TypicalTribe
September 30th, 2014, 10:47 AM
Kind of a transition weekend with a lot of conferences schedules finally kicking into gear but with a smattering of interesting OOC games that can have an impact on at-large berths down the road.
Honorable mention:
Coastal Carolina at Furman - Expected to be a bigger game, but still significant for a Coastal team looking to go unbeaten.
James Madison at Albany - Danes on a nice run after miracle against Holy Cross. Are they for real? Dukes a solid early CAA test.
Central Arkansas at SF Austin - Bears are top 25 caliber but results have not been. Can they make a run at the SLC?
Villanova at Maine - This year's favorite against last year's champ. Maine's D is stout but don't think O can keep up with Cats.
Sacred Heart at Delaware - Hens want to show they belong in CAA race. SHU wants an OOC scalp. Interesting game in Newark.
10. Richmond at Liberty - Winner survives but the loser's playoff hopes will be conference title or bust.
9. Lafayette at Fordham - Same story as Nova/Maine. Rams won't make the same mistake twice.
8. Bucknell at Bryant - Winner gets a resume builder if an at-large bid is needed down the road.
7. Montana State at Sacramento State - Can Sac St upset the natural order of things in the Big Sky?
6. Northwestern St at SELa - Can the Demons back up the La Tech upset or will the Lions start living up to expectations?
5. Tennessee St at SEMo - Feels like a battle for 3rd-best in OVC. Will help establish an early pecking order.
4. Youngstown St at Missouri St - As will this one
3. Northern Iowa at Indiana St - Two of the hardest teams to rank this year. We'll learn a lot from this one.
2. S Carolina St vs. N Carolina A&T - Winner in Atlanta gets a nose in front of BCC as MEAC favorite or even a possible at-large. Games #3/4 have better teams but the stakes are higher in this one.
1. South Dakota St at Illinois St - Best game of a strong MVFC slate to open the season. Arguable top 10 matchup. Every win will be precious in a league that looks to cannibalize itself on the way to multiple playoff bids. Should be a good one in Normal.
Honorable mention:
Coastal Carolina at Furman - Expected to be a bigger game, but still significant for a Coastal team looking to go unbeaten.
James Madison at Albany - Danes on a nice run after miracle against Holy Cross. Are they for real? Dukes a solid early CAA test.
Central Arkansas at SF Austin - Bears are top 25 caliber but results have not been. Can they make a run at the SLC?
Villanova at Maine - This year's favorite against last year's champ. Maine's D is stout but don't think O can keep up with Cats.
Sacred Heart at Delaware - Hens want to show they belong in CAA race. SHU wants an OOC scalp. Interesting game in Newark.
10. Richmond at Liberty - Winner survives but the loser's playoff hopes will be conference title or bust.
9. Lafayette at Fordham - Same story as Nova/Maine. Rams won't make the same mistake twice.
8. Bucknell at Bryant - Winner gets a resume builder if an at-large bid is needed down the road.
7. Montana State at Sacramento State - Can Sac St upset the natural order of things in the Big Sky?
6. Northwestern St at SELa - Can the Demons back up the La Tech upset or will the Lions start living up to expectations?
5. Tennessee St at SEMo - Feels like a battle for 3rd-best in OVC. Will help establish an early pecking order.
4. Youngstown St at Missouri St - As will this one
3. Northern Iowa at Indiana St - Two of the hardest teams to rank this year. We'll learn a lot from this one.
2. S Carolina St vs. N Carolina A&T - Winner in Atlanta gets a nose in front of BCC as MEAC favorite or even a possible at-large. Games #3/4 have better teams but the stakes are higher in this one.
1. South Dakota St at Illinois St - Best game of a strong MVFC slate to open the season. Arguable top 10 matchup. Every win will be precious in a league that looks to cannibalize itself on the way to multiple playoff bids. Should be a good one in Normal.