What are the games of the week this week?

[LegalRam]

This is an interesting week for the CIAA. A lot of evenly matched OOC contests where the CIAA teams have a reasonable chance in almost all of the games.

The most intriguing is probably Fayetteville State at Valdosta State. An FSU upset would be huge, but if they can at least keep it respectable then that could payoff come playoff selection time.

[laker]

Minnesota State at Wayne America. Two solid QBs, both teams 2-0, night game.

[Turbonium]

This is an interesting week for the CIAA. A lot of evenly matched OOC contests where the CIAA teams have a reasonable chance in almost all of the games.

The most intriguing is probably Fayetteville State at Valdosta State. An FSU upset would be huge, but if they can at least keep it respectable then that could payoff come playoff selection time.

Why would keeping it respectable matter come playoff time? A loss is a loss.

[Predatory Primates]

Why would keeping it respectable matter come playoff time? A loss is a loss.

Unless the numbers are pretty Much even, the human element doesn't come into play.

[EveryCatAWildman]

Emporia @ Pitt St. - Game 1A - Conference rivalry to set the tone for the rest of the year.

Grand Valley @ CSU Pueblo - Game 1B - Just a great non-con matchup. Pueblo looking to knock off GVSU for the first time ever.

MN State @ Wayne St. - good conference matchup, I don't think Wayne has been tested this year. So this will tell us a lot about what they have.

Tiffin @ Lenoir-Rhyne - I don't think they've ever played before - I like these kind of games of quality historically good teams going against each other.

Delta @ Wingate - same as above, don't think they have ever played. Get out and test your teams.

Central MO @ Central OK - this might be the highest total scoring game in the nation this week. And UCO the last few seasons has been hard to beat in Edmond, UCM might get surprised.

The Rock @ Shepherd - fascinating stat, as conference teams this is the first regular season matchup against the two in 19 years! They have played each other 3 times in the playoffs recently.

Central WA @ CO Mesa - would seem CWA has it easy, but Mesa winning in Kingsville makes me think they might have something and CWA playing at altitude in Mesa is going to make this close.

[LegalRam]

Why would keeping it respectable matter come playoff time? A loss is a loss.

A loss is a loss, but the human element is a thing. 5-7 aren't even technically ranked anymore so those teams can easily be tossed around based on the human element.

Also, I wasn't solely referring to FSU's playoff chances but also the playoff chances of the CIAA and perceived strength of the conference. The eye test of common opponents is something to consider if let's say a CIAA team in playoff contention has a greater margin of victory than what VSU beats FSU by.

[Turbonium]

A loss is a loss, but the human element is a thing. 5-7 aren't even technically ranked anymore so those teams can easily be tossed around based on the human element.

Also, I wasn't solely referring to FSU's playoff chances but also the playoff chances of the CIAA and perceived strength of the conference. The eye test of common opponents is something to consider if let's say a CIAA team in playoff contention has a greater margin of victory than what VSU beats FSU by.

But 5-7 aren't ranked solely for the purpose of decreasing travel and avoiding rematches (unless doing so saves them money on travel), not for a human element of which team they think should be "5th" instead of "7th".

[d2 football fan]

Minnesota State at Wayne America. Two solid QBs, both teams 2-0, night game.

I'm super interested in this game! While Mankato won convincingly against NWMSU, they did let them start to crawl back into the game and they are a big / physical team. Then they had a nail biter against Bemidji. Point being, they have had to play hard / intense games from beginning to end, with some emotion in how last week ended. Wayne on the other hand has won their two easily, low stress, time for backups to play. I'm curious if that combination has an impact. On paper I would pick Mankato to win this, but I'm curious if they are mentally drained, physically tired and Wayne is a little fresher, combined with wanting to make up for missing the PO's last year.

I think this is a compelling game and has the potential to have November implications that we don't fully realize right now.

[Purple Mav Man]

I'm super interested in this game! While Mankato won convincingly against NWMSU, they did let them start to crawl back into the game and they are a big / physical team. Then they had a nail biter against Bemidji. Point being, they have had to play hard / intense games from beginning to end, with some emotion in how last week ended. Wayne on the other hand has won their two easily, low stress, time for backups to play. I'm curious if that combination has an impact. On paper I would pick Mankato to win this, but I'm curious if they are mentally drained, physically tired and Wayne is a little fresher, combined with wanting to make up for missing the PO's last year.

I think this is a compelling game and has the potential to have November implications that we don't fully realize right now.

I also think this will be a tight game. The edge likely goes to Wayne, especially at home. However, if the bolded above is true after 2 games, shut down the season.

[Predatory Primates]

I also think this will be a tight game. The edge likely goes to Wayne, especially at home. However, if the bolded above is true after 2 games, shut down the season.

Trap games can happen.

[LegalRam]

But 5-7 aren't ranked solely for the purpose of decreasing travel and avoiding rematches (unless doing so saves them money on travel), not for a human element of which team they think should be "5th" instead of "7th".

Decreasing travel to maximize a reduction of first-round flights and the likelihood of second round flights, so not just to make the shortest trips possible. SR2 is a lot more geographically compact than some of the other regions so flights are less likely to be required no matter what matchups are selected. Taking out outliers like Central State, Lane, and Lincoln who are likely not making the playoffs anytime soon, then it's really just Bowie and Delta State being in the mix that have a greater chance of causing flights.

[Purple Mav Man]

Trap games can happen.

Agree. But if they are mentally shot after 2 games, it was never going to happen anyway. Wayne is also a top team in the NSIC, shouldn’t be difficult to understand the challenge at hand and get mentally prepared. I’d be more worrieed about that after this game. Games against Minot and Concordia before facing off with Sioux Falls.

[DaleDude]

Tiffin @ Lenoir-Rhyne - This ought to be an interesting game to watch as it was pointed out that it's the first time these two teams have played each other/
Ashland @ Ferris - The Bulldogs might bite the Eagles, but this matchup, if Ashland wins, will be a serious blow to Ferris State.

[SW_Mustang]

NSIC:

Moorhead/Duluth - Top QB matchup, possibly even nationally
Wayne/Mankato - Top all-around matchup
SDSU/Augie - An oddity for the ages. SDSU will run away with it, but there's a whole lotta history here unlike most FCS/DII matchups.

[d2 football fan]

I also think this will be a tight game. The edge likely goes to Wayne, especially at home. However, if the bolded above is true after 2 games, shut down the season.

There was some random fact a few years ago, that teams after playing the 49'ers had more plays listed on the injury report - regardless of week of the season, than any other opponent. Point was, San Francisco was super physical and it took teams a little longer to recover after that game than others. It's not that those opponents were out of shape or unprepared.

In this case, I think Mankato has had to play more physically, for full games, with more emotional outcomes compared to Wayne. I'm certain that Mankato is strong, physical, in shape, etc. But I think this week it has the potential to be an issue that it wouldn't be in another two weeks.