There are no reliable computer rankings at this point in the season, so I relied solely on the FCS Consolidated Rankings. When Computer rankings are available, I will include them in the prediction as well. Also, the rules state that teams from the same conference can not meet in the first or second round, so the seeding has to be adjusted from the rankings. For example, Montana was seeding down to avoid playing Montana State in the 2nd round. James Madison is out because a scenario can not be worked out to avoid playing another CAA school in the second round. McNeese State makes the field instead.
Automatic Bids...
Big Sky--Eastern Washington
Big South--Liberty
Colonial--William and Mary
MEAC--Bethune Cookman
MVFC--Northern Iowa
NEAC--Central Connecticut State
OVC--Jacksonville State
Patriot--Lehigh
Southland--Central Arkansas
SoCon--Appalachian State
Seedings
1. EASTERN WASHINGTON Eagles (Big Sky)
2. APPALACHIAN STATE Mountaineers (SoCon)
3. Georgia Southern Eagles (SoCon)
4. WILLIAM AND MARY Tribe (CAA)
5. Delaware Blue Hens (CAA)
6. Montana State Bobcats (Big Sky)
7. NORTHERN IOWA Panthers (MVFC)
8. Wofford Terriers (SoCon)
9. JACKSONVILLE STATE Gamecocks (OVC)
10. New Hampshire Wildcats (CAA)
11. LEHIGH Mountain Hawks (Patriot)
12. Montana Grizzlies (Big Sky)
13. North Dakota State Bison (MVFC)
14. CENTRAL ARKANSAS Bears (Southland)
15. Villanova Wildcats (CAA)
16. Southern Illinois Salukis (MVFC)
17. McNeese State Cowboys (Southland)
18. LIBERTY Flames (Big South)
19. BETHUNE-COOKMAN Wildcats (MEAC)
20. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE Blue Devils (NEAC)
First Round
Game 1
20. Central Connecticut State at 13. North Dakota State
Game 2
19. Bethune-Cookman at 14. Central Arkansas
Game 3
18. Liberty at 15. Villanova
Game 4
17. McNeese State at 16. Southern Illinois
Second Round
Game 4 winner at 1. Eastern Washington
9. Jacksonville State at 8. Wofford
Game 1 winner at 4. William and Mary
12. Montana at 5. Delaware
Game 2 winner at 3. Georgia Southern
11. Lehigh at 6. Montana State
Game 3 winner at 2. Appalachian State
10. New Hampshire at 7. Northern Iowa
Last 4 in...
North Dakota State, Southern Illinois, Villanova, McNeese State
First 4 out...
James Madison, Richmond, Sacramento State, Stephen F. Austin
Next 4 out...
Chattanooga, Murray State, South Carolina State, Massachusetts
Also Lurking
Western Illinois, Southern Utah, Stony Brook, Southeast Missouri, Northwestern State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida A&M, Sam Houston State
The season is young. Let's play the games and see how this works out.
3 comments:
It's a little early to do anything but take a stab. I hope the selection committee won't send the Griz to Delaware. If the Griz make the playoffs this yr, I can't imagine the NCAA not giving them a home game. UofM & the Hens are about the only FCS teams with a proven ability to sell 25k+ tickets.
Daren,
Let's emphasize that this is a little early in the season. Montana is well supported and would sell 20,000+ tickets for a second round game. Certainly that would considered by the committee. But above all, the Griz need to earn the right to host a game.
You need to be in the top 8 to host a home game in the FCS playoffs. It is very elite company.
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