GAC Postseason Predictions

[Mulerider]

There have been threads on the post season, but wanted to start something just for GAC only. Currently it looks like Harding and OBU (Ark) are solid playoff teams as long as they finish with no losses. Looks like there are four D2 bowls currently. The Live United seems to be the only "GAC" for sure bowl. While SAU might be higher in the standings than Henderson, that may not matter. Attendance was better with Henderson than SAU. Bowl folks may want to try to read into that. Not sure if the Hertigage Bowl will take a GAC team, but may take whoever ends up at #4 in the standings.

[BisonBones]

I'm glad Harding doesn't have to worry about who wins the Battle of the Ravine, but it looks like it'll be a good game. Henderson would love to keep OBU out of the playoffs.

If OBU dominates, though, I wonder if that could push Harding to a 2 seed over GVS. Davenport still has opportunities to spoil GVS and Ferris in the last 2 weeks of the GLIAC, but I doubt they win either game.

It would be nice to have 2 playoff teams and 2 bowl teams from the GAC.


I predict OBU beats Henderson in a close one and earns a playoff berth. LiveUnited gives SAU the nod for beating Henderson earlier in the year. Harding gets a #3 seed. Fingers crossed that Henderson gets an at-large bowl bid.

[OldBison]

Agree with BisonBones. I seem to recall a GAC team (SOSU or ECU) playing in the Corsicana bowl a few years ago. Most of time it’s LSC teams with 3rd and 4th best records. Right now it doesn’t look like Angelo State is going to make the top 7 in Region 4. Angelo State and Henderson State would be an entertaining game.

[OldBison]

If Harding finishes the season as 3rd seed in SR3, they would probably host Ouachita or Central Missouri assuming UIndy, Pitt, GVS, Ferris and CM all win out.

[Divisiontwo]

If HU wins out, I’ll be very shocked if they aren’t a top 2 seed.

[Live United Bowl]

The Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl, played the first Saturday in December in Texarkana, AR has an agreement with the GAC to invite a GAC team to be the home team. An opponent is selected from the MIAA. In the past, the bowl had an understanding with the GAC to select the GAC team with the best win-loss record not being selected for the playoffs. That understanding is no longer in place and the Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl is free to invite any GAC team it wishes. Consideration is given to a team's win-loss record, geographical regional interest with the Texarkana area, and interest from the school and team to play in the game. This year's game will be the 10th Live United Bowl and the 10th year of our continuing support to our benefactor, the United Way of Greater Texarkana.

[Mulerider]

The Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl, played the first Saturday in December in Texarkana, AR has an agreement with the GAC to invite a GAC team to be the home team. An opponent is selected from the MIAA. In the past, the bowl had an understanding with the GAC to select the GAC team with the best win-loss record not being selected for the playoffs. That understanding is no longer in place and the Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl is free to invite any GAC team it wishes. Consideration is given to a team's win-loss record, geographical regional interest with the Texarkana area, and interest from the school and team to play in the game. This year's game will be the 10th Live United Bowl and the 10th year of our continuing support to our benefactor, the United Way of Greater Texarkana.

Wow, didn't know you guys would post in this message board! Glad to see more intereaction!

[OldBison]

If HU wins out, I’ll be very shocked if they aren’t a top 2 seed.

I hoping the Bisons are the #2 in SR3 by the end of year. Pretty sure Pitt’s SOS will be higher with an 11-0 record to match Harding’s. Just not sure how the Committee will view Harding’s SOS, which should be .500, versus GVS. If GVS wins out, they’ll have the loss to Mines and a better SOS than the Bisons.

[Redwing]

I hoping the Bisons are the #2 in SR3 by the end of year. Pretty sure Pitt’s SOS will be higher with an 11-0 record to match Harding’s. Just not sure how the Committee will view Harding’s SOS, which should be .500, versus GVS. If GVS wins out, they’ll have the loss to Mines and a better SOS than the Bisons.

Well so far, the comm. is putting Harding above GV. GV's sos should go up a bit by season's end. Not sure if it'll be enough to overtake that one loss.(GVs OOC teams SHOULD be over .500 in the next 2 weeks and a GLIAC team is likely going to win their OOC game Saturday MTU vs Minot.) The other issue is how the comm. will handle a silo schedule team. Selfishly, I just don't want to have to travel to Pitt and Harding... long trips for me. Of course, Pitt needs to take care of business Saturday and GV has to win a couple more times too.

Honestly, looking at the numbers they shared, I don't know why Harding isn't #1 this week. I wonder what got the comm. to flip em to #2.

[Inkblot]

Honestly, looking at the numbers they shared, I don't know why Harding isn't #1 this week. I wonder what got the comm. to flip em to #2.

Given what I've seen in SR3 rankings, the fact that Pitt will finish with a higher SOS (and, if they win out, likely more wins against teams over .500) probably has more weight than the current .006 difference in SOS.

[OldBison]

Well so far, the comm. is putting Harding above GV. GV's sos should go up a bit by season's end. Not sure if it'll be enough to overtake that one loss.(GVs OOC teams SHOULD be over .500 in the next 2 weeks and a GLIAC team is likely going to win their OOC game Saturday MTU vs Minot.) The other issue is how the comm. will handle a silo schedule team. Selfishly, I just don't want to have to travel to Pitt and Harding... long trips for me. Of course, Pitt needs to take care of business Saturday and GV has to win a couple more times too.

Honestly, looking at the numbers they shared, I don't know why Harding isn't #1 this week. I wonder what got the comm. to flip em to #2.

Yeah. Knowing the Committee values the MIAA and the GLIAC over the GAC and GLVC it didn’t surprise me to them give Pitt the # 1 seed. I was ready to see them give GVS the #2 and, as you said, that may happen by the time the final rankings come out provided all top seeds win out. What I didn’t see coming today was UCM leapfrogging UIndy. If things stay the way they are, it looks like first-round Harding-OBU and GVS-FSU rematches and a UCM-UIndy matchup is the best way to avoid flights and lengthy bus rides.

[Redwing]

Given what I've seen in SR3 rankings, the fact that Pitt will finish with a higher SOS (and, if they win out, likely more wins against teams over .500) probably has more weight than the current .006 difference in SOS.

Yeah, I understand that. I frequently wonder why they don't include the records of future opponents in the metrics. True, the future games might not happen, but if you're seeding by using that, why not list it? And it wasn't just the sos. I think the PI metric was better for Harding too.

I find it interesting that they list most of the metric numbers, but then the comm. members apparently choose to use their own twists on them. I actually prefer that. But then I wonder if they really use eye tests or just use the metric to support some odd placements. It's an annual ritual.

[Redwing]

Yeah. Knowing the Committee values the MIAA and the GLIAC over the GAC and GLVC it didn’t surprise me to them give Pitt the # 1 seed. I was ready to see them give GVS the #2 and, as you said, that may happen by the time the final rankings come out provided all top seeds win out. What I didn’t see coming today was UCM leapfrogging UIndy. If things stay the way they are, it looks like first-round Harding-OBU and GVS-FSU rematches and a UCM-UIndy matchup is the best way to avoid flights and lengthy bus rides.

I wonder how big a shakeup will happen if Pitt drops one Saturday.

[OBUGrad]

Yeah. Knowing the Committee values the MIAA and the GLIAC over the GAC and GLVC it didn’t surprise me to them give Pitt the # 1 seed. I was ready to see them give GVS the #2 and, as you said, that may happen by the time the final rankings come out provided all top seeds win out. What I didn’t see coming today was UCM leapfrogging UIndy. If things stay the way they are, it looks like first-round Harding-OBU and GVS-FSU rematches and a UCM-UIndy matchup is the best way to avoid flights and lengthy bus rides.

Money rules all for the NCAA. I expect them to go with the cheapest option money wise.

Personally I’d love a rematch with Harding. It was a very evenly matched game till the TO at the 5 late in the third. That forced taking unusual chances the rest of the way (59 yard FG, etc)

I fully expect Harding to not want a rematch. Play someone different. I can’t blame them, I’d be thinking the same if the situations were reversed.

Gotta win the next 2 first though.

[OldBison]

Money rules all for the NCAA. I expect them to go with the cheapest option money wise.

Personally I’d love a rematch with Harding. It was a very evenly matched game till the TO at the 5 late in the third. That forced taking unusual chances the rest of the way (59 yard FG, etc)

I fully expect Harding to not want a rematch. Play someone different. I can’t blame them, I’d be thinking the same if the situations were reversed.

Gotta win the next 2 first though.

I wouldn’t mind a first round re-match with OBU. It would be easier to prepare for than a Harding-Ferris or Harding-UCM match up. If we stay the #2 seed and win in the first round, we’re going to have to travel to Pittsburg, KS and play in the Jungle anyway.