Bracketology

[FargoBison]

My take...This bracket reflects if the season ended today...next week I might switch to a different format with how I predict teams will finish.

William and Mary at Chattanooga vs 1. NDSU
Duquesne at Towson vs 8. YSU
Lafayette at Delaware vs 5. Fordham
NAU at McNeese vs 4. EWU

SIU at Montana State vs 2. EIU
San Deigo at Montana vs 6. SHSU
Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs 7. SELA
Samford at Bethune-Cookman vs 3. Maine

Bubble(in no order): EKU, Tenn State, SC State, SDSU, JMU, SUU, UNH, UT Martin, Ill State, Lehigh

[FargoBison]

College Sports Madness offers their take...


San Deigo at Montana State vs 1. NDSU
TSU at McNeese State vs 8. Fordham
Chatty at Bethune-Cookman vs 5. SELA
EKU at Delaware vs 4. CCU


SDSU at NAU vs 3. EWU
Colgate at YSU vs 6. Maine
SIU at Montana vs 7. SHSU
Duquesne at Towson vs 2. EIU


http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/fcs-football/bracketology

[FargoBison]

How the Sports Network predicts the field will shake out..

The Sports Network...


San Deigo at Montana vs 1. NDSU
SELA at Samford vs 8. Towson
EKU at NAU vs 5. SHSU
Lehigh at YSU vs 4. Maine


Chattanooga at McNeese State vs 3. EWU
Duquesne at Delaware vs 6. Fordham
Wofford at Bethune-Cookman vs 7. Coastal Carolina
SIU at Montana State vs 2. EIU


http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf

[skinny_uncle]

Doesn't look like SIU is getting any bus trip in the opening round.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

IF Lehigh can win out they could be in a good spot with 9 D1 wins. I see a lot of teams that will struggle to get 8 in these projections.

[FargoBison]

IF Lehigh can win out they could be in a good spot with 9 D1 wins. I see a lot of teams that will struggle to get 8 in these projections.

If Lehigh wins out aren't they automatically in?

[MTfan4life]

Last teams in: Southern Illinois, Montana, Eastern Kentucky, Chattnooga
Last teams out: Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, South Carolina State, Liberty.




1. North Dakota State

Montana State
Southeastern Louisiana

Youngstown State
McNeese State

8. Towson


4. Eastern Washington
Montana
San Diego

Northern Arizona
Eastern Kentucky

5. Sam Houston State


3. Maine
Southern Illinois
Chattanooga

Delaware
Central Connecticut State

6. Fordham


7. Coastal Carolina
Bethune Cookman
Samford

William & Mary
Lehigh
2. Eastern Illinois

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

If Lehigh wins out aren't they automatically in?

They would be. I think they would have a reasonable shot at a home game. 9-2 will look better than 10-1 last year imo. The Bucknell loss will be far enough in the review mirror.

With all this said, I wouldn't put money on it happening. Lafayette at 5-6 will make for an AGS fiesta....

[NoDak 4 Ever]

My take...This will probably the last time I do this as if the season ended today.

William and Mary at Chattanooga vs 1. NDSU
Duquesne at Towson vs 8. YSU
Lafayette at Delaware vs 5. Fordham
NAU at McNeese vs 4. EWU

SIU at Montana State vs 2. EIU
San Deigo at Montana vs 6. SHSU
Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs 7. SELA
Samford at Bethune-Cookman vs 3. Maine

Bubble(in no order): EKU, Tenn State, SC State, SDSU, JMU, SUU, UNH, UT Martin, Ill State, Lehigh

I think a chance at Chatty in the Fargodome is just wishful thinking.

[FanofFCS]

Really like the three perspectives in a row. Thanks.

[kalm]

They would be. I think they would have a reasonable shot at a home game. 9-2 will look better than 10-1 last year imo. The Bucknell loss will be far enough in the review mirror.

It's not just the Bucknell loss it's that unless UNH wins out, you'll have no quality wins (or better quality wins) compared to those power conference teams with worse records you were mentioning.

EG: An 8-4 SUU would have a much better resume.

[MTfan4life]

It's not just the Bucknell loss it's that unless UNH wins out, you'll have no quality wins (or better quality wins) compared to those power conference teams with worse records you were mentioning.

EG: An 8-4 SUU would have a much better resume.

It's irrelevant because a 9-2 Lehigh wins the automatic bid in their conference in all scenarios.

[hebmskebm]

For all the talk of how down the SoCon is this year, a lot of people have them getting 3 teams into the field.

[kalm]

It's irrelevant because a 9-2 Lehigh wins the automatic bid in their conference in all scenarios.

I know. I was referring to whether or not they should be seeded at 9-2.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I know. I was referring to whether or not they should be seeded at 9-2.

They're not getting a seed. A first round home game still seems realistic IF they win out. Big if...

[JSUBison]

So these projections are all for if the season ended today. Charleston Southern isn't a bubble team for anyone? I know they have a weak resume, but they still should be in the conversation. If nothing else just to say they have a long shot to make it. I still think if CSU can somehow win the autobid, a 10-2 Coastal Carolina would still make the playoffs. I don't think CSU will win against Coastal, but it's still possible the Big South could steal another bid like the Patriot.

[MTfan4life]

They're not getting a seed. A first round home game still seems realistic IF they win out. Big if...

Can they outbid William & Mary? That's who I have them playing in the first round.

[Cocky]

Have Samford and UTC played? Have UTC and Wofford played?

[FargoBison]

Have Samford and UTC played? Have UTC and Wofford played?

I think it is UTC and Wofford this week and then UTC and Samford next week.

[MTfan4life]

I think it is UTC and Wofford this week and then UTC and Samford next week.

Yeah I don't think it's very likely that all three of those teams get in. If Chatty loses to Wofford, they then have to go on the road to Sam and Alabama. If Wofford loses to Chatty, they have to win out just to get to 7 wins in a season where there will be a fair amount of deserving 8 win teams. It'll be a tough haul for any one of those teams to get to the right win total.

[GoCats23]

How the Sports Network predicts the field will shake out..

The Sports Network...


San Deigo at Montana vs 1. NDSU
SELA at Samford vs 8. Towson
EKU at NAU vs 5. SHSU
Lehigh at YSU vs 4. Maine


Chattanooga at McNeese State vs 3. EWU
Duquesne at Delaware vs 6. Fordham
Wofford at Bethune-Cookman vs 7. Coastal Carolina
SIU at Montana State vs 2. EIU


http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf

Last weeks bracket prediction is still showing up for me.

[93henfan]

Man, as a Delaware fan, I'm loving every scenario listed. Tune up against an easy opponent at home in the opener, then make either a short trip up to Fordham or a nice trip down to Myrtle Beach to take on Fordham or CCU in very winnable round of 16 games. Maybe we'll win out and pick up a seed. There's been a preseason lingering poll bias against us all year, but I think we've opened some eyes now. Quarterfinals here we come.

Had a fun time in Towson last night. Great, great win for the Hens.

[WileECoyote06]

For all the talk of how down the SoCon is this year, a lot of people have them getting 3 teams into the field.

Especially since the Big South went 5 - 2 vs the SoCon this year. It'd be hard to justify leaving out an 11-2 Chuck South (with 9 DI wins) in favor of the third SoCon team. Furman is still in position to play a major spoiler as well.

My take on it:

Sacred Heart @ Lehigh to #1 NDSU
Chattanooga @ E. Kentucky to #8 SE Louisiana
Youngstown St @McNeese State to #5 Fordham
San Diego @ No. Arizona to #4 Eastern Washington

Towson @Bethune-Cookman to #6 Coastal Carolina
Charleston Southern @William & Mary to #3 Maine
SIU @ Montana State to #7 Sam Houston State
Samford @Montana to #2 Eastern Illinois

MVFC (3); SoCon (2); Big Sky (3); CAA (3); Big South (2); Southland (3); OVC (3); Patriot (2); MEAC, Pioneer, NEC (1)

[blackbeard]

Especially since the Big South went 5 - 2 vs the SoCon this year. It'd be hard to justify leaving out an 11-2 Chuck South (with 9 DI wins) in favor of the third SoCon team. Furman is still in position to play a major spoiler as well.

My take on it:

Sacred Heart @ Lehigh to #1 NDSU

MVFC (3); SoCon (2); Big Sky (3); CAA (3); Big South (2); Southland (3); OVC (3); Patriot (2); MEAC, Pioneer, NEC (1)

Only person so far to look at the remaining NEC schedule and not pick based on current standings

[Professor Chaos]

Doesn't look like SIU is getting any bus trip in the opening round.If UT Martin and SIU make it in I think it's very likely they're matched up in the 1st round. Only 125 miles from Martin to Carbondale.

[DoubleE]

Is 10-2 good enough for YSU to get seeded or do they need to go 11-1 ?

[Twentysix]

Is 10-2 good enough for YSU to get seeded or do they need to go 11-1 ?\

11-1, no really really great wins on the schedule. Probably 10-2 if that had included beating ndsu.

[penguinpower]

\

11-1, no really really great wins on the schedule. Probably 10-2 if that had included beating ndsu.

How does SIU have great wins and YSU does not?

[JMUNJ08]

How does SIU have great wins and YSU does not?

Looking at the current records, there is no difference. At the time of the W's, it made sense but people need to rethink.

[FargoBison]

How does SIU have great wins and YSU does not?

I'm not sure either team has great wins...

[penguinpower]

Looking at the current records, there is no difference. At the time of the W's, it made sense but people need to rethink.

10-4 I'm on board with that.

[Engineer86]

It's irrelevant because a 9-2 Lehigh wins the automatic bid in their conference in all scenarios.

And an 8-3 Lehigh will enjoy Thanksgiving

[Engineer86]

I think it is UTC and Wofford this week and then UTC and Samford next week.

Likely will decide which of these three do not get in

[Walkon79]

Especially since the Big South went 5 - 2 vs the SoCon this year. It'd be hard to justify leaving out an 11-2 Chuck South (with 9 DI wins) in favor of the third SoCon team. Furman is still in position to play a major spoiler as well.

My take on it:

Sacred Heart @ Lehigh to #1 NDSU
Chattanooga @ E. Kentucky to #8 SE Louisiana
Youngstown St @McNeese State to #5 Fordham
San Diego @ No. Arizona to #4 Eastern Washington

Towson @Bethune-Cookman to #6 Coastal Carolina
Charleston Southern @William & Mary to #3 Maine
SIU @ Montana State to #7 Sam Houston State
Samford @Montana to #2 Eastern Illinois

MVFC (3); SoCon (2); Big Sky (3); CAA (3); Big South (2); Southland (3); OVC (3); Patriot (2); MEAC, Pioneer, NEC (1)

Looks like you have 4 big sky?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[State Line Liquors]

Man, as a Delaware fan, I'm loving every scenario listed. Tune up against an easy opponent at home in the opener, then make either a short trip up to Fordham or a nice trip down to Myrtle Beach to take on Fordham or CCU in very winnable round of 16 games. Maybe we'll win out and pick up a seed. There's been a preseason lingering poll bias against us all year, but I think we've opened some eyes now. Quarterfinals here we come.

Had a fun time in Towson last night. Great, great win for the Hens.

Agreed with enjoying the projections.

After last night, there's no doubt that an 8 win Hen team won't be in the playoffs, so anybody that doesn't have us in their projections with essentially three home games remaining and 7 D1 wins already in the bank, really doesn't have a clue what they're talking about.

[Fear the Bird]

Agreed with enjoying the projections.

After last night, there's no doubt that an 8 win Hen team won't be in the playoffs, so anybody that doesn't have us in their projections with essentially three home games remaining and 7 D1 wins already in the bank, really doesn't have a clue what they're talking about.

Projections do look juicy but let's just worry about beating W&M first. Amazing comeback last night but they were 11 minutes away from an unlikely 2 out of 3 wins down the stretch. I hope they keep this run going bc it's showing up nicely if it does!

[State Line Liquors]

Projections do look juicy but let's just worry about beating W&M first. Amazing comeback last night but they were 11 minutes away from an unlikely 2 out of 3 wins down the stretch. I hope they keep this run going bc it's showing up nicely if it does!

The Blue Hen football team needs to take care of their business, and W&M has nothing but the highest respect from me, but it's time for the Blue Hen fan base to quit slow playing our hand. And I strongly disagree about our final 3 games being an 'unlikely 2 out of 3 wins', even before the Towson win. Despite being beaten badly by a very solid Maine team and a Navy team that took Notre Dame to the wire yesterday, we've won 7 of the 9 opponents we've played and all of them were Division 1 wins. Our losses though lopsided are to quality opponents.

Quite frankly, our resume with 7 D1 wins is as deserving of respect as anyone other than a very small handful of teams in FCS. Now that we're in the final quarter of our schedule, it is an appropriate time to start looking around and acknowledging the fact that we're 7-2 with a very solid shot of ending up as a 9 or 10 win team. Could things blow up? Sure, I suppose, but it's just as likely or less likely that it happens to nearly anyone else in the FCS mix down this final stretch.

And we are a dead mortal lock for the playoffs if we get 8 wins courtesy that victory last night.

[WileECoyote06]

Looks like you have 4 big sky?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

My bad. Good catch.

[CCU_Fan]

My take...This bracket reflects if the season ended today...next week I might switch to a different format with how I predict teams will finish.

William and Mary at Chattanooga vs 1. NDSU
Duquesne at Towson vs 8. YSU
Lafayette at Delaware vs 5. Fordham
NAU at McNeese vs 4. EWU

SIU at Montana State vs 2. EIU
San Deigo at Montana vs 6. SHSU
Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs 7. SELA
Samford at Bethune-Cookman vs 3. Maine

Bubble(in no order): EKU, Tenn State, SC State, SDSU, JMU, SUU, UNH, UT Martin, Ill State, Lehigh

Coastal Carolina with 11 wins and 1 lone loss at South Carolina in the final week. (Upset Alert xsmiley_wix) Do you still have them without a bye?

[chattanoogamocs]

Have Samford and UTC played? Have UTC and Wofford played?

Wofford (4-1) at Chattanooga (5-1) this Saturday

and don't forget Furman, they are still in the conference title hunt too...

Samford (4-1) at Furman (3-2) also this Saturday.

And then next weekend...

Chattanooga at Samford

And to finish the season...

Wofford at Furman

[skinny_uncle]

If UT Martin and SIU make it in I think it's very likely they're matched up in the 1st round. Only 125 miles from Martin to Carbondale.

Most OVC teams would qualify as a bus trip to Carbondale. If the OVC has a second team in, I figure that is their most likely opponent in the opening round followed by a trip to EIU in the second round. At least it makes more sense than all these Montana projections I have been seeing.

[FargoBison]

Coastal Carolina with 11 wins and 1 lone loss at South Carolina in the final week. (Upset Alert xsmiley_wix) Do you still have them without a bye?

I think CCU will get a 7 or 8 seed as long as they keep on winning. Some of these seeded teams have some very tough games.

[CCU_Fan]

I think CCU will get a 7 or 8 seed as long as they keep on winning. Some of these seeded teams have some very tough games.

Crazy if we don't....still a little under seeded in my opinion. xsmiley_wix

[jmrepak]

I think CCU will get a 7 or 8 seed as long as they keep on winning. Some of these seeded teams have some very tough games.
I'm expecting more of a 3-6 seed with an 11-1 record. However, that's also based on us playing SCar tighter than people expect. I think if we are completely blown out the day before the field is set we will be a 7, 8 or in the first 2 teams that are unseeded.

[dewey]

For those of you not familiar with the NDSU beat writers they do as good of a job covering FCS, and of course NDSU, as any beat writer out there. Dom Izzo and Jeff Kolpack nailed all 20 teams last year and they have a video blog about this years playoff teams. It is a good video to watch as Dom goes through who he thinks the locks are and who he thinks the at large teams are.

http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/

Dewey

[Grizzlies82]

For those of you not familiar with the NDSU beat writers they do as good of a job covering FCS, and of course NDSU, as any beat writer out there. Dom Izzo and Jeff Kolpack nailed all 20 teams last year and they have a video blog about this years playoff teams. It is a good video to watch as Dom goes through who he thinks the locks are and who he thinks the at large teams are.

http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/

Dewey

Interesting take on the possibilities. They've done some homework.
While the names may change as to who is in or out, regardless there will be a log jam of teams fighting for the final few spots.

[HensRock]

For those of you not familiar with the NDSU beat writers they do as good of a job covering FCS, and of course NDSU, as any beat writer out there. Dom Izzo and Jeff Kolpack nailed all 20 teams last year and they have a video blog about this years playoff teams. It is a good video to watch as Dom goes through who he thinks the locks are and who he thinks the at large teams are.

http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/

Dewey


Why does he have 2 Valley teams at 4-5 on the bubble, but no chance for Villanova or New Hampshire?
Also William & Mary didn't lose to Delaware, unless he has a crystal ball. They play on Saturday. I think he meant 'Nova instead of UD.

[JMUNJ08]

The Blue Hen football team needs to take care of their business, and W&M has nothing but the highest respect from me, but it's time for the Blue Hen fan base to quit slow playing our hand. And I strongly disagree about our final 3 games being an 'unlikely 2 out of 3 wins', even before the Towson win. Despite being beaten badly by a very solid Maine team and a Navy team that took Notre Dame to the wire yesterday, we've won 7 of the 9 opponents we've played and all of them were Division 1 wins. Our losses though lopsided are to quality opponents.

Quite frankly, our resume with 7 D1 wins is as deserving of respect as anyone other than a very small handful of teams in FCS. Now that we're in the final quarter of our schedule, it is an appropriate time to start looking around and acknowledging the fact that we're 7-2 with a very solid shot of ending up as a 9 or 10 win team. Could things blow up? Sure, I suppose, but it's just as likely or less likely that it happens to nearly anyone else in the FCS mix down this final stretch.

And we are a dead mortal lock for the playoffs if we get 8 wins courtesy that victory last night.

I would hold off on losing 2 of 3 down the stretch and getting to 8 W's being a 'mortal lock'. If W&M & JMU both get to 9-3 (still possible and obviously give them the 'hot' hand with the same win over Towson) then you'd guys will be invited to my Thanksgiving dinner at home. Otherwise, that W @ Towson looks pretty awesome right now.

[JMUNJ08]

Why does he have 2 Valley teams at 4-5 on the bubble, but no chance for Villanova or New Hampshire?
Also William & Mary didn't lose to Delaware, unless he has a crystal ball. They play on Saturday. I think he meant 'Nova instead of UD.

The Valley's look tougher and can still get to 7 W's. Nova can't get there and UNH should be toast by now with both JMU & Maine still on the schedule...

In reality though, no 5 loss team will get in. That's just some homer thought right there. If it happened, UNI, with an 3-5 conference record would be dancing. How gross does that sound for a playoff system we love so much?

[MTfan4life]

Why does he have 2 Valley teams at 4-5 on the bubble, but no chance for Villanova or New Hampshire?
Also William & Mary didn't lose to Delaware, unless he has a crystal ball. They play on Saturday. I think he meant 'Nova instead of UD.

Yeah, he did have one or two slip ups on teams like that, but that's bound to happen when just basically going off the cuff. Villanova only has two more games, so while they've played probably the toughest schedule in the country, they can't get to more than 6 wins. I also think he just wanted to list off the teams with any chance in the Valley, considering that's who a bulk of his listening target is going to care about.

[Fear the Bird]

I would hold off on losing 2 of 3 down the stretch and getting to 8 W's being a 'mortal lock'. If W&M & JMU both get to 9-3 (still possible and obviously give them the 'hot' hand with the same win over Towson) then you'd guys will be invited to my Thanksgiving dinner at home. Otherwise, that W @ Towson looks pretty awesome right now.

No way - if UD trips up against W&M, beats Richmond and then loses the Battle of the Blue, they are a lock at 8-4. Now, obviously, the much preferred route is to win 2 of 3 down the stretch, or even win all 3 and try to get in the bottom of the seeds discussion. There are too many down teams this year to keep out a 8-4 (5-3) UD team with wins over JMU and Towson. You have to keep in mind that your hypothetical 9-3 JMU and W&M scenarios give Towson 2 more losses and they would be the ones at home on Thanksgiving, not UD.

[B.T.C.]

I'm expecting more of a 3-6 seed with an 11-1 record. However, that's also based on us playing SCar tighter than people expect. I think if we are completely blown out the day before the field is set we will be a 7, 8 or in the first 2 teams that are unseeded.

If we (CCU) win out and know we're in the playoffs (let alone a first round bye), you are only going to see the first team in there on the first drive at most. That game will be played by second and third stringers throughout most of it. (Note: That is more than just a 'guess'.)

[JMUNJ08]

No way - if UD trips up against W&M, beats Richmond and then loses the Battle of the Blue, they are a lock at 8-4. Now, obviously, the much preferred route is to win 2 of 3 down the stretch, or even win all 3 and try to get in the bottom of the seeds discussion. There are too many down teams this year to keep out a 8-4 (5-3) UD team with wins over JMU and Towson. You have to keep in mind that your hypothetical 9-3 JMU and W&M scenarios give Towson 2 more losses and they would be the ones at home on Thanksgiving, not UD.

May have a point of being the 4th CAA team still since Towson would have the same record, lost the H2H, lost 3 of 4 down the stretch and that UConn win looks no better than URI at the moment...