We're nearing the end of the season and the pecking order has been fairly set. But in the spirit of the NDL and Thanksgiving, let's take a look at where our group of guys stand! These are based on how I see it, I know some will question FIU's ranking. And for those guys I still have to play...please don't punish me for my decisions! : )
10. New Mexico State Aggies 0-9 (0-5) -New Mexico State University is like the canned sliced cranberries of Thanksgiving—unwanted, yet somehow always showing up on the table. You don’t ask for it, you don’t really know how it got there, and it’s hard to say if it’s even technically food. It’s not that it’s terrible, it’s just... well, you’re kind of just wondering why it's still a thing in 2024. People give it a glance, maybe a half-hearted stir, but in the end, it’s always the last thing to be eaten—if it’s eaten at all. Sorry, NMSU, you're not quite the turkey of college football. But hey, at least you're consistent!
9. Kennesaw State Owls 1-6 (0-4) -Kennesaw State is like the boiled vegetables at Thanksgiving—slightly better than the canned cranberries, but still not winning any popularity contests. Sure, it’s technically "food" and provides some nutritional value, but let’s be honest: no one’s excited to see it. It sits there on the table, kind of bland, maybe with a sprinkle of seasoning to make it tolerable. Some might give it a try, others avoid it completely, but in the end, it’s still more about filling up space than winning anyone over. Kennesaw State, you’re like that bowl of carrots and green beans—nobody hates you, but we’re not going to fight over seconds.
8. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 1-5 (1-2) -Louisiana Tech is like the ambrosia salad of Thanksgiving dinner—you've only beaten one of the worst dishes out there, and somehow that’s enough to get a little attention. Sure, you can say you "won," but the competition was the canned sliced cranberries. No one’s really impressed, but hey, you showed up and at least you didn’t get totally ignored. La Tech, you're that one dish that people grudgingly admit is "fine," but let’s be honest: even if you take the win, no one’s going back for seconds. Keep trying, though—you’ve got potential, just don’t expect anyone to be raving about it anytime soon.
7. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 5-4 (2-3) -Western Kentucky University is like the creamed corn of Thanksgiving dinner—at first, it looks promising. It’s warm, creamy, and you think, *Hey, this could be good!* But after a few bites, you realize... it’s just kind of... meh. It’s not that it’s terrible, but it doesn’t really live up to the hype. You had high hopes, but it never quite delivers the satisfying depth you were craving. It’s one of those dishes that, after a few spoonfuls, you leave on your plate, disappointed but not angry—just... underwhelmed. WKU, you’re the creamed corn: always promising more than you actually provide. Better luck next year!
6. Florida International Golden Panthers 3-4 (0-3) - Florida International is like green bean casserole at Thanksgiving dinner—you’re definitely going to get some, but it’s never the first dish you reach for. It’s there, it’s fine, but it always loses out to the top 3 or 4 crowd favorites—turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and maybe even the rolls. People will take a spoonful because, well, it’s there, and you feel like you should have something "vegetable" on your plate. But deep down, you know it’s just filler. FIU, you’re dependable, but nobody’s going to be talking about how great you are later. Maybe next year, you’ll bump up your game—until then, you’re just hanging out in the casserole dish, waiting for someone to notice you.
5. Sam Houston State Bearkats 2-5 (2-1) -Sam Houston State is like the potatoes au gratin of Thanksgiving dinner—everyone’s intrigued and they *definitely* want a scoop, but they’re not loading up on it because, let’s face it, there’s a much more important lineup. Sure, the creamy, cheesy layers are tempting, but they know the big three (turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes) are the main event. Sam Houston State, you’re that rich, indulgent side dish people take a little bit of, savor, and then move on because there’s only so much room on the plate. You’re solid, but you’re not stealing the spotlight. Keep doing your thing—there’s always next year to make a bigger impact!
4. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 4-5 (3-2) -Middle Tennessee State is like the rolls at Thanksgiving dinner—everyone’s going to grab one, but it’s mostly to help mop up the last bit of gravy or to fill the space after the main dishes are gone. You’re not the star of the show, but you’re definitely there to make sure no one leaves hungry. People might say, *"Yeah, I’ll have one of those,"* but it’s not because they’re craving it—it’s because it’s there and they’re ready for the post-turkey carb coma. MTSU, you’re reliable, comforting, and always present, but let’s be real—you’re a sidekick, not the headliner. Still, you’re a crucial part of the Thanksgiving experience... even if it's mostly to soak up what’s left on the plate.
3. Texas El Paso Miners 6-2 (3-1) -UTEP is like the sweet potato casserole of Thanksgiving dinner—everyone’s going to take a scoop, and for a brief moment, it might even compete with the stuffing for the title of "most popular side." It's sweet, a little nutty, and surprisingly good, but let’s not get carried away—it’s still in a fierce battle for attention. Sometimes it might get a little more love, especially if it’s got that perfect crunchy topping, but you know deep down, people are always going back for the stuffing or turkey first. UTEP, you’ve got potential and you might just steal the spotlight for a second, but in the end, you’re still one of those dishes people enjoy, but don’t necessarily rave about. Keep trying, though—you’re only a few marshmallows away from becoming a Thanksgiving legend.
2. Jacksonville State Gamecocks 5-3 (5-0) -Jacksonville State is like the stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner—you’re *crucial*. Sure, some people will argue you’re even better than the turkey itself, piling their plate high with your savory goodness. But let’s face it, you’re still playing second fiddle. Everyone loves you, and you fill out the meal perfectly, but until you manage to dethrone the turkey as the undisputed Thanksgiving champion, you’re always going to be the *second* best dish. You’ve got the flavor, the texture, the heartiness, but you’re still waiting for your moment to shine in the spotlight. Keep up the good work, Jacksonville State—you’re loved, even if the turkey still gets all the glory!
1. Liberty Flames 5-4 (5-0) -Liberty is like the turkey at Thanksgiving—undeniably the main dish. You’re what everyone’s really here for, the centerpiece that gets all the attention. Sure, there are plenty of side dishes trying to get in the spotlight, but until one of them proves it tastes better than you, you’ll remain the top dog. People talk about you all year, they build their plate around you, and you’re the one everyone’s looking to for the big win. But here’s the catch: there’s always that sneaky side dish (stuffing, mashed potatoes, or maybe even a surprising casserole) trying to steal a little of your thunder. Liberty, you're the turkey—the undisputed star *for now*, but you better watch your back. Someone’s always looking to dethrone you.
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