I like what ESPN's Pat Forde says about BYU here.
DOY: BYU (31). The Cougars were uncharacteristically inept offensively, scoring 16 or fewer points in all six defeats. Their lone victory over a team with a winning record (San Diego State) was abetted by a bad call and replay review that came with a screaming conflict of interest -- a BYU employee was part of the replay crew, necessitating a midseason MWC rule change. If it weren't for the league's soft underbelly, the Cougars might have had their worst record in decades.
Note to Jake Heaps and the Cougars. The first game of the 2011 season is the New Mexico Bowl. And remember, BYU is where their first two opponents of 2011 are not this December. Bowling. Ole Miss and Texas are home this holiday season. Whether BYU gets Nevada, Fresno State or Louisiana Tech, they need to make the most of the opportunity.
Let me also say that bad officiating is part of the game. I've been a baseball umpire and a soccer referee, and I have made mistakes. It is unfortunate when they have an impact on the final outcome of the game. But as an athlete, you have to learn to take the good with the bad. It happens outside of athletics as well.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Real Target of the Big East.
TCU is not the first choice of the Big East, who may expand to 20 basketball schools*. Their holy grail is Kansas. And that still may happen, which is why the Big 12 may add the BYU Cougars sooner rather than later. The Big 12 could use the BYU deal as a bargaining chip with ESPN, and of course the Big 12 would love to schedule what is left of the WAC in football...they are big on eating creme puffs. But they are not all that big on taking Sundays off. I am also not so certain that Texas would want to negotiate with ESPN just to add a respectable football power to their conference, but this could work to everyone's advantage in the long run. BYU could also provide something to help keep Kansas in the Big 12...a little help and experience in creating the Jayhawk network.
Like it or not, the Big 12 needs BYU to survive. Otherwise you will see Kansas, Missouri and Iowa State in the Big East; Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the SEC with Kansas State, Texas Tech and Baylor left to join the WAC...or something crazy like that.
*BTW--that is 20 basketball schools and 13 football schools. Notre Dame is independent in football. Georgetown competes at the FCS level. Seaton Hall, St. Johns, Providence, DePaul and Marquette do not have football teams.
Like it or not, the Big 12 needs BYU to survive. Otherwise you will see Kansas, Missouri and Iowa State in the Big East; Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the SEC with Kansas State, Texas Tech and Baylor left to join the WAC...or something crazy like that.
*BTW--that is 20 basketball schools and 13 football schools. Notre Dame is independent in football. Georgetown competes at the FCS level. Seaton Hall, St. Johns, Providence, DePaul and Marquette do not have football teams.
Boise State has another reason to whine?
I am now seeing tweets that say that Boise State is complaining that Utah State. Boise state fans are complaining, that is. Perhaps they are still in denial.
First, two shanked field goals cost them a chance at a BCS bowl game. Then TCU dissents from the Mountain West. And the worst thing that can happen is that they end up in the same conference as Utah State in 2012?
How about a slight dose of reality for Boise State football. Utah State is in basketball what Boise State is in football. Boise state is in basketball what Utah State is in football. The programs are complimentary. Sure, all of the talk in on football, but the conference that hangs its had on storied programs like New Mexico, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming is about to lose two of the more storied of these programs, BYU and Utah. Boise State, Nevada and Fresno State just do not compare. The MWC is about to go from being a 3-4 NCAA bid conference to a 2-3 bid conference...and on the verge of being replaced as the best non-BCS basketball conference by the WCC. Can Bronco basketball do for the MWC what Cougar basketball and Ute basketball has done? I will leave you to answer that yourselves.
There is one program in the west that measures up and also has a football team. That is right, Boise State fans, it is the Utah State Aggies. If you want to know what college basketball should be and can be, spend a Saturday night at the Spectrum in Logan. You will not find a better atmosphere for basketball. It even makes places like Albuquerque and Las Vegas look tame. Now do you understand why the MWC wants to talk to Utah State?
There is more to college athletics than football!
First, two shanked field goals cost them a chance at a BCS bowl game. Then TCU dissents from the Mountain West. And the worst thing that can happen is that they end up in the same conference as Utah State in 2012?
How about a slight dose of reality for Boise State football. Utah State is in basketball what Boise State is in football. Boise state is in basketball what Utah State is in football. The programs are complimentary. Sure, all of the talk in on football, but the conference that hangs its had on storied programs like New Mexico, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming is about to lose two of the more storied of these programs, BYU and Utah. Boise State, Nevada and Fresno State just do not compare. The MWC is about to go from being a 3-4 NCAA bid conference to a 2-3 bid conference...and on the verge of being replaced as the best non-BCS basketball conference by the WCC. Can Bronco basketball do for the MWC what Cougar basketball and Ute basketball has done? I will leave you to answer that yourselves.
There is one program in the west that measures up and also has a football team. That is right, Boise State fans, it is the Utah State Aggies. If you want to know what college basketball should be and can be, spend a Saturday night at the Spectrum in Logan. You will not find a better atmosphere for basketball. It even makes places like Albuquerque and Las Vegas look tame. Now do you understand why the MWC wants to talk to Utah State?
There is more to college athletics than football!
Monday, November 29, 2010
College basketball power rankings
Big Sky Conference:
Player of the Week: Northern Colorado G Devon Beitzel
Game of the Week: Weber State 82 Drake 81
Power Rankings:
Weber State
Montana State
Northern Arizona
Montana
Portland State
Northern Colorado
Eastern Washington
Sacramento State
WAC
Player of the Week: Boise State F Robert Arnold
Game of the Week: Utah State 56 Northeastern 54
Power Rankings:
Utah State
Hawaii
Boise State
San Jose State
Louisiana Tech
New Mexico State
Idaho
Fresno State
Nevada
Mountain West
Game of the Week: BYU 77 South Florida 75
Player of the Week: BYU G Jimmer Ferdette
Power Rankings:
San Diego State
BYU
UNLV
New Mexico
TCU
Utah
Colorado State
Wyoming
Air Force
Player of the Week: Northern Colorado G Devon Beitzel
Game of the Week: Weber State 82 Drake 81
Power Rankings:
Weber State
Montana State
Northern Arizona
Montana
Portland State
Northern Colorado
Eastern Washington
Sacramento State
WAC
Player of the Week: Boise State F Robert Arnold
Game of the Week: Utah State 56 Northeastern 54
Power Rankings:
Utah State
Hawaii
Boise State
San Jose State
Louisiana Tech
New Mexico State
Idaho
Fresno State
Nevada
Mountain West
Game of the Week: BYU 77 South Florida 75
Player of the Week: BYU G Jimmer Ferdette
Power Rankings:
San Diego State
BYU
UNLV
New Mexico
TCU
Utah
Colorado State
Wyoming
Air Force
Another sign that the WAC may be finished
You know that scheduling agreement between BYU and the WAC? BYU's independence may only last a season or two as rumors are now flying that BYU and the Big 12 have something brewing...or at least there is a lot of pressure on the Big 12 to consider it. Especially now that the Big East got TCU. It will also include Louisville or perhaps Boise State as the other team. Such an agreement would need to allow BYU to keep it's TV agreement with ESPN and Notre Dame. These rumors are flying faster than TCU to the Big East was flying a couple of weeks ago.
Perhaps BYU will only join the Big 12 in football and keep their other sports in the WCC, where someone like Creighton will take their place in other sports. Just my thoughts, however. It could be a way around the Sunday issue, a major sticking point between BYU and the Big 12.
IMHO...BYU probably will not join the Big 12 until 2013 as the 2012 schedule is almost done as well.
BTW...this comes from an Oklahoma writer, not some pie-in-the-sky blogger like yours truly.
BYU to the Big 12 is likely just a matter of time and working out the details, like weather it is Louisville, Boise State, Memphis or Air Force that joins with them.
Back to the WAC. Without any marquee programs, the WAC needs the BYU agreement and ESPN games for exposure and money. With BYU in the Big 12, something else they need is gone.
Comments are welcome.
Perhaps BYU will only join the Big 12 in football and keep their other sports in the WCC, where someone like Creighton will take their place in other sports. Just my thoughts, however. It could be a way around the Sunday issue, a major sticking point between BYU and the Big 12.
IMHO...BYU probably will not join the Big 12 until 2013 as the 2012 schedule is almost done as well.
BTW...this comes from an Oklahoma writer, not some pie-in-the-sky blogger like yours truly.
BYU to the Big 12 is likely just a matter of time and working out the details, like weather it is Louisville, Boise State, Memphis or Air Force that joins with them.
Back to the WAC. Without any marquee programs, the WAC needs the BYU agreement and ESPN games for exposure and money. With BYU in the Big 12, something else they need is gone.
Comments are welcome.
Utah State and Hawaii to MWC...Is the WAC is finished?
Seeing tweets that Utah State and Hawaii are going to be invited to the MWC, plus Tulsa to give the MWC 12 football teams and a Conference Championship Game. Hawaii will be football only.
La-Tech to the C-USA to replace Tulsa will be the next domino.
And if it goes down like this then the WAC is finished as a football conference. They will be left with San Jose State, Idaho, New Mexico State, Texas State and UTSA. Even Lloyd Christmas can count the number of bowls this quintet has been two in the last decade. (That is Jim Carey's character in Dumb and Dumber and the number is 1.).
As I blogged a couple of days ago, the WAC may not yet be finished, because they also have Denver in Basketball and can add Seattle, Cal State Bakersfield and Utah Valley esily and still be a Basketball conference. But will need to bow out as a football conference for a couple of years. Sure, these five can remain a conference for scheduling sake for a couple of years. But say goodbye to any automatic bowl games. They need to give Montana, Cal Poly and a few others a chance to be ready for the FCS to FBS jump. Perhaps by 2015, they can be a 9 - 12 member football conference again.
Another option is to play the ESPN card and beg Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada to come back. Without TCU, there is little chance now that the MWC will get AQ status in the BCS because they only have the success of Boise State to hang their hat on. With how bad the Big East has been, it was looking like a sure thing with BSU, BYU, TCU and Utah. But 3/4 of that equation is gone. And now the MWC is really the old WAC with a lousy TV contract. May Karl Benson buries the hatchet. Who knows, they (BSU, FSU and Nevada) could bring some of their new friends like San Diego State, UNLV and Colorado State to come back with them. It could happen, it has been a crazy fall and it's not over yet.
La-Tech to the C-USA to replace Tulsa will be the next domino.
And if it goes down like this then the WAC is finished as a football conference. They will be left with San Jose State, Idaho, New Mexico State, Texas State and UTSA. Even Lloyd Christmas can count the number of bowls this quintet has been two in the last decade. (That is Jim Carey's character in Dumb and Dumber and the number is 1.).
As I blogged a couple of days ago, the WAC may not yet be finished, because they also have Denver in Basketball and can add Seattle, Cal State Bakersfield and Utah Valley esily and still be a Basketball conference. But will need to bow out as a football conference for a couple of years. Sure, these five can remain a conference for scheduling sake for a couple of years. But say goodbye to any automatic bowl games. They need to give Montana, Cal Poly and a few others a chance to be ready for the FCS to FBS jump. Perhaps by 2015, they can be a 9 - 12 member football conference again.
Another option is to play the ESPN card and beg Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada to come back. Without TCU, there is little chance now that the MWC will get AQ status in the BCS because they only have the success of Boise State to hang their hat on. With how bad the Big East has been, it was looking like a sure thing with BSU, BYU, TCU and Utah. But 3/4 of that equation is gone. And now the MWC is really the old WAC with a lousy TV contract. May Karl Benson buries the hatchet. Who knows, they (BSU, FSU and Nevada) could bring some of their new friends like San Diego State, UNLV and Colorado State to come back with them. It could happen, it has been a crazy fall and it's not over yet.
Official Word
TCU is leaving the MWC for the Big East in 2012. That is for all sports, not just football.
Next domino is likely Hawaii. Expect an announcement soon.
Next domino is likely Hawaii. Expect an announcement soon.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Southern Utah 2011 Schedule -- Official
Official! Yes! Good not to have any DII, DI transitional or DIII opponents. Bad that there are only 4 home games. Perhaps there is still time to change the Weber State game to a neutral site like Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. (Think about it. It would be cool.) Because it is a bad idea to have homecoming on General Conference Weekend, I list UTSA as the probable HC opponent. But that has not been made official. SUU could have a late homecoming against UC Davis.
S3 @South Dakota State
S10 Sacramento State
S17 Texas San Antonio (Probably Homecoming)
S24 @UNLV
O1 North Dakota
O8 @South Dakota
O15 @ Cal Poly
O22 @ Weber State
O29 UC Davis
N5 Open
N12 @Northern Iowa
N19 @Northern Arizona
S3 @South Dakota State
S10 Sacramento State
S17 Texas San Antonio (Probably Homecoming)
S24 @UNLV
O1 North Dakota
O8 @South Dakota
O15 @ Cal Poly
O22 @ Weber State
O29 UC Davis
N5 Open
N12 @Northern Iowa
N19 @Northern Arizona
Bowl Projections
The MWC projections seem solid at this point.
Mountain West Conference
Rose: TCU vs Wisconsin
Las Vegas: Utah vs Louisville
Poinsettia: San Diego State vs Navy
Independence: Air Force vs Clemson
New Mexico: BYU vs Fresno State
The MWC also has the Armed Forces Bowl, but the Army AD has indicated, according to a Greg Wrubbell tweet, that Army has already accepted the bid.
The WAC is harder to predict because there could/should be a three-way tie for first. Hawaii is already committed to their bowl, however. Nevada and Boise could switch bowls from this projection as it could mean a home game for BSU. Fresno has been to the last two NM bowls, but has lost both. Some tweets suggest that Nevada will get the NM bowl and Fresno will get the Humanitarian Bowl.
WAC:
Kraft Fight Hunger: Boise State vs Ga Tech
Hawaii: Hawaii vs Tulsa
New Mexico: BYU vs Fresno State
Humanitarian: Nevada vs Ohio
Mountain West Conference
Rose: TCU vs Wisconsin
Las Vegas: Utah vs Louisville
Poinsettia: San Diego State vs Navy
Independence: Air Force vs Clemson
New Mexico: BYU vs Fresno State
The MWC also has the Armed Forces Bowl, but the Army AD has indicated, according to a Greg Wrubbell tweet, that Army has already accepted the bid.
The WAC is harder to predict because there could/should be a three-way tie for first. Hawaii is already committed to their bowl, however. Nevada and Boise could switch bowls from this projection as it could mean a home game for BSU. Fresno has been to the last two NM bowls, but has lost both. Some tweets suggest that Nevada will get the NM bowl and Fresno will get the Humanitarian Bowl.
WAC:
Kraft Fight Hunger: Boise State vs Ga Tech
Hawaii: Hawaii vs Tulsa
New Mexico: BYU vs Fresno State
Humanitarian: Nevada vs Ohio
Utah 2011 Football schedule
We have known Utah's schedule for two weeks. Here it is, in case you have missed it.
S1 Montana State
S10 @USC
S17 @BYU
S24 bye
O1 Washington
O8 Arizona State
O15 @ Pittsburgh
O22 @ California
O29 Oregon State
N5 @ Arizona
N12 UCLA
N19 @ Washington State
N26 Colorado
My impression is because they play on the road against USC and Arizona, they will be picked to finish 3rd in the PAC-12 south. They could win either one of those games. However, 10-2 or 9-3 is nothing to get worried about and may put the Utes in their first ever Holiday Bowl as the North will be much weaker. They also did not get Oregon in 2011. Welcome to the PAC-12.
S1 Montana State
S10 @USC
S17 @BYU
S24 bye
O1 Washington
O8 Arizona State
O15 @ Pittsburgh
O22 @ California
O29 Oregon State
N5 @ Arizona
N12 UCLA
N19 @ Washington State
N26 Colorado
My impression is because they play on the road against USC and Arizona, they will be picked to finish 3rd in the PAC-12 south. They could win either one of those games. However, 10-2 or 9-3 is nothing to get worried about and may put the Utes in their first ever Holiday Bowl as the North will be much weaker. They also did not get Oregon in 2011. Welcome to the PAC-12.
Utah State 2011 Schedule? The Aggies need some home cookin'
Thank you to the USU reader who corrected me on this schedule. The link is here. The Aggies can still add a 13th game, but they had better win it!
In 2011 I believe that the WAC will still have 3 bowls. The Kraft Fight Hunger, Poinsettia and Hawaii Bowls. Plus, the MWC is not going to fill six bowl slots + a possible BCS shot.
BTW, I have a good friend who graduated from USU and got a Masters at Auburn. Believe me, he will be rooting for the Aggies.
S3 @ Auburn
S10 Weber State
S17 Open
S24 Colorado State
S30 (F) @ BYU
O8 Wyoming
O15 @ Hawaii*
O22 Louisiana Tech*
O29 @ Fresno State*
N5 @ New Mexico State*
N12 San Jose State*
N19 Nevada*
N26 @ Idaho*
D3 Open
*Not set, extrapolated from previous seasons.
In 2011 I believe that the WAC will still have 3 bowls. The Kraft Fight Hunger, Poinsettia and Hawaii Bowls. Plus, the MWC is not going to fill six bowl slots + a possible BCS shot.
BTW, I have a good friend who graduated from USU and got a Masters at Auburn. Believe me, he will be rooting for the Aggies.
S3 @ Auburn
S10 Weber State
S17 Open
S24 Colorado State
S30 (F) @ BYU
O8 Wyoming
O15 @ Hawaii*
O22 Louisiana Tech*
O29 @ Fresno State*
N5 @ New Mexico State*
N12 San Jose State*
N19 Nevada*
N26 @ Idaho*
D3 Open
*Not set, extrapolated from previous seasons.
Weber State 2011 Schedule--Official
S3 @ Wyoming
S10 @ Utah State
S17 Sacramento State
S24 @Northern Colorado
O1 @ Eastern Washington
O8 Open
O15 Idaho State (Probably Homecoming)
O22 Southern Utah
O29 @ Montana
N5 Montana State
N12 Northern Arizona
N19 @ Portland State
S10 @ Utah State
S17 Sacramento State
S24 @Northern Colorado
O1 @ Eastern Washington
O8 Open
O15 Idaho State (Probably Homecoming)
O22 Southern Utah
O29 @ Montana
N5 Montana State
N12 Northern Arizona
N19 @ Portland State
Saturday, November 27, 2010
College Football Report 11/27/2010
Mountain West Conference
The BYU/Utah game was another classic. For those who though that the Utes had a little help from the refs let me remind you that thrice BYU was held to field goals when they needed touchdowns. Converting either one would have put the game out of reach. In the end, the more experienced and better talented team won, this year.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Diego State RB Ronnie Hillman
Defensive team of the Week: Utah
Game of the Week: Utah 17 BYU 16
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. New Mexico
9. Wyoming
WAC
I went to bed last night at halftime of the Boise State/Nevada game. What a fool I was.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Jose State QB Jordan La Secla
Defensive Team of the Week: Fresno State
Game of the Week: Nevada 34 Boise State 31
Power Rankings:
1. Nevada
2. Hawaii
3. Boise State
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky Conference:
No Big Sky teams in action this week. Both teams in the post season were fortunate enough to earn a first round bye and a second round home game. The #4 Montana State Bobcats will host the Bison of North Dakota State at the freezer in Bozeman in next week's second round playoff game. Meanwhile the #5 Eastern Washington Eagles will entertain the RedHawks of Southeast Missouri. If both win, we will see a MSU/EWU rematch in the quarterfinals in Bozeman. Hopefully, Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Taiwan Jones will be healthy throughout. He missed most of the game earlier this season with an injury.
The BYU/Utah game was another classic. For those who though that the Utes had a little help from the refs let me remind you that thrice BYU was held to field goals when they needed touchdowns. Converting either one would have put the game out of reach. In the end, the more experienced and better talented team won, this year.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Diego State RB Ronnie Hillman
Defensive team of the Week: Utah
Game of the Week: Utah 17 BYU 16
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. New Mexico
9. Wyoming
WAC
I went to bed last night at halftime of the Boise State/Nevada game. What a fool I was.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Jose State QB Jordan La Secla
Defensive Team of the Week: Fresno State
Game of the Week: Nevada 34 Boise State 31
Power Rankings:
1. Nevada
2. Hawaii
3. Boise State
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky Conference:
No Big Sky teams in action this week. Both teams in the post season were fortunate enough to earn a first round bye and a second round home game. The #4 Montana State Bobcats will host the Bison of North Dakota State at the freezer in Bozeman in next week's second round playoff game. Meanwhile the #5 Eastern Washington Eagles will entertain the RedHawks of Southeast Missouri. If both win, we will see a MSU/EWU rematch in the quarterfinals in Bozeman. Hopefully, Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Taiwan Jones will be healthy throughout. He missed most of the game earlier this season with an injury.
New Motivation for BYU and Utah
The winner could get Notre Dame in the Las Vegas Bowl. The loser could get Boise State in the New Mexico Bowl. Things changed that quickly overnight. Here is how the WAC bowls will likely work out now that Nevada beat Boise State
1. Kraft Fight Hunger--Nevada
2. Hawaii--Hawaii if eligible (Hawaii has already accepted the bid.)
3. New Mexico (Boise State)
4. Humanitarian (Fresno State)
It is possible that the WAC will work out a deal to let Boise State play at home in the Humanitarian Bowl and talk the New Mexico Bowl into taking Fresno State instead.
Assuming TCU beats New Mexico, (I know this is a big stretch) here is how the MWC bowls will work out.
1. Rose (TCU will sub for Oregon in the Rose Bowl if Oregon wins out, otherwise they play for the NC).
2. Las Vegas (BYU/Utah winner)
3. Poinsettia (San Diego State)
4. Independence (Air Force)
5. Armed Forces (SMU or Louisiana Tech)
6. New Mexico (BYU/Utah loser)
Now if BYU wins, they will have the tie-breaker over the Utes for second place, so today's game is for second place in the MWC and the Las Vegas Bowl. The Poinsettia Bowl and so forth do not have to pick the next team. Therefore, it is believed that the Poinsettia Bowl will pick San Diego State and the Independence bowl will pick Air Force. The Armed Forces bowl will take SMU from C-USA as that conference should have more bowl eligible teams that it has bowls for and the game is being played at SMU's stadium this year because of the renovations at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The MWC will not have enough teams to fill this commitment, so the Armed Forces bowl will bow out. However, if Houston loses and Louisiana Tech wins... That will leave the BYU/Utah loser to the New Mexico Bowl.
The new motivation for BYU and Utah is to avoid playing Boise State in a bowl game.
1. Kraft Fight Hunger--Nevada
2. Hawaii--Hawaii if eligible (Hawaii has already accepted the bid.)
3. New Mexico (Boise State)
4. Humanitarian (Fresno State)
It is possible that the WAC will work out a deal to let Boise State play at home in the Humanitarian Bowl and talk the New Mexico Bowl into taking Fresno State instead.
Assuming TCU beats New Mexico, (I know this is a big stretch) here is how the MWC bowls will work out.
1. Rose (TCU will sub for Oregon in the Rose Bowl if Oregon wins out, otherwise they play for the NC).
2. Las Vegas (BYU/Utah winner)
3. Poinsettia (San Diego State)
4. Independence (Air Force)
5. Armed Forces (SMU or Louisiana Tech)
6. New Mexico (BYU/Utah loser)
Now if BYU wins, they will have the tie-breaker over the Utes for second place, so today's game is for second place in the MWC and the Las Vegas Bowl. The Poinsettia Bowl and so forth do not have to pick the next team. Therefore, it is believed that the Poinsettia Bowl will pick San Diego State and the Independence bowl will pick Air Force. The Armed Forces bowl will take SMU from C-USA as that conference should have more bowl eligible teams that it has bowls for and the game is being played at SMU's stadium this year because of the renovations at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The MWC will not have enough teams to fill this commitment, so the Armed Forces bowl will bow out. However, if Houston loses and Louisiana Tech wins... That will leave the BYU/Utah loser to the New Mexico Bowl.
The new motivation for BYU and Utah is to avoid playing Boise State in a bowl game.
Friday, November 26, 2010
The WAC's Next Move
TCU seems bound to the Big East and Hawaii seems poised to take their place in football to keep the MWC at ten teams. If this happens, what happens to the WAC? Will they really be worse than the Sun Belt? What is Karl Benson's next real move?
Step 1, Take you lumps.
Moving to the FBS from the FCS is not something that can happen suddenly. If this scenario plays out, the WAC should play with seven football schools in 2012. That means no automatic bowl invites, but the WAC should be able to pick a couple of automatic bowl invites in due time. Boise and Hawaii take their bowls with them, anyway. And no, they will not be worse than the Sun Belt, not by a long shot. Without Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii there will be at least two move victories for Louisiana Tech, Idaho and Utah State. This will move these three schools into bowl contention every season.
Step 2, Focus on Basketball.
Denver was admitted as a basketball only program. Look into some others. They could lure TCU's other sports programs. There are some other non-football programs that could fit well with the WAC including Seattle, Utah Valley and Cal State Bakersfield. They could even work out a deal with the Big Sky and allow someone like Weber State to join as a non-football program and leave the football 'Cats in the Big Sky with a plan to bring the Cats into full membership in two years (Basketball 2012, Football 2014).
Step 3, FCS programs.
About the only conference in the FCS that has programs in the football footprint of the WAC is the Big Sky Conference.
People look at Montana's rejection of the WAC as a diss against the WAC. I do not see it that way. It's more economic. It costs money to move up. There are additional scholarships for new sports and in some cases enlarged facilities. Cal Davis was approached, but they only have a 10,000 seat stadium that was just finished--over time and over budget, like most government projects. Do you think they could join the WAC in 2012? More like 2015, and that would be optimistic. When they said, "It's not you, it's me," they were being honest. The WAC may be able to lure Montana if they also were will to consider some of their Big Sky Conference Rivals. There are four others that could make the move, and if the WAC plays their cards right, they could end up with a solid conference again by the end of the decade. Here, again, are some suggestions for Karl Benson and the WAC presidents.
Step 4
Exposure and recruiting. Keep the scheduling agreement with BYU and stay on ESPN. Find the next Boise State and get the kids to chose schools in your conference.
Expansion Plan
2012--Texas State and USTA as full members; Denver, Seattle as non-football members. Montana, Montana State, Weber State, Eastern Washington, and Cal Poly as non-football members for two or three years.
2014-2015-Add the five Big Sky Conference members as full members and split into divisions. This puts the conference at 12 football members and 14 in basketball.
Sports to add:
Montana (2 Women's teams at a minimum): Swimming and Diving (M/W), Baseball and Gymnastics
Montana State (2 teams-both sexes): Swimming and Diving (M/W)
Weber State (2 teams-both sexes): Swimming and Diving (M/W) and butts in the seats at football games.
Eastern Washington (3 teams) : Swimming and Diving (M/W), Gymnastics and also an expanded stadium
Cal Poly (None needed--already have 20 teams). Only needs an expanded stadium.
Step 1, Take you lumps.
Moving to the FBS from the FCS is not something that can happen suddenly. If this scenario plays out, the WAC should play with seven football schools in 2012. That means no automatic bowl invites, but the WAC should be able to pick a couple of automatic bowl invites in due time. Boise and Hawaii take their bowls with them, anyway. And no, they will not be worse than the Sun Belt, not by a long shot. Without Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii there will be at least two move victories for Louisiana Tech, Idaho and Utah State. This will move these three schools into bowl contention every season.
Step 2, Focus on Basketball.
Denver was admitted as a basketball only program. Look into some others. They could lure TCU's other sports programs. There are some other non-football programs that could fit well with the WAC including Seattle, Utah Valley and Cal State Bakersfield. They could even work out a deal with the Big Sky and allow someone like Weber State to join as a non-football program and leave the football 'Cats in the Big Sky with a plan to bring the Cats into full membership in two years (Basketball 2012, Football 2014).
Step 3, FCS programs.
About the only conference in the FCS that has programs in the football footprint of the WAC is the Big Sky Conference.
People look at Montana's rejection of the WAC as a diss against the WAC. I do not see it that way. It's more economic. It costs money to move up. There are additional scholarships for new sports and in some cases enlarged facilities. Cal Davis was approached, but they only have a 10,000 seat stadium that was just finished--over time and over budget, like most government projects. Do you think they could join the WAC in 2012? More like 2015, and that would be optimistic. When they said, "It's not you, it's me," they were being honest. The WAC may be able to lure Montana if they also were will to consider some of their Big Sky Conference Rivals. There are four others that could make the move, and if the WAC plays their cards right, they could end up with a solid conference again by the end of the decade. Here, again, are some suggestions for Karl Benson and the WAC presidents.
Step 4
Exposure and recruiting. Keep the scheduling agreement with BYU and stay on ESPN. Find the next Boise State and get the kids to chose schools in your conference.
Expansion Plan
2012--Texas State and USTA as full members; Denver, Seattle as non-football members. Montana, Montana State, Weber State, Eastern Washington, and Cal Poly as non-football members for two or three years.
2014-2015-Add the five Big Sky Conference members as full members and split into divisions. This puts the conference at 12 football members and 14 in basketball.
Sports to add:
Montana (2 Women's teams at a minimum): Swimming and Diving (M/W), Baseball and Gymnastics
Montana State (2 teams-both sexes): Swimming and Diving (M/W)
Weber State (2 teams-both sexes): Swimming and Diving (M/W) and butts in the seats at football games.
Eastern Washington (3 teams) : Swimming and Diving (M/W), Gymnastics and also an expanded stadium
Cal Poly (None needed--already have 20 teams). Only needs an expanded stadium.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
FCS Playoffs
For those looking for a link to the FCS playoffs, here it is.
I enjoyed trying to project the process this year. It was fun. A couple of lessons learned. First, the committee does consider geography. Second, the MEAC is stronger than I thought it was, but we will see how far they get.
My pick for the championship?
Appalachian State over William and Mary
Good luck to everyone.
One last thought...we have a playoff and yoooooowhoooo don't!
I enjoyed trying to project the process this year. It was fun. A couple of lessons learned. First, the committee does consider geography. Second, the MEAC is stronger than I thought it was, but we will see how far they get.
My pick for the championship?
Appalachian State over William and Mary
Good luck to everyone.
One last thought...we have a playoff and yoooooowhoooo don't!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
College Basketball Review...11/23
I like to post this on Monday, but got a little busy this week.
Mountain West Conference
Game of the Week: UNLV 68 Wisconsin 65
Player of the Week: Utah G Will Clyburn 33 points and 9 rebounds vs Weber State
Power Rankings:
1. San Diego State
2. BYU
3. UNLV
4. New Mexico
5. Utah
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. TCU
9. Air Force
WAC
Game of the Week: Pepperdine 76 Nevada 75
Player of the Week: Louisiana Tech F Olu Ashaolu
Power Rankings
1. Utah State
2. Louisiana Tech
3. San Jose State
4. Boise State
5. Hawaii
6. Fresno State
7. Nevada
8. New Mexico State
9. Idaho
Big Sky Conference:
Game of the Week: Portland State 102 Lamar 98
Player of the Week: Weber State G Damien Lillard Averaged 27 points for the week
Comments...can't put a 1-2 team on top.
Power Rankings:
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Montana State
4. Northern Arizona
5. Northern Colorado
6. Portland State
7. Idaho State
8. Eastern Washington
9. Sacramento State
Mountain West Conference
Game of the Week: UNLV 68 Wisconsin 65
Player of the Week: Utah G Will Clyburn 33 points and 9 rebounds vs Weber State
Power Rankings:
1. San Diego State
2. BYU
3. UNLV
4. New Mexico
5. Utah
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. TCU
9. Air Force
WAC
Game of the Week: Pepperdine 76 Nevada 75
Player of the Week: Louisiana Tech F Olu Ashaolu
Power Rankings
1. Utah State
2. Louisiana Tech
3. San Jose State
4. Boise State
5. Hawaii
6. Fresno State
7. Nevada
8. New Mexico State
9. Idaho
Big Sky Conference:
Game of the Week: Portland State 102 Lamar 98
Player of the Week: Weber State G Damien Lillard Averaged 27 points for the week
Comments...can't put a 1-2 team on top.
Power Rankings:
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Montana State
4. Northern Arizona
5. Northern Colorado
6. Portland State
7. Idaho State
8. Eastern Washington
9. Sacramento State
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 21 Power Rankings...the final BSC power ranking.
Mountain West Conference:
Game of the Week: Utah 38 San Deigo State 34
Offensive Player of the Week: Utah QB Jordan Wynn
Defensive Team Performance of the Week: Wyoming
Sure, Ryan Lindley had a good game too, but Jordan Wynn did not break down and throw interceptions when the game was on the line. It was a fun game to watch and Utah is set for the Las Vegas Bowl regardless of the outcome against BYU. In fact, the MWC bowl situation should now be clear, except we do not know for certain that TCU will get a BCS bowl.
Power Rankings:
1. TCU (Rose)
2. Utah (Las Vegas)
3. Air Force (Independence)
4. BYU (New Mexico)
5. San Deigo State (Poinsettia)
6. UNLV
7. Wyoming
8. New Mexico
9. Colorado State
WAC
Game of the Week: None
Offensive Player of the Week: Boise State QB Kellen Moore
Defensive Team Performance of the Week: Idaho
Boise State should leapfrog TCU this week. But the Frogs have done all that they can.
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State (NC-Game)
2. Nevada (Kraft Fight Hunger)
3. Hawaii (Hawaii)
4. Fresno State (Humanitarian)
5. Idaho (New Mexico)
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
Game of the Week: Montana State 21 Montana 16
Offensive Player of the Week: NAU RB Zach Bauman
Defensive Team Performance of the Week: Montana State
Congratualtions to the Big Sky Conference Co-Champions Montana State and Eastern Washington and to Montana State for getting the automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs.
Good Luck to former Idaho State coach Jon Zamberlin in his future endeavors.
Final Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Game of the Week: Utah 38 San Deigo State 34
Offensive Player of the Week: Utah QB Jordan Wynn
Defensive Team Performance of the Week: Wyoming
Sure, Ryan Lindley had a good game too, but Jordan Wynn did not break down and throw interceptions when the game was on the line. It was a fun game to watch and Utah is set for the Las Vegas Bowl regardless of the outcome against BYU. In fact, the MWC bowl situation should now be clear, except we do not know for certain that TCU will get a BCS bowl.
Power Rankings:
1. TCU (Rose)
2. Utah (Las Vegas)
3. Air Force (Independence)
4. BYU (New Mexico)
5. San Deigo State (Poinsettia)
6. UNLV
7. Wyoming
8. New Mexico
9. Colorado State
WAC
Game of the Week: None
Offensive Player of the Week: Boise State QB Kellen Moore
Defensive Team Performance of the Week: Idaho
Boise State should leapfrog TCU this week. But the Frogs have done all that they can.
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State (NC-Game)
2. Nevada (Kraft Fight Hunger)
3. Hawaii (Hawaii)
4. Fresno State (Humanitarian)
5. Idaho (New Mexico)
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
Game of the Week: Montana State 21 Montana 16
Offensive Player of the Week: NAU RB Zach Bauman
Defensive Team Performance of the Week: Montana State
Congratualtions to the Big Sky Conference Co-Champions Montana State and Eastern Washington and to Montana State for getting the automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs.
Good Luck to former Idaho State coach Jon Zamberlin in his future endeavors.
Final Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Latest FCS Playoff Picture--My final guess
By this time tomorrow, the bids will be issued. Here is my guess.
By Conference:
Big Sky:
Automatic Bid: Montana State
Also Eligible: Eastern Washington and Montana
Note: Eastern Washington will have the higher seed because they were without Taiwan Jones when they lost to Montana State.
Big South
Automatic Bid: Liberty
CAA:
Automatic Bid: Delaware
Also Eligible: New Hampshire, Villanova, and William and Mary
Great West:
No Automatic Bid
Eligible: Cal Poly
Eligible Independents:
Old Dominion
MEAC:
Automatic Bid: Bethune-Cookman
Also Eligible: South Carolina State and Florida A&M
MVC:
Automatic Bid: Northern Iowa
Also Eligible: Western Illinois and North Dakota State
NEC:
Automatic Bid: Robert Morris
Also Eligible: Central Connecticut State and Duquesne
OVC:
Automatic Bid: SE Missouri
Also Eligible: Jacksonville State
Patriot:
Automatic Bid: Lehigh
Pioneer:
No Automatic Bid
Eligible: Dayton, Jacksonville, and Drake
SoCon:
Automatic Bid: Appalachian State
Also Eligible: Wofford and Georgia Southern
Southland:
Automatic Bid: Stephen F. Austin
The eight teams that will be left out...Central Connecticut, Duquesne, Western Illinois, Dayton, Jacksonville, Drake, Georgia Southern, Noth Dakota State, South Carolina State, Florida A&M.
Last 4 in: Cal Poly, Montana, SE Missouri and Old Dominion
First 4 out: Western Illinois, Dayton, Georgia Southern and North Dakota State.
Seedings.
1. Delaware
2. William and Mary
3. Appalachian State
4. Eastern Washington
5. New Hampshire
6. Stephen F Austin
7. Montana State
8. Wofford
9. Villanova
10. Northern Iowa
11. Chattanooga
12. Robert Morris
13. Jacksonville State
14. Old Dominion
15. Montana
16. Cal Poly
17. SE Missouri
18. Lehigh
19. Liberty
20. Bethune-Cookman
First Round Games
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman at Jacksonville State
Game 2: Liberty at Old Dominion
Game 3: Lehigh at Montana
Game 4: SE Missouri at Cal Poly
Second Round Games:
Game 4 Winner at 1. Delaware
9. Villanova at 8. Wofford
12. Robert Morris at 5. New Hampshire
Game 1 Winner at 4. Eastern Washington
11. Chattanooga at 6. Stephen F. Austin
Game 2 Winner at 3. Appalachian State
10. Northern Iowa at 7. Montana State
Game 3 Winner at 2. William and Mary
By Conference:
Big Sky:
Automatic Bid: Montana State
Also Eligible: Eastern Washington and Montana
Note: Eastern Washington will have the higher seed because they were without Taiwan Jones when they lost to Montana State.
Big South
Automatic Bid: Liberty
CAA:
Automatic Bid: Delaware
Also Eligible: New Hampshire, Villanova, and William and Mary
Great West:
No Automatic Bid
Eligible: Cal Poly
Eligible Independents:
Old Dominion
MEAC:
Automatic Bid: Bethune-Cookman
Also Eligible: South Carolina State and Florida A&M
MVC:
Automatic Bid: Northern Iowa
Also Eligible: Western Illinois and North Dakota State
NEC:
Automatic Bid: Robert Morris
Also Eligible: Central Connecticut State and Duquesne
OVC:
Automatic Bid: SE Missouri
Also Eligible: Jacksonville State
Patriot:
Automatic Bid: Lehigh
Pioneer:
No Automatic Bid
Eligible: Dayton, Jacksonville, and Drake
SoCon:
Automatic Bid: Appalachian State
Also Eligible: Wofford and Georgia Southern
Southland:
Automatic Bid: Stephen F. Austin
The eight teams that will be left out...Central Connecticut, Duquesne, Western Illinois, Dayton, Jacksonville, Drake, Georgia Southern, Noth Dakota State, South Carolina State, Florida A&M.
Last 4 in: Cal Poly, Montana, SE Missouri and Old Dominion
First 4 out: Western Illinois, Dayton, Georgia Southern and North Dakota State.
Seedings.
1. Delaware
2. William and Mary
3. Appalachian State
4. Eastern Washington
5. New Hampshire
6. Stephen F Austin
7. Montana State
8. Wofford
9. Villanova
10. Northern Iowa
11. Chattanooga
12. Robert Morris
13. Jacksonville State
14. Old Dominion
15. Montana
16. Cal Poly
17. SE Missouri
18. Lehigh
19. Liberty
20. Bethune-Cookman
First Round Games
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman at Jacksonville State
Game 2: Liberty at Old Dominion
Game 3: Lehigh at Montana
Game 4: SE Missouri at Cal Poly
Second Round Games:
Game 4 Winner at 1. Delaware
9. Villanova at 8. Wofford
12. Robert Morris at 5. New Hampshire
Game 1 Winner at 4. Eastern Washington
11. Chattanooga at 6. Stephen F. Austin
Game 2 Winner at 3. Appalachian State
10. Northern Iowa at 7. Montana State
Game 3 Winner at 2. William and Mary
Friday, November 19, 2010
It's desparation time for the WAC!
If you are following where the conference expansion carousel is spinning, you know that the MWC will lose the last of the Big Three as TCU is rumored to accept an invite to join the Big East for football. The MWC has countered by inviting Hawaii as a football-only member.
This leaves that WAC with eight. One of those schools is a non-football program and another will not play their first football game until this fall. Of the seven remaining WAC football games, one program plays their first football games in 2011.
For Karl Benson, it has become a nightmare that he cannot wake up from. After Hawaii, the next program to leave will be Utah State. That is where it will likely end, I believe.
How desperate is the WAC now? Will Montana join with Montana State? What about Sacramento State, Portland State or even Weber State or Northern Arizona? It is time for all of these options to be on the table.
Did you know? Montana was once part of the PCC, a precursor to the PAC-12 and that Northern Arizona was part of the Border Conference whose members included Arizona and Arizona State as well as UTEP and New Mexico?
This leaves that WAC with eight. One of those schools is a non-football program and another will not play their first football game until this fall. Of the seven remaining WAC football games, one program plays their first football games in 2011.
For Karl Benson, it has become a nightmare that he cannot wake up from. After Hawaii, the next program to leave will be Utah State. That is where it will likely end, I believe.
How desperate is the WAC now? Will Montana join with Montana State? What about Sacramento State, Portland State or even Weber State or Northern Arizona? It is time for all of these options to be on the table.
Did you know? Montana was once part of the PCC, a precursor to the PAC-12 and that Northern Arizona was part of the Border Conference whose members included Arizona and Arizona State as well as UTEP and New Mexico?
Hawaii leaving the WAC
Conference expansion mania is not over. The MWC has made an offer to Hawaii to be a football-only member. If the MWC is looking to get an championship game, then Craig Thompson has another card up his sleeve. What could that card be? Perhaps a football only membership to Memphis? Maybe a full membership to SMU or Houston? Is TCU really joining the Big East?
There is plenty of twitter traffic stating that an announcement from TCU and the Big East conference in is on the horizon. TCU will be part of the Big East for football, but are still looking for a place to park the rest of their sports programs. Will it be the Missouri Valley Conference? Hawaii as a football only member seems to indicate that the MWC will allow TCU to keep the rest of it's programs there. But I doubt it.
If this were the case, wouldn't the MWC have made that offer to BYU? TCU's football program will be sorely missed. And the loss of the 'Frogs will mean no BCS AQ for the MWC. But Hawaii gives them a chance. The reason to make the football-only offer to Hawaii is to help them avoid the expense of travel. The Big West for Hawaii will save them thousands on travel. The MWC does not have the revenue to help Hawaii with their other sports. If they did, BYU would not have left.
Now, where does TCU park the rest of their sports? The Missouri Valley seems logical. It is not like TCU is a basketball power, but the MVC would likely welcome a chance to get back to Texas. We can hearken back to the olden days of the Valley, when their membership included Houston, North Texas and West Texas A & M. Other possibilities for TCU's other sports are Conference USA, Sun Belt and Southland conferences.
Without Hawaii, the WAC may become the weakest conference in the Bowl Subdivision. The seven remaining members have been to just two bowl games in the last ten seasons. One of those 7, will be playing their first football games this next fall.
Winners:
Big East:
Adds TCU and Villanova to bring the football membership to 10.
TCU:
Joins Big East for football but needs a place for it's other sports programs to reside. Could be the Missouri Valley Conference. Other possibilities are Sun Belt, Southland and C-USA.
Big West Conference:
Gains Hawaii in non-football sports.
Hawaii:
Gets out of WAC and puts non-football programs in better, less costly, travel arrangements.
Losers:
MWC: Loses it's Big 3, it's shot an AQ status for the BCS and takes on the better programs in the WAC to remain the best non-BCS conference.
WAC:
Becoming the worst FBS conference that almost non one wants to join. What do they do now?
Utah State, Idaho, San Jose State, New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech...remain on sinking ship without a life boat.
Texas State and UTSA...move does not look so grand now.
Not looking so dumb any longer:
Montana
There is plenty of twitter traffic stating that an announcement from TCU and the Big East conference in is on the horizon. TCU will be part of the Big East for football, but are still looking for a place to park the rest of their sports programs. Will it be the Missouri Valley Conference? Hawaii as a football only member seems to indicate that the MWC will allow TCU to keep the rest of it's programs there. But I doubt it.
If this were the case, wouldn't the MWC have made that offer to BYU? TCU's football program will be sorely missed. And the loss of the 'Frogs will mean no BCS AQ for the MWC. But Hawaii gives them a chance. The reason to make the football-only offer to Hawaii is to help them avoid the expense of travel. The Big West for Hawaii will save them thousands on travel. The MWC does not have the revenue to help Hawaii with their other sports. If they did, BYU would not have left.
Now, where does TCU park the rest of their sports? The Missouri Valley seems logical. It is not like TCU is a basketball power, but the MVC would likely welcome a chance to get back to Texas. We can hearken back to the olden days of the Valley, when their membership included Houston, North Texas and West Texas A & M. Other possibilities for TCU's other sports are Conference USA, Sun Belt and Southland conferences.
Without Hawaii, the WAC may become the weakest conference in the Bowl Subdivision. The seven remaining members have been to just two bowl games in the last ten seasons. One of those 7, will be playing their first football games this next fall.
Winners:
Big East:
Adds TCU and Villanova to bring the football membership to 10.
TCU:
Joins Big East for football but needs a place for it's other sports programs to reside. Could be the Missouri Valley Conference. Other possibilities are Sun Belt, Southland and C-USA.
Big West Conference:
Gains Hawaii in non-football sports.
Hawaii:
Gets out of WAC and puts non-football programs in better, less costly, travel arrangements.
Losers:
MWC: Loses it's Big 3, it's shot an AQ status for the BCS and takes on the better programs in the WAC to remain the best non-BCS conference.
WAC:
Becoming the worst FBS conference that almost non one wants to join. What do they do now?
Utah State, Idaho, San Jose State, New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech...remain on sinking ship without a life boat.
Texas State and UTSA...move does not look so grand now.
Not looking so dumb any longer:
Montana
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
FCS Playoff Picture Part II
Six teams have already punched their ticket for the FCS Playoffs. They are Delaware (CAA), Appalachian State (SoCon), Northern Iowa (MVC), Robert Morris (NEC), Lehigh (Patriot) and Bethune-Cookman (MEAC). Where they are seeded is another story. There is a lot to settle this coming weekend. Here is how things would play out of this were to go down this week.
Some of my at-large selections, however, will go down this weekend because being mentioned in this blog means that they are cursed. Other weird things could happen. Jacksonville State loses and gives the Ohio Valley crown to SE Missouri. Weber State winning in Lubbock which could give the Big Sky Conference five teams also boosting Montana and Sacramento State.
Some of my at-large selections, however, will go down this weekend because being mentioned in this blog means that they are cursed. Other weird things could happen. Jacksonville State loses and gives the Ohio Valley crown to SE Missouri. Weber State winning in Lubbock which could give the Big Sky Conference five teams also boosting Montana and Sacramento State.
1. Delaware**
2. William and Mary
3. Appalachian State **
4. Eastern Washington*
5. New Hampshire
6. Stephen F Austin*
7. Montana State
8. Wofford
9. U-Mass
10. Jacksonville State*
11. Villanova
12. Northern Iowa**
13. Chattanooga
14. Montana
15. Sacramento State
16. Georgia Southern
17. Robert Morris**
18. Lehigh**
19. Liberty*
20. Bethune-Cookman**
Last 4 in: Georgia Southern, Sacramento State, South Alabama, Chattanoog
First 4 out: Western Illinois, North Dakota State, Richmond, Weber State
Next 4 out: South Dakota State, McNeese State, SE Missouri, Cal-Poly
First Round Games
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman at Chattanooga
Game 2: Liberty at Montana
Game 3: Lehigh at Sacramento State
Game 4: Robert Morris at Georgia Southern
Second Round Games
Game 4 winner at 1. Delaware
9. U-Mass at 8. Wofford
12. Northern Iowa at 5. New Hampshire
Game 1 winner at 4. Eastern Washington
11. Villanova at 6. Stephen F. Austin
Game 2 winner at 3. Appalachian State
10. Jacksonville State at 7. Montana State
Game 3 winner at 2. William and Mary
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman at Chattanooga
Game 2: Liberty at Montana
Game 3: Lehigh at Sacramento State
Game 4: Robert Morris at Georgia Southern
Second Round Games
Game 4 winner at 1. Delaware
9. U-Mass at 8. Wofford
12. Northern Iowa at 5. New Hampshire
Game 1 winner at 4. Eastern Washington
11. Villanova at 6. Stephen F. Austin
Game 2 winner at 3. Appalachian State
10. Jacksonville State at 7. Montana State
Game 3 winner at 2. William and Mary
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
FCS Playoff Picture...last week of Season--part 1.
This week, a conference-by-conference look at who is eligible and who still has a shot to make it. All of the teams on the bubble are currently 6-5.
Big Sky Conference:
Automatic Bid:
None yet, Montana State and Eastern Washington are currently tied for the conference lead. The Bobcats have the tie breaker but play at cross-state rival Montana while Eastern Washington is home to Idaho State.
Currently At-large eligible:
Montana State
Eastern Washington
Montana
On the bubble
Sacramento State (vs Cal-Davis)Weber State (vs Texas Tech)
Big South:
Automatic Bid:
None yet, Stony Brook and Liberty meet this Saturday and the winner will be the conference champion.
At-large eligible:
Liberty (vs Stony Brook)
On the bubble:
Stony Brook (vs Liberty)
CAA:
Automatic Bid: Delaware
At-Large Eligible:
William and Mary
On the Bubble:
New Hampshire (vs Towson)
U-Mass (vs Rhode Island)
Villanova (vs Delaware)
Richmond (vs William and Mary)
Missouri Valley:
Automatic Bid: Northern Iowa
At-large Eligible:
North Dakota State
On the Bubble:
Western Illinois (vs. Northern Iowa)
Indiana State (vs. Southern Illinois)
Great West:
Does not have an automatic bid. Southern Utah is the champion, but does not qualify for an at-large bid as they finished their season 6-5.
At large eligible:
Cal Poly
On the Bubble:
None
At-large eligible Indepenents:
Old Dominion
MEAC
Automatic Bid: Bethune-Cookman
At-large Eligible:
South Carolina State
Florida A&M
On the Bubble:
None
NEC
Automatic Bid: Robert Morris
At-large eligible:
Central Connecticut
Bryant
On the Bubble:
Duquesne
OVC:
Automatic Bid: None yet, Jacksonville State will clinch the championship if they defeat Tennessee Tech this Saturday. Otherwise, the championship will go to Southeast Missouri.
At-large eligible:
Jacksonville State
Southeast Missouri
On the Bubble:
None
Patriot:
Automatic Bid: Lehigh
At-large Eligible:
None
On the Bubble:
Colgate (vs Fordham)
Pioneer League:
Automatic Bid: None, the Pioneer Conference does not get an automatic bid.
At-large Eligible:
Jacksonville
Dayton
Drake
On the Bubble:
None
SoCon:
Automatic Bid: Appalachian State
At-large Eligible:
Wofford
On the Bubble:
Chattanooga (vs Wofford)
Georgia Southern (vs Furman)
Southland:
Automatic Bid: None yet, but Stephen F. Austin has the tie breaker over McNeese State. The Lumberjacks play arch-rival Northwestern State while McNeese plays Central Arkansas.
At-large Eligible:
Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
On the Bubble:
Central Arkansas (vs. McNeese State)
Big Sky Conference:
Automatic Bid:
None yet, Montana State and Eastern Washington are currently tied for the conference lead. The Bobcats have the tie breaker but play at cross-state rival Montana while Eastern Washington is home to Idaho State.
Currently At-large eligible:
Montana State
Eastern Washington
Montana
On the bubble
Sacramento State (vs Cal-Davis)Weber State (vs Texas Tech)
Big South:
Automatic Bid:
None yet, Stony Brook and Liberty meet this Saturday and the winner will be the conference champion.
At-large eligible:
Liberty (vs Stony Brook)
On the bubble:
Stony Brook (vs Liberty)
CAA:
Automatic Bid: Delaware
At-Large Eligible:
William and Mary
On the Bubble:
New Hampshire (vs Towson)
U-Mass (vs Rhode Island)
Villanova (vs Delaware)
Richmond (vs William and Mary)
Missouri Valley:
Automatic Bid: Northern Iowa
At-large Eligible:
North Dakota State
On the Bubble:
Western Illinois (vs. Northern Iowa)
Indiana State (vs. Southern Illinois)
Great West:
Does not have an automatic bid. Southern Utah is the champion, but does not qualify for an at-large bid as they finished their season 6-5.
At large eligible:
Cal Poly
On the Bubble:
None
At-large eligible Indepenents:
Old Dominion
MEAC
Automatic Bid: Bethune-Cookman
At-large Eligible:
South Carolina State
Florida A&M
On the Bubble:
None
NEC
Automatic Bid: Robert Morris
At-large eligible:
Central Connecticut
Bryant
On the Bubble:
Duquesne
OVC:
Automatic Bid: None yet, Jacksonville State will clinch the championship if they defeat Tennessee Tech this Saturday. Otherwise, the championship will go to Southeast Missouri.
At-large eligible:
Jacksonville State
Southeast Missouri
On the Bubble:
None
Patriot:
Automatic Bid: Lehigh
At-large Eligible:
None
On the Bubble:
Colgate (vs Fordham)
Pioneer League:
Automatic Bid: None, the Pioneer Conference does not get an automatic bid.
At-large Eligible:
Jacksonville
Dayton
Drake
On the Bubble:
None
SoCon:
Automatic Bid: Appalachian State
At-large Eligible:
Wofford
On the Bubble:
Chattanooga (vs Wofford)
Georgia Southern (vs Furman)
Southland:
Automatic Bid: None yet, but Stephen F. Austin has the tie breaker over McNeese State. The Lumberjacks play arch-rival Northwestern State while McNeese plays Central Arkansas.
At-large Eligible:
Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
Publish Post
On the Bubble:
Central Arkansas (vs. McNeese State)
Monday, November 15, 2010
College Basketball Power Rankings 11/15
Early season games do not usually offer a lot to get excited about. It will get better.
WAC
Game of the Week: San Jose State 67 Eastern Washington 60
Player of the Week: Utah State G Brockieth Pane, 23 pts vs Weber State
Power Rankings:
1. Utah State
2. Nevada
3. New Mexico State
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Boise State
6. Fresno State
7. Idaho
8. San Jose State
9. Hawaii
Mountain West
Game of the Week: New Mexico 63 Detroit 54
Player of the Week: BYU G Jimmer Ferdette 24 pts 8 reb vs Fresno State
Power Rankings:
1. San Diego State
2. BYU
3. UNLV
4. New Mexico
5. Utah
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. TCU
9. Air Force
Big Sky Conference
Game of the Week: Creighton 74 Northern Arizona 70
Player of the Week: Weber State G Damien Lillard 28 Points vs Utah State
Power Rankings:
1. Weber State
2. Montana
3. Northern Arizona
4. Northern Colorado
5. Montana State
6. Portland Sate
7. Idaho State
8. Eastern Washington
9. Sacramento State
WAC
Game of the Week: San Jose State 67 Eastern Washington 60
Player of the Week: Utah State G Brockieth Pane, 23 pts vs Weber State
Power Rankings:
1. Utah State
2. Nevada
3. New Mexico State
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Boise State
6. Fresno State
7. Idaho
8. San Jose State
9. Hawaii
Mountain West
Game of the Week: New Mexico 63 Detroit 54
Player of the Week: BYU G Jimmer Ferdette 24 pts 8 reb vs Fresno State
Power Rankings:
1. San Diego State
2. BYU
3. UNLV
4. New Mexico
5. Utah
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. TCU
9. Air Force
Big Sky Conference
Game of the Week: Creighton 74 Northern Arizona 70
Player of the Week: Weber State G Damien Lillard 28 Points vs Utah State
Power Rankings:
1. Weber State
2. Montana
3. Northern Arizona
4. Northern Colorado
5. Montana State
6. Portland Sate
7. Idaho State
8. Eastern Washington
9. Sacramento State
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Football Power Rankings for November 14.
Mountain West Conference:
The Aztecs nearly pull off the upset in Forth Worth. That may not be the biggest story of the week. How about Utah's late season swoon or BYU's resurgence. In San Diego on Saturday we will find out who has the post TCU hangover.
Offensive Players of the Week: BYU QB Jake Heaps and SDSU WR Vincent Brown
Defensive Team of the Week: BYU
Game of the Week: TCU 40 San Deigo State 35
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. San Diego State
3. Utah
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. New Mexico
9. Wyoming
WAC
There were some exciting finishes in the WAC this week. Utah State and Nevada both came out on top of a couple of back and forth games. Fresno's Rouse had a phenomenal game in a losing effort.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Robbie Rouse
Defensive Team of the Week: Boise State
Game of the Week: Nevada 35 Fresno State 34
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Hawaii
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky conference witnessed a pair of teams coming from more than two scores behind to win games. Cory McCaffrey, the bullet in PSU's pistol, had another huge game in a losing effort. Northern Colorado finally won a close one, while Weber State came out on top of a tough one in Flagstaff. With Eastern Washington and Montana winning, the Big Sky Conference has three teams eligible for at-large FCS playoff berths. If Montana State wins in Missoula on Saturday, they will have the BSC automatic birth. Weber State can become eligible if they can beat Texas Tech in Lubbock Sacramento State becomes eligible with a win against cross-valley rival Cal-Davis.
Offensive Player of the Week: Portland State RB Cory McCaffrey
Defensive Team of the Week: Montana
Games of the Week: Weber State 27 Northern Arizona 26 and Northern Colorado 35 Portland State 30
Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
The Aztecs nearly pull off the upset in Forth Worth. That may not be the biggest story of the week. How about Utah's late season swoon or BYU's resurgence. In San Diego on Saturday we will find out who has the post TCU hangover.
Offensive Players of the Week: BYU QB Jake Heaps and SDSU WR Vincent Brown
Defensive Team of the Week: BYU
Game of the Week: TCU 40 San Deigo State 35
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. San Diego State
3. Utah
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. New Mexico
9. Wyoming
WAC
There were some exciting finishes in the WAC this week. Utah State and Nevada both came out on top of a couple of back and forth games. Fresno's Rouse had a phenomenal game in a losing effort.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Robbie Rouse
Defensive Team of the Week: Boise State
Game of the Week: Nevada 35 Fresno State 34
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Hawaii
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky conference witnessed a pair of teams coming from more than two scores behind to win games. Cory McCaffrey, the bullet in PSU's pistol, had another huge game in a losing effort. Northern Colorado finally won a close one, while Weber State came out on top of a tough one in Flagstaff. With Eastern Washington and Montana winning, the Big Sky Conference has three teams eligible for at-large FCS playoff berths. If Montana State wins in Missoula on Saturday, they will have the BSC automatic birth. Weber State can become eligible if they can beat Texas Tech in Lubbock Sacramento State becomes eligible with a win against cross-valley rival Cal-Davis.
Offensive Player of the Week: Portland State RB Cory McCaffrey
Defensive Team of the Week: Montana
Games of the Week: Weber State 27 Northern Arizona 26 and Northern Colorado 35 Portland State 30
Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
BYU's Bowl...the Las Vegas Bowl.
BYU might not make the Las Vegas bowl for the 6th consecutive season this year, but twitter rumors are showing that the PAC-12 is not renewing their contract with the Las Vegas bowl after this season. Instead the highest non-BCS MWC finisher will get to face a non-BCS, bowl eligible BYU.
If rumors are true, you will see BYU and the Las Vegas bowl sign an agreement that will pit the Cougars, as long as they are bowl eligible but not in the BCS, against the MWC right where BYU has spent the last five post-seasons.
Should be fun!
If rumors are true, you will see BYU and the Las Vegas bowl sign an agreement that will pit the Cougars, as long as they are bowl eligible but not in the BCS, against the MWC right where BYU has spent the last five post-seasons.
Should be fun!
Officially Official
The Western Athletic Conference officially welcomes Texas San Antonio, Texas State and Denver (Non-Football). Beginning in 2012, that will be 8 schools for football and 9 for men's and women's basketball.
According to ESPN.com, there is also an open invitation to Montana should they decide to move to the FBS. After reading Jim O'Day's comments in the Missoulian last week, that may not be in 2012 but sometime later. The WAC's model is for 9 football schools and 10 schools in other sports.
Of course these new schools will not completely fill the hole left by Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada, right away but the silver lining for the WAC is that it will have a foothold in the fertile Texas recruiting grounds and will give the WAC presumable access to another bowl game at the new bigger Texas State Stadium in San Marcos.
The scheduling agreement with BYU will likely continue beyond 2012 and Cougar fans should expect to see Texas State and UTSA visit LaVell Edwards Stadium in the near future.
According to ESPN.com, there is also an open invitation to Montana should they decide to move to the FBS. After reading Jim O'Day's comments in the Missoulian last week, that may not be in 2012 but sometime later. The WAC's model is for 9 football schools and 10 schools in other sports.
Of course these new schools will not completely fill the hole left by Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada, right away but the silver lining for the WAC is that it will have a foothold in the fertile Texas recruiting grounds and will give the WAC presumable access to another bowl game at the new bigger Texas State Stadium in San Marcos.
The scheduling agreement with BYU will likely continue beyond 2012 and Cougar fans should expect to see Texas State and UTSA visit LaVell Edwards Stadium in the near future.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Is 13 a bad number for the Big Sky?
Well, South Dakota said no to the Big Sky Conference, and if Doug Fullerton and the rest of the conference presidents prefer an even number, there are not a lot of choices. Montana will likely be a member of the Big Sky at least until 2014...which appears to be a smart mover for now...and splitting into two divisions can be problemsome when the two divisions have different numbers. But there are not a lot of good choices remaining.
Inside the footprint of the Big Sky, there are only two Division I FCS program that are not/will not be part of the BSC. They are North Dakota State University and the University of San Diego. NDSU will likely remain in the Missouri Valley with the other Dakota schools. And USD does not have scholarships for football and may not be able to compete with the Big Sky South and the likes of Cal Poly and Northern Arizona. The Big Sky may now be in the same position as the WAC...looking to promote a Division II program.
Those who read this blog know that I would like to see Dixie State in the Big Sky. Not that they are ready to be the next Boise State, but because the Saint George market would be good to add to the conference. This would be a chance to get the fastest growing small city in the US into the BSC. The Red Storm, however, would not be competitive for a number of years. Another DII program that would be ready to move up soon is Central Washington, who has wins against some Big Sky schools in recent seasons and who this season gave conference leader Eastern Washington a run for their money.
Let me now make an argument, now that North Dakota is in the league, for my Alma Mater, UN-Omaha. Sure, the Central Omaha program is plagued with playing in the shadow of their big brother program but they have good company in that regard in the Big Sky Conference--namely Portland State, Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho State and Northern Arizona. I can attest that they have quality facilities like Al F. Caniglia Field and have some fine academic programs as well. All are quality for a DII program. They have put players into the NFL. Finally, believe it or not, they have community support and on most Saturdays most of the 9,000 stadium seats are filled. They also boast a DI Hockey Program that plays downtown at the Qwest Center...the same Qwest Center that is home to Creighton's Basketball Program.
Truth is, there are not a lot of DII programs west of the Great Divide either. Perhaps 13 is just a number to protect the conference against further expansion threats from the WAC. But you never know where this will all end up.
Inside the footprint of the Big Sky, there are only two Division I FCS program that are not/will not be part of the BSC. They are North Dakota State University and the University of San Diego. NDSU will likely remain in the Missouri Valley with the other Dakota schools. And USD does not have scholarships for football and may not be able to compete with the Big Sky South and the likes of Cal Poly and Northern Arizona. The Big Sky may now be in the same position as the WAC...looking to promote a Division II program.
Those who read this blog know that I would like to see Dixie State in the Big Sky. Not that they are ready to be the next Boise State, but because the Saint George market would be good to add to the conference. This would be a chance to get the fastest growing small city in the US into the BSC. The Red Storm, however, would not be competitive for a number of years. Another DII program that would be ready to move up soon is Central Washington, who has wins against some Big Sky schools in recent seasons and who this season gave conference leader Eastern Washington a run for their money.
Let me now make an argument, now that North Dakota is in the league, for my Alma Mater, UN-Omaha. Sure, the Central Omaha program is plagued with playing in the shadow of their big brother program but they have good company in that regard in the Big Sky Conference--namely Portland State, Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho State and Northern Arizona. I can attest that they have quality facilities like Al F. Caniglia Field and have some fine academic programs as well. All are quality for a DII program. They have put players into the NFL. Finally, believe it or not, they have community support and on most Saturdays most of the 9,000 stadium seats are filled. They also boast a DI Hockey Program that plays downtown at the Qwest Center...the same Qwest Center that is home to Creighton's Basketball Program.
Truth is, there are not a lot of DII programs west of the Great Divide either. Perhaps 13 is just a number to protect the conference against further expansion threats from the WAC. But you never know where this will all end up.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
College Football Report for November 5...Power Rankings
If there ever was a weekend that made me look forward to Basketball season, this is it. Talk about unrequited anticipation! Talk about the big let down. But there is always next year...oh yea, I forget. Oh, well.
Mountain West Conference:
TCU proves they belong on top while Wyoming sinks to the bottom.
Offensive Players of the Week: TCU QB Andy Dalton, BYU QB Jake Heaps
Defensive Team of the Week: TCU
Game of the Week: New Mexico 34 Wyoming 31
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. Colorado State
7. New Mexico
8. UNLV
9. Wyoming
WAC
BSU proved that they have no equal in the WAC. Fresno State proved that they can win a close one. Utah State proved that they can beat someone who is not BYU.
Offensive Player of the Week: BSU QB Kellen Moore
Defensive Team of the Week: BSU
Game of the Week: Fresno State 40 Louisiana Tech 34
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Hawaii
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky
I know that Montana State fans are happy for the win in Bozeman, but the Big Sky Commissioner and conference are not happy. There are now only 3 BSC teams that are eligible for the playoffs, and there may only be 2 if it does not work out right.
Offensive Player of the Week: Montana State QB Darious McGhee
Defensive Team of the Week: Montana State
Game of the Week: Montana State 24 Weber State 10
Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Northern Arizona
5. Weber State
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Mountain West Conference:
TCU proves they belong on top while Wyoming sinks to the bottom.
Offensive Players of the Week: TCU QB Andy Dalton, BYU QB Jake Heaps
Defensive Team of the Week: TCU
Game of the Week: New Mexico 34 Wyoming 31
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. Colorado State
7. New Mexico
8. UNLV
9. Wyoming
WAC
BSU proved that they have no equal in the WAC. Fresno State proved that they can win a close one. Utah State proved that they can beat someone who is not BYU.
Offensive Player of the Week: BSU QB Kellen Moore
Defensive Team of the Week: BSU
Game of the Week: Fresno State 40 Louisiana Tech 34
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Hawaii
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Big Sky
I know that Montana State fans are happy for the win in Bozeman, but the Big Sky Commissioner and conference are not happy. There are now only 3 BSC teams that are eligible for the playoffs, and there may only be 2 if it does not work out right.
Offensive Player of the Week: Montana State QB Darious McGhee
Defensive Team of the Week: Montana State
Game of the Week: Montana State 24 Weber State 10
Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Northern Arizona
5. Weber State
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Monday, November 1, 2010
FCS Playoff Picture for November 1st
Who is in the playoffs today? There were a couple of upsets in the Big Sky this week, and that knocked the conference down a notch, but they still get 3 teams in the playoffs, but only one second round home game. But the conference leaders can not afford another loss. The CAA would also get 5 teams in the playoffs, but they have teams that can not afford another loss, either.
I do not believe that the committee will invite a team with five losses, even if one of those losses is to an FBS team. They will likely take a team with four losses if one of those losses is to an FBS school (Like Sacramento State who lost to Stanford) or if that team is in a power conference and has a victory over an FBS school (Like James Madison who beat Virginia Tech). I got roasted last week for having Montana State and Northern Arizona meet in a second round game. I made certain that that two teams from the same conference will not meet in either the first or second round, but there is one CAA situation where it could not be avoided unless I dropped JMU completely out of the picture, so I did. And I had to drop Northern Arizona and Sacrament State because they will not have enough Division I wins. In fact, that ruined my 11-15 seeds, but those are the rules.
Seedings:
Last four in: U-Mass, Montana, Chattanooga, South Alabama and Jacksonville
Teams not eligible for an at-large bid because they can not reach 7 division I wins: Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, Southern Utah
* Denotes the conference leader in an automatic-bid conference
** Denotes a team with four losses, but one of those losses is to a FBS team.
*** Denotes a team with four FCS losses, but with a victory over an FBS school.
First round games:
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman at U-Mass
Game 2: Lehigh at South Alabama
Game 3: Liberty at Jacksonville
Game 4: Robert Morris at Northern Iowa
Second Round Games
Game 4 Winner at 1. Villanova
9. Stephen F. Austin at 8. Wofford
Game 1 Winner at 4. Appalachian State
12. Montana at 5. New Hampshire
Game 2 Winner at 3. William and Mary
11. Montana State at 6. Jacksonville State
Game 3 Winner at 2. Delaware
10. Western Illinois at 7. Eastern Washington
I do not believe that the committee will invite a team with five losses, even if one of those losses is to an FBS team. They will likely take a team with four losses if one of those losses is to an FBS school (Like Sacramento State who lost to Stanford) or if that team is in a power conference and has a victory over an FBS school (Like James Madison who beat Virginia Tech). I got roasted last week for having Montana State and Northern Arizona meet in a second round game. I made certain that that two teams from the same conference will not meet in either the first or second round, but there is one CAA situation where it could not be avoided unless I dropped JMU completely out of the picture, so I did. And I had to drop Northern Arizona and Sacrament State because they will not have enough Division I wins. In fact, that ruined my 11-15 seeds, but those are the rules.
Seedings:
1. Villanova
2. Delaware
3. William and Mary*
4. Appalachian State*
5. New Hampshire
6. Jacksonville State*
7. Eastern Washington*
8. Wofford
9. Stephen F. Austin
10. Western Illinois
11. Montana State
12. Montana
13. U-Mass
14. South Alabama
15. Jacksonville
16. Northern Iowa*
17. Robert Morris*
18. Liberty*
19. Lehigh*
20. Bethune-Cookman*
Last four in: U-Mass, Montana, Chattanooga, South Alabama and Jacksonville
Teams not eligible for an at-large bid because they can not reach 7 division I wins: Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, Southern Utah
* Denotes the conference leader in an automatic-bid conference
** Denotes a team with four losses, but one of those losses is to a FBS team.
*** Denotes a team with four FCS losses, but with a victory over an FBS school.
First round games:
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman at U-Mass
Game 2: Lehigh at South Alabama
Game 3: Liberty at Jacksonville
Game 4: Robert Morris at Northern Iowa
Second Round Games
Game 4 Winner at 1. Villanova
9. Stephen F. Austin at 8. Wofford
Game 1 Winner at 4. Appalachian State
12. Montana at 5. New Hampshire
Game 2 Winner at 3. William and Mary
11. Montana State at 6. Jacksonville State
Game 3 Winner at 2. Delaware
10. Western Illinois at 7. Eastern Washington
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