The Official 'Just the Fact' Playoff Outlook

[Panthers to the Bone]

This is just the facts. There are teams with more than 3 losses, but are basically listed b/c they are still capable of winning their conference and the auto-bid. There are some atypical teams that have the ability to earn non-auto-bids, but I just put them down. If you notice something wrong, please let me know.

Automatic Bid Locks (8 of 8)
Appalachian State (10-1)...Southern Conference
UMASS (10-1)---A-10 North Champs/Autobid Recipient
Youngstown State (9-2)---Gateway Football Conference
Hampton (10-1)---Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference
Tennessee-Martin (9-2)---Ohio Valley Conference
Lafayette (6-5)---Patriot League
Montana (10-1)---Big Sky Conference
McNeese State---Southland Conference

At-Large Bid Locks (6 of 8)
James Madison (9-2)---A-10 South Champs
Coastal Carolina (9-2)---Big South Champs
New Hampshire (8-3)
Southern Illinois (8-3)
Illinois State (8-2)
Furman (8-3)

BUBBLE TEAMS (11 Teams)
Atlantic 10: (1 team)
Towson (7-4)
Big Sky: (2 teams)
Montana State (7-4)
Portland State (7-4)---all D1 schedule (two losses to 1-A, one win via 1-A)
Gateway: (1 team)
Northern Iowa (7-4)
MEAC (3 teams):
Delaware State (8-3)
Florida A&M (6-4)
South Carolina State (7-4)
Ohio Valley (1 team):
Eastern Illinois (8-4)---will play a 12 game schedule this year
Patriot League (1 team):
Holy Cross (7-4)---7 D1 wins make them playoff eligible
Southern (1 teams):
Wofford (7-4)
Potential at-larges (1 teams):
San Diego (10-0)


Not eligible:
Northern Colorado
UC-Davis
NDSU
SDSU
Central Arkansas
Grambling
Southern
Alabama A&M

[TravelingPanther]

looks good to me. Things should narrow down quite a bit next week.

[Panther Cat]

Just wondering why the teams at the bottom are not eligible? I'm guessing some might have jus tjoined the 1-AA ranks or else are on probation?

Looking at that list I see the Gateway still having a shot at getting 3 teams in. It's probably an outside chance, but this is the toughest conference so I think they have to at least take that into consideration. Maybe that's just wishful thinking.

[uniwatcher]

Just wondering why the teams at the bottom are not eligible? I'm guessing some might have jus tjoined the 1-AA ranks or else are on probation?

Looking at that list I see the Gateway still having a shot at getting 3 teams in. It's probably an outside chance, but this is the toughest conference so I think they have to at least take that into consideration. Maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Depending on how things unfold, 4 Gateway teams isn't out of the question. 3 is very likely at this point.

[Panthers to the Bone]

They are either ineligible due to moving up in divisions or they have a game already scheduled for the first week of the playoffs (or are involved in a bowl game---mainly the HBCU schools).

[Newsbreaker]

Depending on how things unfold, 4 Gateway teams isn't out of the question. 3 is very likely at this point.

I'll eat my shoe if we get 3 in, and I'll eat yours if we get 4.

Understand, 3 from our league would mean 1/4 of the at-large teams from one league.

It'd be nice, but considering our league teams will continue to beat each other up, 3 in is far from "likely."

[joecooll6]

3 Gateway teams is certainly not out of the question. Shoulda had 3 last year I think.

What is your guy's opinion on San Diego, a very interesting case. I think that if they want to play in the playoffs, they shoulda scheduled at least one I-AA scholorship opponent so the committe had SOMETHING to judge them on.

[SteinPizza]

What is your guy's opinion on San Diego, a very interesting case. I think that if they want to play in the playoffs, they shoulda scheduled at least one I-AA scholorship opponent so the committe had SOMETHING to judge them on.

Interesting point. There was a short article about them in Trib this week, due to Jim Harbaugh being their head coach. Do they play scholorship 1-AA ball or not? I know they played Drake this weekend, but don't know the outcome.

[Panthers to the Bone]

They are non-scholarship. They play UC Davis during the first week of the playoffs, but that game is under consideration as being postponed until after the playoffs if they were to make it. The only problem is that Cal-Davis is their only scholarship team they play this year (to my knowledge). I doubt they get in, is my opinion.

[Newsbreaker]

Would a "fully funded" program get in scheduling only non-scholly schools?

No. Neither should San Diego.

[joecooll6]

They are absolutely rolling over the Pioneer League, but really that doesnt prove anything to me. They shoulda scheduled a couple "fully funded" games to prove themselves. I read that Jim Harbaugh said that he thinks they could beat half the teams in the I-AA top 25 and that his quarterback is the best junior QB in the NATION. I wish that Drake would've at least put up a fight this week.

I would be irked if San Diego made it over us.

[MGLD Panther]

IMO, there is no way they get in. I don't think they should even be included in the poll.

[GonzoCat]

Remember before losing to them this past weekend Drake was ranked #2 in "1AA mid-major", and Drake has won the Pioneer League championship in the past. I think we have a pretty good idea how competitive Drake would be against top scholarship 1AA teams. When we weren't yet playing very well we were still able to crush Drake.

I guess I agree with the idea that they should have played at least a couple scholarship teams to prove they belong in the playoffs.

[Jesse Schieltz]

They play UC Davis during the first week of the playoffs, but that game is under consideration as being postponed until after the playoffs if they were to make it.

Anyone else find it odd they scheduled that game for that weekend? If they think they deserved to be considered to be in the I-AA playoffs, they would not have scheduled that game.

[pantherclaw]

Anyone else find it odd they scheduled that game for that weekend? If they think they deserved to be considered to be in the I-AA playoffs, they would not have scheduled that game.

I agree, that's one of the better points. And i think the Gateway has a big opportunity if UNI, ILS, and SIU go undefeated(minus their game against UNI) that would put SIU at 8-3, and ILS at 9-2, and us at 9-2 with us as the auto-bid. SIU would have a huge plus, beating Indiana, and well ILS would just kick butt and the close win over K-State. I think that's what its gonna be gateway wise.

Im just gonna put this out there, only way we make the playoffs is win out, or with only one more loss to ILS. IMO