Opinion on bracket

[BisonBones]

HTH is completely moot in the GAC situation.
OBU has the hth over SAU, so someone would be on here saying OBU got screwed if SAU got in.

My guess is that this one came down to the human element. Hendy was.the only team who gave Harding a game all year that's what got them in, imo.

I'm sure SAU losing to OBU by 27 points didn't help them. I'm pretty convinced that HSU is the best choice for a 2nd playoff bid in the GAC. I'm not as convinced someone else from the region couldn't make a stronger case. I wonder if Davenport had kept it closer with Ferris and GVSU if they would be in.

[WarriorVoice]

What are everyone's opinions on the D2 playoff bracket.

To me the obvious stunner should be GVSU hosting Ferris in the first round (remember Ferris is without their head coach for this game). Using the presumed AFCA rankings, this is a top 5 matchup in round 1. I am shocked the NCAA made this decision, but when Ferris failed to earn a top 4 spot, given the NCAA's reliance on distance for opponents, and the fact there were several upsets in the region, and across the country, this matchup should have been all but assumed. The seeding criteria and selection criteria need to change when you have two top 5 teams in the country stuck meeting in round 1 of the playoffs.

I also have to question Henderson State's inclusion in the bracket. Yes, they did beat OBU in week 11, BUT they also were ranked behind Southern Arkansas going into week 11, finished with the same record (9-2) as Southern Arkansas, and most importantly, lost head to head to Southern Arkansas on the field. Yes, winning the Battle of the Ravine was a good win, but in my opinion, it can't overshadow the head to head loss to Southern Arkansas. The problem is it created a 3 way split for second in the GAC with OBU, Henderson State and Southern Arkansas, which was likely how the NCAA justified Henderson States's inclusion.

In the other regions, I can't argue with the top 4 seeds in the Tiffin Region (SR1). Tiffin was undefeated, so they should have been the top seed after SRU's loss. Charleston and SRU both have 1 loss, but SRU's loss was in week 11 and was a blowout loss to Kutztown. Kutztown, started 0-2, but won 9 straight including the blowout win over SRU. SRU and Kutztown take the final two seeded spots in the bracket with California's loss in what amounted to a play in game for the post-season against East Stroudsburg. New Haven moved into the earned access position by virtue of the 8th and 9th place teams in the region playing in week 11. That was going to drop the loser of that game behind New Haven and move the Chargers into a top 9 Earned Access Position. When it came to bracketing, the only one that suprised me was moving Virginia Union into SR1 and moving Shepherd down to SR2. I don't understand this move from a travel standpoint or a competitive standpoint, given what has happened in other regions.

In Super Region 2, I don't think there was any way to change the regional top 4. Benedict was undefeated, Delta State, Valdosta and L-R all had a lone loss, but Delta beat Valdosta head to head (seems to matter here, but not in Henderson vs SAU). L-R simply didn't play the same level of schedule to jump either GSC team. As for the at-large teams, Virginia Union got in by winning a play in game in the CIAA championship game, knocking Fayetteville State out in the process. VUU was then shipped to SR1 for some reason. West Florida entered the final week 5th in the region and would only drop out with a loss, which they did not do. Unfortunately for West Florida and Delta State, they, like Ferris State and GVSU, got the way to tough draw for round 1, apparently due to travel considerations.

In Super Region 4, CSM was the obvious #1 seed all season, Western Colorado, Central Washington and UT-PB should all have been in consideration for a top 4 seed entering week 11. Western Colorado won their game, while Central Washington was beaten by UTPB. Given Western Colorado's head to head win over UTPB, this secured the #2 seed for Western. The #3 went to UTPB because they beat CWU. The #4 was left wide open. You had Augustana, Bemidji and Minn State all competing for that final seeded spot. Augustana beat Bemidji in week 11, while they also had the head to head over Minn State earlier in the season, making them the obvious choice for the final seeded spot. The only question would be travel and assignments for first round games. This region was going to have two games of teams flying to a seeded team, so how were you going to set the games up. Augustana vs Minn State almost had to happen based on seeding (4 vs "5") and because it was the shortest trip distance wise of any first round game. If you kept the region intact. The only question then was CWU or Bemidji to Western Colorado.

Could the NCAA have some something to eliminate the first round mess of GVSU-Ferris? Could they have moved Henderson State to SR4 and moved one of the Minnesota schools to SR3? The most obvious move would be Henderson State to UTPB in the first round. This trip is exactly 600 miles. How would this impact other matchups? Someone from SR4 would need to replace Henderson State. That would be Minn St, who you could send to GVSU (also exactly 600 miles), or you could have sent Minn State to play at Pittsburg State (524) or to Central Missouri (436 miles) and Indianapolis up to GVSU with Bemidji going to Augustana for a rematch of week 11. The problem, Ferris to Central Missouri or Pittsburg St would be over 600 miles.

Unfortunately, under the current playoff system in D2, I think we might see a lot of unwanted first round rematches. This is again a reason why I think the NCAA needs to ditch the regional system and go to a top 16 seeded team format nationally then fill in geogrpahic pairings as needed with the top 16 seeds.

I heard that the SR1 Committee didn't want 4 PSAC teams in the bracket, so they shipped out Shepherd...

[FSUBulldog27]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

[CalifOKRA]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

The winner of Ferris v. GVSU will play the winner of Pitt v. UINDY. Not sure where you're seeing Ferris going to Harding if they win. Harding will face the winner of Central Mo v. Henderson.

[KleShreen]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

Who you lose to doesn't matter. They only care about who you beat. Ferris' best victories are over 8-2 Davenport and 8-3 Ashland. Pitt State beat 10-1 Central Missouri @ UCM and 8-3 Emporia State. Central Missouri beat 8-3 Emporia State and 8-3 Missouri Western. You could argue Ferris should be ahead of UCM, but certainly not Pitt State.

As Okra said, GV/Ferris winner plays Pitt State/UIndy winner (aka Pitt State). Ferris would have to go to Pitt State, Pitt State would come to GV.

[Gliac_fan10]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3.

I agree but would never happen with current selection process. Problem is that the numbers are what matter, Pitt and Cent Mo were both 10-1 with a 4-1 record vs +.500, Ferris was 8-1 with a 2-1 record vs +.500. SOS was similar for all 3, .499 for Cent Mo, .519 for Pitt, .514 for Ferris. For seeding there is unfortunately not consideration for who beat who and who lost to who besides: +.500 and being ranked (but no difference between being ranked 1 or ranked 25).

[Turbonium]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

Absolutely not true. Look at the bracket again before you think the world is out to get you. Teams "5-7" are not ranked and can be placed in any of position 5, 6, or 7 likely in order to avoid flights...see on the bracket how there isn't a number by any of the road teams?

The system sucks yes, it isn't out to get you though.

[GorillaTeacher]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

You probably would have been ahead of UCM if you played a full D2 schedule, But you played 9 D2 games and lost 1 of them. Why should the GLIAC and GLVC be rewarded for playing less games than everyone else. The MIAA and GAC both play a full 11 game schedule. Maybe you should try that and get the Win% boost. I'm sure its difficult to schedule games, but not impossible, fill your schedule.

[yote_7]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

The system was set up years before, there is no collusion to make Ferris have a tougher path. They simply did what the numbers said in their formula. But the formula isn't very good, since you are right that Ferris should not be ranked this low. You are getting punished for playing a D1 team, since it took away another win for the Fairy State.

[Brandon]

You probably would have been ahead of UCM if you played a full D2 schedule, But you played 9 D2 games and lost 1 of them. Why should the GLIAC and GLVC be rewarded for playing less games than everyone else. The MIAA and GAC both play a full 11 game schedule. Maybe you should try that and get the Win% boost. I'm sure its difficult to schedule games, but not impossible, fill your schedule.

No.

The best teams in the GLIAC have trouble scheduling because of geography and because of the MIAA and GAC scheduling practices. GLIAC teams haven't been able to schedule 75% of potential regional opponents in non conference games.

[boyblue]

Also with the rankings in SR3 - no way should have Pitt St or Central Missouri ahead of Ferris - Ferris lost to Grand Valley - who had one loss to the top team in the Nation. Pitt St loss was to a team with 3 losses. Ferris lost also Montana no#3 in FCS 17-10 on the road. Ferris should have been 3rd or 4th in SR3 playoff ranking - on the d2 rankings they were no#3. If Ferris wins they will be going to Harding if GVSU wins they won't be going to Harding. It is what it is - something doesn't smell right in the rankings of the SR3. Doing everything to make sure the Dawgs don't 3peat.

Inkblot who does a mathematical projection based on published criteria, has Ferris as an unranked team (below #4) so with the eye test, we would all rank Ferris higher, the numbers indicate differently.

[Wallst]

If the Ferris team that showed up in the first half of Davenport plays anyone they will get smoked. If the team that showed up in the 2nd half of the Davenport game shows up they have a chance to beat anyone.

If I'm Ferris, I'm calling UM and doing a Annese for Harbaugh on the sidelines trade for this weekend. The NCAA just said you can't coach your game, not anyone else's.

[Goods]

Chance of snow in the forecast for Gunnison, CO. Still very early forcast for weather in Colorado.

Let's be honest? Can CWU win? Sure. Are the Wildcats the underdog, especially after just losing by 28 points to a team that lost to Western Colorado? Also sure.

As a long time fan, 23-year alum and someone who has seen a lot of D2 football, CWU making the field this year after starting 0-2 is a win. You play to win and if you don't win the natty, then you missed out on one of the goals you have, but just getting to this point is a win for me as an alum. The 28-team field is stacked. SR3 looks completely intimidating. I like the way SR4 is built.

Go Wildcats!

[Wallst]

Something to probably debate in the offseason, but since we are railing the NCAA today it seems like a good time to at least mention the subject. When the power 64 break off from the NCAA the next time tv and streaming contracts come up for the big 2 (SEC, Big 16) how much more emphasis will the NCAA put on building the D2 and FCS brands?

[GorillaTeacher]

No.

The best teams in the GLIAC have trouble scheduling because of geography and because of the MIAA and GAC scheduling practices. GLIAC teams haven't been able to schedule 75% of potential regional opponents in non conference games.

It doesn't have to be in region. Committees have made that clear, in region makes no difference. I get that geography makes it tough, but not impossible. Big Rapids is a bus ride to much of SR1, and some of SR2 and some of SR4. Schedule them, make it worth their while.