The play-in games are over and now the crowning of the champion begins.
I have to say there are some really interesting match-ups. South Dakota State gets a shot at its arch-rival North Dakota State. NDSU won this year, but a second shot should be fun to watch even if I think NDSU ought to come out on top.
Eastern Washington hosts Wagner, and Montana State hosts Stony Brook. I actually think Stony Brook with their Walter Payton award finalist has a chance here. Cal Poly travels to Sam Houston State to round out the Big Sky involvement.
Coastal Carolina comes into Old Dominion. Give the obvious edge to ODU. But New Hampshire has to travel to Wofford in probably the most interesting game of the afternoon. Wofford has their own Walter Payton finalist, but is a newer power program. This clash ought to be entertaining. How healthy Wofford is should be a factor. Can their starting QB Brian Kass go, or is he still hampered?
The other SoCon games include Appy State taking on Illinois State. It is hard to pick against the experience of App. St. and the fact they are at home. Georgia Southern also has a home game versus Central Arkansas. A couple of high powered offenses here, but it is crazy to ever pick against Georgia Southern. They are the winningest program in I-AA playoff history.
I have to say that I am excited. The fun starts at 2pm eastern time, and next week while you are bemoaning the lack of BCS football, join in the FBS fun as the winners move on.
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Week 1 2012
Four teams beat Division IA teams, and a few more got close.
UT Martin beat Memphis 20-17. I don't think this is going to mean much in the long run, but good for UT-Martin. Did not see it coming.
McNeese State beat Middle Tennessee State. This could mean something. McNeese St. has been just on the outside the last couple of years, but this year they may be ready to reappear in the playoffs.
Eastern Washington's win over Idaho (20-3) was thorough and convincing. Eastern Washington is going to probably make the playoffs and could win the Big Sky. They have rediscovered their run game and it ran all over Idaho.
Youngstown State beat Pittsburgh 31-17 for the biggest upset. One has to think that this spells good things for Youngstown. However, I would note on piece of caution. Pitt stinks. And the Missouri Valley is loaded. It is a good sign, but they are overrated in most polls right now. Sports Nation has them 6th. They could lose 3 games in conference.
Northern Iowa also moved up despite a loss to Wisconsin. It was a close game, but Northern Iowa did most of their scoring late. Their quarterback looked really good, but I don't think Wisconsin was taking them seriously after the early lead. Northern Iowa could beat Youngstown, but at #8, I think they are also overrated.
William and Mary was close against Maryland losing 6-7. W&M put up 6 in the first quarter, and then was shut down. Maryland's scoring drive looked to be against a tired defense that had no strength left in their arms to bring men down. Don't expect too much out of W&M despite the good showing. Maryland is no good.
I did get to watch a lot of the NDSU game. They should be ranked #1. Brock Jensen was excellent. The running game is there. And the young defense showed it was very tough and that NDSU is going to be a serious threat to repeat.
One other interesting note. Georgia Southern beat a lower division school 58-0. They put up 555 yards of offense . . . all on the ground. They did not complete a single pass. The starter was 0-5, and the rest threw 3 more passes into the ground. Swope had his 100 yard game, but sat a lot o this game. I think there is reason for concern. You have to be able to complete a pass. They are not going to put up 555 yards on the ground against App St or Wofford.
UT Martin beat Memphis 20-17. I don't think this is going to mean much in the long run, but good for UT-Martin. Did not see it coming.
McNeese State beat Middle Tennessee State. This could mean something. McNeese St. has been just on the outside the last couple of years, but this year they may be ready to reappear in the playoffs.
Eastern Washington's win over Idaho (20-3) was thorough and convincing. Eastern Washington is going to probably make the playoffs and could win the Big Sky. They have rediscovered their run game and it ran all over Idaho.
Youngstown State beat Pittsburgh 31-17 for the biggest upset. One has to think that this spells good things for Youngstown. However, I would note on piece of caution. Pitt stinks. And the Missouri Valley is loaded. It is a good sign, but they are overrated in most polls right now. Sports Nation has them 6th. They could lose 3 games in conference.
Northern Iowa also moved up despite a loss to Wisconsin. It was a close game, but Northern Iowa did most of their scoring late. Their quarterback looked really good, but I don't think Wisconsin was taking them seriously after the early lead. Northern Iowa could beat Youngstown, but at #8, I think they are also overrated.
William and Mary was close against Maryland losing 6-7. W&M put up 6 in the first quarter, and then was shut down. Maryland's scoring drive looked to be against a tired defense that had no strength left in their arms to bring men down. Don't expect too much out of W&M despite the good showing. Maryland is no good.
I did get to watch a lot of the NDSU game. They should be ranked #1. Brock Jensen was excellent. The running game is there. And the young defense showed it was very tough and that NDSU is going to be a serious threat to repeat.
One other interesting note. Georgia Southern beat a lower division school 58-0. They put up 555 yards of offense . . . all on the ground. They did not complete a single pass. The starter was 0-5, and the rest threw 3 more passes into the ground. Swope had his 100 yard game, but sat a lot o this game. I think there is reason for concern. You have to be able to complete a pass. They are not going to put up 555 yards on the ground against App St or Wofford.
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