Lehigh Football Nation

My vote for the FCS Top 25 for the week ending 10/28/2013 follows below the flip. But first, check out this great picture from Samford WR Chris Cephus after scoring a touchdown in the Bulldogs' 34-27 win over the Wofford Terriers this weekend.  (Photo Credit: Marvin Gentry / MGPhoto.com ) In the SoCon, this game was huge, but what was especially amazing was that the Bulldogs overcame four turnovers, including one interception that was returned by Wofford LB Alvin Scioneaux for a touchdown. But with a smothering defensive effort from Bulldog LB Jaquirski Tartt (17 tackles) and a big day returning the football by RB Fabian Truss , the Bulldogs moved to 4-0 in SoCon play and put themselves in the drivers' seat in regards to qualifying for the FCS playoffs.

Anyone who has followed the Patriot League in any capacity has some sort of opinion on the decision to allow football scholarships.  ( Including myself, of course. ) But in the end, it was only the opinion of ten men and women who mattered - the eight presidents of the full-time Patriot League schools, and the two presidents of the football-only members. Shortly after history was made , there were a flurry of different documents released - including an official Patriot League release of comments from all seven of the football-playing schools - as well. The varied documents provide a fascinating glimpse at a process that was, over the course of the past five years, basically closed to the public, save the occasional leak to the local press. It also gives a look as to which schools are enthusiastic about the move - and which ones are not.

(Photo Credit: The Macon Telegraph) You may have missed it, but two pieces of news happened in the last six months that may have a much more profound change on the landscape of FCS football than you might think. In November, Georgia-based Mercer College announced they would be fielding a football team for the first time in 70 years . And in March, their Atlantic Sun leaguemates Stetson in Florida also announced their intent to do the renovations necessary to bring football back to their campus as well after a 55 year hiatus. Chaos theory tells us that small variances (like Mercer and Stetson starting football) sometimes have large, unpredictable ripple effects very far away (like a larger realignment in Midwestern football conferences). Seem crazy? Not exactly. (more)