Yes, it is playoff time. The field is set and this year no one conference dominated the selection. Thus, we can say that the CAA is down (only three teams in) the Big Sky is up (three teams in), the SoCon is the same (still three teams in), and Missouri Valley is officially a power conference (three teams this year).
All that at the opening round games are today.
Colgate plays at Wagner today. Colgate from the Patriot League and Wagner won the NEC. Both a bit of a surprise, and these conferences usually play in the opening round. Both are 8-3, so I am going to give the edge to the home team and go with Wagner.
Coastal Carolina plays at Bethune-Cookman. Coastal Carolina won the Big South and Bethune Cookman won the MEAC. Bethune-Cookman has more experience in the playoffs and I think plays in a better conference. Coastal had some rough out of conference losses this year. I am picking Bethue-Cookman.
Eastern Illinois plays at South Dakota State. Eastern Illinois comes from the Ohio Valley Conference, and SDSU is from the Missouri Valley. SDSU at one time led the MVC this year, but collapsed a bit when they got into the meat of their schedule including a loss to their rival NDSU. It was an amazing year for SDSU, but I am a bit surprised they got in. So, I am going upset here, Eastern Illinois takes down SDSU. As an aside, let me just say that SDSU has made the jump to Division I and has excelled. They came up a few years ago with NDSU. Their athletic are very good. Women's volleyball and basketball have made the tournament and now so has football. Amazing job.
Villanova takes on Stony Brook. Villanova is a team from the CAA, and Stony Brook another from the Big South. Now I said earlier that the MEAC is probably better conference than the Big South, and I think it is, but the Big South is on its way up and Stony Brook is the class of the Big South. Stony Brook has playoff experience, and had Syracuse beat earlier this year. Villanova does still have some people from their national championship, but I am going with Stony Brook. Villanova has had big wins, but lost winnable games at home against Richmond and Townsen. This one could go either way.
Don't forget the Bayou Classic. I know that neither Grambling or Southern had a very good season, but it is usually a good game and the half time is always the best in the nation. Check it out.
