Mid Season Big Sky Power Rankings

[KJEagle]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

In my opinion If both UM and UND finished the season at 9-2 (and UND wins the Big Sky), I still don't think the committee seeds UND over Montana for two reasons:

1. UND didn't face Montana or EWU in the regular season
2. $$ and History. The NCAA will jump at any chance to give UM as many home games as they can reasonably give to take advantage of extra money they would receive from a Montana home game, and UM has a history of success in the playoffs. This will be UNDs first FCS Playoff appearance.

For the record, I think UM is a much better team than UND.

What will probably happen is whoever doesn't get a seed (UM, EWU, UND), assuming all are 9-2 or someone is 8-3, would play a home game against the likes of San Diego and then head to UND (if for some reason they are seeded) for the 2nd round, not really a bad case scenario there.

EWU and Montana are both way better than UND. UND gets over by not playing either one of us.

 

[eaglesfootball]

1. Eastern Washington - tough games against Montana and Cal Poly loom, but we control our own destiny.
2. Montana - playoff team. we will have to bring our "A" game to beat them, even at home.
3. UND - I still think they are kind of a pretender, but hard to argue with their record even if it's weak.
4. Cal Poly - the 4th potential playoff team from the big sky.
5. Weber State - have shown a lot of improvement this year
6. Southern Utah - decent defensive team. blowout loss to Montana doesn't help their cause.
7. Northern Colorado - another team that's shown improvement, could upset a couple higher ranked teams.
8. Northern Arizona - losing their QB is tough, but they still have enough good players to win some games.
9. Portland State - don't have the horses they had last year. will be lucky to reach 6-5.
10. UC Davis - still have a lot of work to do to be competitive in this conference.
11. Montana State - it's hard to win any games in this league with no offense.
12. Idaho State - tossup between ISU for the worst team in the conference.
13. Sac State - losing to a division II team at home is the tie-breaker.

 

[ewueagfan]

MSU seems pretty low at number 11. Are they really that bad?

 

[Eaglefanatical]

From my perspective, Montana likely has one loss on the schedule left (EWU). Call it bias (you are on an Eastern forum) or just compare the rankings. Everyone outside of egriz probably agrees that UM will lose when they come to Cheney.

I don't think it's a given that we will beat Montana. If the same team that beat Wazzu and took NDSU to OT shows up, then yeah we'll win. If the team that fell asleep against UC Davis and UNC in the first half shows up, then we'll lose, simple as that. However, I have to think the beating we took in Missoula last year provided some serious motivation since winter conditioning. I personally think we'll beat them at home, but it's going to be a big challenge.

 

[Rjones61]

MSU seems pretty low at number 11. Are they really that bad?

Yes. They should be ranked 14th.

 

[dudeitsaid]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

Then I think EWU is the only seed. UND has a terrible resume and you couldn't seed Montana at that point. Like I said I don't even really think Montana will get a seed if we lose to EWU.

Nor do I think we deserve one if that happens

I don't know. I think it depends on how the game goes. If both teams are clicking, it should be an epic game that will come down to the wire. If either team is out of sync, that team will probably lose. Depending on how the rest of the field shapes up, I don't think that loss would automatically knock UM out, or that it should. It will really depend on what the top teams on selection Sunday look like.

 

[mtgrizfankb1]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

Then I think EWU is the only seed. UND has a terrible resume and you couldn't seed Montana at that point. Like I said I don't even really think Montana will get a seed if we lose to EWU.

Nor do I think we deserve one if that happens

I don't know. I think it depends on how the game goes. If both teams are clicking, it should be an epic game that will come down to the wire. If either team is out of sync, that team will probably lose. Depending on how the rest of the field shapes up, I don't think that loss would automatically knock UM out, or that it should. It will really depend on what the top teams on selection Sunday look like.

In my opinion Montana has 3 chances to prove their worth this year. 1. Beat uni on the road 2.beat EWU on the road 3.dont lose to pretender. So far we are 1-1 with those objectives, unless we beat EWU I don't see our resume being good enough to be top 8. But that's because many of the top ten will be 1 loss teams

 

[Get'emGriz]

From my perspective, Montana likely has one loss on the schedule left (EWU). Call it bias (you are on an Eastern forum) or just compare the rankings. Everyone outside of egriz probably agrees that UM will lose when they come to Cheney.

I don't think it's a given that we will beat Montana. If the same team that beat Wazzu and took NDSU to OT shows up, then yeah we'll win. If the team that fell asleep against UC Davis and UNC in the first half shows up, then we'll lose, simple as that. However, I have to think the beating we took in Missoula last year provided some serious motivation since winter conditioning. I personally think we'll beat them at home, but it's going to be a big challenge.

You can almost guarantee that any UM/EWU game will be a classic. Last year's blowout was an anomaly with a perfect storm scenario - UM had lost 5-straight close games to EWU and was motivated to end that while EWU was in meltdown mode at that time of the season. My guess is that this game comes down to the final few minutes like it usually does. Whoever possesses the ball last has the chance to win. I'm looking forward to making the trip over to Cheney again to watch this matchup.

 

[kalm]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

Then I think EWU is the only seed. UND has a terrible resume and you couldn't seed Montana at that point. Like I said I don't even really think Montana will get a seed if we lose to EWU.

UND won't have a terrible resume if Stony Brook, USD, and Poly finish well. It will probably end up being better than Montana's.

 

[mtgrizfankb1]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

Then I think EWU is the only seed. UND has a terrible resume and you couldn't seed Montana at that point. Like I said I don't even really think Montana will get a seed if we lose to EWU.

UND won't have a terrible resume if Stony Brook, USD, and Poly finish well. It will probably end up being better than Montana's.

Usd and cal poly will not finish well Usd will lose at least 2 maybe 3 more times and CP loses at least once more to EWU and maybe again to Weber or northern col. CP is getting injury plagued..like they usually do

 

[mtgrizfankb1]

UND might end up with one top 25 win and I think they lose to SUU this weekend.

 

[clawman1]

UND might end up with one top 25 win and I think they lose to SUU this weekend.

I think they run the table in the Big Sky. If they lose it will be to UNC in Greeley. If that is the case and the Eagles keep their head above water we'll have a tie in the Sky.

 

[360Eag]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

In my opinion If both UM and UND finished the season at 9-2 (and UND wins the Big Sky), I still don't think the committee seeds UND over Montana for two reasons:

1. UND didn't face Montana or EWU in the regular season
2. $$ and History. The NCAA will jump at any chance to give UM as many home games as they can reasonably give to take advantage of extra money they would receive from a Montana home game, and UM has a history of success in the playoffs. This will be UNDs first FCS Playoff appearance.

For the record, I think UM is a much better team than UND.

What will probably happen is whoever doesn't get a seed (UM, EWU, UND), assuming all are 9-2 or someone is 8-3, would play a home game against the likes of San Diego and then head to UND (if for some reason they are seeded) for the 2nd round, not really a bad case scenario there.

If I remember right, I don't think the playoffs are going to be regionalized any more. Therefore, it would be unlikely to see Big Sky teams matching up on the second weekend unless it was a random occurrence of the seeding.

Stats/Haley released their first playoff projection. It's regionalized for the most part. Our matchup is a repeat of 2014.

http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20161011123654150333904&ref=hea&tm=&src=FCS

 

[kalm]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

Then I think EWU is the only seed. UND has a terrible resume and you couldn't seed Montana at that point. Like I said I don't even really think Montana will get a seed if we lose to EWU.

UND won't have a terrible resume if Stony Brook, USD, and Poly finish well. It will probably end up being better than Montana's.

Usd and cal poly will not finish well Usd will lose at least 2 maybe 3 more times and CP loses at least once more to EWU and maybe again to Weber or northern col. CP is getting injury plagued..like they usually do

Still not a terrible resume. No marquee wins but no bad losses either (in fact quite good losses, going for two to win it against BG and a one score game @ SB) The OOC was way harder than Montana's and with UNI still having to play YSU, WIU, NDSU, and SDSU the polish might very well be wearing off the one good win for 9-2 UM. Unless UNI and UNC caught fire, a 9-2 UND would have the better resume.

 

[LDopaPDX]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

In my opinion If both UM and UND finished the season at 9-2 (and UND wins the Big Sky), I still don't think the committee seeds UND over Montana for two reasons:

1. UND didn't face Montana or EWU in the regular season
2. $$ and History. The NCAA will jump at any chance to give UM as many home games as they can reasonably give to take advantage of extra money they would receive from a Montana home game, and UM has a history of success in the playoffs. This will be UNDs first FCS Playoff appearance.

For the record, I think UM is a much better team than UND.

What will probably happen is whoever doesn't get a seed (UM, EWU, UND), assuming all are 9-2 or someone is 8-3, would play a home game against the likes of San Diego and then head to UND (if for some reason they are seeded) for the 2nd round, not really a bad case scenario there.

If I remember right, I don't think the playoffs are going to be regionalized any more. Therefore, it would be unlikely to see Big Sky teams matching up on the second weekend unless it was a random occurrence of the seeding.

Stats/Haley released their first playoff projection. It's regionalized for the most part. Our matchup is a repeat of 2014.

http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20161011123654150333904&ref=hea&tm=&src=FCS

San Diego? That's a hard one for me to reconcile. They only play one legit FCS program this year- Cal Poly- and they lost handily. Even at 10-1, I'm not sure you put them in the playoffs. A 7-4 team from a legit conference is probably going to be a better selection than USD. Let's say an 8-3 Montana (and I don't expect Montana to be 8-3, but for the sake of the "what if") plays a 10-1 San Diego. Anyone want to bet that it's within 5 TDs?

 

[marceagfan5]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

In my opinion If both UM and UND finished the season at 9-2 (and UND wins the Big Sky), I still don't think the committee seeds UND over Montana for two reasons:

1. UND didn't face Montana or EWU in the regular season
2. $$ and History. The NCAA will jump at any chance to give UM as many home games as they can reasonably give to take advantage of extra money they would receive from a Montana home game, and UM has a history of success in the playoffs. This will be UNDs first FCS Playoff appearance.

For the record, I think UM is a much better team than UND.

What will probably happen is whoever doesn't get a seed (UM, EWU, UND), assuming all are 9-2 or someone is 8-3, would play a home game against the likes of San Diego and then head to UND (if for some reason they are seeded) for the 2nd round, not really a bad case scenario there.

If I remember right, I don't think the playoffs are going to be regionalized any more. Therefore, it would be unlikely to see Big Sky teams matching up on the second weekend unless it was a random occurrence of the seeding.

Stats/Haley released their first playoff projection. It's regionalized for the most part. Our matchup is a repeat of 2014.

http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20161011123654150333904&ref=hea&tm=&src=FCS

San Diego? That's a hard one for me to reconcile. They only play one legit FCS program this year- Cal Poly- and they lost handily. Even at 10-1, I'm not sure you put them in the playoffs. A 7-4 team from a legit conference is probably going to be a better selection than USD. Let's say an 8-3 Montana (and I don't expect Montana to be 8-3, but for the sake of the "what if") plays a 10-1 San Diego. Anyone want to bet that it's within 5 TDs?

They play in the Pioneer conference and get an auto bid...

Basically a layup in the first round for whoever plays them...

 

[mtgrizfankb1]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

In my opinion If both UM and UND finished the season at 9-2 (and UND wins the Big Sky), I still don't think the committee seeds UND over Montana for two reasons:

1. UND didn't face Montana or EWU in the regular season
2. $$ and History. The NCAA will jump at any chance to give UM as many home games as they can reasonably give to take advantage of extra money they would receive from a Montana home game, and UM has a history of success in the playoffs. This will be UNDs first FCS Playoff appearance.

For the record, I think UM is a much better team than UND.

What will probably happen is whoever doesn't get a seed (UM, EWU, UND), assuming all are 9-2 or someone is 8-3, would play a home game against the likes of San Diego and then head to UND (if for some reason they are seeded) for the 2nd round, not really a bad case scenario there.

If I remember right, I don't think the playoffs are going to be regionalized any more. Therefore, it would be unlikely to see Big Sky teams matching up on the second weekend unless it was a random occurrence of the seeding.

Stats/Haley released their first playoff projection. It's regionalized for the most part. Our matchup is a repeat of 2014.

http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20161011123654150333904&ref=hea&tm=&src=FCS

San Diego? That's a hard one for me to reconcile. They only play one legit FCS program this year- Cal Poly- and they lost handily. Even at 10-1, I'm not sure you put them in the playoffs. A 7-4 team from a legit conference is probably going to be a better selection than USD. Let's say an 8-3 Montana (and I don't expect Montana to be 8-3, but for the sake of the "what if") plays a 10-1 San Diego. Anyone want to bet that it's within 5 TDs?

Right, SD will win the pioneer. They will go on the road first round to whatever western FCS that hosts a first round game. No matter if it's UND, UM or EWU. All three would walk through that game. Just like th Griz did in 14.

 

[LDopaPDX]

My bad; I didn't realize the Pioneer has an auto-bid.

 

[mtgrizfankb1]

My bad; I didn't realize the Pioneer has an auto-bid.

Probably because they shouldn't lol

 

[360Eag]

9-2 Montana definitely opens at home as one of the 8 seeded teams. 8-3 Montana probably opens at home in the play-in round and travels the following week.

What if UND runs the conference table, which is a strong possibility. They also finish at 9-2 and 8-0 in conference. Do you seed Montana over them? Does the Big Sky get 3 seeds? This is all assuming EWU runs the table or finishes with 1 conference loss that isn't Montana.

In my opinion If both UM and UND finished the season at 9-2 (and UND wins the Big Sky), I still don't think the committee seeds UND over Montana for two reasons:

1. UND didn't face Montana or EWU in the regular season
2. $$ and History. The NCAA will jump at any chance to give UM as many home games as they can reasonably give to take advantage of extra money they would receive from a Montana home game, and UM has a history of success in the playoffs. This will be UNDs first FCS Playoff appearance.

For the record, I think UM is a much better team than UND.

What will probably happen is whoever doesn't get a seed (UM, EWU, UND), assuming all are 9-2 or someone is 8-3, would play a home game against the likes of San Diego and then head to UND (if for some reason they are seeded) for the 2nd round, not really a bad case scenario there.

If I remember right, I don't think the playoffs are going to be regionalized any more. Therefore, it would be unlikely to see Big Sky teams matching up on the second weekend unless it was a random occurrence of the seeding.

Stats/Haley released their first playoff projection. It's regionalized for the most part. Our matchup is a repeat of 2014.

http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20161011123654150333904&ref=hea&tm=&src=FCS

San Diego? That's a hard one for me to reconcile. They only play one legit FCS program this year- Cal Poly- and they lost handily. Even at 10-1, I'm not sure you put them in the playoffs. A 7-4 team from a legit conference is probably going to be a better selection than USD. Let's say an 8-3 Montana (and I don't expect Montana to be 8-3, but for the sake of the "what if") plays a 10-1 San Diego. Anyone want to bet that it's within 5 TDs?

They play in the Pioneer conference and get an auto bid...

Basically a layup in the first round for whoever plays them...

I'm still in disbelief that the NCAA let Dayton host the first round game. A whopping 997 people showed up to that game.