Son of Token Playoff Prediction Thread

[B&G]

Autobids:
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- James Madison
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- Southern Illinois
OVC- Tennessee-Martin
Patriot- Colgate
Southern- Appalachian State
Southland- Texas State

(Bolded teams have clinced their Auto)

The rest of the field...
Montana
Villanova
Cal Poly
Wofford
Northern Iowa
Elon
Richmond
New Hampshire

Still has a shot in hell...
Liberty (in with win over Elon?)
Maine (could replace New Hampshire if they win out)
William & Mary (could replace Richmond with win over UR)
Eastern Kentucky (by beating Tennessee-Martin next week)
Holy Cross (by beating Colgate next week)
Any number of Southland teams (by winning autobid for SLC)

Probably eliminated this week...
South Dakota State
Furman
Tennessee State
Dayton (for the sake of completeness although they had no shot anyway)

Which leave my 1st Round field look like this...
Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at South Carolina St

Texas St at (4) Montana
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa

Tenn-Martin at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Richmond at Southern Illinois

[santosballnewhampshire]

not again no way

[MorgantonAPPAlum]

I think someone over in the UM/MSU thread said that MSU could not qualify because they would not have 7 D1 wins even if they beat Montana (South Dakota apparently does not count as a D1 win this year).

[B&G]

Not sure if I see a way around it. Apparently UNH won't outbid them if history is an indicator. So unless they match you guys up with Southern Illinois...

[gbhmt]

In Progress... Pending tonight's games... Feel free to post any changes you feel need to be made and I will update after the UFC fight tonight.

Autobids:
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- James Madison
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- Southern Illinois
OVC- Tennessee-Martin
Patriot- Colgate
Southern- Appalachian State
Southland- Northwestern State

(Bolded teams have clinced their Auto)

The rest of the field...
Montana
Villanova
Cal Poly
Wofford
Northern Iowa
Elon
Richmond
New Hampshire

Still has a shot in hell...
Liberty (in with win over Elon?)
Maine (could replace New Hampshire if they win out)
William & Mary (could replace Richmond with win over UR)
Eastern Kentucky (by beating Tennessee-Martin next week)
Holy Cross (by beating Colgate next week)
Any number of Southland teams (by winning autobid for SLC)
Montana State (might be in the conversation with win over Montana)

Probably eliminated this week...
South Dakota State
Furman
Tennessee State
Dayton (for the sake of completeness although they had no shot anyway)

Which leave my 1st Round field look like this...
Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at South Carolina St

Northwestern St at (4) Montana
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa

Tenn-Martin at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Richmond at Southern Illinois

That's more like it. I'll take Northwestern St. over Cal Poly any day of the week.

[B&G]

I think someone over in the UM/MSU thread said that MSU could not qualify because they would not have 7 D1 wins even if they beat Montana (South Dakota apparently does not count as a D1 win this year).

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure... will remove them.

[ekufbfan]

UTM has not clinched the OVC title, that game will be played next week to decide the conf title.
Still no respect for EKU...just to remind you UTM has NEVER beat EKU. And take a look at our history in IAA/FCS and take a look at UTM's. I guess you say we have, to use your words, only "a shot in hell" is because we have to go to Martin. Just don't ever count one of the winningest programs in FCS out of it.
GO EKU!

[uofmman1122]

Best bracket I've seen in a while. :p

[PantherRob82]

not again no way

agreed. unh fans are great, but no thanks.

[Duke Dawg]

SC State is going to App state in the first round....that game is a virtual lock.

Spartanburg to Boone = 132 miles

[R.A.]

SC State is going to App state in the first round....that game is a virtual lock.

Spartanburg to Boone = 132 miles

SC State's not located in Spartanburg.

SC State's located in Orangeburg.

Spartanburg to Orangeburg, 134.05 miles.

Orangeburg to Boone, 230.95 miles.

Many believe that the lock pick is Wofford at South Carolina State.

[Duke Dawg]

other likely first round matchups due to geography rules (remember, it was changed to 400 mile limit):

Elon at JMU (208 miles)
Colgate/Holy Cross vs Villanova (250 miles if Colgate/271 if HC)
Richmond vs Wofford (382 miles)
OVC winner at So Illinois (UTM - 125 miles/EKU - 333 miles)
SC State at Appy State (230 miles)

It's likely that Cal Poly and Weber will be matched up as well

that leaves Montana and Northern Iowa hosting the remaining 2 teams.

[Duke Dawg]

SC State's not located in Spartanburg.

Ok...that's still 230 miles.....SC State is going to Boone.

[R.A.]

Ok...that's still 230 miles.....SC State is going to Boone.


Spartanburg to Orangeburg, 134.05 miles.

Many feel that the lock pick is Wofford @ South Carolina State, especially since it is an in- state contest featuring a SoCon against a Meac.

Richmond verse Appy State maybe a more likely first round match up as opposed to South Carolina State at Appy State.

[Reign of Terrier]

Spartanburg to Orangeburg, 134.05 miles.

Many feel that the lock pick is Wofford @ South Carolina State, especially since it is an in- state contest featuring a SoCon against a Meac.

If Wofford wins this week that could be a home game...that is if we can get the $$$ over SC State.

[FargoBison]

Autobids
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- JMU
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- SIU
OVC- UT-Martin
Patriot- Colgate*
SoCon- App State
SLC- Texas State
* denotes teams currently tied in first place

At-Large Bids
Wofford
UNI
Montana
Cal Poly
Villanova
UNH
Richmond
Elon

Last team in...Elon
Last five out...Maine, William & Mary, NDSU, Jacksonville State, FAMU
Next five out...Furman, EKU(autobid), McNeese State, Beathune-Cookman, Albany

Playoff Bracket
1. JMU vs Elon
Villanova vs Colgate

4.SIU vs UT-Martin
UNI vs UNH

2.App State vs Richmond
SCSU vs Wofford

3.Weber State vs Cal Poly
Montana vs Texas State

[MaximumBobcat]

Texas State now the favorite to get the AQ to the playoffs....just have to beat 4-5 SHSU and we're in....

We'll see....

GO BOBCATS!!!

[appstate1998]

Armanti wouldn't mind Richmond

[EKUSteve]

I would have bet last year that we (EKU) would have gone to SIU but we ended up at Richmond. So it will be interesting to see, once all the autobids are set, who gets in and where. I assume someone will also get a Friday after T'day on ESPN like last year?

[B&G]

UTM has not clinched the OVC title, that game will be played next week to decide the conf title.
Still no respect for EKU...just to remind you UTM has NEVER beat EKU. And take a look at our history in IAA/FCS and take a look at UTM's. I guess you say we have, to use your words, only "a shot in hell" is because we have to go to Martin. Just don't ever count one of the winningest programs in FCS out of it.
GO EKU!

Simmer down. It wasn't a prediction on the OVC winner. I strictly took the home team for both of the OVC and Patriot League showdowns. xcoffeex

[joecooll6]

Fricken a, not again. That can not happen again. Eventually theyre going to beat us.

Geography rules suck, SIU gets to play the OVC team every year.

[coover]

I'll take Northwestern St. over Cal Poly any day of the week.

Glutton for punishment? Or do you mean that you'd rather play Northwestern State than Cal Poly? That would make sense.

[uofmman1122]

Glutton for punishment? Or do you mean that you'd rather play Northwestern State than Cal Poly? That would make sense.I'm pretty sure he means he'd rather play Northwestern State than Cal Poly.

[Duke Dawg]

Spartanburg to Orangeburg, 134.05 miles.

Many feel that the lock pick is Wofford @ South Carolina State, especially since it is an in- state contest featuring a SoCon against a Meac.

Richmond verse Appy State maybe a more likely first round match up as opposed to South Carolina State at Appy State.


can't happen that way.....App State is going to be a seed, and the seeded teams are bracketed first.



As SC State is the closest team to App State by 100 miles, they will be going to Boone. It's going to happen.

Wofford will be playing the Richmond/W&M winner...at whoever bids the highest.

[Houndawg]

Autobids:
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- James Madison
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- Southern Illinois
OVC- Tennessee-Martin
Patriot- Colgate
Southern- Appalachian State
Southland- Texas State

(Bolded teams have clinced their Auto)

The rest of the field...
Montana
Villanova
Cal Poly
Wofford
Northern Iowa
Elon
Richmond
New Hampshire

Still has a shot in hell...
Liberty (in with win over Elon?)
Maine (could replace New Hampshire if they win out)
William & Mary (could replace Richmond with win over UR)
Eastern Kentucky (by beating Tennessee-Martin next week)
Holy Cross (by beating Colgate next week)
Any number of Southland teams (by winning autobid for SLC)

Probably eliminated this week...
South Dakota State
Furman
Tennessee State
Dayton (for the sake of completeness although they had no shot anyway)

Which leave my 1st Round field look like this...
Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at South Carolina St

Texas St at (4) Montana
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa

Tenn-Martin at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Richmond at Southern Illinois

I'd have them as follows for travel reasons:

Elon @ (1)JMU
Wufferd @ SCSt

TexSt @ (4)Montana
Richmond @ UNI

UNH @ (2)APPSt
Colgate @ Villanova

CalPoly @ (3) Weeber St
UT-Martin @ SIU

[ekufbfan]

Simmer down. It wasn't a prediction on the OVC winner. I strictly took the home team for both of the OVC and Patriot League showdowns. xcoffeex

So,what I hear you saying is that the HOME team does have the ADVANTAGE. I am so sick of hearing how the OVC does not deserve two teams in the playoffs because of the OVC record the past 10 years. Just how many times has the OVC team been put on the road? I would guess in the past ten years it has been 90% of the time and usually against one of the top 4 seeded teams. Now I have been following football probably longer than some of you have been on this earth and I know that you have to beat the best to be the best, so I undersatnd that. However, when the winner of your conference every year has to play on the road with the odds stacked against them, my guess is you are going to have the outcome the OVC has had. Last year EKU was put on the road and not taking anything away from U of Richmond, with the EKU QB who was hurt and did not play well and was taken out early, I think there is good possibility that EKU with a healthy QB and the game at home (Richmond, KY) that the outcome would have been different. That said, you play with the hand you are dealt,we lost and that's it. Just spare me the Monday morning quarterbacking of who you think should/should not get in.

BTW, if can't beat UTM, in my opinion, we probably should not get in. Frankly I think the playoffs should only be with the conference champs. You make it happen in the regular season or you are out.
GO EKU!

[BDKJMU]

Autobids:
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- James Madison
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- Southern Illinois
OVC- Tennessee-Martin
Patriot- Colgate
Southern- Appalachian State
Southland- Texas State

(Bolded teams have clinced their Auto)

The rest of the field...
Montana
Villanova
Cal Poly
Wofford
Northern Iowa
Elon
Richmond
New Hampshire

Still has a shot in hell...
Liberty (in with win over Elon?)
Maine (could replace New Hampshire if they win out)
William & Mary (could replace Richmond with win over UR)
Eastern Kentucky (by beating Tennessee-Martin next week)
Holy Cross (by beating Colgate next week)
Any number of Southland teams (by winning autobid for SLC)

Probably eliminated this week...
South Dakota State
Furman
Tennessee State
Dayton (for the sake of completeness although they had no shot anyway)

Which leave my 1st Round field look like this...
Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at South Carolina St

Texas St at (4) Montana
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa

Tenn-Martin at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Richmond at Southern Illinois

CHECK YOUR GEOGRAPHY!
If the 16 teams you have are correct, according to mapquest:
Martin, TN to Boone is 521 miles.
Orangeburg, SC (SC State) to Boone is 229 miles.
Richmond to Boone is 315 miles.

IF ASU is the #2 seed, committee will be pairing them 2nd. ASU WOULD NOT BE paired with UT-Martin.

[BDKJMU]

SC State's not located in Spartanburg.

SC State's located in Orangeburg.

Spartanburg to Orangeburg, 134.05 miles.

Orangeburg to Boone, 230.95 miles.

Many believe that the lock pick is Wofford at South Carolina State.

According to the selection criteria, the committee will pair the #1 seed, then the #2 seed, then the #3 seed, etc. Assuming ASU is the #2 seed:
Is there a non So-Con, non seed teams within the (new) 400 mile limit for busing? Yes, 2, SC State and UR.
Who is the closest? SC State, 229 miles. SC State @ ASU. There's your lock.

[BDKJMU]

Spartanburg to Orangeburg, 134.05 miles.

Many feel that the lock pick is Wofford @ South Carolina State, especially since it is an in- state contest featuring a SoCon against a Meac.

Richmond verse Appy State maybe a more likely first round match up as opposed to South Carolina State at Appy State.

Not how the pairing works. SC State is far more likely to be at ASU than UR- see above post.

[BDKJMU]

Autobids
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- JMU
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- SIU
OVC- UT-Martin
Patriot- Colgate*
SoCon- App State
SLC- Texas State
* denotes teams currently tied in first place

At-Large Bids
Wofford
UNI
Montana
Cal Poly
Villanova
UNH
Richmond
Elon

Last team in...Elon
Last five out...Maine, William & Mary, NDSU, Jacksonville State, FAMU
Next five out...Furman, EKU(autobid), McNeese State, Beathune-Cookman, Albany

Playoff Bracket
1. JMU vs Elon
Villanova vs Colgate

4.SIU vs UT-Martin
UNI vs UNH

2.App State vs Richmond
SCSU vs Wofford

3.Weber State vs Cal Poly
Montana vs Texas State

ASU ain't gonna be paired with UR 1st round- see previous post.

[BDKJMU]

can't happen that way.....App State is going to be a seed, and the seeded teams are bracketed first.



As SC State is the closest team to App State by 100 miles, they will be going to Boone. It's going to happen.

Wofford will be playing the Richmond/W&M winner...at whoever bids the highest.

Bing- I replied before seeing your post Dawg. You are exactly right.

[Khan4Cats]

According to the selection criteria, the committee will pair the #1 seed, then the #2 seed, then the #3 seed, etc. Assuming ASU is the #2 seed:
Is there a non So-Con, non seed teams within the (new) 400 mile limit for busing? Yes, 2, SC State and UR.
Who is the closest? SC State, 229 miles. SC State @ ASU. There's your lock.

I don't buy that at all after last year. UNI was the #1 seed, yet ended up with UNH. Now UNH may have been the last "at-large" pick, but no way were they the lowest ranked team in the field.

The committee will match up the best geographic matches first, then fill in the rest, regardless of seeds.

Appalachian State will get either SC State or Eastern Kentucky (if EKU wins).

[Saint3333]

Some questions were cleared up from yesterday’s game.

Thanks to:

SIU for defeating SDSU

GSU for defeating Furman

No thanks to:

The Southland Conference – still a screwed up mess. UCA isn’t eligible and McNeese and Texas St. are tied at 4-2 in the conference. McNeese is @ UCA and Texas St. travels to Sam Houston. I guess I have to pick Texas St. here as UCA is the best team in the Southland.

UMass – had UMass defeated UNH it would have meant the loser of the UNH-Maine game next week would be out, now if UNH loses they have an outside shot at the playoffs.

Playoffs start next week for some (assumptions):
EKU @ Tenn-Martin (EKU has never lost to TM)
UNH @ Maine (UNH’s offense out scores Maine)
Richmond @ W&M (Richmond’s defense is too much)
Holy Cross @ Colgate (HC’s passing attack wins)

Auto Bids:

Big Sky: Weber St.
CAA: JMU
MEAC: SCSU
MVC: SIU
OVC: EKU
Patriot: Holy Cross
SoCon: ASU
Southland: Texas St

At Large:
Big Sky: Montana
CAA: Villanova, Richmond, UNH
Great West: Cal Poly
MVC: UNI
SoCon: Wofford, Elon

Seeding last week: #1 JMU, #2 ASU, #3 Weber St., #4 UNI

With Villanova struggling with a 3-8 Towson team it now comes down to UNI or Montana. The Big Sky has a higher GPI and Montana has a better quality win than UNI in Cal Poly. Plus the 23K+ Montana brings to the table I believe they get the final seed. This really is a toss up here.

The Brackets (home team in bold):

#1 JMU
Elon

Villanova
Holy Cross

#4 Montana
Texas St.

SIU
EKU

#2 ASU
SCSU

Wofford
Richmond

#3 Weber St.
Cal Poly

UNI
UNH

[uofmman1122]

Some questions were cleared up from yesterday’s game.

Thanks to:

SIU for defeating SDSU

GSU for defeating Furman

No thanks to:

The Southland Conference – still a screwed up mess. UCA isn’t eligible and McNeese and Texas St. are tied at 4-2 in the conference. McNeese is @ UCA and Texas St. travels to Sam Houston. I guess I have to pick Texas St. here as UCA is the best team in the Southland.

UMass – had UMass defeated UNH it would have meant the loser of the UNH-Maine game next week would be out, now if UNH loses they have an outside shot at the playoffs.

Playoffs start next week for some (assumptions):
EKU @ Tenn-Martin (EKU has never lost to TM)
UNH @ Maine (UNH’s offense out scores Maine)
Richmond @ W&M (Richmond’s defense is too much)
Holy Cross @ Colgate (HC’s passing attack wins)

Auto Bids:

Big Sky: Weber St.
CAA: JMU
MEAC: SCSU
MVC: SIU
OVC: EKU
Patriot: Holy Cross
SoCon: ASU
Southland: Texas St

At Large:
Big Sky: Montana
CAA: Villanova, Richmond, UNH
Great West: Cal Poly
MVC: UNI
SoCon: Wofford, Elon

Seeding last week: #1 JMU, #2 ASU, #3 Weber St., #4 UNI

With Villanova struggling with a 3-8 Towson team it now comes down to UNI or Montana. The Big Sky has a higher GPI and has a better quality win than UNI in Cal Poly. Plus the 23K+ Montana brings to the table I believe they get the final seed. This really is a toss up here.

The Brackets (home team in bold):

#1 JMU
Elon

Villanova
Holy Cross

#4 SIU
EKU

#2 ASU
SCSU

Wofford
Richmond

#3 Weber St.
Cal Poly

UNI
UNHUmmmm.....Where is Montana in your bracket?

[Saint3333]

fixed my copy and paste job from the MMB didn't workxconfusedx.

[BDKJMU]

I don't buy that at all after last year. UNI was the #1 seed, yet ended up with UNH. Now UNH may have been the last "at-large" pick, but no way were they the lowest ranked team in the field.

The committee will match up the best geographic matches first, then fill in the rest, regardless of seeds.

Appalachian State will get either SC State or Eastern Kentucky (if EKU wins).

Last year I don't believe there was a non conference, non seed within the old 300 mile limit for busing of UNI. So in that case, they picked a team to fly. As far as teams that fly, I don't think the committee takes distance into consideration, be it 500, 1500, or 2500 miles.

So again, the committee will go down the seeded teams. If there is one or more non conference, non seeded teams within the new 400 mile limit for busing, the comittee will pair the closest one. For ASU that will be SC State.

If UNI gets the #4 seed and there isn't a OOC non seed within 400 miles of UNI (is there a likely non MVC playoff team within 400 miles of UNI?) then yeah, they'll probably pick to fly whoever is left over, so it could be anybody, distance be damned.

Here again is the selection criteria:
Here it is, page 13:

"All pairings will be made by the Division I football championship committee. The
following principles are applied when pairing teams:
1. The teams awarded the top four seeds are placed in the appropriate positions in the
bracket (Nos. 1 and 4 in the upper half, and Nos. 2 and 3 in the lower half), and will
be paired with teams that are in closest geographic proximity;
2. The remaining teams will be paired according to geographic proximity and placed in
the bracket according to geographic proximity of the four pairings previously placed
in the bracket.
3. Teams from the same conference will not be paired for first-round games;
4. Once the first-round pairings have been determined, there will be no adjustments to
the bracket."

http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/champ_handbooks/football/2008/1_football_handbook.pdf

[ekufbfan]

Fricken a, not again. That can not happen again. Eventually theyre going to beat us.

Geography rules suck, SIU gets to play the OVC team every year.

If we make it, we will be most happy to welcome you to Richmond, then you won't have to complain about an OVC team coming to SIU every year....a little change in scenery might help your disposition.xrolleyesx

[Chi Panther]

I think UNH and UNI fans would probably not like to see each other early in playoffs for 3 of the last 4 years.

Both of the games thus far have been great games.....but we might as well just schedule each other as a OOC game.

Atleast let SIU and UNH play if they must be paired with a MVFC team. UNI can play Nova, Richmond, Maine if its a CAA team. Atleast its somone new....

[ericsaid]

Regional or not I think Richmond is close enough to Wofford to have either Richmond travel to Wofford or vice versa, and App get Sc State since they are the #2 seed. It's 100 more miles and my guess a much much easier opponent that should go to App.

The teams have played this season to see how tough their road to the National Championship should be and Wofford and Richmond should be paired, and App should be paired with SC State.

[CJHawkeyes]

So, if I understand the geography rules, its possible that #1 could host the defacto #5 team in a first round game just because of proximity?

[DSUrocks07]

Regional or not I think Richmond is close enough to Wofford to have either Richmond travel to Wofford or vice versa, and App get Sc State since they are the #2 seed. It's 100 more miles and my guess a much much easier opponent that should go to App.

The teams have played this season to see how tough their road to the National Championship should be and Wofford and Richmond should be paired, and App should be paired with SC State.

:(

Well in that case...

What a way for the MEAC to make a statement against their playoff ineptitude with knocking off the three-time defending champs. xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

I know its not likely...but if it does happen, App better not just expect to just show up and win easily. SC State is a much better team than DSU was last year. And win or lose...I fully expect SCSU to make a great showing for our conference this year. xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

I just wonder if all this talk of how bad the MEAC is will continue xnonono2x

[Chi Panther]

So, if I understand the geography rules, its possible that #1 could host the defacto #5 team in a first round game just because of proximity?

2003 SIU went to Newark.....how did that happen....

[BDKJMU]

2003 SIU went to Newark.....how did that happen....

Maybe there wasn't a non A-10 (now CAA)/non seed within 300 miles of Newark?

[Chi Panther]

Point being that a 10-1 SIU team had a road game and travel that far......could have been a defacto #5 team....

[BDKJMU]

This is an article by Bruce Dowd posted on CollegeSportingNews on Thur. It includes an interview he did with John McCutcheon of the selection comittee about the selection and pairing process:
"The CAA Today: Playoff Facts Review and Interview"
http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews.com/index.php?blog=5&title=the-caa-today-playoff-facts-review-and-i&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
The interview included 10 questions. Here are some relevant ones as far as the pairings go:
"Question #6: I read an article about a month ago in the USA Today newspaper that had me very concerned. It was titled “NCAA alters policies to reduce travel costs.” Yes, the economy has hit us too down at the FCS level. In case you want to look it up, it was on page 11C on October 10, 2008. The opening statement in the article is the one that had me the most concerned; “Faced with transportation costs that have spiraled upward at a dizzying rate, the NCAA is taking steps to hold down travel expenses for schools that participate in its championships.”

When I asked John about this he said that the one significant thing that came out of that meeting was the change in mileage that the committee can now consider for bus travel before having to arrange flights, which he said was expanded from 300 miles to 400 miles. The paper had it expanded to 350 miles, but either way it is more miles now which might actually help the committee set up a more fair approach to who plays where.

I also asked if they considered geography at all in setting up the brackets past the first round, like concentrating one entire bracket out West and another one out East. He said that wasn’t really done because after setting the first round, and with the restrictions of not allowing two teams from the same conference to play each other in the first round, the number of permeations after that doesn’t permit much of a regional bracket arrangement.

Question #7: Understanding that they don’t rank past the first four seeds, I asked about the scheduling of which team is home. I asked if any consideration is given to ranking, even though they don’t seed past four, or was it all based on bids and facilities, etc. Here was his reply; “We look at the facility and attendance figures, quality of the place and things like that and the bid. There is the financial aspect of it. The committee doesn’t get that information [financial bids] until after the field of 16 is selected. Then when we get into the pairing process is when we are privy to that information.” To further clarify, I asked a hypothetical that they might have a team that was just out of the top four but their facilities where not as good so therefore they might be traveling in the first round to which he replied; “That is correct.”

Question #8: Continuing in that direction, I decided to ask the main question, the thing that really bugs me about how the teams are matched up, and the one that has most of you folks upset as well. It is the forced geographical matchups instead of a true 16 team ranked bracket. While our system is far, far superior to that stupid BCS system, I do feel that rule hurts the integrity of the entire tournament to a degree.

While my mind was put to rest that the latest NCAA mandates might not make this situation any worse than it already is, due to that bus mileage increase, I did express my displeasure with this part of the selection criteria and I think you will find his response very interesting; “Well what you are saying is true. The committee has not had the authority to make those kinds of adjustments [ignoring geography and matching up teams and home games based on rankings]. We would LOVE to be able to seed the teams in brackets in all honesty, from 1 to 16.” Now that answer surprised me. He went on to say “We are simply not in a position to do that. We have to follow the guidelines that are handed to us. If all things being equal, we can take a look at things that if we have a particular matchup that has bus rides and doesn’t involve air travel, we can look at the quality of facilities . . . and make the pairings that make the most sense and try to do that. A lot of times we are not able to do that because of situations like the fact that two teams of the same conference can’t play each other in the first round. So that doesn’t give us too many pieces to move around the chess board when you get through with some of those things.”

To confirm this and make sure I heard him right, I asked the following question; “You would prefer being able to seed the 16 in order and just do it that way, but you are handed a guideline that you have to go by that would prohibit you from doing that. Is that correct?” To which he replied; “That’s correct.”"

[bigchocolate]

can't happen that way.....App State is going to be a seed, and the seeded teams are bracketed first.



As SC State is the closest team to App State by 100 miles, they will be going to Boone. It's going to happen.

Wofford will be playing the Richmond/W&M winner...at whoever bids the highest.

What a terrible draw for App State!!! I want to hear the same " Your conference seeded champion lost a home game and doesn't deserve to be ranked or participate in future playoffs" next year after SC State defeats App....This is not good for App State!!!xnodx

[FargoBison]

From the CSN playoff article...


Understanding that they don’t rank past the first four seeds, I asked about the scheduling of which team is home. I asked if any consideration is given to ranking, even though they don’t seed past four, or was it all based on bids and facilities, etc. Here was his reply; “We look at the facility and attendance figures, quality of the place and things like that and the bid. There is the financial aspect of it. The committee doesn’t get that information [financial bids] until after the field of 16 is selected. Then when we get into the pairing process is when we are privy to that information.” To further clarify, I asked a hypothetical that they might have a team that was just out of the top four but their facilities where not as good so therefore they might be traveling in the first round to which he replied; “That is correct.”

http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews.com/index.php?blog=5&title=the-caa-today-playoff-facts-review-and-i&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

SCSU averages 18,355 fans per game, which is 10k more than either Richmond or Wofford. Their stadium can also seat 22k and is probably better then either Wofford or Richmond's.

So therefore since all teams are within the 300-400 miles the NCAA uses as a guideline I don't think it is at all out of the realm of possibility that SCSU hosts Wofford and Richmond goes to App State

[DSUrocks07]

When I asked John about this he said that the one significant thing that came out of that meeting was the change in mileage that the committee can now consider for bus travel before having to arrange flights, which he said was expanded from 300 miles to 400 miles. The paper had it expanded to 350 miles, but either way it is more miles now which might actually help the committee set up a more fair approach to who plays where.


If anything it makes it more likely of an SC State-Wofford matchup in my opinion.

SC State and Wofford are the closest to each other and if Wofford doesn't go to Orangeburg where else that is close can they go?

[ericsaid]

:(

Well in that case...

What a way for the MEAC to make a statement against their playoff ineptitude with knocking off the three-time defending champs. xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

I know its not likely...but if it does happen, App better not just expect to just show up and win easily. SC State is a much better team than DSU was last year. And win or lose...I fully expect SCSU to make a great showing for our conference this year. xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

I just wonder if all this talk of how bad the MEAC is will continue xnonono2x


I know the team won't expect to show up and win easy but I would expect that honestly. Would be an interesting game though to see two teams that haven't played in recent memory that I know of.

[ericsaid]

If anything it makes it more likely of an SC State-Wofford matchup in my opinion.

SC State and Wofford are the closest to each other and if Wofford doesn't go to Orangeburg where else that is close can they go?

Wofford can go to Richmond.

[Houndawg]

So, if I understand the geography rules, its possible that #1 could host the defacto #5 team in a first round game just because of proximity?

Don't even need proximity. SIU went 10-1 and got sent to Delaware a few years ago when Delware won it all.

[joecooll6]

If we make it, we will be most happy to welcome you to Richmond, then you won't have to complain about an OVC team coming to SIU every year....a little change in scenery might help your disposition.xrolleyesx

I wouldnt like that, but only because I wouldnt get to go to the game. For competition purposes, a road game against EKU vs a home game against a CAA team equals pretty even chance of coming out on top in my book.

But that doesnt matter, we will most likely be at home. I'm just tired of playing UNH. We beat them BARELY the last two times we played them in the playoffs, eventually they're going to get us.

[WOCO]

Wofford can go to Richmond.

Montana is kinda close isn't it? And I think Cal Poly might even be a little closer. (if you don't get it email me and i will explain)

[gr8ness97]

Wofford to Richmond- 364 Miles
SC State to App St - 230

Total: 594 Miles

Wofford to SC State 130
Richmond to App St 315 Miles

Total: 445 Miles

Dont know if anyone looked at the mileage argument that way, but makes more sense geographically to pair teams up like this.

[TCisMYhero]

But that doesnt matter, we will most likely be at home. I'm just tired of playing UNH. We beat them BARELY the last two times we played them in the playoffs, eventually they're going to get us.

I feel much better about playing them post Santos. The CAA doesn't impress me (beyond the top 2 teams) a whole lot.

[joecooll6]

I would like to see SCSU get to play at home against Wofford, then we would get a more objective view of how good the MEAC is.

[FargoBison]

Wofford to Richmond- 364 Miles
SC State to App St - 230

Total: 594 Miles

Wofford to SC State 130
Richmond to App St 315 Miles

Total: 445 Miles

Dont know if anyone looked at the mileage argument that way, but makes more sense geographically to pair teams up like this.

I agree, and since SCSU averages 10k more fans than Richmond it makes even more sense to give them a home game.

[DSUrocks07]

Wofford can go to Richmond.

by road (GoogleMaps):

Spartanburg to Orangeburg = 258 miles

Spartanburg to Richmond = 362 miles

Orangeburg to Boone = 229 miles

Richmond to Boone = 314 miles

by sheer distance (Point A to Point B (Infoplease.com (http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/calculate-distance.html)))

Spartanburg to Orangeburg = 117.9 miles

Spartanburg to Richmond = 307 miles

Orangeburg to Boone = 193.5 miles

Richmond to Boone = 250.9 miles


IMO you'll be making Wofford travel farther just so SC State won't have to travel as far, or making SC State travel to begin with...OR making Richmond NOT travel at all. And as far as ticket sales, App State will sell-out regardless of who they play. SC State has the potential to sell-out a Wofford game...why not have Richmond head to Boone instead of hosting Wofford, who probably will not travel as well to Richmond then across the state to Orangeburg. Just my opinion. xthumbsupx

[art vandelay]

Autobids:
Big Sky- Weber State
CAA- James Madison
MEAC- South Carolina State
MVFC- Southern Illinois
OVC- Tennessee-Martin
Patriot- Colgate
Southern- Appalachian State
Southland- Texas State

(Bolded teams have clinced their Auto)

The rest of the field...
Montana
Villanova
Cal Poly
Wofford
Northern Iowa
Elon
Richmond
New Hampshire

Still has a shot in hell...
Liberty (in with win over Elon?)
Maine (could replace New Hampshire if they win out)
William & Mary (could replace Richmond with win over UR)
Eastern Kentucky (by beating Tennessee-Martin next week)
Holy Cross (by beating Colgate next week)
Any number of Southland teams (by winning autobid for SLC)

Probably eliminated this week...
South Dakota State
Furman
Tennessee State
Dayton (for the sake of completeness although they had no shot anyway)

Which leave my 1st Round field look like this...
Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at South Carolina St

Texas St at (4) Montana
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa

Tenn-Martin at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Richmond at Southern Illinois

absolutely no way UNH goes to Northern Iowa. I would put money on it.

[Saint3333]

I agree, and since SCSU averages 10k more fans than Richmond it makes even more sense to give them a home game.

We will see where the NC$$ stands based on these pairings.

What if W&M beats Richmond? I assume W&M comes to Boone (360 miles) and Wofford goes to SCSU. I wouldn't mind seeing W&M again (2001 playoffs).

[DSUrocks07]

We will see where the NC$$ stands based on these pairings.

What if W&M beats Richmond? I assume W&M comes to Boone (360 miles) and Wofford goes to SCSU. I wouldn't mind seeing W&M again (2001 playoffs).

Are you saying that you would rather face SC State than Richmond? xwhistlex

I would say yes, that W&M would go to Boone in the same situation.

[Saint3333]

Are you saying that you would rather face SC State than Richmond? xwhistlex

I would say yes, that W&M would go to Boone in the same situation.

95% of the FCS world would agree that Richmond is a better team than SCSU. No smack just look at the rankings, stats, etc.

[Cincy App]

From the CSN playoff article...

SCSU averages 18,355 fans per game, which is 10k more than either Richmond or Wofford. Their stadium can also seat 22k and is probably better then either Wofford or Richmond's.

So therefore since all teams are within the 300-400 miles the NCAA uses as a guideline I don't think it is at all out of the realm of possibility that SCSU hosts Wofford and Richmond goes to App State

I agree that SC State could host. However, MEAC home attendance averages are aided by "Classic" games which have outstanding attendance. Other games typically draw less. SC State's last home game drew 11,239 against Howard. SC State will also be dependent on whether they are chosen to travel to Boone and how their facilities are viewed by the PSC.

[EKUSteve]

Anything is possible with the pairings. They try to keep it geographically close, but..


Last year, Wofford went to Montana in the first round.

[Cincy App]

Anything is possible with the pairings. They try to keep it geographically close, but..


Last year, Wofford went to Montana in the first round.

The NCAA's perspective is to set up as many bus trips as possible. Once a team is destined to fly, it does not care how long the flight as Wofford learned last year.

[gr8ness97]

I agree that SC State could host. However, MEAC home attendance averages are aided by "Classic" games which have outstanding attendance. Other games typically draw less. SC State's last home game drew 11,239 against Howard. SC State will also be dependent on whether they are chosen to travel to Boone and how their facilities are viewed by the PSC.

Unless Im corrected, SC State didnt have any classics at Home. And they only had two games at a neutral site.

[tingly]

Eastern Washington went to McNeese instead of the closer No. Iowa, too.

[WOCO]

Unless Im corrected, SC State didnt have any classics at Home. And they only had two games at a neutral site.

Unless, im wrong, the first round still is up for bid (not counting the seeds). That might be a bad thing for SC State in a State/Wofford matchup. One bad thing for State is that they do travel so well. They will bring 8k to Spartanburg not including the locals that will come just to see the band(I know I won't walk out at halftime). Add that to the Wofford fans and we could potentially outbid State especially considering they haven't been to the playoffs in a while and haven't had the experiences that Wofford has had with the bid.

[B&G]

Does this one make more sense to everybody? It works out some of the geography issues and avoids the UNH/UNI re-rematch.

Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at New Hampshire

Texas St at (4) Montana
Richmond at Northern Iowa

South Carolina St at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Tenn-Martin at Southern Illinois

[B&G]

Unless, im wrong, the first round still is up for bid (not counting the seeds). That might be a bad thing for SC State in a State/Wofford matchup. One bad thing for State is that they do travel so well. They will bring 8k to Spartanburg not including the locals that will come just to see the band(I know I won't walk out at halftime). Add that to the Wofford fans and we could potentially outbid State especially considering they haven't been to the playoffs in a while and haven't had the experiences that Wofford has had with the bid.

I think it would work the other way. SCSU would throw the max amount toward getting a bid because they haven't been in so long. Even their homepage says they're determined to outbid everyone if it comes to that.

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

Does this one make more sense to everybody? It works out some of the geography issues and avoids the UNH/UNI re-rematch.

Elon at (1) James Madison
Wofford at New Hampshire

Texas St at (4) Montana
Richmond at Northern Iowa

South Carolina St at (2) Appalachian St
Colgate at Villanova

Cal Poly at (3) Weber St
Tenn-Martin at Southern Illinois


The committee has a 400 mile rule ... not a UNI/UNH not plaing rule.

[B&G]

So,what I hear you saying is that the HOME team does have the ADVANTAGE. I am so sick of hearing how the OVC does not deserve two teams in the playoffs because of the OVC record the past 10 years. Just how many times has the OVC team been put on the road? I would guess in the past ten years it has been 90% of the time and usually against one of the top 4 seeded teams. Now I have been following football probably longer than some of you have been on this earth and I know that you have to beat the best to be the best, so I undersatnd that. However, when the winner of your conference every year has to play on the road with the odds stacked against them, my guess is you are going to have the outcome the OVC has had. Last year EKU was put on the road and not taking anything away from U of Richmond, with the EKU QB who was hurt and did not play well and was taken out early, I think there is good possibility that EKU with a healthy QB and the game at home (Richmond, KY) that the outcome would have been different. That said, you play with the hand you are dealt,we lost and that's it. Just spare me the Monday morning quarterbacking of who you think should/should not get in.

BTW, if can't beat UTM, in my opinion, we probably should not get in. Frankly I think the playoffs should only be with the conference champs. You make it happen in the regular season or you are out.
GO EKU!

I certainly don't defend the system in place. I'm grateful for playoffs but the selection process leaves something to be desired. That said, the OVC team may have the opportunity to outbid the team they're up against. Wouldn't it be on the school if they weren't able to? Basically it looks like an OVC will have to break thru and win on the road to get the respect they need in order to not be a sacrificial lamb to a seeded team.

[B&G]

The committee has a 400 mile rule ... not a UNI/UNH not plaing rule.

xrolleyesx You can't fulfill all rules all of the time.

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

Richmond wasn't a seed last year. EKU didn't bid enough to get a home game against us.

[B&G]

I certainly don't defend the system in place. I'm grateful for playoffs but the selection process leaves something to be desired. That said, the OVC team may have the opportunity to outbid the team they're up against. Wouldn't it be on the school if they weren't able to? Basically it looks like an OVC will have to break thru and win on the road to get the respect they need in order to not be a sacrificial lamb to a seeded team.

xpeacex

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

xpeacex

I was agreeing with you ... just providing additional evidence for the OVC fan!

[WOCO]

I think it would work the other way. SCSU would throw the max amount toward getting a bid because they haven't been in so long. Even their homepage says they're determined to outbid everyone if it comes to that.

I think Wofford would be willing to throw a lot of money at getting a home game and we do have the experience of the bid process and what it really takes. We might take a monetary loss to get home game but if state comes that loss probably won't be too bad at all. We don't want to go to montana again.

[B&G]

I was agreeing with you ... just providing additional evidence for the OVC fan!

My bad. Everyone else seemed to be disagreeing with me so you caught me offguard. :D

[theasushow]

so assuming sc-state and wofford end up playing each other...are william and mary and richmond playing for a chance to go to boone for the opening round? wow after a brutal caa schedule its not gonna get much easier for the winner of that game.

"congratulations, you just finished a tough caa regular season, now hop on the bus and head for boone"

[ekufbfan]

Richmond wasn't a seed last year. EKU didn't bid enough to get a home game against us.

That is not so. The whole administration and Athletic Dept was surprised when we did not get the home game. EKU for years held "The 10 Grand Event" where one person could win $10,000 and the rest of the money raised went to fund bidding on a home game. That money has sat there forever because we had not been in the playoffs in awhile. It is true that money speaks but it does not always get you the home game, especially if the bids are close.

[ekufbfan]

I certainly don't defend the system in place. I'm grateful for playoffs but the selection process leaves something to be desired. That said, the OVC team may have the opportunity to outbid the team they're up against. Wouldn't it be on the school if they weren't able to? Basically it looks like an OVC will have to break thru and win on the road to get the respect they need in order to not be a sacrificial lamb to a seeded team.


One thing wrong here with your reasoning. Whoever the OVC Champ is (EKU or UTM) if they are paired against one of the top 4 teams, as many have suggested on here, it would not matter if EKU morgaged Keeneland and Church Hill Downs or UTM Nashville, we would not get a home game.

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

That is not so. The whole administration and Athletic Dept was surprised when we did not get the home game. EKU for years held "The 10 Grand Event" where one person could win $10,000 and the rest of the money raised went to fund bidding on a home game. That money has sat there forever because we had not been in the playoffs in awhile. It is true that money speaks but it does not always get you the home game, especially if the bids are close.

So for all the other games it came down to the bids, but the committee had a different criteria for the UR/EKU game? Sure.

The original point was that OVC's opportunity to win playoff games has been hindered by their lack of home playoff games. Based on what we saw last year from EKU ... the venue really didn't matter. They were a mid-pack CAA team, at best. xrulesx

[ekufbfan]

BigHouseClosedEnd;1210340]So for all the other games it came down to the bids, but the committee had a different criteria for the UR/EKU game? Sure.
If you say so, I just know some pretty stange things happen with the committee making the decisions. Since you seem to know, I guess you know what EKU's bid was and what UR's bid was, so I'll take you word for it.


The original point was that OVC's opportunity to win playoff games has been hindered by their lack of home playoff games. Based on what we saw last year from EKU ... the venue really didn't matter. They were a mid-pack CAA team, at best.

I guess when some one disagrees with you, you reply with insults. One thing I might remind you that our QB had been playing the last part of the season with a bad shoulder injury, so we were not at our best, but as I said earlier, you play the cards you are dealt.

But if we want to trade tit for tat, your stadium ranked right up there with one of the worst I have seen and poor place for a playoff game. And to add to that, how many were there 2500? (and part of those were EKU fans).

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

If you say so, I just know some pretty stange things happen with the committee making the decisions. Since you seem to know, I guess you know what EKU's bid was and what UR's bid was, so I take you word for it.



I guess when some one argues with you, you reply with insults. One thing I might remind you that our QB had been playing the last part of the season with a bad shoulder injury, so we were not at our best, but as I said earlier, you play the cards you are dealt.

But if we want to trade tit for tat, your stadium ranked right up there with one of the worst I have seen and poor place for a playoff game. And to add to that, how many were there 2500? (and part of those were EKU fans).

Thanks for the input. We will have our new stadium on our campus in 2010.

[ekufbfan]

Thanks for the input. We will have our new stadium on our campus in 2010.


Good news.

[EKUSteve]

So for all the other games it came down to the bids, but the committee had a different criteria for the UR/EKU game? Sure.

The original point was that OVC's opportunity to win playoff games has been hindered by their lack of home playoff games. Based on what we saw last year from EKU ... the venue really didn't matter. They were a mid-pack CAA team, at best. xrulesx

The rules state there are multiple criteria for hosting a game. Here is a quote:

When determining host institutions for playoff games when both teams are unseeded,
criteria shall apply as follows: (1) quality of facility, (2) revenue potential plus
estimated net receipts, (3) attendance history and potential, (4) team’s performance
(e.g., conference place finish, head-to-head results and number of Division I
opponents), and (5) student-athlete well-being (e.g., travel, missed class time).

Money is an important criteria, but not the only one. If the bids were around the same, the other criteria come into play. My thought is that since we both were conference champs, Richmond got the home game last year is it was the stronger conference and Richmond had what would have been considered more quality wins. I personally have no issue with that.

[art vandelay]

UNH to UNI
Estimated Time: 21 hours 42 minutes Estimated Distance: 1336.73 miles

[gbhmt]

UNH to UNI
Estimated Time: 21 hours 42 minutes Estimated Distance: 1336.73 miles

I don't know what idiot would take a bus that distance....

[achrist70]

I don't know what idiot would take a bus that distance....

Somebody from New Hampshire must of!

[ViennaSpider]

Does anyone have any idea how much money we're talking about to secure home field advantage for a first round, quarter final, or semifinal game?

[hawkeye]

UTM has not clinched the OVC title, that game will be played next week to decide the conf title.
Still no respect for EKU...just to remind you UTM has NEVER beat EKU. And take a look at our history in IAA/FCS and take a look at UTM's. I guess you say we have, to use your words, only "a shot in hell" is because we have to go to Martin. Just don't ever count one of the winningest programs in FCS out of it.
GO EKU!

We all know about your past. Well some anyway. Your right about UTMs history. It was bad. Really bad. That has changed and when you arrive Saturday...if you come to the game.......you will see just how much it has changed. Facilities have changed, new field turf, locker room and coaches offices, weight room, great young coaching staff and better recruiting. It has all come together starting in 2006 with OVC Championship. In 2006 SIU had to heave a last second pass to win the 2006 first round. Now were are back in the hunt for 2008. Move over EKU and make room for a new team. Its the UTM SKYHAWKS!! We are here to stay and hope to change your record against UTM. We have changed that record with other schools in the OVC for the past few years. Its our turn!!

[AlphaSigMD]

Does anyone have any idea how much money we're talking about to secure home field advantage for a first round, quarter final, or semifinal game?

100 Billion Dollars. xsmiley_wix

http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2008/06/austin_powers_mike_myers_as_dr_evil.jpg

[DSUrocks07]

100 Billion Dollars. xsmiley_wix

http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2008/06/austin_powers_mike_myers_as_dr_evil.jpg

xeekx xeekx

But Dr. AlphaSigMD, that amount of money doesn't even exist...thats like saying "I want a kajillion bajillion dollars" xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[WOCO]

The NCAA's perspective is to set up as many bus trips as possible. Once a team is destined to fly, it does not care how long the flight as Wofford learned last year.

Its one thing to fly north or south and end up in the same time zone. It's another thing to fly across 3 time zones. Any of us that have done so know that there is an effect

[MorgantonAPPAlum]

AlphaSigMD-are you attending evil medical school (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MorallyAmbiguousDoctorate)?

[appfan2008]

II really hope app gets either scsu or the ovc winner in here... i dont want to see richmond even though ae had possibly the best day at qb ever...

[UNI Pike]

100 Billion Dollars. xsmiley_wix

http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2008/06/austin_powers_mike_myers_as_dr_evil.jpg

I guess that means all playoff rounds & the NC will be played in Detroit at Ford Field.

[AlphaSigMD]

AlphaSigMD-are you attending evil medical school (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MorallyAmbiguousDoctorate)?

Yes. I think they all have an element of sadism to them though...xnodx

[SLOSTYLE]

Regardless of what team cal poly plays, someone will have to fly. with that being said, i would much rather see poly travel to an east coast school or vice versa than go play montana again. i think the east vs. true west would be a great game for the fcs

[Throw It To Ramses!!!]

true that slostyle. lets show the east coast what cal poly football is all about