Probable first round matchup?

[Trapped in California]

Looking at the threads on AGS, there seems to be a group think on getting either New Hampshire or Richmond sent to the UNIDOME. I can't see UNH having to come to the UNIDOME for the 3rd time in 4 years.

For whatever reason, I have a haunting suspicion that we with get either Texas State or Cal Poly. This assumes that Wisconsin takes care of the Mustangs on Saturday, and Texas State wins its final game. If Texas ST loses, and McNeese wins, McNeese get the SLC auto bid, and will probably host as they historical have strong bids.

Many have Cal Poly meeting Montana for a rematch, though the game would be at Montana rather that SLO as it was earlier this season. I have my doubts on this for the first round.

Thoughts?

[JayJ79]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

Looking at the threads on AGS, there seems to be a group think on getting either New Hampshire or Richmond sent to the UNIDOME. I can't see UNH having to come to the UNIDOME for the 3rd time in 4 years.

For whatever reason, I have a haunting suspicion that we with get either Texas State or Cal Poly. This assumes that Wisconsin takes care of the Mustangs on Saturday, and Texas State wins its final game. If Texas ST loses, and McNeese wins, McNeese get the SLC auto bid, and will probably host as they historical have strong bids.

We played at UNH in 2005, they didn't come to the Dome.
I think UNI would probably win against Texas State, and wouldn't mind seeing them come to the Dome.

Cal Poly might be a tough game, though. But then, it's the playoffs. Tough opponents are par for the course.

[06panther10]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

I would love if Texas State came to the dome. I think they are very beatable. I believe that they lost at home to Nicholls State earlier this year as well. I also don't see UNH coming here again. Richmond would be tough too.

[Unionpanther]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

AGS also has both Montana and Weber St as seeded which I think is unlikely. Seems like all the predictions have us on the #1 seed side with James Madison. The playoffs have historically been bad to #1 seeds of late.

I see JMU #1, Weber St #2, Appy #3, and UNI/So. Ill #4. It's a bit of a stretch. But UNI's loss was close on the road and to #14 BYU. Montana lost big to Weber St and barely beat Cen Washington (D-II). Cal Poly lost to Montana. Villanova is close but I don't see two seeded teams from the same conference this year.

BTW, Southern Utah lost to South Dakota handily.

[UNI MadCat]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

SIU has zero shot at a seed

[Khan4Cats]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

A lot of people are saying Weber should have a seed. they have ZERO non-conference D-I wins. Montana has a better resume. I think the 4 are: 1) JMU 2) ASU 3) Montana 4) Villanova we are just outside a seed, unless Nova loses to Delaware this week. The other change would be if Cal-Poly knocks off Wisconsin. Then I think slide them into the 2 seed and bump ASU to 3 and Montana to 4.

As for who we'll play, I'm guessing if Maine beats UNH this week (game at Maine) then I think Maine gets to begin and end their season with losses in Iowa. Not sure we'd get UNH again, might get matched with Weber State or Montana as an unseeded "power" match-up for ESPNU's first round game. Would love to see Texas State, but don't think we'll get them.

[Trapped in California]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

I could see us getting Weber State. However, matching UNI & MT in the first round would leave too many $$$ on the table.

Weber has an average home attendance of 7K. Cal Poly maxes out at 11K.

TX St pulls about 9-12K per game and McNeese is pulling about 11-12K per game. BTW, SUU beat TX ST @ TX ST 34-20.

Right now, I would lean to taking my chances with TX ST.

I really do not want to see the Cal Poly team, let them play somewhere cold. That offense is tough to slow down. Their pass defense if awful, but going that route only puts their offense back on the field again.

[TheMacHouse]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

A lot of people are saying Weber should have a seed. they have ZERO non-conference D-I wins. Montana has a better resume. I think the 4 are: 1) JMU 2) ASU 3) Montana 4) Villanova we are just outside a seed, unless Nova loses to Delaware this week. The other change would be if Cal-Poly knocks off Wisconsin. Then I think slide them into the 2 seed and bump ASU to 3 and Montana to 4.

As for who we'll play, I'm guessing if Maine beats UNH this week (game at Maine) then I think Maine gets to begin and end their season with losses in Iowa. Not sure we'd get UNH again, might get matched with Weber State or Montana as an unseeded "power" match-up for ESPNU's first round game. Would love to see Texas State, but don't think we'll get them.

I agree with you on the seeds though think we still have a shot at 4 instead of Nova. I also think we will play Maine if they win or if UNH wins we might play winner of Richmond/Bill & Mary game this week either way we will be at home. I think there is a long shot we play UNH again but see us playing a CAA team either way.

I think the bracket for UNI will be James Madison at 1 with SIU playing them in 2nd round if both win and Nova at 4 with UNI playing them in 2nd round if both win.

[Trapped in California]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

Nova raised doubts with their escape from 3-8 Towson win a 34-31 win @ VIL 5,101 paid.

[TheMacHouse]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

Nova raised doubts with their escape from 3-8 Towson win a 34-31 win @ VIL 5,101 paid.

The more I think about it I think UNI will get the 4th seed but I just don't have faith in the committee and don't want to be really disapointed if they don't get the seed. I can't see two Big Sky teams getting seeds and if Caly Poly loses this week the seeds will be Madison, App, Montana, and either UNI, SIU, or Nova.

I don't think the seed is only based on attendance but more on the school's bid and would think Nova would bid enough to get the home games even if they might lose money.

[JayJ79]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

I don't think the seed is only based on attendance but more on the school's bid and would think Nova would bid enough to get the home games even if they might lose money.

Technically, the awarding of seeds has nothing to do with attendance or bids.
Of course, that's not to say that the committee can't unofficially let those factors influence their decision.

[Mountain Panther]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

I would love if Texas State came to the dome. I think they are very beatable. I believe that they lost at home to Nicholls State earlier this year as well. I also don't see UNH coming here again. Richmond would be tough too.

Would be good to beat Richmond at home...if we can't beat Delaware this year, it might as well be another CAA team.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

I'd like to see the SLC or OVC champ first round since we got screwed last year.

[dustin86]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

I am calling it right now NDSU and APPY STATE in the national championship game

[joecooll6]

Re: Probable first round matchup?

SIU has zero shot at a seed

Disagree, in fact I think they WILL be the 4 seed if they win this weekend.