Hello, and welcome again to the 3rd edition of FCS insider! Yes, it's that time of the year again, the PLAYOFFS are here! And with the playoff selection comes controversy, of course. Let's judge some of the picks!
Cal Poly - No problem about this one. A 9-2 record in one of the toughest conferences, and even beat an FBS team!
Appalachian State - One of the most dominant FCS programs over the last decade, the Mountaineers are always a threat to win the title and this is another easy pick for the selection committee.
Illinois State - Some call this a controversial pick, considering 2 of their 3 losses were to teams out of the playoffs, but I like it. They beat FBS team Eastern Michigan and OVC champ Eastern Illinois.
Montana State - No question here, the Bobcats being a 10-1 team with a seed.
New Hampshire - The combined record of teams they beat is 25-62. I honestly don't think that's good enough, and they dropped their last game 64-35 to Towson! Their defense can't seem to stop the good offensive team, and that won't be good new heading into the playoffs.
Old Dominion - No question AT ALL. They might possibly be the best team in FCS this year.
Sam Houston State - An 8-3 record with 2 losses going to FBS schools, they were an easy pick to get into the playoffs and everyone knew it was coming.
South Dakota State - One of the LAST teams picked, and a very controversial one, but I think it's a good pick, as they finished 2nd place in the tough MVFC.
Stony Brook - There was a lot of concern as to whether they would make it in or not, but I think they're a good pick and a dark horse to win the title...
Wofford - They barely squeaked into the playoffs in the final weeks of the season, but they have been to the playoffs 4 times in the last 10 years, and they're a good pick for the playoffs.
Now for some predictions!
First Round:
South Dakota State over Eastern Illinois
Bethune-Cookman over Coastal Carolina
Stony Brook over Villanova
Colgate over Wagner
Second Round:
#1 North Dakota State over South Dakota State
Wofford over New Hampshire
Central Arkansas over #5 Georgia Southern
#4 Old Dominion over Bethune-Cookman
#3 Montana State over Stony Brook
Sam Houston State over Cal Poly
Appalachian State over Illinois State
#2 Eastern Washington over Colgate
Quarterfinals:
#1 North Dakota State over Wofford
#4 Old Dominion over Central Arkansas
Sam Houston State over #3 Montana State
#2 Eastern Washington over Appalachian State
Semifinals:
#1 North Dakota State over #4 Old Dominion
#2 Eastern Washington over Sam Houston State
Championship:
#1 North Dakota State over #2 Eastern Washington (NDSU repeats as champs!) |