Full Bracket Predictions

[AZGrizFan]

Yep.

So if it were 2/2 is would be OK. A travesty that it's barely lopsided I tell ya.

I'm not a fan of regionalization either, but it's more from what Gil is saying. It was much better when east coast teams like Coastal and Delaware were sent to Missoula to beat the Griz in the first round.

Exactly. I’d honestly rather have that than another game against a team we’ve already played from our own conference. I’d rather take our chances against a team we rarely/never get a chance to play.

[kalm]

Yep.

So if it were 2/2 is would be OK. A travesty that it's barely lopsided I tell ya.

I'm not a fan of regionalization either, but it's more from what Gil is saying. It was much better when east coast teams like Coastal and Delaware were sent to Missoula to beat the Griz in the first round.

And it wasn’t regionalized with all teams seeded, there be much more opportunities for that.

[kalm]

So if it were 2/2 is would be OK. A travesty that it's barely lopsided I tell ya.

I'm not a fan of regionalization either, but it's more from what Gil is saying. It was much better when east coast teams like Coastal and Delaware were sent to Missoula to beat the Griz in the first round.

Exactly. I’d honestly rather have that than another game against a team we’ve already played from our own conference. I’d rather take our chances against a team we rarely/never get a chance to play.

For example…that one year we opened the playoffs with Wagner.

[89Hen]

And it wasn’t regionalized with all teams seeded, there be much more opportunities for that.

When did you become a pirate?

[BDKJMU]

Uh, KSU wasn't seeded.

Well, other than that, my rant was spot on.

Agreed. I argued for all 3 to be seeded, but a different order.
3 teams in the same conference all 9-2. In conference
Team A: 7-1
Team B: 6-2
Team C: 6-2

They rouund robbined: Team A beat Team B, Team B beat Team C, Team C beat Team A. In that case the seeds should have been:
#6 Team A (7-1)
#7 Team B (6-2) because beat team C.
#8. Team C (6-2)

That would have been
#6 Montana St
#7 EWU
#8 Montana.

Now you coukd flip thr order around because of the 3 only Montana played Sac St, and EWU played a Div II, and have it in the order the committee had it but with EWU included/ETSU not:
#6 Montana
#7 Montana St
#8 EWU.

In that case JMU probably gets a non seeded ETSU 2nd round (280 mile bus ride instead of SLU. Outcome the same). This weekend SHSU would likely be hosting a #8 EWU instead of #8 Montana St, and NDSU would likely be hosting a #7 Montana St instead of #7 ETSU. Ultimately maybe the Senis would be the same, but EWU would have had a good chance of knocking off SHSU..

[Grizzlies1982]

1982: SDSU can do some confusing things on offense, but if they don't get their second-half production and defending straightened out, they're not going to get past Villanova....

You're right there has been chinks in their armor (can I say that?). So. Dakota State has been a head scratcher this year. They have their moments looking awesome, and moments looking awful. For now, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they'll handle Nova and gain revenge on Sam Houston.

[Grizzlies1982]

Well I didn't submit my full bracket here, yet I did fill one out. In full disclosure I missed two in the first round. I didn't see Tenn. Martin, or So. Illinois, advancing. I expected Kennesaw State to advance into the quarterfinals, kudos to E. TN State for screwing that up.

So, after the second round I still have 7 of the final 8. I see the National Champion coming from the bottom side of the bracket. This is the order I see as most likely.

1-2. Montana / James Madison or James Madison / Montana
1-2.
3. No. Dakota State
4. Sam Houston
5. So. Dakota State
6. Villanova
7. Montana State
8. E. Tennessee State

This weekend will be Montana's biggest challenge. If the Grizzlies nail down the win in Virginia they are taking it all the way. If JMU takes down Montana then they'll be champs. All the tea leaves say the Dukes should/will win. However, when the Grizzly defense is playing so intense, I just can't pick against them.

My remaining bracket was (with ETSU in lieu of Kennesaw):

QUARTER FINALS
Sam Houston over MT State
So. Dakota State over Villanova

Montana over James Madison
No. Dakota State over E. Tennessee St.

SEMI-FINALS
So. Dakota State over Sam Houston St.
Montana over No. Dakota State

CHAMPIONSHIP
Montana over So. Dakota State

As noted above, if I am wrong it will be to exchange JMU into where I've placed Montana.

It will be interesting to see if anyone beats NDSU in the Fargodome. The last 3 games, the Bison have been as good as the 2019 team. Against a top 50 defense, 5 players rushed for over 45 yards, including 2 QB's against SIU. Until the 4th qtr, when the Bison had their 3-4th team defense going against SIU starters, SIU had 34 yards rushing. Most of SIU's offensive stats came in that 4th qtr. NDSU's top Linebacker and a second defensive starter were out with the flu. Top WR was also benched with an injury. If the Bison beat ETSU, it will be a fun game against either JMU or the Griz.

Gil perhaps beating the Bison in Fargo isn't possible. In all these years, how many times has NDSU lost a playoff game in the Fargo dome? It is once, or maybe twice? I know it just doesn't happen. Even on the road they don't have many playoff losses.

Yet for whatever reason I just have a feeling this is the year it happens again. Going to be an extraordinary challenge ever beating them in North Dakota. That is why every year the rest of the FCS prays No. Dakota State DOES NOT GET a top seed. Of course our prayers are rarely answered (must be lack of clean living, good Kharma?)

[kalm]

And it wasn’t regionalized with all teams seeded, there be much more opportunities for that.

When did you become a pirate?

It be several passings of t’a tide no I reckons…

[Gil Dobie]

It will be interesting to see if anyone beats NDSU in the Fargodome. The last 3 games, the Bison have been as good as the 2019 team. Against a top 50 defense, 5 players rushed for over 45 yards, including 2 QB's against SIU. Until the 4th qtr, when the Bison had their 3-4th team defense going against SIU starters, SIU had 34 yards rushing. Most of SIU's offensive stats came in that 4th qtr. NDSU's top Linebacker and a second defensive starter were out with the flu. Top WR was also benched with an injury. If the Bison beat ETSU, it will be a fun game against either JMU or the Griz.

Gil perhaps beating the Bison in Fargo isn't possible. In all these years, how many times has NDSU lost a playoff game in the Fargo dome? It is once, or maybe twice? I know it just doesn't happen. Even on the road they don't have many playoff losses.

Yet for whatever reason I just have a feeling this is the year it happens again. Going to be an extraordinary challenge ever beating them in North Dakota. That is why every year the rest of the FCS prays No. Dakota State DOES NOT GET a top seed. Of course our prayers are rarely answered (must be lack of clean living, good Kharma?)

We can and will lose another game in the Fargodome. As the Griz fans know, the 12th man can make a big difference in the outcome. JMU is the only team to beat us in the playoffs at home. If we both win this weekend, it will be a hell of a game next week. Good luck this weekend.

[89Hen]

Yikes, half my final four out.

[SuperHornet]

Yikes, half my final four out.

I have ONE left, and it's the hated NDSU. I have no idea who to choose out of who's left. SDSU so I can say that we lost to the National Champions? The Kitties so I can say I clung to the Sky until the end? Push JMU out with a Natty? I dunno....