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November 12th, 2007, 04:39 AM
Here are a few clarifications for who is and who is eligible for the playoff field:
The Ivy League does not participate in the playoffs by decree of the Ivy school presidents.; - The SWAC will send its division champions to the SWAC title game on Dec. 16, so only second place teams and below are playoff eligible. -The Great West Conference does not have an automatic bid, but both Cal Poly and Southern Utah are playoff eligible. UC Davis, North Dakota State and South Dakota State are in their transitional phase from Division II football and are not playoff eligible.; - The five-team Big South Conference’s teams are eligible for the playoffs, but the league does not have an automatic bid. The MAAC, NEC and PFL are also eligible for the playoffs, but do not have an automatic bid.
Below, take a look at the prospects of I-AA teams that can still entertain realistic playoff hopes heading into the last two weeks of the regular season. Schools are ranked by their chances of making the 16-team field, as determined by Me, and not by current top 25 rank or potential playoff seeds. Current overall and conference records are in parentheses, and each team’s remaining schedule is listed with a brief synopsis of its chances.
1. Northern Iowa (10-0, 6-0 Gateway)
The Games: Southern Utah (11/18)
Outlook: AQ The Panthers continue to dominate and are sitting pretty! With a strong conference and undefeated record thus far, there is little doubt they will be a top 4 seed! The #1 seed is theirs to lose.
2. Montana (10-0, 7-0 Big Sky)
The Games: at Montana State (11/18)
Outlook: AQ The Grizzlies sit in this position due to their unbeaten record and past history. The #2 seed is theirs, just win out. One loss puts them in a tough position, with the conference down, they could slide right out of the top 4 seeds depending on other teams waiting. A tough finale at Montana State will test the Grizzles.
3. McNeese State (10-0, 6-0 Southland)
The Games: Central Arkansas (11/18)
Outlook: AQ The Cowboys are in as the Southland Conference representative. If they lose, the Cowboys could possibly fall out of the top 4 seeds, and a tough contest this week against Central Arkansas will have definite implications on seeding.
4. Southern Illinois (9-1, 5-1 Gateway)
The Games: at Hampton (11/18)
Outlook: IN With their only loss to top ranked Northern Iowa the Salukis are in great shape! If they can win this week, they have a shot at the top 4 seed, now that Delaware has gotten out of the way. A close look at their schedule compared to others will keep things interesting until the parings are announced.
5. Appalachian State (8-2, 4-2 SoCon)
The Games: UTC (11/18)
Outlook: IN A 9-2 regular season record looks to be a lock with only UTC remaining. The Mountaineers look to be making a statement to the committee, putting 79 up on WCU is impressive. If ASU wins this week and big, they are in the discussion for a top 4 seed. If S. Illinois, McNeese, or Montana looses, Mountainers will no doubt grab a top 4 seed. ASU will definitely host a first round game, look for them to be televised on ESPN the Friday after Thanksgiving, count on it!
6. Massachusetts (8-2, 6-1 CAA)
The Games: at Hofstra (11/18)
Outlook: IN What a difference a week makes, UMass came out and reclaimed their position among the elite! They are certainly in the post season and will be hosting a first round game. Just as ASU they are in the discussion for a top 4 seed, with some help and they must win over a desperate Hofstra team.
7. Fordham (8-2, 5-0 Patriot)
The Games: Bucknell (11/17)
Outlook: AQ The Patriot title is wrapped up and that puts Fordham in the playoffs. A likely matchup with a CAA team looks to be a lock.
8. Richmond (8-2, 6-1 CAA)
The Games: William & Mary (11/17)
Outlook: IN The Spiders continue to be on the rise, this past weekend was a game for the record books, where the Spiders outlasted a strong Delaware. The win put them in the post season and a win this weekend will finish a great regular season. The Spiders need help but they could still get a top 4 seed if things go south for other teams.
9. Wofford (8-3, 5-2 SoCon)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Outlook: AQ The Terriers found themselves in a great position by the end of Saturday. From the bubble to SoCon Champs, yes ASU could still tie for the conference title, but the head to head win over ASU gives the Autobid to the Terriors. The Terriors get a week to prepare for the playoffs!
10. Delaware State (9-1, 8-0 MEAC)
The Games: Howard (11/17)
Outlook: AQ The Hornets needed a win Saturday to capture the autobid, and a dramatic win it was. They most likely face a CAA team in round 1.
11. . Eastern Kentucky (8-2, 7-0 OVC)
The Games: Tenn Tech (11/17)
Outlook: AQ The Colonels have been the best of the OVC, and they secured the Autobid this weekend.
12. Delaware (8-2, 5-2 CAA)
The Games: at Villanova (11/18)
Outlook: IN The Blue Hens tumbled out of the drivers seat this weekend of the CAA. A tough loss and a strong test this upcoming weekend could have them on their heels. But the Hens are in the post season, even with a loss, but a win could give them a first round game.
13. James Madison (7-3, 5-2 A-10)
The Games: Towson (11/17)
Outlook: The Dukes did what they needed to do this weekend, win! Thanks to Hofstra JMU now controls their own destiny, a win and they are definitely in.
14 Eastern Washington (7-3, 5-2 Big Sky)
The Games: Weber State (11/17)
Outlook: EW's win this weekend, coupled with other losses puts them in great shape. They must beat Weber State, the only worry is a down year for the Big Sky.
15. Eastern Illinois (7-3, 6-1 OVC)
The Games: Samford (11/17)
Outlook: The Panthers will earn strong consideration if they can win in their last game. This past weekends results puts them in good shape!
16. Georgia Southern (7-3, 4-3 SoCon)
The Games: at Colorado State (11/17)
Outlook: What happened! With the loss by Elon, a Wofford win, GSU was a kick away from capturing the SoCon Autobid in dramatic fashion. But the Paladins (who really outplayed GSU) were not to be denied, when the last second kick just missed. Bad news is that GSU had time to put the ball in the middle of the field??? At 8-3 with a great resume that will definitely put GSU in the post season, but now they find themselves climbing a mountain. GSU must win at Colorado State and while I think the Eagles can win, this will be a tough task. Win and you are in with a home game!!
17. Colgate (7-3, 4-1 Patriot)
The Games: at Holy Cross (11/17)
Outlook: Again I see the Patriot league gaining ground. A loss or two from the teams above and a win at Colgate and I believe they are in. Regardless of the rest of the country, they need to focus on the win Saturday.
18. Hofstra (7-3, 4-3 CAA)
The Games: UMass (11/17)
Outlook: Hofstra made a statement a week ago and this week they put themselves squarely on the bubble. Hope is still alive beat UMASS and you are in, good luck you are going to need it!
19. Alabama A&M (8-2, 6-2 SWAC)
The Games: at Praire View (11/17)
Outlook: Keep winning! This is the theme for Ala A&M, they also need to do some scoreboard watching. What’s on their side, location, the committee may need another southern team to even out the field.
20. Norfolk State (7-3, 6-2 MEAC)
The Games: Winston Salem State (11/17)
Outlook: A tough loss this weekend, breaks hearts, but I think hope is still alive! They must win this weekend and hope for lots of upsets to sneak into the post season, but anything can happen.
Below are my current projections for the I-AA playoff field and possible match-ups, based on expectations for the remaining games this season.
Automatic Bids: Patriot: Fordham, A10: UMass, Big Sky: Montana, Southland: McNeese State, Southern: Wofford, Gateway: Northern Iowa, MEAC: Delaware State, OVC: Eastern Kentucky.
At-large: Appalachian State, Colgate, Delaware, E. Illinois, E. Washington, James Madison, Richmond, and Southern Illinois.
Seeds: Northern Iowa, Montana, McNeese State, Appalachain State.
Bracket I: E Washington at No. 1 Northern Iowa; EKU at S. Illinois;
James Madison at No. 4 Appalachian State; Fordham at Massachussets
Bracket II: E. Illinois at No. 2 Montana; Delaware State at Delaware ;
Wofford at No. 3 McNeese State; Colgate at Richmond.
The Ivy League does not participate in the playoffs by decree of the Ivy school presidents.; - The SWAC will send its division champions to the SWAC title game on Dec. 16, so only second place teams and below are playoff eligible. -The Great West Conference does not have an automatic bid, but both Cal Poly and Southern Utah are playoff eligible. UC Davis, North Dakota State and South Dakota State are in their transitional phase from Division II football and are not playoff eligible.; - The five-team Big South Conference’s teams are eligible for the playoffs, but the league does not have an automatic bid. The MAAC, NEC and PFL are also eligible for the playoffs, but do not have an automatic bid.
Below, take a look at the prospects of I-AA teams that can still entertain realistic playoff hopes heading into the last two weeks of the regular season. Schools are ranked by their chances of making the 16-team field, as determined by Me, and not by current top 25 rank or potential playoff seeds. Current overall and conference records are in parentheses, and each team’s remaining schedule is listed with a brief synopsis of its chances.
1. Northern Iowa (10-0, 6-0 Gateway)
The Games: Southern Utah (11/18)
Outlook: AQ The Panthers continue to dominate and are sitting pretty! With a strong conference and undefeated record thus far, there is little doubt they will be a top 4 seed! The #1 seed is theirs to lose.
2. Montana (10-0, 7-0 Big Sky)
The Games: at Montana State (11/18)
Outlook: AQ The Grizzlies sit in this position due to their unbeaten record and past history. The #2 seed is theirs, just win out. One loss puts them in a tough position, with the conference down, they could slide right out of the top 4 seeds depending on other teams waiting. A tough finale at Montana State will test the Grizzles.
3. McNeese State (10-0, 6-0 Southland)
The Games: Central Arkansas (11/18)
Outlook: AQ The Cowboys are in as the Southland Conference representative. If they lose, the Cowboys could possibly fall out of the top 4 seeds, and a tough contest this week against Central Arkansas will have definite implications on seeding.
4. Southern Illinois (9-1, 5-1 Gateway)
The Games: at Hampton (11/18)
Outlook: IN With their only loss to top ranked Northern Iowa the Salukis are in great shape! If they can win this week, they have a shot at the top 4 seed, now that Delaware has gotten out of the way. A close look at their schedule compared to others will keep things interesting until the parings are announced.
5. Appalachian State (8-2, 4-2 SoCon)
The Games: UTC (11/18)
Outlook: IN A 9-2 regular season record looks to be a lock with only UTC remaining. The Mountaineers look to be making a statement to the committee, putting 79 up on WCU is impressive. If ASU wins this week and big, they are in the discussion for a top 4 seed. If S. Illinois, McNeese, or Montana looses, Mountainers will no doubt grab a top 4 seed. ASU will definitely host a first round game, look for them to be televised on ESPN the Friday after Thanksgiving, count on it!
6. Massachusetts (8-2, 6-1 CAA)
The Games: at Hofstra (11/18)
Outlook: IN What a difference a week makes, UMass came out and reclaimed their position among the elite! They are certainly in the post season and will be hosting a first round game. Just as ASU they are in the discussion for a top 4 seed, with some help and they must win over a desperate Hofstra team.
7. Fordham (8-2, 5-0 Patriot)
The Games: Bucknell (11/17)
Outlook: AQ The Patriot title is wrapped up and that puts Fordham in the playoffs. A likely matchup with a CAA team looks to be a lock.
8. Richmond (8-2, 6-1 CAA)
The Games: William & Mary (11/17)
Outlook: IN The Spiders continue to be on the rise, this past weekend was a game for the record books, where the Spiders outlasted a strong Delaware. The win put them in the post season and a win this weekend will finish a great regular season. The Spiders need help but they could still get a top 4 seed if things go south for other teams.
9. Wofford (8-3, 5-2 SoCon)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Outlook: AQ The Terriers found themselves in a great position by the end of Saturday. From the bubble to SoCon Champs, yes ASU could still tie for the conference title, but the head to head win over ASU gives the Autobid to the Terriors. The Terriors get a week to prepare for the playoffs!
10. Delaware State (9-1, 8-0 MEAC)
The Games: Howard (11/17)
Outlook: AQ The Hornets needed a win Saturday to capture the autobid, and a dramatic win it was. They most likely face a CAA team in round 1.
11. . Eastern Kentucky (8-2, 7-0 OVC)
The Games: Tenn Tech (11/17)
Outlook: AQ The Colonels have been the best of the OVC, and they secured the Autobid this weekend.
12. Delaware (8-2, 5-2 CAA)
The Games: at Villanova (11/18)
Outlook: IN The Blue Hens tumbled out of the drivers seat this weekend of the CAA. A tough loss and a strong test this upcoming weekend could have them on their heels. But the Hens are in the post season, even with a loss, but a win could give them a first round game.
13. James Madison (7-3, 5-2 A-10)
The Games: Towson (11/17)
Outlook: The Dukes did what they needed to do this weekend, win! Thanks to Hofstra JMU now controls their own destiny, a win and they are definitely in.
14 Eastern Washington (7-3, 5-2 Big Sky)
The Games: Weber State (11/17)
Outlook: EW's win this weekend, coupled with other losses puts them in great shape. They must beat Weber State, the only worry is a down year for the Big Sky.
15. Eastern Illinois (7-3, 6-1 OVC)
The Games: Samford (11/17)
Outlook: The Panthers will earn strong consideration if they can win in their last game. This past weekends results puts them in good shape!
16. Georgia Southern (7-3, 4-3 SoCon)
The Games: at Colorado State (11/17)
Outlook: What happened! With the loss by Elon, a Wofford win, GSU was a kick away from capturing the SoCon Autobid in dramatic fashion. But the Paladins (who really outplayed GSU) were not to be denied, when the last second kick just missed. Bad news is that GSU had time to put the ball in the middle of the field??? At 8-3 with a great resume that will definitely put GSU in the post season, but now they find themselves climbing a mountain. GSU must win at Colorado State and while I think the Eagles can win, this will be a tough task. Win and you are in with a home game!!
17. Colgate (7-3, 4-1 Patriot)
The Games: at Holy Cross (11/17)
Outlook: Again I see the Patriot league gaining ground. A loss or two from the teams above and a win at Colgate and I believe they are in. Regardless of the rest of the country, they need to focus on the win Saturday.
18. Hofstra (7-3, 4-3 CAA)
The Games: UMass (11/17)
Outlook: Hofstra made a statement a week ago and this week they put themselves squarely on the bubble. Hope is still alive beat UMASS and you are in, good luck you are going to need it!
19. Alabama A&M (8-2, 6-2 SWAC)
The Games: at Praire View (11/17)
Outlook: Keep winning! This is the theme for Ala A&M, they also need to do some scoreboard watching. What’s on their side, location, the committee may need another southern team to even out the field.
20. Norfolk State (7-3, 6-2 MEAC)
The Games: Winston Salem State (11/17)
Outlook: A tough loss this weekend, breaks hearts, but I think hope is still alive! They must win this weekend and hope for lots of upsets to sneak into the post season, but anything can happen.
Below are my current projections for the I-AA playoff field and possible match-ups, based on expectations for the remaining games this season.
Automatic Bids: Patriot: Fordham, A10: UMass, Big Sky: Montana, Southland: McNeese State, Southern: Wofford, Gateway: Northern Iowa, MEAC: Delaware State, OVC: Eastern Kentucky.
At-large: Appalachian State, Colgate, Delaware, E. Illinois, E. Washington, James Madison, Richmond, and Southern Illinois.
Seeds: Northern Iowa, Montana, McNeese State, Appalachain State.
Bracket I: E Washington at No. 1 Northern Iowa; EKU at S. Illinois;
James Madison at No. 4 Appalachian State; Fordham at Massachussets
Bracket II: E. Illinois at No. 2 Montana; Delaware State at Delaware ;
Wofford at No. 3 McNeese State; Colgate at Richmond.