**FCS (formerly I-AA) Football Playoff Thread**

[Karak567]

I don't know how much interest in I-AA football there is here, but I know last year there was some discussion. I, personally, am a JMU fan, and I know there are some other JMU students/alums/fans lurking around. Can they win it with a non-existent passing game and a beat up defense? We'll see.

Here is the bracket: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3117576

There are some really interesting stories brewing here:

UNH getting in with 4 losses?
JMU doesn't get a home game (again).
Delaware State @ Delaware!
Eastern Ill forced to play So Ill... AGAIN.

Should be a great, explosive post-season. I don't really see any clear, NE Patriots type favorites in this field. I will be down in Boone this weekend for JMU @ ASU and at any game JMU goes to past there, if they do go on.

Anyone else going to be hitting up games?

[Needle77]

I'll be rooting for the Moutaineers again. I loved partying at that school and hopefully when I go down to NC to visit some of my friends over x-mas break I can get to Boone. I hope I get a chance to see Edwards on TV again.

[dkgojackets]

APP ST IS HOT HOT HOT

party time in Boone

[Mr. Philosophy]

The Delaware-Delaware State game is a huge game in a historical context. The reason is this will be the first time these two teams have every played against one another, even though Del State established a football team in 1923. For years The University of Delaware has avoiding playing Del State, but at least the NCAA scheduled this game. Now the state of Delaware can enjoy a rivalry game for once.

[wh1t3bread]

Go Dukes! I can't make the trip this weekend due to Thanksgiving and all (yeah...lame). But I'll be wearing my Purple & Gold anyway.

UNH getting in with 4 losses isn't unprecedented. Hell...not only did Montana State get in with 4 losses last year but they hosted a first round game (I think)! Besides, who else is more deserving? Villanova? They were also 7-4. There just weren't enough good 8-3 or better teams this year.

What is unprecedented is the Colonial getting 5 seeds. No conference has ever put 5 teams in the field of 16 before. Go CAA!

As much as it pains me to say this, but JMU at 8-3 probably didn't deserve to host in round 1 anyway. This is probably thinking in fantasy land, but: If we can get past App State and EWU can pull an upset @ McNeese we have a good shot at hosting in round 2. I think Bridgeforth has EWU's stadium beat by 5,000+ seats.

UNI is obviously the favorite. Montana is going to be tough, especially if EWU, ASU or JMU can knock off McNeese as the Grizzlies will have 3 home games.

Delaware/Delaware State looks interesting on the outside due to both teams never facing each other...but Delaware should win this one easily. MEAC teams just don't fair well in the playoffs.

Can't wait till the weekend.

[jstnrgrs]

Sucks that UMass had to loose to URI in a huricane, but it looks thik they weren't going to seed any CAA teams anyway.

GO UMASS.

[jstnrgrs]

So if two unseeded teams meet, the team with the larger stadium is home? This tournament has some strange rules.

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
So if two unseeded teams meet, the team with the larger stadium is home? This tournament has some strange rules.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not the largest stadium, but the largest "bid". This typically works out to be the largest stadium, though.

Yeah, it's strange.

[TomCollins]

How are the 16 teams picked?

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
How are the 16 teams picked?

[/ QUOTE ]

By a selection committee which historically does stupid things and exhibits a bias against newer schools.

Honestly, this year's field are all pretty solid picks except for UNH. Should have been Norfolk State IMO