2019 Big Sky Playoff teams and what it will take to get there

[VandalBasher]

I suspect there will be four teams from the BSC in the 2019 playoffs again. To get there, a team has to win at least seven games against FCS opponents and go at minimum 5-3 in conference (Montana State as an example).

https://static.bigskyconf.com/custompages/football/2018/confstat.htm?path=football

(https://static.bigskyconf.com/custompages/football/2018/confstat.htm?path=footballAfter)After taking a look at our 2018 stats, it became apparent there were certain areas that our 2018 playoff participants did to get there. Defense is needed the most.

The following were the most important strengths of any BSC team to get into the playoffs beyond just win-losses:
Scoring Defense
Pass Defense
Red Zone Offense

These were other areas of importance:
Total Defense
Rush Defense
Interceptions
Punting
Sacks for and Sacks against
Turnover Margin
Red Zone Defense

Was this different for your conference?

[MayorOfHenTown]

Just looked through the CAA's stats and seems to be small but clear tiers of most important stats for teams. In order of most important strengths to least important, the tiers are:

Strongest:
Rush Offense

Very Strong:
Interceptions For
Sacks For
Red Zone Offense

Strong:
Rush Defense
Pass Offense

Somewhat Strong, if any:
RZ Defense
Sacks Against
Pass Offense

Very Minimally Strong, if any:
INTs Thrown
Pass Defense

[VandalBasher]

Here is what I came up with for the CAA 2018 stats: https://static.caasports.com/custompages/stats/FB/2018/confonly.htm

Most important: All six CAA playoff teams did these very well in 2018.
Scoring Offense
Sacked (least)
Opponent 4th Downs

Other areas:
Rush Offense
Total Offense
Punting
Pass Efficiency
Pass Efficiency Defense
1st Downs
Opponent 1st Downs
Opponent 3rd Downs
Sacks
Field Goals


Just looked through the CAA's stats and seems to be small but clear tiers of most important stats for teams. In order of most important strengths to least important, the tiers are:

Strongest:
Rush Offense

Very Strong:
Interceptions For
Sacks For
Red Zone Offense

Strong:
Rush Defense
Pass Offense

Somewhat Strong, if any:
RZ Defense
Sacks Against
Pass Offense

Very Minimally Strong, if any:
INTs Thrown
Pass Defense

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Just looked through the CAA's stats and seems to be small but clear tiers of most important stats for teams. In order of most important strengths to least important, the tiers are:

Strongest:
Rush Offense

Very Strong:
Interceptions For
Sacks For
Red Zone Offense

Strong:
Rush Defense
Pass Offense

Somewhat Strong, if any:
RZ Defense
Sacks Against
Pass Offense

Very Minimally Strong, if any:
INTs Thrown
Pass Defense

Welcome Mayor. I have some pot holes around here I'll need fixing and thanks for your update on the other matters.:D

[Redbird 4th & short]

ISUr had plenty of defense and a run game .. what we needed was a short-intermediate pass game to take pressure off run game against best defenses in MVFC. The other issue we had was 1 horrible quarter in each of our losses .. combination of bad plays and bad luck, perfect storm .. all occuring in 1st half. No answer for latter problem, other than limit bonehead plays .. and learn how to stop the bleeding sooner !!!

Answer is always ... it depends on what you got and who you play, then of course how well you execute.