Looking forward

[ewueagle2010]

Without a doubt, EWU needs to win out in order to have an opportunity for the Big Sky Championship and a top 5 seed in the playoffs. But, what's insane is that none of the likely teams that will be ahead of us in the Top 25 poll tomorrow, play any of the other top teams in their respective conferences with the exception of Jacksonville St who has to play Eastern Kentucky (2nd place behind JSU).

NDSU doesn't have to play Illinois State and vice versa; Coastal Carolina's toughest remaining conference game is against Liberty; New Hampshire doesn't have to play Villanova OR Richmond; and Villanova doesn't have to play New Hampshire. Meanwhile, EWU played MSU (non-conference) ISU, NAU, and has to play UM and PSU (not great, but as we know, always a tough game).

I see us likely falling to #7 tomorrow. Our road is certainly cut out for us at this point, but it starts with taking care of business in the last 3 regular season games. Hopefully, playing a very tough schedule this season will pay off in the long run when it comes to being prepared and having the playoff committee reward EWU.

 

[EWURanger]

I think we've got a good chance to win out from here. Montana can be had, especially if VA is back for that game, and I think we'll play well enough to beat UND on Saturday to set up an epic showdown with PSU in Portland. Hopefully someone beats MSU.

 

[clawman1]

There are too many scenarios to speculate on all of them. IMO the team with inside track to at least a co-champ is NAU. Their last four games are against the weakest records in the conference. In fact their toughest game will be @ North Dakota. Cal Poly also has a shot but a very difficult path. If we both win out NAU would be over us but the BS does not recognize head to head as a tie breaker.
Just speculation on my part but it seems probable that the Big Sky will get a top five seed. If we win out and MSU loses at least one game, which is quite probable, (yes probable) we would get the nod due to better overall record. Since the committee seeds teams regionally we would be #4 and in the NDSU side of the bracket.
The next two weeks will really shape things up in the Big Sky.

 

[kalm]

Seeding will have little to do with conference affiliation. NDSU would have to lose 3, ain't gonna happen. ISUr needs to lose 2. UNH and Nova need to lose at least 1 and probably one of them 2. Coastal needs to lose at least 1.

ISU or MSU winning out would help our SOS, as would Montana finishing 8-4 with a loss to us. NAU and SHSU winning out would also help.

10-2 with wins over 4 top 25 teams and perhaps a top 10 team in MSU with no bad losses would be a pretty impressive resume.

 

[clawman1]

Seeding will have little to do with conference affiliation. NDSU would have to lose 3, ain't gonna happen. ISUr needs to lose 2. UNH and Nova need to lose at least 1 and probably one of them 2. Coastal needs to lose at least 1.
ISU or MSU winning out would help our SOS, as would Montana finishing 8-4 with a loss to us. NAU and SHSU winning out would also help.
10-2 with wins over 4 top 25 teams and perhaps a top 10 team in MSU with no bad losses would be a pretty impressive resume.

Hi Kalm;
I was speculating on the top 5 seeds. It seems the committee will place one CAA, one MVFC, one Big Sky, one Southland, and one other in the top five.

 

[tomq04]

I think we get 4 teams in the play offs. I've been rooting for ISU big time lately, hope they make some noise after being terrible the last...forever.

 

[dudeitsaid]

I think we get 4 teams in the play offs. I've been rooting for ISU big time lately, hope they make some noise after being terrible the last...forever.

Don't know if the selection committee will give the BSC enough credit after last year to let that happen. We were the only team from the Big Sky to win a playoff game last year. The perception is that the BSC is down this year, and personally, I think any BSC team with only seven FCS or better wins will be left out in the cold this year.

 

[marceagfan5]

We are going to be just fine.

We need to win out. By doing that, we will receive a top 8 seed, a first round bye, and 2nd round home game. We have an outside shot at a top 4 seed as well.

IN CONFERENCE -We need MSU to drop one, but they may with their schedule.
I think Weber beats NAU this weekend.
The Griz aren't a very good team, so i'm not concerned there.
If the cats drop one, I think we win the Big Sky.

As far as other conferences. NDSU can drop one and probably still receive a top 2 seed, unless Ill State wins out. Weird they dont play each other, same with UNH and Vill in the CAA. Right now it looks like 2 teams from the CAA, 2 from the Big SKy, 2 from the MVC, 1 from the southland and probably Coastal Carolina are the top 8 seeds. Jacksonville State could probably steal a bid from someone.

We are going to be just fine next week. UND isn't good and we won't lose to the Griz at home, it just wont happen. Then we have a bye to heal up for PSU. Adams MAY be back for the Griz game, I doubt he plays this saturday though...

Its still a great time to be an Eag...

 

[LDopaPDX]

Keep in mind the last time we pissed away a conference game (Southern Utah in 2012, where we blew a late lead on the last drive), we came back and played the best game of the year.... Crushing a good Cal Poly team.

 

[Dozy]

Keep in mind the last time we pissed away a conference game (Southern Utah in 2012, where we blew a late lead on the last drive), we came back and played the best game of the year.... Crushing a good Cal Poly team.

What the hell got into you?! That's a positive post...

 

[LDopaPDX]

Keep in mind the last time we pissed away a conference game (Southern Utah in 2012, where we blew a late lead on the last drive), we came back and played the best game of the year.... Crushing a good Cal Poly team.

What the hell got into you?! That's a positive post...

You know why I'm harsh? I see how much talent this team has. The talent is better than all but maybe 3-4 other teams at the FCS level, and even most of the bottom half of FBS teams. We *should* win. I remember the years when Eastern played with significantly fewer scholarships than the other Big Sky schools, who at one time included Boise State and Nevada. Those teams didn't get to play overinflated D-II programs like Southern Utah and Northern Colorado, but they always played above themselves despite never really getting to the top level.

Now our roster is where we want it to be. We are and deserve to be a perennial top 10 team. But we need to get that chip on the shoulder; that mentality of wanting to come out and just pistol whip our opponents. We've got the guys to do it, we just need to kick up a notch and we have a great shot at winning the whole damn thing.

 

[Dozy]

You know why I'm harsh? I see how much talent this team has. The talent is better than all but maybe 3-4 other teams at the FCS level, and even most of the bottom half of FBS teams. We *should* win. I remember the years when Eastern played with significantly fewer scholarships than the other Big Sky schools, who at one time included Boise State and Nevada. Those teams didn't get to play overinflated D-II programs like Southern Utah and Northern Colorado, but they always played above themselves despite never really getting to the top level.

Now our roster is where we want it to be. We are and deserve to be a perennial top 10 team. But we need to get that chip on the shoulder; that mentality of wanting to come out and just pistol whip our opponents. We've got the guys to do it, we just need to kick up a notch and we have a great shot at winning the whole damn thing.

Agreed! :notworthy: :nod: