The First round is over and now the next round is set.
Western Illinois beat Coastal Carolina. I have to admit I was a little surprised at this. I thought the homefield of Coastal might sway the game. But Western emerges victorious. They will now take on Appy State.
Another surprise was Robert Morris being defeated by North Dakota State. These were probably the two best teams in the first round. So, North Dakota State will travel to Montana State.
Leigh beat Northern Iowa. Not really a surprise there. The reward for Leigh is Delaware.
South Carolina State lost to Georgia Southern. South Carolina State did not get a home game, which was a bit of a disaster for them. Georgia Southern will now face off against William and Mary, which puts to two power conferences against one another. CAA versus Southern.
The other games were already set.
Villanova plays at Stephen F. Austin.
SE. Missouri at Eastern Washington.
New Hampshire at Bethune-Cookman.
Wofford at Jacksonville State.
I think one of the real interesting games is Bethune-Cookman versus New Hampshire. New Hampshire played the best week in and week out. They earned a spot, but Bethune-Cookman did not lose until the last game of the season. They might be the must underrated team in the tournament. This opening game for them is going to show whether or not they are real or just a team who happened to not play anyone tough all year.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Playoffs
The playoff field is announced.
Your five ranked teams are Appalachian State, William and Mary, Delaware, Montana State, and Eastern Washington. These teams will all await the winner of the first round games.
The first round is as follows (Nov.27).
Western Illinois plays at Coastal Carolina. The winner gets Appy.
Robert Morris plays at North Dakota State. The winner gets Montana State.
Leigh plays at Northern Iowa. The winner gets Delaware.
South Carolina State plays at Georgia Southern. The winner gets William and Mary.
Second Round not previously mentioned (Dec. 4)
Villanova plays at Stephen F. Austin.
SE. Missouri at Eastern Washington.
New Hampshire at Bethune-Cookman.
Wofford at Jacksonville State.
The thing that stands out the most is the preference given to the CAA and the Big Sky. Both have two ranked teams, thus home games. Teh CAA also got Villanova and New Hampshire into the field. Both of those teams avoided having to play a ranked team as well. Jacksonville State and Wofford appear to have a right to complain. Wofford does not get a home game, which its high ranking may have deserved. Jacksonville State has to play a top 10 team in Wofford despite being perhaps the 3rd best team all year.
I am not going to deviate from my pick. I think Delaware is going to run the table. Appy is too weak on defense, and William and Mary is slumping at the wrong time. Montana State's second round game against the winner of Robert Morris and North Dakota State is too tough to pick them to go far. Same for Eastern Washington, plus how well will they travel when the time comes for them to go on the road.
Looking forward to the playoffs.
Your five ranked teams are Appalachian State, William and Mary, Delaware, Montana State, and Eastern Washington. These teams will all await the winner of the first round games.
The first round is as follows (Nov.27).
Western Illinois plays at Coastal Carolina. The winner gets Appy.
Robert Morris plays at North Dakota State. The winner gets Montana State.
Leigh plays at Northern Iowa. The winner gets Delaware.
South Carolina State plays at Georgia Southern. The winner gets William and Mary.
Second Round not previously mentioned (Dec. 4)
Villanova plays at Stephen F. Austin.
SE. Missouri at Eastern Washington.
New Hampshire at Bethune-Cookman.
Wofford at Jacksonville State.
The thing that stands out the most is the preference given to the CAA and the Big Sky. Both have two ranked teams, thus home games. Teh CAA also got Villanova and New Hampshire into the field. Both of those teams avoided having to play a ranked team as well. Jacksonville State and Wofford appear to have a right to complain. Wofford does not get a home game, which its high ranking may have deserved. Jacksonville State has to play a top 10 team in Wofford despite being perhaps the 3rd best team all year.
I am not going to deviate from my pick. I think Delaware is going to run the table. Appy is too weak on defense, and William and Mary is slumping at the wrong time. Montana State's second round game against the winner of Robert Morris and North Dakota State is too tough to pick them to go far. Same for Eastern Washington, plus how well will they travel when the time comes for them to go on the road.
Looking forward to the playoffs.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Waiting on the polls
While the polls have not been updated yet, we can be sure that Delaware is going to be number 1 after mopping up the stadium with UMass at UMass. William and Mary put and end to the debate after losing to James Madison, and Appy State will probably be two after humiliating Wofford. Wofford has a chance to make the playoffs if they can win next week against Chattanooga.
Eastern Washington might be number 3 as they won at home against Southern Utah. They win next week and the automatic bid from the Big Sky is theirs.
Liberty was a surprise loser throwing the Big South into question as Stony Brook is now in the lead. Liberty has one loss and it is to Coastal Carolina, who has only one conference loss.
Penn beat Harvard to basically win the Ivy League title.
Bethune-Cookman remained undefeated overall and in conference (MEAC), but a couple of teams boast only one loss, so it is not theirs yet.
Northern Iowa won the Missouri Valley Conference with a win over Missouir State. They will make the playoffs, but are probably looking at a tough first round game.
Robert Morris lost this week surprisingly, but they already had the conference title for the NEC.
Jacksonville State played the game of the week against SE Missouir State. With four minutes left SE Missouri took a lead with a touchdown, but then with 11 seconds left Jacksonville State responded with a game winning touchdown. Wow. Both teams ought to make the playoffs, but if Jacksonville State wins next week, they win the automatic bid from the Ohio Valley Conference.
Lehigh won the Patriot crown, and Jacksonvile University has had the Pioneer title sown up for some time. They are 10-1 overall now, and it will be interesting to see them against some stiffer competition.
Appalachin State beat down Wofford to take the Southern Conference automatic bid. Wofford still has to play Chattanooga, but if they win they ought to make the post season as well.
SF Austin won to remain in the driver seat for the Southland title. Win and they are in. McNeese State won as well to keep pressure up, but the head to head loss puts Austin's destiny in their own hands.
In the second best game last week Grambling lost the SWAC title to Texas Southern in overtime. Grambling does not participate in the post season anyway, so Texas Southern was probably going to the Post Season. They ought to go now. Grambing will now wait for the big game against Southern.
Eastern Washington might be number 3 as they won at home against Southern Utah. They win next week and the automatic bid from the Big Sky is theirs.
Liberty was a surprise loser throwing the Big South into question as Stony Brook is now in the lead. Liberty has one loss and it is to Coastal Carolina, who has only one conference loss.
Penn beat Harvard to basically win the Ivy League title.
Bethune-Cookman remained undefeated overall and in conference (MEAC), but a couple of teams boast only one loss, so it is not theirs yet.
Northern Iowa won the Missouri Valley Conference with a win over Missouir State. They will make the playoffs, but are probably looking at a tough first round game.
Robert Morris lost this week surprisingly, but they already had the conference title for the NEC.
Jacksonville State played the game of the week against SE Missouir State. With four minutes left SE Missouri took a lead with a touchdown, but then with 11 seconds left Jacksonville State responded with a game winning touchdown. Wow. Both teams ought to make the playoffs, but if Jacksonville State wins next week, they win the automatic bid from the Ohio Valley Conference.
Lehigh won the Patriot crown, and Jacksonvile University has had the Pioneer title sown up for some time. They are 10-1 overall now, and it will be interesting to see them against some stiffer competition.
Appalachin State beat down Wofford to take the Southern Conference automatic bid. Wofford still has to play Chattanooga, but if they win they ought to make the post season as well.
SF Austin won to remain in the driver seat for the Southland title. Win and they are in. McNeese State won as well to keep pressure up, but the head to head loss puts Austin's destiny in their own hands.
In the second best game last week Grambling lost the SWAC title to Texas Southern in overtime. Grambling does not participate in the post season anyway, so Texas Southern was probably going to the Post Season. They ought to go now. Grambing will now wait for the big game against Southern.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Are you joking?
In what was supposed to be a fairly calm week, the FCS exploded. The top 3 teams all lost. Appy lost in overtime to Georgia Southern. Jacksonville State followed suit with an inexplicable loss to Eastern Kentucky and Villanova went down to Rhode Island in a game that was at least understandable. Number 8 New Hampshire lost to William and Mary.
Thus the new polls.
Coaches Poll has Delaware at number one followed by William and Mary (I still don't get that). Appy only falls to number 3. Wofford college leaps idle Eastern Washington to be 4th and E. Washington comes in at 5. Then is Jascksonville State. Undefeated Bethune-Cookman only goes up one spot to 12.
Sports Network has the same top 5. Although every one of them gets at least 4 first place votes. But that is not all. Villanova gets a vote at 9th. Jacksonville State gets one at 6. Southeast Missouri at 7 gets one. Bethune-Cookman at 10 gets 3 and Montana State at 11 rakes in one too. Also of note Robert Morris, fresh off winning the NEC, gets in at 25.
This week proves to be really interesting. Keep on watching.
Thus the new polls.
Coaches Poll has Delaware at number one followed by William and Mary (I still don't get that). Appy only falls to number 3. Wofford college leaps idle Eastern Washington to be 4th and E. Washington comes in at 5. Then is Jascksonville State. Undefeated Bethune-Cookman only goes up one spot to 12.
Sports Network has the same top 5. Although every one of them gets at least 4 first place votes. But that is not all. Villanova gets a vote at 9th. Jacksonville State gets one at 6. Southeast Missouri at 7 gets one. Bethune-Cookman at 10 gets 3 and Montana State at 11 rakes in one too. Also of note Robert Morris, fresh off winning the NEC, gets in at 25.
This week proves to be really interesting. Keep on watching.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Week 10 preview
There are a few really big games as the season winds down and the conference titles are up for grabs.
The Big Sky has Montana and Eastern Washington on a break, but there is still a big game. Weber State tries to keep its hopes alive with a second straight upset, this time of Montana State.
The Big South should go according to plan as Liberty has Gardner-Webb at home. CSU is playing Kentucky, but there is no real chance to get the upset.
The Colonial Athletic Association is always entertaining. Delaware takes back to the field against Townson for what ought to be an easy win. UMass hosts Maine. And the big game is William and Mary at New Hampshire. That should be a whale of a game. You also cannot over look James Madison at Richmond. It is probably too late for either of these teams as far as playoffs go, but a good rivalry and ought to be fun to watch.
Independents have an interesting match up as well this week with possible playoff implications in Cal Poly traveling to University of South Dakota.
The Ivy League is Penn’s to lose. They have hapless Princeton this week. Yale versus Brown is the match up to watch.
The MEAC has Bethune-Cookman putting its undefeated record on the line against Hampton who is 4-1 in the conference, and thus able to win the conference if they get this home victory.
The Missouri Valley is still a mess, but if Northern Iowa beats Indiana State on the road this week it will be their conference to win. South Dakota State hosts Missouri State as well. Missouri State is not out of this yet. So some fun stuff to watch this week.
The NEC comes down to this game. Robert Morris hosts Central Conn. State as both teams are undefeated in conference. Central Conn. State is 6-2 and Robrert Morris is 7-1. A game of the week possibility.
The Ohio Valley is going to be decided when Jacksonville State takes on SE Missouri State, but that is not this week. SE Missouri takes on a lower division team and Jacksonville gets Eastern Kentucky. This conference is simmering to a great finish, but this is a light week for them.
The Patriot League sees Holy Cross get a shot at Leigh this week. Bucknell has a win this year, so that drama is over. Can they get another against Fordham. They are at home.
The Pioneer League has leader Jacksonville travel to Butler. But the game of the week contender is Drake at Dayton. The Bulldogs have one conference loss and the Flyers none. Should be a great game. Also Valparaiso has no wins and probably gets its best shot this week as two win Campbell hosts them.
The Southern Conference has its big week next week, but Wofford has to hold off Samford and Appy State has to beat Georgia Southern to make next everything it is supposed to be. Both teams are on the road. Oh yeah, Chattanooga gets Auburn.
The Southland is back to being wide open. SF Austin has to rebound against Nicholas State, which they ought. McNeese State, which is back in it, gets a great game against Sam Houston State. And Northwestern State has to take on SE Louisiana. All are on the road.
The SWAC is interesting because Grambling is going to win it, but they do not go to the playoffs because of the Bayou Classic. This makes Texas Southern against Southern the game involving the playoff hopeful Texas Southern. But don’t sleep on Jackson State who goes to Alabama State.
The Big Sky has Montana and Eastern Washington on a break, but there is still a big game. Weber State tries to keep its hopes alive with a second straight upset, this time of Montana State.
The Big South should go according to plan as Liberty has Gardner-Webb at home. CSU is playing Kentucky, but there is no real chance to get the upset.
The Colonial Athletic Association is always entertaining. Delaware takes back to the field against Townson for what ought to be an easy win. UMass hosts Maine. And the big game is William and Mary at New Hampshire. That should be a whale of a game. You also cannot over look James Madison at Richmond. It is probably too late for either of these teams as far as playoffs go, but a good rivalry and ought to be fun to watch.
Independents have an interesting match up as well this week with possible playoff implications in Cal Poly traveling to University of South Dakota.
The Ivy League is Penn’s to lose. They have hapless Princeton this week. Yale versus Brown is the match up to watch.
The MEAC has Bethune-Cookman putting its undefeated record on the line against Hampton who is 4-1 in the conference, and thus able to win the conference if they get this home victory.
The Missouri Valley is still a mess, but if Northern Iowa beats Indiana State on the road this week it will be their conference to win. South Dakota State hosts Missouri State as well. Missouri State is not out of this yet. So some fun stuff to watch this week.
The NEC comes down to this game. Robert Morris hosts Central Conn. State as both teams are undefeated in conference. Central Conn. State is 6-2 and Robrert Morris is 7-1. A game of the week possibility.
The Ohio Valley is going to be decided when Jacksonville State takes on SE Missouri State, but that is not this week. SE Missouri takes on a lower division team and Jacksonville gets Eastern Kentucky. This conference is simmering to a great finish, but this is a light week for them.
The Patriot League sees Holy Cross get a shot at Leigh this week. Bucknell has a win this year, so that drama is over. Can they get another against Fordham. They are at home.
The Pioneer League has leader Jacksonville travel to Butler. But the game of the week contender is Drake at Dayton. The Bulldogs have one conference loss and the Flyers none. Should be a great game. Also Valparaiso has no wins and probably gets its best shot this week as two win Campbell hosts them.
The Southern Conference has its big week next week, but Wofford has to hold off Samford and Appy State has to beat Georgia Southern to make next everything it is supposed to be. Both teams are on the road. Oh yeah, Chattanooga gets Auburn.
The Southland is back to being wide open. SF Austin has to rebound against Nicholas State, which they ought. McNeese State, which is back in it, gets a great game against Sam Houston State. And Northwestern State has to take on SE Louisiana. All are on the road.
The SWAC is interesting because Grambling is going to win it, but they do not go to the playoffs because of the Bayou Classic. This makes Texas Southern against Southern the game involving the playoff hopeful Texas Southern. But don’t sleep on Jackson State who goes to Alabama State.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What happened in the polls?
The only significant thing that happened this week was the surprise loss of Montana and Stephen F. Austin. Yet, the polls look different.
For example,
The Sports Network Poll has a radically altered top 5 with new teams getting votes for number 1. Appy still has the most and sits at top. Jacksonville State is second. Now third is Villanova, and they are getting first place votes. William and Mary drops to 4 from 3 despite barely losing to FCS team North Carolina. Delaware is now 5th, but Wofford at 7th is now getting a first place vote. They simply disposed of Citadel. One wonders why that vote comes all of a sudden. As a Wofford Alum, I am okay with it, but I disagree with it.
The Coaches' Poll is even more curious. Appy is still number one and Jacksonville State is the only other team getting a vote for number 1. Yet, William and Mary drop from 4 to 6 as now Villanova is three and Delaware, who had the week off, is now ahead of William and Mary, even though they lost to them just last week.
Also wierd is that 4-4 Richmond and 4-4 James Madison are both in the Top 25, on both lists. Bethune-Cookman, who is undefeated is outside the Top 10 in both. Liberty and Penn who both won and are both rolling in their conferences are having trouble gaining any ground.
These last weeks are going to provide a lot of clarification. It is going to be wild finish in the CAA, the Big Sky, the MVC, and a real showdown is shaping up in the Southern.
For example,
The Sports Network Poll has a radically altered top 5 with new teams getting votes for number 1. Appy still has the most and sits at top. Jacksonville State is second. Now third is Villanova, and they are getting first place votes. William and Mary drops to 4 from 3 despite barely losing to FCS team North Carolina. Delaware is now 5th, but Wofford at 7th is now getting a first place vote. They simply disposed of Citadel. One wonders why that vote comes all of a sudden. As a Wofford Alum, I am okay with it, but I disagree with it.
The Coaches' Poll is even more curious. Appy is still number one and Jacksonville State is the only other team getting a vote for number 1. Yet, William and Mary drop from 4 to 6 as now Villanova is three and Delaware, who had the week off, is now ahead of William and Mary, even though they lost to them just last week.
Also wierd is that 4-4 Richmond and 4-4 James Madison are both in the Top 25, on both lists. Bethune-Cookman, who is undefeated is outside the Top 10 in both. Liberty and Penn who both won and are both rolling in their conferences are having trouble gaining any ground.
These last weeks are going to provide a lot of clarification. It is going to be wild finish in the CAA, the Big Sky, the MVC, and a real showdown is shaping up in the Southern.
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