Final Bracketology

[NDSUstudent]

Usually post this in the FCS forum but moving it here for the last one....

The Field
SFA at Montana State vs 1. NDSU
San Diego at SHSU vs 8. Chattanooga

EKU at UNI vs 5. ISUR
Bethune-Cookman at SELA vs 4. JSU

Morgan State at Richmond vs 6. NOVA
SDSU at Montana vs 3. EWU

JMU at Liberty vs 7. CCU
Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 2. UNH

Autobids(11): EWU, Liberty UNH, Morgan State, NDSU, Sacred Heart, Jacksonville State, Fordham, San Diego, Chattanooga and SHSU
At Large(13): ISUR, Nova, CCU, UNI, SELA, SDSU, JMU, EKU, Montana State, Richmond, Montana, Bethune-Cookman, SFA

Bubble: Indiana State, Idaho State, NC A&T, Lamar and W&M

[NDSUstudent]

Nobowls bracket...
(http://nobowls.com/)http://nobowls.com/images/final.png

College Sports Madness
(http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/fcs-football/bracketology)
Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 1. UNH
SHSU at JMU vs 8. Chattanooga

SFA at Montana vs 5. Illinois State
SDSU at SELA vs 4. EWU

Montana State at UNI vs 3. JSU
Morgan State at Richmond vs 6. CCU

EKU at Liberty vs 7. Villanova
San Diego at Idaho State vs 2. NDSU

Sports Network (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/writers/infcshuddle/archive/haley_11_22_2014.htm)
Stephen F. Austin-Montana State winner at No. 1 seed North Dakota State
Fordham-Liberty winner at No. 8 seed Coastal Carolina

Indiana State-Eastern Kentucky winner at No. 5 seed Villanova
Southeastern Louisiana-South Dakota State winner at No. 4 seed Illinois State

Richmond-Sam Houston State winner at No. 3 seed Jacksonville State
San Diego-Montana winner at No. 6 seed Eastern Washington

Sacred Heart-Northern Iowa winner at No. 7 seed Chattanooga
Morgan State-James Madison winner at No. 2 seed New Hampshire

Bison Media Bracket (https://twitter.com/DomIzzoWDAY/status/536399453830516736)
SDSU at Montana State vs 1. NDSU
SFA at Richmond vs 8. Chattanooga

Bethune-Cookman at JMU vs 5. Villanova
EKU at SELA vs 4. Illinois State

San Diego at Montana vs 3. EWU
Morgan State at Liberty vs 6. CCU

SHSU at UNI vs 7. Jacksonville State
Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 2. UNH


Chris Lang(Lynchburg News and Advance)
MSU-SELA winner at #1 North Dakota State
Richmond-EKU winner at #8 Chattanooga


USD-Montana winner at #4 Illinois State
SFA-UNI winner at #5 Eastern Washington


SHU-Fordham winner at #3 New Hampshire
IdSU-Liberty winner at #6 Villanova


SDSU-SHSU winner at #2 Jacksonville State
Morgan State-JMU winner at #7 Coastal Carolina

[BisonNeil]

UNI won't be in the next bracket with ISUr and same for Richmond in same plane bracket with Nova as they are in same conference. NCAA can no longer set up a situation where either a first round game or seeded team has to play an in conference team for their first playoff game.

[NDSUstudent]

UNI won't be in the next bracket with ISUr and same for Richmond in same plane bracket with Nova as they are in same conference. NCAA can no longer set up a situation where either a first round game or seeded team has to play an in conference team for their first playoff game.

Where are you getting that? That is only a rule for round 1. There were three conference rematches in round 2 last year(UNH-Maine, SHSU-SELA and Tenn State-EIU).

[BisonNeil]

Nobowls bracket...
(http://nobowls.com/)http://nobowls.com/images/final.png

Same comment. Nearly every one of your first round games cannot happen because the seeded team that might play the winner is in the same conference.

[BisonNeil]

Where are you getting that? That is only a rule for round 1. There were three conference rematches in round 2 last year.

No. It is for round one and two and is for the first game any team plays. It is a direct result of 2012 when SDSU crushed EIU and then NDSU had to play a conference team for their first game in round two. Taylor complained and every conference agreed so the NCAA changed the rules.

[bisonboone11]

UNI won't be in the next bracket with ISUr and same for Richmond in same plane bracket with Nova as they are in same conference. NCAA can no longer set up a situation where either a first round game or seeded team has to play an in conference team for their first playoff game.
When did they change that rule? I know they used to avoid 2 teams from the same conference playing each other in both of their first games, but that rule went out the window when one team had a bye and the other team didn't.

[stevdock]

Do you not remember us playing SDSU in our first game in the playoffs two years ago?? It just can't be in the very first round.

[HoopsBison]

No. It is for round one and two and is for the first game any team plays. It is a direct result of 2012 when SDSU crushed EIU and then NDSU had to play a conference team for their first game in round two. Taylor complained and every conference agreed so the NCAA changed the rules.

Not so sure about that...

[NDSUstudent]

No. It is for round one and two and is for the first game any team plays. It is a direct result of 2012 when SDSU crushed EIU and then NDSU had to play a conference team for their first game in round two. Taylor complained and every conference agreed so the NCAA changed the rules.

So they changed the rules last year and it happened three more times?

SDSU didn't play NDSU last year because they committee sent them to NAU, if NAU had beat SDSU they would have had a conference rematch with EWU. Like I said before three conference foes matched up against each other in round 2 last year.

[BisonNeil]

When did they change that rule? I know they used to avoid 2 teams from the same conference playing each other in both of their first games, but that rule went out the window when one team had a bye and the other team didn't.

I believe this the first year because my understanding is that the CAA complained very loudly about last year. Maybe I am wrong since no one else believes this to be the case.

[NDSUstudent]

I just don't really see the NCAA letting them do that, it would be the end of regionalization. I would like it but from what I can tell the rules are the same. Kolpack and Izzo thought playing SDSU again was a very real possibility in round 2. In fact in the bracket Dom posted last week he had the winner of Montana State-SDSU coming here. They are way more tuned into what is going on behind the scenes then me, so I am just going to go on thinking like nothing has changed.

https://twitter.com/DomIzzoWDAY/status/534585085966970880

[Tatanka]

Couple thoughts:

* Could the selection committee take a fourth big fluffy team over SDSU/ISUb? That would be a crime given the relative strengths of the conferences based on, well, any objective measure.
* Regarding SDSU/ISUb. Consensus on the Bison post-game show seemed to be that ISUb is out, while SDSU punched their ticket. WTF, over. SDSU has 7 wins (8th was against a D-III non counter) and how many signature wins? Yeah, exactly. ISUb has an FBS win at Ball State, a win over Liberty, who oh by they way won their conference, and against another playoff team in UNI. How can you take the bunnies over the trees?
* Regarding regionalization. I'm gonna go ahead and give this one a big old gabe--it sucks giant porno cock. Why punish NDSU by loading their playoff bracket with the same teams NDSU has beat already in order to get to the playoffs? NDSU should be rewarded by playing some of the powder puff cake eaters from out east. Good grief.

That is all. Flame away.

[NDSUstudent]

The fluffy all stubbed their toes in games they should have won, much like ISUB did today. So I think they are stuck with three. SDSU does only have seven wins but I will say this about them, the past three weeks they took care of their business and sent a message. They are playing some great football.

Yes, regionalization can die in a fire.

[NDSUstudent]

Just think of this from UNI's perspective. They just beat both ISUR and NDSU, now they have to play either one right away? Plus they are probably the odd team out when it comes to seedings and teams that are much worse than they are will get cupcake first round games because of location and not strength.

[td577]

Couple thoughts:

* Could the selection committee take a fourth big fluffy team over SDSU/ISUb? That would be a crime given the relative strengths of the conferences based on, well, any objective measure.
* Regarding SDSU/ISUb. Consensus on the Bison post-game show seemed to be that ISUb is out, while SDSU punched their ticket. WTF, over. SDSU has 7 wins (8th was against a D-III non counter) and how many signature wins? Yeah, exactly. ISUb has an FBS win at Ball State, a win over Liberty, who oh by they way won their conference, and against another playoff team in UNI. How can you take the bunnies over the trees?
* Regarding regionalization. I'm gonna go ahead and give this one a big old gabe--it sucks giant porno cock. Why punish NDSU by loading their playoff bracket with the same teams NDSU has beat already in order to get to the playoffs? NDSU should be rewarded by playing some of the powder puff cake eaters from out east. Good grief.

That is all. Flame away.

I agree 1000% with that, as I have also said it before. NDSU, for example, wins the toughest conference in FCS to see their bracket loaded with the same schools is hardly a fair system, but it is the system we got because the NCAA is pretty much only looking at travel costs from here on out if the schools aren't seeded.

The good news for the Bison is two fold. We all know playoff Bison football teams are different then regular season teams. So while we are facing the same teams, they aren't. The other good news is that it will be in Fargo. No one wants to play here. We could suck and no one would want to play here. YSU today blew two second half timeouts before the third quarter was over in a game they were losing because they couldn't audible for crap. Two time outs in a game where a couple of really weird bounces and they might be back in it and will need those timeouts much later in the game. I don't even think we were as loud as we have been in other games, either. On the other hand, when we are on offense, I could talk to the team from my seats if I wanted. You would think Valley schools would be used to it, but even they are not and the crowd messes with their game. When we have lost at home in the past four years, it has been very unusual things happening. Generally, we knock the other teams off of their game plan early in the dome. You can try with all of your might to replicate the game day experience during practices, but they never come close to the real thing. YSU was playing for their entire season in this game and the crowd took them out of any comfort zone they could ever possibly consider operating in. Playing from behind in a hostile environment generally doesn't end well.

On top of all of this, some sorry team is only going to get one week to prepare. It is tough to play football when you can't hear yourself think.

[KCHerd]

This is from the NCAA FCS site. and still really doesnt make sense

"The top eight teams in the 24-team bracket for the championship will be seeded. Team pairings will be determined according to geographical proximity. Teams from the same conference will not be paired for first-round games or for second-round games when both teams are playing their first games of the championship (except for teams from the same conference that did not play against each other during the regular season; such teams may play each other in the first and second round)."

There are no 2nd round games where both teams would be playing their first games, so not sure how that works.

Also, if Liberty plays JMU in the 1st round it almost for sure will be played at JMU since they led the country in attendance this year. They go to the higher bid location and JMU will bid high with the ability to get 25,000 there

[Christopher Moen]

Nobowls bracket...
(http://nobowls.com/)http://nobowls.com/images/final.png

I don't see the MVFC getting five teams in the tournament and all on the same side unless NDSU gets the #2 seed. I see four MVFC teams (NDSU, Illinois State, UNI and SDSU) getting bids and at least one of those teams being on the opposite side of the bracket. Putting all four or five makes on the same side makes the bracket too strong on one side. The bottom side of a bracket (where the #2 and #3 seeds reside) should only be a little bit stronger than the top side (where the #1 and #4 seeds reside). Regionalization cannot rationalize overloading a bracket. Could you imagine the explanation the BCS schools would have to explain if they had an 8 or 16-team bracket and put the four to five SEC teams on the same side. Grant the BSC conferences have a lot of money, but so does the NCAA.

My wild guess is that NDSU gets the #1 seed and the other three teams get placed on the bottom side of the bracket.

[NDSUstudent]

College Sports Madness
(http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/fcs-football/bracketology)
Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 1. UNH
SHSU at JMU vs 8. Chattanooga

SFA at Montana vs 5. Illinois State
SDSU at SELA vs 4. EWU

Montana State at UNI vs 3. JSU
Morgan State at Richmond vs 6. CCU

EKU at Liberty vs 7. Villanova
San Diego at Idaho State vs 2. NDSU

[Hammerhead]

This is from the NCAA FCS site. and still really doesnt make sense

"The top eight teams in the 24-team bracket for the championship will be seeded. Team pairings will be determined according to geographical proximity. Teams from the same conference will not be paired for first-round games or for second-round games when both teams are playing their first games of the championship (except for teams from the same conference that did not play against each other during the regular season; such teams may play each other in the first and second round)."

There are no 2nd round games where both teams would be playing their first games, so not sure how that works.

Also, if Liberty plays JMU in the 1st round it almost for sure will be played at JMU since they led the country in attendance this year. They go to the higher bid location and JMU will bid high with the ability to get 25,000 there


I think that's leftover from the wording used in earlier years when there were only four first round games.

http://msubookstore.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/bracket1.jpg

[NDSUstudent]

Sports Network (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/writers/infcshuddle/archive/haley_11_22_2014.htm)
Stephen F. Austin-Montana State winner at No. 1 seed North Dakota State
Fordham-Liberty winner at No. 8 seed Coastal Carolina

Indiana State-Eastern Kentucky winner at No. 5 seed Villanova
Southeastern Louisiana-South Dakota State winner at No. 4 seed Illinois State

Richmond-Sam Houston State winner at No. 3 seed Jacksonville State
San Diego-Montana winner at No. 6 seed Eastern Washington

Sacred Heart-Northern Iowa winner at No. 7 seed Chattanooga
Morgan State-James Madison winner at No. 2 seed New Hampshire

[NDSUstudent]

Bison Media Bracket (https://twitter.com/DomIzzoWDAY/status/536399453830516736)
SDSU at Montana State vs 1. NDSU
SFA at Richmond vs 8. Chattanooga

Bethune-Cookman at JMU vs 5. Villanova
EKU at SELA vs 4. Illinois State

San Diego at Montana vs 3. EWU
Morgan State at Liberty vs 6. CCU

SHSU at UNI vs 7. Jacksonville State
Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 2. UNH

[Hammerhead]

I'd like to see Montana State finally get their return trip to Fargo. :)


Sports Network (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/writers/infcshuddle/archive/haley_11_22_2014.htm)
Stephen F. Austin-Montana State winner at No. 1 seed North Dakota State
Fordham-Liberty winner at No. 8 seed Coastal Carolina

Indiana State-Eastern Kentucky winner at No. 5 seed Villanova
Southeastern Louisiana-South Dakota State winner at No. 4 seed Illinois State

Richmond-Sam Houston State winner at No. 3 seed Jacksonville State
San Diego-Montana winner at No. 6 seed Eastern Washington

Sacred Heart-Northern Iowa winner at No. 7 seed Chattanooga
Morgan State-James Madison winner at No. 2 seed New Hampshire

[Hammerhead]

I'd like to see Montana State finally get their return trip to Fargo. :)


Sports Network (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/writers/infcshuddle/archive/haley_11_22_2014.htm)
Stephen F. Austin-Montana State winner at No. 1 seed North Dakota State
Fordham-Liberty winner at No. 8 seed Coastal Carolina

Indiana State-Eastern Kentucky winner at No. 5 seed Villanova
Southeastern Louisiana-South Dakota State winner at No. 4 seed Illinois State

Richmond-Sam Houston State winner at No. 3 seed Jacksonville State
San Diego-Montana winner at No. 6 seed Eastern Washington

Sacred Heart-Northern Iowa winner at No. 7 seed Chattanooga
Morgan State-James Madison winner at No. 2 seed New Hampshire

[NDSUstudent]

I will say, I would love to see the Sports Network bracket come to fruition.

[BraxtonT]

Any bracket that has Coastal Carolina being seeded is suspect. Their body of work shows no good wins IMO. If they had earned their own conferences autobid, then I can see justifying a seed, but they didn't do that. Here is there season:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/324/coastal-carolina-chanticleers


Liberty, to their credit, had an extremely hard schedule. Four losses on the year included three to teams from the ACC, MVFC, and CAA. Despite the tough schedule, I wouldn't give them a seed, either. Here is there season:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2335/liberty-flames


Take a quick look at the OOC teams that CCU played: Three MEAC (enough said), two Southern (5-7 and 3-9), one CAA (1-11), and one FCS Indy (5-6).

Hopefully, the committee members do this and don't reward them with a seed, unless it matches them up with NDSU in the Quarters. However, based on the body of work, a seeded CCU better hope for a winner of a cupcake 1st round matchup (2 autobid winners from crap conferences) and not one of the at-large CAA teams.

Here are the final standings for all the FCS conferences:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/standings/_/group/81

[NDSUstudent]

Chris Lang(Lynchburg News and Advance) (http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liberty_university/chris_lang_blog/fcs-playoff-watch-final-projection/article_522fefe0-72e1-11e4-9bcb-f3287cca5885.html)
MSU-SELA winner at #1 North Dakota State
Richmond-EKU winner at #8 Chattanooga

USD-Montana winner at #4 Illinois State
SFA-UNI winner at #5 Eastern Washington

SHU-Fordham winner at #3 New Hampshire
IdSU-Liberty winner at #6 Villanova

SDSU-SHSU winner at #2 Jacksonville State
Morgan State-JMU winner at #7 Coastal Carolina

[NDSUBowler]

I like any bracket that would set up a potential NDSU-UNI semifinal in the FARGOdome.

I don't want to meet them in Frisco, I don't want to meet them in an earlier game. I want it to be for the right to go to Frisco and I WANT NDSU to face them in Fargo and regain NDSU's superiority over their program.

[stevdock]

On top of all of this, some sorry team is only going to get one week to prepare. It is tough to play football when you can't hear yourself think.

I asked this question after our last home game and the answer was a visual queue. If the dome is so loud how can the QB signal a snap with a clap of his hands?? Some people said the center was looking back to see the wave of his hands and YSU's center never once did that. I get that the dome has not been playoff loud since GSU a couple years ago, but I find it ridiculous that our dome is so quiet that the opposing teams can signal a snap with a clap of their hands. It's time to tune it up because this is not going to be an easy playoff run and our boys need our support.

[stevdock]

I'd like to see Montana State finally get their return trip to Fargo. :)

They'd have to win a game that actually matters to make this happen. When was the last time they did that??

[runtheoption]

I asked this question after our last home game and the answer was a visual queue. If the dome is so loud how can the QB signal a snap with a clap of his hands?? Some people said the center was looking back to see the wave of his hands and YSU's center never once did that. I get that the dome has not been playoff loud since GSU a couple years ago, but I find it ridiculous that our dome is so quiet that the opposing teams can signal a snap with a clap of their hands. It's time to tune it up because this is not going to be an easy playoff run and our boys need our support.I was wondering the same thing at yesterday's game. Is a solid hand clap such a sharp noise that it cuts through the noise?

[BYZEN]

I like any bracket that would set up a potential NDSU-UNI semifinal in the FARGOdome.

I don't want to meet them in Frisco, I don't want to meet them in an earlier game. I want it to be for the right to go to Frisco and I WANT NDSU to face them in Fargo and regain NDSU's superiority over their program.

In my own unscientific bracket I have the purple pussycats coming to Fargo. Yes, I did set this up for purely selfish reasons, just like you have stated. I also have, foolishly perhaps, put another team through to Frisco just to finally get there beet down from the Bison. :nod:

[td577]

I was wondering the same thing at yesterday's game. Is a solid hand clap such a sharp noise that it cuts through the noise?

No, it is watching the qb and a silent count after the clap. It is a visual cue. Offenses are still trying to keep an edge on knowing when the ball is snapped. Do you want to be watching the ball or Kyle Emanuel when the ball is snapped?

Even when the crowd isn't at maximum volume, the offense can't count on hearing anyone clap their hands, so it is always a silent count after the visual cue. Sometimes the cue is clapping hands, tapping the ground, or stomping foot when that isn't used to set guys in motion.



Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Christopher Moen]

I don't see the MVFC getting five teams in the tournament and all on the same side unless NDSU gets the #2 seed. I see four MVFC teams (NDSU, Illinois State, UNI and SDSU) getting bids and at least one of those teams being on the opposite side of the bracket. Putting all four or five makes on the same side makes the bracket too strong on one side. The bottom side of a bracket (where the #2 and #3 seeds reside) should only be a little bit stronger than the top side (where the #1 and #4 seeds reside). Regionalization cannot rationalize overloading a bracket. Could you imagine the explanation the BCS schools would have to explain if they had an 8 or 16-team bracket and put the four to five SEC teams on the same side. Grant the BSC conferences have a lot of money, but so does the NCAA.

My wild guess is that NDSU gets the #1 seed and the other three teams get placed on the bottom side of the bracket.

I was wrong about the seed and the number of MVFC teams getting bids, but at least I was correct about three teams being on the other side. I seriously think NDSU got the easy side of the bracket.

[bisonpride4ever]

Terry Vandrovec's Twitter feed is full of butthurt over Indiana St. His Jimmies are fully rustled.


Sent using both a Speak-n-Spell and an Etch-a-Sketch

[missingnumber7]

Its time for the bus rule to be gone. Seed the teams 1-24 and let it play out.

[westnodak93bison]

McNeese damn near beat Nebraska and don't make the FCS playoffs.

[bisonaudit]

McNeese damn near beat Nebraska and don't make the FCS playoffs.

Says more about the BIG than it does about the selection process.

[missingnumber7]

McNeese damn near beat Nebraska and don't make the FCS playoffs.

Only 5 D1 wins and loss 3 straight.

[westnodak93bison]

Only 5 D1 wins and loss 3 straight.
Not saying they should have made the field just kind of amazing that they nearly beat a traditional FBS power and can't even make the FCS field of 24. Pelini is toast

[56BISON73]

Its time for the bus rule to be gone. Seed the teams 1-24 and let it play out.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ X infinity!!!!!!!!!

[Ndsu84]

Its time for the bus rule to be gone. Seed the teams 1-24 and let it play out.

No shit! Get the best teams in the championship!

[Hammerhead]

Its time for the bus rule to be gone. Seed the teams 1-24 and let it play out.

Now many unseeded teams have been to the championship game, even when there were only 4 or 5 seeds? There's no way the NCAA would risk sending a team with a big fan base where they could sell 10,000 - 20,000 tickets to Our Lady of Perpetual Motion who might only sell 1,000 tickets because the former was seeded higher.

[THEsocalledfan]

Reality is due to uni and isu-r in the top bracket, NDSU has a relatively easy path to Frisco.

[BisonNeil]

Reality is due to uni and isu-r in the top bracket, NDSU has a relatively easy path to Frisco.

Other than the Bunnies, I agree with you. Sumner is playing good football and he did well against the Bison after being off for many weeks. Zenner also had his best game. They are THE threat on this side of the bracket.

[FFBison]

Other than the Bunnies, I agree with you. Sumner is playing good football and he did well against the Bison after being off for many weeks. Zenner also had his best game. They are THE other threat on this side of the bracket.

Fixed it for you...

[HerdBoy]

Other than the Bunnies, I agree with you. Sumner is playing good football and he did well against the Bison after being off for many weeks. Zenner also had his best game. They are THE threat on this side of the bracket.

In the 3 games since the Bison game Sumner has passed for 1059 yards. Much like UNI, SDSU is probably playing their best football right now.

[missingnumber7]

Now many unseeded teams have been to the championship game, even when there were only 4 or 5 seeds? There's no way the NCAA would risk sending a team with a big fan base where they could sell 10,000 - 20,000 tickets to Our Lady of Perpetual Motion who might only sell 1,000 tickets because the former was seeded higher.

Our Lady of Perpetual Motion really dislikes that comment because Little Sisters of the Poor always plays the same day they do in their pretty dome on the other side of town.

They are trying to regionalize a national tourney when it is convenient to them. And honestly it really is only when its convenient, other than that its dumb.

I understand making bus trips for the first weekend, but then regionalizing the second weekend is dumb. If you bracket it out the way it legitimately should be then you are essentially saying that Fordham/Sacred Heart would produce the worst team remaining to play the #1 seed and that MSU/SDSU the second worst and that the best team remaining would come out of EKU/ISUB.

Regionalization is a stupid concept when used for a national tournament, it has been proven yearly at the D2 level and they are trying to mix it to some extent with a true tourney. If they expanded their distance it wouldn't be terrible, but its still has more flaws than helps teams as it will almost always guarantee that there will be MVFC/MVFC; Big Sky/Big Sky matchups in the second round if they stay true to the rules. The CAA and OVC make out like bandits because of all the crappy conferences located in the vicinity of them.

[td577]

In the 3 games since the Bison game Sumner has passed for 1059 yards. Much like UNI, SDSU is probably playing their best football right now.

Except for the NDSU and Illinois State (without Sumner) they have had a good season. The YSU game was 3 points and does Sumner mean 4 points? I don't know. Lujan had a great line after the game.

My concern about SDSU isn't that they are playing well, because unless they are playing us, they always seem to be playing well; it is that does Zenner ever have a good game against the Bison before he is done? I prefer that question stay answered and he doesn't get another chance. 5 games, 45.2 YPG average, and a total of 2 TDs. I think if you give a great player enough chances, eventually they something good will happen. I prefer it not to happen and given our defense, there is still the likely chance it won't, but why risk it. The blowcats will probably get stomped by the bunnies. If they pull off the upset, they will get absolutely destroyed by the Bison. The bunnies pose a much greater threat, so therefore would prefer not to meet them. When it does happen, NDSU wins but it will be a much closer game then against any big fluffy team not named ewu.

[heffray]

Except for the NDSU and Illinois State (without Sumner) they have had a good season. The YSU game was 3 points and does Sumner mean 4 points? I don't know. Lujan had a great line after the game.

My concern about SDSU isn't that they are playing well, because unless they are playing us, they always seem to be playing well; it is that does Zenner ever have a good game against the Bison before he is done? I prefer that question stay answered and he doesn't get another chance. 5 games, 45.2 YPG average, and a total of 2 TDs. I think if you give a great player enough chances, eventually they something good will happen. I prefer it not to happen and given our defense, there is still the likely chance it won't, but why risk it. The blowcats will probably get stomped by the bunnies. If they pull off the upset, they will get absolutely destroyed by the Bison. The bunnies pose a much greater threat, so therefore would prefer not to meet them. When it does happen, NDSU wins but it will be a much closer game then against any big fluffy team not named ewu.

To be fair, we also are playing much better football since playing the Jacks...

[HazenBizon]

I honestly think they should go back to 16. Then they can seed all teams and send them to their respective site. I don't care if NDSU made the playoffs in 2010. They didn't deserve to. A loss to Missouri State, C'mon. I know they did well, but a playoff bid after that loss? I have the same nostalgia as the rest of you (NDSU would've won a title that year, SPOILER: They wouldn't have as Delaware's defense would've destroyed NDSU's anemic offense), but there are far fewer meaningful games in the first round. An NEC or PL league teammay upset a few, and the MEAC may do well (before '99 that is). The PFL however, has no business getting an auto bid. They are equivalent to D3 they should drop accordingly, as the Dayton rule is bullshit

[NDSUstudent]

I honestly think they should go back to 16. Then they can seed all teams and send them to their respective site. I don't care if NDSU made the playoffs in 2010. They didn't deserve to. A loss to Missouri State, C'mon. I know they did well, but a playoff bid after that loss? I have the same nostalgia as the rest of you (NDSU would've won a title that year, SPOILER: They wouldn't have as Delaware's defense would've destroyed NDSU's anemic offense), but there are far fewer meaningful games in the first round. An NEC or PL league teammay upset a few, and the MEAC may do well (before '99 that is). The PFL however, has no business getting an auto bid. They are equivalent to D3 they should drop accordingly, as the Dayton rule is bullshit

I think the smallest the playoff field can be is 20 teams due to NCAA rules if you get rid of the PFL.

Adding the PFL is what really hurt things, you add their junk autobid winner and then three more at-large teams. I think if we had a 20 team field this year it would be solid.

[NDSUstudent]

Perhaps it would best if committee seeded 12 teams, you still have a regionalization but it becomes much more difficult....

Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 1. UNH
SHSU at 10. SELA vs 8. Chatty

Montana State at 12. SDSU vs 5. ISUR
San Diego at Montana vs 4. EWU

ISUB at EKU vs 3. JSU
Liberty at 11. JMU vs 6. Nova

SFA at 9. UNI vs 7. CCU
Morgan State at Richmond vs 2. NDSU

[NDSUSR]

Perhaps it would best if committee seeded 12 teams, you still have a regionalization but it becomes much more difficult....

Sacred Heart at Fordham vs 1. UNH
SHSU at 10. SELA vs 8. Chatty

Montana State at 12. SDSU vs 5. ISUR
San Diego at Montana vs 4. EWU

ISUB at EKU vs 3. JSU
Liberty at 11. JMU vs 6. Nova

SFA at 9. UNI vs 7. CCU
Morgan State at Richmond vs 2. NDSU

Look kids, it is what it is. Not much in life is the way we think it should be.
Live with what you are dealt. Champions persevere regardless.

[bisonpride4ever]

Look kids, it is what it is. Not much in life is the way we think it should be.
Live with what you are dealt. Champions persevere regardless.

Exactly. All that matters is that NDSU is one of the teams in the field and that NDSU has home field advantage. Any team that comes in better be ready for a physical, hard hitting affair. To those foes......good luck


Sent using both a Speak-n-Spell and an Etch-a-Sketch

[BisoninNWMN]

I honestly think they should go back to 16. Then they can seed all teams and send them to their respective site. I don't care if NDSU made the playoffs in 2010. They didn't deserve to. A loss to Missouri State, C'mon. I know they did well, but a playoff bid after that loss? I have the same nostalgia as the rest of you (NDSU would've won a title that year, SPOILER: They wouldn't have as Delaware's defense would've destroyed NDSU's anemic offense), but there are far fewer meaningful games in the first round. An NEC or PL league teammay upset a few, and the MEAC may do well (before '99 that is). The PFL however, has no business getting an auto bid. They are equivalent to D3 they should drop accordingly, as the Dayton rule is bullshit


So what if it is 24 teams. Let the PL and NEC have their bids and they will lose accordingly. Let the top teams have byes, like they have now, and let the chips fall. Someone is always going to complain.

NDSU potentially has 3 home games before the NC and that is fine with me.

[1998braves64]

Hasn't NDSU been #2 for 2 of the 3 years they won the national championship??
Sent from Win8 phone on a bullet train from Hillsboro.

[westnodak93bison]

So what if it is 24 teams. Let the PL and NEC have their bids and they will lose accordingly. Let the top teams have byes, like they have now, and let the chips fall. Someone is always going to complain.

NDSU potentially has 3 home games before the NC and that is fine with me.
Agree. For those who poo poo this system and claim certain conferences don't belong I say bs. Many say the same about the NCAA basketball tournament which is by far and away the best. Play the games. The best will shake out and everyone gets their shot for the most part.

[FFBison]

NDSU potentially has 3 home games before the NC and that is fine with me.

Incorrect...we potentially have 4 home games! Just that one is at Fargo "south".

[THEsocalledfan]

Hasn't NDSU been #2 for 2 of the 3 years they won the national championship??
Sent from Win8 phone on a bullet train from Hillsboro.

No, only the first year. Rest they were #1.

[NodakBizon]

question, in the fcs playoffs can an unseeded team or lower seeded team outbid a higher seeded team for home field? For example, i dont envision this happening but lets say JMU makes it to the semi's against us, with their higher attendance figures can the NCAA reward them the game if they bid higher?

[NodakBizon]

question, in the fcs playoffs can an unseeded team or lower seeded team outbid a higher seeded team for home field? For example, i dont envision this happening but lets say JMU makes it to the semi's against us, with their higher attendance figures can the NCAA reward them the game if they bid higher?

Nevermind my last post, i didnt realize this was discussed to death on another thread.

[gotts]

question, in the fcs playoffs can an unseeded team or lower seeded team outbid a higher seeded team for home field? For example, i dont envision this happening but lets say JMU makes it to the semi's against us, with their higher attendance figures can the NCAA reward them the game if they bid higher?

No.

ten char

[ndsubison1]

I think the team that comes out of the EWU, Ill St, UNI, Montana part of the bracket will be in Frisco.

[FFBison]

I think the team that comes out of the EWU, Ill St, UNI, Montana part of the bracket will be in Frisco.

...and whoever that is, will certainly be deserving. They'll be battle tested prior to a potential visit to UNH.

[cbline]

I think the team that comes out of the EWU, Ill St, UNI, Montana part of the bracket will be in Frisco.

Agreed. I was very underwhelmed with UNH last year, but then again they ran into the Bison juggernaut.

[The_Sicatoka]

Looking at the bracket, NDSU's toughest test to get back to Frisco will be their first game (SDSU or Montana State). I don't see Coastal (or Richmond / Morgan ) as more than a speed bump on the way to the semis.

I don't see much in the #3 portion either. The most dangerous team to NDSU in that section is Sam Houston (and the revenge factor).

UNH should make the semis.

And then there's the "the bracket of doom": Montana, EWU, Illinois State, and UNI. Ouch.

[NDSUstudent]

Looking at the bracket, NDSU's toughest test to get back to Frisco will be their first game (SDSU or Montana State). I don't see Coastal (or Richmond / Morgan ) as more than a speed bump on the way to the semis.

I don't see much in the #3 portion either. The most dangerous team to NDSU in that section is Sam Houston (and the revenge factor).

UNH should make the semis.

And then there's the "the bracket of doom": Montana, EWU, Illinois State, and UNI. Ouch.

EWU's coach has to be pissed, he gets the Griz and they will bring a ton of fans to Cheney plus the Griz basically get what amounts to a bye week playing a non-scholarship team. Just a nice little scrimmage really to get them tuned up for EWU. If he gets past Montana then he is looking at perhaps a game with what will be a top 5 or 6 team in the FCS in my opinion.

[EC8CH]

Looking at the bracket, NDSU's toughest test to get back to Frisco will be their first game (SDSU or Montana State). I don't see Coastal (or Richmond / Morgan ) as more than a speed bump on the way to the semis.

I don't see much in the #3 portion either. The most dangerous team to NDSU in that section is Sam Houston (and the revenge factor).

UNH should make the semis.

And then there's the "the bracket of doom": Montana, EWU, Illinois State, and UNI. Ouch.


Not much left at Sam Houston for a "revenge factor" to still exist. Most all of the coaching staff and top players from those years are gone.

[17>1]

Shaping up to be a nice Saturday full of football. ISU vs EKU @ Noon, SDSU vs MSU @ 3pm, and SFA @ UNI at 7pm. All games on ESPN3 too. It'd be nice to see the MoVall go 3-0, but would also be ok with the Jacks losing.

[BisonNation11]

Shaping up to be a nice Saturday full of football. ISU vs EKU @ Noon, SDSU vs MSU @ 3pm, and SFA @ UNI at 7pm. All games on ESPN3 too. It'd be nice to see the MoVall go 3-0, but would also be ok with the Jacks losing.

So who's house we partying at all day to watch these games???

[StL Bison Fan]

So who's house we partying at all day to watch these games???

Didn't you invite us to yours?

[Tatanka]

EWU's coach has to be pissed, he gets the Griz and they will bring a ton of fans to Cheney plus the Griz basically get what amounts to a bye week playing a non-scholarship team. Just a nice little scrimmage really to get them tuned up for EWU. If he gets past Montana then he is looking at perhaps a game with what will be a top 5 or 6 team in the FCS in my opinion.


http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/32341454.jpg#grumpy%20cat%20good%20400x400

[BisonNation11]

Didn't you invite us to yours?
Unless you like a cramped apartment, no, I'm sorry I didn't. If I had a house, I'd host watch parties for every away game.

[StL Bison Fan]

Unless you like a cramped apartment, no, I'm sorry I didn't. If I had a house, I'd host watch parties for every away game.

Two options.
1Gastropub or bww
2 you could get rid of stuff and we would be less cramped

[BisoninNWMN]

Incorrect...we potentially have 4 home games! Just that one is at Fargo "south".


Good call!!!

I was wrong....:biggrin:

[56BISON73]

Two options.
1Gastropub or bww
2 you could get rid of stuff and we would be less cramped

3 Tailgators

As much as I like Gastros private rooms I am tired of the slow service and them running out of product.

[StL Bison Fan]

3 Tailgators

As much as I like Gastros private rooms I am tired of the slow service and them running out of product.

Haven't been there in a while and since last time gastropub had crummy service and burnt food, may have to go there. Will they have the games. Bunny game for sure is the one I want to see.

[56BISON73]

Haven't been there in a while and since last time gastropub had crummy service and burnt food, may have to go there. Will they have the games. Bunny game for sure is the one I want to see.

Ive been there a few times and they had what ever game we wanted. Call ahead and ask.

[UncleBuck]

Now that the MVC got five teams in, I would love to see three of those teams in the semifinals.

Indiana State vs Illinois State
Some non-MVC team vs North Dakota State

[BisoninNWMN]

Now that the MVC got five teams in, I would love to see three of those teams in the semifinals.

Indiana State vs Illinois State
Some non-MVC team vs North Dakota State



I don't think Ind State will make it far but UNI/Ill State both have a really good chance to make the title game.

Pencil in NDSU....:)