Round 1 is in the books and it was a pretty good one with a surprise or two.
The Bayou Classis, not a playoff game, went to Grambling again. They were the better team, but at least on paper it looked more competitive than in years past. 36-12 this one was out of hand pretty quick in the second half. I will leave it to you all to decide who won the Battle of the Bands.
Old Dominion won as expected and it was not all that close. Norfolk State was game early and kept it 14-7 after 1, but it was all down hill from there. ODU will advance and give their next opponent a handful for sure.
Tennessee Tech lost at home to Central Arkansas. Central Arkansas just exposed Tennessee Tech's secondary. The two freshman safety's in particular got hammered. At least twice they were just beat for long touchdowns. One was a trick play (fake reverse throw back to the reversee), so maybe they can be forgiven for that one, but they gave up a costly one on a TE post where no one was around and he was behind everyone. Central Arkansas shut down the run game. Their best receiver got an ankle sprain. He returned and made some wonderful catches, but his being out hurt their game. Tennessee Tech is going to be back next year with a more experienced secondary and a senior QB (Lamb), who looked pretty good throwing.
Stony Brook shocked the world when it won as well. Albany was up 21-10 at half and scored first in the second half to go up 28-10. Stony Brook put together a drive featuring Jackoiski, who ran it in. Then a quick TD on a pass to Jackoiski for a 55 yard TD really changed the game. That meant the 4th quarter was up for grabs and a defensive struggle. Jackoiski ran it from 11 yards out to grab a 31-28 lead with 12 minutes to go. No one scored again as the D held up for both teams. Jackoiski had a great game and over 100 yards with 3 TDs. Maysonet also ran the ball 22 times for 75 yards as Stony Brook wore down Albany with their run game.
Eastern Kentucky lost at home to James Madison. They had the half time lead (10-7). The lead at the end of the 3rd Quarter (17-10), and were up 17-7 with under 30 seconds to go in the 3rd Quarter. But James Madison's experience in the playoffs showed in the 4th Quarter. Overall the game was controlled by the James Madison defense. They controlled the game. Eastern Kentucky's star running back Matt Denham did get 125 yards, but 66 were on one scamper. They only converted 1 third down. JMU put up just enough offense to win.
A bad week for the Ohio Valley Conference and a good one for the CAA. Still I don't expect any of these teams to win next week with ODU being the best team going forward.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Playoffs 2011
The season is over and brackets released.
No surprise Sam Houston State is the top seed and North Dakota St. comes in as the second seed. Georgia Southern is the #3 seed thanks to Montana beating Montana State this weekend. And they did not just beat them, they thumped them. That gave the #4 seed to Montana, but Montana State could earn a possible rematch if they make it to the Semi-Finals.
Two things stand out as I look at this bracket. First is how many CAA teams made it in what I thought was a down year for the conference over all. Towsen was in as the champs, but their second game will be against ND St. Not a good draw. New Hampshire frankly had a better draw and will play Montana State in round one, but has to travel so it kind of evens out. Maine probably deserved to get in, but in my opinion that should have been a close call. They start with App St. Old Dominion got in, and I thought they would, but they have to play in round one. They do host round one. Then James Madison got in. Now, I don't think they deserved to get in. They travel in round one to Eastern Kentucky. I thought the CAA would be three deep, but not five. Some polls had Delaware higher than James Madison. I am not sure why they got in. Liberty, Jackson State, Harvard, and Illinois State have legitimate gripes tonight at James Madison.
The other thing that stuck out was how weak the top part of the bracket turns out to be. Sam Houston State is a bit of a soft overall #1. They deserve it as the lone undefeated, but I don't actually think they are a better team than North Dakota State or Georgia Southern. Don't be surprised if they are the first ranked team to go down. Their next game would be against Montana State or New Hampshire. Two teams that suffered major defeats at the end of the season that might just be demoralizing. The Big Sky was weak this year, and New Hampshire lost some big games especially on the road. Northern Iowa is the 5th ranked team playing Wofford. Wofford lost huge against Georgia Southern late in the year (but did rally to beat UTC on the road), and Northern Iowa lost their big game. Montana plays the winner of Tennessee Tech/Central Arkansas. Again Montana is not a team that played a lot of great teams this year since the Big Sky was down. And they lost one of those games. Montana is probably the second best team in this group, and maybe the best. It is a weak grouping.
Compare it to the bottom bracket than has Three time champ App State as an unranked team. It has one time champ James Madison in a play in game. It has a 9-2 ODU squad in their play in (first round) game playing another 9-2 Norfolk State team. The CAA champ Towsen is in that grouping, as is 10-1 Leigh. Five time champ Georgia Southern and recent power house North Dakota State (who beat Minnesota this year) are also in this group. It is insane.
The fun begins next weekend. I am ready to watch.
No surprise Sam Houston State is the top seed and North Dakota St. comes in as the second seed. Georgia Southern is the #3 seed thanks to Montana beating Montana State this weekend. And they did not just beat them, they thumped them. That gave the #4 seed to Montana, but Montana State could earn a possible rematch if they make it to the Semi-Finals.
Two things stand out as I look at this bracket. First is how many CAA teams made it in what I thought was a down year for the conference over all. Towsen was in as the champs, but their second game will be against ND St. Not a good draw. New Hampshire frankly had a better draw and will play Montana State in round one, but has to travel so it kind of evens out. Maine probably deserved to get in, but in my opinion that should have been a close call. They start with App St. Old Dominion got in, and I thought they would, but they have to play in round one. They do host round one. Then James Madison got in. Now, I don't think they deserved to get in. They travel in round one to Eastern Kentucky. I thought the CAA would be three deep, but not five. Some polls had Delaware higher than James Madison. I am not sure why they got in. Liberty, Jackson State, Harvard, and Illinois State have legitimate gripes tonight at James Madison.
The other thing that stuck out was how weak the top part of the bracket turns out to be. Sam Houston State is a bit of a soft overall #1. They deserve it as the lone undefeated, but I don't actually think they are a better team than North Dakota State or Georgia Southern. Don't be surprised if they are the first ranked team to go down. Their next game would be against Montana State or New Hampshire. Two teams that suffered major defeats at the end of the season that might just be demoralizing. The Big Sky was weak this year, and New Hampshire lost some big games especially on the road. Northern Iowa is the 5th ranked team playing Wofford. Wofford lost huge against Georgia Southern late in the year (but did rally to beat UTC on the road), and Northern Iowa lost their big game. Montana plays the winner of Tennessee Tech/Central Arkansas. Again Montana is not a team that played a lot of great teams this year since the Big Sky was down. And they lost one of those games. Montana is probably the second best team in this group, and maybe the best. It is a weak grouping.
Compare it to the bottom bracket than has Three time champ App State as an unranked team. It has one time champ James Madison in a play in game. It has a 9-2 ODU squad in their play in (first round) game playing another 9-2 Norfolk State team. The CAA champ Towsen is in that grouping, as is 10-1 Leigh. Five time champ Georgia Southern and recent power house North Dakota State (who beat Minnesota this year) are also in this group. It is insane.
The fun begins next weekend. I am ready to watch.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Week 11 preview
There are some conference deciding games going on out there Saturday that need to be noticed.
Southern Conference has a great match up that has Wofford hosting Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern wins and they are the SoCon champs alone. Wofford wins and they have clinched a share of the title and with a win next week would have it. However a win this week for Wofford and an upset loss to UTC (who has a bye week) then the title could be shared four ways between Wofford, Georgia Southern, App. St, and Furman.
Ivy League usually only gets attention when it is Havard vs. Yale, but this week's Harvard vs. Penn game will actually decide the conference title. A Harvard victory would all but seal the deal for Harvard as they would have a tie breaker against Brown, who also has only one conference loss. A Penn victory makes a messy three way tie a top the standings between Harvard, Penn, and Brown.
Montana and Montana St each have the week off to prepare for one another. But Eastern Washington will have an interesting game with Cal Poly. The title will be decided next week.
Stony Brook is in control of the Big South. They travel to Gardner Webb. They should win easy.
CAA is always a hot bed of action, but this year it is the teams you usually don't hear about. New Hampshire at Towson is the one to watch. The winner will not have the title outright, but will do serious damage to the other teams chances of sniffing a share of the CAA title. Maine also has only one conference loss and they are hosting UMass. Sad to say that Towson needs to win as they are the lowest ranked team and without a share of the CAA title, they may have trouble finding a spot in the field that will surely take both Maine and New Hampshire and probably a two loss Old Dominion over Towson. ODU tries to win the state of Virginia outright as they go to William and Mary.
Norfolk State looks to take the MEAC. They ought to win this week against Morgan State.
The Missouri Valley ought to send two teams (at least) to the playoffs. North Dakota State just has to avoid a slip up at home against Youngstown State to win the title. They have the tie break over Northern Iowa, who plays Southern Utah out of conference. Southern Utah has had some big wins, so this is one to keep an eye on.
Albany looks to win the NEC as they have the tie breaker against Duquesne. Both are 5-1 in conference and both ought to win this weekend. Duquesne has the better over all record at 7-2 compared to 6-3, but will be on the outside looking in at the title.
The Ohio Valley Conference has been an absolute disaster this year with no one dominating. With all that said, little quite Eastern Kentucky can win it outright with a home victory against Tenn Tech this week and Tenn-Martin next week. They control their own destiny. A loss would make it ugly as Tenn Tech, E Kentucky, Tenn-Martin, and Jacksonville St would all have two losses in conference. A three way tie would seem assured. That would favor Jacksonville St for a playoff birth. This conference might pull two anyway, but Eastern Kentucky needs these last two wins to get in (in my opinion).
Patriot League title is up for grabs with Georgetown taking on Leigh. Georgetown has one conference loss and Leigh has zero, but would lose the tie breaker to Georgetown. Leigh is ranked in everyone's top 10. A win gives them the title outright. Both could make it to the playoffs, but Georgetown is not assured one, especially with a loss.
Pioneer League will probably be a split title. If Drake beats Dayton they are in the club house at 7-1 in conference after last weeks big win over Jacksonville. However, Drake has a loss to San Diego who if they win this week against Marist and next week verses Jacksonville will have the same conference record and the tie breaker. Jacksonville plays Butler, but needs Drake to lose in order to overcome last weeks loss. Campbell sits with two losses and is hoping everyone loses this week.
Southland winner is Sam Houston State if they win this week over Northwestern St. But they are playing for home field for as long as they can in the playoffs. A two seed is within their grasp.
The SWAC is interesting. If Alabama State wins against Southern, then they are done with one loss and will spend the rest of the year cheering against Alabama A&M. Alabama A&M has their biggest challenge Saturday against Jackson St. who has two losses in conference. A&M has one loss, but has the tie breaker against Alabama St. Jackson State ought to put up a good game and it will be one to watch.
Southern Conference has a great match up that has Wofford hosting Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern wins and they are the SoCon champs alone. Wofford wins and they have clinched a share of the title and with a win next week would have it. However a win this week for Wofford and an upset loss to UTC (who has a bye week) then the title could be shared four ways between Wofford, Georgia Southern, App. St, and Furman.
Ivy League usually only gets attention when it is Havard vs. Yale, but this week's Harvard vs. Penn game will actually decide the conference title. A Harvard victory would all but seal the deal for Harvard as they would have a tie breaker against Brown, who also has only one conference loss. A Penn victory makes a messy three way tie a top the standings between Harvard, Penn, and Brown.
Montana and Montana St each have the week off to prepare for one another. But Eastern Washington will have an interesting game with Cal Poly. The title will be decided next week.
Stony Brook is in control of the Big South. They travel to Gardner Webb. They should win easy.
CAA is always a hot bed of action, but this year it is the teams you usually don't hear about. New Hampshire at Towson is the one to watch. The winner will not have the title outright, but will do serious damage to the other teams chances of sniffing a share of the CAA title. Maine also has only one conference loss and they are hosting UMass. Sad to say that Towson needs to win as they are the lowest ranked team and without a share of the CAA title, they may have trouble finding a spot in the field that will surely take both Maine and New Hampshire and probably a two loss Old Dominion over Towson. ODU tries to win the state of Virginia outright as they go to William and Mary.
Norfolk State looks to take the MEAC. They ought to win this week against Morgan State.
The Missouri Valley ought to send two teams (at least) to the playoffs. North Dakota State just has to avoid a slip up at home against Youngstown State to win the title. They have the tie break over Northern Iowa, who plays Southern Utah out of conference. Southern Utah has had some big wins, so this is one to keep an eye on.
Albany looks to win the NEC as they have the tie breaker against Duquesne. Both are 5-1 in conference and both ought to win this weekend. Duquesne has the better over all record at 7-2 compared to 6-3, but will be on the outside looking in at the title.
The Ohio Valley Conference has been an absolute disaster this year with no one dominating. With all that said, little quite Eastern Kentucky can win it outright with a home victory against Tenn Tech this week and Tenn-Martin next week. They control their own destiny. A loss would make it ugly as Tenn Tech, E Kentucky, Tenn-Martin, and Jacksonville St would all have two losses in conference. A three way tie would seem assured. That would favor Jacksonville St for a playoff birth. This conference might pull two anyway, but Eastern Kentucky needs these last two wins to get in (in my opinion).
Patriot League title is up for grabs with Georgetown taking on Leigh. Georgetown has one conference loss and Leigh has zero, but would lose the tie breaker to Georgetown. Leigh is ranked in everyone's top 10. A win gives them the title outright. Both could make it to the playoffs, but Georgetown is not assured one, especially with a loss.
Pioneer League will probably be a split title. If Drake beats Dayton they are in the club house at 7-1 in conference after last weeks big win over Jacksonville. However, Drake has a loss to San Diego who if they win this week against Marist and next week verses Jacksonville will have the same conference record and the tie breaker. Jacksonville plays Butler, but needs Drake to lose in order to overcome last weeks loss. Campbell sits with two losses and is hoping everyone loses this week.
Southland winner is Sam Houston State if they win this week over Northwestern St. But they are playing for home field for as long as they can in the playoffs. A two seed is within their grasp.
The SWAC is interesting. If Alabama State wins against Southern, then they are done with one loss and will spend the rest of the year cheering against Alabama A&M. Alabama A&M has their biggest challenge Saturday against Jackson St. who has two losses in conference. A&M has one loss, but has the tie breaker against Alabama St. Jackson State ought to put up a good game and it will be one to watch.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
My Top 25
This is not really a poll, since it is just me. But this is how I think the teams ought to be ranked right now.
1. NDSU
2. Montana St.
3. Sam Houston St.
4. Georgia Southern
5. App. St.
6. Northern Iowa
7. Maine
8. Montana
9. Wofford
10. Leigh
11. Old Dominion
12. Jackson St.
13. Tennessee Tech
14. Towson
15. James Madison
16. Harvard
17. Jacksonville St.
18. Central Arkansas
19. Illinois St.
20. Liberty
21. Cal Poly
22. Indiana St.
23. Furman
24. North Dakota
25. South Dakota
1. NDSU
2. Montana St.
3. Sam Houston St.
4. Georgia Southern
5. App. St.
6. Northern Iowa
7. Maine
8. Montana
9. Wofford
10. Leigh
11. Old Dominion
12. Jackson St.
13. Tennessee Tech
14. Towson
15. James Madison
16. Harvard
17. Jacksonville St.
18. Central Arkansas
19. Illinois St.
20. Liberty
21. Cal Poly
22. Indiana St.
23. Furman
24. North Dakota
25. South Dakota
Polls in trouble
The Coaches Poll is probably the most important in determining who gets into the final spots in the playoffs. They have NDSU sitting on top with Montana St next. App St is ahead of Georgia Southern, but Georgia Southern has four first place votes still. Sam Houston St., Northern Iowa, Leigh, Montana, Wofford, and Maine round out the top 10.
The Sports Network is one of the worst in my opinion. But they too have NDSU at the top followed by Montana St., App. St., Sam Houston St., Georgia Southern, Northern Iowa, Maine, Leigh, New Hampshire, and Montana.
The FCS NOW Poll has NDSU at number one, but is closer with Montana St getting a large number of 1st place votes. Sam Houston St is next followed by App St. each of which gets first place votes. Georgia Southern, Maine, Northern Iowa, Wofford, Montana, and Leigh round out the top 10.
The
The Sports Network is one of the worst in my opinion. But they too have NDSU at the top followed by Montana St., App. St., Sam Houston St., Georgia Southern, Northern Iowa, Maine, Leigh, New Hampshire, and Montana.
The FCS NOW Poll has NDSU at number one, but is closer with Montana St getting a large number of 1st place votes. Sam Houston St is next followed by App St. each of which gets first place votes. Georgia Southern, Maine, Northern Iowa, Wofford, Montana, and Leigh round out the top 10.
The
Week 9 results
The big game was Georgia Southern at App. St. And Georgia Southern was just not ever really able to get their offense going. They lost 24-17, but it was really not that close. Appalachian State's quarterback change has really brought back Swift as an offensive force. He helped cap a late 1st half touchdown that ended Georgia Southern's hopes.
The other huge game was North Dakota St. vs. Northern Iowa. This one was closer, but North Dakota St. came out on top. Quarterback Brock Jensen had a great game and Northern Iowa was not able to get NDSU off the field when they needed to, and ended up losing their first conference game.
What this does is effectively give NDSU the inside track to the Missouri Valley title. Georgia Southern's loss throws the Southern Conference into chaos. Three teams now have one loss, and Wofford and Georgia Southern have yet to play. The outcome of that game will determine who the champ is, but all three have shots at it.
Sam Houston St. won their game and Maine did as well. Maine is now in control of the CAA because Delaware beat Towsen. Towsen and Maine play this weekend. Old Dominion beat James Madison to look like a playoff team coming out of the CAA.
The other game that was important was Jacksonville St. vs. Tennessee Tech. Tech was able to continue the fast paced offense and beat Jacksonville St. This means that Tech may have a shot at winning the OVC. It hurt Jacksonville St. in the polls, but has not eliminated theme from the playoff race nor the OVC title.
I will post again on polls in a bit.
The other huge game was North Dakota St. vs. Northern Iowa. This one was closer, but North Dakota St. came out on top. Quarterback Brock Jensen had a great game and Northern Iowa was not able to get NDSU off the field when they needed to, and ended up losing their first conference game.
What this does is effectively give NDSU the inside track to the Missouri Valley title. Georgia Southern's loss throws the Southern Conference into chaos. Three teams now have one loss, and Wofford and Georgia Southern have yet to play. The outcome of that game will determine who the champ is, but all three have shots at it.
Sam Houston St. won their game and Maine did as well. Maine is now in control of the CAA because Delaware beat Towsen. Towsen and Maine play this weekend. Old Dominion beat James Madison to look like a playoff team coming out of the CAA.
The other game that was important was Jacksonville St. vs. Tennessee Tech. Tech was able to continue the fast paced offense and beat Jacksonville St. This means that Tech may have a shot at winning the OVC. It hurt Jacksonville St. in the polls, but has not eliminated theme from the playoff race nor the OVC title.
I will post again on polls in a bit.
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