Southern Utah @ Sam Houston

[dbackjon]

Big Sky Champs SUU go on the road to SHSU.

Really wish the NCAA would guarantee one home playoff game for conference champs as long as they make a minimum bid.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Big Sky Champs SUU go on the road to SHSU.

Really wish the NCAA would guarantee one home playoff game for conference champs as long as they make a minimum bid.

Conference Champions shouldn't have to play on the road in the first round, regardless of Money, records, rankings or name

[SUUTbird]

I agree whole heartedly however it is what it is, cant dwell on that now. I really don't know much about SHSU this year but if our defense shows up and we keep getting turnovers (believe we're +21 this season) we have a good chance.

[Wildcat Ryan]

I agree whole heartedly however it is what it is, cant dwell on that now. I really don't know much about SHSU this year but if our defense shows up and we keep getting turnovers (believe we're +21 this season) we have a good chance.

Well you have at least one Weber State fan that'll be rooting the TBirds on

[ming01]

I think this is a very even matchup. SHSU is very balanced. However, dont think SHSU has shown enough for me to pick them. I like SUU in a tight one.

[htownbearkat]

Bearkats are 6-0 Vs the BSC in the playoffs since 2011 and have not lost a opening round playoff game during that time. Also undefeated at home in all playoff games since 2011.

I think the Kats win this one by 10.

[AZGrizFan]

Disagree. Winning your conference is an automatic entry into the playoffs and that's all. It's not an automatic home game, and shouldn't be.

In fact, looking at SOS, if SUU had had the misfortune of being paired against Montana, that game should have been held in Missoula.

Plus, money.

[grizcountry420]

All i know is that Sam Houston St has done fairly well recently against Big Sky teams in the playoffs..

[Mvemjsunpx]

Disagree. Winning your conference is an automatic entry into the playoffs and that's all. It's not an automatic home game, and shouldn't be.

In fact, looking at SOS, if SUU had had the misfortune of being paired against Montana, that game should have been held in Missoula.

Plus, money.

It would also make the first round a bit of a keno-like minefield—the unlucky at-larges get paired with auto-bids and have to play on the road while the lucky at-larges who get paired with other at-larges don't have that restriction.

Auto-bids have never gotten any special consideration beyond simply getting in, even in the days when everyone was seeded. Would anyone suggest that auto-bids in the NCAA Tournament should be guaranteed top-8 seeds? I don't think so.

[dbackjon]

Disagree. Winning your conference is an automatic entry into the playoffs and that's all. It's not an automatic home game, and shouldn't be.

In fact, looking at SOS, if SUU had had the misfortune of being paired against Montana, that game should have been held in Missoula.

Plus, money.

It would also make the first round a bit of a keno-like minefield—the unlucky at-larges get paired with auto-bids and have to play on the road while the lucky at-larges who get paired with other at-larges don't have that restriction.

Auto-bids have never gotten any special consideration beyond simply getting in, even in the days when everyone was seeded. Would anyone suggest that auto-bids in the NCAA Tournament should be guaranteed top-8 seeds? I don't think so.

If you are referring to the MBB tourney, it is all neutral site.

Why SHOULDN'T SUU be rewarded with a home game against SHSU? Why can't UNH, one of the last teams in, travel to Colgate?

Would it kill William and Mary to have to go to Duquesne?

[DoubleNicks]

I don't think I agree that Dayton or Duquesne should be hosting games just because they were conference champs. Not all conferences are equal, just like not all conference resumes are comparable when not everyone plays everyone else (ie. Big Sky and PSU>SUU, yet SUU=conf. champs).

[DoubleNicks]

Like last year, San Diego was conference champs and Montana wasn't but it was pretty telling who the better team was.

[AZGrizFan]

It would also make the first round a bit of a keno-like minefield—the unlucky at-larges get paired with auto-bids and have to play on the road while the lucky at-larges who get paired with other at-larges don't have that restriction.

Auto-bids have never gotten any special consideration beyond simply getting in, even in the days when everyone was seeded. Would anyone suggest that auto-bids in the NCAA Tournament should be guaranteed top-8 seeds? I don't think so.

If you are referring to the MBB tourney, it is all neutral site.

Why SHOULDN'T SUU be rewarded with a home game against SHSU? Why can't UNH, one of the last teams in, travel to Colgate?

Would it kill William and Mary to have to go to Duquesne?

Well what would you do when two at-larges are playing?

[dbackjon]

If you are referring to the MBB tourney, it is all neutral site.

Why SHOULDN'T SUU be rewarded with a home game against SHSU? Why can't UNH, one of the last teams in, travel to Colgate?

Would it kill William and Mary to have to go to Duquesne?

Well what would you do when two at-larges are playing?

You go by bid, duh

[kalm]

When comparing stats on these two teams, they both have really good offenses (especially SHSU) but the few times either faced a good D (SDSU, PSU, McNeese), they were held in check. Also not SHSU's offensive numbers are inflated by a 9 game conference schedule where only one team was in the top 65 in FCS Total Defense.

[dbackjon]

When comparing stats on these two teams, they both have really good offenses (especially SHSU) but the few times either faced a good D (SDSU, PSU, McNeese), they were held in check. Also not SHSU's offensive numbers are inflated by a 9 game conference schedule where only one team was in the top 65 in FCS Total Defense.

With their other two games being against a Texas Tech team that doesn't play defense (probably distracted by the best Pom-Pom squad in the nation), and a DII

[JohnStOnge]

I favor Sam Houston State but I hope Southern Utah wins. I wish Southern Utah's administration would've stepped up and bid enough to get a home game as I think home field in this matchup is big.

It's not that I think Sam Houston State is a tougher opponent per se. It's two things.

One is that I am convinced that when you have two evenly matched or close to evenly matched teams play in the regular season the loser has somewhat of an advantage if there is a playoff rematch. The winner had a game plan that worked the first time but for the second match up they either have to change the plan or risk having the loser of the first game exploit it after studying it on video. And I think if you look at it historically the losers of the regular season games in such match ups tend to do better in the playoff re matches.

Like last year there were three rematches (winner of regular season game listed first): Northern Iowa/Illinois State, North Dakota State/South Dakota State, and Eastern Washington Montana. The average margin for the three regular season games for the winner of the regular season game was +14.7 points. The average margin for the three rematch games was 0. Montana did do 7 points worse in its rematch against Eastern Washington, losing by 10 in the regular season then 17 in the playoffs. But South Dakota State did 17 points better in its rematch with North Dakota State (20 point loss vs. 3 point loss) and Illinois State did 34 points better in its rematch with Northern Iowa (14 point loss vs. 20 point win).

The other reason is that I just flat would rather see a team play McNeese that I haven't already seen play McNeese this year.

[BDKJMU]

Big Sky Champs SUU go on the road to SHSU.

Really wish the NCAA would guarantee one home playoff game for conference champs as long as they make a minimum bid.

Conference Champions shouldn't have to play on the road in the first round, regardless of Money, records, rankings or name

Automatically giving homefield to conference winners would diminish the importance of OOC games, and would punish those teams who finished 2nd in a strong conference, and reward winners who won a weak conference. Dayton, Duquesne, or Colgate hosting would be a joke.
-Win 9 games while playing in a full scholly conference or schedule tough OOC.
-Short of that put out a strong bid.

SUU was 7-3 vs Div I. They were 0-2 vs playoff, one of whom they lost to OOC 55-10. Had won one of the 3 games they lost, they would be a seed, have a bye, then hosting, even with a minimum bid.

SHSU has a comparable resume to SUU. Both 7-3 vs Div I, both 7-2 vs I-AA, 0-1 vs playoff vs 0-2. No reason SHSU should automatically have to travel to SUU.

[JohnStOnge]

Also not SHSU's offensive numbers are inflated by a 9 game conference schedule where only one team was in the top 65 in FCS Total Defense.

Actually you'd have to change that to "top 64" as Central Arkansas is ranked 65th. But that stat still kind of surprises me. I know that when I watched the telecast of Central Arkansas at Oklahoma State the guys calling the game were impressed by Central Arkansas' defense. On the other hand, Central Arkansas gave up 536 yards and 45 points in its only non conference game against a FCS team (Samford).

[JohnStOnge]

BTW if it was up to me I probably WOULD say auto bids always get a home game in the first round if they're playing at large. I don't think it's the same as the NCAA basketball tournament. In that tournament it's all at "neutral" sites. Well I don't know about the "play in" games and I'm not going to check. But in general that's what it is.

I just think that everybody in a conference knows what they have to do to guarantee getting into the playoffs and I think there should be some reward for those that do what they know what they have to do.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Conference Champions shouldn't have to play on the road in the first round, regardless of Money, records, rankings or name

Automatically giving homefield to conference winners would diminish the importance of OOC games, and would punish those teams who finished 2nd in a strong conference, and reward winners who won a weak conference. Dayton, Duquesne, or Colgate hosting would be a joke.
-Win 9 games while playing in a full scholly conference or schedule tough OOC.
-Short of that put out a strong bid.

SUU was 7-3 vs Div I. They were 0-2 vs playoff, one of whom they lost to OOC 55-10. Had won one of the 3 games they lost, they would be a seed, have a bye, then hosting, even with a minimum bid.

SHSU has a comparable resume to SUU. Both 7-3 vs Div I, both 7-2 vs I-AA, 0-1 vs playoff vs 0-2. No reason SHSU should automatically have to travel to SUU.

Call me old fashioned, but I don't believe an AUTOMATIC BID Conference Champ should have to play at an at large.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Automatically giving homefield to conference winners would diminish the importance of OOC games, and would punish those teams who finished 2nd in a strong conference, and reward winners who won a weak conference. Dayton, Duquesne, or Colgate hosting would be a joke.
-Win 9 games while playing in a full scholly conference or schedule tough OOC.
-Short of that put out a strong bid.

SUU was 7-3 vs Div I. They were 0-2 vs playoff, one of whom they lost to OOC 55-10. Had won one of the 3 games they lost, they would be a seed, have a bye, then hosting, even with a minimum bid.

SHSU has a comparable resume to SUU. Both 7-3 vs Div I, both 7-2 vs I-AA, 0-1 vs playoff vs 0-2. No reason SHSU should automatically have to travel to SUU.

Call me old fashioned, but I don't believe an AUTOMATIC BID Conference Champ should have to play at an at large.

How is that old-fashioned? Things have never been done that way in college.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Call me old fashioned, but I don't believe an AUTOMATIC BID Conference Champ should have to play at an at large.

How is that old-fashioned? Things have never been done that way in college.

Ok how about this... I like the way the NFL does it, Division Winner (Conf Champ) hosts WIldcard (at large). Regardless of record. I don't care who the team is and what their record is or how much money they have or how large their stadium is. SUU won the Big Sky Conference, and they are the only one of three Big Sky teams who has to play on the road. Forgive me if I feel that is

[vutomcat]

A couple of thoughts. I think the better more accomplished team should get the home game. When it comes to a matchup like this one where the resumes are very close it becomes a tough call. SHSU's history in the playoffs was probably one of the main reasons they received the home game.

The Bball tournament has plenty of home games. Check out how many times Duke or North Carolina get to play in Greensboro. I know that's isn't technically their home court but everyone knows 90% of the fans will be pulling for them. My own team, Villanova, this year has limited their home games at the Wells Fargo Center (Philly) to three because the Fargo Center will be the site this year. Usually they play 5 games there but if they did that the Center would be technically a "home " court.

Should be a great game opening matchup. Interested to see SUU. Never saw them play.

[kalm]

A couple of thoughts. I think the better more accomplished team should get the home game. When it comes to a matchup like this one where the resumes are very close it becomes a tough call. SHSU's history in the playoffs was probably one of the main reasons they received the home game.

The Bball tournament has plenty of home games. Check out how many times Duke or North Carolina get to play in Greensboro. I know that's isn't technically their home court but everyone knows 90% of the fans will be pulling for them. My own team, Villanova, this year has limited their home games at the Wells Fargo Center (Philly) to three because the Fargo Center will be the site this year. Usually they play 5 games there but if they did that the Center would be technically a "home " court.

Should be a great game opening matchup. Interested to see SUU. Never saw them play.

The bid was the only reason SHSU got it.