Leatherneck Nation

NoBowls.com just posted their (his..I think it's just one guy) projected final bracket. For reference, from the site's description:

Since its inception in 2008, NoBowls has correctly predicted 129 of the 136 teams selected to participate in the FCS postseason. Resident bracketologist Erik Pitzer strives to provide weekly bias-free predictions heavily rooted in the same criteria set forth by the NCAA selection guidelines.

This guy went 24 for 24 last season, correctly predicting every team in the playoffs...he's very accurate. Although I'm really hoping he's wrong about this year.
You can check it out here: http://nobowls.com/

He has MVFC getting 4 teams in: NDSU, ISUr, SDSU, and UNI.

two thoughts...


YSU shit the bed at end of season last year....but were still worthy.

Scott, There is a huge disparity between conferences. Top to bottom MVFC is has more talent than the SunBelt. Why are we scheduling so aggressivly if we are trying to re establish dominance? We are a field goal away (ysu) or as schedule (MSU) from being uncontested participants.........who dosen't think WIU rolls its first round opponent.

Craig Haley has us playing Montana and the winner of that facing NDSU. This just his opinion, but as the FCS editor for STATS formerly The Sports network, he is the foremost voice/mind of FCS football.

Hopefully the committee agree and hopefully read his write-ups.

RedNeck wrote:Scott, There is a huge disparity between conferences. Top to bottom MVFC is has more talent than the SunBelt. Why are we scheduling so aggressivly if we are trying to re establish dominance? We are a field goal away (ysu) or as schedule (MSU) from being uncontested participants.........who dosen't think WIU rolls its first round opponent.

Trust me, I know. I'm reasonably sure that top to bottom, the MVFC is better conference than both the Sun Belt and CUSA, and if you remove Missouri State, then I'd say we're better than the MAC. Sagarin ranks Western as better than 28 FBS schools, and that was before our win over SDSU (who beat B12 team Kansas). I think that anyone they could match us up with in the first round, we would likely take down, and that we are entirely worthy of a playoff spot.

What I don't believe is that the playoff committee will give us the credit for the strength of the teams that we have played and beaten and that they will find a way to leave us just outside.
I'll be watching the selection show and hoping that I'm proven wrong.

Selection show in ~15 minutes (10 AM) on ESPNU. For those that don't have access to ESPNU, I'll try to get results posted here ASAP...especially if we happen to be listed.

They have already listed the top 4 seeds (in alphabetical order...haven't said who's at which spot yet).

ISUr, Jacksonville State, McNeese State, NDSU

STATS FCS ranking just came out and we're 26. Confused how EWU gets in the 25 with the same recorded and their best win is against non playoff 6-5 Webber State. Same for EIU with their best against UT Martin who is likely out.

Top 8 seeds:

1. Jacksonville State
2. Illinois State
3. North Dakota State
4. McNeese State
5. James Madison
6. Portland State
7. Richmond
8. Charleston Southern

And the left side of the bracket....

Chattanooga @ Fordham winner goes to #1 Jacksonville State
Coastal Carolina @ The Citadel goes to #8 Charleston Southern

New Hampshire @ Colgate winner goes to #5 James Madison
Sam Houston State @ Southern Utah winner goes to #4 McNeese State

To see the bracket visually, the NCAA has their bracket updated pretty much right as the teams are being announced: http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/football/fcs/

Something else...all MVFC teams on one side of the bracket. Guess they didn't want an all-MVFC rematch for the championship game.

Half way in and still waiting.