2024 Non-UND FCS Thread

[geaux_sioux]

9 minutes ago, JackJD said:

With NDSU, USD and SDSU all claiming a share of the conference title, the Sagarin rating was the conference’s agreed method for resolving which team could claim the automatic qualifier for the playoffs. The AQ had no bearing on the selection committee’s process for determining seeding and matchups.  Had NDSU won in Vermillion, or if SDSU had lost at Missouri State, the Sagarin rating would not have been a topic on any fan message board.

I think most SDSU fans recognize that SDSU playing DII Augustana and USD playing DII Northern State, were factors in the committee’s work. In SDSU’s case, the decision to play Augie was a late call – SDSU was contracted to host FCS (WAC) Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State out of St. George, UT) but Utah Tech backed out. I don’t know anything about USD’s scheduling decision but that decision took on added significance when Portland State cancelled USD’s game after USD flew in to Portland only to hear PSU's team had been exposed to pertussis (a fact PSU knew for a day or two before USD got on the plane)…it was likely USD would have won that game but instead ended up with one less DI game on its schedule.

It seems hard to argue with Montana State’s #1 seed or NDSU’s #2 seed based on win/loss and more detailed season stats. In my view, USD’s win over NDSU should have been a discussion point in the committee’s deliberations – should a losing team be seeded higher than a team that just beat them? -- but what weight was given to that point in light of other factors is beyond me. My guess is the committee thought a little about what could happen if the brackets permitted SDSU meeting NDSU in Frisco, a repeat of the 2022 game (boring to the rest of the country; or, if the brackets permitted SDSU playing USD in Frisco.  What is the interest in playoffs for fans whose favorite team is not located in Montana or one of the Dakotas?

I think you’ll find very little griping by SDSU fans about the bracket and seeding. Sure, there are some personal preferences about whether we end up in Fargo or Bozeman if we get through the preliminary rounds; but, I think the Jacks faithful take a note from our coach and the team: we’ll play anybody, anywhere. To get to Frisco means we have to go through some very good teams (cue the “last play” and “one game at a time” mantras).

Jacks fans are guardedly optimistic right now.  Since mid-season, the Jacks have looked like and played like the Jacks teams of the past couple of seasons. In some respects, we may be better.  The adjustment to the loss of a great senior class now well represented in the NFL, took longer than we thought but now, much like last season and the playoffs, we have been crushing teams. This past weekend, a pretty good Missouri State team could only score 9 points at home – three field goals.

Best of luck to UND working through the discussions about whether a coaching change is warranted.  That’s a tough decision that impacts all of the teams in the conference.

Take your sdsu bull sh t out of here! Kidding, good post. I’ll be cheering for a jacks 3 peat. 

[JackJD]

5 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

Take your sdsu bull sh t out of here! Kidding, good post. I’ll be cheering for a jacks 3 peat. 

Hey, I remember well all the years when SDSU couldn't buy a football win against both North Dakota schools.

 

 

 

[CMSioux]

27 minutes ago, JackJD said:

With NDSU, USD and SDSU all claiming a share of the conference title, the Sagarin rating was the conference’s agreed method for resolving which team could claim the automatic qualifier for the playoffs. The AQ had no bearing on the selection committee’s process for determining seeding and matchups.  Had NDSU won in Vermillion, or if SDSU had lost at Missouri State, the Sagarin rating would not have been a topic on any fan message board.

I think most SDSU fans recognize that SDSU playing DII Augustana and USD playing DII Northern State, were factors in the committee’s work. In SDSU’s case, the decision to play Augie was a late call – SDSU was contracted to host FCS (WAC) Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State out of St. George, UT) but Utah Tech backed out. I don’t know anything about USD’s scheduling decision but that decision took on added significance when Portland State cancelled USD’s game after USD flew in to Portland only to hear PSU's team had been exposed to pertussis (a fact PSU knew for a day or two before USD got on the plane)…it was likely USD would have won that game but instead ended up with one less DI game on its schedule.

It seems hard to argue with Montana State’s #1 seed or NDSU’s #2 seed based on win/loss and more detailed season stats. In my view, USD’s win over NDSU should have been a discussion point in the committee’s deliberations – should a losing team be seeded higher than a team that just beat them? -- but what weight was given to that point in light of other factors is beyond me. My guess is the committee thought a little about what could happen if the brackets permitted SDSU meeting NDSU in Frisco, a repeat of the 2022 game (boring to the rest of the country; or, if the brackets permitted SDSU playing USD in Frisco.  What is the interest in playoffs for fans whose favorite team is not located in Montana or one of the Dakotas?

I think you’ll find very little griping by SDSU fans about the bracket and seeding. Sure, there are some personal preferences about whether we end up in Fargo or Bozeman if we get through the preliminary rounds; but, I think the Jacks faithful take a note from our coach and the team: we’ll play anybody, anywhere. To get to Frisco means we have to go through some very good teams (cue the “last play” and “one game at a time” mantras).

Jacks fans are guardedly optimistic right now.  Since mid-season, the Jacks have looked like and played like the Jacks teams of the past couple of seasons. In some respects, we may be better.  The adjustment to the loss of a great senior class now well represented in the NFL, took longer than we thought but now, much like last season and the playoffs, we have been crushing teams. This past weekend, a pretty good Missouri State team could only score 9 points at home – three field goals.

Best of luck to UND working through the discussions about whether a coaching change is warranted.  That’s a tough decision that impacts all of the teams in the conference.

If SDSU makes it to Frisco this might be the year to take it in. Especially if Montana State is the opponent as there is another North Dakota connection then. If Moo U makes it I wouldn't drive that far to experience their attitudes.

[SiouxFan100]

At least ndsu has to get by SDSU to get to frisco 

[forksandspoons]

What ever happened to the NDSU player who tried to kill someone a couple months ago? Did he see his day in court? Hard to comb through all the Deion Sanders articles and TV ratings articles.

[HoopsFan03]

11 minutes ago, forksandspoons said:

What ever happened to the NDSU player who tried to kill someone a couple months ago? Did he see his day in court? Hard to comb through all the Deion Sanders articles and TV ratings articles.

He’s back on the team

[FSSD]

1 hour ago, geaux_sioux said:

Take your sdsu bull sh t out of here! Kidding, good post. I’ll be cheering for a jacks 3 peat. 

I am going for a Yote vs Jacks final.

[FSSD]

1 hour ago, JackJD said:

With NDSU, USD and SDSU all claiming a share of the conference title, the Sagarin rating was the conference’s agreed method for resolving which team could claim the automatic qualifier for the playoffs. The AQ had no bearing on the selection committee’s process for determining seeding and matchups.  Had NDSU won in Vermillion, or if SDSU had lost at Missouri State, the Sagarin rating would not have been a topic on any fan message board.

I think most SDSU fans recognize that SDSU playing DII Augustana and USD playing DII Northern State, were factors in the committee’s work. In SDSU’s case, the decision to play Augie was a late call – SDSU was contracted to host FCS (WAC) Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State out of St. George, UT) but Utah Tech backed out. I don’t know anything about USD’s scheduling decision but that decision took on added significance when Portland State cancelled USD’s game after USD flew in to Portland only to hear PSU's team had been exposed to pertussis (a fact PSU knew for a day or two before USD got on the plane)…it was likely USD would have won that game but instead ended up with one less DI game on its schedule.

It seems hard to argue with Montana State’s #1 seed or NDSU’s #2 seed based on win/loss and more detailed season stats. In my view, USD’s win over NDSU should have been a discussion point in the committee’s deliberations – should a losing team be seeded higher than a team that just beat them? -- but what weight was given to that point in light of other factors is beyond me. My guess is the committee thought a little about what could happen if the brackets permitted SDSU meeting NDSU in Frisco, a repeat of the 2022 game (boring to the rest of the country; or, if the brackets permitted SDSU playing USD in Frisco.  What is the interest in playoffs for fans whose favorite team is not located in Montana or one of the Dakotas?

I think you’ll find very little griping by SDSU fans about the bracket and seeding. Sure, there are some personal preferences about whether we end up in Fargo or Bozeman if we get through the preliminary rounds; but, I think the Jacks faithful take a note from our coach and the team: we’ll play anybody, anywhere. To get to Frisco means we have to go through some very good teams (cue the “last play” and “one game at a time” mantras).

Jacks fans are guardedly optimistic right now.  Since mid-season, the Jacks have looked like and played like the Jacks teams of the past couple of seasons. In some respects, we may be better.  The adjustment to the loss of a great senior class now well represented in the NFL, took longer than we thought but now, much like last season and the playoffs, we have been crushing teams. This past weekend, a pretty good Missouri State team could only score 9 points at home – three field goals.

Best of luck to UND working through the discussions about whether a coaching change is warranted.  That’s a tough decision that impacts all of the teams in the conference.

As I stated on here previously, if those schools all agreed on how to break a tie given this exact scenario for the AQ.  Why wouldn't the conference rep carry those wishes to the commitee.  Why would the conference want the Big Sky and other conferences to have a decision?  All the other conference don't want the MVFC domination to continue.  They are simply looking out for their conferences best interests.  Have you even looked at the qaulifications of the committee members - what a scary group.    

In addition, IMO SDSU is playing the best football right now.  They look locked and loaded and why shouldn't they be the #2 team.  Winning in Fargo is not going to be easy and draggin the Bison down to Brookings in late Dec would be a much better match-up for SDSU.  The Big Sky and Montana St got exactly what they want.  SDSU their biggest threat going on the road in the semifinals.  I don't understand rewarding a team who !@#$ the bed when they could have won it all and claimed the #1 seed easly.  Did you see that secondary with multiple blown assignments? Players literally standing by themselves waiting for passes to reach them.  Coaching staff pissing there pants at crunch time.  Yep, let's give them the # 2 seed.

Again, my position #1 MSU, #2 SDSU, #3 USD and #4 NDSU

And all this BS about D-II scheduling is pure crap.  Teams in the NSIC, GLV or RMAC would beat 50% of the FCS.  This is FCS football we are talking about.  Maybe 50 of the 100 or so teams playing at this level care about football.  The formation of FCS football is for schools who care about other sports more than football and to parse D-II vs FCS teams is a fools errand.  Anyway cheering for a SDSU/USD Frisco final.  Let's see it happen.

[Bison06]

49 minutes ago, FSSD said:

As I stated on here previously, if those schools all agreed on how to break a tie given this exact scenario for the AQ.  Why wouldn't the conference rep carry those wishes to the commitee.  Why would the conference want the Big Sky and other conferences to have a decision?  All the other conference don't want the MVFC domination to continue.  They are simply looking out for their conferences best interests.  Have you even looked at the qaulifications of the committee members - what a scary group.    

In addition, IMO SDSU is playing the best football right now.  They look locked and loaded and why shouldn't they be the #2 team.  Winning in Fargo is not going to be easy and draggin the Bison down to Brookings in late Dec would be a much better match-up for SDSU.  The Big Sky and Montana St got exactly what they want.  SDSU their biggest threat going on the road in the semifinals.  I don't understand rewarding a team who !@#$ the bed when they could have won it all and claimed the #1 seed easly.  Did you see that secondary with multiple blown assignments? Players literally standing by themselves waiting for passes to reach them.  Coaching staff pissing there pants at crunch time.  Yep, let's give them the # 2 seed.

Again, my position #1 MSU, #2 SDSU, #3 USD and #4 NDSU

And all this BS about D-II scheduling is pure crap.  Teams in the NSIC, GLV or RMAC would beat 50% of the FCS.  This is FCS football we are talking about.  Maybe 50 of the 100 or so teams playing at this level care about football.  The formation of FCS football is for schools who care about other sports more than football and to parse D-II vs FCS teams is a fools errand.  Anyway cheering for a SDSU/USD Frisco final.  Let's see it happen.

MVFC agreements are apparently not part of the committee’s decision making process so to bring them up isn’t relevant. I also cant get on board with your opinions on DII wins. Competitive programs in DII is irrelevant, this is a known criterion for the FCS playoffs and teams scheduling DII teams knew they were risking lowering their playoff seeding potential if this scenario played out exactly like it has.
 

[FargoBison]

1 hour ago, FSSD said:

And all this BS about D-II scheduling is pure crap.  Teams in the NSIC, GLV or RMAC would beat 50% of the FCS.  This is FCS football we are talking about.  Maybe 50 of the 100 or so teams playing at this level care about football.  The formation of FCS football is for schools who care about other sports more than football and to parse D-II vs FCS teams is a fools errand.  Anyway cheering for a SDSU/USD Frisco final.  Let's see it happen.

Augie is decent I guess who SDSU played, Northern State though is trash. USD's schedule was a clear step below SDSU and NDSU which is why they are #4. I am actually kind of surprised NDSU wasn't bumped to #3 all things considered, NDSU and SDSU are very close so I don't get this giant conspiracy. 

[bison73]

8 hours ago, wheelsup said:

Ndsu had a case for the #2.. but it was an absolute gift.. there was little to no separation between NDSU, SDSU and USD.. purely based on their head to head and recency  I would give it to USD.  All three head to head games were super close and the strength of schedules were also very comparable.. I just happen to believe beating NDSU and losing to SDSU in overtime is better than either of the other twos case.. they both got extra credit for more name recognition 

NDSU had the better resume.

[nd1sufan]

11 hours ago, HoopsFan03 said:

He’s back on the team

He is not

[wheelsup]

11 hours ago, bison73 said:

NDSU had the better resume.

they lost their last regular season game to a team that is very close. The resumes are very close... I would get the point if you were talking about Illinois State resume but USD, SDSU and NDSU resumes are very close.  If the shoe was on the other foot the bison fans would be screaming about how unfair it is... I remember when head to head used to be a pretty key criteria..

[FSSD]

3 hours ago, Bison06 said:

MVFC agreements are apparently not part of the committee’s decision making process so to bring them up isn’t relevant. I also cant get on board with your opinions on DII wins. Competitive programs in DII is irrelevant, this is a known criterion for the FCS playoffs and teams scheduling DII teams knew they were risking lowering their playoff seeding potential if this scenario played out exactly like it has.
 

I believe your comments about DII is incorrect.  It is DII wins that don't count toward the 6 DI wins required to be eligiable for the playoffs.  SDSU and USD have far more than 6 DI wins.  There is no little difference in quality of oppenet when playing a quality DII team vs PL or Big South/OVC/Pat, MEAC, SWAC, NEC teams in general.  Have any of you tried to watch a NEC or PL game.  It is my understanding that all members get spliced game film to review on a weekly basis.  They are watching all of the games.

NOTE:  At one point, I believe that DII wins counted a 1/2 win toward eligiablitiliy.  Otherwise, opponets are evaluated the same. 

The Tiers of FCS:

MVFC/Big Sky (2 of 14) - MVFC very similiar to a number of G5 conferences.

Big drop to what is the Avg FCS conferences (6/14) - CAA, United, Southern, Ivy, Southland and Big South.

Massive drop - DII and lower - (6/14 43% of FCS) Pat, MEAC, SWAC E/W, NEC and PL 

Here are the Sargin Conference Rantings.  

   7  SUN BELT EAST       (A) =  65.28      64.95  (  7)      7      64.95  (  7)
   8  MOUNTAIN WEST       (A) =  63.02      63.95  (  8)     12      63.95  (  8)
   9  AMERICAN ATHLETIC   (A) =  62.90      62.89  (  9)     14      62.89  (  9)
  10  SUN BELT WEST       (A) =  62.23      61.88  ( 10)      7      61.88  ( 10)
  11  MAC                 (A) =  57.73      57.40  ( 11)     12      57.40  ( 11)
  12  MISSOURI VALLEY     (AA)=  56.22      56.79  ( 12)     10      56.79  ( 12)
  13  CONF-USA            (A) =  55.72      55.93  ( 13)     10      55.93  ( 13)
  14  I-AA=>I-A           (Aa)=  55.70      55.70  ( 14)      2      55.70  ( 14)
  15  BIG SKY             (AA)=  52.34      52.24  ( 15)     12      52.24  ( 15)
The drop off is steep at this point
  16  COASTAL             (AA)=  47.50      46.93  ( 16)     15      46.93  ( 16)
  17  UNITED ATHLETIC     (AA)=  47.25      46.73  ( 17)      9      46.73  ( 17)
  18  SOUTHERN            (AA)=  46.45      46.38  ( 18)      9      46.38  ( 18)
  19  IVY LEAGUE          (AA)=  46.34      46.32  ( 19)      8      46.32  ( 19)
  20  SOUTHLAND           (AA)=  45.77      44.93  ( 21)      9      44.93  ( 21)
  21  BIG SOUTH/OVC       (AA)=  44.72      44.93  ( 20)      9      44.93  ( 20)
Insert any number of DII conferences at this point.  If not higher
  22  PATRIOT             (AA)=  40.73      41.04  ( 22)      7      41.04  ( 22)
  23  MEAC                (AA)=  39.30      39.67  ( 23)      6      39.67  ( 23)
  24  SWAC-EAST           (AA)=  38.73      38.52  ( 25)      6      38.52  ( 25)
  25  I-AA IND.           (AA)=  38.65      38.65  ( 24)      2      38.65  ( 24)
  26  NORTHEAST           (AA)=  36.71      36.58  ( 26)      8      36.58  ( 26)
  27  SWAC-WEST           (AA)=  35.88      35.22  ( 27)      6      35.22  ( 27)
  28  PIONEER             (AA)=  35.18      34.59  ( 28)     11      34.59  ( 28)

 

[The Sicatoka]

I was giving the seedings the side-eye until Northern and Augie were mentioned. 

[siouxweet]

30 minutes ago, wheelsup said:

they lost their last regular season game to a team that is very close. The resumes are very close... I would get the point if you were talking about Illinois State resume but USD, SDSU and NDSU resumes are very close.  If the shoe was on the other foot the bison fans would be screaming about how unfair it is... I remember when head to head used to be a pretty key criteria..

Head to head gets thrown out the window when three teams are tied and they all beat each other.

[Bison06]

51 minutes ago, FSSD said:

I believe your comments about DII is incorrect.  It is DII wins that don't count toward the 6 DI wins required to be eligiable for the playoffs.  SDSU and USD have far more than 6 DI wins.  There is no little difference in quality of oppenet when playing a quality DII team vs PL or Big South/OVC/Pat, MEAC, SWAC, NEC teams in general.  Have any of you tried to watch a NEC or PL game.  It is my understanding that all members get spliced game film to review on a weekly basis.  They are watching all of the games.

NOTE:  At one point, I believe that DII wins counted a 1/2 win toward eligiablitiliy.  Otherwise, opponets are evaluated the same. 

The Tiers of FCS:

MVFC/Big Sky (2 of 14) - MVFC very similiar to a number of G5 conferences.

Big drop to what is the Avg FCS conferences (6/14) - CAA, United, Southern, Ivy, Southland and Big South.

Massive drop - DII and lower - (6/14 43% of FCS) Pat, MEAC, SWAC E/W, NEC and PL 

Here are the Sargin Conference Rantings.  

   7  SUN BELT EAST       (A) =  65.28      64.95  (  7)      7      64.95  (  7)
   8  MOUNTAIN WEST       (A) =  63.02      63.95  (  8)     12      63.95  (  8)
   9  AMERICAN ATHLETIC   (A) =  62.90      62.89  (  9)     14      62.89  (  9)
  10  SUN BELT WEST       (A) =  62.23      61.88  ( 10)      7      61.88  ( 10)
  11  MAC                 (A) =  57.73      57.40  ( 11)     12      57.40  ( 11)
  12  MISSOURI VALLEY     (AA)=  56.22      56.79  ( 12)     10      56.79  ( 12)
  13  CONF-USA            (A) =  55.72      55.93  ( 13)     10      55.93  ( 13)
  14  I-AA=>I-A           (Aa)=  55.70      55.70  ( 14)      2      55.70  ( 14)
  15  BIG SKY             (AA)=  52.34      52.24  ( 15)     12      52.24  ( 15)
The drop off is steep at this point
  16  COASTAL             (AA)=  47.50      46.93  ( 16)     15      46.93  ( 16)
  17  UNITED ATHLETIC     (AA)=  47.25      46.73  ( 17)      9      46.73  ( 17)
  18  SOUTHERN            (AA)=  46.45      46.38  ( 18)      9      46.38  ( 18)
  19  IVY LEAGUE          (AA)=  46.34      46.32  ( 19)      8      46.32  ( 19)
  20  SOUTHLAND           (AA)=  45.77      44.93  ( 21)      9      44.93  ( 21)
  21  BIG SOUTH/OVC       (AA)=  44.72      44.93  ( 20)      9      44.93  ( 20)
Insert any number of DII conferences at this point.  If not higher
  22  PATRIOT             (AA)=  40.73      41.04  ( 22)      7      41.04  ( 22)
  23  MEAC                (AA)=  39.30      39.67  ( 23)      6      39.67  ( 23)
  24  SWAC-EAST           (AA)=  38.73      38.52  ( 25)      6      38.52  ( 25)
  25  I-AA IND.           (AA)=  38.65      38.65  ( 24)      2      38.65  ( 24)
  26  NORTHEAST           (AA)=  36.71      36.58  ( 26)      8      36.58  ( 26)
  27  SWAC-WEST           (AA)=  35.88      35.22  ( 27)      6      35.22  ( 27)
  28  PIONEER             (AA)=  35.18      34.59  ( 28)     11      34.59  ( 28)

 

I appreciate the work your putting in here to make your point.

When three teams have essentially the same resume and have all beaten each other, how would you propose they be separated by the committee? 
 

We’re definitely splitting hairs, but NDSU in my mind had a clear advantage in SoS and apparently the committee saw it the same way. It doesn’t matter how good the DII teams are, they are a lower level and are viewed as such when it comes time for playoff seeding. It’s really as simple as that.

[Bison06]

43 minutes ago, wheelsup said:

they lost their last regular season game to a team that is very close. The resumes are very close... I would get the point if you were talking about Illinois State resume but USD, SDSU and NDSU resumes are very close.  If the shoe was on the other foot the bison fans would be screaming about how unfair it is... I remember when head to head used to be a pretty key criteria..

How would you have ranked them?

USD #2, SDSU #3, NDSU #4?

By your logic then, how do you put SDSU ahead of NDSU? And how do you put USD ahead of SDSU?

[F'n Hawks]

58 minutes ago, FSSD said:

I believe your comments about DII is incorrect.  It is DII wins that don't count toward the 6 DI wins required to be eligiable for the playoffs.  SDSU and USD have far more than 6 DI wins.  There is no little difference in quality of oppenet when playing a quality DII team vs PL or Big South/OVC/Pat, MEAC, SWAC, NEC teams in general.  Have any of you tried to watch a NEC or PL game.  It is my understanding that all members get spliced game film to review on a weekly basis.  They are watching all of the games.

NOTE:  At one point, I believe that DII wins counted a 1/2 win toward eligiablitiliy.  Otherwise, opponets are evaluated the same. 

The Tiers of FCS:

MVFC/Big Sky (2 of 14) - MVFC very similiar to a number of G5 conferences.

Big drop to what is the Avg FCS conferences (6/14) - CAA, United, Southern, Ivy, Southland and Big South.

Massive drop - DII and lower - (6/14 43% of FCS) Pat, MEAC, SWAC E/W, NEC and PL 

Here are the Sargin Conference Rantings.  

   7  SUN BELT EAST       (A) =  65.28      64.95  (  7)      7      64.95  (  7)
   8  MOUNTAIN WEST       (A) =  63.02      63.95  (  8)     12      63.95  (  8)
   9  AMERICAN ATHLETIC   (A) =  62.90      62.89  (  9)     14      62.89  (  9)
  10  SUN BELT WEST       (A) =  62.23      61.88  ( 10)      7      61.88  ( 10)
  11  MAC                 (A) =  57.73      57.40  ( 11)     12      57.40  ( 11)
  12  MISSOURI VALLEY     (AA)=  56.22      56.79  ( 12)     10      56.79  ( 12)
  13  CONF-USA            (A) =  55.72      55.93  ( 13)     10      55.93  ( 13)
  14  I-AA=>I-A           (Aa)=  55.70      55.70  ( 14)      2      55.70  ( 14)
  15  BIG SKY             (AA)=  52.34      52.24  ( 15)     12      52.24  ( 15)
The drop off is steep at this point
  16  COASTAL             (AA)=  47.50      46.93  ( 16)     15      46.93  ( 16)
  17  UNITED ATHLETIC     (AA)=  47.25      46.73  ( 17)      9      46.73  ( 17)
  18  SOUTHERN            (AA)=  46.45      46.38  ( 18)      9      46.38  ( 18)
  19  IVY LEAGUE          (AA)=  46.34      46.32  ( 19)      8      46.32  ( 19)
  20  SOUTHLAND           (AA)=  45.77      44.93  ( 21)      9      44.93  ( 21)
  21  BIG SOUTH/OVC       (AA)=  44.72      44.93  ( 20)      9      44.93  ( 20)
Insert any number of DII conferences at this point.  If not higher
  22  PATRIOT             (AA)=  40.73      41.04  ( 22)      7      41.04  ( 22)
  23  MEAC                (AA)=  39.30      39.67  ( 23)      6      39.67  ( 23)
  24  SWAC-EAST           (AA)=  38.73      38.52  ( 25)      6      38.52  ( 25)
  25  I-AA IND.           (AA)=  38.65      38.65  ( 24)      2      38.65  ( 24)
  26  NORTHEAST           (AA)=  36.71      36.58  ( 26)      8      36.58  ( 26)
  27  SWAC-WEST           (AA)=  35.88      35.22  ( 27)      6      35.22  ( 27)
  28  PIONEER             (AA)=  35.18      34.59  ( 28)     11      34.59  ( 28)

 

Not that there is technically a big difference from some D2 teams and the !@#!$ FCS teams, the main thing is the fact that teams know how D2 games can affect them for seeding, it isn’t something new. NDSU non-conference ended up looking better than it usually does with Tennessee State and East Tennessee State both having solid seasons.

Edited November 25 by F'n Hawks

[Shawn-O]

I actually think the committee got it right.  USD’s schedule dropped them to #4. That leaves the xDSU’s.  The head-to-head in Fargo needs to mean something, right? 

[Yote 53]

Regarding SOS, some people are like "you should have known better than to schedule..."  Well, what is a school supposed to do when they get faced with a late cancellation and can't find a replacement game?  We played Northern in week zero on a Thursday night before Labor Day because we couldn't find anything else.  I believe SDSU had the same situation with Augie.  We both just tried to make the best of it by playing a regional school.  The alternative was just not playing at all.  What exactly was USD supposed to do about the Portland State situation?  They cancelled the game because of whooping cough.  We were there and ready to play.  The game should have been a forfeit, though I don't think the committee would have given any weight to that anyway.

I think the issue for most USD fans is we went into that game a 1 v 4 matchup.  We came out of that matchup with a win and the seedings ended up 2 & 4.  We got absolutely no credit for winning, but would have been punished and dropped maybe to 8 or 9, for losing.  While NDSU did not get punished at all for a loss.  There is no difference between a 1 & 2 seed in these playoffs.  Either one gets you a home semifinal.

In the end, most USD fans are fine with a 4 seed.  If we can't be #2 with a home semifinal game, then #4 and going to MSU is preferable than being the #3 and having to play either of the SU's again on the road.  Rather see some new meat than fight another battle with a conference opponent.  Seems like every year we had previously been in the playoffs it turned into a MVFC tournament.  Playing a bunch of non-MVFC schools is preferable in the playoffs.

[wheelsup]

1 hour ago, Bison06 said:

How would you have ranked them?

USD #2, SDSU #3, NDSU #4?

By your logic then, how do you put SDSU ahead of NDSU? And how do you put USD ahead of SDSU?

This is really splitting hairs as Ive said multiple times but I would have done it in the order that you listed (USD, SDSU, NDSU).  The 3 teams USD, NDSU, SDSU are all very close.. I would even throw UC Davis in there as well as 4 teams that all have pretty much the same resume and a great argument for the #2 seed. 

Personally, I dont understand leaving USD as the #4 seed after they beat the #1 seed.. that just doesnt make sense to me.  Its not like they were the #20..  They moved up 0 spots after beating the #1 seed. My argument (again its super close).. they were 1, 3, 4 heading into the weekend.. 2,3 and 4 all win the last weekend of the year.. 2 moves up to 1.. 4 jumps 3 based on the magnitude of win and how close the 3 versus 4 game was (OT) and based on the head to head game (4 versus 1) literally the day before, USD has to be higher than NDSU.

If you swapped your favorite team into the #4 seed heading into that game... every single one of us would say the #4 should now be #2.. NDSU and SDSU are getting credit for name recognition/previous years.  This hair splitting about strength of schedule boarders on a discussion about quality losses..  (this is just my opinion)

[Bison06]

58 minutes ago, wheelsup said:

This is really splitting hairs as Ive said multiple times but I would have done it in the order that you listed (USD, SDSU, NDSU).  The 3 teams USD, NDSU, SDSU are all very close.. I would even throw UC Davis in there as well as 4 teams that all have pretty much the same resume and a great argument for the #2 seed. 

Personally, I dont understand leaving USD as the #4 seed after they beat the #1 seed.. that just doesnt make sense to me.  Its not like they were the #20..  They moved up 0 spots after beating the #1 seed. My argument (again its super close).. they were 1, 3, 4 heading into the weekend.. 2,3 and 4 all win the last weekend of the year.. 2 moves up to 1.. 4 jumps 3 based on the magnitude of win and how close the 3 versus 4 game was (OT) and based on the head to head game (4 versus 1) literally the day before, USD has to be higher than NDSU.

If you swapped your favorite team into the #4 seed heading into that game... every single one of us would say the #4 should now be #2.. NDSU and SDSU are getting credit for name recognition/previous years.  This hair splitting about strength of schedule boarders on a discussion about quality losses..  (this is just my opinion)

I think you could put those three teams in any order and could’ve justified it. 
 

Being as objective as I can be, I still think NDSU has the best claim to the #2 seed given their entire body of work. USD’s only win against a playoff team was Saturday. NDSU was 3-1 against playoff teams. As far as I’m aware there is no consideration given for recency of win/loss.

We could go round and round all day, but as I said, they could have put them in any order and made a good argument for that order.

edit:USD also beat Drake, so they are 2-1 against playoff teams. 

[siouxweet]

1 hour ago, Yote 53 said:

Regarding SOS, some people are like "you should have known better than to schedule..."  Well, what is a school supposed to do when they get faced with a late cancellation and can't find a replacement game?  We played Northern in week zero on a Thursday night before Labor Day because we couldn't find anything else.  I believe SDSU had the same situation with Augie.  We both just tried to make the best of it by playing a regional school.  The alternative was just not playing at all.  What exactly was USD supposed to do about the Portland State situation?  They cancelled the game because of whooping cough.  We were there and ready to play.  The game should have been a forfeit, though I don't think the committee would have given any weight to that anyway.

I think the issue for most USD fans is we went into that game a 1 v 4 matchup.  We came out of that matchup with a win and the seedings ended up 2 & 4.  We got absolutely no credit for winning, but would have been punished and dropped maybe to 8 or 9, for losing.  While NDSU did not get punished at all for a loss.  There is no difference between a 1 & 2 seed in these playoffs.  Either one gets you a home semifinal.

In the end, most USD fans are fine with a 4 seed.  If we can't be #2 with a home semifinal game, then #4 and going to MSU is preferable than being the #3 and having to play either of the SU's again on the road.  Rather see some new meat than fight another battle with a conference opponent.  Seems like every year we had previously been in the playoffs it turned into a MVFC tournament.  Playing a bunch of non-MVFC schools is preferable in the playoffs.

I don't think you would have fallen to 8 or 9 if you lost.  Maybe 5 or just stayed at 4 as well.  I also don't think going to Bozeman for a semifinal would be any easier than a trip to Fargo or Brookings.

[FargoBison]

I would have been fine if they used Sagarin or Massey and put NDSU at #3. Sagarin is what gave SDSU the AQ, that said you can't use that metric for SDSU and then something different for NDSU and USD which is what some are suggesting. USD's schedule was a step below NDSU and SDSU, maybe Augie screwed SDSU but I would take Augie to beat the Utah Tech team that bailed on SDSU which is why the game happened in the first place. That said, I don't think the committee even really considers DII games, much less the strength of your DII opponent.