Hey look, a rematch! We actually have prior information about how these teams play against each other. Hooray! Cal Poly led just 17-13 at the half in the first meeting, but dominated the second to win 38-16. Unfortunately for the 'Stangs, they aren't currently playing as well as they were in September. They also have terrible pass defense and easily the worst special teams in the Big Sky. On the other hand, San Diego is certainly the best Pioneer squad to make the playoffs and probably the best overall PFL team since Jim Harbaugh was the Toreros' coach. I don't think they're likely to win this, but Cal Poly is vulnerable enough to make it plausible.
Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:
That was outstanding and good for FCS. San Diego actually dominated Cal Poly to an extent greater than the score indicated. A long kickoff return and a pick 6 kept Cal Poly in the game.
It was great to see a "they don't belong" team show that they belong like that. Comes down to what I love about a playoff system like this one. You're an FCS conference? Your champion gets an automatic bid if it wants won and what people THINK beyond that point doesn't matter. You win your conference and you're in the playoffs.
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star? Deep Purple: No One Came
Are we still allowed to complain about the PFL being allowed in the playoffs?
No. And you never should have been complaining. That's the way a playoff system should work. Establish criteria for a league being in the subdivision. If a league is in the subdivision and it wants to participate its champ is in. Period. Take friggin' opinion out of it to the greatest extent possible.
There's still opinion with respect to at large berths. But a system in which every team in any conference that WANTS to participate controls its own destiny is the way it should be.
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star? Deep Purple: No One Came
Just give San Diego credit guys. They kicked ass. It shouldn't have been as close as it was.
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star? Deep Purple: No One Came
Football is about match ups. When the Big Fluffy sends out one dimensional teams, the results are predictable.
Sure, San Diego surprised everyone to an extent...but Cal Poly was seriously flawed.
In reality, the first round games were ridiculous. Only UCA won by a TD or less, but they dominated the MVFC entrant after ILl St took a 17-7 lead. Wasn't close after that.
1R - San Diego @ Cal Poly
