The Good, The Bad, and The Typical Ugly of the FCS Schools

Week one is soon to wrap up in college football. We saw a few good matchups and a lot of lopsided scores in week one, which is typical and expected. FCS schools (formerly Division 1-AA) are the sacrificial lambs to the larger FBS schools. Usually you see the lopsided scores where you're thankful they didn't post 100 points on them, and sometimes you get a shocker (see Appalachian State vs. Michigan in 2007). Good news, we got both in this first week of college football. Let's take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of these games that can be called a "glorified scrimmage."

THE GOOD
This wasn't an Appalachian State shocker at the Big House. But Youngstown State, out of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, ran Pittsburgh's defense up and down the field all night, shocking the Panthers in Paul Chryst's debut as head coach 31-17 at Heinz Field. Hard to believe that this was a game that you couldn't put the blame on Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri. The Penguins go back to their FCS schedule, but not after sending Pitt students back to Oakland after singing "Sweet Caroline." It might be a long year for the Panthers if their defense can't make a stop on an opposing team. 

THE BAD
This award could go to Pitt, but we're looking at the bad of the FCS, not FBS. The bad goes to Murray State of the Ohio Valley Conference. Murray State played No. 7 Florida State and lost 63-9. The Racers don't have to suffer anymore FBS beatings. The winner of the ugly award can't say the same.

THE UGLY
Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to Savannah State. You had to be one of the millions asking "Who the heck is Savannah State?" last night. Savannah State plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference out of Georgia. The Tigers are a great example of FCS schools who step into the Colosseum's of Divsion I-A and attempt to fight the beasts of the Big XII and ACC. The Tigers were destroyed by No. 19 Oklahoma State 84-0. These Tigers don't have much time to lick their wounds. They travel to Tallahassee to face No. 7 Florida State. Savannah State will walk out of both beatings with two fat checks for showing up. The 2012 Tigers will be remembered as the squad who were routed Cowboys and Seminoles, but received money to build a new academic/athletic building as a parting gift. Hopefully, Florida State calls of the dogs after the first quarter.

In the end, most FCS schools take on their bigger counterparts for a nice payday for the university. There are moments like Appalachian Sate and Youngstown State shocking their opponents, but most of the time it results in a good butt-whooping that is expected even before they get on the bus to the stadium.

At least their seasons aren't over like in the FBS. They have a playoff system currently that outshines the future Four-Team Playoff.