Game of the Week - Week 7

[89Hen]

What is the I-AA game of the week?

[TCisMYhero]

#5 @ #2 sounds pretty appealing to me. Homer pick.

[89Hen]

#5 @ #2 sounds pretty appealing to me. Homer pick.
Definitely appealing, but there are several solid choices that will all have HUGE playoff implications. xpeacex

[TCisMYhero]

Guess you know who I voted for.

[soccerguy315]

definitely Southern Illinois @Northern Iowa

[appstate38]

Seems kinda obivious to me!

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

No UNH/UMass?

Not that I would have voted that way, but...

[89Hen]

No UNH/UMass?

Not that I would have voted that way, but...
Had UMass beaten UD on Saturday I would have had them in there, but... xpeacex

[Skjellyfetti]

FAMU - SC State imo.

Winner will be going to the playoffs, loser is probably out.

[UNHFootballAlum]

I chose UNI/SIU, but the Villanova/JMU, FAMU/SCSU & UCA are big games this weekend

[OL FU]

I was all over FAMU and SCST until SIU and UNI showed up on the list.

[89Hen]

I was all over FAMU and SCST until SIU and UNI showed up on the list.
I think it really depends on what each person thinks is important.

The loser of SIU/UNI is still in a great position to make the playoffs, but the winner has an inside track to a seed.

The loser of FAMU/SCSt can't feel too good about their chances.

If UCA beats SFA, they are one huge step closer to claiming the Southland without being eligible (have we ever had that happen in an autobid conf?)

Villanova can pretty much eliminate JMU.

Etc...

[UNIFanSince1983]

I picked UNI/SIU because it is a top 5 match up. But other games might have bigger playoff implications. I really liked FAMU/SCSU, and UCA/SFA

Surprised no one have voted for the Marker Game yet either. If NDSU comes out with some fire like they did last weekend, they could possibly throw a wrench into SDSUs plans for a conference title or possibly even their playoff hopes.

[Big Dawg]

I had to go with #22 FAMU vs. #11 SCSU...FAMU hasn't beaten the Bulldogs in 8 years and this game has MAJOR playoff implications.

There is alot riding on this game and it's looking like it's gonna be a sell out.

[WestCoastAggie]

FAMU/SCSU is an Elimination game to end all Elimination games! But that SIU/NIU game has the chance for the "biggest" upset of the season.

BTW: the FAMU/SCSU game is already sold out!

[813Jag]

I had to go with #22 FAMU vs. #11 SCSU...FAMU hasn't beaten the Bulldogs in 8 years and this game has MAJOR playoff implications.

There is alot riding on this game and it's looking like it's gonna be a sell out.
any TV for this game?

[WestCoastAggie]

any TV for this game?
ESPNU & ESPN360

[WrenFGun]

UNI/SIU is a no-brainer but SCSU/FAMU will determine a playoff spot.

[UCABEARS75]

I think it really depends on what each person thinks is important.

The loser of SIU/UNI is still in a great position to make the playoffs, but the winner has an inside track to a seed.

The loser of FAMU/SCSt can't feel too good about their chances.

If UCA beats SFA, they are one huge step closer to claiming the Southland without being eligible (have we ever had that happen in an autobid conf?)

Villanova can pretty much eliminate JMU.

Etc...

Yeah, we did it last year. UCA was 6-1 with a win over Tx State who was declared conf. champion and received the autobid. (Correct decision by the way).

[SU Jag]

SC State/ FAMU. The fans have been pointing towards this game since the beginning of the season! This game will be huge, and the atmosphere will be amazing! I wish I could have made it up to this one but I'll be at the ou/texas this weekend.

[Ivytalk]

definitely Southern Illinois @Northern Iowa

I agree, although there are several intriguing matchups.:)

[RattlerFan70]

any TV for this game?


The game will be televised live on ESPN360.com at 2:00 p.m. and air nationally via taped delay at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPNU…..

[813Jag]

The game will be televised live on ESPN360.com at 2:00 p.m. and air nationally via taped delay at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPNU…..
thanks! xthumbsupx

[DOME]

While other games might have more at stake in terms of playoffs, I chose SIU @ UNI just because its been such a GREAT game the last decade or more!
Last second FG in 2008, stopped at the six in 2007! Its gonna be a BATTLE!!

[SUUTbird]

Why isnt Cal Poly and Southern Utah on that list? This game very well will decide the Great West Conference Champion in 2009 as these two are the teams to beat in the conference. I vote for this game xthumbsupx

[Squealofthepig]

I'd really like to see about half those games, though for different reasons.

UNI/SIU still has to be the game of the week. Nice to see two teams in the top five duke it out who aren't from the CAA. ;)

FAMU/SCState - Huge playoff implications, and I haven't seen either team play.

Richmond/Maine - clash of a rising power vs. a past power. How often does Vegas get to say "take the spiders over the bears"?

SFA/Central Arkansas: Will go a long way in determining the possibility of multiple bids in the Southland.

And of course, Nova and JMU, just on general FCS love for the game. :)

[Silenoz]

#5 @ #2 sounds pretty appealing to me. Homer pick.
^

[jstclmet]

I voted SIU/UNI, but the top 6/7 games are all interesting.

[Fear the Bird]

It sure feels nice not to have a game up for nomination this week after 3 straight and 4 of 5! Gotta love the competition week in and week out in the CAA but every once in a while having a Saturday where you don't have to worry about a win is nice (no disrespect to Towson meant of course) xpeacex

[jstclmet]

It sure feels nice not to have a game up for nomination this week after 3 straight and 4 of 5! Gotta love the competition week in and week out in the CAA but every once in a while having a Saturday where you don't have to worry about a win is nice (no disrespect to Towson meant of course) xpeacex

Be careful what you wish for. That's probably what URI was thinking Friday night xpeacex

[Fear the Bird]

Be careful what you wish for. That's probably what URI was thinking Friday night xpeacex

Touche xbowx

[appmaj]

Easy one...again

[BEAR]

I chose the SFA/UCA game for two reasons

1. SFA is #1 is scoring offense in the nation at 47 pts. per game.

2. UCA is #1 is scoring defense in the nation at 10.4 pts. per game. (scroll to the bottom under independents before you look it up and say no its UNI at 10.8)

Also it's a conference game that could determine conference reps for the playoffs(UCA ineligible). Plus it's at home and on national TV. You can watch it online at ucasports.com for free.

What more could a fan ask for? xlolx

[GoAgs72]

I picked FAMU and SCSU - one of these will drop down the elevator shaft after this weekend.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Southern Illinois at Northern Iowa got my vote, but there are a lot of playoff implications in many of the other match ups. But if I could pick one to go see live, it would be this one. xnodx

[JMUNJ08]

JMU game the 3rd best? Is it just because we have a chance to get knocked out of the playoffs already? Or do people still see it as a major game?

I know two good teams are playing but with all the big games again this weekend was just a little shocked that it is currently ranked 3rd.

[LacesOut]

Southern Illinois at Northern Iowa.

[DX Man]

Some hard choices this week, but I'm going with FAMU -vs- SCSU.

[UMass922]

Had UMass beaten UD on Saturday I would have had them in there, but... xpeacex

There's no doubt that UMass's being exposed a bit on Saturday makes the UNH game a little less compelling than it might have been otherwise. But even still, is it really a worse game than, say, Chattanooga-GSU?

That said, I wouldn't have voted for UMass-UNH anyway; there are a number of really good games this week. I was tempted to go with SFA-UCA, but UCA not being playoff eligible yet makes it less compelling. So I went with FAMU-SC St., which will quite possibly prove to be the MEAC championship game.

[DSUrocks07]

I picked FAMU-SCSU. Because I'm a homer xlolx :p

Actually I picked that game because its the game that will have the biggest impact on the playoff scenarios for this weekend. If SC State wins, FAMU will still have a shot at an at-large. If FAMU wins, then the MEAC will only get one team in this year.

On a excitement, fan-based perspective, I would go with the UNI-SIU matchup. Those games always seem to go down to the wire, and who wouldn't want to see a high ranked team take a fall. xwhistlex xthumbsupx

[JMU-MRD-DAD]

Of course I have to go with JMU....we have to win out......

Go Dukes

[VT Wildcat Fan53]

SIU @ UNI is a choice with which it is very hard to disagree. From a rivalry perspective, UNH at UMASS is a classic, however...

[Houndawg]

SIU @ UNI is a choice with which it is very hard to disagree. From a rivalry perspective, UNH at UMASS is a classic, however...

The way the playoff brackets are stacked SIU and UNI may well play twice.

[Native]

Had UMass beaten UD on Saturday I would have had them in there, but... xpeacex

Lots of great games with playoff implications this week!

Great list, but I would have included UNH at UMass as a choice.

My favories, ALL with playoff and/or seeding implications:

SIU at UNI
Eastern Washington at Montana
UNH at UMass
Villanova at JMU
Stephen F Austin at Central Arkansas
SC State at Florida A&M

[Kemo]

How many games this week have a trophy on the line? I know there is at least one, so my homer vote goes to the Battle for the Dakota Marker with NDSU playing at SDSU! xrulesx

[Native]

The way the playoff brackets are stacked SIU and UNI may well play twice.

Oh, geee, how unusual for a couple of teams from west of the Appalachians to play twice. xeyebrowx

[elcid83]

I'll be rooting for Coastal to whip Liberty.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[skinny_uncle]

Oh, geee, how unusual for a couple of teams from west of the Mississsppi to play twice. xeyebrowx
You are kidding, right? Surely you know Carbondale is east of the Big River.

[Native]

You are kidding, right? Surely you know Carbondale is east of the Big River.

ooops! :o Thanks, Uncle! Fixed it.

[skinny_uncle]

While other games might have more at stake in terms of playoffs, I chose SIU @ UNI just because its been such a GREAT game the last decade or more!
Last second FG in 2008, stopped at the six in 2007! Its gonna be a BATTLE!!
2007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzGvzwlxW3E)

2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNXaXjbekPw)

[ngineer]

Alot of great games here, but I think the Maine/UR game could be 'big' upset this week. Just a gut feeling, and perhaps ripple effect from what happened to Villanova's foray into New England.

[Buzzcut]

Definitely UNI/SIU, but UNI needs to be sure that the headgear is flushed and those horrible mental mistakes don't follow them home from the Fargo Dome.

The UCA/SFA game should be a real shoot-out too. The Lumberjacks are looking tough.

[MacThor]

Though it's not my GOTW, I'm nervous about UR @ Maine. UR's lack of a power running game coupled with the potential for bad weather is a troubling combination.

Then again, Forte was on his way to a monster game last year against Maine when he broke his leg.

[UNI Pike]

Any word of a regional/national feed for the UNI/SIU game? For whatever reason the Indiana St v ILL St game is the "MFVC Game of the Week"

[OhioHen]

SIU at UNI huge from a poll point of view but I selected FAMU at SCSU for its importance in determining the MEAC autobid (and potentially eliminating a team from at-large consideration is they get blown out).

[89Hen]

the Indiana St v ILL St game is the "MFVC Game of the Week"
Please tell me you're joking. xconfusedx

[UNI Pike]

Please tell me you're joking. xconfusedx

Sorry - serious as a heart attackxoopsx

[Kemo]

Any word of a regional/national feed for the UNI/SIU game? For whatever reason the Indiana St v ILL St game is the "MFVC Game of the Week"

I was watching the replay of the UNI vs. NDSU game on Fox Sports North and I heard the announcers say this... it was kind of hard to comprehend. I know the network (and/or conference) is probably just trying to find a match up for ISU (wood) to be featured in one time this year, but does it really have to be the week in which SIU plays at UNI and NDSU plays at SDSU, for both those rivalries are almost always great games and there is a lot of history involved in those match ups as well. Not to mention that 3 of the 4 teams in these match ups are in the top 20 (2 in the top 5).

[siuham]

Any word of a regional/national feed for the UNI/SIU game? For whatever reason the Indiana St v ILL St game is the "MFVC Game of the Week"

TV Contract reasons. Both teams were picked near the bottom of the MVFC. Both teams have to have one televised game. This is the week they play each other, so we don't have to watch both teams get trounced by different teams on different weeks and maybe watch something decent.

[B&G]

SIU at UNI huge from a poll point of view but I selected FAMU at SCSU for its importance in determining the MEAC autobid (and potentially eliminating a team from at-large consideration is they get blown out).

Same here. I'm kind of surprised the MEAC showdown isn't even in 2nd place.

[Woof]

Not sure which is funnier:

1) that the GSU - Chatty game is on here.xoopsx

or

2) that 9 people actually voted for it. xhomerx

I was torn between the SCSU game and the N. Iowa, but went with the higher ranked teams. Both should be good games though.

[Saluki_man]

The biggest game of the week is deffinitly SIU@UNI, but the game with the biggest playoff busting capabilities is Nova@JMU

[R.A.]

Rattlers @ Bulldogs... that's the game of the week.

[BulldogWillie]

I chose UNI/SIU, but the Villanova/JMU, FAMU/SCSU & UCA are big games this weekend





I agree UNHFootballAlum. All games has playoff ramifications. but all eyes will be on the Northern Iowa/Southern Illionois game and the S.C. State/Florida A&M game. This is a huge weekend for the FCS.xthumbsupx

[darell1976]

UND vs Sioux Falls---the battle of the Sioux!!!:D

[DSUrocks07]

What makes it tough is that you can define a "Game of the Week" in two distinct fashions, one based on pure entertainment value, and one based on impact that game has in the long-term.

[GeauxLions94]

The first six were tough to decide ... went with SIU at UNI

[Native]

FAMU - SC State imo.

Winner will be going to the playoffs, loser is probably out.

Will the loser be out?

Assuming the loser of SC State vs FAMU wins out the rest of the way, which is not unlikely, the MEAC conference runner up will be 9-2.

Even though there will be a half dozen 7-4 teams that could kick their butts, will the committee deny the MEAC that second at-large bid?

[jcmanson]

Will the loser be out?

Assuming the loser of SC State vs FAMU wins out the rest of the way, which is not unlikely, the MEAC conference runner up will be 9-2.

Even though there will be a half dozen 7-4 teams that could kick their butts, will the committee deny the MEAC that second at-large bid?

Yeah, but would a 9-2 SC State or FAMU get in over a 9-2 Liberty? I wouldn't think so as Liberty would be a conference champ of a conference that is ranked higher than the MEAC.

[Big Dawg]

Even though there will be a half dozen 7-4 teams that could kick their butts, will the committee deny the MEAC that second at-large bid?

I seriously doubt that...

[DSUrocks07]

I seriously doubt that...

Really? What makes you say that? Because they are 7-4? xeyebrowx

[Schfourteenteen]

Yeah, but would a 9-2 SC State or FAMU get in over a 9-2 Liberty? I wouldn't think so as Liberty would be a conference champ of a conference that is ranked higher than the MEAC.

Liberty has to get to 9-2 first. And no, 9-2 SC State wouldnt get in over 9-2 Liberty if it came down to it. I dont see the 16th spot going to a 9-2weak/7-4power team though.

With that said, A 9-2 SC State would be biting their nails if a 7-4 Power Conference team is available, but FAMU would probably be done with a loss IMO.

[Schfourteenteen]

I seriously doubt that...

Maybe if the MEAC and SWAC decided to schedule them we'd find out. The NEC and Big South are just finally figuring this out.

If you want respect you gotta beat the teams who have it

[DSUrocks07]

Maybe if the MEAC and SWAC decided to schedule them we'd find out. The NEC and Big South are just finally figuring this out.

If you want respect you gotta beat the teams who have it

xnodxxnodxxnodx

[skinny_uncle]

Game of the Week has to be UNI-SIU. It's a no-brainer. This game could have seed ramifications at the end of the regular season.

[TCisMYhero]

Game of the Week has to be UNI-SIU. It's a no-brainer. This game could have seed ramifications at the end of the regular season.

Unless one of them stumbles big time, this game will have seeding implications. I respect SDSU, but I don't think they are ready to knock off one of these teams quite yet, and both teams will be ready for the Bunnies either way. I think the winner of this game gets at least a 2-seed, as I don't see any stumbling blocks on the schedule for either (barring a mammoth effort from SDSU against either).

[DOME]

Unless one of them stumbles big time, this game will have seeding implications. I respect SDSU, but I don't think they are ready to knock off one of these teams quite yet, and both teams will be ready for the Bunnies either way. I think the winner of this game gets at least a 2-seed, as I don't see any stumbling blocks on the schedule for either (barring a mammoth effort from SDSU against either).


Fo Sho...I would go so far as to say that if any of the three top valley teams win out they will get a seed. The bunnies are on the outside looking in but if they can pull wins over UNI and SIU and finish as a one loss team it would be hard to ignore them.

[WileECoyote06]

Liberty has to get to 9-2 first. And no, 9-2 SC State wouldnt get in over 9-2 Liberty if it came down to it. I dont see the 16th spot going to a 9-2weak/7-4power team though.

With that said, A 9-2 SC State would be biting their nails if a 7-4 Power Conference team is available, but FAMU would probably be done with a loss IMO.


Looking at the positions of FAMU (24) and Liberty (31) in the GPI; Liberty better pray for a SCSU win. Either way, a game against FAMU will strengthen their SOS component. I realize they are not the only ones left in the discussion, and the season is certainly not over, but I don't see how a 9-2 Liberty jumps a 9-2 FAMU squad.

[Kemo]

Fo Sho...I would go so far as to say that if any of the three top valley teams win out they will get a seed. The bunnies are on the outside looking in but if they can pull wins over UNI and SIU and finish as a one loss team it would be hard to ignore them.

If SDSU wins out (and that's a big "if), that would give them a 10-1 record with premium FCS wins over UNI and SUI as well as an FBS win over the University of Minnesota. If that were the case, I would find it hard not to give a seed to a team with that kind of resume... but that's looking way down the road at a scenario that doesn't have a high probability of happening (though I have my fingers crossed xthumbsupx )

[RabidRabbit]

Unless one of them stumbles big time, this game will have seeding implications. I respect SDSU, but I don't think they are ready to knock off one of these teams quite yet, and both teams will be ready for the Bunnies either way. I think the winner of this game gets at least a 2-seed, as I don't see any stumbling blocks on the schedule for either (barring a mammoth effort from SDSU against either).

Both UNI and SIU will need to win in Brookings. UNI is Hobo Day opponent (homecoming) and SIU is the last home game (Sr. day, in November). Maybe both prevail over Jacks, maybe not. Brookings is a tough place to get a win. xthumbsupx

[Schfourteenteen]

Looking at the positions of FAMU (24) and Liberty (31) in the GPI; Liberty better pray for a SCSU win. Either way, a game against FAMU will strengthen their SOS component. I realize they are not the only ones left in the discussion, and the season is certainly not over, but I don't see how a 9-2 Liberty jumps a 9-2 FAMU squad.

Liberty at 8-2(DII win) would have 4 wins that are better than FAMU's best according to the beloved GPI. They would have also lost a close game to JMU(with Dudzik and tied in the 4th) and showed that by playing playoff caliber teams (JMU+Dudzik, maybe Lafayette) they at least want to be in the playoff discussion. FAMU is hanging their resume completly on cupcake wins if they dont beat SC State. (EDIT - Outside of Gardner Webb, who recieved votes 2 weeks ago, the Big South Conference would be looked at by the Selection Committee as cupcakes just like the MEAC)

With a loss, SC State's best win becomes Grambling, a worse win than Lafayette. They also played a worse schedule than Liberty.

Like it or not, the Big South, even without an auto bid, is still as good as the MEAC in terms of the schedule (Yikes!). The difference between Liberty, SC State and FAMU at 9-2 is who theyve played and beaten. Heck, Gardner Webb has pulled some magic out of their scheduling (2-IA, WCU, 2-DIIwhere they may end up being below 50 in the RPI if they finish at 8-3.

[Schfourteenteen]

And I still think Liberty is out to begin with barring the miracle of 7-4 teams. So the loser of FAMU SC State is toast as well.

[WileECoyote06]

Liberty at 8-2(DII win) would have 4 wins that are better than FAMU's best according to the beloved GPI. They would have also lost a close game to JMU(with Dudzik and tied in the 4th) and showed that by playing playoff caliber teams (JMU+Dudzik, maybe Lafayette) they at least want to be in the playoff discussion. FAMU is hanging their resume completly on cupcake wins if they dont beat SC State. (EDIT - Outside of Gardner Webb, who recieved votes 2 weeks ago, the Big South Conference would be looked at by the Selection Committee as cupcakes just like the MEAC)

With a loss, SC State's best win becomes Grambling, a worse win than Lafayette. They also played a worse schedule than Liberty.

Like it or not, the Big South, even without an auto bid, is still as good as the MEAC in terms of the schedule (Yikes!). The difference between Liberty, SC State and FAMU at 9-2 is who theyve played and beaten. Heck, Gardner Webb has pulled some magic out of their scheduling (2-IA, WCU, 2-DIIwhere they may end up being below 50 in the RPI if they finish at 8-3.

Grambling's schedule so far has been tougher than Lafayette's, so that's not entirely accurate. FAMU's convincing win over TSU will flesh out a little better as TSU has success in the OVC. They just knocked off a ranked team. The committee I'm sure will take into account that Liberty only has six conference brethren; while FAMU and SCSU have eight. Gardner-Webb has votes but so does TSU, Grambling, Hampton, and Morgan State.

I'm just not seeing where Liberty is overwhelmingly more deserving than either SCSU or FAMU.

[ASUG8]

Tough list - I went with SIU/UNI although I could have easily been persuaded to choose another. JMU/Nova has big playoff implications - kind of a make or break for JMU now. Montana has played some tight ones recently and EWU may have a chance. Richmond is still winning games, but not manhandling anyone so Maine might give them a run. Should be interesting to read the highlights Sat. night.

[4th and What?]

Any of the three games on there that are likely to determine a conference champ are a legit pick. How Nova/JMU is second right now I am not sure. Too many CAA fans with blinders on I guess.

[Reign of Terrier]

Chatty and GSU. Granted, GSU is having another down year but if the mocs can go 5-1 and 3-1 in conference they will be officially in the "for real" discussion.

(I almost put "playoff" but remembered they can't go)