Semifinal Times

[achrist70]

Who gets Friday and who gets Saturday, I think that UNI got to choose last year if they would have made it being the #1 seed is this the case, and if so when do you think JMU would want to play?

[Aeacos]

which do you think would be better a 7pm Friday night game or a 3pm Saturday afternoon game? Either works for me, GO PANTHERS!!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Who gets Friday and who gets Saturday, I think that UNI got to choose last year if they would have made it being the #1 seed is this the case, and if so when do you think JMU would want to play?

If i were JMU i'd want Friday night. Short week of preperation and a long trip for Montana.

[achrist70]

I like the idea of a Friday night game

[ValleyChamp]

I prefer night games, but I think that a Saturday game would definitely be the best for the Panthers, attendance wise.

[ValleyChamp]

If i were JMU i'd want Friday night. Short week of preperation and a long trip for Montana.

Wouldn't the prep time be the same for both teams?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Wouldn't the prep time be the same for both teams?

Kinda, Sorta but 2 things:
1. You have to believe that your coaching staff is the better one so the short week favors you IMO.
2. Montana is going to lose probably half a day of flying to Harrisonburg.

[JayJ79]

If they go by the guidelines set up in the NCAA Div. I Football playoff handbook, then the JMU/Montana game will be Friday night, while the UNI/Richmond game will be Saturday afternoon. But the handbook includes a "subject to change" clause.

Would they change it to have the night game be in the Dome, just so that the game at JMU could be played in the day (presumably a bit warmer)?

Does Bridgeforth Stadium have lights?

[UNI Pike]

I would think that ESPN would want the east coast (JMU vs MT) game on Saturday, as there are no other college FB games scheduled. Friday night is going to be a smaller TV audience.

[soccerguy315]

Does Bridgeforth Stadium have lights?

JMU does have lights... they might have to bring in some more, but in 2004 W&M had no lights and still hosted the friday night semifinal (with lights brought in), so I don't know that that is an issue.

[achrist70]

If they go by the guidelines set up in the NCAA Div. I Football playoff handbook, then the JMU/Montana game will be Friday night, while the UNI/Richmond game will be Saturday afternoon. But the handbook includes a "subject to change" clause.

Would they change it to have the night game be in the Dome, just so that the game at JMU could be played in the day (presumably a bit warmer)?

Does Bridgeforth Stadium have lights?

I don't think that the NCAA rule is always used if so then the two games last year were on the wrong days.

[JayJ79]

I would think that ESPN would want the east coast (JMU vs MT) game on Saturday, as there are no other college FB games scheduled. Friday night is going to be a smaller TV audience.

Richmond is closer to the east coast than JMU is.
Granted, the game isn't AT richmond.

App State was ESPN's favorites, obviously. so they might have done whatever it took to get their game into the "best" TV slot. But now that they're done, I don't think any of the teams remaining are any more "favored" by ESPN than the others.

[blitz4]

JMU should win it all. We have played Appstate and think they are over rated with out 5 turnovers. Go Wofford.

[BearsCountry]

UNI dont you guys have a home hoops game on Saturday?

[achrist70]

UNI dont you guys have a home hoops game on Saturday?

No were at Colorado State

[GOKATS]

JMU does have lights... they might have to bring in some more, but in 2004 W&M had no lights and still hosted the friday night semifinal (with lights brought in), so I don't know that that is an issue.

A few years ago the griz had a night game and wa/griz doesn't have lights so they (ESPN) brought them in for one game and it worked fine.

[Proud Griz Man]

thanks for all the information. I bet this. I think that. xconfusedx

[JayJ79]

thanks for all the information. I bet this. I think that. xconfusedx

That is because there IS no solid information until Sunday afternoon.

[JayJ79]

UNI dont you guys have a home hoops game on Saturday?

there was a UNI home hoops game scheduled for tonight. They moved it up and played it this afternoon instead.

[GOKATS]

That is because there IS no solid information until Sunday afternoon.

I figured most already knew that.

[MacThor]

I would think that ESPN would want the east coast (JMU vs MT) game on Saturday, as there are no other college FB games scheduled. Friday night is going to be a smaller TV audience.

Then why'd they put ASU-Richmond on Friday night last year?

[Aeacos]

UNI dont you guys have a home hoops game on Saturday?

PLus they play at the MCloed center and would just move the bball game anyway

[JMinU]

after the game. People where talking like JMU was trying to get the Friday game

[achrist70]

after the game. People where talking like JMU was trying to get the Friday game

Are these people ones who know what they talking about, or are just random fans. (not hating just asking)

[GoCats91]

Then why'd they put ASU-Richmond on Friday night last year?

Last year they changed days the games were going to be played since Delaware had trouble getting out of Cedar Falls and back home due to weather. The NCAA decided it was in the best interest to give them an extra day since they have to travel to SIU the next week.

[JmuSkinsfan]

ESPN should pick JMU v. Montana as their Friday night ESPN game. It is a more marquee match-up.

[MacThor]

Last year they changed days the games were going to be played since Delaware had trouble getting out of Cedar Falls and back home due to weather. The NCAA decided it was in the best interest to give them an extra day since they have to travel to SIU the next week.

xdohx Thanks for reminding me.

[spiderdru]

RIchmond has a Basketball game on ESPNU saturday @ 2pm. Hopefully we get the Friday Night game....

[UNIFanSince1983]

I would actually prefer Saturday afternoon, but that is just me. I have no idea what the thinking or logic is going to be on this one.

[DTSpider]

I want UR to have the Saturday game. Having to travel makes the Friday game a huge advantage for the home team since you have to give up a half-day (or more) of preparation time.

[DTSpider]

RIchmond has a Basketball game on ESPNU saturday @ 2pm. Hopefully we get the Friday Night game....

For once, UR basketball can take a backseat to UR football.

Actually, it would be a cool doubleheader since the Saturday game starts at 4pm. Maybe arrange to have the football game broadcast inside the Robins Center at the end of the basketball game.

[UNIFanSince1983]

When is the time that we officially find out?

[griz37]

When is the time that we officially find out?

Montana AD Jim O'Day said yesterday that they have a conference call 1pm EST to discuss when the games would be played.

[clenz]

Montana AD Jim O'Day said yesterday that they have a conference call 1pm EST to discuss when the games would be played.
so right now?

[achrist70]

An interesting thing that with Montana having a person on the committee they will have some say, and Clenz you were just waiting to say that.

[griz37]

Montanagrizzlies.com has the game listed as 12/12 at 6pm Mtn.

[JayJ79]

and UNIPanthers.com has their game listed as 12/13 at 3pm Central
http://unipanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/niwa-m-footbl-sched.html

[ValleyChamp]

I think that is going to be better for the attendance in the Dome. Cant wait.

[JmuSkinsfan]

JMU convocation center (ticket sales) reporting 8 pm EST ESPN 2 Friday

[MacThor]

If it's true that the #1 seed gets to choose, if I were JMU I'd choose Friday night because the shorter break would affect the away team more, and you'd also have an extra day off for the NC.

[purplepeopleeaterv2]

If it's true that the #1 seed gets to choose, if I were JMU I'd choose Friday night because the shorter break would affect the away team more, and you'd also have an extra day off for the NC.

Not to mention more students as there exams finish up that week. Waiting until Saturday would probably have less students show up.

[GolfingGriz]

Cant wait. I have my last final on Thursday afternoon so I will have plenty of time to "get ready" for the game. xrotatehx

[achrist70]

I wish that UNI had finals this week

[UNHCATSFAN]

hopefully the attendance in the dome for the semifinals is better than the attendance last night. It felt like a completely different environment than last years playoff game thats for sure.

[JayJ79]

If it's true that the #1 seed gets to choose, if I were JMU I'd choose Friday night because the shorter break would affect the away team more, and you'd also have an extra day off for the NC.

I've heard no indications that the #1 seed gets to choose.
The NCAA guidelines set up default game times before the regular season is even close to over. And the playoff committee makes the decision on whether or not to deviate from the default.

I suppose that the #1 seed could state their case to the committee, but there is no guarantee that they'd listen.

[achrist70]

I've heard no indications that the #1 seed gets to choose.
The NCAA guidelines set up default game times before the regular season is even close to over. And the playoff committee makes the decision on whether or not to deviate from the default.

I suppose that the #1 seed could state their case to the committee, but there is no guarantee that they'd listen.

I'm just going off of last year say that UNI was going to play on Friday if they won, implying that they got to choose. And also SIU who was on the same side, played on Saturday.

[Peems]

Didn't see it anywhere in the thread yet, but here it is...

http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/pages/news_item.aspx?n=7708&m=18

[Silenoz]

Of course my work has to schedule the Christmas party for Friday night xbawlingx

Guess I'll be in the hotel bar all night

[Dukie95]

This is what the FCS championship handbook states



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;


...



The semifinal games during the 2008 Division I Football Championship will be conducted on two different days. One semifinal game will occur Friday evening, December 12, while the other will occur Saturday, December 13. The games will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN, respectively.

It is anticipated that the two remaining teams in the top half of the 16-team championship bracket will play Friday night, while the two remaining teams in the bottom half of the bracket will play Saturday. However, the determination of which teams play on which dates is subject to change if issues arise (e.g., host facility specifications) that necessitate a change in the best interest of the championship. The semifinal schedule will be determined by the Division I Football Championship Committee on the Sunday following the quarterfinal
round.


Looks like it was pretty much a given that it was JMU/Montana unless there was a facilities problem at JMU on Friday.

[griz37]

Of course my work has to schedule the Christmas party for Friday night xbawlingx

Guess I'll be in the hotel bar all night

Dude no Christmas party is worth missing the Griz game, besides what kind of company actually schedules a party for the Friday of semi-finals, we came so close to having a home game!

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Not to make a federal case about this, but wouldn't JMU be better served from a dollars and sense way to having the game on a Saturday afternoon rather than a Friday night involving lighting costs, etc.? It sounds like it was already pretty much set based on the rules and bylaws - but might it be better served to switch in this particular case?

I dunno - maybe JMU wanted the Friday night game for all the reasons stated (the extra day, perceived better TV ratings) and others not stated (if JMU wins, they get first crack at the Championship tickets). But if everyone was making a cost-containment decision in this case, JMU would have been playing on Saturday.

[blur2005]

Not to make a federal case about this, but wouldn't JMU be better served from a dollars and sense way to having the game on a Saturday afternoon rather than a Friday night involving lighting costs, etc.? It sounds like it was already pretty much set based on the rules and bylaws - but might it be better served to switch in this particular case?

I dunno - maybe JMU wanted the Friday night game for all the reasons stated (the extra day, perceived better TV ratings) and others not stated (if JMU wins, they get first crack at the Championship tickets). But if everyone was making a cost-containment decision in this case, JMU would have been playing on Saturday.
I'm happy because I can go on Friday. Got my ticket.

[appfan2008]

Richmond is closer to the east coast than JMU is.
Granted, the game isn't AT richmond.

App State was ESPN's favorites, obviously. so they might have done whatever it took to get their game into the "best" TV slot. But now that they're done, I don't think any of the teams remaining are any more "favored" by ESPN than the others.

xbawlingx

[whitey]

Not to make a federal case about this, but wouldn't JMU be better served from a dollars and sense way to having the game on a Saturday afternoon rather than a Friday night involving lighting costs, etc.?...But if everyone was making a cost-containment decision in this case, JMU would have been playing on Saturday.

First of all, Fall semester commencement is on Saturday afternoon. So if they had the game Saturday afternoon there would have been conflict there. Not to mention they probably would have had to keep the dorms and dining services open later than scheduled on Saturday. I bet it's probably less expensive to have the game Friday night than Saturday afternoon for the university as a whole.