Open Letter to MVFC Playoff Teams

[Tatanka]

Long pass to put us in FG range I believe but it was ruled he was across the line of scrimmage.

It was, and he was. That's not what lost the game. Our defense was, well, awful.

[td577]

I think until NDSU starts not doing well and not drawing well in the playoff, we will get every benefit of the doubt to be included in the playoffs. We will be in along as we meet minimum requirements. The positive side for the conference is that everyone ahead of us should always be in, as well. This year is about a couple of years of complaining there is no respect for the conference. The committee knows NDSU is clearly the best team in the country and UNI beat them. In general, the MVFC playoff teams only lost to FBS or FCS playoff teams. The committee actually looked at the conference for what it is. The best conference in FCS football with numerous factors to back it up, including the 3 time defending champions.

Then you have NDSU on its own merit. There will come a season where we will be on the bubble. As long as the program maintains relevancy in FCS, which so far has included every season except one in FCS, I think the Bison will always get the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of any individual season success or failure, we are a school the playoff committee wants to find a way to put on the board. This will always benefit the conference that if we finish fourth, there will be four valley teams in. Yes, it will add to the institutional memory of the committee if our conference goes 9-4, or something like that, in the playoffs this year. Regardless of what happens, it is my belief NDSU will have contributed to its own undoing to be left out of the playoffs, not any committee doing anything and everything they can to include them. If there is any doubt about this, see Sam Houston last year. A bubble team given the benefit of the doubt because of their past success.

It is only kind of important for the conference to do well. It is very important for NDSU to do well. That will continue to etch this program in the minds of the committee for the years to come. So when we do have a 7-5 season someplace down the road, the committee automatically defers to working the bracket backwards to make sure NDSU is on it. That would be an interesting selection meeting to sit on. But we have a 2 loss MEAC team? Doesn't matter, how do we get the Bison on this board?

Lastly, I do think today's committee is not the committee that sent NDSU to Delta State. The proof is in the bracket. They saw CC for what it was. A 1 loss program with a terribly weak schedule that pulled off an upset win last year but showed the actual divide the next weekend between the elite FCS and where they are at. If they replicate their playoff success this year, then they should be taken more seriously next year. NDSU has shown that when in the playoffs, the Bison have been a team that can deliver on a national scale regardless of how they did in the conference. They overcame a tough conference in 2010 to perform well. The have overcome key injuries in each of their championship playoff seasons. They have replicated success with double digit graduation figures every year. They have navigated their way through the toughest conference in FCS, overcoming losses along the way. NDSU has rightfully earned its way into being considered on its own when it comes to the playoff committee. For the sake of the MVFC, this is a good thing.

[BisonCardinal]

It was a total surprise to me for Indiana State to get in. Who do you think flexed their muscle in order for a 7-5 MVFC team to get in over other 7-5 teams? My guess is Troy Dannen of UNI. Patty V. hasn't been agressive for 30 yrs, why start now? Troy probably made the case successfully that Ind State beat an FBS and the hottest team right now (UNI).

[56BISON73]

It was a total surprise to me for Indiana State to get in. Who do you think flexed their muscle in order for a 7-5 MVFC team to get in over other 7-5 teams? My guess is Troy Dannen of UNI. Patty V. hasn't been agressive for 30 yrs, why start now? Troy probably made the case successfully that Ind State beat an FBS and the hottest team right now (UNI).

If you look at ISUs schedule vs SDSU who would you pick? ISU beat an FBS and Liberty. SDSU has no signature wins.

[Tatanka]

If you look at ISUs schedule vs SDSU who would you pick? ISU beat an FBS and Liberty. SDSU has no signature wins.

Ding ding ding. Right here

[56BISON73]

Ding ding ding. Right here

We did have that conversation didn't we.