Long Island University Sharks 2026: the season story
Long Island University is 3-7 and rated No. 235 of 266 in the Cheap Seats Index, from this season's games only: Power 232nd, Résumé 234th, schedule 172nd toughest. Next: home against Central Connecticut.
Scouting report
Why it matters. A team can rank high by playing well, by beating good teams, or both; the two halves of the index show which. Long Island University is No. 235 of 266 in the Team Index and 5th of 8 in the NEC. Power, how well it plays, ranks 232nd of 266; Résumé, what it has beaten, ranks 234th of 266.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A record says who won; a rating for every game shows how convincingly, and whether a team is steady or streaky. Long Island University loses its games by 10.9 points on average, 97th of 128 in margin among FCS teams. It has not played a team in our top 25 yet.
How they win
Why it matters. Knowing which side of the ball does the work tells you how a team is likely to win, and how it could lose. Its offense rates 119th of 128 in FCS (6th in the NEC) and its defense 38th of 128 (2nd in the conference).
Drive by drive
Why it matters. Points per drive is the cleanest single measure of an offense or a defense, because it ignores how fast or slow a team plays. Long Island University scores 1.21 points per drive (the FCS average is 2.16), 122nd of 128. Its defense allows 2.32, 63rd of 128.
Under the hood
Why it matters. Play-by-play measures show whether a team is good on most snaps or living on a few big plays, which tends to matter for what comes next. Adjusted for its opponents, the offense adds -0.15 expected points per play (114th of 128) and stays on schedule on 34% of snaps (120th of 128). The defense allows +0.13 per play, 71st of 128.
When it matters
Why it matters. Third downs and red-zone trips are where drives are won or lost; small edges here turn into touchdowns instead of field goals. Long Island University converts 31% of its third downs and scores touchdowns on 44% of red-zone trips (FCS average 60%), 118th of 128.
Special teams
Why it matters. A missed field goal or a long return can flip a close game; these numbers show which units help and which hurt. Its special teams as a whole rank 112th of 128, worth -2.88 points a game against an average unit. The best unit is punting, 37th of 128.
Tendencies
Why it matters. Tendencies are what opponents game-plan against: a team that is predictable on early downs makes the defense's job easier. Long Island University throws on 34% of early downs; the FCS average is 45%.
How they play
Why it matters. Fast teams pile up yards and slow teams shorten games; the line decides how much of either actually works. It runs 60.4 plays a game (FCS average 64.4). Its quarterbacks are sacked on 11.0% of dropbacks, 123rd of 128, and 24% of its runs are stopped at or behind the line, 105th of 128.
Who they have played
Why it matters. A great offense against weak defenses is not the same thing as a great offense; the splits show the difference. Long Island University's schedule ranks 172nd of 266 in strength, 1st toughest of 8 in the NEC.
Record versus reality
Why it matters. Records built on close wins and lucky bounces tend to drift back toward how well a team really plays. Long Island University has 3 wins against 3.0 expected from its play and schedule, and is 3-3 in one-score games.
Rise and fall
Why it matters. Teams change over a season through injuries, new starters and growth; the trend shows which way this one is moving. Long Island University was 241st in Power after week 2 and is 232nd now; its best was 221st after week 9.
What is ahead
Why it matters. Playing out the rest of the season 10,000 times turns a schedule into odds: the most likely record, and how likely each goal is. Across 10,000 simulated seasons Long Island University averages 3.6 wins and almost never wins the NEC.
Top players and teams like them
Why it matters. Comparing a team with its closest statistical matches puts its season in context beyond the standings. The highest-ranked player on the roster is Rafael Fasolino, 86th of 930 linebackers. The closest match in style and strength is Maine.
