It is time to sit back and be amazed at what NDSU did. Three Peat. Alabama couldn't do it. NDSU did. Coach Bohl is leaving as is QB Brock Jensen and the NFL is calling for some of the defensive unit. I think Crockett is going as well. It is a highly successful unit, and we will see where it goes from here.
Good luck at Wyoming, Coach Bohl. I am sure they will be winners in no time.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
2013 Playoffs
The first round is over and the games are really getting going this weekend. I still think it is NDSU's tourney to lose, but we will see.
And by the way Charleston Southern was ripped off by not getting into the playoffs. I would have left off Southern Utah and put in Charleston Southern.
The First Round did not see a lot of upsets. Furman beating South Carolina State could be considered one, but not a big one. Maybe Jacksonville State taking down Samford, but Jacksonville State was at home, so probably not. SDSU did travel to Northern Arizona, but I had SDSU in that game. Maybe another small upset. New Hampshire, Coastal Carolina, Sam Houston State, Tennessee St. and Fordham all went through without problem. Of note is that Butler became the first automatic qualifier from the Pioneer League, but they will have to wait until next year to have the first automatic qualifier score any points. Butler was shut out.
My big complaint about the playoff tree did not fully materialize. SDSU knocked off Northern Arizona, so Eastern Washington does not face a Big Sky team in Round 2. In fact, I think that this is the match up I am most excited to see. SDSU can beat Eastern Washington. So watch this game close.
However, New Hampshire did win and will now face Maine in a CAA rematch. Maine should not have to face a CAA team in their first game. I do expect Maine to pull it out, but New Hampshire has plenty of experience in the playoffs and that could benefit them here. Sam Houston State will also take on SE Louisiana. I hope SE Louisiana wins because it would be a real shame for such a great season to go down in a rematch. They have beat Sam Houston once, now they have to do it again with the stakes as high as can be.
Fordham vs. Towson is my second favorite game. Fordham probably deserved a bye, but will now face vaunted Townson. This should be a good game. We will see if the CAA is as dominate as it used to be. Fordham is not from a power conference. This match up will let us know if the playing field has really leveled or not.
I expect NDSU to run over Furman, Eastern Illinios to be a shoot out with Tennessee St., but come out on top, and McNeese State to have little trouble with Jacksonville State.
Enjoy the second round and see the beauty of playoff football!!!!
And by the way Charleston Southern was ripped off by not getting into the playoffs. I would have left off Southern Utah and put in Charleston Southern.
The First Round did not see a lot of upsets. Furman beating South Carolina State could be considered one, but not a big one. Maybe Jacksonville State taking down Samford, but Jacksonville State was at home, so probably not. SDSU did travel to Northern Arizona, but I had SDSU in that game. Maybe another small upset. New Hampshire, Coastal Carolina, Sam Houston State, Tennessee St. and Fordham all went through without problem. Of note is that Butler became the first automatic qualifier from the Pioneer League, but they will have to wait until next year to have the first automatic qualifier score any points. Butler was shut out.
My big complaint about the playoff tree did not fully materialize. SDSU knocked off Northern Arizona, so Eastern Washington does not face a Big Sky team in Round 2. In fact, I think that this is the match up I am most excited to see. SDSU can beat Eastern Washington. So watch this game close.
However, New Hampshire did win and will now face Maine in a CAA rematch. Maine should not have to face a CAA team in their first game. I do expect Maine to pull it out, but New Hampshire has plenty of experience in the playoffs and that could benefit them here. Sam Houston State will also take on SE Louisiana. I hope SE Louisiana wins because it would be a real shame for such a great season to go down in a rematch. They have beat Sam Houston once, now they have to do it again with the stakes as high as can be.
Fordham vs. Towson is my second favorite game. Fordham probably deserved a bye, but will now face vaunted Townson. This should be a good game. We will see if the CAA is as dominate as it used to be. Fordham is not from a power conference. This match up will let us know if the playing field has really leveled or not.
I expect NDSU to run over Furman, Eastern Illinios to be a shoot out with Tennessee St., but come out on top, and McNeese State to have little trouble with Jacksonville State.
Enjoy the second round and see the beauty of playoff football!!!!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Race for the Playoffs
The race for the playoffs is under way and it could result in several new faces in the playoffs.
NDSU is still #1 and rightfully so at 9-0 and being the two time defending champ. They seem to have the Missouri Valley locked up, and with the drop off in SDSU and Northern Iowa, the MVC may not send more than 2 teams to the tourney.
The Big Sky will get three and Eastern Washington has a clear path to the automatic bid. Montana and Montana State will battle at the end of the year with the third spot probably on the line. Does the committee take a Montana squad with 3 conference losses? Probably not. However, if they beat Montana State, it would be hard to pass either one of the teams up perhaps gaining a fourth team in the playoffs. Of course Cal Poly has only two conferences losses as well and very well could upset the apple cart by beating Eastern Washington this week. Northern Arizona probably has a spot locked up, but you never know.
Sam Houston State is now #4 in the major polls despite losing to McNeese State, who has slipped out of the top 10 after losing to SE Louisiana. SE Louisiana has only one loss, is ranked in the top 15 and has a chance to really throw a monkey wrench into things by beating Sam Houston this week. It probably is the game of the week. Could the Southland conference get 3 bids? They probably deserve it, but two teams will be anxiously waiting to see if they get in.
The Colonial Athletic Association always sends more than two and this year will be no exception despite the early thoughts it looked weak. No other conference really stepped up to strip all its spots away. Maine is in the driver seat for the title. Towson is probably disappointed with their two losses, but they still make it baring a collapse. Delaware is a popular team and also has two loses. And William and Mary seems like their two losses ought to get them in. New Hampshire currently also has two losses, and should be in this hunt, but with a game remaining against Maine, they may end up with three. Three should be enough to keep them out.
The Southern Conference usually sends three teams, but this year, I don't think they will. Samford is playing for the automatic bid this week against Chattanooga. A win puts them in a tie with the tie breakers, a loss gives the UTC Mocs the SoCon title. However, I think Chatanooga is probably in either way. Samford is another story. A loss drops them below Wofford despite defeating the Terriers in the Conference. Wofford needs to win out to make the playoffs, which would bump Furman out of playoff hopes. Wofford's out of conference loss to Gardner Webb in that 3-0 monsoon looks bad and may require them to be outright in second place to get in. If Samford loses this weekend, the SoCon might only send one. A Samford win would lock up two and then Furman and Wofford would battle for a possible third spot, but neither team should hope for much.
The Big South could send two this year as Charleston Southern has a clear path to the title after last weeks big win over Coastal Carolina. Although coaches and Sports Network both have Coastal ranked higher still. Both should make the playoffs.
Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State should both make it from the MEAC although neither can afford a silly slip up in the last two games.
The NEC will be decided this week as Robert Morris takes on Sacred Heart. The winner gets the automatic bid and the loser in all likelihood goes home for the year.
The Ohio Valley belongs to Eastern Illinois who currently sits ranked 2nd by the major polls. This conference could send another, but the logjam for second place makes things murky. Tennessee St., Jacksonville St., Eastern Kentucky, and Tennessee Martin all have 4-2 records in the conference with one of those losses coming from Eastern Illinois. Jacksonville St. and Tennessee St. probably both make it, but it is too close to call.
The Patriot league is Fordham's to lose. They are undefeated and a team to keep your eye on during the playoffs. The surprise of the season so far. They beat Rhode Island and Villanova early in the season.
The first ever Pioneer automatic bid is still far from decided. San Diego, Butler, Marist, and Mercer are all sitting with 1 conference loss. Mercer has the best overall record with 9-1, but the league will probably only send one team, so it is win or go home for these last two weeks.
For those interested in the SWAC and Ivy which do not get automatic bids watch out for Princeton to win the Ivy and the SWAC is basically decided with Jackson State your champ. Grambling did recover from their boycott to get a win this year setting up the Thanksgiving Day show down with 2-7 Southern. No matter the record, it is always worth watching.
NDSU is still #1 and rightfully so at 9-0 and being the two time defending champ. They seem to have the Missouri Valley locked up, and with the drop off in SDSU and Northern Iowa, the MVC may not send more than 2 teams to the tourney.
The Big Sky will get three and Eastern Washington has a clear path to the automatic bid. Montana and Montana State will battle at the end of the year with the third spot probably on the line. Does the committee take a Montana squad with 3 conference losses? Probably not. However, if they beat Montana State, it would be hard to pass either one of the teams up perhaps gaining a fourth team in the playoffs. Of course Cal Poly has only two conferences losses as well and very well could upset the apple cart by beating Eastern Washington this week. Northern Arizona probably has a spot locked up, but you never know.
Sam Houston State is now #4 in the major polls despite losing to McNeese State, who has slipped out of the top 10 after losing to SE Louisiana. SE Louisiana has only one loss, is ranked in the top 15 and has a chance to really throw a monkey wrench into things by beating Sam Houston this week. It probably is the game of the week. Could the Southland conference get 3 bids? They probably deserve it, but two teams will be anxiously waiting to see if they get in.
The Colonial Athletic Association always sends more than two and this year will be no exception despite the early thoughts it looked weak. No other conference really stepped up to strip all its spots away. Maine is in the driver seat for the title. Towson is probably disappointed with their two losses, but they still make it baring a collapse. Delaware is a popular team and also has two loses. And William and Mary seems like their two losses ought to get them in. New Hampshire currently also has two losses, and should be in this hunt, but with a game remaining against Maine, they may end up with three. Three should be enough to keep them out.
The Southern Conference usually sends three teams, but this year, I don't think they will. Samford is playing for the automatic bid this week against Chattanooga. A win puts them in a tie with the tie breakers, a loss gives the UTC Mocs the SoCon title. However, I think Chatanooga is probably in either way. Samford is another story. A loss drops them below Wofford despite defeating the Terriers in the Conference. Wofford needs to win out to make the playoffs, which would bump Furman out of playoff hopes. Wofford's out of conference loss to Gardner Webb in that 3-0 monsoon looks bad and may require them to be outright in second place to get in. If Samford loses this weekend, the SoCon might only send one. A Samford win would lock up two and then Furman and Wofford would battle for a possible third spot, but neither team should hope for much.
The Big South could send two this year as Charleston Southern has a clear path to the title after last weeks big win over Coastal Carolina. Although coaches and Sports Network both have Coastal ranked higher still. Both should make the playoffs.
Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State should both make it from the MEAC although neither can afford a silly slip up in the last two games.
The NEC will be decided this week as Robert Morris takes on Sacred Heart. The winner gets the automatic bid and the loser in all likelihood goes home for the year.
The Ohio Valley belongs to Eastern Illinois who currently sits ranked 2nd by the major polls. This conference could send another, but the logjam for second place makes things murky. Tennessee St., Jacksonville St., Eastern Kentucky, and Tennessee Martin all have 4-2 records in the conference with one of those losses coming from Eastern Illinois. Jacksonville St. and Tennessee St. probably both make it, but it is too close to call.
The Patriot league is Fordham's to lose. They are undefeated and a team to keep your eye on during the playoffs. The surprise of the season so far. They beat Rhode Island and Villanova early in the season.
The first ever Pioneer automatic bid is still far from decided. San Diego, Butler, Marist, and Mercer are all sitting with 1 conference loss. Mercer has the best overall record with 9-1, but the league will probably only send one team, so it is win or go home for these last two weeks.
For those interested in the SWAC and Ivy which do not get automatic bids watch out for Princeton to win the Ivy and the SWAC is basically decided with Jackson State your champ. Grambling did recover from their boycott to get a win this year setting up the Thanksgiving Day show down with 2-7 Southern. No matter the record, it is always worth watching.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Week 7
With South Carolina State and Tennessee Martin having important conference victories already under their belt this week, let us see what Week 7 has to offer.
Harvard and Yale are both undefeated and headed for an Ivy League showdown at the end of the year. Hopefully they both can passes this week, as they ought.
The Southern Conference had everything work out like they wanted last week. Wofford hosts Elon as it gets back to its Conference schedule with Elon. Wofford needs to keep winning as does Stamford, who takes on App State.
NDSU should have a fairly easy week as does Youngstown St. SDSU tries to right the ship at Western Illinois, and Northern Iowa must rebound from its beating by NDSU hosting Southern Illinois.
The OVC gets a game of the week look with Jacksonville State hosting Tennessee State. Both teams looking for an OVC title. Both teams 5-1 on the season. This will be a good game.
Montana travels to UC Davis, and with one conference loss already Montana cannot afford another, especially to unbeaten in Conference UC Davis.
The other game of the week look comes from the CAA where Towson hosts Villanova. A big test for Towson, but they have National title hopes there. Keep an eye on the scoreboard for this one.
The Southland is waiting for next week as Sam Houston State should have no problem with Lamar. McNeese State is waiting in the wings, and they have the off week to prepare.
Conferences are heating up. A good week!
Harvard and Yale are both undefeated and headed for an Ivy League showdown at the end of the year. Hopefully they both can passes this week, as they ought.
The Southern Conference had everything work out like they wanted last week. Wofford hosts Elon as it gets back to its Conference schedule with Elon. Wofford needs to keep winning as does Stamford, who takes on App State.
NDSU should have a fairly easy week as does Youngstown St. SDSU tries to right the ship at Western Illinois, and Northern Iowa must rebound from its beating by NDSU hosting Southern Illinois.
The OVC gets a game of the week look with Jacksonville State hosting Tennessee State. Both teams looking for an OVC title. Both teams 5-1 on the season. This will be a good game.
Montana travels to UC Davis, and with one conference loss already Montana cannot afford another, especially to unbeaten in Conference UC Davis.
The other game of the week look comes from the CAA where Towson hosts Villanova. A big test for Towson, but they have National title hopes there. Keep an eye on the scoreboard for this one.
The Southland is waiting for next week as Sam Houston State should have no problem with Lamar. McNeese State is waiting in the wings, and they have the off week to prepare.
Conferences are heating up. A good week!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Week 6
Week 6 follows a great week 5.
Last week NDSU proved they were the best by shutting out SDSU. However, Towson won too and is starting to look like the best competition for the champs, but do not forget Sam Houston State who took down Eastern Washington.
This week we get some great games.
You might as well start with a battle of unbeatens when Lehigh takes on Fordham. This game has playoff implications.
The So Con needs Wofford to get back to its winning ways as it hosts Presbyterian, but the Elon versus Furman game could be just as important. Furman is undefeated in the conference and the So Con needs another one of those. Of course Samford could beat Georgia Southern, that would take of it as well.
The OVC sees Jacksonville St travel to Tenn-Martin. This should be a great game. Jacksonville State needs to win to stay in the postseason hunt, and Tenn-Martin needs it to keep pace for a conference title.
The CAA features Delaware versus Maine. Both teams are undefeated in conference and 4 and 1 overall with the lone losses coming to FBS teams. Both teams may make the playoffs, but if they wish to win the conference they need this game to stay with Towson, who should be New Hampshire today, but it won't be a cake walk.
The Missouri Valley continues to have hugely important games. Youngstown St marches on toward the postseason going to Indiana State, who is 1-0 in conference. But the bigger game is Northern Iowa going to NDSU. Two undefeated teams facing off. Both teams beat FBS teams this year. It is in the Fargo Dome, so I expect them to win, but this is a game to watch.
The MEAC has a big game with the surprising N Carolina A&T going to traditional power S Carolina St. A&T has proved itself all year, but defeating S Carolina St. would be an important conference road victory and a symbolic statement to the MEAC.
The Pioneer has an automatic bid this year and it very well may go to the winner of the Mercer at San Diego game. Mercer is undefeated and San Diego the preseason favorite who has played a much tougher schedule.
The Southland is also full of good teams this year and even though McNeese St fell from the ranks of the unbeaten they are still in line for a post season shot if they do not continue to fall. Central Arkansas is a good team, and McNeese needs to win today to keep hope alive. They have not yet taken on Sam Houston St., so this is a big game for both teams.
The Big Sky is built on huge games and Montana State hosts Northern Arizona. Both teams are undefeated in conference, but you cannot lose home games and hope to win the Big Sky. Montana State has to reassert itself here in this game.
Those are just a few of the big games this week. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Week 4 and going strong
Here comes another week of FCS football.
It is a bit slow, but the Ivy League finally kicks off. Most of the Ivy League schools are taking on Patriot League schools, so it will be fun to get the first look at these teams. Harvard is the exception as they take on San Diego.
The Big Sky sees only one conference game with Southern Utah taking on Sacramento State in what should be a win for Southern Utah. Eastern Washington and Cal Poly are taking a bye and Montana basically is playing a team a division down while Montana State travels to SF Austin.
Big South is looking very interesting, as Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina are undefeated with Liberty's only loss coming to Kent St. and Gardner-Webb's to Marshall. This week the first two should win and Liberty gets Richmond, who just lost to Gardner-Webb while Gardner Webb travels to Wofford. This is going to be an exciting conference.
The Colonial Athletic Association is always entertaining and newcomer Stony Brook travels to Villanova, who is struggling this year. Rhode Island goes to William and Mary. However the favorites to win the CAA, Towson plays out of conference against NC Central and ought to win, Delaware hosts Wagner, which should be a win, and undefeated Maine goes to Northwestern where they will lose. Still to early to tell who is for real and who is not.
The MEAC conference is all out of conference and a lot of playing FBS teams as Bethune Cookman plays Florida St and Florida A&M plays Ohio State. and Savannah State goes to Miami. So we need to wait another week before we start to see North Carolina A&T who is off can dethrone Bethune Cookman as the odds on favorite to win this league as A&T are off this week. In a quirk of the schedule, NC A&T does not play Bethune Cookman this year. Could this mean that both teams make the playoffs? MEAC fans can only hope.
The Missouri Valley ought to have its big names win this week as NDSU and Youngstown St and Northern Iowa all have very winnable games. SDSU is the real interesting one as they travel to Nebraska, a team that looked very bad this past week, especially at stopping the run (Zack Zerner is averaging 180 for SDSU), and the starting quarterback is down for Nebraska. This is the best bet for an upset. I should note that I am looking forward to South Dakota versus Northern Arizona as well. That could be a good game.
The NEC is fairly uninteresting this week with Robert Morris and Bryant off. Sacred Heart, who is undefeated ought to stay that way hosting a team down a division. The others are going to lose.
The Ohio Valley Conference is another interesting conference in the long run. Eastern Illinois is undefeated including a big win over the FBS team, San Diego State. They have another shot at one this week against the much better Northern Illinois. Jacksonville State ought to win this week. Murray State is 2-1 as are Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee Martin. Tech plays Tennessee State in a game that has potential to be the game of the week.
The Pioneer conference and new automatic bid is still up for grabs. San Diego should win over Harvard and Mercer is playing a team down a level as is Stetson. These are teams to watch for when league play heats up.
The Southern Conference is mostly out of conference too. Wofford hosts Gardner-Webb and Samford hosts SE Louisiana. Both teams need to win to hope to make the SoCon a two bid league this year. The in conference match up to watch is Elon and App. State. Both teams are underperforming and desperate for a win. It is really a must win for both teams.
The Southland is a good conference this year and Sam Houston State and McNeese State should continue on the path to their head to head showdown. NW St. may have the best chance to upset a FBS team as they go to UAB. Worth keeping an eye on. Central Arkansas needs a win over Missouri State to stay hopeful of post season play.
The SWAC does not have an automatic bid, but Jackson State is looking like a championship team as they destroyed Texas Southern Thursday night. Alcorn State maybe their only obstacle, who also ought to move up to 2-0 in conference after they play AR-Pine Bluff this week. For those keeping track, Grambling State has yet to win and Southern only has one win. Both are playing winnable games this week, both on the road.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Week 3
There are some real interesting games this weekend. In fact, I am betting some more FCS over FBS upsets. Here are a few that I am picking.
1. Cal Poly over Colorado St. The Rams are awful and Cal Poly is not. This is a probable upset.
2. Eastern Washington over Toledo. I know that Eastern Washington has already done it once this year, but Toledo is ripe for the picking . I think they pull off the rare, beat two FBS teams in one year.
I do think Navy beats Deleware and Southern Utah comes up short. Stony Brook versus Buffalo is a possibility, but Buffalo was okay against Ohio State, so I am not going to pick it.
The most interesting game is easily Georgia Southern at Wofford. Wofford was awful the first week, but great last week. This game counts despite Georgia Southern having more scholarships, but it is at Wofford. The SoCon is going to be fun, and if Wofford wants an early inside track, then this week is vital.
Another interesting one is NC A&T hosting Elon. NC A&T destroyed App St. last week in a huge surprise. It was their first game, so are they for real? SoCon hopeful Elon is a stern test, and we will see if they are or not. Also if Elon wants postseason tickets this is a must win.
Eastern Kentucky hosting Coastal Carolina is an important one, as is Central Arkansas visiting Tennessee Martin. Both big games for the OVC.
Montana taking a trip to play North Dakota could be entertaining as well as NDU has gotten better, but it should still be a Montana victory.
Enjoy the games!
1. Cal Poly over Colorado St. The Rams are awful and Cal Poly is not. This is a probable upset.
2. Eastern Washington over Toledo. I know that Eastern Washington has already done it once this year, but Toledo is ripe for the picking . I think they pull off the rare, beat two FBS teams in one year.
I do think Navy beats Deleware and Southern Utah comes up short. Stony Brook versus Buffalo is a possibility, but Buffalo was okay against Ohio State, so I am not going to pick it.
The most interesting game is easily Georgia Southern at Wofford. Wofford was awful the first week, but great last week. This game counts despite Georgia Southern having more scholarships, but it is at Wofford. The SoCon is going to be fun, and if Wofford wants an early inside track, then this week is vital.
Another interesting one is NC A&T hosting Elon. NC A&T destroyed App St. last week in a huge surprise. It was their first game, so are they for real? SoCon hopeful Elon is a stern test, and we will see if they are or not. Also if Elon wants postseason tickets this is a must win.
Eastern Kentucky hosting Coastal Carolina is an important one, as is Central Arkansas visiting Tennessee Martin. Both big games for the OVC.
Montana taking a trip to play North Dakota could be entertaining as well as NDU has gotten better, but it should still be a Montana victory.
Enjoy the games!
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