While these teams usually lack the household names of Jadaveon Clowney or Teddy Bridgewater, the FCS can make an impact on the top teams of Division I. Remember in 2007 when Appalachian State beat Michigan? That game single handedly changed the landscape of the FBS, as the talk became louder about whether Lloyd Carr should move on.
While there will likely not be a game of that magnitude this upcoming season, here is a look at the FCS:
Preseason Top Ten
*Appalachian State and Georgia State will be left out of these rankings, as they are ineligible for the FCS Playoffs. Next year, both will be making the jump to the FBS in the Sun Belt Conference.
1. North Dakota State
The Bison are two-time defending national champions and return many of the starters who have contributed to both titles. A three-peat is imminent, as the defense continues to dominate and the offense continues to develop.
2. South Dakota State
Zach Zenner rushed for over 2,000 yards last season as a sophomore. Look for a possible repeat performance and a possible NDSU-SDSU title matchup.
3. Montana State
DeNarius McGhee will lead the Bobcats into this season eyeing a chance at the National Title. McGhee is a dual threat quarterback, throwing for over 3,000 yards and rushing for almost 700, and scored 29 times.
4. Wofford
Though they may be the third best team in the Southern Conference, they luck out, as Georgia State and Appalachian State are ineligible for the conference title and playoffs. They enter 2013 looking to build on their quarterfinals appearance in the playoffs last season, and build on it without 2,000 yard rusher, Eric Breitenstein.
5. Eastern Washington
The Eagles is looking to rebound from a 2012 campaign that left them three points from going to the FCS Championship Game, losing a 45-42 heartbreaker to Sam Houston State. They have a tough start to the season, playing at Oregon State and Toledo. They lost leading receiver Brandon Kaufman, but gained a valuable addition on defense, former UCLA safety Tevin McDonald.
6. Central Arkansas
Quarterback Wynrick Smothers will lead Central Arkansas into the 2013 campaign with a legitimate shot to win the Southland Conference. The division, recently dominated by Sam Houston State, will be open for the taking as SHSU has lost many of the players that led them to two straight National Title games. Smothers and the Bears beat Sam Houston last season, and will look to do so again in 2013.
7. Villanova
The Wildcats improved significantly from 2011 to 2012. They went from a two-win team, to qualifying for the playoffs. They will look to build on this momentum, as they return many of their starters and key players from last year’s team, including quarterback John Robertson (1,965 passing yards and 1,021 rushing yards, 28 total touchdowns) and running back Kevin Monangai (1,210 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns).
8. Sam Houston State
Though many of the players that led this team to back-to-back national title appearances are gone, look for the young guys to pick up pieces. They still have the experience and pain of being so close to a National Championship... twice, and coming away empty. Their offense will revolve around senior running back, Timothy Flanders.
9. Towson
The Tigers are led into 2013 by running back, Terrance West, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Towson will be looking to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2012.
10. Stony Brook
The Seawolves lost Miguel Maysonet to the NFL, but ex-Iowa Hawkeye, Marcus Coker, returns. Coker has rushed for over 1,000 yards the past two seasons, and will carry the full workload with Maysonet gone.
Players to Watch
Here are some names that will scouts and networks will be talking about during the offseason about their potential in the NFL.
Jeff Matthews (QB, Cornell): Matthews has a cannon for an arm and shows great accuracy. He is already turning heads of many NFL scouts.
Isaiah Crowell (RB, Alabama State): Former 5-star recruit who was kicked off Georgia’s team because of weapons charges, Crowell looks to show scouts he has changed off the field, while still having his top-notch talent on the field.
Marcus Coker (RB, Stony Brook): The former Hawkeye looks to show scouts he can be a three-down back, as he takes on the full workload for Stony Brook.
Tevin McDonald (S, Eastern Washington): The former UCLA starter will look to help propel Eastern Washington to the national title game, after losing in the semi-finals last season to eventual runner-up, Sam Houston State.
Tim Flanders (RB, Sam Houston State): After starting his career at Kansas State, Flanders has been a centerpiece in Sam Houston State’s offense.
Sean Price (WR, Appalachian State): Big receiver flying under the radar right now, but will be talked about a lot around April.
Championship Prediction: North Dakota State over South Dakota State.