This is getting fun folks, one week to go, I figure we have 17 teams locked in and 7 teams fighting for 3 spots. There’s an outside chance that the Missouri Valley gets 4 teams in, but a lot of things need to happen. You need to watch the show; and tell me what you think!
Another Dakota Big 3 matchup game highlights college football in the Dakotas this weekend. A key rivalry in-state and of keen interest across the Dakotas the Jacks are playing for a playoff spot. A win for the Jacks would put them on a collision course with the Bison. I dont think they would put the Jacks in a different bracket?
Big Brother U. is watching. and laughing.
I hear that! The Dakota Big Three, conference titles, playoff spots, national championships and of course “Best College Football Team in The Dakotas” is on the line. It’s a tradition going back even before the old NCC.
The Mighty Dakota Land Grants for all the marbles in the biggest college sporting event in The history of the Dakotas.
Hat Trick for the Dakota Big Three!
SDSU-34 USD-3
Kansas State is now the FCS #1 and if they win the BCS, a possible #1 vs. #1 next August 29……………….
If Northern Arizona loses to Cal Poly, they should not get in. The bottom half of the Big Sky was terrible, which consisted of the majority of NAU’s schedule. Ohio Valley could get a second team in. Hard to see the Missouri Valley getting four teams in, but it could happen given the high GPI of those teams. Selection Sunday will be interesting, as there are about 27 deserving teams and only 20 spots.
Currenlty this year FCS has three non-scholarship conferences: Ivy League, Pioneer League, and the Patriot League. None of the teams from those conferences offer scholarships. Yet a Division II school awards 36 scholarships. I find it odd that schools in Division I count wins (for playoff purposes) against DI non-scholarship schools yet don’t count wins (for playoff purposes) versus D II schools which actually award scholarships.
When there are too many FCS teams vying for a small number of playoff spots you have to exclude the D2 victories. Plus not all D2 schools fully fund scholarships up to 36 so which D2 victories really should be counted?
This would have been a good year to expand the field to 24 playoff spots.
This isn’t exactly true. The Pioneer League is the only one of the three that is really non-scholarship. Both the Patriot and Ivy Leagues give out money to their football teams, they just don’t call it an athletic scholarship. The universities set aside a portion of financial aid for the football program(this is limited by the same 63 scholarship rule as the rest of FCS). This money is then distributed to the players based on financial need and academic qualifications rather than athletic ability. But it really serves the same purpose. Now, not every Patriot and Ivy does it exactly this way, but these schools are still much closer to the rest of FCS than the true non-scholie Pioneer.
That is true. Coaches will tell you those two leagues have financial aid on a “need” basis, such as we need money for football players.
Lehigh will get in with 1 loss. Lehigh has been a decent playoff team with 1st round wins the last 2 years.
Their QB graduated. He was the reason they won in the first round.
And that is why in the FCS we settle it on the field.
I assume you mean playoffs? Most teams aren’t fighing it out in the parking lot.
Great breakdown, Dom! It’ll be a wild Saturday next week!
I don’t think Cal Poy is a lock if they lose to NAU this week. They’ve feasted on the bottom of the Big Sky and a non-scholly San Diego. Even with a FBS win they need to win this week to guarantee a win.
Wofford will also be in the 7 win boat (provided they don’t pull the massive upset against South Carolina this week) because they have a D2 win as well so they’ll be in the same predicament as Indiana St (if they win) and NAU (if they lose).
I think it’s highly likely there’s an 8 D1 win team from a power conference like a Cal Poly or a Villanova that could get left out. I also don’t think Lehigh gets it just because of how strong the rest of the bubble is. Most years you wouldn’t think twice about putting a 10-1 Lehigh team in but what if you’re looking at a 10-1 Lehigh vs a 7-3 Wofford or an 8-3 Villanova?
Villanova gets in everytime, reputation from CAAl may happen this weekend
If I were a betting man I would say if the Jacks get in the playoffs and win in the first round that they will be in Fargo to play the Bison in round two. That is assuming the Bison beat Illinois State this weekend.I know it stinks but it would save on travel costs.It really hurts to lose Levon Perry! He is a stud! Go Bison!
I agree. What a gamerht ow would be!
I agree. What a game that one would be!
Yea!
Hey Jeff. What is status of Schwartz and luecke. Are they both available now that Leevon is out. Drevlow is great run stopper but would be nice for him to get a break once in awhile. Hope coaches are correcting brocks throwing. He is throwing off his back foot and also if his out pattern are timing patterns he is releasing way to late.
Auto correct sucks. Schatz not Schwartz. Also Brock appears to be a bit more about show lately. He did a great job running and is a tough kid and a winner, but he needs to get humility back and bring the confident workmanlike leader traits back.
Sam Houston State is going to be the best 10 seed to ever enter the FCS playoffs! They will have three losses, C. Arkansas, Baylor, and Texas A&M. If you want to see how a top level FCS program performs against a top level FBS this week will be a great indicator of the difference in talent and speed.
Was NDSU ever a 10 seed?
Would Sac State from the Big Sky be in with a win this weekend? They would have the same looking resume as Youngstown if they win? I think 4 from the Big Sky are in already and with Sac State as a possible 5th with a win this weekend being they already have a win over FBS Colorado. Big Sky just seems deeper than these other leagues when you look at their conference wins. SDSU which is supposed to be one of the best in the MVC barely beat UC Davis one of the worst in the Big Sky.
interesting point jeff…. what were the matchups between the MVFC vs. Big Sky this year, and how did they all turn out? anybody know?
Big Sky vs MFVC was 1-1; Montana beat USD and SDSU beat Cal Davis; Jeff I hear your theory on Sac State; I’ll still take Youngstown from a stronger league ranking and a better FBS win (Pitt) than horrendous Colorado(Pac12; even though its a BCS conference) think the Hornets played themselves out.