2007 FCS at-large eligibility (Final)

[grizband]

Here is the final, updated list of the FCS teams who have reached the 7 Division I game plateau for at-large playoff berths. Auto-bid winners are in italics, everyone else is eligible for the playoffs. There are 17 total teams eligible for 8 available at-large berths.

Big Sky
Montana 8-0 11-0
Eastern Washington 6-2 8-3

CAA
Massachusetts 7-1 9-2
Richmond 7-1 9-2
James Madison 6-2 8-3
Villanova 5-3 7-4
Delaware 5-3 8-3
New Hampshire 4-4 7-4
Hofstra 4-4 7-4

Gateway
Northern Iowa 6-0 10-0
Southern Illinois 5-1 10-1

Mid-Eastern Athletic
Delaware State 9-0 10-1
Norfolk State 7-2 8-3
South Carolina State 7-2 7-4

Northeast
Albany 6-0 8-3

Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky 8-0 9-2
Eastern Illinois 7-1 8-3

Patriot
Fordham 5-1 8-3
Holy Cross 4-2 7-4
Colgate 4-2 7-4
Lafayette 4-2 7-4

Pioneer
Dayton 6-1 10-1
San Diego 6-1 9-2

Southern
Wofford 5-2 8-3
Appalachian State 5-2 9-2

Southland
McNeese State 5-0 9-0

SWAC
Alabama A&M 6-3 8-3

[danefan]

Does Liberty not have 7 DI wins?

[89Hen]

Who's the 16th?

Big Sky
Montana 8-0 11-0
Eastern Washington 6-2 8-3

CAA
Massachusetts 7-1 9-2
Richmond 7-1 9-2
James Madison 6-2 8-3
Delaware 5-3 8-3
Villanova 5-3 7-4
New Hampshire 4-4 7-4
Hofstra 4-4 7-4

Gateway
Northern Iowa 6-0 10-0
Southern Illinois 5-1 10-1

Mid-Eastern Athletic
Delaware State 9-0 10-1

Northeast
Albany 6-0 8-3

Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky 8-0 9-2
Eastern Illinois 7-1 8-3

Patriot
Fordham 5-1 8-3
Holy Cross 4-2 7-4
Colgate 4-2 7-4
Lafayette 4-2 7-4

Pioneer
Dayton 6-1 10-1
San Diego 6-1 9-2

Southern
Wofford 5-2 8-3
Appalachian State 5-2 9-2

Southland
McNeese State 5-0 9-0

SWAC
Alabama A&M 6-3 8-3

[UNHWildCats]

Does Liberty not have 7 DI wins?

Nope they had 2 non Div I games early in the season.

[grizband]

Does Liberty not have 7 DI wins?
Liberty only has 6 DI wins this year (their first two wins were against DII competition).

[UNHWildCats]

I say UNH hen, what say you?

[Grizaholic17]

Who's the 16th?

Big Sky
Montana 8-0 11-0
Eastern Washington 6-2 8-3

CAA
Massachusetts 7-1 9-2
Richmond 7-1 9-2
James Madison 6-2 8-3
Delaware 5-3 8-3
Villanova 5-3 7-4
New Hampshire 4-4 7-4
Hofstra 4-4 7-4

Gateway
Northern Iowa 6-0 10-0
Southern Illinois 5-1 10-1

Mid-Eastern Athletic
Delaware State 9-0 10-1

Northeast
Albany 6-0 8-3

Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky 8-0 9-2
Eastern Illinois 7-1 8-3

Patriot
Fordham 5-1 8-3
Holy Cross 4-2 7-4
Colgate 4-2 7-4
Lafayette 4-2 7-4

Pioneer
Dayton 6-1 10-1
San Diego 6-1 9-2

Southern
Wofford 5-2 8-3
Appalachian State 5-2 9-2

Southland
McNeese State 5-0 9-0

SWAC
Alabama A&M 6-3 8-3

Now that's the question. Albany? Dayton?

[Cincy App]

Who's the 16th?

Big Sky
Montana 8-0 11-0
Eastern Washington 6-2 8-3

CAA
Massachusetts 7-1 9-2
Richmond 7-1 9-2
James Madison 6-2 8-3
Delaware 5-3 8-3
Villanova 5-3 7-4
New Hampshire 4-4 7-4
Hofstra 4-4 7-4

Gateway
Northern Iowa 6-0 10-0
Southern Illinois 5-1 10-1

Mid-Eastern Athletic
Delaware State 9-0 10-1

Northeast
Albany 6-0 8-3

Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky 8-0 9-2
Eastern Illinois 7-1 8-3

Patriot
Fordham 5-1 8-3
Holy Cross 4-2 7-4
Colgate 4-2 7-4
Lafayette 4-2 7-4

Pioneer
Dayton 6-1 10-1
San Diego 6-1 9-2

Southern
Wofford 5-2 8-3
Appalachian State 5-2 9-2

Southland
McNeese State 5-0 9-0

SWAC
Alabama A&M 6-3 8-3

Who's #16? Probably Norfolk State (8-3).

[grizband]

Who's the 16th?

Big Sky
Montana 8-0 11-0
Eastern Washington 6-2 8-3

CAA
Massachusetts 7-1 9-2
Richmond 7-1 9-2
James Madison 6-2 8-3
Delaware 5-3 8-3
Villanova 5-3 7-4
New Hampshire 4-4 7-4
Hofstra 4-4 7-4

Gateway
Northern Iowa 6-0 10-0
Southern Illinois 5-1 10-1

Mid-Eastern Athletic
Delaware State 9-0 10-1

Northeast
Albany 6-0 8-3

Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky 8-0 9-2
Eastern Illinois 7-1 8-3

Patriot
Fordham 5-1 8-3
Holy Cross 4-2 7-4
Colgate 4-2 7-4
Lafayette 4-2 7-4

Pioneer
Dayton 6-1 10-1
San Diego 6-1 9-2

Southern
Wofford 5-2 8-3
Appalachian State 5-2 9-2

Southland
McNeese State 5-0 9-0

SWAC
Alabama A&M 6-3 8-3
That will be a difficult task for the selection committee this year. Could a mid-major team finally make the field (Dayton)? Will a SWAC team be able to test it's mettle against the best FCS teams in the land (Alabama A&M)? Will the CAA become the first conference to have 5 teams selected for the playoffs? Many interesting scenarios will play out tomorrow afternoon...

[WrenFGun]

My gut says Norfolk State. My heart says UNH. Of the three of them, UNH has what are probably the three most impressive wins as they knocked off both Hofstra and UD when they were undefeated. They also went in, early season, and knocked off UMarshall. Whether that will be the difference, who knows.

[UNHWildCats]

what time is the selection show? busy busy tomorrow. MLS CUp at noon, Patriots at 8, NASCAR in between (hopefully Gordo wrecks Johnson :p) plus i gotta go to the bank

[DFW HOYA]

Iona is 7-4 but the committee would rather leave a seed as vacant than give the MAAC a bid.

[grizband]

Iona is 7-4 but the committee would rather leave a seed as vacant than give the MAAC a bid.
The Gaels also only have 5 DI wins.

[UNHWildCats]

Iona is 7-4 but the committee would rather leave a seed as vacant than give the MAAC a bid.
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx Iona was soooo bad.. they lost to a 3-8 Marist team and only had 4 Div I wins xlolx xlolx xlolx

[Squealofthepig]

Who's the 16th?


Not a popular choice, but Colgate would be interesting - would give you a field containing every team that has played in the championship game since 2003 (Delaware, Colgate, JMU, Montana, App State, UNI and UMass). 2002 had WKU and McNeese... so many storied programs, this should be a GREAT playoff series.

[Pantherpower]

If and that's a big IF, the CAA gets a fifth team, how can you not take a 7-4 Villanova team with a 5-3 conference record over a 7-4 UNH team with a 4-4 conference record?

I don't agree that Norfolk State is a better team than either UNH or Villanova, but wouldn't be surprised if the committee takes them at 8-3.

[89Hen]

I say UNH hen, what say you?
I'd take Villanova before UNH. They are in front of them in the CAA, all three losses were to teams going to the playoffs and beat one other that will probably go.

The difference maker is Nova losing to Maryland compared to UNH losing to Northeastern. Marshall is a 2-9 team. I can't see counting that as quality even if they are I-A. I just couldn't stomach a 4-4 conference team getting a bid. Sorry. xpeacex

[89Hen]

Not a popular choice, but Colgate would be interesting
NOPE. Had they won today, sure. But not at 7-4 in what this year was a weak PL.

[grizband]

what time is the selection show? busy busy tomorrow. MLS Cup at noon, Patriots at 8, NASCAR in between (hopefully Gordo wrecks Johnson :p) plus i gotta go to the bank
3:30 pm (EST) on ESPNU. I believe FCS Waves will also broadcast during the show, for those who don't have ESPNU.

[WrenFGun]

Villanova has a number of things going for them, including as follows:

1. Played very well down the stretch, despite a QB injury
2. 5-3 in the CAA
3. No bad losses

If the committee is really going to ignore the conference teams come from, however, and just look at the quality of wins and the SOS, I'm not sure the conference record counts. Both 'Nova and UNH have quality SOS, but I have a feeling that UNH's marquee win over Marshall would be enough to get them in over a Nova team who has the same quality wins as UNH. It depends on whether the committee values the big win or the bad loss more...I tend to think the big win is what would do it. And remember, there were not many teams who beat an FBS team this year..a team that does surely deserves credit for that.

[LehighFan11]

UNH will get the 16th...too many quality wins to ingore

[appfan2008]

I would guess that norfolk st gets in before a 5th caa team

[BlueHen86]

Villanova has a number of things going for them, including as follows:

1. Played very well down the stretch, despite a QB injury
2. 5-3 in the CAA
3. No bad losses

If the committee is really going to ignore the conference teams come from, however, and just look at the quality of wins and the SOS, I'm not sure the conference record counts. Both 'Nova and UNH have quality SOS, but I have a feeling that UNH's marquee win over Marshall would be enough to get them in over a Nova team who has the same quality wins as UNH. It depends on whether the committee values the big win or the bad loss more...I tend to think the big win is what would do it. And remember, there were not many teams who beat an FBS team this year..a team that does surely deserves credit for that.
I have no idea what the committee will do tomorrow. Maybe they will take both 'Nova and UNH and leave UD out.
But Marshall is not a marquee win this year.

[WrenFGun]

Any FBS win is a marquee win, bar none.

[89Hen]

UNH's marquee win over Marshall...

Any FBS win is a marquee win, bar none.
xeyebrowx xsmhx Marshall is ranked below Furman, who Hofstra beat.

[Squealofthepig]

NOPE. Had they won today, sure. But not at 7-4 in what this year was a weak PL.


Oh, I agree Colgate won't get in. Just wanted to post a scenario where half of the field had actually played in the national championship game in the last five years. :D

[BigApp]

Who's the 16th?



none of the above...
:pumpuke:

[gasou4389]

Y not GSU they have a better resume than any of these teams

[appfan2008]

none of the above...
:pumpuke:

the committee will grant UNI a bye bc no one deserves to be the 16th team!!!

[gasou4389]

yeah what gasou4389 said

[santosballnewhampshire]

Y not GSU they have a better resume than any of these teams

Because they only have 6 D-1 wins??xlolx

[BigApp]

the committee will grant UNI a bye bc no one deserves to be the 16th team!!!

this is exactly why expanding the playoffs is a B-A-D bad idea.

[gasou4389]

ONCE AGAIN the six dision 1 wins is not a rule

[Grizaholic17]

this is exactly why expanding the playoffs is a B-A-D bad idea.

xwhistlex xwhistlex xwhistlex xwhistlex xwhistlex xwhistlex

[WSBE]

...If I were Delaware, I would rather play Villanova again versus UNH at full strength.

[appfan2008]

this is exactly why expanding the playoffs is a B-A-D bad idea.

why not expand and then take away the minimum win requirement

[BigApp]

and have undefeated teams with 4-5 NAIA wins under their belts in the playoffs?

[BlueHen86]

Any FBS win is a marquee win, bar none.
No.

Marshall is 2-9 in a non BCS conference. They are usually decent, but this is a down year for them.

Your win over Delaware will carry more weight with the committee.

[Cincy App]

why not expand and then take away the minimum win requirement

No - why expand the field when it is a struggle to find 16 deserving teams? I agree with Big App.

[RationalGriz]

1. UNI
2. Montana
3. McNeese
4. UMass

AQ
Wofford
Fordham
Eastern Kentucky
Delaware St

At-Large
SIU
Richmond
Delaware
James Madison
EWU
E. Illinois
App St
Holy Cross

[WrenFGun]

No.

Marshall is 2-9 in a non BCS conference. They are usually decent, but this is a down year for them.

Your win over Delaware will carry more weight with the committee.

I disagree, entirely, considering my contention is that UNH's marquee win over Marshall will propel them ahead of their bad loss against Northeastern, assuming Villanova's even keel (no bad losses, no big wins that UNH does not have).

[WSBE]

No.

Marshall is 2-9 in a non BCS conference. They are usually decent, but this is a down year for them.

Your win over Delaware will carry more weight with the committee.

...& for what its worth...the win over Delaware was much more diominant than the score indicated....(with UNH's back-up QB). It was 35-10 going into the 4th qtr...Toman started making mistakes, UNH went to the ground...UD scored twice in the last 3 minutes

[BlueHen86]

I disagree, entirely, considering my contention is that UNH's marquee win over Marshall will propel them ahead of their bad loss against Northeastern, assuming Villanova's even keel (no bad losses, no big wins that UNH does not have).
As I said earlier I don't know what the committee will do tomorrow. But beating Marshall is not marquee. If that is your best argument I like 'Novas chances tomorrow.
Are you suggesting that a win over Temple in 2004, 2005 or 2006 is marquee?

I think you guys have an edge over 'Nova because you have been a stronger team in recent years. Perception is on your side. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

[BlueHen86]

...& for what its worth...the win over Delaware was much more diominant than the score indicated....(with UNH's back-up QB). It was 35-10 going into the 4th qtr...Toman started making mistakes, UNH went to the ground...UD scored twice in the last 3 minutes
No argument from me there.

[WrenFGun]

I think there's a lot of nervous banter on the part of UNH fans right now...you might have to take whatever we say with a grain of salt.

[BlueHen86]

I think there's a lot of nervous banter on the part of UNH fans right now...you might have to take whatever we say with a grain of salt.
If you guys make it, you will be dangerous.

[Tribe4SF]

Original list left off South Carolina State. 7-2 against FCS, with additional losses to Air Force and South Carolina.

[FCS_Advocacy5]

Original list left off South Carolina State. 7-2 against FCS, with additional losses to Air Force and South Carolina.


They are 7-4 overall???

[DSUHornet]

Who's the 16th?

Big Sky
Montana 8-0 11-0
Eastern Washington 6-2 8-3

CAA
Massachusetts 7-1 9-2
Richmond 7-1 9-2
James Madison 6-2 8-3
Delaware 5-3 8-3
Villanova 5-3 7-4
New Hampshire 4-4 7-4
Hofstra 4-4 7-4

Gateway
Northern Iowa 6-0 10-0
Southern Illinois 5-1 10-1

Mid-Eastern Athletic
Delaware State 9-0 10-1

Northeast
Albany 6-0 8-3

Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky 8-0 9-2
Eastern Illinois 7-1 8-3

Patriot
Fordham 5-1 8-3
Holy Cross 4-2 7-4
Colgate 4-2 7-4
Lafayette 4-2 7-4

Pioneer
Dayton 6-1 10-1
San Diego 6-1 9-2

Southern
Wofford 5-2 8-3
Appalachian State 5-2 9-2

Southland
McNeese State 5-0 9-0

SWAC
Alabama A&M 6-3 8-3

has to be villanova

[SuperJon]

As said many times, the seven wins thing is just a suggestion, not a steadfast rule. If there's a year for a team with less than seven Div I wins to get in, it's this year.

With that being said, 8-3 Big South Champs Liberty get in before MEAC 2nd place Norfolk State. Neither have a great shot though.

[Tribe4SF]

They are 7-4 overall???

Yes, they are.

[Anovafan]

I think it comes down to Norfolk State, Holy Cross and Nova being on the extreme periphery. I don't think they will even consider UNH with 4 conference losses. Knowing who is on the committee, I think Holy Cross gets the bid. The Patriot League has serious pull on the committee. Holy Cross has made the NCAA basketball tourney and the NCAA Div. I hockey tourney in recent years.

[ElonPride]

Y not GSU they have a better resume than any of these teams


So does 7-4 Elon......

[SuperJon]

No way Norfolk St gets in over Liberty. They were 2nd place in a conference that is multiple spots behind the Big South in every rating available.

[SuperJon]

Like it or not, this is the year a precedent is going to be set. A sub 7-Div I win team or a 7-4 team is getting in.

[FCS Go!]

No way Norfolk St gets in over Liberty. They were 2nd place in a conference that is multiple spots behind the Big South in every rating available.

The committee's rating isn't available and have you looked at Liberty's schedule? xnottalkingx

[charliej]

I disagree, entirely, considering my contention is that UNH's marquee win over Marshall will propel them ahead of their bad loss against Northeastern, assuming Villanova's even keel (no bad losses, no big wins that UNH does not have).


Was hesitant to even reply here,as I don't think either UNH or Nova gets in. However,according to NCAA stats on toughest schedule,Nova is a bit higher,(5th), than UNH,(15th).

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Internet/toughest%20schedule/iaa_9games_cumm.pdf

I do think that Bluehen 86 has a point when he says UNH has been a solid performer in the playoffs recently.That would probably carry some weight.

Again,I think we're both sitting home this year.xnodx

[UDChE89]

Was hesitant to even reply here,as I don't think either UNH or Nova gets in. However,according to NCAA stats on toughest schedule,Nova is a bit higher,(5th), than UNH,(15th).

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Internet/toughest%20schedule/iaa_9games_cumm.pdf

I do think that Bluehen 86 has a point when he says UNH has been a solid performer in the playoffs recently.That would probably carry some weight.

Again,I think we're both sitting home this year.xnodx

Don't know that I'd consider this a schedule rating.. it appears just to be a cumulative number of the win-loss record of each team's opponents.

[SOCAL]

...& for what its worth...the win over Delaware was much more diominant than the score indicated....(with UNH's back-up QB). It was 35-10 going into the 4th qtr...Toman started making mistakes, UNH went to the ground...UD scored twice in the last 3 minutes

OC Devine became uber conservative--Toman did not make mistakes--the win over Delaware was dominant because of Toman--since I played with him in High School you have a hell of a QB the next several years-----with that said UNH deserves to be in the playoffs

[Tribe4SF]

No way Norfolk St gets in over Liberty. They were 2nd place in a conference that is multiple spots behind the Big South in every rating available.

Liberty will not even be considered. The GPI conference rankings are nearly identical. The committee is not going to set precedent for a Liberty team that lost to both W&M and Elon. If the precedent were to be set (which it will not), Elon and Georgia Southern would be the candidates.

[SuperJon]

I'm not saying we're getting in, but if we're not even being considered, why have we been called by multiple people involved about sending information, video, broadcasting things, etc? If we're not being considered, they don't need that.

Elon was a blowout, we know that. W&M was a dropped interception and ineptness in the refereeing.

[flyenhigh]

This is a perfect year to let the top 1AA mid major team in. Dayton is 10-1. Why not throw them out there and see if they can swim? Shoot, if there is no one "worthy" in the traditional conf. just give em a chance. I am not saying it is going to happen but the committee would be foolish to not do so. This is BS. Why? Because when ever you leave conf. champs out of the playoffs it is BS. And yes this means Albany too.

Pissed off as usual. I welcome the head on collision that should follow from my comments. Yeah, bring em on.

[Tribe4SF]

I'm not saying we're getting in, but if we're not even being considered, why have we been called by multiple people involved about sending information, video, broadcasting things, etc? If we're not being considered, they don't need that.

Elon was a blowout, we know that. W&M was a dropped interception and ineptness in the refereeing.

The point is that Liberty only has 6 D-I wins, and none of them are quality. Contacted or not, I would be stunned if Liberty is even mentioned in the committee's actual discussions.

[DSUrocks07]

This is a perfect year to let the top 1AA mid major team in. Dayton is 10-1. Why not throw them out there and see if they can swim? Shoot, if there is no one "worthy" in the traditional conf. just give em a chance. I am not saying it is going to happen but the committee would be foolish to not do so. This is BS. Why? Because when ever you leave conf. champs out of the playoffs it is BS. And yes this means Albany too.

Pissed off as usual. I welcome the head on collision that should follow from my comments. Yeah, bring em on.

Its just the FCS's version of the BCS system AND... IT.... IS..... INFALLIBLE....xpeacex

but it all seriousness, i feel that Albany and/or Dayton should get a shot in the playoffs...if they technically qualify, then they should be in "on a technicality" of course xthumbsupx

[SuperJon]

The point is that Liberty only has 6 D-I wins, and none of them are quality. Contacted or not, I would be stunned if Liberty is even mentioned in the committee's actual discussions.

None quality, but it's not like we were squeaking by teams. In 05 and 06, when Coastal was getting consideration, they weren't winning Big South games nearly as big as us (05 was two in OT, one loss in OT - 06 was by about 14). We're winning games by an average of 30 points. That has to have some weighing on things.

For the billionth time, I'm not saying we get in, just that we have a case.

[Tribe4SF]

This is a perfect year to let the top 1AA mid major team in. Dayton is 10-1. Why not throw them out there and see if they can swim? Shoot, if there is no one "worthy" in the traditional conf. just give em a chance. I am not saying it is going to happen but the committee would be foolish to not do so. This is BS. Why? Because when ever you leave conf. champs out of the playoffs it is BS. And yes this means Albany too.

Pissed off as usual. I welcome the head on collision that should follow from my comments. Yeah, bring em on.

Here's your first head-butt.

The committee's charge is to select the best eight at-large teams to complete the brackets. That means no Dayton.

[FCS_Advocacy5]

Here's your first head-butt.

The committee's charge is to select the best eight at-large teams to complete the brackets. That means no Dayton.


Why not? Have you seen them play?? What is your argument??

[ASUdrummer]

So does 7-4 Elon......

Not all 7 of those wins were Div I schools...Unless West Virginia Westley is Div I and I'm just oblivous.

[Tribe4SF]

Why not? Have you seen them play?? What is your argument??

Only some video.

No quality wins, a really bad loss, and a horrendously weak schedule.

[SO ILLmatic]

Here's your first head-butt.

The committee's charge is to select the best eight at-large teams to complete the brackets. That means no Dayton.

If the NCAA wants to show how "mid-major" involvement is going to happen in the coming years with the expanded playoffs, they may look to Dayton to be the model team displaying more teams having the chance to play in Chattanooga for a championship.

[Montana_Mojo]

Ga. Southern and Elon not eligible because they don't have 7 Div. 1 wins.

Norfolk State is in the same boat. They only have six wins over Div. 1 teams, unless Virginia State and Winston-Salem are Div. 1 and I just don't know about it.

So what does that leave us? Dayton, Albany, or a FIFTH CAA berth. I have a hunch New Hampshire will get the last bid. But that's just a hunch at best. They destroyed Marshall, and that win will carry some weight.

Albany is the team I would expect to get in if UNH or Villanova don't. They beat Fordham, who is in the field, and have quality losses to Hofstra and Montana.

Tough to say what the committee is considering at this point. I don't think they like the idea of five CAA teams in the field. But their other options are pretty slim.

[Tribe4SF]

Winston-Salem State is FCS. They are in the MEAC, but are transitional. Norfolk State is eligible.

[R.A.]

No way Norfolk St gets in over Liberty. They were 2nd place in a conference that is multiple spots behind the Big South in every rating available.

Doesn't the MEAC have a victory over the Big South this season?

[Tribe4SF]

Doesn't the MEAC have a victory over the Big South this season?

Yes. Delaware State over Coastal Carolina.

[75%]

I think the final spot comes down between Nova, Elon, and YSU and the NCAA has their SOS at 9, 12 , & 14 based on that I think you take Nova FYI UNH is 20th

[KAUMASS]

I think Villanova is in as a makeup for the screwing they got in 2001. They were co-A-10 champs, and ranked 4th in the GPI. I believe they were 8-3 or 9-2. They were passed over due to a D2 loss to U. of New Haven. Bad loss, but 4th in GPI? Villanova has a good sos this year, and one of their losses was a 4ot loss to UMass.

We will see today at 3:30.

[gvilleapp]

Not all 7 of those wins were Div I schools...Unless West Virginia Westley is Div I and I'm just oblivous.
If a third team sneaks in from the SoCon I think it should be The Citadel. At 7-4, the first winning record in over a decade, 4-3 SoCon conference mark with a close loss on the road to GSU, very close loss to App at home. Played FBS Wisconsin to a 21-21 halftime tie. Good attendence.

I know they only have 6 DI wins, but they were trying to have an all DI schedule, but they had to schedule NAIA Webber in April when no other options were avalible to them.

Coach Higgins has it going on down there and if they don't sneak in this year, opponents will have there hands full in '08 and beyond with the Bulldogs.

[gsugt1]

If a third team sneaks in from the SoCon I think it should be The Citadel. At 7-4, the first winning record in over a decade, 4-3 SoCon conference mark with a close loss on the road to GSU, very close loss to App at home. Played FBS Wisconsin to a 21-21 halftime tie. Good attendence.

I know they only have 6 DI wins, but they were trying to have an all DI schedule, but they had to schedule NAIA Webber in April when no other options were avalible to them.

Coach Higgins has it going on down there and if they don't sneak in this year, opponents will have there hands full in '08 and beyond with the Bulldogs.


If any 7-4 team gets in from socon it is GSU. They have more quality wins than anyone else.

[danefan]

If any 7-4 team gets in from socon it is GSU. They have more quality wins than anyone else.

And less DI wins.:D

[UNHWildCats]

The point is that Liberty only has 6 D-I wins, and none of them are quality. Contacted or not, I would be stunned if Liberty is even mentioned in the committee's actual discussions.

does Presbyterian count as a Div I win? Otherwise its only 5 Div I wins.

[UNHWildCats]

And less DI wins.:D
Citadel and GSU both have 6 Div I wins.

[DB_Atlantic10]

I think the final spot comes down between Nova, Elon, and YSU and the NCAA has their SOS at 9, 12 , & 14 based on that I think you take Nova FYI UNH is 20th I don't think so....every year there's a 8-3 team that gets in that us fans feel should not make it.... but it appears that as long as the best teams are in, the Committee could care less about a tough 7-4 team and will always award the final slots to a weaker 8-3 team. Look at Lafayette in 05 who actually ended up giving App St. a good showing. I think the OVC will send two teams this year with Eastern Ill. being the 2nd team.

[JohnStOnge]

Here's your first head-butt.

The committee's charge is to select the best eight at-large teams to complete the brackets. That means no Dayton.

I personally think history shows that they don't always select the best 8 at large teams. I think that if they did that Portland State (for one example) would've been in last year. There was the situation in 2002 that led to the term, "Wofforded." I think there have been a number of situations such that most FCS fans would agree that the best 8 available teams were not selected.

[DB_Atlantic10]

I think Villanova is in as a makeup for the screwing they got in 2001. They were co-A-10 champs, and ranked 4th in the GPI. I believe they were 8-3 or 9-2. They were passed over due to a D2 loss to U. of New Haven. Bad loss, but 4th in GPI? Villanova has a good sos this year, and one of their losses was a 4ot loss to UMass.

We will see today at 3:30. Villanova is not getting in.... You have to take out the subjectivity when it comes to the committee.... As long as their are 8-3 teams out there from autobid conferences that have their 7 D-I wins, they will always get in over a 7-4 autobid conference team regardless of SOC. xrulesx

[ElonPride]

If any 7-4 team gets in from socon it is GSU. They have more quality wins than anyone else.


So Elon beating the conference champ Wofford AND beating GSU doesn't matter?

[flyenhigh]

Here's your first head-butt.

The committee's charge is to select the best eight at-large teams to complete the brackets. That means no Dayton.

Why would you make that comment? You have no clue about UD football in fact I turned down W and M to attend Dayton (9 years ago). Dayton is a very good team and who knows how they would pan out in the playoffs?

Bottom line is you have nothing to support that claim. NOTHING. If Dayton or Albany does not get in this year, well, never mind.

[MSU_77]

McNeese had 10 D-I wins, not 9. xrulesx

[USDFAN_55]

Why would you make that comment? You have no clue about UD football in fact I turned down W and M to attend Dayton (9 years ago). Dayton is a very good team and who knows how they would pan out in the playoffs?

Bottom line is you have nothing to support that claim. NOTHING. If Dayton or Albany does not get in this year, well, never mind.

If San Diego didn't get in last year with a much higher ranking and undefeated, I can't see how Dayton would get in this year. I'm not hating on Dayton here, I just can't see how their seaon is better than San Diego's last year.

[gophoenix]

So Elon beating the conference champ Wofford AND beating GSU doesn't matter?

No, it would be based on Money. GSU can get extra ticket revenue. And the fact that that is even entered into the equation shows that our playoffs are as much of a farce as the BCS system.

As for GSU. You have one more quality win, slightly, but you also have the worst loss by far. And we beat you.

GSU lost to Elon, Furman and UTC
Elon lost to App, Furman and The Citadel.
The Citadel lost to Wofford, GSU and App.

So far The Citadel and Elon have the leg up on GSU.

Elon beat Wofford, Liberty and GSU.
GSU beat Wofford, App and South Dakota State.
The Citadel beat Elon and Furman.

GSU gets the leg up here.

The Citadel and Elon lost close games to quality BCS opponents. GSU closed out the season losing a close game to a bad BCS opponent.

All three beat bad sub-DI teams (GSU vs West Georgia 2-9, Elon vs WV Wesleyan 3-8, and no clue about Webber Int.)

Overall, it is a wash. GSU has a leg up on wins. Elon and The Citadel have a leg up on losses and game performance against a BCS team. They are all computer rated right there together.

None will get in.

[gophoenix]

My problem is the CAA not playing each other and that being rewarded.

Here's the CAA record of a team vs the other ones people want in the playoffs (there are six of them) and the teams they didn't play.

Delaware: 1 win (JMU), 3 losses to Villanova, Richmond and UNH - didn't play UMass or Hofstra.
Hofstra: lost to UMass, Villanova and UNH and didn't play Delaware, Richmond or JMU
JMU: 2 wins vs UNH and Villanova and 2 losses to Richmond and Delware. Didn't play Umass or Hofstra.
UMass: 3 wins vs Villanova, Hofstra and UNH. Lost to 0 CAA that matter. Didn't play JMU, Richmond or Delaware.
UNH: 2 wins vs Delaware and Hofstra. Lost to JMU, Richmond and UMass. Didn't play Villanova.
Richmond: 3 wins vs Del, JMU, Villanova. lost to 0 CAA that matter. Didn't play UMass, Hofstra or UNH.
Villanova: 2 wins vs Hofstra and Del. Lost 3 to Richmond, Umass and JMU. Didn't play UNH.

So you have a team like TOWSON, RHODE ISLAND, NORTHEASTERN and WILLIAM & MARY who has to play 6 or more of the above teams, how fair is that??????

But all of their playoff contenders have at least two games where they didn't play the other top teams.

What would happen if the Big South and SoCon merged. You ended up with The Citadel, Elon, GSU, Wofford, Furman and App all with records like the CAA because they didn't play each other much. People would be throwing a bloody fit.

Of course the CAA looks good, their top teams don't really play each other.

[DetroitFlyer]

If San Diego didn't get in last year with a much higher ranking and undefeated, I can't see how Dayton would get in this year. I'm not hating on Dayton here, I just can't see how their seaon is better than San Diego's last year.

One obvious reason is that the PFL is better this year than last year! The last Sagarin ratings I looked at had the PFL rated higher than the AQ, OVC! Not true last year. Dayton has two good wins, Fordham and San Diego, ( although USD's huge choke yesterday did not help ).

Dayton also has a win over a team in the playoffs, USD did not....

The truth is that perhaps this year more than any other year, the chips have fallen in the Flyers favor.... Do not be surprised to see Dayton land that 16th spot!

[SkinsWizDukes]

My problem is the CAA not playing each other and that being rewarded.

Here's the CAA record of a team vs the other ones people want in the playoffs (there are six of them) and the teams they didn't play.

Delaware: 1 win (JMU), 3 losses to Villanova, Richmond and UNH - didn't play UMass or Hofstra.
Hofstra: lost to UMass, Villanova and UNH and didn't play Delaware, Richmond or JMU
JMU: 2 wins vs UNH and Villanova and 2 losses to Richmond and Delware. Didn't play Umass or Hofstra.
UMass: 3 wins vs Villanova, Hofstra and UNH. Lost to 0 CAA that matter. Didn't play JMU, Richmond or Delaware.
UNH: 2 wins vs Delaware and Hofstra. Lost to JMU, Richmond and UMass. Didn't play Villanova.
Richmond: 3 wins vs Del, JMU, Villanova. lost to 0 CAA that matter. Didn't play UMass, Hofstra or UNH.
Villanova: 2 wins vs Hofstra and Del. Lost 3 to Richmond, Umass and JMU. Didn't play UNH.

So you have a team like TOWSON, RHODE ISLAND, NORTHEASTERN and WILLIAM & MARY who has to play 6 or more of the above teams, how fair is that??????

But all of their playoff contenders have at least two games where they didn't play the other top teams.

What would happen if the Big South and SoCon merged. You ended up with The Citadel, Elon, GSU, Wofford, Furman and App all with records like the CAA because they didn't play each other much. People would be throwing a bloody fit.

Of course the CAA looks good, their top teams don't really play each other.

None of Towson, Rhode Island, Northeastern, or William & Mary would have any chance at the playoffs no matter what their schedule was. The CAA is a big conference, there is no way they can play all the teams. It's not the team's fault for that. All they can do is play the games that are scheduled. There is no doubt in my mind that JMU, UR, UD, and UMASS are 4 of the top 16 teams in the country. Villanova and UNH are Top 25 teams in my opinion, whether they deserve a bid or not can be debated.

[gophoenix]

None of Towson, Rhode Island, Northeastern, or William & Mary would have any chance at the playoffs no matter what their schedule was. The CAA is a big conference, there is no way they can play all the teams. It's not the team's fault for that. All they can do is play the games that are scheduled. There is no doubt in my mind that JMU, UR, UD, and UMASS are 4 of the top 16 teams in the country. Villanova and UNH are Top 25 teams in my opinion, whether they deserve a bid or not can be debated.

No, but the conference gets skewed by the not so good teams playing all the good teams. Then the good teams beat those teams and don't play each other. So, how do you know All of them are good teams if they haven't played everyone in the conference? Every other conference has to beat up on each other and knock good teams out.

And sure, it isn't the fault of the teams. But it is the fault of the schools as they made the conference this way.

You have 6 of 12 teams rated right there with 5 of 8 teams of the SoCon. The SoCon gets 2 teams in because all of the teams kick each other. The CAA has 6 teams because they don't play each other.

[USDFAN_55]

One obvious reason is that the PFL is better this year than last year! The last Sagarin ratings I looked at had the PFL rated higher than the AQ, OVC! Not true last year. Dayton has two good wins, Fordham and San Diego, ( although USD's huge choke yesterday did not help ).

Dayton also has a win over a team in the playoffs, USD did not....

The truth is that perhaps this year more than any other year, the chips have fallen in the Flyers favor.... Do not be surprised to see Dayton land that 16th spot!

I don't think Fordham's performance yesterday helped either. They showed how weak a play-off contender they are.

[Eyes of Old Main]

I'd say either Norfolk State or Villanova, but probably Norfolk State since I don't think the committee will be willing to send five from the CAA.

[DetroitFlyer]

I don't think Fordham's performance yesterday helped either. They showed how weak a play-off contender they are.

Fordham losing did not help Dayton's cause for sure.... That said, it will be interesting to see how they do in the playoffs.... The key is to get there, then at least you have a chance. If Dayton gets in, and plays as well as we did against USD, then some highly ranked team could have a disappointing end to their season....

Fordham has some talent, it seems to be a matter of whether they come to play or not.... I will not be surprised if they take down someone that might be expecting an easy victory!

[89Hen]

One obvious reason is that the PFL is better this year than last year! The last Sagarin ratings I looked at had the PFL rated higher than the AQ, OVC! Not true last year.
Sagarin is worthless. While you've moved up in the GPI, you are still not above any autobid conference:

2007
1. Colonial Athletic Association (23.11)
2. Southern Conference (24.08)
3. Gateway Football Conference (27.43)
4. Great West Football Conference (29.25)
5. Southland Conference (39.39)
6. Big Sky Conference (44.14)
7. Patriot League (47.88)
8. Ivy League (49.61)
9. Big South Conference (54.00)
10. Southwestern Athletic Conference (55.09)
11. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (55.48)
12. Ohio Valley Conference (56.43)
13. Pioneer Football League (63.42)
14. Independents (65.32)
15. Northeast Conference (69.27)
16. Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (78.88)

2006
1. Great West Football Conference (21.80)
2. Atlantic 10 Conference (24.20)
3. Gateway Football Conference (30.35)
4. Big Sky Conference (34.61)
5. Southern Conference (38.49)
6. Ivy League (40.71)
7. Big South Conference (45.98)
8. Ohio Valley Conference (49.85)
9. Southland Conference (52.21)
10. Patriot League (57.16)
11. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (58.62)
12. Southwestern Athletic Conference (63.46)
13. Northeast Conference (65.06)
14. Independents (68.11)
15. Pioneer Football League (69.60)
16. Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference (83.73)

[spider92]

UNH: 2 wins vs Delaware and Hofstra. Lost to JMU, Richmond and UMass. Didn't play Villanova.
Richmond: 3 wins vs Del, JMU, Villanova. lost to 0 CAA that matter. Didn't play UMass, Hofstra or UNH.



Thanks for the summary. Just one update:

Richmond did play UNH and won. So, Richmond's summary should read:

Richmond: 4 wins vs Del, JMU, UNH, Villanova. Lost to 0 CAA that matter. Didn't play UMass, Hofstra.

[BigApp]

...and have you looked at Liberty's schedule? xnottalkingx

yes, and Sagarin has your Montana SOS ranked #187 and Liberty's #195 out of all DI teams. Not too much different.

xreadx

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt07.htm

[BigApp]

I don't think Fordham's performance yesterday helped either. They showed how weak a play-off contender they are.

the game really had ZERO meaning for Fordham.