Big Sky got screwed

[Gil Dobie]

I can see some truth in that but at the same time Sam Houston State has pretty much owned the Big Sky in recent years. Also I think Sam Houston State may very well have the highest pure talent level in the subdivision. I haven't even seen Southern Utah but i would still bet that if they are going to win they are going to have to beat a team that's got a higher talent level than they do. Not saying they can't do it and actually I'm HOPING they do it both because I don't want McNeese to have to play Sam Houston State again and because I just flat want to see them play a different team. But Sam Houston State really is loaded talent wise. When you put Keeler's "mercenary" personnel strategy together with being located in the obscenely talent rich vicinity Sam Houston State's located in you get a whole lot of pure talent for a FCS team.

Like if you compare Montana's opening round draw to Southern Utah's I HAVE seen South Dakota State a couple of times this year and I don't think they have anywhere close to the same pure talent level as Sam Houston State does. Sam Houston State is a way faster, more athletic team than South Dakota State is. Maybe not better. But more talented.

Southern Utah's administration should've stepped up and submitted a competitive bid for a home game. They're the Big Sky champiion, for Pete's sake.

There's more to talent than speed. Just ask the Raiders. Or the NDSU teams that repeatedely handle SHSU

Yeah, but SHSU used to be faster.

[kalm]

SUU might have the easiest path with the two Southlands who are still a mystery.

I can see some truth in that but at the same time Sam Houston State has pretty much owned the Big Sky in recent years. Also I think Sam Houston State may very well have the highest pure talent level in the subdivision. I haven't even seen Southern Utah but i would still bet that if they are going to win they are going to have to beat a team that's got a higher talent level than they do. Not saying they can't do it and actually I'm HOPING they do it both because I don't want McNeese to have to play Sam Houston State again and because I just flat want to see them play a different team. But Sam Houston State really is loaded talent wise. When you put Keeler's "mercenary" personnel strategy together with being located in the obscenely talent rich vicinity Sam Houston State's located in you get a whole lot of pure talent for a FCS team.

Like if you compare Montana's opening round draw to Southern Utah's I HAVE seen South Dakota State a couple of times this year and I don't think they have anywhere close to the same pure talent level as Sam Houston State does. Sam Houston State is a way faster, more athletic team than South Dakota State is. Maybe not better. But more talented.

Southern Utah's administration should've stepped up and submitted a competitive bid for a home game. They're the Big Sky champiion, for Pete's sake.

SHSU brought their talent level up to par with the BSC the last few years. They perhaps even exceeded at times, but any BSC fan will tell you that PSU for quite awhile has been one of the more talented squads in the conference. They've done it the same way SHSU and SELA have done it...through transfers. So as mentioned, there's significantly more to winning than just talent.

Talent aside, the SLC has not been able to challenge themselves much out of conference and the new additions have watered down the challenges within the conference schedule.

That's why I think SUU got a more favorable draw.

[JohnStOnge]

There's more to talent than speed. Just ask the Raiders. Or the NDSU teams that repeatedely handle SHSU

Oh yeah I agree but you have to admit that if you're looking at how Sam Houston State has done against Big Sky teams in the playoffs in recent years you have to be concerned about being a Big Sky team going to play at Sam Houston State in the playoffs. They just haven't seemed to match up well with the Bearkats. Even if you go all time instead of just recently Sam Houston State is 8-2 against Big Sky teams in the playoffs with the only two losses being AT Montana where Southland teams NEVER win.

[BigSky2014]

You can say that about a lot of teams. NAU would beat UC Davis and Montana now

You're reaching Jon. Montana, with a healthy Gustafson, beats NAU.

NAU turned the corner with their true freshman QB after the UC Davis loss. They put up over 600 yards of offense against a really good SUU defense, running the ball at will all night. 5 turnovers cost them that game. They will be one of the Big Sky favorites going into next season

[Grizalltheway]

There's more to talent than speed. Just ask the Raiders. Or the NDSU teams that repeatedely handle SHSU

Oh yeah I agree but you have to admit that if you're looking at how Sam Houston State has done against Big Sky teams in the playoffs in recent years you have to be concerned about being a Big Sky team going to play at Sam Houston State in the playoffs. They just haven't seemed to match up well with the Bearkats. Even if you go all time instead of just recently Sam Houston State is 8-2 against Big Sky teams in the playoffs with the only two losses being AT Montana where Southland teams NEVER win.

Our game against them in 2011 came down to the last play. They had one huge quarter and then were completely shut down and outplayed the rest of the game.

[Brock Landers]

Yeah, I don't mean to be one of those woulda coula shoulda guys, but I'd take the 2011 Griz team over that SHSU team 7 games out of 10

[kalm]

Yeah, I don't mean to be one of those woulda coula shoulda guys, but I'd take the 2011 Griz team over that SHSU team 7 games out of 10

Ooh...can I play too? Baldwin to this day says the 2012 team was the best he's ever had. Just forgot how to
play for a half.

[JohnStOnge]

Well I hope my gut feeling about Southern Utah going to Sam Houston State is wrong. I know you guys say they have a good defense and they did have a stretch of five games during September and October where they never gave up more than 7 points in any game. But in their last four games they gave up 37, 23, 23, and 41. They just gave up over 600 yards of offense and that 41 points in their last games. And they gave up 55 to South Dakota State earlier this season. Obviously their defense at the very least has had some bad games.

I hope my concerns turn out to be unfounded though so I can see somebody that McNeese hasn't already played when I go to the second round playoff game.