Updated Bracket Projections

[SMEnetwork]

The SME Network is back on this air this week with the Football Championship Show and our updated Bracket Projections are now available! With only two weeks left in the season we are cramming every last FCS topic into the shows. You can hear the show live every Wednesday from 5-7pm Eastern Time and every Thursday we will we re-air the broadcast from 9-11pm Eastern. Be sure to chime in on your early thoughts on the FCS Playoffs.

On this weeks show we will be joined by:
David Jackson, Broadcaster of App State

We will be looking back at week 11 and previewing week 12 with highlights and predictions.

Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s SME Network Top 25 Broadcasters Poll and be sure to see where your favorite team ranks. You can view our list of Weekly Stars which shows the top player from each position from last weeks games, and you can also read a blog from Elon QB Scott Riddle. Be sure to call in at 1-877-SME-NET1 or e-mail the guys at onair@smebroadcasting.com

Feel free to also tune in every Saturday morning from 11-12 Eastern as the SME Network brings you the only live national FCS pre-game show in the country. We are your home for FCS Football.

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[AZGrizFan]

If Ray's bracket is anywhere NEAR correct, I will be one pissed off FCS fan. Putting Weber, Cal Poly and Montana in the SAME bracket is HORRIBLE, and does a HUGE disservice to the Western teams. His CAA bias is showing through, with JMU and Villanova getting essentially free passes into the semi's....and what is the DEAL with the Northwestern State love? Is Central Arkansas not playoff eligible yet? My bet for the Southland is Texas State, because I think NW State loses to McNeese, but McNeese loses to UCA, and assuming UCA isn't eligible that leaves Texas State as the last man standing. MEAC is going to South Carolina St., Patriot is going to the Colgate/Holy Cross winner, Cal Poly comes out of the GWFC and the OVC winner is a three horse race between UT-Martin, Tennesee State and Eastern Kentucky.

Why can't the committee just order all 16 teams (even if they're not "seeded") and play the games accordingly?

1) JMU
2) ASU
3) Weber
4) Montana
5) Cal Poly
6) Villanova
7) Wofford
8) UNI
9) Bill & Mary
10) UNH
11) SIU
12) Elon
13) Maine
14) OVC Winner
15) Patriot League Winner
16) MEAC Winner

[AZGrizFan]

And Ray, your ECB is showing through loud and clear when you conveniently place the 4 CAA teams in the four DIFFERENT brackets, but all three West coast teams are lumped into ONE bracket. What a convenient way to continue the ridulous argument about how much better East coast teams are because western teams "never make deep runs into the playoffs".

[Appaholic]

And Ray, your ECB is showing through loud and clear when you conveniently place the 4 CAA teams in the four DIFFERENT brackets, but all three West coast teams are lumped into ONE bracket. What a convenient way to continue the ridulous argument about how much better East coast teams are because western teams "never make deep runs into the playoffs".

True....the three west coast teams should be spread across 3, nio less than two,brackets based upon performance this year relative to CAA and Socon performance....SoCon should only get two teams in IMO...

[AZGrizFan]

And Ray, your ECB is showing through loud and clear when you conveniently place the 4 CAA teams in the four DIFFERENT brackets, but all three West coast teams are lumped into ONE bracket. What a convenient way to continue the ridulous argument about how much better East coast teams are because western teams "never make deep runs into the playoffs".

True....the three west coast teams should be spread across 3, nio less than two,brackets based upon performance this year relative to CAA and Socon performance....SoCon should only get two teams in IMO...

The only problem with the SoCon only getting two in is this: Who gets in? There's really not a 5th CAA team with a schedule/record deserving of a slot, and we don't need another Patriot/OVC/MEAC/Pioneer/Southland patsy getting in....I'd take the third best SoCon team over the 2nd best team in ANY of those conferences....even IF the SoCon is down...

[Appaholic]

True....the three west coast teams should be spread across 3, nio less than two,brackets based upon performance this year relative to CAA and Socon performance....SoCon should only get two teams in IMO...

The only problem with the SoCon only getting two in is this: Who gets in? There's really not a 5th CAA team with a schedule/record deserving of a slot, and we don't need another Patriot/OVC/MEAC/Pioneer/Southland patsy getting in....I'd take the third best SoCon team over the 2nd best team in ANY of those conferences....even IF the SoCon is down...

Good point.....there's always the Ivy league....oh yeah, they have to "study"....

[SMEnetwork]

Thanks for all the comments. They funny thing about being unbias is that everyone has a problem. On this site people say Ray has an East Coast Bias, while on another board and a few e-mails we have been getting they are made that Ray is favoring the west coast teams.

We even have all of last years e-mails on file. When we did this a year ago everyone yelled about Ralph being bias towards the CAA because he had 5 getting in every week we did the projections and everyone favored Ray because he had more west coast teams in.

Also, Ray's reason for the West coast teams lump together was because of geography and cost. If Montana plays at home in the bottom half of the bracket and wins their first round game, then they would travel in the quarter to Nova and in the semi's to App State. He put them in the top half hosting the first game. The quarters would be in either Montana or Weber saving the travel costs with their only long trip being in the semi's.

Thats not bias, that is reading the NCAA bylaws about keeping teams in there regions and having less travel. He didn't make the rule.

[AZGrizFan]

Thanks for all the comments. They funny thing about being unbias is that everyone has a problem. On this site people say Ray has an East Coast Bias, while on another board and a few e-mails we have been getting they are made that Ray is favoring the west coast teams.

We even have all of last years e-mails on file. When we did this a year ago everyone yelled about Ralph being bias towards the CAA because he had 5 getting in every week we did the projections and everyone favored Ray because he had more west coast teams in.

Also, Ray's reason for the West coast teams lump together was because of geography and cost. If Montana plays at home in the bottom half of the bracket and wins their first round game, then they would travel in the quarter to Nova and in the semi's to App State. He put them in the top half hosting the first game. The quarters would be in either Montana or Weber saving the travel costs with their only long trip being in the semi's.

Thats not bias, that is reading the NCAA bylaws about keeping teams in there regions and having less travel. He didn't make the rule.

Does a plane trip from UNI or SIU cost any more than a plane trip from Cal Poly?

Unless they can DRIVE there, it's just another example of the west coast teams gettin' screwed. And based on Ray's bracket, it's OK for W&M to get screwed and have to travel all the way out West? Why not send Colgate? Or Tennessee State? Or some other cupcake? A plane trip is a plane trip. Period. Same hotel costs, same everything else.

[grizzaholic]

I am not even going to look at the brackets this week. Rays bracket doesn't seem to have changed any,


GO ECB!

[AZGrizFan]

I am not even going to look at the brackets this week. Rays bracket doesn't seem to have changed any,


GO ECB!

Yeah. Weber's reward for not losing to an FCS team all year is to get to play the 4th best team in the country.

To bad they don't have a cupcake league auto qualifier close by...

[AZGrizFan]

If Ray's bracket is anywhere NEAR correct, I will be one pissed off FCS fan. Putting Weber, Cal Poly and Montana in the SAME bracket is HORRIBLE, and does a HUGE disservice to the Western teams. His CAA bias is showing through, with JMU and Villanova getting essentially free passes into the semi's....and what is the DEAL with the Northwestern State love? Is Central Arkansas not playoff eligible yet? My bet for the Southland is Texas State, because I think NW State loses to McNeese, but McNeese loses to UCA, and assuming UCA isn't eligible that leaves Texas State as the last man standing. MEAC is going to South Carolina St., Patriot is going to the Colgate/Holy Cross winner, Cal Poly comes out of the GWFC and the OVC winner is a three horse race between UT-Martin, Tennesee State and Eastern Kentucky.

Why can't the committee just order all 16 teams (even if they're not "seeded") and play the games accordingly?

1) JMU
2) ASU
3) Weber
4) Montana
5) Cal Poly
6) Villanova
7) Wofford
8) UNI
9) Bill & Mary
10) UNH
11) SIU
12) Elon
13) Maine
14) OVC Winner
15) Patriot League Winner
16) MEAC Winner

Hell....if they're worried about COSTS, put Weber, Montana, Cal Poly, Texas State, UNI, SIU and Tennesee State on one side of the bracket and JMU, ASU, Wofford, Villanova, Elon, Maine, Colgate and William & Mary on the other side of the bracket. At least that way it makes GEOGRAPHICAL sense (somewhat). But to make a conference winner with ONE loss (Cal Poly), and THAT to the # 5/6 team in the nation TRAVEL is f-in' ridiculous, especially when teams that couldn't even win their HALF of the CAA (Richmond, Villanova) get home games because it's "convenient".

[putter]

If Ray's bracket is anywhere NEAR correct, I will be one pissed off FCS fan. Putting Weber, Cal Poly and Montana in the SAME bracket is HORRIBLE, and does a HUGE disservice to the Western teams. His CAA bias is showing through, with JMU and Villanova getting essentially free passes into the semi's....and what is the DEAL with the Northwestern State love? Is Central Arkansas not playoff eligible yet? My bet for the Southland is Texas State, because I think NW State loses to McNeese, but McNeese loses to UCA, and assuming UCA isn't eligible that leaves Texas State as the last man standing. MEAC is going to South Carolina St., Patriot is going to the Colgate/Holy Cross winner, Cal Poly comes out of the GWFC and the OVC winner is a three horse race between UT-Martin, Tennesee State and Eastern Kentucky.

Why can't the committee just order all 16 teams (even if they're not "seeded") and play the games accordingly?

1) JMU
2) ASU
3) Weber
4) Montana
5) Cal Poly
6) Villanova
7) Wofford
8) UNI
9) Bill & Mary
10) UNH
11) SIU
12) Elon
13) Maine
14) OVC Winner
15) Patriot League Winner
16) MEAC Winner

Hell....if they're worried about COSTS, put Weber, Montana, Cal Poly, Texas State, UNI, SIU and Tennesee State on one side of the bracket and JMU, ASU, Wofford, Villanova, Elon, Maine, Colgate and William & Mary on the other side of the bracket. At least that way it makes GEOGRAPHICAL sense (somewhat). But to make a conference winner with ONE loss (Cal Poly), and THAT to the # 5/6 team in the nation TRAVEL is f-in' ridiculous, especially when teams that couldn't even win their HALF of the CAA (Richmond, Villanova) get home games because it's "convenient".

I agree 100%! If the NCAA wants to cry poor over their only Football NC, then they should be ashamed. They make a lot of money, billions, off the March Madness basketball and the TV rights for regular season conference football games. If the NCAA can't use their influence to make a little money negotiating with ESPN to broadcast these games or at least cover their expenses (not counting the bids from the host schools) then they need to call The Donald for help.

[weberwildcat]

1. jmu
2. appy
3. nova
4. weber

rd 1: wsu 42, cal poly 14
rd2: wsu 38, um 31
rd3: wsu 35, jmu 28

wsu 28, appy 27

[grizzaholic]

1. jmu
2. appy
3. nova
4. weber

rd 1: wsu 42, cal poly 14
rd2: wsu 38, um 31
rd3: wsu 35, jmu 28

wsu 28, appy 27

That would be about as tough a championship run as ever.

[godukes]

1. jmu
2. appy
3. nova
4. weber

rd 1: wsu 42, cal poly 14
rd2: wsu 38, um 31
rd3: wsu 35, jmu 28

wsu 28, appy 27

WSU wouldn't have a shot against JMU.

[grizzaholic]

1. jmu
2. appy
3. nova
4. weber

rd 1: wsu 42, cal poly 14
rd2: wsu 38, um 31
rd3: wsu 35, jmu 28

wsu 28, appy 27

WSU wouldn't have a shot against JMU.

So should we just give the championship trophy right now to JMU and forgo all of the remaining games?

[putter]

1. jmu
2. appy
3. nova
4. weber

rd 1: wsu 42, cal poly 14
rd2: wsu 38, um 31
rd3: wsu 35, jmu 28

wsu 28, appy 27

WSU wouldn't have a shot against JMU.

and you know this how????

[godukes]

I wasn't talking about the whole field in general just WSU. I was mainly just trash talking, but I am still not extremely impressed by them. WSU is a good playoff team, but I don't think they will do anything in the playoffs or at least go far. They have only played like one ranked team. They did beat them, but that was only one. JMU plays 5 in the top 12 this year.

[godukes]

The top 2 teams I am worried about the most are App. St. and Villanova.

[weberwildcat]

I wasn't talking about the whole field in general just WSU. I was mainly just trash talking, but I am still not extremely impressed by them. WSU is a good playoff team, but I don't think they will do anything in the playoffs or at least go far. They have only played like one ranked team. They did beat them, but that was only one. JMU plays 5 in the top 12 this year.

WSU was unranked at beat #3 45-28, does that not impress you?

WSU was #16 and beat #15 NAU 42-14, does that not impress you?

WSU's last remaining game is EWU, was 11th when the season started and now unranked. EWU was supposed to win the 'Sky in some polls.

WSU scored 21 against #7 Utah, that is more impressive than 7 pts against Duke.

Oh and WSU beat one of hte worst teams in the nation last week! lol

[godukes]

None of that impresses me except for beating Montana and putting some points up on Utah, but I think Utah is extremely overrated. I think teams like LSU and Pitt who are 20 and 21 could easily beat Utah and probably better than Utah. btw JMU starts off real slow. I think JMU beating the #1, #3, #5, #7, and #21 ranked teams and hopefully #12 is much more impressive which is why JMU is #1 and WSU is like around #9.

[Montucky]

I don't see anyone doubting the legitimacy of JMU's resume. They have beaten ALL the major tests. And while some were complete dominations, others were MIRACLES. Lets see a punt return for a TD as time expires, that won't happen every time. I am sure there was another where the other team batted the ball up and a JMU player caught it for the win.

JMU IS beatable. They got beyond lucky to win (at least) 2 of thier games. But they control the ball with an awesome rushing attack and don't turn it over much, so they have a good recipe for success in the postseason.

It seems like this years playoffs corps has plenty to offer. Any team, any day. Of course some matchups favor particular teams, but all in all there aren't many cupcakes. Even Texas State, while they have no D, they have a great offense and on the right day they could sneak up on anyone.
Fortunately, the GRIZZZ are a well balanced team. The only thing that stops them is conservative play calling. Well that, and a wicked triple option rushing attack. We're not really designed to stop that. HOPEFULLY, someone else can have Wofford in the playoff opener.

[godukes]

Even if McGee didn't return that punt, that didn't mean JMU would have lost. That would just mean they would go into OT. But McGee is one of the best if not the best return specialist in FCS.

[Montucky]

I know. I was thinking that as I typed it. It really wasn't a great argument, but you COULD have lost, lol. That's really the only point I was tyring to make. And yes, McGee looks AWESOME from the stats and the one vid clip of his return that I saw.

O you're getting the top seed, that's got to be a good feeling. I'd hate to be Towson this weekend really. Their the only thing standing between the offical decision.

Don't get too high on that horse though, the West is gonna tear some sh*t up this playoff year. I think.

[SuperHornet]

Try this on for size (hoops style bracketing):

West

1. Montana def. 4. Liberty
2. Warners def. 3. SIU

1. Griz def 2. Warners

South

1. Appy def. 4. Colgate
3. Cow Poly def. 2. William and Mary

3. Cow Poly def. 1. Appy

East

1. JMU def. 4. UT-Martin
3. UNH def. 2. Wofford

1. JMU def. 3. UNH

North

1. Weber def. 4. Dayton
2. Villanova def. 3. McNeese

1. Weber def. 2. Villanova

Final Four

1. Griz def. 1. JMU
1. Weber def. 3. Cow Poly

1. Griz def. Weber