Who's Alive For The Seeds?

[Go Apps]

N. Iowa
McNeese St
Montana
Delaware

-All above win out and they get the top four seeds...(UNI is a lock) but if the others lose, next in line would be (in this order)

ASU - gets the nod over SIU due to tough conference and attendance
SIU - next on the list, but must finish with no other loses
GSU - winning out and others lose could propel them, only if ASU stumbles
UMass - but must win last two and Delaware must loose
Richmond - Seems to be gaining ground a win this weekend, keeps them in the hunt


THOUGHTS?

[HensRock]

I think you are grasping at straws.

SIU gets a seed over ASU. They are 8-1 with their only loss to the #1 team in FCS.

[Saluki_man]

I think everyone can agree that the CAA, Gateway, and SoCon are all tough conferences. That said, SIU gets the seed over ASU due to only having one loss. ASU's win @ Michigan is great, but I don't think that they can win the SoCon AQ. I think GSU has the inside track to that due to the head to head win (I may be wrong on that). If ASU doen't win the AQ they deffinitly will not get a seed.

[McTailGator]

N. Iowa
McNeese St
Montana
Delaware

-All above win out and they get the top four seeds...(UNI is a lock) but if the others lose, next in line would be (in this order)

ASU - gets the nod over SIU due to tough conference and attendance
SIU - next on the list, but must finish with no other loses
GSU - winning out and others lose could propel them, only if ASU stumbles
UMass - but must win last two and Delaware must loose
Richmond - Seems to be gaining ground a win this weekend, keeps them in the hunt


THOUGHTS?


I think SIU gets the nod over Delaware because they only lost to UNI. Delaware is playing well now, but I think SIU's record gets it first. ASU just too many losses now.

AND ATTENDANCE HAS ZERO TO DO WITH SEEDINGS.

[Ronbo]

BSC verses SLC in the playoffs since 2000. 7-3 Big Sky. Big Sky outscores the SLC 357 - 177.

2006
Montana 31 McNeese 6

2004
Montana 56 Northwestern State 7
Sam Houston 35 Eastern Washington 34
Montana 34 Sam Houston 14

2003
Northern Arizona 35 McNeese 3

2002
Montana 45 Northwestern State 14
McNeese State 21 Montana State 14

2001
Montana 28 Northwestern State 19
Sam Houston 34 Northern Arizona 31
Montana 49 Sam Houston 24

An 11-0 Montana gets the #2 seed over an 11-0 McNeese I'll wager.

[89Hen]

I think SIU gets the nod over Delaware because they only lost to UNI. Delaware is playing well now, but I think SIU's record gets it first. ASU just too many losses now.

AND ATTENDANCE HAS ZERO TO DO WITH SEEDINGS.
And a second place team has ZERO chance of getting a seed over the CAA champion. xnonox

[Khan4Cats]

I think SIU gets the nod over Delaware because they only lost to UNI. Delaware is playing well now, but I think SIU's record gets it first. ASU just too many losses now.

AND ATTENDANCE HAS ZERO TO DO WITH SEEDINGS.

You are correct that attendance has nothing to do with seedings, but Delaware will still get a seed because of LOCATION.

If UNI, Montana, McNeese and SIU were all seeded and win first round, the every second round road team is making a lengthy flight since there will be no other likely western teams in the brackets.

[89Hen]

Delaware will still get a seed because of LOCATION.
That, or winning their conference.

[ChickenMan]

Delaware would get the seed because they would deserve it.. having beaten two probable playoff teams.. JMU & Richmond and an FBS bowl team.. Navy.

Who has SIU beaten???

No FCS playoff teams and no bowl FBS teams... ;)

[ChickenMan]

Delaware would get the seed because they would deserve it.. having beaten two probable playoff teams.. JMU & Richmond and an FBS bowl team.. Navy.

Who has SIU beaten???

No playoff teams and no FBS bowl teams... ;)

[MCFAN]

BSC verses SLC in the playoffs since 2000. 7-3 Big Sky. Big Sky outscores the SLC 357 - 177.

2006
Montana 31 McNeese 6

2004
Montana 56 Northwestern State 7
Sam Houston 35 Eastern Washington 34
Montana 34 Sam Houston 14

2003
Northern Arizona 35 McNeese 3

2002
Montana 45 Northwestern State 14
McNeese State 21 Montana State 14

2001
Montana 28 Northwestern State 19
Sam Houston 34 Northern Arizona 31
Montana 49 Sam Houston 24

An 11-0 Montana gets the #2 seed over an 11-0 McNeese I'll wager.

You left out the Montana/McNeese score in the 2nd round in 2002. The fact is the Griz have never won in Lake Charles and we've never won in Missoula. I think we've split six games.

[msupokes1]

BSC verses SLC in the playoffs since 2000. 7-3 Big Sky. Big Sky outscores the SLC 357 - 177.

2006
Montana 31 McNeese 6

2004
Montana 56 Northwestern State 7
Sam Houston 35 Eastern Washington 34
Montana 34 Sam Houston 14

2003
Northern Arizona 35 McNeese 3

2002
Montana 45 Northwestern State 14
McNeese State 21 Montana State 14

2001
Montana 28 Northwestern State 19
Sam Houston 34 Northern Arizona 31
Montana 49 Sam Houston 24

An 11-0 Montana gets the #2 seed over an 11-0 McNeese I'll wager.

You forgot 2002 Mcneese over Montana 24-20. xsmiley_wix

[89Hen]

The fact is the Griz have never won in ___________
Fill in the blank with whatever city you like. xeyebrowx :p

[Go Apps]

One would like to think that location and attendance has nothing to do with it, but you are wrong, remember ASU got the #2 seed 2 years ago with 3 losses...

Anything is possible, the committee will look at how teams are playing now just as they did 2 years ago...

ASU, Delaware, GSU, Richmond are on the rise...

Wofford, Umass, JMU, Montana on the decline

[blueballs]

N. Iowa
McNeese St
Montana
Delaware

-All above win out and they get the top four seeds...(UNI is a lock) but if the others lose, next in line would be (in this order)

ASU - gets the nod over SIU due to tough conference and attendance
SIU - next on the list, but must finish with no other loses
GSU - winning out and others lose could propel them, only if ASU stumbles
UMass - but must win last two and Delaware must loose
Richmond - Seems to be gaining ground a win this weekend, keeps them in the hunt


THOUGHTS?

I'd like to hear your justification for giving ASU a seed ahead of GSU if they have the same record and GSU won on ASU's home turf, especially if GSU winds up with the SoCon autobid.

[BarefootApp]

Let's just settle it on the field...and enjoy the ride.

[Ronbo]

My Bad. 2002! Sore spot in my book. Glenn and his assistants had already taken the jobs at Wyoming and were thinking of Real Estate deals and new paychecks instead of protecting a 17-0 lead midway through the 3rd quarter. xoopsx

[nwFL Griz]

One would like to think that location and attendance has nothing to do with it, but you are wrong, remember ASU got the #2 seed 2 years ago with 3 losses...

Anything is possible, the committee will look at how teams are playing now just as they did 2 years ago...

ASU, Delaware, GSU, Richmond are on the rise...

Wofford, Umass, JMU, Montana WTF? on the decline

How the heck can you say an undefeated Montana team is on the decline? The others I understand as they have just lost....but the Griz are on the rise or at least holding ground. Now if they stumble and lose one of the next two, then I'll be with you....but not right now.

[HensRock]

I'd like to hear your justification for giving ASU a seed ahead of GSU if they have the same record and GSU won on ASU's home turf, especially if GSU winds up with the SoCon autobid.

Didn't you hear? They beat Michigan. They got a "Get a Seed for Free" card for that.

[Ronbo]

One would like to think that location and attendance has nothing to do with it, but you are wrong, remember ASU got the #2 seed 2 years ago with 3 losses...

Anything is possible, the committee will look at how teams are playing now just as they did 2 years ago...

ASU, Delaware, GSU, Richmond are on the rise...

Wofford, Umass, JMU, Montana on the decline


HaHaHa!!!! Montana is on a DECLINE! We are 21-1 in our last 22 games. Get real.xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[89Hen]

One would like to think that location and attendance has nothing to do with it, but you are wrong, remember ASU got the #2 seed 2 years ago with 3 losses...

Anything is possible, the committee will look at how teams are playing now just as they did 2 years ago...
AppSt was the outright SoCon Champ in 2005, not the second place team. Losses to LSU and Kansas made for an interesting situation. xpeacex

[Go Apps]

Not really a justification...

Both are deserving in our eyes! But they will be tied at best will not matter, as long as they both have 9-2 records...

[McNeese72]

BSC verses SLC in the playoffs since 2000. 7-3 Big Sky. Big Sky outscores the SLC 357 - 177.

2006
Montana 31 McNeese 6

2004
Montana 56 Northwestern State 7
Sam Houston 35 Eastern Washington 34
Montana 34 Sam Houston 14

2003
Northern Arizona 35 McNeese 3

2002
Montana 45 Northwestern State 14
McNeese State 21 Montana State 14

2001
Montana 28 Northwestern State 19
Sam Houston 34 Northern Arizona 31
Montana 49 Sam Houston 24

An 11-0 Montana gets the #2 seed over an 11-0 McNeese I'll wager.

I think you left out a game in 2002.

Doc

[bluehenbillk]

I'd think UNI is #1, Montana is #2, McNeese is #3 and even if those 3 teams would lose a game they'd still get a seed.

Other than that in order...

UD
SIU
Southern winner

[GreatAppSt]

I'd like to hear your justification for giving ASU a seed ahead of GSU if they have the same record and GSU won on ASU's home turf, especially if GSU winds up with the SoCon autobid.

This could factor in.

EVERY single DI opponent we've played thus far is either ranked, has been ranked (and still receiving votes) or is receiving Top 25 votes. our 2 losses were to probable playoff teams.

And GSU?xsmiley_wix

[89Hen]

EVERY single DI opponent we've played thus far is either ranked, has been ranked (and still receiving votes) or is receiving Top 25 votes
Gardner-Webb and Furman xconfusedx

[MSU_77]

I think you left out a game in 2002.

Doc

What they said. Bottom line is Montana will have a better chance if they get a higher seed and play all their playoff games on the frozen tundra in front of their legions of screaming fans. At least one other McNeese poster, however, is itching to play the Griz on their home turf this year. Either way, I have a feeling we'll be meeting again this year.

[SeattleGriz]

What they said. Bottom line is Montana will have a better chance if they get a higher seed and play all their playoff games on the frozen tundra in front of their legions of screaming fans. At least one other McNeese poster, however, is itching to play the Griz on their home turf this year. Either way, I have a feeling we'll be meeting again this year.


We haven't had frozen tundra for years. Montana even got tired of the bad field conditions and put in artificial turf years ago.

[ButlerGSU]

Didn't you hear? They beat Michigan. They got a "Get a Seed for Free" card for that.

How could we ever forget? xrotatehx

[Go Apps]

Also remember that one of the top items the committee uses is the Saragin Ratings - this will change everything if Michigan keeps winning!

[McNeese75]

BSC verses SLC in the playoffs since 2000. 7-3 Big Sky. Big Sky outscores the SLC 357 - 177.

2006
Montana 31 McNeese 6

2004
Montana 56 Northwestern State 7
Sam Houston 35 Eastern Washington 34
Montana 34 Sam Houston 14

2003
Northern Arizona 35 McNeese 3

2002
Montana 45 Northwestern State 14
McNeese State 21 Montana State 14

2001
Montana 28 Northwestern State 19
Sam Houston 34 Northern Arizona 31
Montana 49 Sam Houston 24

An 11-0 Montana gets the #2 seed over an 11-0 McNeese I'll wager.


And the Wager is?????

[Spider]

Delaware would get the seed because they would deserve it.. having beaten two probable playoff teams.. JMU & Richmond and an FBS bowl team.. Navy.



I didn't realize we had played this game yet!

[89Hen]

Also remember that one of the top items the committee uses is the Saragin Ratings
xconfusedx xconfusedx xlolx

[URMite]

I'd think UNI is #1, Montana is #2, McNeese is #3 and even if those 3 teams would lose a game they'd still get a seed.

Other than that in order...

UD
SIU
Southern winner

Even if they are 8-3?

[Ronin]

Predicting what the committee will do is rather difficult to some degree.

IMHO I don't think Attendance or Location should play a factor in seeding.

Seeding should be based on record and strength of schedule. Therefore, at the present based on SOS and record.

By Nolan
UNI
McNeese
ASU
Delaware

By Sagarin
UNI
SIU
ASU
Delaware

By (SOS*.7)+Record rank
UNI
ASU
Umass
UNH

[URMite]

We haven't had frozen tundra for years. Montana even got tired of the bad field conditions and put in artificial turf years ago.

Was that before or after 2000?, when we showed up with the wrong cleats for ice.

[Ronin]

What they said. Bottom line is Montana will have a better chance if they get a higher seed and play all their playoff games on the frozen tundra in front of their legions of screaming fans. At least one other McNeese poster, however, is itching to play the Griz on their home turf this year. Either way, I have a feeling we'll be meeting again this year.

Seeing Montana play a ranked opponent away from home and it's not the championship game. This I would like to see.

[ChickenMan]

I didn't realize we had played this game yet!


The SIU/UD seeding debate was based on the 'hypothetical'.. hypothesizing that both finished at 10-1... xrolleyesx

[URMite]

I didn't realize we had played this game yet!

Don't get too upset, I think this was if UD & SIU win out.

In which case, UD seems to have better wins and SIU the better loss. UD would also likely have at least a share of the conf title and an economic advantage (which shouldn't but might be a factor).

But that is a very legitimate if not when.

[ChickenMan]

Predicting what the committee will do is rather difficult to some degree.

IMHO I don't think Attendance or Location should play a factor in seeding.

Seeding should be based on record and strength of schedule. Therefore, at the present based on SOS and record.

By Nolan
UNI
McNeese
ASU
Delaware

By Sagarin
UNI
SIU
ASU
Delaware

By (SOS*.7)+Record rank
UNI
ASU
Umass
UNH

no love for the Griz... :p

[MSU_77]

We haven't had frozen tundra for years. Montana even got tired of the bad field conditions and put in artificial turf years ago.

I know you're familiar with a "figure of speech." Green Bay hasn't had a frozen tundra for years either since they installed the heat elements under the field, but whenever a game is played in Green Bay in the winter, the announcers invariably dig up the "frozen tundra" talk. I'm sure UM's field is wondrous. What happens, though, if there is an inch or two of sleet on top of frozen rain the night before the playoff game? Does your field have heating elements or do you have some other mechanism to clear it off?

[McNeese_beat]

We haven't had frozen tundra for years. Montana even got tired of the bad field conditions and put in artificial turf years ago.
On your frozen turf...that better? xsmiley_wix

Actually, I didn't think the game was exceptionally cold last year at all. Snowy, yes. Crisp, yes. Freezing? I don't think.

Of course, there are some warm-natured players from McNeese who might disagree...

[mlbowl]

Predicting what the committee will do is rather difficult to some degree.

IMHO I don't think Attendance or Location should play a factor in seeding.

Seeding should be based on record and strength of schedule. Therefore, at the present based on SOS and record.

By Nolan
UNI
McNeese
ASU
Delaware

By Sagarin
UNI
SIU
ASU
Delaware

By (SOS*.7)+Record rank
UNI
ASU
Umass
UNH

NOT GONNA HAPPEN...Smoke another onexrolleyesx

[URMite]

Seeing Montana play a ranked opponent away from home and it's not the championship game. This I would like to see.

I'd like to see Montana play an unranked opponent away and it is not the championship. Not because I feel any animosity towards them but just to see the reaction of their fans. :p

[GreatAppSt]

AppSt was the outright SoCon Champ in 2005, not the second place team. Losses to LSU and Kansas made for an interesting situation. xpeacex

Yes we wer the SoCon champs. But we were the 8-3 champs with a (pay attention here GSUer's) head to head lossto Furman the commitee still gave us a seed??? Why SOS and Sagarin ratings that the committe uses.
I'm not argueing that App will get a seed, I don't think so. Without a few losses ahead of us no seed, but I am saying if ASU and GSU win out and those losses happen we would be given a seed before GSU regardless of the head to head game. It will come down to SOS/App ahead, and Sagarin/App ahead, and their own little poll/who knows, for the committee.

[GreatAppSt]

xconfusedx xconfusedx xlolx

Like it or not 89 they do.xnonono2x

[GreatAppSt]

Gardner-Webb and Furman xconfusedx


has been ranked (and still receiving votes)

Full listing, our opponents:


1. Northern Iowa Panthers (61) 9-0 2,687 1
2. North Dakota State Bison (42) 9-0 2,540 2
3. Montana Grizzlies (7) 9-0 2,462 4
4. McNeese State Cowboys (2) 9-0 2,455 5
5. Southern Illinois Salukis 8-1 2,279 6
6. Delaware Blue Hens 8-1 2,187 7
7. Appalachian State Mountaineers 7-2 2,058 9
8. Massachusetts Minutemen 7-2 1,847 3
9. Richmond Spiders 7-2 1,799 11
10. Delaware State Hornets 8-1 1,547 13
11. Georgia Southern Eagles 7-2 1,514 17
12. Yale Bulldogs 8-0 1,414 15
13. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 7-2 1,378 16
14. New Hampshire Wildcats 6-3 1,222 8
15. Wofford Terriers 7-3 1,215 10
16. James Madison Dukes 6-3 1,140 12
17. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 1,083 18
18. Hofstra Pride 7-2 857 20
19. Elon Phoenix 6-3 736 14
20. Eastern Washington Eagles 6-3 585 24
21. Youngstown State Penguins 6-4 467 22
22. Fordham Rams 8-2 342 NR
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-4 325 19
24. Cal Poly Mustangs 6-3 289 NR
25. Eastern Illinois Panthers 6-3 264 NR
Others receiving votes: Norfolk State 181, Alabama A&M 142, South Dakota State 94, Dayton 85, Villanova 82, Harvard 76, Jacksonville State 71, Northern Arizona 50, Holy Cross 39, Liberty 29, Jackson State 26, Nicholls State 22, Southern 20, Albany 19, San Diego 17, Colgate 12, South Carolina State 11, The Citadel 9, Central Arkansas 8, Furman 7, Gardner-Webb 7, Hampton 7, Sam Houston State 6, Austin Peay 4, Rhode Island 2, Iona 1, Northeastern 1.



As of November 5, 2007, at 02:16 PM ET

Ooops:o ya got me 89 had a brainfart I overlooked D II Lenoir-Rhyne.:p ;)

[GRZZ]

Originally Posted by MCFAN View Post
The fact is the Griz have never won in ___________


Fill in the blank with whatever city you like. xeyebrowx :p

Chattanooga

Oh wait...wins away from home dont count.

[GSU 25+yrFan]

Also remember that one of the top items the committee uses is the Saragin Ratings - this will change everything if Michigan keeps winning!

Remember that App's AD sits on the committee and I think he is the chairman, has screwed GSU before. App beat MU but GSU won the head to head @ Boone so we should be seated higher than App, if all things stay the same.

[HensRock]

Great idea GAS - mind if I shamelessly steal it? :D

Full listing, various team opponents:

KEY:
SIU OPPONENTS
UD OPPONENTS
ASU OPPONENTS


1. Northern Iowa Panthers (61) 9-0 2,687 1
2. North Dakota State Bison (42) 9-0 2,540 2
3. Montana Grizzlies (7) 9-0 2,462 4
4. McNeese State Cowboys (2) 9-0 2,455 5
5. Southern Illinois Salukis 8-1 2,279 6
6. Delaware Blue Hens 8-1 2,187 7
7. Appalachian State Mountaineers 7-2 2,058 9
8. Massachusetts Minutemen 7-2 1,847 3
9. Richmond Spiders 7-2 1,799 11
10. Delaware State Hornets 8-1 1,547 13
11. Georgia Southern Eagles 7-2 1,514 17
12. Yale Bulldogs 8-0 1,414 15
13. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 7-2 1,378 16
14. New Hampshire Wildcats 6-3 1,222 8
15. Wofford Terriers 7-3 1,215 10
16. James Madison Dukes 6-3 1,140 12
17. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 1,083 18
18. Hofstra Pride 7-2 857 20
19. Elon Phoenix 6-3 736 14
20. Eastern Washington Eagles 6-3 585 24
21. Youngstown State Penguins 6-4 467 22
22. Fordham Rams 8-2 342 NR
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-4 325 19
24. Cal Poly Mustangs 6-3 289 NR
25. Eastern Illinois Panthers 6-3 264 NR
Others receiving votes: Norfolk State 181, Alabama A&M 142, South Dakota State 94, Dayton 85, Villanova 82, Harvard 76, Jacksonville State 71, Northern Arizona 50, Holy Cross 39, Liberty 29, Jackson State 26, Nicholls State 22, Southern 20, Albany 19, San Diego 17, Colgate 12, South Carolina State 11, The Citadel 9, Central Arkansas 8, Furman 7, Gardner-Webb 7, Hampton 7, Sam Houston State 6, Austin Peay 4, Rhode Island 2, Iona 1, Northeastern 1.


As of November 5, 2007, at 02:16 PM ET

[ChickenMan]

Great idea GAS - mind if I shamelessly steal it? :D

Full listing, various team opponents:

KEY:
SIU OPPONENTS
UD OPPONENTS
ASU OPPONENTS


1. Northern Iowa Panthers (61) 9-0 2,687 1
2. North Dakota State Bison (42) 9-0 2,540 2
3. Montana Grizzlies (7) 9-0 2,462 4
4. McNeese State Cowboys (2) 9-0 2,455 5
5. Southern Illinois Salukis 8-1 2,279 6
6. Delaware Blue Hens 8-1 2,187 7
7. Appalachian State Mountaineers 7-2 2,058 9
8. Massachusetts Minutemen 7-2 1,847 3
9. Richmond Spiders 7-2 1,799 11
10. Delaware State Hornets 8-1 1,547 13
11. Georgia Southern Eagles 7-2 1,514 17
12. Yale Bulldogs 8-0 1,414 15
13. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 7-2 1,378 16
14. New Hampshire Wildcats 6-3 1,222 8
15. Wofford Terriers 7-3 1,215 10
16. James Madison Dukes 6-3 1,140 12
17. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 1,083 18
18. Hofstra Pride 7-2 857 20
19. Elon Phoenix 6-3 736 14
20. Eastern Washington Eagles 6-3 585 24
21. Youngstown State Penguins 6-4 467 22
22. Fordham Rams 8-2 342 NR
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-4 325 19
24. Cal Poly Mustangs 6-3 289 NR
25. Eastern Illinois Panthers 6-3 264 NR
Others receiving votes: Norfolk State 181, Alabama A&M 142, South Dakota State 94, Dayton 85, Villanova 82, Harvard 76, Jacksonville State 71, Northern Arizona 50, Holy Cross 39, Liberty 29, Jackson State 26, Nicholls State 22, Southern 20, Albany 19, San Diego 17, Colgate 12, South Carolina State 11, The Citadel 9, Central Arkansas 8, Furman 7, Gardner-Webb 7, Hampton 7, Sam Houston State 6, Austin Peay 4, Rhode Island 2, Iona 1, Northeastern 1.


As of November 5, 2007, at 02:16 PM ET


plus - Navy for UD.. ;)

[HensRock]

Great idea GAS - mind if I shamelessly steal it? :D

Full listing, various team opponents:

KEY:
SIU OPPONENTS
UD OPPONENTS
ASU OPPONENTS


1. Northern Iowa Panthers (61) 9-0 2,687 1
2. North Dakota State Bison (42) 9-0 2,540 2
3. Montana Grizzlies (7) 9-0 2,462 4
4. McNeese State Cowboys (2) 9-0 2,455 5
5. Southern Illinois Salukis 8-1 2,279 6
6. Delaware Blue Hens 8-1 2,187 7
7. Appalachian State Mountaineers 7-2 2,058 9
8. Massachusetts Minutemen 7-2 1,847 3
9. Richmond Spiders 7-2 1,799 11
10. Delaware State Hornets 8-1 1,547 13
11. Georgia Southern Eagles 7-2 1,514 17
12. Yale Bulldogs 8-0 1,414 15
13. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 7-2 1,378 16
14. New Hampshire Wildcats 6-3 1,222 8
15. Wofford Terriers 7-3 1,215 10
16. James Madison Dukes 6-3 1,140 12
17. Grambling State Tigers 8-1 1,083 18
18. Hofstra Pride 7-2 857 20
19. Elon Phoenix 6-3 736 14
20. Eastern Washington Eagles 6-3 585 24
21. Youngstown State Penguins 6-4 467 22
22. Fordham Rams 8-2 342 NR
23. Western Illinois Leathernecks 6-4 325 19
24. Cal Poly Mustangs 6-3 289 NR
25. Eastern Illinois Panthers 6-3 264 NR
Others receiving votes: Norfolk State 181, Alabama A&M 142, South Dakota State 94, Dayton 85, Villanova 82, Harvard 76, Jacksonville State 71, Northern Arizona 50, Holy Cross 39, Liberty 29, Jackson State 26, Nicholls State 22, Southern 20, Albany 19, San Diego 17, Colgate 12, South Carolina State 11, The Citadel 9, Central Arkansas 8, Furman 7, Gardner-Webb 7, Hampton 7, Sam Houston State 6, Austin Peay 4, Rhode Island 2, Iona 1, Northeastern 1.


As of November 5, 2007, at 02:16 PM ET

Plus Sagarin Rank Team ( record )
15. Michigan (8-2)
79. Navy (5-4)
162. Northern Illinois (1-8)

[Pantherpower]

Provided that the UD and SIU win out, it makes sense to award UD the #4 seed. SIU has had a great season, but in my opinion, if you don't win your conference, EVEN with one loss in this case, you don't deserve a seed.

[The Moody1]

Remember that App's AD sits on the committee and I think he is the chairman, has screwed GSU before. App beat MU but GSU won the head to head @ Boone so we should be seated higher than App, if all things stay the same.


Have you ever paid attention to how these selections have come down over the years? If App and GSU both win out App is "SEEDED" ahead the GSU due to being ranked ahead of you and our SOS. Anyone who loses to UTC at home probably should be automatically eliminated :D . Also, our AD was on the committee a few years ago but I don't think that is the case anymore.

[The Moody1]

ASU's win @ Michigan is great, but I don't think that they can win the SoCon AQ. I think GSU has the inside track to that due to the head to head win (I may be wrong on that). If ASU doen't win the AQ they deffinitly will not get a seed.


It makes no difference if we get the AQ or not. If ASU, GSU, Wofford and Elon all win out they will all win a share of the SoCon title with a 5-2 league record. The conference has a tiebreaker in place to determine who gets the AQ but this will not affect where ASU is placed in the playoffs.

[DOME]

While I agree a conference champ should get a seed over a runner up, I still feel the need to stand up for those poor puppies down there. While ASU and UD appear to have tougher schedules according the polls (which are debated as much if not more than this issue) SIU has been playing every bit as good.
Everyone moaned about Montana's margin of victory, why doesn't anyone look at that here.
ASU's average margin 13.9
UD's average margin 16
SIU's average margin 26.2

[Ud1Hens]

Assuming that UD, SIU, APP St. all win out, what would be their signature wins? By that I mean, potential playoff teams and/or bowl-bound FBS teams.

UD: Navy, Richmond and possibly James Madison
SIU:____?
App St.: Michigan and possibly Elon

[Houndawg]

Assuming that UD, SIU, APP St. all win out, what would be their signature wins? By that I mean, potential playoff teams and/or bowl-bound FBS teams.

UD: Navy, Richmond and possibly James Madison
SIU:____?
App St.: Michigan and possibly Elon

:D It's not our fault that Illinois State beat YSU. They shouldn't have.

I agree that with equal records UD would get the nod. You guys are damn lucky that we knocked WIU out of the playoffs, they would have been a real sleeper. Their four losses - UNI, SIU, NDSU, Illini.

[HensRock]

SIU's average margin 26.2

Quincy 59-14
@SUU 44-10
AR-Pine Bluff 58-3
@Indiana St. 72-10

Impressive xrolleyesx

[GreatAppSt]

Remember that App's AD sits on the committee and I think he is the chairman, has screwed GSU before. App beat MU but GSU won the head to head @ Boone so we should be seated higher than App, if all things stay the same.

He was the Committee chair but 05 was his last year. No one from App has been on the committee since then. The chair now belongs to the AD from ..................



























UMass. xsmiley_wix

[GreatAppSt]

Great idea GAS - mind if I shamelessly steal it? :D


The Credit goes to BigApp, I'll let him know.xthumbsupx

[89Hen]

Yes we wer the SoCon champs. But we were the 8-3 champs with a (pay attention here GSUer's) head to head lossto Furman the commitee still gave us a seed??? Why SOS and Sagarin ratings that the committe uses.
Not really. You were ALONE in first place in the SoCon. An undisputed SoCon Champ is almost guaranteed a seed. xnodx

[89Hen]

Furman 7, Gardner-Webb 7, Hampton 7, Sam Houston State 6, Austin Peay 4, Rhode Island 2, Iona 1, Northeastern 1.
Furman and G-W getting votes is as much of a joke as URI and NU getting a vote. xnodx

[GreatAppSt]

While I agree a conference champ should get a seed over a runner up,

Potentially if the leaders in the SoCon win out, or just any two win out we would have Co-champions. One team will get the AQ but that does not make their Co-Champ a runner up.xsmiley_wix
Funny things happen when in conf. races and OOC schedules are in the mix for the playoffs, A conf. AQ does not always go to the best team.. Five years ago I remember a 7-5 Monty State getting the Big Sky AQ over a 10- 2 UM team.

[GreatAppSt]

Furman and G-W getting votes is as much of a joke as URI and NU getting a vote. xnodx

I didn't invent the poll to fit my take on things it just is what it is. :)

[89Hen]

I didn't invent the poll to fit my take on things it just is what it is. :)
You're using the wrong poll anyway.

Any Given Saturday Poll Top 25
11/5/2007
(First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Northern Iowa (55) 9-0
2. North Dakota St. (27) 9-0
3. McNeese St. (2) 9-0
4. Montana (1) 9-0
5. Southern Illinois 8-1
6. Delaware 8-1
7. Appalachian St. 7-2
8. Massachusetts 7-2
9. Richmond 7-2
10. Yale 8-0
11. Delaware St. 8-1
12. Georgia Southern 7-2
13. Eastern Kentucky 7-2
14. Wofford 7-3
15. New Hampshire 6-3
16. James Madison 6-3
17. Grambling St. 8-1
18. Hofstra 7-2
19. Eastern Illinois 6-3
20. Youngstown St. 6-4
21. Elon 6-3
22. Cal Poly 6-3
23. Eastern Washington 6-3
24. Fordham 8-2
25. Western Illinois 6-4

Dropped out: The Citadel (24)

Others receiving votes (minimum of 5 votes): Norfolk St. (29), South Dakota St. (23), Dayton (22), The Citadel (13), Holy Cross (11), Northern Arizona (9), Alabama A&M (8), Villanova (8), Jacksonville St. (7), San Diego (7), Harvard (6), Liberty (5)

No sign of Furman or G-W (or URI and NU)... that makes the AGS look a LOT better than the SN. xnodx

[henfan]

This is a fun discussion but let's be real... I mean really, really real. I've seen Richmond and Villanova play multiple times this season. Delaware will be very fortunate to win even one of those two games, nevermind seriously considering a seed at this point.xsmhx

[Ud1Hens]

This is a fun discussion but let's be real... I mean really, really real. I've seen Richmond and Villanova play multiple times this season. Delaware will be very fortunate to win even one of those two games, nevermind seriously considering a seed at this point.xsmhx

With both games being at home (Nova is a UD home game anyway) what makes you think we can't win one much less two games?

[GannonFan]

This is a fun discussion but let's be real... I mean really, really real. I've seen Richmond and Villanova play multiple times this season. Delaware will be very fortunate to win even one of those two games, nevermind seriously considering a seed at this point.xsmhx

Aw, quit sandbagging, henfan, the Spiders are in the Tub this week and nova's still playing a freshman QB - I think we have a pretty decent chance of at least winning a game. We do still have Cuff and Flacco, right??? xnodx xnodx

[ChickenMan]

This is a fun discussion but let's be real... I mean really, really real. I've seen Richmond and Villanova play multiple times this season. Delaware will be very fortunate to win even one of those two games, nevermind seriously considering a seed at this point.xsmhx

Villanova... please.. did you actually see their games vs JMU or Hofstra???

I'll give them credit for hanging tough without their starting QB.. but they are NOT nearly the caliber of a JMU, UNH, Richmond or Navy.

[Saluki_man]

First of all, UD has a better profile than SIU for the fourth seed at this time. But if they faltar SIU will be the fourth seed if they win out. ASU has to win the AQ for the SoCon to even have a shot a seed. If they don't, those two losses are going to kill their chances.

[GreatAppSt]

This is a fun discussion but let's be real... I mean really, really real. I've seen Richmond and Villanova play multiple times this season. Delaware will be very fortunate to win even one of those two games, nevermind seriously considering a seed at this point.xsmhx


It's just mental Masterb.... after this weekend games changes every scenario covered here, we'll gather round and discuss the what ifs all over again. WHEEEE!:D

[Saluki_man]

Chattanooga

Oh wait...wins away from home dont count.

Correction, wins on a neutral field don't count. When was the last time the Griz went into a playoff away game and won?

[GreatAppSt]

ASU has to win the AQ for the SoCon to even have a shot a seed.xconfusedx xconfusedx

Once again


Potentially if the leaders in the SoCon win out, or just any two win out we would have Co-champions. One team will get the AQ but that does not make their Co-Champ a runner up.

If the right two teams in the SoCon are Co-champs the AQ is decided by chance. If this is the case, I don't believe losing a chance decision at the league office would keep any team from seed eligibility.xrolleyesx :)

[BigApp]

Furman and G-W getting votes is as much of a joke as URI and NU getting a vote. xnodx

you wouldn't be saying that if you had played them. xsmiley_wix

[BigApp]

You're using the wrong poll anyway.

Any Given Saturday Poll Top 25
11/5/2007


xhomerx

[GreatAppSt]

you wouldn't be saying that if you had played them. xsmiley_wix

The Ouch of truth.xlolx

[89Hen]

xhomerx

xnodx I am a homer for the most accurate and best looking poll in the land. The SN has somebody giving votes to 2-7 URI and both the SN and SME polls has more than one person voting for 5-4 Hampton. xeekx

[Saluki_man]

xconfusedx xconfusedx

Once again



If the right two teams in the SoCon are Co-champs the AQ is decided by chance. If this is the case, I don't believe losing a chance decision at the league office would keep any team from seed eligibility.xrolleyesx :)

The problem I've got with giving a seed to ASU over SIU is that ASU has two losses in FCS (@Wofford and GSU) vs one loss for SIU in FCS (@UNI). They may have the Michigan win in thier pocket, but the losses are what stick out with one at home. Thats why ASU has to win the AQ, they lose most of the tiebreakers to the other three in the conference.

Correct me if Im wrong, but if ASU and GSU tie, GSU takes the SoCon title and the AQ. The only way ASU gets the AQ and the title in head to head is if they match up with Elon

If its a four way tie, record against tied opponents go into effect which gives it to Elon. (GSU 2-1, Elon 2-1, ASU 1-2, Wofford 1-2 and then the Elon head to head win)

Too many possibilities for three way ties to get into it. Elon's lone loss between the top four is ASU, GSU's is Elon, ASU has lost to both GSU and Wofford, while Wofford has lost to both Elon and GSU. And all senerios that I see, ASU doesn't have any of the tiebreakers.

[DOME]

Lets be honest here, we all know when the seeds come out 8/10 ppl are going to be pissed about the way it all comes out. We can argue all of the hypotheticals all day (at least until 5:30 cst when I get off work) but in the end ifs and buts don't equal beers and nuts so its not a very fun party.
Is it saturday yet?

[GreatAppSt]

The problem I've got with giving a seed to ASU over SIU is that ASU has two losses in FCS (@Wofford and GSU) vs one loss for SIU in FCS (@UNI). They may have the Michigan win in thier pocket, but the losses are what stick out with one at home. Thats why ASU has to win the AQ, they lose most of the tiebreakers to the other three in the conference.

Correct me if Im wrong, but if ASU and GSU tie, GSU takes the SoCon title and the AQ. The only way ASU gets the AQ and the title in head to head is if they match up with Elon

If its a four way tie, record against tied opponents go into effect which gives it to Elon. (GSU 2-1, Elon 2-1, ASU 1-2, Wofford 1-2 and then the Elon head to head win)

Too many possibilities for three way ties to get into it. Elon's lone loss between the top four is ASU, GSU's is Elon, ASU has lost to both GSU and Wofford, while Wofford has lost to both Elon and GSU. And all senerios that I see, ASU doesn't have any of the tiebreakers.

If ASU wins out having the SoCon AQ or not will have zero zip point shize bearing on them getting a seed or not in the eyes of the playoff committee.
The commitee even though they say they don't, will try to have regional and the best possible $$$$ making teams seeds. UNI is the lock for SIUs region. This could open the door for ASU. Would it be right? maybe not but it's the $$NCAA$$ we're talking about here. :)

[GreatAppSt]

Lets be honest here, we all know when the seeds come out 8/10 ppl are going to be pissed about the way it all comes out. We can argue all of the hypotheticals all day (at least until 5:30 cst when I get off work) but in the end ifs and buts don't equal beers and nuts so its not a very fun party.
Is it saturday yet?

We gotta have somthing to stand around the fire and BS about.

[appfan2008]

I think ASU has a good shot at the 4 seed if Deleware loses due to both location and attendance... I know no one else believes that but it is the case

[GSU 25+yrFan]

Have you ever paid attention to how these selections have come down over the years? If App and GSU both win out App is "SEEDED" ahead the GSU due to being ranked ahead of you and our SOS. Anyone who loses to UTC at home probably should be automatically eliminated :D . Also, our AD was on the committee a few years ago but I don't think that is the case anymore.

If you use that fuzzy math App would be playing Ohio for the Big Ten Title. You beat MU and GSU beat App on the road too. As long as MU wins App's SOS will continue to go up.
UTC/Elon beat GSU (each in double overtime with 2 bad ref calls), GSU beat App, App beat MU and MU will beat Ohio so UTC or Elon wins the Big Ten Title. xpeacex

[sharkeycox]

My Bad. 2002! Sore spot in my book. Glenn and his assistants had already taken the jobs at Wyoming and were thinking of Real Estate deals and new paychecks instead of protecting a 17-0 lead midway through the 3rd quarter. xoopsx

Ronbo,

I guess you are right. It had absolutely nothing to do with the better team winning. How dare anybody think they can beat the mighty Grizxbowx

[james_lawfirm]

Remember that App's AD sits on the committee and I think he is the chairman, has screwed GSU before. App beat MU but GSU won the head to head @ Boone so we should be seated higher than App, if all things stay the same.

Nope. Not sits, sat. Old AD. Not there this year, or last, or in 2005 either. I think the only SoCon rep on the committee is from Elon now. GSU might get screwed, but App's AD won't be doing the screwing.

[GSU 25+yrFan]

I think ASU has a good shot at the 4 seed if Deleware loses due to both location and attendance... I know no one else believes that but it is the case

Here is some attendance info. As for location App is 1 to 2 hours away from the nearest airport in the middle of the mountains. Weather also (or should) plays a role in choosing a site or seed. I remember GSU going to APP playing in the ice on the old outdoor carpet even though we had a better record and attendance.

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Internet/attendance/IAA_AVGATTENDANCE.pdf

[skinny_uncle]

I didn't realize we had played this game yet!
Good point.

[GreatAppSt]

Here is some attendance info. As for location App is 1 to 2 hours away from the nearest airport in the middle of the mountains. Weather also (or should) plays a role in choosing a site or seed. I remember GSU going to APP playing in the ice on the old outdoor carpet even though we had a better record and attendance.

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Internet/attendance/IAA_AVGATTENDANCE.pdf

Seeding has no weather consideration????? xeyebrowx NewsFlash Montana December!!!!

How close is a major airport to GSU?

[AppMan]

Here is some attendance info. As for location App is 1 to 2 hours away from the nearest airport in the middle of the mountains.

Hasn't been much of a problem the last two years.


Weather also (or should) plays a role in choosing a site or seed. I remember GSU going to APP playing in the ice on the old outdoor carpet even though we had a better record and attendance.

Man that was 20 years ago!

[JTCowboy]

How is it that you failed to list the Cowboy win over the griz in 2002.

This is the no spin zone by the way.

[Houndawg]

Delaware would get the seed because they would deserve it.. having beaten two probable playoff teams.. JMU & Richmond and an FBS bowl team.. Navy.

Who has SIU beaten???

No playoff teams and no FBS bowl teams... ;)

YSU was #10 when we beat them.

[GreatAppSt]

How is it that you failed to list the Cowboy win over the griz in 2002.

This is the no spin zone by the way.

The FCS universe is full of you's ......You who? xsmiley_wix

[AlphaSigMD]

Will ASU get a seed. Yes, but only when Delaware loses to Richmond this weekend. SIU will have a bad game with Hampton, and will lose some street-cred if not the game.

ASU doesn't "need" a seed to win the national championship.

They will have a first round game at home.

Since parity is what it IS this year in FCS, not all of the Seeds will get out of the first round. You can bet on that. (Mine is Montana or McNeese)

Worst case scenario is 2 away games, maybe 1 or zero depending on how things work out around the rest of the country. If ASU goes up against any non-seed, they will have the home game. Even if its GSU or an Un-seeded Delaware. But, regardless, we've already proven we can go on the road and beat any team in the country. The only question is if we can pull it all together at the right time.

Nobody (other than maybe UNI, revenge) wants anything to do with ASU in the playoffs. Certainly not coming to Kidd Brewer.

[AlphaSigMD]

In response to McNeese complaints to come...

Yes, I'm gonna go out of a limb and say that McNeese is likely to lose in the 1st round. Gut feeling. Why does this schedule deserve a seed. If this was USD superimposed instead of McNeese, they might not even make the playoffs. This is looking more like a Hampton every day.

Opponents to date:
Portland St. (2-7)
LA-Laff (1-8) D-1
SUU (0-8)
South Dakota (6-3) D-2
Texas St. (4-5)
Nichol's St. (5-4)
Sam H State (5-4)
SELU (2-7)
SFA (0-9)

When the the Southland turn into MAAC?

[McNeese_beat]

In response to McNeese complaints to come...

Yes, I'm gonna go out of a limb and say that McNeese is likely to lose in the 1st round. Gut feeling. Why does this schedule deserve a seed. If this was USD superimposed instead of McNeese, they might not even make the playoffs. This is looking more like a Hampton every day.

Opponents to date:
Portland St. (2-7)
LA-Laff (1-8) D-1
SUU (0-8)
South Dakota (6-3) D-2
Texas St. (4-5)
Nichol's St. (5-4)
Sam H State (5-4)
SELU (2-7)
SFA (0-9)

When the the Southland turn into MAAC?

Two things in defense of McNeese...

1. To just about any reasonable person, that schedule LOOKED a lot tougher in August than it turned out to be. It's not McNeese's fault that teams who are traditionally strong and/or preseason ranked (PSU, Sam Houston, to some extent, SFA and Texas State) have been busts this year. It's not like McNeese is playing non-scholly teams.

2. McNeese has done what highly-ranked, top teams should do with this schedule...beat the hell out of everybody they played. The only game where they won by LESS than 3 touchdowns was 31-21 over Sam Houston in a gme where the Cowboys played horribly (they turned it over in the red zone a bunch of times).

The Southland is down. That is a concern because it shouldn't have been this bad this year. I don't know what the hell is wrong with this league. I really think SLU adding football has hurt some by watering down Louisiana recruiting. And I think the retirement of a couple of veteran coaches who really understood the lay of the land has hurt some.

Having said that, McNeese is as good as advertised. I'm sure they'd love to have traded in a couple of those early games against teams that were supposed to be a challenge (PSU, ULL) with teams that would have been a challenge.

[JohnStOnge]

I think that IF both McNeese and Montana win out Montana will get a higher seed. But I don't think they should. I think that if you just look at which of the two teams has had the more impressive performance during the regular season this year, it's McNeese.

You guys know I like power rankings. It's not something I refer to just when it favors my team. Having said that, I'll note that, of the 29 power rating systems at http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare1aa.htm , 28 have McNeese rated higher (there are 32 rankings listed but three of them are human polls...where Montana holds a 2 - 1 edge).

The thing about power ratings is that people set up a system they think will objectively consider who each team played and how all teams did against each other and spit out a rating. It's objective. And power ratings systems almost unanimously tab McNeese's performance as better to date.

I also think that any reasonable person who's not a McNeese or Montana fan who looks at the game by game results would say McNeese's performance this year has been more impressive.

Of course, I'd also say that McNeese's performance hasn't been good enough to get a top 2 seed either. If you look at the average of power ratings, for instance, Delaware would get the 2 seed.

But I'm just talking about if the decision comes down to McNeese and Montana.

[Go Apps]

We don't need the vistors to bring fans - we can bring 30k ourselves - airport not needed!

[JohnStOnge]

In response to McNeese complaints to come...

Yes, I'm gonna go out of a limb and say that McNeese is likely to lose in the 1st round. Gut feeling. Why does this schedule deserve a seed. If this was USD superimposed instead of McNeese, they might not even make the playoffs. This is looking more like a Hampton every day.

Opponents to date:
Portland St. (2-7)
LA-Laff (1-8) D-1
SUU (0-8)
South Dakota (6-3) D-2
Texas St. (4-5)
Nichol's St. (5-4)
Sam H State (5-4)
SELU (2-7)
SFA (0-9)

When the the Southland turn into MAAC?

I agree that McNeese's schedule raises questions and I can understand that whether or not the Cowboys should be seeded is open to reasonable question, but let's not go overboard. Objective power rating systems that consider schedules generally have the Cowboys rated in the top 10 (see http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare1aa.htm; where 25 of 29 have them in the top 10, the lowest rating is 15, and the average is 4). McNeese handled Sam Houston a lot easier than North Dakota State did and handled Portland State a lot easier than Montana did. The Cowboys handled Southern Utah easier than Montana did too.

[Houndawg]

Two things in defense of McNeese...

1. To just about any reasonable person, that schedule LOOKED a lot tougher in August than it turned out to be. It's not McNeese's fault that teams who are traditionally strong and/or preseason ranked (PSU, Sam Houston, to some extent, SFA and Texas State) have been busts this year. It's not like McNeese is playing non-scholly teams.



This applies so exactly to SIU that I'll borrow it whole.

WIU loses to UNI, SIU, NDSU, and Illinois.
I believe that many ranked teams would have a good chance of going 0-4 in those games.

YSU loses to UNI, SIU, ISU, and Ohio State. Wouldn't be hard for good FCS teams to go 0-4 there either.

[JohnStOnge]

Nobody (other than maybe UNI, revenge) wants anything to do with ASU in the playoffs. Certainly not coming to Kidd Brewer.

If McNeese has to travel, I'd actually rather see the Cowboys go to ASU than to Montana; even though I think that ASU is better than Montana. With all due respect to Kidd Brewer, I think Montana's got the top home field advantage in FCS. Also, I think McNeese matches up better with App State's spread offense/option style than it does with the style (power running game) Montana employed against McNeese last year.

I'd rather not see them have to travel to either. But if I had to chose, I'd choose going to App State.

[APPST '93]

If Armanti stays healthy over the next two games and Delaware loses, APP will get a seed.

The committee will look at the fact that Armanti was coming back from injuries when APP lost their two games.

[Houndawg]

If McNeese has to travel, I'd actually rather see the Cowboys go to ASU than to Montana; even though I think that ASU is better than Montana. With all due respect to Kidd Brewer, I think Montana's got the top home field advantage in FCS. Also, I think McNeese matches up better with App State's spread offense/option style than it does with the style (power running game) Montana employed against McNeese last year.

I'd rather not see them have to travel to either. But if I had to chose, I'd choose going to App State.

Just the opposite for SIU, IMO. We've only given up 100+ rushing twice, and we won both times.

[SeattleGriz]

If Armanti stays healthy over the next two games and Delaware loses, APP will get a seed.

The committee will look at the fact that Armanti was coming back from injuries when APP lost their two games.


He plays on defense now too!

Sorry, it was your D that lost those games, not your lack of Armanti.

[Khan4Cats]

Just the opposite for SIU, IMO. We've only given up 100+ rushing twice, and we won both times.

UNI-SIU

UNI 35 attempts, 129 yards gained, 17 yards lost (7 of those on kneel downs), 109 net

You won?

or did you mean a single rusher for 100 yards? I guess you did hold Corey Lewis to 90 individual yards.

I'm just hoping we don't see SIU until at least the semi-finals, but I'd like to see them in Chatty.xthumbsupx

[I-AA Fan]

Delaware would get the seed because they would deserve it.. having beaten two probable playoff teams.. JMU & Richmond and an FBS bowl team.. Navy.

Who has SIU beaten???

No playoff teams and no FBS bowl teams... ;)

You are correct in your assumption that the CAA winner will see the seed over a #2 club. However, don't be so smug about it. Navy is nothing, that is the only reason the Hens were even in the game. SIU defeated MAC champion NIU in 2004, NDSU in 2005, Indiana in 2006. They have struggled in many games this year that they should not have, but they have always found a way to win, less a close loss to UNI. This is just the type of team that can be very dangerous in the play-off, if they get past the first-game & realize they can do it. Reminds me of Western Kentucky in 2002.

[APPST '93]

He plays on defense now too!

Sorry, it was your D that lost those games, not your lack of Armanti.

Armanti threw an interception in the 1st qtr of both loses (you could tell he was rusty). One that put us down 14-0 and the other that gave Wofford field advantage.

Armanti had 291 yards rushing and 148 yards passing against The Citadel. He is getting back into form and that spells trouble for the rest of the FCS. Without Armanti, we don't beat Michigan. He is the one elemnet that we have that can change the way a defense plays against us.

[appheel]

He plays on defense now too!

Sorry, it was your D that lost those games, not your lack of Armanti.

Partly true. However we also had a lot of mistakes on special teams, plus turnovers, which gave our opponents a short field. It's a bit harsh to blame the D for giving up the scores that followed those mistakes.

[Houndawg]

UNI-SIU

UNI 35 attempts, 129 yards gained, 17 yards lost (7 of those on kneel downs), 109 net

You won?

or did you mean a single rusher for 100 yards? I guess you did hold Corey Lewis to 90 individual yards.

I'm just hoping we don't see SIU until at least the semi-finals, but I'd like to see them in Chatty.xthumbsupx

My bad, Khan, I was referring to holding Corey Lewis to under 100.xoopsx People don't give us enough credit for our run D, imo. Donaldson ran for 137 but was held to 29 in the 2nd half and 1 yd. in the 4th qtr., something that the game stats won't show.

[ButlerGSU]

If Armanti stays healthy over the next two games and Delaware loses, APP will get a seed.

The committee will look at the fact that Armanti was coming back from injuries when APP lost their two games.

The committee is not interested in excuses, we could claim we were just learning the offense of a new coach during our two as well. You have to have the depth to overcome it. If GSU beats Furman this weekend, and Elon gets beat we will get the seed over App.

That's just my opinion though.

[SeattleGriz]

Partly true. However we also had a lot of mistakes on special teams, plus turnovers, which gave our opponents a short field. It's a bit harsh to blame the D for giving up the scores that followed those mistakes.

Let me rephrase. You guys scored 31 and 35 points in your two losses. If you can't win scoring that many points, then there were problems other than the offense.

[AlphaSigMD]

The committee is not interested in excuses, we could claim we were just learning the offense of a new coach during our two as well. You have to have the depth to overcome it. If GSU beats Furman this weekend, and Elon gets beat we will get the seed over App.

That's just my opinion though.

You'd have to beat furman and beat colorado state convincingly to even have a shot a that...

[Ud1Hens]

Navy is nothing, that is the only reason the Hens were even in the game.

If they are nothing, why are they going to go to their 5th straight bowl game? The Hens were in the game because they were the better team, not becuase Navy is "nothing." How many other FCS teams will have wins over a bowl-bound FBS team? Delaware, App. St., ND St., ____?

[AlphaSigMD]

Let me rephrase. You guys scored 31 and 35 points in your two losses. If you can't win scoring that many points, then there were problems other than the offense.

Yes. In both games we narrowly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by not scoring up to our potential. xthumbsupx

[APPST '93]

The committee is not interested in excuses, we could claim we were just learning the offense of a new coach during our two as well. You have to have the depth to overcome it. If GSU beats Furman this weekend, and Elon gets beat we will get the seed over App.

That's just my opinion though.

You can do better than that. Do you think GSU would be where they are if Foster had been hurt. That's what I thought!

Assuming both ASU and GSU win out, ASU will get the better spot in the playoffs.

[SeattleGriz]

Yes. In both games we narrowly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by not scoring up to our potential. xthumbsupx


I believe there is a lot of truth to that statement. Right now, the only way I expect App to lose if if they face a strong running team that keep your offense off the field.

I don't see your next two opponents as being capable of keeping the game close, as both pass more than run.

Looks as if you get two more weeks to shore up the run D and make another run. xthumbsupx

[Cincy App]

The problem I've got with giving a seed to ASU over SIU is that ASU has two losses in FCS (@Wofford and GSU) vs one loss for SIU in FCS (@UNI). They may have the Michigan win in thier pocket, but the losses are what stick out with one at home. Thats why ASU has to win the AQ, they lose most of the tiebreakers to the other three in the conference.

Correct me if Im wrong, but if ASU and GSU tie, GSU takes the SoCon title and the AQ. The only way ASU gets the AQ and the title in head to head is if they match up with Elon

If its a four way tie, record against tied opponents go into effect which gives it to Elon. (GSU 2-1, Elon 2-1, ASU 1-2, Wofford 1-2 and then the Elon head to head win)

Too many possibilities for three way ties to get into it. Elon's lone loss between the top four is ASU, GSU's is Elon, ASU has lost to both GSU and Wofford, while Wofford has lost to both Elon and GSU. And all senerios that I see, ASU doesn't have any of the tiebreakers.


The SoCon autobid will be important only to guarantee a spot in the playoff field. If the final seed becomes a discussion between the top SoCon team in the field (currently ASU or GSU) or the second team from the Gateway, then I expect the top SoCon team to get the seed. One of your primary arguments is that ASU (or even GSU) would not receive the autobid. However, a conference co-champ will be viewed more favorably than the second place team from a conference that already has a seed.

Still two weeks of football to play first. This subject is also meaningless if UNI, Montana, McNeese and Delaware win out.

[CamelCityAppFan]

The committee is not interested in excuses, we could claim we were just learning the offense of a new coach during our two as well. You have to have the depth to overcome it. If GSU beats Furman this weekend, and Elon gets beat we will get the seed over App.

That's just my opinion though.

Don't make the mistake of confusing the SoCon autobid with the 4 playoff seeding spots. The one doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the other.

[ButlerGSU]

You can do better than that. Do you think GSU would be where they are if Foster had been hurt. That's what I thought!

Assuming both ASU and GSU win out, ASU will get the better spot in the playoffs.

Foster would be a HUGE loss but with that said, we have QB's playing defense...a RB moved to defense among others.

Hatcher has taken his team of mismatched athletes and found a way to win with them. Would we be 7-2 without Foster? Probably not. Would we go 3-8 like last year? No way. Look how we used Lowe to beat you guys up in Boone because he knew you all would zero in on Foster. Hatcher finds a way.

[Cincy App]

The committee is not interested in excuses, we could claim we were just learning the offense of a new coach during our two as well. You have to have the depth to overcome it. If GSU beats Furman this weekend, and Elon gets beat we will get the seed over App.

That's just my opinion though.

I agree that the Committee is not interested in excuses. Bottom line is that ASU and GSU both have 2 losses. I believe ASU would be rated ahead of GSU due to SOS, polls, and indexes like GPI which all have ASU ahead of GSU. That's just my opinion - let's both win out and see.

Good luck to GSU the rest of the way unless we square off again. Foster is an amazing player.

[APPST '93]

Foster would be a HUGE loss but with that said, we have QB's playing defense...a RB moved to defense among others.

Hatcher has taken his team of mismatched athletes and found a way to win with them. Would we be 7-2 without Foster? Probably not. Would we go 3-8 like last year? No way. Look how we used Lowe to beat you guys up in Boone because he knew you all would zero in on Foster. Hatcher finds a way.

Can you pass the smoke my way? Foster beat us, not Lowe. Foster playing QB, RB and WR won the game for you. W/O Foster, App wins.

[texcap]

You guys know I like power rankings. It's not something I refer to just when it favors my team. Having said that, I'll note that, of the 29 power rating systems at http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare1aa.htm , 28 have McNeese rated higher (there are 32 rankings listed but three of them are human polls...where Montana holds a 2 - 1 edge).

The thing about power ratings is that people set up a system they think will objectively consider who each team played and how all teams did against each other and spit out a rating. It's objective. And power ratings systems almost unanimously tab McNeese's performance as better to date.

I am also one that likes power rankings, but you just have to wonder what some of these rankings are based on. For instance if you look at the Mason Rankings. I have placed their rankings here. I cut it off at the lowest team that is being realisticly talked about as having a shot at the playoffs this year. That team (Elon) is ranked #78. I have highlighted some of theobvious underrankings in red and some of the overrankings in blue. How can you say this is anything more than pulling names out of the hat?

1 North Dakota State
2 Northern Iowa
3 McNeese State
4 Montana
5 Grambling State
6 Yale
7 Delaware State
8 Eastern Kentucky
9 Southern Illinois
10 Albany
11 Delaware
12 Jacksonville State
13 Fordham
14 Eastern Illinois
15 Liberty
16 Dayton
17 Harvard
18 Gardner-Webb
19 Jackson State
20 Eastern Washington
21 Western Illinois
22 Richmond
23 South Carolina State
24 San Diego
25 Sam Houston State
26 Northern Arizona
27 Iona
28 South Dakota State
29 Holy Cross
30 Hofstra
31 Southern
32 Missouri State
33 Georgia Southern
34 Alabama A&M
35 Youngstown State
36 North Carolina Central
37 Austin Peay
38 Illinois State
39 Villanova
40 Monmouth
41 Wagner
42 Cal Poly
43 Texas State
44 Appalachian State
45 Presbyterian
46 James Madison
47 Weber State
48 Duquesne
49 Central Arkansas
50 Tennessee State
51 Stony Brook
52 Norfolk State
53 Central Connecticut State
54 Dartmouth
55 Charleston Southern
56 Colgate
57 Wofford
58 Winston-Salem State
59 William & Mary
60 Rhode Island
61 Arkansas Pine-Bluff
62 UC Davis
63 Nicholls State
64 Morehead State
65 Alabama State
66 Massachusetts
67 Chattanooga
68 Howard
69 Alcorn State
70 Furman
71 Tennessee - Martin
72 Prairie View A&M
73 Coastal Carolina
74 Davidson
75 Hampton
76 Morgan State
77 Brown
78 Elon

[McNeese75]

In response to McNeese complaints to come...

Yes, I'm gonna go out of a limb and say that McNeese is likely to lose in the 1st round. Gut feeling. Why does this schedule deserve a seed. If this was USD superimposed instead of McNeese, they might not even make the playoffs. This is looking more like a Hampton every day.

Opponents to date:
Portland St. (2-7)
LA-Laff (1-8) D-1
SUU (0-8)
South Dakota (6-3) D-2
Texas St. (4-5)
Nichol's St. (5-4)
Sam H State (5-4)
SELU (2-7)
SFA (0-9)

When the the Southland turn into MAAC?

You know, based on the losses ASU has had I think they are in for trouble in the playoffs. As you well know, you will more than likely have to leave KB for one of more of the playoff games and I think that will be trouble for the black and gold xnodx

Congrats again for the win over Michigan but that is not going to help you in the post season.

[McNeese_beat]

This applies so exactly to SIU that I'll borrow it whole.

WIU loses to UNI, SIU, NDSU, and Illinois.
I believe that many ranked teams would have a good chance of going 0-4 in those games.

YSU loses to UNI, SIU, ISU, and Ohio State. Wouldn't be hard for good FCS teams to go 0-4 there either.

I think the Gateway, the Great West the Big Sky and the Southland have geographical disadvantages to putting up good records. We are mostly isolated leagues and we play each other out of conference. We don't have a Patriot League, a MEAC, or a (as long as the 9-game mandate is still there...until next year I guess) SWAC to pile up wins against out of conference. We also have smaller conference memerships (until the Dakotas join the Gateway) meaning we are all looking for at least 4 out of conference games.

So we end up with much tougher schedules and fewer teams that get to 8 wins. Western Illinois and Northern Arizona are good examples as is (and it wouldn't be in the playoffs anyway) South Dakota State. If you put WIU in, say, White Plains and still it in the Colonial, the Leathernecks would get an OOC win over an NEC or a MAAC, two wins over a Patriot (that's 3-0), 3-4 wins over the soft side of the Colonial (Northeastern, Rhode Island, Towson, W&M, Maine) and split the rest of the games.

They'd probably be 9-2 and not even on the bubble.

Playing in the Gateway, they had to play S. Dakota State, N. Dakota State and Illinois along with SIU, NIU and YSU. That's a tough-ass schedule.

I'm not ripping on the Colonial. It's obviously one of the elite leagues. But it has geographic advantages in scheduling and playoff pairings.

[AZGrizFan]

You guys know I like power rankings. It's not something I refer to just when it favors my team. Having said that, I'll note that, of the 29 power rating systems at http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare1aa.htm (http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare1aa.htm) , 28 have McNeese rated higher (there are 32 rankings listed but three of them are human polls...where Montana holds a 2 - 1 edge).

The thing about power ratings is that people set up a system they think will objectively consider who each team played and how all teams did against each other and spit out a rating. It's objective. And power ratings systems almost unanimously tab McNeese's performance as better to date.


Any computerized "power ranking" that takes into account margin of victory is fundamentally flawed, in my opinion. Some coaches (Bill Bellichek mindset) like to mash opponents into the dirt, and beat them into submision. Other coaches (Bobby Hauck mindset) like to go deep on their bench early in games, get a lot of backups significant playing time, and are content with simply scoring more points than the other guy when the final gun goes off....these coaching mentalities are NOT taken into account and can significantly impact a computers "ability" to discern relative strength of one team over another.

Humans DO have that ability....and THAT'S why Montana is above McNeese in 2 of the 3 human polls. xreadx xreadx xreadx xreadx

[texcap]

Any computerized "power ranking" that takes into account margin of victory is fundamentally flawed, in my opinion. Some coaches (Bill Bellichek mindset) like to mash opponents into the dirt, and beat them into submision. Other coaches (Bobby Hauck mindset) like to go deep on their bench early in games, get a lot of backups significant playing time, and are content with simply scoring more points than the other guy when the final gun goes off....these coaching mentalities are NOT taken into account and can significantly impact a computers "ability" to discern relative strength of one team over another.

Humans DO have that ability....and THAT'S why Montana is above McNeese in 2 of the 3 human polls. xreadx xreadx xreadx xreadx

I am not going to dispute the fact that there are flaws in computer rankings, however I think that the reason that Montana is ranked higher than McNeese in the human polls is that Montana started out higher in the first poll. It is very difficult in a human poll for a team that is ranked lower to overtake a higher ranked team unless the higher ranked team loses. It would require the humans that vote to admit that they made a mistake initially and that is something that most humans do NOT take into account, while computers DO have that ability.

I am not saying that McNeese should be ranked higher than Montana, but this is a more likely reason than humans taking into account the scoring patterns of various coaches and programs.

[GSU 25+yrFan]

Seeding has no weather consideration????? xeyebrowx NewsFlash Montana December!!!!

How close is a major airport to GSU?

Montana has a heated field. GSU is only 45 min. from Savannnah International Airport and the Historic River Front District. Remember we hosted 2 NC games.

[appheel]

You know, based on the losses ASU has had I think they are in for trouble in the playoffs. As you well know, you will more than likely have to leave KB for one of more of the playoff games and I think that will be trouble for the black and gold xnodx

Congrats again for the win over Michigan but that is not going to help you in the post season.

So having the experience of winning a big game on the road won't help when ASU has to go on the road to win a big game in the playoffs? Ok... ;)

I don't see how App's losses point to us being in trouble away from KB. One of those two losses was AT Kidd Brewer. It's not like we've lost a bunch of road games that we should've won.

[ASUPATCH]

I think everyone can agree that the CAA, Gateway, and SoCon are all tough conferences. That said, SIU gets the seed over ASU due to only having one loss. ASU's win @ Michigan is great, but I don't think that they can win the SoCon AQ. I think GSU has the inside track to that due to the head to head win (I may be wrong on that). If ASU doen't win the AQ they deffinitly will not get a seed.

Actually Elon has the best shot at the auto bid. 2-1 against the other teams tied just like GOSouthern but they have the head to head over the eagles. This is assuming all 4 teams win out.

[The Moody1]

Hasn't been much of a problem the last two years.



Man that was 20 years ago!

He hasn't heard about global warming. xsmiley_wix

[ASUPATCH]

I believe there is a lot of truth to that statement. Right now, the only way I expect App to lose if if they face a strong running team that keep your offense off the field.

I don't see your next two opponents as being capable of keeping the game close, as both pass more than run.

Looks as if you get two more weeks to shore up the run D and make another run. xthumbsupx



Not really running that hurts us....see Mike Hart Heisman candidate. But teams with running QB's which makes no sense at al seeing as though that is what they see in practice every day. Foster at GSU and Woffords option and even UNA's QB gave us fits.

[ASUPATCH]

Montana has a heated field. GSU is only 45 min. from Savannnah International Airport and the Historic River Front District. Remember we hosted 2 NC games.


No one will pay the extra dough it would cost to fly into Savannah. How far is ATL?

[89Hen]

SIU defeated MAC champion NIU in 2004, NDSU in 2005, Indiana in 2006.
xconfusedx Not sure I understand the relevance of those games.

[89Hen]

I am not going to dispute the fact that there are flaws in computer rankings...
There is one MAJOR flaw that CANNOT be fixed... NOT ENOUGH DATA. Computer models must have data to be accurate. 11 games per team, 100+ teams = INACCURATE results. End of story.

[ButlerGSU]

No one will pay the extra dough it would cost to fly into Savannah. How far is ATL?

An easy 3 hour drive, it's interstate the whole way. I-75 to I-16 and then take exit 116. The stadium is about 15 minutes from the exit.

[AlphaSigMD]

You know, based on the losses ASU has had I think they are in for trouble in the playoffs. As you well know, you will more than likely have to leave KB for one of more of the playoff games and I think that will be trouble for the black and gold xnodx

Congrats again for the win over Michigan but that is not going to help you in the post season.

Then here's to ASU v. McNeese St. in the 2nd round, if we both make it thru the 1st round. xthumbsupx

I think we would be favored, even on the road.

However, the we lost 2 games we were favored it. We won the only game we were not favored in this year.

[Black Saturday]

You know, based on the losses ASU has had I think they are in for trouble in the playoffs. As you well know, you will more than likely have to leave KB for one of more of the playoff games and I think that will be trouble for the black and gold xnodx

Congrats again for the win over Michigan but that is not going to help you in the post season.

We are flying under the radar because of those two losses (due to many key injuries). We have begun to get well, our young defense is gelling, our offense is arguably the best in the nation, would you like to see APP as an opponent in the playoffs? If you do you don't know much about ASU this season. xnonono2x

[GannonFan]

We are flying under the radar because of those two losses (due to many key injuries). We have begun to get well, our young defense is gelling, our offense is arguably the best in the nation, would you like to see APP as an opponent in the playoffs? If you do you don't know much about ASU this season. xnonono2x

Of course, your young defense is gelling because, after playing Georgia Southern, you haven't had to face a tough offensive team - Furman is bad this year and The Citadel was playing with a backup QB. WCU and UT-Chatty don't promise to be anymore dangerous on the offensive side so the Appy defense will look better and better every week. However, come playoff time, Appy will have to beat a good offensive team, and probably on the road. We'll see how they are gelling then. xthumbsupx

[McNeese75]

We are flying under the radar because of those two losses (due to many key injuries). We have begun to get well, our young defense is gelling, our offense is arguably the best in the nation, would you like to see APP as an opponent in the playoffs? If you do you don't know much about ASU this season. xnonono2x

xrolleyesx Who doesn't know EVERYTHING about ASU this year????

Are we scared of ASU? I doubt it. Do we respect ASU? Of course. xcoffeex

[McNeese75]

Then here's to ASU v. McNeese St. in the 2nd round, if we both make it thru the 1st round. xthumbsupx

I think we would be favored, even on the road.

However, the we lost 2 games we were favored it. We won the only game we were not favored in this year.


There has only been one game this year you were not favored to win and of course you won that one. I am sure ASU will be picked to win every remaining game they play this year.

[Black Saturday]

Of course, your young defense is gelling because, after playing Georgia Southern, you haven't had to face a tough offensive team - Furman is bad this year and The Citadel was playing with a backup QB. WCU and UT-Chatty don't promise to be anymore dangerous on the offensive side so the Appy defense will look better and better every week. However, come playoff time, Appy will have to beat a good offensive team, and probably on the road. We'll see how they are gelling then. xthumbsupx

Take a look at what FU Cit Elon have done scoring in other games, GSU had a good half and a pick 6, led 21-0 about 5 min first qtr.

Your team has two tough games remaining, think you'll make it thru w/o losing? Your defense sucks by the way based on who you've played. You could see your team on the road if you slip which is a good possibility.

Lucky you draw DSU first round, what a free pass. lol

[Saluki_man]

The SoCon autobid will be important only to guarantee a spot in the playoff field. If the final seed becomes a discussion between the top SoCon team in the field (currently ASU or GSU) or the second team from the Gateway, then I expect the top SoCon team to get the seed. One of your primary arguments is that ASU (or even GSU) would not receive the autobid. However, a conference co-champ will be viewed more favorably than the second place team from a conference that already has a seed.

Still two weeks of football to play first. This subject is also meaningless if UNI, Montana, McNeese and Delaware win out.

My main point for giving SIU a consideration for a seed over ASU is that ASU is 1-2 against the other top four in the conferense (Wofford, GSU, Elon). Based on that conference result, it tells me that you couldn't distinguish yourselves from the rest of the top of the SoCon. Thats why I can see SIU having a better shot at a seed than ASU or the other SoCon champs. As of now, if the top four win out, it is hard to tell who is the best in the SoCon.

[GannonFan]

Take a look at what FU Cit Elon have done scoring in other games, GSU had a good half and a pick 6, led 21-0 about 5 min first qtr.

Your team has two tough games remaining, think you'll make it thru w/o losing? Your defense sucks by the way based on who you've played. You could see your team on the road if you slip which is a good possibility.

Lucky you draw DSU first round, what a free pass. lol

Wait, so you complain about injuries in the first place, but then say the UD defense "sucks" without taking into account it's injuries (3 starters out last week against JMU)? Seems to be some rationalization going on there. xnonox

As for who you've played, you held GSU to their average and you barely kept the other ones under their average (gave up 31 to Elon who was avg 36, gave up 27 to Furman who was avg 30) -nice, but not impressive, especially since some of those averages are inflated from those schools' games against Presbyterian and West Virginia Wesley. And how can you crow about The Citadel playing their freshman, backup QB?

UD's got two tough games left, one at home and one at a neutral field. I like our chances to win both, thank you very much, so I'm not sure how much of a "good possibility" losing is. It could happen, sure, but we'll have to see.

[DOME]

In response to McNeese complaints to come...

Yes, I'm gonna go out of a limb and say that McNeese is likely to lose in the 1st round. Gut feeling. Why does this schedule deserve a seed. If this was USD superimposed instead of McNeese, they might not even make the playoffs. This is looking more like a Hampton every day.

Opponents to date:
Portland St. (2-7)
LA-Laff (1-8) D-1
SUU (0-8)
South Dakota (6-3) D-2
Texas St. (4-5)
Nichol's St. (5-4)
Sam H State (5-4)
SELU (2-7)
SFA (0-9)

When the the Southland turn into MAAC?

Hey not you give the SUU Thunderbirds some credit...still don't know why they aren't ranked...xeyebrowx

[Jaxhen]

I am also one that likes power rankings, but you just have to wonder what some of these rankings are based on. For instance if you look at the Mason Rankings. I have placed their rankings here. I cut it off at the lowest team that is being realisticly talked about as having a shot at the playoffs this year. That team (Elon) is ranked #78. I have highlighted some of theobvious underrankings in red and some of the overrankings in blue. How can you say this is anything more than pulling names out of the hat?

15 Liberty[/COLOR]
78 Elon[/COLOR]

Hard to believe any power ranking that has Liberty much higher ranked than Elon considering Elon routed Liberty.

[MSU_77]

In response to McNeese complaints to come...

Yes, I'm gonna go out of a limb and say that McNeese is likely to lose in the 1st round. Gut feeling. Why does this schedule deserve a seed. If this was USD superimposed instead of McNeese, they might not even make the playoffs. This is looking more like a Hampton every day.

Opponents to date:
Portland St. (2-7)
LA-Laff (1-8) D-1
SUU (0-8)
South Dakota (6-3) D-2
Texas St. (4-5)
Nichol's St. (5-4)
Sam H State (5-4)
SELU (2-7)
SFA (0-9)

When the the Southland turn into MAAC?

Why does this schedule deserve a seed? It doesn't. The fact that McNeese has destroyed every single team on its schedule and may go undefeated is the reason that a seed is warranted. If McNeese doesn't go undefeated, then I agree - no seed. Also, look at common opponents with some of the other top FCS teams and you will see that in almost every case McNeese dominated its opponents more completely than the other teams did. It's not McNeese's fault that most of its opponents suck this year. Several were supposed to be good but weren't.

[JohnStOnge]

I personally won't be all upset if McNeese doesn't get a seed because I understand that the schedule makes them something of an unknown quantity. If it were my decision I certainly wouldn't make them a top 2 seed and whether or not they would be in the top 4 would be kind of a borderline call at this point. And that's because it's hard to really gauge how good the Cowboys are due to the records of the teams they've been blowing out every week.

But, as a fan, my current belief is that this is one of the best I-AA/FCS McNeese teams ever. That impression could change next week or any week thereafter. But up to now that's what it looks like.

[JohnStOnge]

I'd like to see Montana play an unranked opponent away and it is not the championship. Not because I feel any animosity towards them but just to see the reaction of their fans. :p

If I'm remembering correctly Montana has never won a playoff game away from its home stadium other than the two championship games it won (by 2 and 7 points).

I realize there's the thing about their teams that got to play at home all the time being better than their teams that didn't, etc., but that's still remarkable for a program that's been in the playoffs that much. You are not going to find another example of a program that's been to the playoffs any significant number of times that has the kind of difference between success at home and success on the road that Montana does.

To me, whether you play Montana in Missoula or play them on your home turf is extremely important.

[McNeese75]

I personally won't be all upset if McNeese doesn't get a seed because I understand that the schedule makes them something of an unknown quantity. If it were my decision I certainly wouldn't make them a top 2 seed and whether or not they would be in the top 4 would be kind of a borderline call at this point. And that's because it's hard to really gauge how good the Cowboys are due to the records of the teams they've been blowing out every week.

But, as a fan, my current belief is that this is one of the best I-AA/FCS McNeese teams ever. That impression could change next week or any week thereafter. But up to now that's what it looks like.

Fine John so I can assume if McNeese does not get a seed and has to hit the road for playoff games we can count on your support and expect to see you at those games right xthumbsupx

[Saint3333]

Foster would be a HUGE loss but with that said, we have QB's playing defense...a RB moved to defense among others.

Hatcher has taken his team of mismatched athletes and found a way to win with them. Would we be 7-2 without Foster? Probably not. Would we go 3-8 like last year? No way. Look how we used Lowe to beat you guys up in Boone because he knew you all would zero in on Foster. Hatcher finds a way.

GSU beat ASU by three points because 1) Hatcher had an excellent game plan, by showing a wrinkle in the offense that wasn't on any film, 2) their best passing game by far this season 3) flawless game (zero turnovers)

Both GSU and Wofford won the turnover battle against ASU and played their best games of the season against ASU, as to be expected, teams seem to play at another level against the defending champs. Teams are getting up to play ASU like ASU did to play Michigan. ASU just didn't answer the call.

I haven't seen the same fire ASU had on Sept. 1st in any game since then, hopefully that will come back this week and carry through the playoffs. In my very biased opinion I think if any two FCS teams play at their best (no turnovers) that ASU wins.

[skinny_uncle]

You are correct in your assumption that the CAA winner will see the seed over a #2 club. However, don't be so smug about it. Navy is nothing, that is the only reason the Hens were even in the game. SIU defeated MAC champion NIU in 2004, NDSU in 2005, Indiana in 2006. They have struggled in many games this year that they should not have, but they have always found a way to win, less a close loss to UNI. This is just the type of team that can be very dangerous in the play-off, if they get past the first-game & realize they can do it. Reminds me of Western Kentucky in 2002.

The only games for SIU that were much of a struggle were Youngstown and WIU. We were only a few yards from knocking off UNI and being undefeated. I like our chances. WKU in 2002 won the National Title without winning the Gateway. I like the comparison.

[nmatsen]

The only games for SIU that were much of a struggle were Youngstown and WIU. We were only a few yards from knocking off UNI and being undefeated. I like our chances. WKU in 2002 won the National Title without winning the Gateway. I like the comparison.

God I hope SIU is on the other side of the bracket as UNI. I am convinced the only thing that will keep them out of Chatty (if they play the way they did against us) is the UNI Dome.

[89Hen]

God I hope SIU is on the other side of the bracket as UNI. I am convinced the only thing that will keep them out of Chatty (if they play the way they did against us) is the UNI Dome.
Or the Tub.

http://www2.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/sports/2003/11/images/112903ud10.jpg

[CamelCityAppFan]

Why does this schedule deserve a seed? It doesn't. The fact that McNeese has destroyed every single team on its schedule and may go undefeated is the reason that a seed is warranted. If McNeese doesn't go undefeated, then I agree - no seed. Also, look at common opponents with some of the other top FCS teams and you will see that in almost every case McNeese dominated its opponents more completely than the other teams did. It's not McNeese's fault that most of its opponents suck this year. Several were supposed to be good but weren't.

Strength of schedule counts.

Your team is undefeated against a collective record of 25-55. If you take out the D-II win, the collective record is a less impressive 19-52. So what if you destroyed these teams? Your team "destroyed" teams that aren't winning games anyway.

My team is 7-2 against a collective 48-33. Take out the D-II win and it is 47-25. The two losses have come against teams with equal records as my team. Over half the opponents have been ranked at some point during the season (including our D-IA opponent, whom we beat). None of our D-I opponents so far has fewer than 4 wins-- your schedule has 5 with fewer than 4 wins.

I'm just using my 7-2 team as an example (and cuz I'm a homer), but I'm sure there are other 7-2s out there with a similar resume.

11-0 against that schedule gets you into the playoffs, sure. Guarantees a top four seed? I would hope not.

[ChickenMan]

Strength of schedule counts.

Your team is undefeated against a collective record of 25-55. If you take out the D-II win, the collective record is a less impressive 19-52. So what if you destroyed these teams? Your team "destroyed" teams that aren't winning games anyway.

My team is 7-2 against a collective 48-33. Take out the D-II win and it is 47-25. The two losses have come against teams with equal records as my team. Over half the opponents have been ranked at some point during the season (including our D-IA opponent, whom we beat). None of our D-I opponents so far has fewer than 4 wins-- your schedule has 5 with fewer than 4 wins.

I'm just using my 7-2 team as an example (and cuz I'm a homer), but I'm sure there are other 7-2s out there with a similar resume.

11-0 against that schedule gets you into the playoffs, sure. Guarantees a top four seed? I would hope not.



A 4th seed at best...

[skinny_uncle]

Or the Tub.

http://www2.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/sports/2003/11/images/112903ud10.jpg

Still reliving past glory, I see.
xeyebrowx

[Mountain Panther]

God I hope SIU is on the other side of the bracket as UNI. I am convinced the only thing that will keep them out of Chatty (if they play the way they did against us) is the UNI Dome.

Any team making the playoffs should be afraid of being paired against SIU.

[89Hen]

Still reliving past glory, I see.
xeyebrowx
xnodx Better 2003 than 1983 :p

[GannonFan]

11-0 against that schedule gets you into the playoffs, sure. Guarantees a top four seed? I would hope not.

If McNeese St goes undefeated and wins the Southland, there is no doubt whatsoever that they will get a top 4 seed - take it to the bank, deposit it, and watch it earn interest - it's an absolute certainty. xthumbsupx

[CamelCityAppFan]

If McNeese St goes undefeated and wins the Southland, there is no doubt whatsoever that they will get a top 4 seed - take it to the bank, deposit it, and watch it earn interest - it's an absolute certainty. xthumbsupx

And gets pounded at home in the semis...if they make it past the first round xoopsx

[RAMS83]

Hey Hen-- Im not sure if your familiar with the situation of former UD player (Shawn Johnson) who transferred from Duke to UD in his senior year. Im told had a great impact on your season. Anyway he was giftwrapped and sent to UD after Fordham wasnt allowed to enroll him due to Patriot League rules -no 5th players (unless medical hardship).. His younger bro--was the starting TE at Fordham and Shawn wanted to play with his little bro.. and make a run in the 1aa playoffs.. At that time-- Fordham was pretty good 3 winning seasons and a 1aa playoff win against Northeastern.. Im told Coach Clawson at FU (disappointed at the PL decision) told him to go to Delaware.. here's the link.. http://www.udel.edu/sportsinfo/football/roster03-johnson.html

with the talk of UD and Fordham it brought back that memory.. wish FU did have that year.. woah.. we woulda been explosive on Defense too.

[ball21]

You know, based on the losses ASU has had I think they are in for trouble in the playoffs. As you well know, you will more than likely have to leave KB for one of more of the playoff games and I think that will be trouble for the black and gold xnodx

Congrats again for the win over Michigan but that is not going to help you in the post season.

We don't mind traveling.. Love to travel to your place and then on to Tenn for our 3rd straight NC!! Do you think you can stop our offense.... Good luck !

Strap them up and get the smack talk started already!!

GO APP

[GannonFan]

Hey Hen-- Im not sure if your familiar with the situation of former UD player (Shawn Johnson) who transferred from Duke to UD in his senior year. Im told had a great impact on your season. Anyway he was giftwrapped and sent to UD after Fordham wasnt allowed to enroll him due to Patriot League rules -no 5th players (unless medical hardship).. His younger bro--was the starting TE at Fordham and Shawn wanted to play with his little bro.. and make a run in the 1aa playoffs.. At that time-- Fordham was pretty good 3 winning seasons and a 1aa playoff win against Northeastern.. Im told Coach Clawson at FU (disappointed at the PL decision) told him to go to Delaware.. here's the link.. http://www.udel.edu/sportsinfo/football/roster03-johnson.html

with the talk of UD and Fordham it brought back that memory.. wish FU did have that year.. woah.. we woulda been explosive on Defense too.

Yup, most UD fans are well familiar with that story. Thanks! xthumbsupx

[GannonFan]

And gets pounded at home in the semis...if they make it past the first round xoopsx

I wouldn't put it past them, especially depending on the pairing. I'm not sold that McNeese is a power this year, but they will get a good seed based on their performance this year. Although I think they lose in the quarters myself. xsmiley_wix

[LacesOut]

Not sure if this is the appropriate thread to bring this up in, but I can only see maybe two or three teams outside the top four seeds that could actually win an NC.

And like others have said, I'm still not sold on Montana nor McNeese as being that good.

Yes, I'm a UD homer. haha

[MSU_77]

And gets pounded at home in the semis...if they make it past the first round xoopsx

I'm not much for talking smack so don't take this as such, but; what do you know about McNeese? What are their weaknesses? Hint; there are none, other than the occasional propensity to fumble in the opponent's red zone. Depth on the OL might become an issue if starters are injured. Other than that, the Cowboys are 2 and 3 deep at almost every position, and have great speed, strength and agility. And, the 2 and 3-deep players have gotten a lot of playing time in the 2nd half of every game.

That and $3.60 will buy you a cup of coffee, but why don't you at least look at what McNeese has done and the talent level before making statements like that?

[OldTiredGriz]

I'm not much for talking smack so don't take this as such, but; what do you know about McNeese? What are their weaknesses? Hint; there are none, other than the occasional propensity to fumble in the opponent's red zone. Depth on the OL might become an issue if starters are injured. Other than that, the Cowboys are 2 and 3 deep at almost every position, and have great speed, strength and agility. And, the 2 and 3-deep players have gotten a lot of playing time in the 2nd half of every game.

That and $3.60 will buy you a cup of coffee, but why don't you at least look at what McNeese has done and the talent level before making statements like that?


That's why I am so anxious for the playoffs. Does McNeese have it? Does Montana have it? Does UD have it?....and so on and so on. Who knows for sure? There's one way to find out and that's on the field. But the playoffs are 3 weeks away. For now, as a Montana fan, I'm thinking about one game only, Saturday at Idaho State. And I'm guessing that the folks in Lake Charles are busy thinking about Saturday vs. Northwestern St.

[OldTiredGriz]

Okay, the playoffs are technically 2 weeks and a day away, but you get my drift, there's lots of football to play before they start.

[CamelCityAppFan]

That and $3.60 will buy you a cup of coffee, but why don't you at least look at what McNeese has done and the talent level before making statements like that?

What I see is a team that deserves to make the playoffs near the top of the field because they are (so far) undefeated.

I also see a team that has won a lot games and put up a lot of points against teams that, based on their records, aren't very good this year. I see a team that hasn't had to gut it out in the fourth, and win in overtime or on the last play of a well-executed two-minute drill. In other words, I see a team that has gotten used to winning, but hasn't had to find a way to win.

Beating teams by wide margins and going to the bench in the 3rd and 4th quarters is fun for the alums & fans, but not very good preperation for a playoff run. It's not their fault, really, you can only play the teams on your schedule. But keep in mind, when McNeese gets into the playoffs, there will teams sitting at home that were 8-3 or even 9-2 that played much, much tougher schedules.

Good luck in the playoffs-- I think it's going to be exciting and interesting to see how this team responds! xpeacex

[Houndawg]

What I see is a team that deserves to make the playoffs near the top of the field because they are (so far) undefeated.

I also see a team that has won a lot games and put up a lot of points against teams that, based on their records, aren't very good this year. I see a team that hasn't had to gut it out in the fourth, and win in overtime or on the last play of a well-executed two-minute drill. In other words, I see a team that has gotten used to winning, but hasn't had to find a way to win.

Beating teams by wide margins and going to the bench in the 3rd and 4th quarters is fun for the alums & fans, but not very good preperation for a playoff run. It's not their fault, really, you can only play the teams on your schedule. But keep in mind, when McNeese gets into the playoffs, there will teams sitting at home that were 8-3 or even 9-2 that played much, much tougher schedules.

Good luck in the playoffs-- I think it's going to be exciting and interesting to see how this team responds! xpeacex

Some excellent points. And some good reasons why I don't think I'm being a homer when I warn you about SIU. They're used to being behind in the 4th qtr. (NIU, UNI, YSU, WIU) and, IMO, the thing they do better than about anybody is play hard until the time is off the clock. You might beat us, but there ain't no quit in this year's team, and they have lots more poise than past teams. Just hope we don't peak early.

Will McNeese have the legs/wind if they have to play 4 quarters of playoff caliber ball? That can be a down side of emptying the bench for lots of blowouts.

[AlphaSigMD]

I'm not much for talking smack so don't take this as such, but; what do you know about McNeese? What are their weaknesses? Hint; there are none, other than the occasional propensity to fumble in the opponent's red zone. Depth on the OL might become an issue if starters are injured. Other than that, the Cowboys are 2 and 3 deep at almost every position, and have great speed, strength and agility. And, the 2 and 3-deep players have gotten a lot of playing time in the 2nd half of every game.

That and $3.60 will buy you a cup of coffee, but why don't you at least look at what McNeese has done and the talent level before making statements like that?

THere is a small difference between not having ANY weaknesses, and not playing competition that is able to take advantages of those weaknesses.

There if no team out there without a weakness somewhere, and most of the teams who have played a good squad or 4 have had to deal with how to respond when somebody is attacking them. I think its a very important process.

As an example, ASU's 3 point loss to GSU. We really struggled in the 1st half against a good rushing attack, but began to figure out how to take control their running game in the 2nd half. 31 points in the 1st half, and 7 in the 2nd. I believe any scenerio not involving a DJ runback flag would have resulted in a big W going down for the App's on black saturday, and GSU having turkey and nothing else. We certainly handled GSU's 2nd half attack better than we did wofford's 2nd half rushing attack. So I think that consitutes as atleast some form of growth. When/if we play them again, or a team with a similar offense, I think we have atleast somewhat of a finger on the pulse of how to stop them more effectively.

Of course, I wish we had come away with a win in that game. BUT, I think that win or lose, the fact that we played them and responded and hopefully learned a little bit along the way bodes much better for us as a team than our shelacking of Lenoir Rhyne and Gardner Webb.

Good luck to McNeese in the playoffs though, because if you go 11-0, then you should be there. But...if you should go 10-1, i'd be against you getting a seed.

[CamelCityAppFan]

Some excellent points. And some good reasons why I don't think I'm being a homer when I warn you about SIU. They're used to being behind in the 4th qtr. (NIU, UNI, YSU, WIU) and, IMO, the thing they do better than about anybody is play hard until the time is off the clock. You might beat us, but there ain't no quit in this year's team, and they have lots more poise than past teams. Just hope we don't peak early.

Will McNeese have the legs/wind if they have to play 4 quarters of playoff caliber ball? That can be a down side of emptying the bench for lots of blowouts.

Nothing homer about that. If I remember correctly, your guys played tough in our house in the 2005 quarters. It was a really nasty day, too.

[MSU_77]

But...if you should go 10-1, i'd be against you getting a seed.

For the record, I would be too.

[JohnStOnge]

Beating teams by wide margins and going to the bench in the 3rd and 4th quarters is fun for the alums & fans, but not very good preperation for a playoff run. It's not their fault, really, you can only play the teams on your schedule. But keep in mind, when McNeese gets into the playoffs, there will teams sitting at home that were 8-3 or even 9-2 that played much, much tougher schedules.



I agree that if McNeese goes through the year without being in any close games that could be a disadvantage. But I'm curious: Can you give me an example of a team that you think might finish 9-2 against a "much, much tougher" schedule and not make the playoffs?

[JohnStOnge]

What are their weaknesses? Hint; there are none, other than the occasional propensity to fumble in the opponent's red zone.

I think McNeese has a weakness in that the Cowboys are a little soft against the run between the tackles and teams do move the ball on them. They've done a good job of keeping teams off the scoreboard because they get a lot of negative plays and turnovers, but they do give up yards. Most concerning to me is that they are not real "stiff" by historical McNeese standards when teams run right at them. And it's not just after they've gotten big leads.

Also, I understand that Zem says that coaches say they have a cornerback that can be exploited. Don't know which one it is though. My brother has a suspect because he's been complaining about one corner all year. Me, I don't know.

[CamelCityAppFan]

I agree that if McNeese goes through the year without being in any close games that could be a disadvantage. But I'm curious: Can you give me an example of a team that you think might finish 9-2 against a "much, much tougher" schedule and not make the playoffs?

Not yet; I'll admit that's unlikely. But there will certainly be some 8-3s out there with quality wins and quality losses.

[CamelCityAppFan]

McNeese? What are their weaknesses? Hint; there are none, other than the occasional propensity to fumble in the opponent's red zone.

Read this in a fortune cookie this week: He who fumbles in red zone in playoffs has long bus ride in future. xnodx

[skinny_uncle]

Getting back to the original question as to who is alive at this point. The potential undefeated teams (UNI, Montana and McNeese) are all in the hunt. The only one loss teams with any shot left(sorry, Dayton) are SIU, Delaware and Delaware State. There are several two loss teams at this point waiting in the wings if the above teams stumble. They include Fordham, GSU, App State, UMass, Richmond and Hofstra. I think I've listed everyone who has any shot at a seed, although someone out there will probably challenge it.

[Cincy App]

Actually Skinny - if you use your logic based solely on record, then Dayton should be in the playoffs and the race for seeding ahead of UMass and ASU since they only have one loss.

Seeds are usually regionalized. I really don't like SIU's chances for a seed as the second place team in their conference. It rarely happens. I also think Delaware St has no shot at a seed either - even if they finish 10-1. Look for a 9-2 SoCon team or a 9-2 CAA team (if Delaware loses) to get a seed above SIU. I'm not guaranteeing it but that would follow the Committee's tendacies of prior years. Of course, the discussion is meaningless if UNI, Montana, McNeese, and Delaware win out.