You made some very solid points. Over the last decade of results looking at the entire picture there is absolutely no doubt UConn has had more success than FCS Villanova. UConn won a power conference in 2010 and had a very nice string of good wins over good programs in the last decade. I guess my friends and I were just kind of looking at the current landscape of the situation and were projecting a bit. Villanova went 11-3 in 2014 and finished #5 in the FCS coaches poll. UConn is 8-23 in their last 31 games and at the beginning of the season I didn't even think they would be as good as they've been so far. Villanova has always kind of been rumored to eventually switch to the FBS level and I always thought they would be a good candidate once UConn shuts down the football program. UConn could always stay in the AAC as a basketball only school but I feel like they might try and join the new Big East. Villanova would be a great candidate to replace UConn for both FB and BB in my opinion.
Wait a minute...I'm starting to think that you're a little bit misguided with your upset comments. While our upset of Villanova was monumental to say the least, I don't think a win at Cincinnati would come close in comparison. I ran the tape and, as you would agree, I think beating Villanova was MUCH bigger than beating Cincinnati.
Nova in 2014: 11-3
Cincinnati in 2014: 9-4
Edge: slight Villanova
Villanova 2014 ranking: #5 in FCS
Cincinnati 2014 ranking: UNR
Edge: big Villanova
Villanova attendance in 2014: 5,360 ~ 42.8% capacity (12,500 stadium)
Cincinnati average attendance in 2014: 28,840 ~ 44% capacity (65,535 stadium)
Edge: slight Cincinnati
Villanova 2015 Draft Picks: 0
Cincinnati 2015 Draft Picks: 0
Edge: Push
Villanova mascot: Wildcat = a cat who is wild...therefore, unpredictable
Cincinnati mascot: Bearcat = a cat who hibernates in the winter (would that help explain Cincinnati constantly getting crushed in bowl games??)
Edge: slight Villanova
Philadelphia's greatest sports accomplishments in past decade: Phillies World Series, Eagles Super Bowl loss, Flyers Stanley Cup Finals loss, Villanova losing to UConn in 2nd rd of 2014 NCAAs
Cincinnati's greatest sports accomplishments in past decade: Todd Frazier home run derby title, Andy Dalton's 0-4 Playoff record, Pete Rose sighting at All Star Game, Icky Woods' Geico commercials
Edge: slight Cincinnati ("gonna get me some cold cuts today" still cracks me up)
After dissecting the tape, I'm not so sure Cincinnati would beat Villanova. As you can see, the Bearcats fall well short in several important factors. I'm not saying that Cincinnati couldn't beat Villanova...I guess anything is possible. I'm just saying that if Vegas were to open a line for a Nova/Cinci game, I think we can all agree that Nova would be favored by 3 TDs.
But in the end, it's just a game. Win or lose, at least the hundreds of Bearcat fans who showed up last season to cheer on good ol' UC will still get to enjoy your inflatable on-field doll. I mean, that thing is so rootin' tootin' CUTE!