 24th ahead of CCU and UL.

[AppStFan1]

I believe all of name recognition, branding and track record stuff is taking hold. We have officially moved past the little mountain school that “shocked the world” (now 14 years ago) at the Big House. Granted the rankings are adjusted due to the crazy season but it’s still nice to see. To all of the glass half empty guys on this board those losses didn’t destroy our credibility in the college football world. In my mind if we as a program can remain legitimately in the top 25% of FBS every year I’ll take it. By my calculations that mean being ranked no worse than about number 32 or so. App State is strong. Let’s all hope we will be packing KBS in about 8 months!

Exactly. We won a bowl by a big margin (albeit vs a bad team), have name recognition, and a LOT of teams in 20-25 and RV lost so it created that for us. Look at the points though and you can see for 23-25 there was very little agreement. Big drop in points from 23 to 24 to 25. The only reason San Jose State stayed in the rankings is because of so many teams losing as well. I know we aren't the 26th best team but good to get that publicity and with what we have returning we should start the year in good position.

[Apple@chin1]

We’re #1(IRV)! We’re #1(IRV)! I think the Belt finally was shown some love this year. I think that was reflective in our ranking, for sure. If Marshall hadn’t fallen off the face of the Earth at the end of the year, we possibly could’ve sneaked in with 3 quality losses. With all of the really good coaching hires in the Belt recently, I would expect 2021 to be our year to make a push for the NY6, if we can walk out of conference play unscathed and win or have a good showing in Miami. Next year could be huge. Obviously, that is assuming the rest of the Belt will rise up, too. The OC hire will be crucial.

[Tatedc]

Only Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma State and Miami finished higher than us of teams with more than 2 losses.

[AppStFan1]

We’re #1(IRV)! We’re #1(IRV)! I think the Belt finally was shown some love this year. I think that was reflective in our ranking, for sure. If Marshall hadn’t fallen off the face of the Earth at the end of the year, we possibly could’ve sneaked in with 3 quality losses. With all of the really good coaching hires in the Belt recently, I would expect 2021 to be our year to make a push for the NY6, if we can walk out of conference play unscathed and win or have a good showing in Miami. Next year could be huge. Obviously, that is assuming the rest of the Belt will rise up, too. The OC hire will be crucial.

That is assuming the vaccine ends this thing and numbers are so low we can have full stadiums and keep our current schedule. I am hopeful but until this vaccine shrinks the numbers heavily I will not assume anything to be for sure yet in 2021. Fingers crossed the vaccine works so we can. We really need a P5 opponent this year and Miami will be a great one. They just added a really good WR from Oklahoma that will be a great test for Jolly.