Pioneer Championship

[SuperHornet]

Just wondering everyone's feelings on the Patriot this season. San Diego is having an epic bad year, in a year coincident with the rise of straight-from-D-III St. Thomas, which is doing VERY well (on the Pioneer level, anyway). After their game today, the Tommies are 2-1, 1-0 Pioneer. That record DOES, however, include a cancelled D-II game and a very bad loss to nationally ranked UNI.

This season is looking like a horse race with MANY teams vying for what will likely be a one-bid conference. Presbyterian, fresh from the Big South and with a crazy offense that probably has no business playing D-I ball, may be a factor, as will Dayton, who blew Presby out today. Butler was skunked by the Tommies. At least half the conference will be horrible, even in the world of non-scholarship D-I football.

So, does anyone think St. Thomas has a shot at the playoffs in their first year? Are they even eligible this year? Usually, transitioning teams are horrible, even in the Pioneer world, but they seem pretty competitive, at least on that level.

[BDKJMU]

The Patriot doesn’t have a championship.
And why did you title the thread ‘Patriot Championship’ and only talk about Pioneer teams?

[Gil Dobie]

Just wondering everyone's feelings on the Patriot this season. San Diego is having an epic bad year, in a year coincident with the rise of straight-from-D-III St. Thomas, which is doing VERY well (on the Pioneer level, anyway). After their game today, the Tommies are 2-1, 1-0 Pioneer. That record DOES, however, include a cancelled D-II game and a very bad loss to nationally ranked UNI.

This season is looking like a horse race with MANY teams vying for what will likely be a one-bid conference. Presbyterian, fresh from the Big South and with a crazy offense that probably has no business playing D-I ball, may be a factor, as will Dayton, who blew Presby out today. Butler was skunked by the Tommies. At least half the conference will be horrible, even in the world of non-scholarship D-I football.

So, does anyone think St. Thomas has a shot at the playoffs in their first year? Are they even eligible this year? Usually, transitioning teams are horrible, even in the Pioneer world, but they seem pretty competitive, at least on that level.

St Thomas has a lot of money, rich alumni base. Many of the corporate types in the Twin Cities, go the for their MBA's. You will see the in the not so distant playoffs, once they become eligible.

[SuperHornet]

Gil, of course, has a good contribution to the thread. I'm not so sure about BDK here. You do know, BDK, that most conference "champions" in FCS claim that championship on the basis of having the best regular season record in the conference, right? That's because our conferences correctly don't have enough teams to justify a money-making championship game. That's all I was saying. It's that "championship" that earns the auto-bid.

Thank you for your contribution, Gil.

[BDKJMU]

Gil, of course, has a good contribution to the thread. I'm not so sure about BDK here. You do know, BDK, that most conference "champions" in FCS claim that championship on the basis of having the best regular season record in the conference, right? That's because our conferences correctly don't have enough teams to justify a money-making championship game. That's all I was saying. It's that "championship" that earns the auto-bid.

Thank you for your contribution, Gil.

Most people say conference ‘Champion’ or ‘AQ’.

And you didn’t answer why you titled the thread ‘Patriot Championship’, but all you’ve talked about is Pioneer schools.

Since you asked about the Patriot, it looks like it will come down to Holy Cross and Fordham.

[SuperHornet]

Just realized what you were talking about, BDK.