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I was looking at the 2010 SoCon teams and the thought occurred to me that with the playoffs at 20 teams now, schools like Furman, Wofford, Samford, UTC making big strides to breaking out of the middle-tier in the SoCon, plus the fact that no SoCon school plays more than one FBS game, there could be 4 SoCon teams in the playoffs this year.

Yeah, I know the SoCon has only sent 2 each of the last four years (almost was three in 2007), but the schedules and the playoff expansion could be a great blessing for the conference.

Would a 7-4 SoCon team, having gone 5-3 in conference with all their wins vs DI teams be excluded? (App, UTC, Furman and GSU play full DI schedules this year)

Yeah some stars would have to align (Many one-bid conferences), but I'm thinking it's possible.

Plus, even if it might not be the SoCon, one of the 9-team power leagues (Big Sky, MVFC) will probably get four teams in.

NO.

Having several mediocre teams doesn't warrant more playoff bids...... well, unless you're the CAA and have wins over non-scholarship programs that count as D1 wins, even if other teams defeated D-2's who were better.

Elon, App, and maybe Furman from the soCon... nobody else.

I think the broader question is whether playoff expansion means that 7-4 teams will be selected...

Could the SOCON send 4 teams...Could the CAA send 6 teams...???

Who knows right now...pure B.S. speculation until they take the field and start hitting for real...

Yes, the SOCON could send 4 teams...

Not going to happen this year. There are too many tough FBS games (hey, we don't get very many games with the Wyomings, Navys, San Diego States, ACC doormats, and Ball States of the FBS) and the conference as a whole just doesn't have the offensive firepower that it's usually known for.

Having a single division is also a big combinatorical disadvantage.

Rob Iola wrote:I think the broader question is whether playoff expansion means that 7-4 teams will be selected...

I believe 7-4 teams have been selected the last few years, this will mean more 7-4 teams.

Four very doubtful but would love to see 3 if there are 3 deserving SoCon teams.

Pwns wrote:Not going to happen this year. There are too many tough FBS games (hey, we don't get very many games with the Wyomings, Navys, San Diego States, ACC doormats, and Ball States of the FBS) and the conference as a whole just doesn't have the offensive firepower that it's usually known for.

Having a single division is also a big combinatorical disadvantage.

Wah, wah, wah. Come on, the SoCon just hasn't been as good over the past few years as it was historically. It used to be the Big 3, but recently it became the Big One. That's been the SoCon's problem.

Whining about the schedule is just a distraction. And really, outside of 'Bama, Auburn, and Wisconsin, the rest of the FBS slate for the SoCon wasn't imposing - Central Florida, Vandy, ECU, North Carolina, Wake, Missouri? Not a heavyweight in the bunch. I mean, you talk down Navy like they're a pushover, and yet Navy beat both Wake and Missouri (actually crushing Missouri) so how do you explain that? Heck, Vandy even lost to Army for cryin out loud and UNC got throttled at home by a UVA team that just a few weeks ago was pushed around by W&M. And really, complaining about the schedule is just complaining about something you did to yourself - I seem to remember a certain SoCon school "furmaning" an FCS school so that they could add a second FBS game. I wonder who that was.

But as for the original question, sure the SoCon could get 4 teams into the playoffs - mathematically, with the larger playoff field, sure. But I don't think it will happen - there just haven't been enough elite teams in that conference since Furman and GSU stumbled as of late.

GannonFan wrote:

Pwns wrote:Not going to happen this year. There are too many tough FBS games (hey, we don't get very many games with the Wyomings, Navys, San Diego States, ACC doormats, and Ball States of the FBS) and the conference as a whole just doesn't have the offensive firepower that it's usually known for.

Having a single division is also a big combinatorical disadvantage.

Wah, wah, wah. Come on, the SoCon just hasn't been as good over the past few years as it was historically. It used to be the Big 3, but recently it became the Big One. That's been the SoCon's problem.

Whining about the schedule is just a distraction. And really, outside of 'Bama, Auburn, and Wisconsin, the rest of the FBS slate for the SoCon wasn't imposing - Central Florida, Vandy, ECU, North Carolina, Wake, Missouri? Not a heavyweight in the bunch. I mean, you talk down Navy like they're a pushover, and yet Navy beat both Wake and Missouri (actually crushing Missouri) so how do you explain that? Heck, Vandy even lost to Army for cryin out loud and UNC got throttled at home by a UVA team that just a few weeks ago was pushed around by W&M. And really, complaining about the schedule is just complaining about something you did to yourself - I seem to remember a certain SoCon school "furmaning" an FCS school so that they could add a second FBS game. I wonder who that was.

But as for the original question, sure the SoCon could get 4 teams into the playoffs - mathematically, with the larger playoff field, sure. But I don't think it will happen - there just haven't been enough elite teams in that conference since Furman and GSU stumbled as of late.

Yep, Furman and GSU have kinda fallen off the map. Right along with Delaware BTW, 2-0

Rob Iola wrote:I think the broader question is whether playoff expansion means that 7-4 teams will be selected...

Only if you have 7 Div I wins, and one of those losses was to a I-A. If you play a DII, its going to take 8 wins.

The Big Sky will get 4 in before the SoCon does. In all likelihood, I only see the sky getting 3 in.

Eastern, Montana, Montana State or NAU or MAYBE Weber.

Col Hogan wrote:Could the SOCON send 4 teams...Could the CAA send 6 teams...???

Who knows right now...pure B.S. speculation until they take the field and start hitting for real...

Yes, the SOCON could send 4 teams...

Not a snowballs chance in hell the CAA could send 6. HIGHLY unlikely for both the CAA to send 5, or the So-Con to send 4. No team has ever sent half its conference. Statistically, the CAA getting 4 of 10 would be about the same as getting 5 of 12.

I think the SoCon will have 3 teams in. App, Elon, and Furman look good, and should contend for the SoCon title. I think a healthy Wofford could have a shot as a surprise, as well as Chatty, if they have a good year. So 4 is possible, but I think we'll only see 3 SoCon teams in the playoffs.

3 max for the Big Sky and Southern.

OL FU wrote:

GannonFan wrote:
Wah, wah, wah. Come on, the SoCon just hasn't been as good over the past few years as it was historically. It used to be the Big 3, but recently it became the Big One. That's been the SoCon's problem.

Whining about the schedule is just a distraction. And really, outside of 'Bama, Auburn, and Wisconsin, the rest of the FBS slate for the SoCon wasn't imposing - Central Florida, Vandy, ECU, North Carolina, Wake, Missouri? Not a heavyweight in the bunch. I mean, you talk down Navy like they're a pushover, and yet Navy beat both Wake and Missouri (actually crushing Missouri) so how do you explain that? Heck, Vandy even lost to Army for cryin out loud and UNC got throttled at home by a UVA team that just a few weeks ago was pushed around by W&M. And really, complaining about the schedule is just complaining about something you did to yourself - I seem to remember a certain SoCon school "furmaning" an FCS school so that they could add a second FBS game. I wonder who that was.

But as for the original question, sure the SoCon could get 4 teams into the playoffs - mathematically, with the larger playoff field, sure. But I don't think it will happen - there just haven't been enough elite teams in that conference since Furman and GSU stumbled as of late.

Yep, Furman and GSU have kinda fallen off the map. Right along with Delaware BTW, 2-0

Nah, we're back this year. And we haven't been away that long - '07 since our last run, a good two years after Furman took their last bow on the national stage. And yes, you guys are 2-0 - I'll make sure to keep you informed when the next bad QB may be coming through so that you guys can schedule us again (I know Devlin signing was at least partly responsible for you guys choosing to take the beating at Missouri rather than risk that pristine record). It may still be on that once every 15 years or so rate that you guys have stuck with before, but I promise I'll letcha know!!

GannonFan wrote:

OL FU wrote:
Yep, Furman and GSU have kinda fallen off the map. Right along with Delaware BTW, 2-0

Nah, we're back this year. And we haven't been away that long - '07 since our last run, a good two years after Furman took their last bow on the national stage. And yes, you guys are 2-0 - I'll make sure to keep you informed when the next bad QB may be coming through so that you guys can schedule us again (I know Devlin signing was at least partly responsible for you guys choosing to take the beating at Missouri rather than risk that pristine record). It may still be on that once every 15 years or so rate that you guys have stuck with before, but I promise I'll letcha know!!

You can have your excuses, I'll take 2-0

OL FU wrote:

GannonFan wrote:
Nah, we're back this year. And we haven't been away that long - '07 since our last run, a good two years after Furman took their last bow on the national stage. And yes, you guys are 2-0 - I'll make sure to keep you informed when the next bad QB may be coming through so that you guys can schedule us again (I know Devlin signing was at least partly responsible for you guys choosing to take the beating at Missouri rather than risk that pristine record). It may still be on that once every 15 years or so rate that you guys have stuck with before, but I promise I'll letcha know!!

You can have your excuses, I'll take 2-0

And you, like us, aren't back until you have the record to stand behind

OL FU wrote:

OL FU wrote:
You can have your excuses, I'll take 2-0

And you, like us, aren't back until you have the record to stand behind

No worries - come Thanksgiving we can dredge this thread back up when we're discussing which channel is going to carry the UD playoff game. I'll even help you find the station in S.C. that's carrying it.

GannonFan wrote:

OL FU wrote:
And you, like us, aren't back until you have the record to stand behind

No worries - come Thanksgiving we can dredge this thread back up when we're discussing which channel is going to carry the UD playoff game. I'll even help you find the station in S.C. that's carrying it.

When that day comes you can crow like a ....... hen

GannonFan wrote:

OL FU wrote:
And you, like us, aren't back until you have the record to stand behind

No worries - come Thanksgiving we can dredge this thread back up when we're discussing which channel is going to carry the UD playoff game. I'll even help you find the station in S.C. that's carrying it.

I thought everyone was aware that only Appalachian gets first round coverage on TV...

happyappy99 wrote:

GannonFan wrote:
No worries - come Thanksgiving we can dredge this thread back up when we're discussing which channel is going to carry the UD playoff game. I'll even help you find the station in S.C. that's carrying it.

I thought everyone was aware that only Appalachian gets first round coverage on TV...

Darn it - those ESPN guys really blew it in '07 then, didn't they. Stupid memos not getting to Bristol...

OL FU wrote: And you, like us, aren't back until you have the record to stand behind

True.. talk won't get FU or UD 'back'.. they will both have to do it on the field.

ps.. as for the 2-0.. congrats.. as one of FU's best teams ever beat an average UD squad and the 'worst' UD team in modern history.. lost a close one at Furman. It was a wise decision to quit while you are ahead..

GannonFan wrote:

Pwns wrote:Not going to happen this year. There are too many tough FBS games (hey, we don't get very many games with the Wyomings, Navys, San Diego States, ACC doormats, and Ball States of the FBS) and the conference as a whole just doesn't have the offensive firepower that it's usually known for.

Having a single division is also a big combinatorical disadvantage.

Wah, wah, wah. Come on, the SoCon just hasn't been as good over the past few years as it was historically. It used to be the Big 3, but recently it became the Big One. That's been the SoCon's problem.

Whining about the schedule is just a distraction. And really, outside of 'Bama, Auburn, and Wisconsin, the rest of the FBS slate for the SoCon wasn't imposing - Central Florida, Vandy, ECU, North Carolina, Wake, Missouri? Not a heavyweight in the bunch. I mean, you talk down Navy like they're a pushover, and yet Navy beat both Wake and Missouri (actually crushing Missouri) so how do you explain that? Heck, Vandy even lost to Army for cryin out loud and UNC got throttled at home by a UVA team that just a few weeks ago was pushed around by W&M. And really, complaining about the schedule is just complaining about something you did to yourself - I seem to remember a certain SoCon school "furmaning" an FCS school so that they could add a second FBS game. I wonder who that was.

But as for the original question, sure the SoCon could get 4 teams into the playoffs - mathematically, with the larger playoff field, sure. But I don't think it will happen - there just haven't been enough elite teams in that conference since Furman and GSU stumbled as of late.

I'll give you UCF even though they got a bowl bid and that Samford should have won that game, but Samford was still the sixth best team in the SoCon.
Vandy was a patsy, but of course that was versus the worst team in the SoCon.

As far as the ACC teams go, overall UNC and Wake are still better than Duke and Virginia. . UNC might have lost to UVA, but they also beat Virginia Tech, Miami, and Boston College. UVA won 3 games anyways to UNC's 8 anyways. And Wake beat Duke pretty good head-to-head and they also have the win over Stanford, whereas Duke has absolutely no quality wins.

The only team in the top four in the SoCon with a winnable game was App. State, and of course lawn mower stopped what should have been a win.

Pwns wrote:

GannonFan wrote:
Wah, wah, wah. Come on, the SoCon just hasn't been as good over the past few years as it was historically. It used to be the Big 3, but recently it became the Big One. That's been the SoCon's problem.

Whining about the schedule is just a distraction. And really, outside of 'Bama, Auburn, and Wisconsin, the rest of the FBS slate for the SoCon wasn't imposing - Central Florida, Vandy, ECU, North Carolina, Wake, Missouri? Not a heavyweight in the bunch. I mean, you talk down Navy like they're a pushover, and yet Navy beat both Wake and Missouri (actually crushing Missouri) so how do you explain that? Heck, Vandy even lost to Army for cryin out loud and UNC got throttled at home by a UVA team that just a few weeks ago was pushed around by W&M. And really, complaining about the schedule is just complaining about something you did to yourself - I seem to remember a certain SoCon school "furmaning" an FCS school so that they could add a second FBS game. I wonder who that was.

But as for the original question, sure the SoCon could get 4 teams into the playoffs - mathematically, with the larger playoff field, sure. But I don't think it will happen - there just haven't been enough elite teams in that conference since Furman and GSU stumbled as of late.

I'll give you UCF even though they got a bowl bid and that Samford should have won that game, but Samford was still the sixth best team in the SoCon.
Vandy was a patsy, but of course that was versus the worst team in the SoCon.

As far as the ACC teams go, overall UNC and Wake are still better than Duke and Virginia. . UNC might have lost to UVA, but they also beat Virginia Tech, Miami, and Boston College. UVA won 3 games anyways to UNC's 8 anyways. And Wake beat Duke pretty good head-to-head and they also have the win over Stanford, whereas Duke has absolutely no quality wins.

The only team in the top four in the SoCon with a winnable game was App. State, and of course lawn mower stopped what should have been a win.

Like I said, though, you say that App St had the only winnable game of the top 4 in the SoCon (btw, after Appy St and Elon, who were the other two, I don't remember last year's standings), but Elon played Wake. You've been quoted saying that teams like Navy aren't top FBS teams, but yet Navy is sporting a two year winning streak over Wake. So Navy is an easily winnable game but Wake isn't?

ChickenMan wrote:

OL FU wrote: And you, like us, aren't back until you have the record to stand behind

True.. talk won't get FU or UD 'back'.. they will both have to do it on the field.

ps.. as for the 2-0.. congrats.. as one of FU's best teams ever beat an average UD squad and the 'worst' UD team in modern history.. lost a close one at Furman. It was a wise decision to quit while you are ahead..

Dang, I am not good at geography, Is Delaware located close to Statesboro