First ever AP Divion 1-AA Poll

[Eastonpa]

Interesting that there was no Colgate or Delaware joining with the formation of 1-AA in 1978 . . .

Colgate remained 1-A until 1981.

Isn't there validity to the "well known" belief Delaware stayed D2 so Tubby would have an easier path to a national title since most of the heavy hitters moved to 1-AA in 1978?

The Hens lost the 1974 and 1978 D2 Title Games before finally getting over the hump in 1979 by beating Youngstown State. UD's only 1-AA Title Game appearance under Tubby was a 17-14 loss to Eastern Kentucky in 1982. The Hens really had no significant challengers in the Northeast from the early 80s through the late 90s outside of Villanova and UMass at times. Tubby/UD operated in a similar capacity to Paterno/PSU imo. To be fair, the PL neutered all their programs during that time span; the playoff ban was devastating for Holy Cross. Despite their regional dominance (both perceived and real), in the 1980s and 90s the Hens missed the playoffs numerous years and when they did make the field of 16 they were often sent packing early on. Quite frankly, in today's world, Tubby would likely have started to feel significant heat by the early to mid 90s.

IMO, Andy Talley was the better coach.

And two years earlier in late November '76, an 8-1 Colgate played a 10-0 Rutgers at the new Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands on an ABC East Coast regional prime time broadcast.

Rutgers held on for a 17-9 victory, to finish 11-0 (no bowl) and run its winning streak to 18 games. The last loss was the fourth game in the 1975 season, a 34-20 loss to LEHIGH.

Then in July of 1981, Lehigh and Lafayette, Delaware and Bucknell, were invited to discuss membership in the Yankee Conference. Lehigh, Lafayette, and Bucknell decline, citing philosophical differences over entrance standards and scholarships. Delaware and Richmond joined the Yankee in 1986.

[News]

And two years earlier in late November '76, an 8-1 Colgate played a 10-0 Rutgers at the new Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands on an ABC East Coast regional prime time broadcast.

Rutgers held on for a 17-9 victory, to finish 11-0 (no bowl) and run its winning streak to 18 games. The last loss was the fourth game in the 1975 season, a 34-20 loss to LEHIGH.

Then in July of 1981, Lehigh and Lafayette, Delaware and Bucknell, were invited to discuss membership in the Yankee Conference. Lehigh, Lafayette, and Bucknell decline, citing philosophical differences over entrance standards and scholarships. Delaware and Richmond joined the Yankee in 1986.

I'm (slowly) working on the next piece of the history, but it is true that Lehigh, Lafayette, Delaware and Bucknell were invited to discuss membership in the (at this point, football-only) YankCon. But Lehigh, Lafayette and Bucknell declined because at that point they were already in discussions to form the Patriot League in all sports (eventually). Up until that point they were in the sprawling ECC for basketball (along with Delaware) and I-AA independents in football.