Playoff Kickoff Times

[Professor Chaos]

IIRC there was a positive trend in the last couple years around kickoff times being a little more spread out throughout the day in the 1st and 2nd rounds. Looks like that trend has ended (especially for the 2nd round).

1st round (ET)
Holy Cross at Monmouth (12PM)
Central Connecticut St at Albany (1PM)
Furman at Austin Peay (1PM)
Illinois St at SE Missouri St (2PM)
San Diego at UNI (2PM)
UND at Nicholls (4PM)
Kennesaw St at Wofford (4PM)
Villanova at SE Louisiana (4PM)

2nd round (ET)
Holy Cross/Monmouth at JMU (1PM)
San Diego/UNI at SDSU (2PM)
CCSU/Albany at Montana St (3PM)
Illinois St/SEMO at UCA (3PM)
KSU/Wofford at Weber St (3PM)
Nova/SLU at Montana (3PM)
Nicholls/UND at NDSU (3:30PM)
Furman/APSU at Sac St (9PM)

[Bison56]

Central time? Wow yeah those second round games with so many starting at the same time, BS.

[caribbeanhen]

Yes that’s not good, and changing the channel on the Roku takes some nimble fingerwork and games have to load as well, Just some minor irritations .... at least they’re all on TV

[UAalum72]

Central time? Wow yeah those second round games with so many starting at the same time, BS.
No, the Albany game is 1 pm Eastern, and since the Sac game is 6 pm local, I'd guess all times are Eastern.

[CappinHard]

IIRC there was a positive trend in the last couple years around kickoff times being a little more spread out throughout the day in the 1st and 2nd rounds. Looks like that trend has ended (especially for the 2nd round).

1st round (ET)
Holy Cross at Monmouth (12PM)
Central Connecticut St at Albany (1PM)
Furman at Austin Peay (1PM)
Illinois St at SE Missouri St (2PM)
San Diego at UNI (2PM)
UND at Nicholls (4PM)
Kennesaw St at Wofford (4PM)
Villanova at SE Louisiana (4PM)

2nd round (ET)
Holy Cross/Monmouth at JMU (1PM)
CCSU/Albany at Montana St (3PM)
Illinois St/SEMO at UCA (3PM)
KSU/Wofford at Weber St (3PM)
Nova/SLU at Montana (3PM)
Nicholls/UND at NDSU (3:30PM)
Furman/APSU at Sac St (9PM)

I mean, I know people don't think SDSU deserved a seed... but we do have a game in the 2nd round as well. xlolx It's at 2 PM ET.

[Professor Chaos]

I mean, I know people don't think SDSU deserved a seed... but we do have a game in the 2nd round as well. xlolx It's at 2 PM ET.
Yeah, that wasn't intentional, haha.

[walliver]

The KSU-Wofford game was originally scheduled for 1PM, but was later moved, apparently because the Clemson-South Carolina game starts at noon.

[JayJ79]

some schools have other sporting events that they don't want to overlap with.
and some schools that play in outdoor stadiums in cooler climates actually use common sense and like to play during the warmer part of the day in late November / early December.

[melloware13]

some schools have other sporting events that they don't want to overlap with.
and some schools that play in outdoor stadiums in cooler climates actually use common sense and like to play during the warmer part of the day in late November / early December.
Back in 2010, Delaware chose to move a basketball game v Old Dominion to 7 to have the playoff game v Lehigh at noon (instead of having fans outside in December at night w/o the national broadcast).

[UAalum72]

This year Albany's basketball game with American U has been moved to 10 am to avoid the conflict. American has a 7:00 return flight which can't be changed on Thanksgiving weekend.

Parking will still be a mess.

It's odd because in the NCAA Pre-Championship Manual

START TIMES
Starting times shall be determined by ESPN in consultation with the NCAA and the host institution.
During the first three rounds of the championship, the NCAA will solicit the preferred starting times of host institutions.
However, games may start not earlier than 2 p.m. local time and shall be determined by ESPN.





Yet many of these kickoffs doesn't follow that rule


For anyone interested in the entire NCAA playoffs manual, here's a link


https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/football/d1/2019-20D1MFB_PreChampsManual.pdf

[clenz]

Can't start before 2 local time?

Wait....


https://i.imgur.com/GhwDK4J.png

[clenz]

4 of 8 first round games break the rule
5 of 8 second round games break the rule

So many games overlap, which was supposed to be something that didn't happen anymore.

[Sycamore62]

4 of 8 first round games break the rule
5 of 8 second round games break the rule

So many games overlap, which was supposed to be something that didn't happen anymore.

maybe they mean local time where the guy who was writing the rule was at when he was writing it on vacation in Europe or something

[JayJ79]

ESPN isn't going to care one bit about start times, since everything is going on an internet stream instead of an actual network.
let the host school pick the time that works best for them.

There is nothing wrong with games that start at 1 p.m. local time.

[walliver]

This weekend is Rivalry Weekend for the big boys. It doesn't matter when FCS games are played.

And to be honest, for many of us, 2PM games will end in the dark, so playing at noon or 1PM makes sense.

[Chalupa Batman]

If the start times for Nicholls and SLU were spaced 4-5 hours apart, fans could have possibly made the drive and catch both of them. Expecting both of them to be good games too.

[JayJ79]

just because I want the live stats and streaming links in one place:

1st round (ET)
noon: Holy Cross at Monmouth - Stats (http://statb.us/v/monm/288599) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=ca2698a6-625c-4f3e-865c-e912855e5f40)
1 PM: Central Connecticut St at Albany - Stats (http://ualbany.sidearmsports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary?_ga=2.39836711.508216712.1575120175-893131474.1575120175) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=dc30f2ec-7377-44b2-8b67-6a7862580022)
1 PM: Furman at Austin Peay - Stats (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=288589) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=b49d38de-260a-4f27-b7f5-492017aabaf2)
2 PM: Illinois St at SE Missouri St - Stats (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=288588) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=701ab8d5-f4ca-4ce1-91ab-ad99568d0ed5)
2 PM: San Diego at UNI - Stats (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=288591)- ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=0047fd84-9f41-457f-b2e7-0047af6a8d4a)
4 PM: UND at Nicholls - Stats (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=288587) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=482a2820-f897-44e4-bdae-9b9a217d125b)
4 PM: Kennesaw St at Wofford - Stats (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=288598) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=5b245215-d622-4abc-8722-df37adf93497)
4 PM: Villanova at SE Louisiana - Stats (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=288590) - ESPN3 (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=d741a233-cce7-4d41-885b-da46b4171bd4)

[Bisonoline]

Yes that’s not good, and changing the channel on the Roku takes some nimble fingerwork and games have to load as well, Just some minor irritations .... at least they’re all on TV

Directv--ESPN Sports Pack=ESPN Extra

[Lorne_Malvo]

Yes that’s not good, and changing the channel on the Roku takes some nimble fingerwork and games have to load as well, Just some minor irritations .... at least they’re all on TV

Why are you using a roku for espn+? Dont you have a smart tv?

[Bisonoline]

Why are you using a roku for espn+? Dont you have a smart tv?

Not all smart tvs are as smart as others. Ive have to use a ROKU also. ESPN wasnt an installed app and it wouldnt let me down load it.

[Professor Chaos]

Changes in the TV schedule this year in the quarters. There will be 2 nationally televised quarterfinals on ESPN2 on Friday night. JMU/UNI will kickoff at 7PM ET and Weber St/Montana will kickoff at 10PM ET. Montana St/Austin Peay will kickoff Friday at 8PM ET as well but will only be streaming on ESPN3 (guessing that was Montana St's choice to play Friday).

NDSU/Illinois St will kickoff at noon ET on Saturday on ESPN.

https://www.inforum.com/bison-media-zone/mens-sports/football/4812170-Bison-will-play-FCS-quarterfinal-game-on-ESPN-at-11-a.m.-Saturday-Dec.-14-three-other-quarterfinals-slated-for-Friday-night

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Changes in the TV schedule this year in the quarters. There will be 2 nationally televised quarterfinals on ESPN2 on Friday night. JMU/UNI will kickoff at 7PM ET and Weber St/Montana will kickoff at 10PM ET. Montana St/Austin Peay will kickoff Friday at 8PM ET as well but will only be streaming on ESPN3 (guessing that was Montana St's choice to play Friday).

NDSU/Illinois St will kickoff at noon ET on Saturday on ESPN.

https://www.inforum.com/bison-media-zone/mens-sports/football/4812170-Bison-will-play-FCS-quarterfinal-game-on-ESPN-at-11-a.m.-Saturday-Dec.-14-three-other-quarterfinals-slated-for-Friday-night

I like the Friday night double-header but I think it kind of sucks both Montana schools have to play. I would rather have NDSU as the Friday ESPN2 game over JMU/UNI and MSU Saturday on ESPN. Montana State would give the nation a different flavor of big time FCS football along with some beautiful scenery on the Mothership (ESPN).

[Chalupa Batman]

Changes in the TV schedule this year in the quarters. There will be 2 nationally televised quarterfinals on ESPN2 on Friday night. JMU/UNI will kickoff at 7PM ET and Weber St/Montana will kickoff at 10PM ET. Montana St/Austin Peay will kickoff Friday at 8PM ET as well but will only be streaming on ESPN3 (guessing that was Montana St's choice to play Friday).

NDSU/Illinois St will kickoff at noon ET on Saturday on ESPN.

https://www.inforum.com/bison-media-zone/mens-sports/football/4812170-Bison-will-play-FCS-quarterfinal-game-on-ESPN-at-11-a.m.-Saturday-Dec.-14-three-other-quarterfinals-slated-for-Friday-night

They want that extra day of prep for NDSU. Also doesn't hurt making Austin Peay play on Friday after a second long road trip.


I like the Friday night double-header but I think it kind of sucks both Montana schools have to play. I would rather have NDSU as the Friday ESPN2 game over JMU/UNI and MSU Saturday on ESPN. Montana State would give the nation a different flavor of big time FCS football along with some beautiful scenery on the Mothership (ESPN).

I love seeing NDSU on TV, but think the 2 games with the Montana schools is the best showcase for FCS and wouldn't mind seeing them both showcased. Agree that it's too bad the Montana schools are playing at the same time. At this point would prefer if games were all on at different times or scheduled to not overlap by more than hour or so.

[Professor Chaos]

Yeah, I really wished that Montana St game would've kicked off Saturday afternoon/early evening. The only football competition that day is Illinois St/NDSU, Army/Navy, and the D2/D3 semis.

Oh well.

[caribbeanhen]

Not liking it
10pm ET is 11 pm for me

[kdinva]

I'm sure, silently, Austin Peay not happy with one full fewer day to prep for Montana St. All they'll do today is watch film, then three days on the field, then back to the airport Thursday afternoon.....

[JayJ79]

nothing like giving home teams an even bigger advantage by making the week shorter (which has a greater effect on the road team, given the travel time. Especially when that road team is coming off a road game this week)

[wapiti]

MSU has a commencement ceremony Saturday. They did not want the two events to conflict with each other.

[Professor Chaos]

MSU has a commencement ceremony Saturday. They did not want the two events to conflict with each other.
Fair enough, it's understandable then. It is possible to do however. NDSU has had winter commencement on the same day as the Friday semifinal the last 7 years before this one. They didn't have a choice since ESPN calls the shots for the national games. I do remember that first year they had that game in 2012 NDSU had to scramble to figure things out because they had to move commencement from the Fargodome to another facility on campus so I can see why schools would want to avoid it if they can.

[clenz]

Fair enough, it's understandable then. It is possible to do however. NDSU has had winter commencement on the same day as the Friday semifinal the last 7 years before this one. They didn't have a choice since ESPN calls the shots for the national games. I do remember that first year they had that game in 2012 NDSU had to scramble to figure things out because they had to move commencement from the Fargodome to another facility on campus so I can see why schools would want to avoid it if they can.
Is Montana State holding their commencement in their outdoor football stadium on December 14th?

In the first round UNI was forced to host a football game the same day/weekend as they were hosting the conference Volleyball tournament in the building next door.

[Professor Chaos]

Is Montana State holding their commencement in their outdoor football stadium on December 14th?

In the first round UNI was forced to host a football game the same day/weekend as they were hosting the conference Volleyball tournament in the building next door.
I'm sure not. But I'd assume commencement is in close proximity to the football stadium and probably shares a parking lot or 4.

I'd also assume that if it wasn't for the regularly scheduled Friday night quarterfinal(s) Montana St wouldn't have even had the option to choose Friday night as their preferred kickoff time. Maybe there's a little gamesmanship in that decision as well because, like UNI, NDSU has had to make it work with conflicting events in the playoffs. Every year for the last 7 years they've had winter commencement ceremonies happening on the same day as the playoff semifinal game in close proximity to each other so I'm sure it was possible to play Saturday if Montana St really wanted it to be.

EDIT: Looks like their commencement is in their basketball arena just north of the football stadium and will run from 9-11AM MT on Saturday (https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/27790).

[Grizzlies82]

MSU has a commencement ceremony Saturday. They did not want the two events to conflict with each other.

The conflict is understandable. Typically it is inconceivable the Bobcats would still be playing in December.

[LetsGoPeay]

I'm sure, silently, Austin Peay not happy with one full fewer day to prep for Montana St. All they'll do today is watch film, then three days on the field, then back to the airport Thursday afternoon.....

We're good.

I'm pretty sure that we're going to be the fastest team that they've played on both sides of the ball ( outside of Texas Tech ) all year, so it might be THEM that needs that extra day. I'm more concerned about what conditions they'll be playing in, than having an extra day to prepare for their offense.

[Bisonator]

Have they ever had 3 of the quarterfinal games on Friday before?

[Catbooster]

I'm sure not. But I'd assume commencement is in close proximity to the football stadium and probably shares a parking lot or 4.

I'd also assume that if it wasn't for the regularly scheduled Friday night quarterfinal(s) Montana St wouldn't have even had the option to choose Friday night as their preferred kickoff time. Maybe there's a little gamesmanship in that decision as well because, like UNI, NDSU has had to make it work with conflicting events in the playoffs. Every year for the last 7 years they've had winter commencement ceremonies happening on the same day as the playoff semifinal game in close proximity to each other so I'm sure it was possible to play Saturday if Montana St really wanted it to be.

EDIT: Looks like their commencement is in their basketball arena just north of the football stadium and will run from 9-11AM MT on Saturday (https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/27790).
You are right, shared parking, etc. But I suspect that is not the biggest concern. As we all know, attendance is less for playoffs and the winter commencement is much smaller than spring so parking could work although people would probably have to use lots a little further out. The visitor locker rooms are in the stadium but our team uses locker rooms and facilities in the fieldhouse (until our new building at the stadium gets built). I'm sure that would be disruptive and/or awkward at best. Additionally, the logistics and personnel that prepare facilities for each would probably much rather deal with both events separately.

Most families coming for commencement will come on Friday due to winter roads and commencement starting at 9:AM. By having it Friday night they may get more of those people to attend the game than if they had to go back to the hotel, change clothes, etc. after commencement. Also, since finals will be over, there are probably a few more students who haven't left on Friday than there will be Saturday.

[MSUBobcat]

You are right, shared parking, etc. But I suspect that is not the biggest concern. As we all know, attendance is less for playoffs and the winter commencement is much smaller than spring so parking could work although people would probably have to use lots a little further out. The visitor locker rooms are in the stadium but our team uses locker rooms and facilities in the fieldhouse (until our new building at the stadium gets built). I'm sure that would be disruptive and/or awkward at best. Additionally, the logistics and personnel that prepare facilities for each would probably much rather deal with both events separately.

Most families coming for commencement will come on Friday due to winter roads and commencement starting at 9:AM. By having it Friday night they may get more of those people to attend the game than if they had to go back to the hotel, change clothes, etc. after commencement. Also, since finals will be over, there are probably a few more students who haven't left on Friday than there will be Saturday.

Hopefully the students who have flights out Saturday or later and those that drive home will stay an extra day for what is somewhat of a rarity (MSU hosting playoff football-only the 9th home game since the 1984 championship season). Unfortunately, with graduation, there are virtually no rooms available in the Valley for Friday night. I was going to see if weather would be conducive to coming over for the game, since my drive home yesterday sucked balls, but if I can't find a hotel that may make the decision that much easier.

[Catbooster]

Hopefully the students who have flights out Saturday or later and those that drive home will stay an extra day for what is somewhat of a rarity (MSU hosting playoff football-only the 9th home game since the 1984 championship season). Unfortunately, with graduation, there are virtually no rooms available in the Valley for Friday night. I was going to see if weather would be conducive to coming over for the game, since my drive home yesterday sucked balls, but if I can't find a hotel that may make the decision that much easier.
As many new hotels as have been built in this town, it is surprising that it's still so hard to get a room. I wonder why some people think there are advantages to "paying" to host a "money losing" playoff game in the FCS? xsmiley_wix

[Outsider1]

Switching between multiple games at the same time SUCKS, regardless of screen size or whether or not someone is using Roku. I get that an individual school may or may not have something else going on concurrently, but it still shouldn't be that way. Yes this is only FCS, so what. To me that is still just plain mismanagement.

[Professor Chaos]

So I just noticed that there happens to he a triple header of NFL games on semifinal Saturday (12/21). All the more reason to resent the Frisco Bowl for bumping the Friday night semi to Saturday... ratings will suffer going up against multiple bowl games and NFL games.

[Bison56]

We're good.

I'm pretty sure that we're going to be the fastest team that they've played on both sides of the ball ( outside of Texas Tech ) all year, so it might be THEM that needs that extra day. I'm more concerned about what conditions they'll be playing in, than having an extra day to prepare for their offense.

#southernspeed

[MSUBobcat]

#southernspeed

Clarksville, TN is only ~100 miles south of the Indiana border so they're getting pretty close to the fringes of "the South". I think we award them #halfsouthernspeed.

(I'm just trying to make myself feel better about our prospects; clearly our guys are going to be dumbfounded by the blazing speed of APSU. We may not even be able to see them as they zoom by.)

[JayJ79]

Clarksville, TN is only ~100 miles south of the Indiana border so they're getting pretty close to the fringes of "the South". I think we award them #halfsouthernspeed.

(I'm just trying to make myself feel better about our prospects; clearly our guys are going to be dumbfounded by the blazing speed of APSU. We may not even be able to see them as they zoom by.)
The Austin Peay players are more likely to whiz by than zoom by.

[Chalupa Batman]

#southernspeedI liked AP's chances until this got brought up. It's the KOD.

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk

[MSUBobcat]

The Austin Peay players are more likely to whiz by than zoom by.

I like what you did there. Hopefully, as a courtesy to our players, they refrain from eating asparagus prior to whizzing by us. Talk about adding insult to injury.