first Sporting Network I-AA poll released

[ISU87]

7 of 8 Gateway teams receiving votes, and according to ISU's website, ISU received 2 votes, I don't know how, ISU was 0-11 last year for Christ's sake!

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/misc/tsn-div-1aa-poll.htm

NOTES: All 11 opponents for the Sycamores (including I-A schools Purdue and Northern Illinois) were either ranked or receiving votes in the earliest preseason college football polls … Four Gateway schools were ranked in the The Sports Network Top 25 released on Monday … Though not listed in the official release, the Sycamores received two votes (team had to have had at least five votes to be included on the official press release …

[redbirdtim]

Sycamores are smart. Rebuilding in the Gateway, pretty much no chance to compete for a title this year, so they load up with two I-AA games. Means probably a real nice payday. However, if they can pull off some upsets, it will definitely bode well for their future. Playing Purdue and NIU pretty much means they can only lose one more game, possibly two (but highly unlikely).

[valleyclimber]

Tim, I think you meant that the Sycs loaded a couple I A teams on their sched to get the big paydays. Anyway, 4 Gateway teams in the top 17 is pretty cool! And having all 8 schools receiving some votes is a testiment to how good the Gateway could be this year. Not sure how anyone could give Indiana State a couple of votes, buy hey. :yes:

[ISU87]

we don't know either, Probably Royce did it, and the new BB assistant too??

How ISU will do this Fall will be highly dependent on how they do against EIU and Murray St. if you ask me. If they get blown out in those games, it's gonna be another winless year. The Purdue and NIU games are just for the $$, don't know how ISU will compete? But they've beaten NIU the last 4 times they met.

Not sure how anyone could give Indiana State a couple of votes, buy hey. :yes:

[redbirdtim]

You are correct, I do mean I-A teams. Too bad they couldn't get Hawaii instead of EIU. Then, they could have played 12 games (3 of them I-A). Combined betw. the 3, you would be looking at $800-900k. I hear Hawaii is giving EIU $400 k. Although travel expenses out there are a lot more.