r/fcs • u/SchizoidMan1989 • 21h ago
Discussion TANK JOB OF THE WEEK, WEEK ONE (FCS EDITION 2026)
Credit to u/2Pollaski2Furious for the idea. Same sets of rules from the original FBS series apply here for the FCS teams. This is an award for FCS teams that humiliate themselves, whether it's a choke job, a crushing blow with everything to prove, or they have no business losing the match-up.
... I am flattered. Last week was perhaps the most interaction in FCS Tank Job history, with 69 comments (nice). Thank you guys! And while last week provided a lot of entries to work with... this week consisted of a lot of FCS-FBS matchups (a few of which will wind up in the FBS Tank Job), as well as some lower division matchups (none of which makes it here with all FCS teams winning), so there's only so much here to work with this time.
LAST WEEK: There were quite a few votes for Northwestern State, for being a dire-as-is scholarship FCS team with the misfortune of falling to NAIA Louisiana Christian. But easily taking Week 0 is the Villanova Wildcats, hosting fellow former CAA member William & Mary for a conference opener. You would think that having a ten point lead with less than a minute to go would end out in a win, or a forced overtime in the worst case scenario. The botched onside recovery then finding themselves intercepted in W&M's field goal range ensured that the game ended in regulation. The field of candidates is such that some of the others would have otherwise gotten the honor, but this meltdown is special.
And now for a few special mentions:
- Albany damn near got a fourth FBS upset of the week, but they were stopped late in the red zone by Buffalo.
- At one point, Austin Peay actually led post-Pavia Vandy, but we know that this momentum cannot last forever past a 6-5 first quarter.
- Cal Poly looked a bit shaky against Central Washington. I mean they may be one of the better D2s right now but this is not a great look.
- Chicago State drew first blood against UT Martin, who then proceeded to put up 42 unanswered points in two of the remaining three quarters
- Mercer apparently hasn't forgotten last year, and they've decidedly avoided the repeat of a Presbyterian upset, with extreme prejudice.
- Northwestern State had Madden numbers put up on them by the mighty powerhouse of... Louisiana Tech.
- There were moments where South Dakota State were giving Northwestern a real scare.
- I've been back and forth about Weber State, but ultimately relented because I don't think people expected them to get this competitive. It is a pretty good game where the Wildcats fell short.
- This is a fully FBS matchup and therefore the purview of the FBS Tank Job, but lol Rutgers.
- I was a dumbass and only just realized I put the wrong title on last week's Tank Job, which led to a wrong title here the first time, therefore I get a special mention.
And now our nominees:
BUCKNELL BISON (against Villanova 17-16)
They've done very little in the first half and found themselves 14-0 down at halftime. It seemed like the tables were about to turn and they've been on a comeback bid leading 16-14, only for Villanova to respond within a few minutes. And Bucknell critically missed the potentially game-winning 29-yarder(!).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS BEARS (against West Florida 42-14)
It's not because I don't think the Argonauts are for real (they absolutely are). It's more to do with the fact that the Coaches Poll ranked Bears have been boatraced at home. A pick six and two fumbles that led to a touchdown all do not help.
CHATTANOOGA MOCS (against Tennessee Tech 24-9)
It was a rough day for Battle Alberson as he only threw for 37 yards and got picked twice (one leading to a touchdown). The Mocs got owned at home against the SoCon newcomers.
DELAWARE STATE HORNETS (against William & Mary 22-15)
I cannot discount that Delaware State has been much better under DeSean Jackson than they were within recent memory. Now imagine how the result would have gone differently had they not turned the ball over six times(!), especially against a team with offensive output of fewer than 200 yards. You shouldn't have to come back from 22-0 in the fourth quarter.
GARDNER-WEBB RUNNIN' BULLDOGS (against Wofford 17-13)
Gardner-Webb put up twice as much offense and held the ball for longer, but allowing the Terriers to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown turned out to be critical. While nothing came of those three turnovers they suffered, they did not help either.
HOWARD BISON (against Richmond 28-21)
After being 20-0 in the hole, the Bison started a comeback after recovering a fumble for a touchdown. However, they kept stalling in the fourth quarter, which is not helped in the third quarter by a muffed punt reception which quickly led to another Spiders touchdown.
LINDENWOOD LIONS (against Stony Brook 36-32)
An emphatic 22-7 halftime lead, left to gradually wither away as the Lions could only muster two good drives and allowed the Seawolves to muster a 29-10 comeback.
WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS (against Campbell 28-19)
Oh c'mon! You've picked Kamden Sixkiller off three times and the best you can muster from these is three field goal attempts (of which one missed)? Also that run game is just sad, just one yard on the ground!
And as always, don't forget to mark your vote in brackets for visibility, <like so>. I also appreciate entries I might have passed over, so feel free to nominate, and I might edit it here.