Bracketology

[FargoBison]

Another week is in the books so here are my still way too early bracketology predictions....

Chattanooga at NAU vs 1. NDSU
Samford at Bethune-Cookman vs 8. SHSU
Bryant at Delaware vs 5. Fordham
SELA at Montana vs 4. EWU

Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs 3. Maine
Lafayette at YSU vs 6. Towson
Tenn State at Montana State vs 7. McNeese State
Butler at SIU vs 2. EIU

Bubble: SDSU, UNI, SC State, JMU, SUU, Jacksonville State, William and Mary and New Hampshire

[BisonFan02]

Another week is in the books so here are my still way too early bracketology predictions....

Chattanooga at NAU vs 1. NDSU
Samford at Bethune-Cookman vs 8. SHSU
Bryant at Delaware vs 5. Fordham
SELA at Montana vs 4. EWU

Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs 3. Maine
Lafayette at YSU vs 6. Towson
Tenn State at Montana State vs 7. McNeese State
Butler at SIU vs 2. EIU

Bubble: SDSU, UNI, SC State, JMU, SUU, Jacksonville State, William and Mary and New Hampshire

The Pards?

[FargoBison]

The Pards?

Well they are 2-0...it is either them or Colgate. I have soft spot for the Pards so for this week I plugged them in there. Plus their win over Bucknell suddenly looks a bit more impressive this week....

[FargoBison]

Here is what Sports Network predicts...

San Diego at Montana State vs #1. NDSU
Villanova at YSU vs #8. Maine
Colgate at Delaware vs #5. Sam Houston St
Bethune-Cookman at Samford vs #4. McNeese State


Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs #3. Towson
Chattanooga at Tenn State vs #6. Fordham
Bryant at Montana vs #7. Eastern Washington
SIU at NAU vs #2. EIU

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Here is what Sports Network predicts...

San Diego at Montana State vs #1. NDSU
Villanova at YSU vs #8. Maine
Colgate at Delaware vs #5. Sam Houston St
Bethune-Cookman at Samford vs #4. McNeese State


Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs #3. Towson
Chattanooga at Tenn State vs #6. Fordham
Bryant at Montana vs #7. Eastern Washington
SIU at NAU vs #2. EIU

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf


They must think EWU will lose to MSU, who then loses to UM, or they're just on crack. If EWU wins out, we will be much higher than the #7 seed, at 10-2 with wins over #25 (BCS) OSU, #10 UM, and top 5 MSU. Likely #2 or #3 seed.

[UNIFanSince1983]

We aren't on any bubble at all. We are sitting in crapsville!

[melloware13]

My take, just using some numbers as of now. Should clean up in next two weeks:
SAMFORD @
Southeastern Louisiana @ 1. NORTH DAKOTA STATE

COLGATE @
MAINE @ 8. Youngstown State

Jacksonville State @
Montana @ 4. McNEESE STATE

William & Mary @
BETHUNE-COOKMAN @ 5. COASTAL CAROLINA

Charleston Southern @
Tennessee State @ 3. Towson

Chattanooga @
Sam Houston State @ 6. EASTERN WASHINGTON

SAN DIEGO @
Northern Arizona @ 2. EASTERN ILLINOIS

BRYANT @
Montana State @ 7. Fordham

Last 4 in: Chattanooga, Charleston Southern, Jacksonville State, William & Mary
First 4 out: New Hampshire, Central Arkansas, Lehigh, Delaware

[Pard4Life]

COLGATE @
MAINE

How fitting... and probably the first playoff road team to visit Maine not disadvantaged by the weather!

[PantherRob82]

UNI should be a Top 8 seed!

[Go...gate]

Well they are 2-0...it is either them or Colgate. I have soft spot for the Pards so for this week I plugged them in there. Plus their win over Bucknell suddenly looks a bit more impressive this week....

You are most generous to my beloved Red Raiders, but I think it is a stretch to see Colgate as a playoff team this year. After what Bucknell did to Lehigh yesterday (and to Dartmouth the week before), you should give them strong consideration, along with Lafayette and Lehigh, for the PL's automatic bid.

[mainejeff]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

[Go...gate]

How fitting... and probably the first playoff road team to visit Maine not disadvantaged by the weather!

The game will be postponed if it does NOT snow. :)xrotatehx

[bullseye44]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

Amen to that. You guys have a complete team this year, and the toughest part of your CAA schedule behind you. Should be 10-1 and favored heading into New Hampshire. Too bad you guys don't have a head-to-head with Towson. Would be a good one.

[FordhamFan]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

Oh is that the flawless transitive property of football?

Common opponents are not all telling.

[kalm]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

Good point. But you both should be seeded equal to if not below us based on schedule.

[Reign of Terrier]

I think if Samford wins out that they should be a seed. Especially with southeast Louisiana playing as well as they are so far

[UNIFanSince1983]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

I think you should be seeded higher, but this logic is not good logic.

[mainejeff]

Oh is that the flawless transitive property of football?

Common opponents are not all telling.

So why is Towson a high seed???

[FargoBison]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

Well I did put Maine at #3 in my bracket.....

[gobears14]

Could SELA @ UCA be for a playoff bid?

[Grizzlies82]

They must think EWU will lose to MSU, who then loses to UM, or they're just on crack. If EWU wins out, we will be much higher than the #7 seed, at 10-2 with wins over #25 (BCS) OSU, #10 UM, and top 5 MSU. Likely #2 or #3 seed.


That is probably the assumptions used to construct those brackets. Regardless E. WA controls its own fate. Win out and you're almost guaranteed a top four seed.

[Grizzlies82]

Good point. But you both should be seeded equal to if not below us based on schedule.

Look at the bright side. In Meloware's bracket your kids might have a chance to visit Baltimore.
The inner harbor is a nice area and the National Aquarium is kick ass. :)

[pokefan02]

This year I believe every game in the SLC is for a playoff spot.

[UIWWildthing]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

Honestly Jeff I'd agree with you. If Maine runs the table in the CAA they deserve a higher seed than Towson. Too bad we can't put a blemish on that record :)

[FordhamFan]

So why is Towson a high seed???

Probably because their best win is better than Maine's. Honestly, I think they should be seeded right next to each other. Both teams have great resumes. I see Maine, Fordham and Towson being 4-6 in the seeds, and I have no idea what order. Probably Maine, Fordham then Towson, but I could see it going any way.

[msupokes1]

So remind me why people keep giving Towson a high seed and Maine no seed???

Maine 37 Villanova 35
Villanova 45 Towson 35

Just in case you need a refresher..........

By that logic McNeese should have a higher seed than EWU.

SHSU 49 EWU 35
McNeese 31 SHSU 23.



Other common opponent:

EWU 41 Weber St 19
McNeese 43 Weber St 6
McNeese is 7-1, EWU is 6-2, but yet there are a lot of people who rank EWU over McNeese. Hard to tell.

[Professor Chaos]

I would guess most people are projecting Towson to win the CAA autobid. The committee has shown in the past that the autobid does have an effect on where to seed teams when where are multiple seeded teams from a conference. If the playoffs started Saturday I think Maine would be seeded just ahead of Towson (I'd have them at #5 and #6, respectively) but keep in mind a lot of these projections are also predicting how the teams will finish the season.

[kalm]

By that logic McNeese should have a higher seed than EWU.

SHSU 49 EWU 35
McNeese 31 SHSU 23.



Other common opponent:

EWU 41 Weber St 19
McNeese 43 Weber St 6
McNeese is 7-1, EWU is 6-2, but yet there are a lot of people who rank EWU over McNeese. Hard to tell.

Both teams have really great resume's at this point. Both have wins against FBS and top 10 FCS.

EWU's win against a ranked OSU may be slightly better than MSU's win over USF. McNeese got SHSU at home. McNeese's other non conference games are a close win against a DII, a SWAC and a blowout loss at UNI. Eastern destroyed it's DII opponent, lost by 11 at Toledo (who is more than likely headed to it's 4th straight bowl game), and at SHSU by 15. EWU has not been blown out in any game and their top 10 FCS win was on the road.

Condensced version:

OSU > USF
Toledo > UNI
Toledo loss > SHSU loss
SHSU > APB
@SHSU vs. Home
@ Montana vs. Home against SHSU

[kalm]

And since many of these projections are assuming teams like Towson and Maine win out, EWU and McNeese should be #3 and #4 behind NDSU and EIU.

[WileECoyote06]

My stab at it:

San Diego @ Montana State --- #1 NDSU
Chattanooga @ Tennessee State --- #8 Coastal Carolina
Southern Illinois @ Eastern Kentucky --- #4 Towson
Samford @ Bethune-Cookman--- #5 McNeese State
Northern Arizona @ Sam Houston--- #6 Eastern Washington
Villanova @ Montana --- #3 Maine
Lehigh @ Youngstown --- #2 Eastern Illinois
New Hampshire @ Sacred Heart --- #7 Fordham

Considering criteria used before in evaluating seeds, I think this may get turned topsy turvy this year. Bethune-Cookman, Coastal Carolina, Fordham, Maine, NDSU, and Eastern Illinois will likely be undefeated against FCS. I would not be surprised at all if BCU earns a seed.

[Dane96]

I am mind-boggled at people discounting Maine in seeding but for the O.P.. If Maine is not a Top 5 team then--outside of NDSU and arguably EIU--I don't know what is a Top-5 team.

They've won at: Norfolk State (handily), UMASS (very handily), Richmond, Villanova
They've won: Delaware (blowout), Bryant and W&M (handily)

Loss: at Northwestern in an even-handed affair.

Who they have played, how they have played them and where they played them is probably more impressive than the majority of teams residing in the Top-10.

[Twentysix]

Maine seems like the clear cut 3 to me, but what the hell do I know.

[Fear the Bird]

Maine seems like the clear cut 3 to me, but what the hell do I know.


This - the absolute worst they should be right now is 4

[Dane96]

Yep...I have them at #3. Considered them for #2.

[mainejeff]

Probably because their best win is better than Maine's. Honestly, I think they should be seeded right next to each other. Both teams have great resumes. I see Maine, Fordham and Towson being 4-6 in the seeds, and I have no idea what order. Probably Maine, Fordham then Towson, but I could see it going any way.

Towson's best win is better than Maine's??? Are you talking about their big win vs. winless 0-7 UConn.......or someone else???

[Twentysix]

If I seeded today, I would seed like this:

1: North Dakota State Bison
2: Eastern Illinois Panthers
3: Maine Black Bears
4: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
5: Fordham Rams
6: Youngstown State Penguins
7: Towson Tigers
8: Eastern Washington Eagles

Then again, I am not following whatever the committee uses as criteria..that's just how I would personally assign them.

[dbackjon]

Here is what Sports Network predicts...

San Diego at Montana State vs #1. NDSU
Villanova at YSU vs #8. Maine
Colgate at Delaware vs #5. Sam Houston St
Bethune-Cookman at Samford vs #4. McNeese State


Wofford at Coastal Carolina vs #3. Towson
Chattanooga at Tenn State vs #6. Fordham
Bryant at Montana vs #7. Eastern Washington
SIU at NAU vs #2. EIU

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf

This would be an interesting scenario for my family . I graduated from NAU. One sister graduated from SIU. My brother from EIU.

[ccd494]

Probably because their best win is better than Maine's.

I don't think that's necessarily true. Fairly even:

Towson beat UConn, Maine beat UMass. Both are terrible FBS teams.
Towson beat two MEAC teams (Delaware State, NC Central) who are probably marginally better than the MEAC team Maine beat (Norfolk State). None are anything to hang your hat on.
Towson beat Holy Cross, Maine beat Bryant. Holy Cross is 3-6, Bryant 4-4, Bryant beat Holy Cross by one. Call it a push.
Maine lost to Northwestern by 14 instead of playing that second MEAC team. Does a win over DSU > 14 point loss to Northwestern? Probably a push.

In conference, both won at Richmond. Towson has beaten SBU, Albany, UNH. Maine beaten Villanova, Delaware and William & Mary. I think I'd lean Maine there.

[kalm]

And again, assuming all 4 win out, neither Maine nor Towson will have as good a resume as McNeese or EWU.

[Dane96]

You are kidding, right? McNeese is definitely a very, very good team...and without question in the hunt. The win over USF...still good but no better than a win over UCONN and UMASS. USF is awful. McNeese played a DII, and arguably plays a weaker conference schedule (I think the Southland is down this year). To say Maine or Towson doesn't have a better resume is not as clear-cut as you would like to make it seem.

Eastern, except for the Western Oregon game, arguably has played a tougher schedule and done more with that schedule, assuming all the teams win out.

[kalm]

You are kidding, right? McNeese is definitely a very, very good team...and without question in the hunt. The win over USF...still good but no better than a win over UCONN and UMASS. USF is awful. McNeese played a DII, and arguably plays a weaker conference schedule (I think the Southland is down this year). To say Maine or Towson doesn't have a better resume is not as clear-cut as you would like to make it seem.

Eastern, except for the Western Oregon game, arguably has played a tougher schedule and done more with that schedule, assuming all the teams win out.

FBS win and win against a top 10 FCS, neither which Towson or Maine have. The DII McNeese beat is quite good and there are more than a few DII's who fund schollies and would at least be competitive in the Patriot and MEAC. I'm not saying it isn't close and I acknowledge that a CAA schedule can be tougher than a Southland. I also think McNeese's blow out loss to UNI hurts a little.

[dbackjon]

You are kidding, right? McNeese is definitely a very, very good team...and without question in the hunt. The win over USF...still good but no better than a win over UCONN and UMASS. USF is awful. McNeese played a DII, and arguably plays a weaker conference schedule (I think the Southland is down this year). To say Maine or Towson doesn't have a better resume is not as clear-cut as you would like to make it seem.

Eastern, except for the Western Oregon game, arguably has played a tougher schedule and done more with that schedule, assuming all the teams win out.

UConn is winless
UMass has only beaten winless Miami (OH)
USF beat UConn, and beat 5-2 Cincy.

So yes, USF is a much better win.

[kalm]

UConn is winless
UMass has only beaten winless Miami (OH)
USF beat UConn, and beat 5-2 Cincy.

So yes, USF is a much better win.

Not to mention the Cowboys absolutely crushed USF.

[lionsrking2]

You are kidding, right? McNeese is definitely a very, very good team...and without question in the hunt. The win over USF...still good but no better than a win over UCONN and UMASS. USF is awful. McNeese played a DII, and arguably plays a weaker conference schedule (I think the Southland is down this year). To say Maine or Towson doesn't have a better resume is not as clear-cut as you would like to make it seem.

Eastern, except for the Western Oregon game, arguably has played a tougher schedule and done more with that schedule, assuming all the teams win out.

The Southland is not "down" in the least bit ... in fact, it's the strongest it's been since we've been in the league (2005) ... Sam may not be quite as good as the last couple of years, and UCA has injuries but they're both still very good ... McNeese is back to normal, we're vastly improved, and Lamar, NW State, and Nicholls are all better ... SFA? not so much.

[mainejeff]

FBS win and win against a top 10 FCS, neither which Towson or Maine have. The DII McNeese beat is quite good and there are more than a few DII's who fund schollies and would at least be competitive in the Patriot and MEAC. I'm not saying it isn't close and I acknowledge that a CAA schedule can be tougher than a Southland. I also think McNeese's blow out loss to UNI hurts a little.

Both Maine and Towson have FBS wins.

[Sammy94]

I think the Southland is down this year


This statement just shows you really have no idea.

[McNeese72]

I think the Southland is down this year).

Huh! What?? I think you ask most knowledgable Southland fans, they would say the conference is up this season. Sam may be a little down from past seasons but most of the other teams are better this season. Look at some of the OOC records of the Southland teams.

Doc

[worrierking]

The Southland is currently ranked third in the Sagarin FCS conference rankings (behind MVC and CAA). I think that's probably accurate and it's the first time I have ever seen the Southland that high and I've been around for 20+ years. The conference was pretty weak from 2006-2010 or so, but has been on an upswing since then. The difference this year is at the bottom. Nicholls, Northwestern and Lamar have been pretty weak lately, but they have all improved a great deal this year.

[Dane96]

This statement just shows you really have no idea.

No...I must have no idea. Or, you might ask...down compared to what.

Head to Head...the Southland is DOWN compared to the Big Sky, CAA and MFVC. I think all three of those leagues would win top-bottom head-to-head matchups in 50% of the games.

Just my .02.

[Dane96]

The Southland is currently ranked third in the Sagarin FCS conference rankings (behind MVC and CAA). I think that's probably accurate and it's the first time I have ever seen the Southland that high and I've been around for 20+ years. The conference was pretty weak from 2006-2010 or so, but has been on an upswing since then. The difference this year is at the bottom. Nicholls, Northwestern and Lamar have been pretty weak lately, but they have all improved a great deal this year.

Sagarin? Really? Same set-up that had Albany rated--at certain points of the season--above a bunch of FBS teams we would never have beat during the season last year.

[Professor Chaos]

No...I must have no idea. Or, you might ask...down compared to what.

Head to Head...the Southland is DOWN compared to the Big Sky, CAA and MFVC. I think all three of those leagues would win top-bottom head-to-head matchups in 50% of the games.

Just my .02.
Southland teams have beaten the top 2 teams in the Big Sky. You can say that MSU was missing McGhee but SFA isn't even in the upper half of the SLC this year so that makes little difference to me. The SLC is as strong as it's been in the last 5 years and is behind only the MVFC and CAA in conference strength this year IMO.

[dbackjon]

Southland teams have beaten the top 2 teams in the Big Sky. You can say that MSU was missing McGhee but SFA isn't even in the upper half of the SLC this year so that makes little difference to me. The SLC is as strong as it's been in the last 5 years and is behind only the MVFC and CAA in conference strength this year IMO.

Montana State without McGhee is a totally different team.

Plus

[Walkon79]

Montana State without McGhee is a totally different team.

Plus

Totally agree. I wonder if that result still clouds judgement, in a bracketology discussion, or on the AGS poll ballot.

[lionsrking2]

Montana State without McGhee is a totally different team.

Plus

For the record, we beat Samford, on the road, without Bryan Bennett, and UCA beat SFA without Wynrick Smothers ... if Montana State couldn't beat a down SFA team with their backup QB, I have a hard time buying Bobcat stock.

[McNeese72]

Montana State without McGhee is a totally different team.

Plus

And SFA is a team without the hint of a defense. They are like a fast break team in basketball that plays no defense. I mean they lost to fricking Prairie View A&M.

Doc

[dbackjon]

And SFA is a team without the hint of a defense. They are like a fast break team in basketball that plays no defense. I mean they lost to fricking Prairie View A&M.

Doc

It is still a head scratcher of a loss, but injuries like that can totally demoralize a team.

Montana State has two shots at redemption - EWU and Montana - lose both, they will be on the bubble

[McNeese72]

It is still a head scratcher of a loss,


The other head scratcher for me, after we had played Weber St., was how in the hell did SFA lose to Weber St.?????

Doc

[McNeese72]

Of the games that McNeese has left, the SLU game scares the hell out of me. That is followed by the SFA game because it is there and if they get hot and we have an off night anything can happen. And Lamar and Northwestern St have shown glimmers of life at times this season. We can't take a game off or we will end up with an L.

Doc

[lionsrking2]

The other head scratcher for me, after we had played Weber St., was how in the hell did SFA lose to Weber St.?????

Doc

After playing SFA, I fully understand. Rece Davis likes to use the phrase, "defense optional." I'm not sure it is an option in SFA's case.

[HensRock]

FBS win and win against a top 10 FCS, neither which Towson or Maine have. The DII McNeese beat is quite good and there are more than a few DII's who fund schollies and would at least be competitive in the Patriot and MEAC. I'm not saying it isn't close and I acknowledge that a CAA schedule can be tougher than a Southland. I also think McNeese's blow out loss to UNI hurts a little.

EWU also has an FCS loss, which Maine does not have.
Sorry, but I don't think you can use the "stronger schedule" argument, unless you win the stronger games or at least have the same record. A loss is still a loss.
If each does not lose another game, EWU will be 10-2 with an FBS win, FBS loss, and FCS loss.
Maine will be 11-1 with a FBS win, and FBS loss and 10-0 vs. FCS.

[RabidRabbit]

Southland is "up" relative to other conferences. Heck, even normal bottom feeder Nichols St has a low quality FBS win. SoCon is the down conference this season. Losing App St. and Ga Southern late, and their (especially ASU) poor performance, and then remaining teams go down OOC to Big South teams. Rough to recover as a conference.

[kalm]

EWU also has an FCS loss, which Maine does not have.
Sorry, but I don't think you can use the "stronger schedule" argument, unless you win the stronger games or at least have the same record. A loss is still a loss.
If each does not lose another game, EWU will be 10-2 with an FBS win, FBS loss, and FCS loss.
Maine will be 11-1 with a FBS win, and FBS loss and 10-0 vs. FCS.

Of course you can make that argument, and you need to if you're going to make an honest and accurate assessment. Otherwise Lehigh would not only have received an at-large bid last year but could have arguably been a seed.

Both teams played two FBS games. Eastern's win against OSU is much stronger than Maine's win against UMass (so to use your own example, EWU won the stronger game here and each team's FBS loss is still a loss)

The difference being in the other OOC games, that while EWU was going on the road to lose to a top 10 FCS in SHSU, Maine was beating up on either Bryant or Norfolk State.

If Maine had played a Montana State, Coastal Carolina, Fordham, or McNeese in its other OOC game than we'd be comparing bananas to bananas.

Personally, I don't think a loss is a loss or a win is a win when comparing SOS. I think you need to dig deeper than that.

[TigerFen]

Towson's best win is better than Maine's??? Are you talking about their big win vs. winless 0-7 UConn.......or someone else???

I would consider Maine's FBS win about the same as Towson's FBS win. Both UCONN and UMASS aren't doing that well in FBS this season. I would put Maine in the conversation for a top three seed where I would put Towson as a six or seven seed at Best (if both teams win out).

[HensRock]

Of course you can make that argument, and you need to if you're going to make an honest and accurate assessment. Otherwise Lehigh would not only have received an at-large bid last year but could have arguably been a seed.

Both teams played two FBS games. Eastern's win against OSU is much stronger than Maine's win against UMass (so to use your own example, EWU won the stronger game here and each team's FBS loss is still a loss)

The difference being in the other OOC games, that while EWU was going on the road to lose to a top 10 FCS in SHSU, Maine was beating up on either Bryant or Norfolk State.

If Maine had played a Montana State, Coastal Carolina, Fordham, or McNeese in its other OOC game than we'd be comparing bananas to bananas.

Personally, I don't think a loss is a loss or a win is a win when comparing SOS. I think you need to dig deeper than that.

If you want to compare bananas to bananas, EWU was beating up on Western Oregon and LOSING to SHSU while Maine was beating up on Bryant or Norfolk State. Let's be fair. Maine doesn't have a D-II team on it's schedule, but yeah Bryant is D-I in name only so it's a push. Let's not forget the fact that you lost to Sam Houston. If Maine scheduled a game against Alabama instead of Norfolk State and lost it, does that make them better?

If EWU had the same record as Maine, then you'd have a case and I would agree with you.

Your Lehigh analogy was a little below the belt. I see where you're going here, but Maine doesn't exactly play a Patriot League schedule. I think Maine's and EWU's conference schedules are comparable. Top end of Big Sky is better than top end of CAA this year, but bottom end probably worse. Maine is helped this year by avoiding Towson, but still has to play away at both Villanova and New Hampshire.

So the entire argument boils down to which is better:
A) a loss to Sam Houston State
B) a win against Norfolk State

[kalm]

If you want to compare bananas to bananas, EWU was beating up on Western Oregon and LOSING to SHSU while Maine was beating up on Bryant or Norfolk State. Let's be fair. Maine doesn't have a D-II team on it's schedule, but yeah Bryant is D-I in name only so it's a push. Let's not forget the fact that you lost to Sam Houston. If Maine scheduled a game against Alabama instead of Norfolk State and lost it, does that make them better?

If EWU had the same record as Maine, then you'd have a case and I would agree with you.

Your Lehigh analogy was a little below the belt. I see where you're going here, but Maine doesn't exactly play a Patriot League schedule. I think Maine's and EWU's conference schedules are comparable. Top end of Big Sky is better than top end of CAA this year, but bottom end probably worse. Maine is helped this year by avoiding Towson, but still has to play away at both Villanova and New Hampshire.

So the entire argument boils down to which is better:
A) a loss to Sam Houston State
B) a win against Norfolk State

No, EWU has one more loss than Maine because they played Oregon State, Western Oregon, Toledo, and SHSU while Maine played Norfolk State, Umass, Bryant, and Northwestern. In other words, EWU played Western Oregon at home and SHSU on the road, while Maine played Norfolk State and Bryant at home.

But thank you for sort of acknowledging there's no difference between Western Oregon and Bryant/Norfolk state. Central Washington took a Montana team to the wire, losing by 3 in '08 or '09 when the Griz were runner ups, and lost by 3 to EWU in our National Championship season. It's nice to see the committee now considering DII competition.

To repeat, Eastern challenged itself with a tougher OOC schedule than Maine. They have top 30 (#25 at the time and as of last week) FBS win, and a win on the road against a (at the time but still top 20) FCS team.

The two teams are close, but Eastern has the better resume right now. If they run the table including a win against top five FCS Montana State at home in a couple weeks, they will have even a bit further separation.

[Fear the Bird]

No, EWU has one more loss than Maine because they played Oregon State, Western Oregon, Toledo, and SHSU while Maine played Norfolk State, Umass, Bryant, and Northwestern. In other words, EWU played Western Oregon at home and SHSU on the road, while Maine played Norfolk State and Bryant at home.

But thank you for sort of acknowledging there's no difference between Western Oregon and Bryant/Norfolk state. Central Washington took a Montana team to the wire, losing by 3 in '08 or '09 when the Griz were runner ups, and lost by 3 to EWU in our National Championship season. It's nice to see the committee now considering DII competition.

To repeat, Eastern challenged itself with a tougher OOC schedule than Maine. They have top 30 (#25 at the time and as of last week) FBS win, and a win on the road against a (at the time but still top 20) FCS team.

The two teams are close, but Eastern has the better resume right now. If they run the table including a win against top five FCS Montana State at home in a couple weeks, they will have even a bit further separation.

This (although top 5 is a helluva stretch). As of today, I would give the nod to Maine. But if they both win out, I would have to agree that EWU has the more impressive resume. And believe me, Maine impresses the hell out of me.

[kalm]

This (although top 5 is a helluva stretch). As of today, I would give the nod to Maine. But if they both win out, I would have to agree that EWU has the more impressive resume. And believe me, Maine impresses the hell out of me.

I agree. I think Maine is very good and the teams are close.

[Vooter]

Oh is that the flawless transitive property of football?

Common opponents are not all telling.

Well, I don't know about you, but one team I really don't feel like playing is Maine, either at Rose Hill or in Orono. First, because they scare me, and second, because I'm a Black Bears hockey fan... :D

[Vooter]

Maine lost to Northwestern by 14 instead of playing that second MEAC team. Does a win over DSU > 14 point loss to Northwestern? Probably a push.

AND Northwestern was ranked at the time...

[Fear the Bird]

AND Northwestern was ranked at the time...

Some will say that is irrelevant but in Northwestern's case, I would disagree as I think they are a top 25 squad. Their season has just happened to spiral out of control since the close Ohio St loss, much the same that UNI's has after the close NDSU loss.

[FordhamFan]

Well, I don't know about you, but one team I really don't feel like playing is Maine, either at Rose Hill or in Orono. First, because they scare me, and second, because I'm a Black Bears hockey fan... :D

I don't want to play Maine because they're a very good team. I feel the same way about a lot of top teams though. In order of scariness for Fordham I think it's NDSU (obviously) then E. Illinois because they could easily stay with Fordham offensively and after that no team really has me shaking in my boots. Maine, Towson, EWU, Montana State, SHSU etc. are all very very good teams, but I feel the same way about Fordham. We're good, and I know it's Fordham fan nature to be very cautiously optimistic but this Ram team can hang I think.

[mainejeff]

To repeat, Eastern challenged itself with a tougher OOC schedule than Maine.

Riiight..........xthumbsupxxrolleyesx

[kalm]

Riiight..........xthumbsupxxrolleyesx

OSU, WOU, Toledo, and SHSU is not a more difficult schedule than NSU, UMass, Bryant, and NW?

or are you implying we needed the money?

[tu_fan]

There is no comparison EWU's schedule is stronger. I would much rather play Maine than EWU.