Pick the 16

[PaladinFan]

Season is just over a week away. Looking at the field this year it almost seems like there will be some "snubs" at the end of the year. But let's chat about it anyway. Who's in the field of 16 and in a spot to vie for an NC?

[furman94]

FU, Umass, Montana, APP, UNH, YSU, UNI, JMU, McNeese, ISU, Wofford, Deleware, CalPoly, NDSU, ...

[AggieFinn]

FU, Umass, Montana, APP, UNH, YSU, UNI, JMU, McNeese, ISU, Wofford, Deleware, CalPoly, NDSU, ...

not eligible...

[GOKATS]

Take two aspirin & call me in a couple months.

[JMUFortier]

My uneducated guesses:

OVC:
EKU

Big Sky:
Montana, Portland State, Montana State

Patriot:
Either Lehigh or Lafayette

MEAC:
Hampton

Southland:
McNeese State

Southern:
App St., Furman

Gateway:
Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA:
UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware

[patssle]

isnt this what preseason polls do?

[RabidRabbit]

OVC - UT-Martin, EIU (bubble)
MEAC - Hampton or SCSU
Patriot - Lafayette
Gateway - SIU, YSU, UNI (bubble team), IL St. (bubble)
Southland - McNeese St.
Big Sky - Montana, Montana St. (bubble team)
Great West - Cal Poly, UC-Davis (bubble)
CAA - UMass, UNH, Towson, JMU (bubble)

The two Dakota St. out because not eligible, otherwise in.

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx
It's Aug. lots will be changed in end.

[james_lawfirm]

OVC - UT-Martin, EIU (bubble)
MEAC - Hampton or SCSU
Patriot - Lafayette
Gateway - SIU, YSU, UNI (bubble team), IL St. (bubble)
Southland - McNeese St.
Big Sky - Montana, Montana St. (bubble team)
Great West - Cal Poly, UC-Davis (bubble)
CAA - UMass, UNH, Towson, JMU (bubble)

The two Dakota St. out because not eligible, otherwise in.

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx
It's Aug. lots will be changed in end.


What about the Southern Conf.?

And, you are predicting ASU tanks this year?

Interesting.

[RabidRabbit]

What about the Southern Conf.?

And, you are predicting ASU tanks this year?

Interesting.

Thanks, knew I was missing somethingxnodx xnodx

Southern - App St., Furman, Wofford (Woffie?) xwhistlex

[FCSFAN]

Here's my guess

Montana
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
Eastern Illinois
Appalachian State
South Carolina State
Lehigh
New Hampshire

Montana State
Cal Poly
Sam Houston State
Youngstown State
Illinois State
Wofford
Massachusetts
James Madison

[PaladinFan]

My uneducated guesses:

OVC:
EKU

Big Sky:
Montana, Portland State, Montana State

Patriot:
Either Lehigh or Lafayette

MEAC:
Hampton

Southland:
McNeese State

Southern:
App St., Furman

Gateway:
Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA:
UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware


I'm going to go on a limb and say SoCon gets three BSC gets two.

[BDKJMU]

My uneducated guesses:

OVC:
EKU

Big Sky:
Montana, Portland State, Montana State

Patriot:
Either Lehigh or Lafayette

MEAC:
Hampton

Southland:
McNeese State

Southern:
App St., Furman

Gateway:
Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA:
UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware

Only one I would change Fort is from the Big Sky either PSU or MSU, but not both. I think as far as the Big 4 conferences, Big Sky will like last yr get 2 as opposed to 3, and Wofford would make a 3rd team from the SoCon. Wofford should be really good this yr.
If UMass or UNH falter in the CAA north, dark horse could be Maine. If JMU or UD falter in the South, dark horse could be Towson.

Either way, I see 12 of the 16 teams (4 auto bid and all 8 at large) coming from the Big 4 (CAA, SoCon, Gateway, and Big Sky). Last year from the Big 4 if I remember it correctly it was 10 teams: CAA & Gateway 3 each, SoCon and Big Sky 2 each. Don't think the OVC will get a 2nd team in like last yr, and don't think the Big South will get an at large like they did with Coastal Carolina last yr (wasn't that the 1st time ever?). Think those 2 additional at larges will go to SoCon and CAA.

[T-Dog]

OVC: EKU

Big Sky: Montana, Northern Arizona

Patriot: Lehigh

MEAC: Hampton

Southland: McNeese State

Southern: App St., Furman, Wofford

Gateway: Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA: UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware

Not all that different from anyone else. Just not that high on Montana St or Portland St. though.

And I've been on the "Wofford is going to have a breakout year" bangwagon since January so of course I put them up there.

[Grizalltheway]

OVC: EKU

Big Sky: Montana, Northern Arizona

Patriot: Lehigh

MEAC: Hampton

Southland: McNeese State

Southern: App St., Furman, Wofford

Gateway: Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA: UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware

Not all that different from anyone else. Just not that high on Montana St or Portland St. though.

And I've been on the "Wofford is going to have a breakout year" bangwagon since January so of course I put them up there.

Is that you Jacks76? xconfusedx xconfusedx :p

[CopperCat]

OVC: EKU

Big Sky: Montana, Northern Arizona

Patriot: Lehigh

MEAC: Hampton

Southland: McNeese State

Southern: App St., Furman, Wofford

Gateway: Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA: UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware

Not all that different from anyone else. Just not that high on Montana St or Portland St. though.

And I've been on the "Wofford is going to have a breakout year" bangwagon since January so of course I put them up there.

I'd rather you be on on PSU than NAU.

Is there a pothead emoticon?xeyebrowx

[AZGrizFan]

My uneducated guesses:

OVC:
EKU

Big Sky:
Montana, Portland State, Montana State

Patriot:
Either Lehigh or Lafayette

MEAC:
Hampton

Southland:
McNeese State

Southern:
App St., Furman

Gateway:
Youngstown, UNI, So. Illinois

CAA:
UMass, UNH, JMU, Delaware

You may be the only non-BSC fan in AMERICA who thinks the BSC is a three bid conference. Bravo to you, sir! xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

[89Hen]

Autos
UNH
UNI
Montana
AppSt
McNeese
Lehigh
Hampton
EIU

At Large
UMass
Delaware
IllSt
YSU
PSU
Furman
SFA
CalPoly

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

CAA: JMU, Umass, Delaware, Richmond
SoCo: App State, Furman
Big Sky: Montana, Portland State
MEAC- Hampton
Gateway: YSU, SIU, WIU
Patriot: Lehigh, Colgate
OVC: UT-Martin
Southland: McNeese State

Couple suprises on the list since there usually is by the end of the season. There's a lot of parity in most of the leagues this year which could spread out some of the bids.

[TheValleyRaider]

I was going to be a smart-mouth and name all the teams predicted to win 8 games in the "Predict Your Wins and Losses" thread, but instead I'll try to take this seriously. Maybe :p

Big Sky: Montana, Portland St.
CAA: Delaware, JMU, UMass
Gateway: UNI, Youngstown St., SIU
MEAC: South Carolina St.
OVC: Eastern Illinois
Patriot: Lehigh
SoCon: App. State, Furman, Wofford
Southland: Sam Houston, McNeese St.

[McNeese_beat]

I only see one post suggesting more than one Southland team. I think this is going to be an "up" year for the Southland. You have half of the eight teams returning 15 or more starters. Every single team returns its starting QB. McNeese has 17 returning starters when you figure in the kicker/punter. Throw it Rhett Bomar at Sam Houston. It all adds up to a year where the SLC should be pretty good.

I say that without having done sufficient homework on the other leagues. Heck, maybe the SLC will be damn competitive and with the parity in the conference a couple of 8-3 also-rans might get left out anyway.

[FCS Go!]

App St
CalPoly
Delaware
E. Illinois
Furman
Hampton
JMU
Lafayette
McNeese St
Montana
New Hampshire
Portland St
S. Illinois
UMass
Wofford
Youngstown St

The only team I feel comfortable picking as a seed is Montana. I think CAA and Gateway will get a seed. Southern Conf as well if App wins it.

[HensRock]

mix it up a bit...

BSC: Montana, NAU
CAA: UMass, Delaware, Northeastern
Gate: UNI, YSU, ILL St.
SoCon: App St., Furman
OVC: JSU
MEAC: Delaware State
Patriot: Lehigh
Southland: McNeese, SHSU
GWFC: Cal Poly

[birdsflyhigh]

Looking over the guestimates so far, I'm a bit suprised that more posters don't have ISU's Redbirds coming out of the Gateway for a playoff spot. They return a good chunk of last year's final 8 team plus have a ton of talented transfers and reshirts ready to step up. Senior QB Luke Drone passed for 21 TDs and just shy of 3000 yards last year.

My god...someone even picked WIU out of the Gateway..hmmm? I don't know why ISU should have to suprise the AGS posters this season, but by the way most guestimates are going so far, it looks like they have the opportunity to do just that.

Many in RedbirdNation have fairly high expectations for ISU football this season. Definitely looking forward to seeing how ISU competes against the Missouri Tigers and EIU in non-con, then watching the Birds do battle in the always tough-as-nails Gateway. COOL! xcoolx

[OhioHen]

isnt this what preseason polls do?

No, the polls predict overall strength, not playoff teams. Polls include ineligible teams (XDSUs, Ivies, etc.) And even if you eliminate these teams, the "Top 16" and the playoff field usually don't match.

[Tribe4SF]

Much as I'd love to see it, I think all these predictions of 4 CAA teams getting in are probably going to be disappointed. It takes a bit of a perfect storm (2004) for that to happen.

CAA: UMass, Towson, Delaware
SoCon: ASU, Furman
Gateway: UNI, YSU, ISU
Big Sky: Montana, PSU
MEAC: Hampton
Southland: McNeese, SHSU
OVC: UT Martin
Patriot: Lehigh
GWFC: Cal Poly

[AshevilleApp]

Big Sky: Montana, PSU
CAA: UMass, UNH, JMU
Gateway: UNI, YSU, ISU
GWFC: Cal Poly
MEAC: SC St.
OVC: EIU
Patriot: Lehigh
Southern: App, Furman, Wofford
Soutland: McNeese

Championship will be a rematch game (don't know why just a hunch)
Either
App vs. UNI or Montana vs. Furman depending upon seeding

[Mountain Panther]

App St
CalPoly
Delaware
E. Illinois
Furman
Hampton
JMU
Lafayette
McNeese St
Montana
New Hampshire
Portland St
S. Illinois
UMass
Wofford
Youngstown St


I think it will take a major implosion for us to miss the playoffs this year.

[PaladinFan]

I'm just hoping we don't have to be subjected to YSU/JMU and Furman at MSU again. That's all I ask.

[89Hen]

CAA: Richmond
xeyebrowx That one really stood out to me as an odd selection.

[BDKJMU]

mix it up a bit...

BSC: Montana, NAU
CAA: UMass, Delaware, Northeastern
Gate: UNI, YSU, ILL St.
SoCon: App St., Furman
OVC: JSU
MEAC: Delaware State
Patriot: Lehigh
Southland: McNeese, SHSU
GWFC: Cal Poly

Only 3 so on this message string so far who don't think JMU makes the playoffs, and 2 are Hens fans (both who think UD makes it of course) along with Tribe 4SF. Towson as was mentioned and Northeastern, both of whom I saw in person last year and both who didn't look good AT ALL would have to be TREMENDOUSLY improved to even have a shot.

[bobbythekidd]

App St
CalPoly
Delaware
E. Illinois
Furman
Hampton
JMU
Lafayette
McNeese St
Montana
New Hampshire
Portland St
S. Illinois
UMass
Wofford
Youngstown St

The only team I feel comfortable picking as a seed is Montana. I think CAA and Gateway will get a seed. Southern Conf as well if App wins it.
1 auto bid and 2 at large bids both to SoCon teams?

[USDFAN_55]

What.... no San Diego???? J/K guys..... trying to ruffle some feathers.

[FCS Go!]

1 auto bid and 2 at large bids both to SoCon teams?

Yeah, I know it's pretty stupid. I should have picked N. Iowa or even Montana St instead.xoopsx

[Death Dealer]

Big Sky: Montana, PSU
CAA: UMass, UNH, JMU
Gateway: UNI, YSU, ISU
GWFC: Cal Poly
MEAC: SC St.
OVC: EIU
Patriot: Lehigh
Southern: App, Furman, Wofford
Soutland: McNeese

Championship will be a rematch game (don't know why just a hunch)
Either
App vs. UNI or Montana vs. Furman depending upon seeding

xprayx xprayx xprayx xprayx xprayx xprayx xprayx

I like the way you think!xthumbsupx

[jmufootball2]

JMU
UMass
Delaware
App
Furman
Montana
UNI
Ill State
Cal-Poly
Sac State
Mcneese
YSU
EIU
PSU
Lehigh
Citadel

[FCS Go!]

JMU
UMass
Delaware
App
Furman
Montana
UNI
Ill State
Cal-Poly
Sac State
Mcneese
YSU
EIU
PSU
Lehigh
Citadel


Errr.... what?

[jmufootball2]

meant SC state

[CopperCat]

meant SC state

I thought we were gonna have to move this thing to the smack board after I saw Sac St. on there! Nice save though.xlolx

[Bud2003]

meant SC state

Good Man...SC State & The Citadel in the playoffs, that would be nice.

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

What I see:
App St.
UMass
UNI
Montana
UT-Martin
Laffayette
Hampton
McNeese St.

At large:
JMU
Delaware
Portland St.
YSU
ISU
Cal Poly
Furman
Wofford

What I'd like to see:
Furman
JMU
Portland St.
UNI
EIU
Lehigh
SC St.
Sam Houston St.

At Large:
App St.
Towson
Maine
Montana
Citadel
YSU
SIU
Liberty

If the second scenario comes true, hell has frozen over for several reasons:
1) No seeded Montana????
2) No seeded ASU????
3) 3 of 4 seeded teams in PURPLE???? xthumbsupx
4) At least one guaranteed home playoff game for JMU????
5) No UNH or UMass in the field????
6) No seeded Montana???? xlolx xlolx xlolx

[th0m]

Haha nice one DukeDawg. I'd like to see Towson make the playoffs. Mind you, not at the expense of our beloved Dukes, but that goes without saying :)

[DTSpider]

Only 3 so on this message string so far who don't think JMU makes the playoffs, and 2 are Hens fans (both who think UD makes it of course) along with Tribe 4SF. Towson as was mentioned and Northeastern, both of whom I saw in person last year and both who didn't look good AT ALL would have to be TREMENDOUSLY improved to even have a shot.

Anything can happen. In 2005 there weren't many people (actually, no one) who thought Richmond would be in and JMU would be out.

Given how the CAA (or since historical, the A10) usually unfolds, at least one of the front runners won't make it and a darkhorse will.

[89Hen]

Only 3 so on this message string so far who don't think JMU makes the playoffs, and 2 are Hens fans (both who think UD makes it of course) along with Tribe 4SF.
Yeah, it's personal. xrolleyesx xnonono2x

Truth is (and no offense to everyone here) but the most knowledgable people about the CAA are fans of the CAA. I've noticed many crazy predictions by non-CAA fans over the years.

[terrierbob]

How many teams are theoretically eligible for the playoffs?

[89Hen]

How many teams are theoretically eligible for the playoffs?
AFAIK...

122 teams in I-AA - 8 Ivy - 4 SWAC = 110

[TheValleyRaider]

AFAIK...

122 teams in I-AA - 8 Ivy - 4 SWAC = 110

Are you counting transitionals in that total too? XDSUs, UCA, WSSU, NCCU?

[FCS Go!]

What I see:
App St.
UMass
UNI
Montana
UT-Martin
Laffayette
Hampton
McNeese St.

At large:
JMU
Delaware
Portland St.
YSU
ISU
Cal Poly
Furman
Wofford

What I'd like to see:
Furman
JMU
Portland St.
UNI
EIU
Lehigh
SC St.
Sam Houston St.

At Large:
App St.
Towson
Maine
Montana
Citadel
YSU
SIU
Liberty

If the second scenario comes true, hell has frozen over for several reasons:
1) No seeded Montana????
2) No seeded ASU????
3) 3 of 4 seeded teams in PURPLE???? xthumbsupx
4) At least one guaranteed home playoff game for JMU????
5) No UNH or UMass in the field????
6) No seeded Montana???? xlolx xlolx xlolx

Montana goes unseeded all the time, we just always have a home game. I think MT was unseeded in 2004 and all the seeded teams in our bracket got beat so we had all home games anyway.

[JALMOND]

I am intrigued at the inclusion of NAU. With the Jacks having to go to both Portland and Bozeman this year, I just don't see those games as winnable for them. I think for inclusion, the Jacks would need a win against the Griz at home, an excellent showing in Boone, and a win at either Portland or Bozeman. A tall order indeed.

[89Hen]

Are you counting transitionals in that total too? XDSUs, UCA, WSSU, NCCU?
xoopsx Yeah, I guess make that..

122 teams in I-AA - 8 Ivy - 4 SWAC - 2 XDSU - UCA - WSSU - NCCU - Presby = 104

[R.A.]

My wonderful wonderful posters... the MEAC is getting two teams in this season, don't you undestand that?

[th0m]

No, no I really don't understand :)

[89Hen]

My wonderful wonderful posters... the MEAC is getting two teams in this season, don't you undestand that?
Very possible, but there are some things that may make that difficult. I have to believe the three favorites for the conference are Hampton, SCSt and DelSt...

SCSt vs Air Force AND South Carolina so unless they win the MEAC they will be 8-3 at best.

DelSt vs Kent and Coastal, so unless they beat Coastal (which I think they should) they may also be 8-3 at best if they don't win the MEAC.

Hampton vs SIU and Princeton... they too need to win one of those games to avoid being 8-3 at best if they don't win the MEAC.

This assumes that no other team in the MEAC beats any of these three. It could be very tough for the MEAC to get two this year. xtwocentsx

[BDKJMU]

Very possible, but there are some things that may make that difficult. I have to believe the three favorites for the conference are Hampton, SCSt and DelSt...

SCSt vs Air Force AND South Carolina so unless they win the MEAC they will be 8-3 at best.

DelSt vs Kent and Coastal, so unless they beat Coastal (which I think they should) they may also be 8-3 at best if they don't win the MEAC.

Hampton vs SIU and Princeton... they too need to win one of those games to avoid being 8-3 at best if they don't win the MEAC.

This assumes that no other team in the MEAC beats any of these three. It could be very tough for the MEAC to get two this year. xtwocentsx

Then if UD makes it, which I think better than 50/50 they will, you could have a UD-DEL State matchup in the 1st round, which would be pretty neat considering you are the only I-AA in Delaware and yet am I correct in that you never play each other for some reason?