***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

With their win over Maine today, I think UMass (9-1 only loss by 1 point to Navy) is just about guaranteed a spot in the tournament. With a win over (2-7) Hofstra next week I think they will get the number 2 seed.

I will be rooting for UMass to win their scond national championship. Anyone else follow a 1AA team?

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

I like App State, I went to school in western North Carolina for a couple years and spent some time in Boone. I know they have that huge rivalry game today with Western. If they win they will be 10-0 in D1-AA, only loss to NC State. I'm not sure what seed they will get, but I'd have to assume they will be a really tough team to play, especially because they want to defend their title.

BTW, I wish there were a D2 thread, but I'm sure I'm the only one that follows it, eh oh well.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone else follow a 1AA team?

[/ QUOTE ]

I like Ga Southern in 1AA and Valdosta St in DII just because lots of high school friends go to these schools, and we send a player there every so often. I don't really follow them outside of the tournaments though.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Valdosta St

[/ QUOTE ]

Them and Pittsburgh St are maybe two of the most funs teams to watch at any level of football. Both those schools love offense, they throw the ball sooo much. Not to mention they are both very good, I'm sure you knew that though as Valdosta beat Pittsburgh St in the National Title game 2 years ago.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Yeah, 2 years ago VSU won the national championship, GSU went to the playoffs, UGA was 10-2 with a bowl victory of Wisconsin, and GT finished another mediocre 7-5, but crushed Syracuse 51-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl.

That was a solid football year.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

USD! only team w/ no scholarships in the top 25. qb is a [censored] stud and supposed to be a day 1 draft pick.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

I'm a UMass alum, so I support them of course. It looks like Princeton, where I'm at now, will win the Ivy League, but the Ivies do not participate in the tournament. We still have a bonfire for beating Harvard and Yale though.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Appalachian State beat Western Carolina 31-9 to finish the regular season 10-1. They should be the number 1 seed in the tournament.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Appalachian State beat Western Carolina 31-9 to finish the regular season 10-1. They should be the number 1 seed in the tournament.

[/ QUOTE ]

They should be, that 1 loss to NC State doesn't go against them right?

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

I am a student and die-hard fan at JMU (I'm also a very big fan of I-AA football in general - I had thought about making a thread for a while but wasn't sure there would be much interest). I'm also in the JMU band. I was at the Villanova game today. This is a huge upset... Nova beating JMU... very disappointing. No top seed for JMU anymore. They need to win next week to secure a spot in the playoffs, although they may still get in with a loss.

JMU has the potential, if they stay healthy and play together, to win another national championship this year. I was at the JMU/App State game earlier this year. JMU played like [censored] and still made it close. App State has its weaknesses. I have not been able to seen any Montana football... but I have seen some UMASS stuff. UMASS looks good, but again, they have weaknesses. The I-AA nat'l title is wide open.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

JMU Alum here and a DI-AA fan. Big upset and a bad loss for JMU on Saturday. JMU and Towson next week should be an amazing game as both teams will be fighting for a playoff spot. Although I think JMU has a good shot at getting in, even at 8-3.

My predictions (barring upsets): UMASS or App. State will be the #1 seed. Montana will be #3. Youngstown St will be #4.

I'm still hoping JMU gets a 1st round home game, probably against Hampton.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Everyone seems to think even if JMU loses this weekend they are a sure shot at getting in. They are an 8-3 team... and one of their wins came against a DII (albeit a very good DII) team... on top of that they lose two games to A-10 opponents going into the postseason...

not feeling too good if we lose this weekend

which is why I rallied the troops and am trying to get everyone to come to Towson for the game with me

let me know if you will be there

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

USD w00000t

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
USD w00000t

[/ QUOTE ]

weakest schedule ever...

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

USD had a terribly weak schedule. Yeah they are undefeated. But that schedule is so weak that I hope the selection committee leaves them out to set a precedent.

I still think JMU at 8-3 can get into the playoffs, but it's going to be close...very close. I read earlier that the last time an 8-3 A-10 team missed the playoffs was 2000. That was Villanova who had one loss to a D-II school. Hopefully the Dukes just win Sunday so that we don't have to worry about it.

I might be there actually, trying to get a group going too. I live in NoVa so it's not a bad trip. I'll PM you if we make it.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

DI-AA Playoff Television Coverage:

Selection Show, Live on ESPNews
Sunday, November 19 between 1-2 p.m. ET

First Round Game, Live on ESPNU
Saturday, November 25 at 3:30 p.m. ET

First Round Game, Live on ESPN
Saturday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Quarterfinal Game, Live on ESPN
Saturday, December 2 at 4:00 p.m. ET

Quarterfinal Game, Live on ESPN Syndication/Gameplan
Saturday, December 2 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, December 2 at 9:30 p.m. ET

Semifinal Game, Live on ESPN2
Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Semifinal Game, Live on ESPN
Saturday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m. ET

National Championship – Live on ESPN2HD
Friday, December 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
USD had a terribly weak schedule. Yeah they are undefeated. But that schedule is so weak that I hope the selection committee leaves them out to set a precedent.


[/ QUOTE ]

Their schedule is week, but they are playing in a 1AA conference. Also, they played 2 1AA opponents in their non-conference shcedule. If they go undefeated, I think you have to let them in (even if they are really #50). That's what's great about having a tournament. Weather they are good or not will be determined on the field. However, if you leave them out, we will never know. (They won't be taking a spot from a legit championship contender).

They could consider a rule that you must play 10 games against div 1aa or better to be eligible for the tournanament, but obviously, that would have to be done in future years.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Jstnr,

I see what you are saying. The only thing that worries me about it is that if USD gets in with such a weak schedule then alot of other teams might try to do something similiar in order to cruise into the playoffs.

I think you will probably get your wish and we'll see if USD belongs.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

i think it would be different if USD was squeeking by but they are absolutely crushing teams.

Sep 1 - W vs. Azusa Pacific, 27-0
Sep 9 - W vs. Dixie State, 41-7
Sep 16 - W at Yale, 43-17
Sep 23 - Open
Sep 30 - W at Davidson, 50-21
Oct 7 - W vs. Butler, 56-3
Oct 14 - W vs. Valparaiso, 68-7
Oct 21 - W at Drake, 37-0
Oct 28 - W vs. Morehead State, 44-21
Nov 4 - W at Jacksonville, 38-21
Nov 11 - W vs. Dayton, 56-14

Now I imagine their lines are going to be too small to really compete vs some of the 1aa powerhouses but hopefully they can make a game or two exciting with the explosive offense.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

All,
Anyone have any notes on Illinois State? One of my best friends from high school plays LB for them (Cameron Siskowic) and has been killing it. Im hoping for a USD-ISU matchup... Any chance of this happening?

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Illinois St. should be getting in as an at-large selection. The I-AA playoffs are weird in that only the top 4 teams are seeded and guaranteed home playoff games.

My understanding is that the remaining 12 schools have to bid for a home game. Once those 4 schools are chosen the matchups are determined usually by proximity in order to cut travel costs and set up good regional matchups. 1st round matchups against schools within your own conference are avoided as well.

So it's hard to say right now if Illinois State will host a 1st round game. If they do I could see them hosting an A-10 team like New Hampshire more than San Diego right now. But it could happen.

Selections will be announced Sunday around 1pm (EST) on ESPNews.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]


Sep 1 - W vs. Azusa Pacific, 27-0
Sep 9 - W vs. Dixie State, 41-7
Sep 16 - W at Yale, 43-17
Sep 23 - Open
Sep 30 - W at Davidson, 50-21
Oct 7 - W vs. Butler, 56-3
Oct 14 - W vs. Valparaiso, 68-7
Oct 21 - W at Drake, 37-0
Oct 28 - W vs. Morehead State, 44-21
Nov 4 - W at Jacksonville, 38-21
Nov 11 - W vs. Dayton, 56-14



[/ QUOTE ]

Those first two games should be thrown out as they are versus D-II opponents.

Here is the GPI Ranking for the remaining teams:

Yale - 26
Davidson - 93
Bulter - 119
Valpo -122
Drake - 64
Morehead - 115
Jacksonville - 107
Dayton - 108

The only somewhat significant game was against Yale. This is quite possibily the easiest I-AA schedule ever in the history of I-AA. They played one team in the top 50. All of the bubble teams that get left out if San Diego gets in played much harder schedules. Not exactly fair is it? Even if USD wound up laying beat downs on these teams. If the teams that got left out had that schedule you would likely see the same result.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

I've gone to all the Illinois State home games except one (I go there right now). They have looked awfully good overall. Their one loss was against YSU and they played absolutely terrible. Usually their basic gameplan is run run urn with sparse big plays in the passing game. They don't have much of an intermediate passing game that isn't to the RBs....which is normal considering the WRs they have when all are healthy.

Your buddy Siskowic (spelling from memory) has definitely been having a bang up year. Actually the whole team has beeng playing really really well with the exception of that YSU game....

I would think they could do some damage in the tournament, but what do I know. I really wish we played U of I this year (I think we do it everyother year). We probably would have beat them this year...

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

The Bracket is out link .

UMass is seeded #3, and they have a possible rematch with New Hampshire in the second round (Part of the problem with a playoff, but it beats the alternative.)

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Also, I didn't pick up on this before, but it appears that USD's schedule extends into December, so I guess they don't participate in the tournament.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

UNI beating us (ISU) and not getting in is kind of funny. I am a little sad we aren't hosting Eastern..but I wouldn't be there anyway....Here's to hoping that we beat Eastern thought...Go Redbirds.

(Note: We=They...if such a thing bothers you)

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Bracket is out link .

UMass is seeded #3, and they have a possible rematch with New Hampshire in the second round (Part of the problem with a playoff, but it beats the alternative.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Disappointing season for UNH it seems.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Jstn,
USD has agreements with it's remaining foes that would let them out of their contracts with those teams if they made the playoffs. USD didn't make the playoffs because of their TERRIBLE strength of schedule.

Kyro,
UNH playing Hampton is pretty much a gimme game. Hampton is by far the best team in the MEAC. But it's highly debatable as to why that conference gets an auto-bid to the playoffs. Without that auto-bid Hampton wouldn't have made the playoffs. The selection committee did UNH a favor by scheduling them there even if they have to play UMASS in the 2nd round.

[rant]
James Madison gets screwed again by the selection committee. I am growing sick of this. Of course if they had beaten Villanova two weeks ago this wouldn't be happening. I honestly don't understand how a 7-4 Montana St. and 8-3 Furman can be matched against each other and how an 8-4 EIU and 8-3 Illinois St play each other while the 9-2 Dukes are on the road to Ohio to play the seeded 9-2 Youngstown St.

Nevermind I totally understand. This game is going to be televised on ESPN-2. Now I get it. The selection committee screwed one of these teams to make a favorable prime-time matchup to air on ESPN. I can't wait. Go DUKES!
[/rant]

Now that my mini-rant is over I started to think more about this. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining about this at all. Yeah YSU is a helluva team but this is the playoffs and you are going to have to beat the good teams to deserve the title. Also, being nationally televised on ESPN-2 during primetime is going to be awesome for both schools and both football programs. Bring it on!

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

This game is coming down to the wire. Have been flipping back and forth. JMU needs a huge play here.

Edit: OWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Reciever was hit right in the 'special' area when he went up for the ball. 4th down, this is JMU's season.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

huge hit by Youngstown ST on that 3rd down play

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

App St. 45-28 over Coastal Carolina. Go Mountaineers!

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
App St. 45-28 over Coastal Carolina. Go Mountaineers!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for posting that score. Yes Sir. Boone is a happy place tonight I bet.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

UNH-UMASS should be a great game. UMASS is the favorite, but UNH's high power offense plus some turnovers could give UNH the victory.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

I have a few friends who go to App. State, so I am definitely pulling for them. I had no idea the playoffs started today, though.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Well the Illinois State Redbirds won, w00t w00t. Now they travel to YSU to face a team that I watched beat them on our Parents' Weekend. We can definitely beat YSU and I would actually expect us to with a healthy squad of WRs....

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

Okay, outside of ISU's conference, I know very little of how 1AA works...

Why is it that #4 North Dakota State isn't in the playoffs?

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

I guess JMU wont be getting another title in 3 years [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

F Youngstown St

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
Okay, outside of ISU's conference, I know very little of how 1AA works...

Why is it that #4 North Dakota State isn't in the playoffs?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure, but I think that NDSU is in a transition period (moving from D2 to D1aa) which makes them inelligible for the tournament. Also, there are some 1aa conferences that don't participate in the tournament.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

ballin,
I think that JMU/YSU game was for the championship. I would not be surprised at all to see YSU win it from here on out. Of course App St., UMASS & Montana probably have something to say about that.

It was definintely a shame that JMU and YSU faced each other in the first round, but what can we do. Rascati graduates this year and those are some big shoes to fill next season. Hopefully Landers is ready.

Re: ***OFFICIAL Division 1AA Football Thread***
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Okay, outside of ISU's conference, I know very little of how 1AA works...

Why is it that #4 North Dakota State isn't in the playoffs?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure, but I think that NDSU is in a transition period (moving from D2 to D1aa) which makes them inelligible for the tournament. Also, there are some 1aa conferences that don't participate in the tournament.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct. NDSU is in their transition period. D-2 has different player eligibility requirements than the Football Championship Subdivision so their is a transition period (not sure how long) to give the school time to make sure all it's players are eligible.

Some FCS Conferences don't participate in the post-season, like the IVY League. I wish they would they have some very good teams.