SWC75
Bored Historian
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Here is the field for the NCAA Division I (Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS) playoffs, with the team name, the state they are in, (if it’s not already part of the name), the won-loss record, the points for and against, who they lost to, their ranking, their all time post season record, (including NAIA and other NCAA divisions and small college bowl games, and championships won. They run a 20 team playoff with the bottom four teams playing “play-in” games the first week, which is this week.
FIRST ROUND
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (8-3, 243-175) Lost to Kansas 17-31 on 9/1, Northern Illinois 6-27 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 17-20 on 11/10. Rank: #21. All-time: 0-2. No titles.
Vs.
EASTERN ILLINOIS (7-4, 428-376) Lost to Western Michigan 21-52 on 9/8, Illinois State 51-54 on 9/15, Tennessee-Martin 37-51 on 10/6 and Central Arkansas 30-48 on 11/17. Unranked. All-time: 8-15. Titles: NCAA II 1978 (1).
BETHUNE-COOKMAN of Florida (9-2, 339-195) Lost to Miami 10-38 on 9/15 and Tennessee State 14-21. Rank: #22. All-Time 5-7. No titles.
Vs.
COASTAL CAROLINA of South Carolina (7-4, 387-292) Lost to Eastern Kentucky 17-35 on 9/15, Toledo 28-38 on 9/22, Appalachian State 14-55 on 9/29 and Stony Brook 21-27 on 10/13. Unranked. All-time: 0-2. No titles.
STONY BROOK of New York (9-2, 430-176) Lost to Syracuse 17-28 on 9/15 and Liberty 14-28 on 11/10. Rank: #11. All-time: 1-1. No titles.
Vs.
VILLANOVA of Pennsylvania (8-3, 343-231) Lost to Temple 10-41 on 8/31, Richmond 17-28 on 10/6 and Towson 35-49 on 10/27. Rank: #18. All-time: 12-10-1. Titles: FCS 2009 (1).
WAGNER of New York (8-3, 242-179) Lost to Florida Atlantic 3-7 on 8/31, Georgetown 10-13 on 9/8 and Monmouth 17-38 on 9/15. Unranked. All-time: 4-3. Titles: NCAA DIII 1987 (1).
Vs.
COLGATE of New York (8-3, 453-349) Lost to Albany 23-40 on 9/1, South Dakota 21-32 on 9/8 and Stony Brook 31-32 on 9/22. Rank: #25. All-time: 4-8. No titles.
Byes:
NORTH DAKOTA STATE (10-1, 391-130) Lost to Indiana State 14-17 on 10/3. Rank: #1. All-time: 41-14. Titles: POLL 1965, 1968, 1969, NCAA DII 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, FCS 2011 (9).
WOFFORD of South Carolina (8-3, 345-195) Lost to Georgia Southern 9-17 on 10/13, Samford 17-24 on 11/3 and South Carolina 7-24 on 11/17. Rank: #9. All-time: 5-7. No titles.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (8-3, 402-314) Lost to Minnesota 7-44 on 9/8, Old Dominion 61-64, (yes, 61-64!) on 9/22 and Towson 35-64 on 11/17. Rank: #13. All-Time 7-13. No titles.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN (8-3, 390-234) Lost to the Citadel 21-23 on 9/8, Appalachian State 28-31 on 11/3 and Georgia 14-45 on 11/17. Rank: #7 All-time: 43-12. Titles: FCS 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000 (6).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS (9-2, 402-246) Lost to Mississippi 27-49 on 9/1 and Stephen F. Austin 37-42 on 9/29. Rank: #8. All-Time 15-15-2. NAIA DI 1984, 1985, 1991 (3).
OLD DOMINION of Virginia (10-1, 489-312) Lost to Villanova 14-38 on 10/13. Rank: #3. All-time: 1-1. No titles.
MONTANA STATE (10-1,403-230) Lost to Eastern Washington 24-27 on 10/13. Rank: #2. All-Time 9-6-2. NAIA 1956, NCAA DII 1976, FCS 1984 (3).
SAM HOUSTON STATE (8-3, 490-209) Lost to Baylor 23-48 on 9/15, Central Arkansas 20-24 on 9/22 and Texas A&M 28-47 on 11/17. Rank: #5. All-time 10-6-1. NAIA 1964 (1).
CAL POLY (9-2, 424-266) Lost to Sacramento State 29-35 on 10/27 and Eastern Washington 17-34 on 11/3. Rank: #12. All-time: 5-5. Titles: NCAA DII 1980 (1).
APPALACHIAN STATE of North Carolina (8-3, 358-314) Lost to East Carolina 13-35 on 9/1, the Citadel 28-52 on 9/15 and Wofford 28-38 on 10/20. Rank: #6. All-Time 26-22. Titles: FCS: 2005, 2006, 2007 (3).
ILLINOIS STATE (8-3, 320-151) Lost to Southern Illinois 0-17 on 10/6, Missouri State 17-24 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 20-38 on 11/17. Rank: #15. All-time: 3-3. Bo titles.
EASTERN WASHINGTON (9-2, 350-257) Lost to Washington State 20-24 on 9/8 and Southern Utah 27-30 on 10/27. Rank: #4. All-time: 10-8. Titles: FCS 2010 (1).
I have a soft spot in my heart for North Dakota State. They, Delaware and Ithaca are my favorite small college teams, Ithaca because of their success and the way they represented Upstate New York in the DIII playoffs from 1974-1991, Delaware because my cousin was a professor there for many years and because, I thought a team that dressed like Michigan, (but in a more appealing shade of blue), and called themselves the “Blue Hens” was cool. They were also the top upper-level, (mid-major?) small college program in the East for many years and, like the Ithaca Bombers, seemed to represent the region to the nation. My affection for North Dakota State dates back to a couple of articles I read in Sports Illustrated in 1966:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1079213/3/index.htm
and
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1079266/index.htm
The first article peaked my interest and the second elicited my sympathy and I’ve followed the Bison from a distance ever since, though their great success in the late 60’s and the 80’s. I was delighted to see them come back to prominence last year and win the FCS title over Sam Houston State, 17-6. My hope is to someday see the Blue Hens and the Bison duke it out for the FCS title. But this year I’m pulling for the Stony Brook Sea Wolves. It would be cool to think that SU had beaten the FCS champs.
FIRST ROUND
South Dakota State crushed Eastern Illinois 58-10 as Zach Zenner ran for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Handy ran for another 151 yards and two scores for the Jackrabbits. All three of Zenner‘s scores including an opening 63 yarder, and 246 of his rushing yards came in the first half and SDSU rolled up a 34-3 lead. They scored on six consecutive possessions.
Like South Dakota State, Coastal Carolina had never won a post-season game until they beat Bethune-Cookman. The Chanticleers, (Roosters), scored the game’s first 24 points and withstood a late rally to win, 24-14. A 17 point second quarter was all they needed. A field goal before halftime was set up by a disputed fumble recovery. BC Coach Brian Jenkins: “He did fumble and we had a couple players that were in the area of the ball, but they blew the play dead so they stopped and their player recovered the ball,” Jenkins said afterward. “And then they reviewed it. If you call a play dead, I don’t understand how you go back and review it, but they did. My argument was you blew the play dead so it negates anything else. ... That’s what happened. And then right before halftime, the guy who blew the play dead, he came to me and we talked and I appreciate what he said.” He didn’t reveal what he said, however. The 10 penalties for 108 yards the refs called on Wildcats didn’t help Jenkins’ disposition any, either. Bethune-Cookman finally scored twice in the final 6:44 but a failed try for two on the second score left them 10 points short.
I think we should all be rooting for Stony Brook to win this so we could brag that, while we played an FCS team, our FCS team won the national championship- and we beat them!. They could do it, too. Last year they lost in the playoffs to the #1 ranked team, Sam Houston State, by only a touchdown in their place. This year they started out by beating Villanova, the 2009 FCS champs, 20-10. Miguel Maysonet, who had the big run vs. us, ran for 160 yards and two second quarter scores against the Wildcats. To give the Sea wolves a 14-0 halftime lead. They extended the lead to 20-3 before Villanova scored with 6:57 left to make it 20-10. But Stony Brook clinched it by forcing the Wildcats to turn the ball over on downs three minutes later.
Back in the 60’s, my brother went to Hamilton and the toughest team they played every year was Wagner, a small school on Staten Island. They were still a division III schools in 1987 when they beat Dayton for the title. They jumps all the way from DIII to what was then 1AA in 1993. It seemed like a strange move for a school with only 2400 students. But their schedule didn’t change much. Basically the conference they were in, the Northeast Conference, declared themselves to be 1AA teams and they mostly played each other. Bryant, Central Connecticut, Duquesne, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (Pa), SUNY-Albany and Wagner. Not exactly a murder’s row. They conference didn’t even participate in the playoffs until 2010 and were 0-2. I didn’t give Wagner much of a chance against Colgate. I still see them as a DIII team. But the Seahawks pulled down the Red Raiders, 31-20. They had lost their first three games to Florida Atlantic, Georgetown and Monmouth but have responded with 9 wins in a row, 7 of them by 11 points or less. Colgate had been averaging 504 yards per game but got only 296 against Wagner, who forced 5 turnovers. Nick Dorscher tossed two touchdown passes and Dominique Williams rushed for 106 yards and a score for the winners.
The pairings for the second round:
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (9-3, 301-185) Lost to Kansas 17-31 on 9/1, Northern Illinois 6-27 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 17-20 on 11/10. Rank: #21. All-time: 1-2. No titles.
Vs.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE (10-1, 391-130) Lost to Indiana State 14-17 on 10/3. Rank: #1. All-time: 41-14. Titles: POLL 1965, 1968, 1969, NCAA DII 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, FCS 2011 (9).
The Bison are a formidable opponent for anyone but a familiar one for the Jackrabbits, who almost beat them on November 10th. They won’t be in awe of the defending champs at all. Their only other losses have been to an 11-1 MAC team and a Big 12 team.
COASTAL CAROLINA of South Carolina (8-4, 411-306) Lost to Eastern Kentucky 17-35 on 9/15, Toledo 28-38 on 9/22, Appalachian State 14-55 on 9/29 and Stony Brook 21-27 on 10/13. Unranked. All-time: 1-2. No titles.
Vs.
OLD DOMINION of Virginia (10-1, 489-312) Lost to Villanova 14-38 on 10/13. Rank: #3. All-time: 1-1. No titles.
The Chanticleers won their last 5 regular season games by three touchdowns or more so they are on a roll after a rough start. Neither team is great on defense so expect a high-scoring game.
STONY BROOK of New York (10-2, 450-186) Lost to Syracuse 17-28 on 9/15 and Liberty 14-28 on 11/10. Rank: #11. All-time: 2-1. No titles.
Vs.
MONTANA STATE (10-1,403-230) Lost to Eastern Washington 24-27 on 10/13. Rank: #2. All-Time 9-6-2. NAIA 1956, NCAA DII 1976, FCS 1984 (3).
State has a distinguished history- the only school to win titles in three different classifications. It doesn’t mean Stony Brook can’t beat them. The Sea Wolves lost to Sam Houston State last year 27-34 and State lost to them on the same field 13-49 a week later.
WAGNER of New York (9-3, 273-199) Lost to Florida Atlantic 3-7 on 8/31, Georgetown 10-13 on 9/8 and Monmouth 17-38 on 9/15. Unranked. All-time: 5-3. Titles: NCAA DIII 1987 (1).
Vs.
EASTERN WASHINGTON (9-2, 350-257) Lost to Washington State 20-24 on 9/8 and Southern Utah 27-30 on 10/27. Rank: #4. All-time: 10-8. Titles: FCS 2010 (1).
Why aren’t Wagner and Stony Brook playing each other? Instead Stony Brook is playing Montana State and Wagner, Eastern Washington. Go figure. The Seahawks, who are still a DIII team in my narrow mind, will be 3000 miles away playing on that all-red field that makes you long for black-and-white TV. Go figure. I don’t see how the Seahawks have a chance but I didn’t think they could beat Colgate, either. Go Figure.
WOFFORD of South Carolina (8-3, 345-195) Lost to Georgia Southern 9-17 on 10/13, Samford 17-24 on 11/3 and South Carolina 7-24 on 11/17. Rank: #9. All-time: 5-7. No titles.
Vs.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (8-3, 402-314) Lost to Minnesota 7-44 on 9/8, Old Dominion 61-64, (yes, 61-64!) on 9/22 and Towson 35-64 on 11/17. Rank: #13. All-Time 7-13. No titles.
New Hampshire’s defense is woeful. Wofford’s is not.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN (8-3, 390-234) Lost to the Citadel 21-23 on 9/8, Appalachian State 28-31 on 11/3 and Georgia 14-45 on 11/17. Rank: #7 All-time: 43-12. Titles: FCS 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000 (6).
Vs.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS (9-2, 402-246) Lost to Mississippi 27-49 on 9/1 and Stephen F. Austin 37-42 on 9/29. Rank: #8. All-Time 15-15-2. NAIA DI 1984, 1985, 1991 (3).
Both teams have distinguished histories but Georgia Southern is more distinguished and more recent, (they were ranked #1 at one point). Still, it looks like it could be a good game.
APPALACHIAN STATE of North Carolina (8-3, 358-314) Lost to East Carolina 13-35 on 9/1, the Citadel 28-52 on 9/15 and Wofford 28-38 on 10/20. Rank: #6. All-Time 26-22. Titles: FCS: 2005, 2006, 2007 (3).
Vs.
ILLINOIS STATE (8-3, 320-151) Lost to Southern Illinois 0-17 on 10/6, Missouri State 17-24 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 20-38 on 11/17. Rank: #15. All-time: 3-3. Bo titles.
If App State can beat Michigan in the Big House, they ought to be able to handle Illinois State. But their defense is rather leaky and the Redbirds look like the more solid team.
SAM HOUSTON STATE (8-3, 490-209) Lost to Baylor 23-48 on 9/15, Central Arkansas 20-24 on 9/22 and Texas A&M 28-47 on 11/17. Rank: #5. All-time 10-6-1. NAIA 1964 (1).
Vs.
CAL POLY (9-2, 424-266) Lost to Sacramento State 29-35 on 10/27 and Eastern Washington 17-34 on 11/3. Rank: #12. All-time: 5-5. Titles: NCAA DII 1980 (1).
Sam Houston was #1 going into the playoffs last season and looked like the likely champions until they ran into North Dakota State in the finals last year. They look very potent again this year, with two of their losses to Baylor and Texas A&M.
The championship game won’t be played until Saturday, January 5th at 1PM EST in Frisco, Texas. It will be broadcast on ESPN2 (channel 25 on Time Warner Cable in Syracuse) and ESPN 3.
FIRST ROUND
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (8-3, 243-175) Lost to Kansas 17-31 on 9/1, Northern Illinois 6-27 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 17-20 on 11/10. Rank: #21. All-time: 0-2. No titles.
Vs.
EASTERN ILLINOIS (7-4, 428-376) Lost to Western Michigan 21-52 on 9/8, Illinois State 51-54 on 9/15, Tennessee-Martin 37-51 on 10/6 and Central Arkansas 30-48 on 11/17. Unranked. All-time: 8-15. Titles: NCAA II 1978 (1).
BETHUNE-COOKMAN of Florida (9-2, 339-195) Lost to Miami 10-38 on 9/15 and Tennessee State 14-21. Rank: #22. All-Time 5-7. No titles.
Vs.
COASTAL CAROLINA of South Carolina (7-4, 387-292) Lost to Eastern Kentucky 17-35 on 9/15, Toledo 28-38 on 9/22, Appalachian State 14-55 on 9/29 and Stony Brook 21-27 on 10/13. Unranked. All-time: 0-2. No titles.
STONY BROOK of New York (9-2, 430-176) Lost to Syracuse 17-28 on 9/15 and Liberty 14-28 on 11/10. Rank: #11. All-time: 1-1. No titles.
Vs.
VILLANOVA of Pennsylvania (8-3, 343-231) Lost to Temple 10-41 on 8/31, Richmond 17-28 on 10/6 and Towson 35-49 on 10/27. Rank: #18. All-time: 12-10-1. Titles: FCS 2009 (1).
WAGNER of New York (8-3, 242-179) Lost to Florida Atlantic 3-7 on 8/31, Georgetown 10-13 on 9/8 and Monmouth 17-38 on 9/15. Unranked. All-time: 4-3. Titles: NCAA DIII 1987 (1).
Vs.
COLGATE of New York (8-3, 453-349) Lost to Albany 23-40 on 9/1, South Dakota 21-32 on 9/8 and Stony Brook 31-32 on 9/22. Rank: #25. All-time: 4-8. No titles.
Byes:
NORTH DAKOTA STATE (10-1, 391-130) Lost to Indiana State 14-17 on 10/3. Rank: #1. All-time: 41-14. Titles: POLL 1965, 1968, 1969, NCAA DII 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, FCS 2011 (9).
WOFFORD of South Carolina (8-3, 345-195) Lost to Georgia Southern 9-17 on 10/13, Samford 17-24 on 11/3 and South Carolina 7-24 on 11/17. Rank: #9. All-time: 5-7. No titles.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (8-3, 402-314) Lost to Minnesota 7-44 on 9/8, Old Dominion 61-64, (yes, 61-64!) on 9/22 and Towson 35-64 on 11/17. Rank: #13. All-Time 7-13. No titles.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN (8-3, 390-234) Lost to the Citadel 21-23 on 9/8, Appalachian State 28-31 on 11/3 and Georgia 14-45 on 11/17. Rank: #7 All-time: 43-12. Titles: FCS 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000 (6).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS (9-2, 402-246) Lost to Mississippi 27-49 on 9/1 and Stephen F. Austin 37-42 on 9/29. Rank: #8. All-Time 15-15-2. NAIA DI 1984, 1985, 1991 (3).
OLD DOMINION of Virginia (10-1, 489-312) Lost to Villanova 14-38 on 10/13. Rank: #3. All-time: 1-1. No titles.
MONTANA STATE (10-1,403-230) Lost to Eastern Washington 24-27 on 10/13. Rank: #2. All-Time 9-6-2. NAIA 1956, NCAA DII 1976, FCS 1984 (3).
SAM HOUSTON STATE (8-3, 490-209) Lost to Baylor 23-48 on 9/15, Central Arkansas 20-24 on 9/22 and Texas A&M 28-47 on 11/17. Rank: #5. All-time 10-6-1. NAIA 1964 (1).
CAL POLY (9-2, 424-266) Lost to Sacramento State 29-35 on 10/27 and Eastern Washington 17-34 on 11/3. Rank: #12. All-time: 5-5. Titles: NCAA DII 1980 (1).
APPALACHIAN STATE of North Carolina (8-3, 358-314) Lost to East Carolina 13-35 on 9/1, the Citadel 28-52 on 9/15 and Wofford 28-38 on 10/20. Rank: #6. All-Time 26-22. Titles: FCS: 2005, 2006, 2007 (3).
ILLINOIS STATE (8-3, 320-151) Lost to Southern Illinois 0-17 on 10/6, Missouri State 17-24 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 20-38 on 11/17. Rank: #15. All-time: 3-3. Bo titles.
EASTERN WASHINGTON (9-2, 350-257) Lost to Washington State 20-24 on 9/8 and Southern Utah 27-30 on 10/27. Rank: #4. All-time: 10-8. Titles: FCS 2010 (1).
I have a soft spot in my heart for North Dakota State. They, Delaware and Ithaca are my favorite small college teams, Ithaca because of their success and the way they represented Upstate New York in the DIII playoffs from 1974-1991, Delaware because my cousin was a professor there for many years and because, I thought a team that dressed like Michigan, (but in a more appealing shade of blue), and called themselves the “Blue Hens” was cool. They were also the top upper-level, (mid-major?) small college program in the East for many years and, like the Ithaca Bombers, seemed to represent the region to the nation. My affection for North Dakota State dates back to a couple of articles I read in Sports Illustrated in 1966:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1079213/3/index.htm
and
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1079266/index.htm
The first article peaked my interest and the second elicited my sympathy and I’ve followed the Bison from a distance ever since, though their great success in the late 60’s and the 80’s. I was delighted to see them come back to prominence last year and win the FCS title over Sam Houston State, 17-6. My hope is to someday see the Blue Hens and the Bison duke it out for the FCS title. But this year I’m pulling for the Stony Brook Sea Wolves. It would be cool to think that SU had beaten the FCS champs.
FIRST ROUND
South Dakota State crushed Eastern Illinois 58-10 as Zach Zenner ran for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Handy ran for another 151 yards and two scores for the Jackrabbits. All three of Zenner‘s scores including an opening 63 yarder, and 246 of his rushing yards came in the first half and SDSU rolled up a 34-3 lead. They scored on six consecutive possessions.
Like South Dakota State, Coastal Carolina had never won a post-season game until they beat Bethune-Cookman. The Chanticleers, (Roosters), scored the game’s first 24 points and withstood a late rally to win, 24-14. A 17 point second quarter was all they needed. A field goal before halftime was set up by a disputed fumble recovery. BC Coach Brian Jenkins: “He did fumble and we had a couple players that were in the area of the ball, but they blew the play dead so they stopped and their player recovered the ball,” Jenkins said afterward. “And then they reviewed it. If you call a play dead, I don’t understand how you go back and review it, but they did. My argument was you blew the play dead so it negates anything else. ... That’s what happened. And then right before halftime, the guy who blew the play dead, he came to me and we talked and I appreciate what he said.” He didn’t reveal what he said, however. The 10 penalties for 108 yards the refs called on Wildcats didn’t help Jenkins’ disposition any, either. Bethune-Cookman finally scored twice in the final 6:44 but a failed try for two on the second score left them 10 points short.
I think we should all be rooting for Stony Brook to win this so we could brag that, while we played an FCS team, our FCS team won the national championship- and we beat them!. They could do it, too. Last year they lost in the playoffs to the #1 ranked team, Sam Houston State, by only a touchdown in their place. This year they started out by beating Villanova, the 2009 FCS champs, 20-10. Miguel Maysonet, who had the big run vs. us, ran for 160 yards and two second quarter scores against the Wildcats. To give the Sea wolves a 14-0 halftime lead. They extended the lead to 20-3 before Villanova scored with 6:57 left to make it 20-10. But Stony Brook clinched it by forcing the Wildcats to turn the ball over on downs three minutes later.
Back in the 60’s, my brother went to Hamilton and the toughest team they played every year was Wagner, a small school on Staten Island. They were still a division III schools in 1987 when they beat Dayton for the title. They jumps all the way from DIII to what was then 1AA in 1993. It seemed like a strange move for a school with only 2400 students. But their schedule didn’t change much. Basically the conference they were in, the Northeast Conference, declared themselves to be 1AA teams and they mostly played each other. Bryant, Central Connecticut, Duquesne, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (Pa), SUNY-Albany and Wagner. Not exactly a murder’s row. They conference didn’t even participate in the playoffs until 2010 and were 0-2. I didn’t give Wagner much of a chance against Colgate. I still see them as a DIII team. But the Seahawks pulled down the Red Raiders, 31-20. They had lost their first three games to Florida Atlantic, Georgetown and Monmouth but have responded with 9 wins in a row, 7 of them by 11 points or less. Colgate had been averaging 504 yards per game but got only 296 against Wagner, who forced 5 turnovers. Nick Dorscher tossed two touchdown passes and Dominique Williams rushed for 106 yards and a score for the winners.
The pairings for the second round:
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (9-3, 301-185) Lost to Kansas 17-31 on 9/1, Northern Illinois 6-27 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 17-20 on 11/10. Rank: #21. All-time: 1-2. No titles.
Vs.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE (10-1, 391-130) Lost to Indiana State 14-17 on 10/3. Rank: #1. All-time: 41-14. Titles: POLL 1965, 1968, 1969, NCAA DII 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, FCS 2011 (9).
The Bison are a formidable opponent for anyone but a familiar one for the Jackrabbits, who almost beat them on November 10th. They won’t be in awe of the defending champs at all. Their only other losses have been to an 11-1 MAC team and a Big 12 team.
COASTAL CAROLINA of South Carolina (8-4, 411-306) Lost to Eastern Kentucky 17-35 on 9/15, Toledo 28-38 on 9/22, Appalachian State 14-55 on 9/29 and Stony Brook 21-27 on 10/13. Unranked. All-time: 1-2. No titles.
Vs.
OLD DOMINION of Virginia (10-1, 489-312) Lost to Villanova 14-38 on 10/13. Rank: #3. All-time: 1-1. No titles.
The Chanticleers won their last 5 regular season games by three touchdowns or more so they are on a roll after a rough start. Neither team is great on defense so expect a high-scoring game.
STONY BROOK of New York (10-2, 450-186) Lost to Syracuse 17-28 on 9/15 and Liberty 14-28 on 11/10. Rank: #11. All-time: 2-1. No titles.
Vs.
MONTANA STATE (10-1,403-230) Lost to Eastern Washington 24-27 on 10/13. Rank: #2. All-Time 9-6-2. NAIA 1956, NCAA DII 1976, FCS 1984 (3).
State has a distinguished history- the only school to win titles in three different classifications. It doesn’t mean Stony Brook can’t beat them. The Sea Wolves lost to Sam Houston State last year 27-34 and State lost to them on the same field 13-49 a week later.
WAGNER of New York (9-3, 273-199) Lost to Florida Atlantic 3-7 on 8/31, Georgetown 10-13 on 9/8 and Monmouth 17-38 on 9/15. Unranked. All-time: 5-3. Titles: NCAA DIII 1987 (1).
Vs.
EASTERN WASHINGTON (9-2, 350-257) Lost to Washington State 20-24 on 9/8 and Southern Utah 27-30 on 10/27. Rank: #4. All-time: 10-8. Titles: FCS 2010 (1).
Why aren’t Wagner and Stony Brook playing each other? Instead Stony Brook is playing Montana State and Wagner, Eastern Washington. Go figure. The Seahawks, who are still a DIII team in my narrow mind, will be 3000 miles away playing on that all-red field that makes you long for black-and-white TV. Go figure. I don’t see how the Seahawks have a chance but I didn’t think they could beat Colgate, either. Go Figure.
WOFFORD of South Carolina (8-3, 345-195) Lost to Georgia Southern 9-17 on 10/13, Samford 17-24 on 11/3 and South Carolina 7-24 on 11/17. Rank: #9. All-time: 5-7. No titles.
Vs.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (8-3, 402-314) Lost to Minnesota 7-44 on 9/8, Old Dominion 61-64, (yes, 61-64!) on 9/22 and Towson 35-64 on 11/17. Rank: #13. All-Time 7-13. No titles.
New Hampshire’s defense is woeful. Wofford’s is not.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN (8-3, 390-234) Lost to the Citadel 21-23 on 9/8, Appalachian State 28-31 on 11/3 and Georgia 14-45 on 11/17. Rank: #7 All-time: 43-12. Titles: FCS 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000 (6).
Vs.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS (9-2, 402-246) Lost to Mississippi 27-49 on 9/1 and Stephen F. Austin 37-42 on 9/29. Rank: #8. All-Time 15-15-2. NAIA DI 1984, 1985, 1991 (3).
Both teams have distinguished histories but Georgia Southern is more distinguished and more recent, (they were ranked #1 at one point). Still, it looks like it could be a good game.
APPALACHIAN STATE of North Carolina (8-3, 358-314) Lost to East Carolina 13-35 on 9/1, the Citadel 28-52 on 9/15 and Wofford 28-38 on 10/20. Rank: #6. All-Time 26-22. Titles: FCS: 2005, 2006, 2007 (3).
Vs.
ILLINOIS STATE (8-3, 320-151) Lost to Southern Illinois 0-17 on 10/6, Missouri State 17-24 on 10/20 and North Dakota State 20-38 on 11/17. Rank: #15. All-time: 3-3. Bo titles.
If App State can beat Michigan in the Big House, they ought to be able to handle Illinois State. But their defense is rather leaky and the Redbirds look like the more solid team.
SAM HOUSTON STATE (8-3, 490-209) Lost to Baylor 23-48 on 9/15, Central Arkansas 20-24 on 9/22 and Texas A&M 28-47 on 11/17. Rank: #5. All-time 10-6-1. NAIA 1964 (1).
Vs.
CAL POLY (9-2, 424-266) Lost to Sacramento State 29-35 on 10/27 and Eastern Washington 17-34 on 11/3. Rank: #12. All-time: 5-5. Titles: NCAA DII 1980 (1).
Sam Houston was #1 going into the playoffs last season and looked like the likely champions until they ran into North Dakota State in the finals last year. They look very potent again this year, with two of their losses to Baylor and Texas A&M.
The championship game won’t be played until Saturday, January 5th at 1PM EST in Frisco, Texas. It will be broadcast on ESPN2 (channel 25 on Time Warner Cable in Syracuse) and ESPN 3.
