Regional Rankings

[Predatory Primates]

After Truman left the MIAA and there were still OOC games in the MIAA - Truman refused to play NW. NW tried to schedule them (it would continue the Hickory Stick game as well as help SOS because Truman was going to be above .500 in the GLVC). So even though the footprint might be better in the GLVC - the weaker competition was definitely a huge factor

I agree, and the administrators who sell the party line BS about it all being about travel distance lack integrity.

[BearcatDude]

I posted this on another thread:

As an alum who played FB back in the MIAA days, it did to me [bothered me that we left] at first as well, but then it became very clear that the MIAA was moving into markets and areas that didn’t suit Truman at all - adding lengthy, lengthy trips from far northeast Missouri to central Oklahoma, western Kansas, and central Nebraska, when, on the flip side, they could add multiple trips to St. Louis, Kansas City and central Illinois/Chicago where they have a larger alumni base and primarily were recruiting not just athletes but student to the University. It was a no-brainer.

After Truman left the MIAA and there were still OOC games in the MIAA - Truman refused to play NW. NW tried to schedule them (it would continue the Hickory Stick game as well as help SOS because Truman was going to be above .500 in the GLVC). So even though the footprint might be better in the GLVC - the weaker competition was definitely a huge factor

[TSU_Mike59]

And exactly why did Truman leave the MIAA? Simply because they were middle road or doormats in the MIAA and couldn't ever see themselves making the playoffs.

I posted this on another thread:

As an alum who played FB back in the MIAA days, it did to me [bothered me that we left] at first as well, but then it became very clear that the MIAA was moving into markets and areas that didn’t suit Truman at all - adding lengthy, lengthy trips from far northeast Missouri to central Oklahoma, western Kansas, and central Nebraska, when, on the flip side, they could add multiple trips to St. Louis, Kansas City and central Illinois/Chicago where they have a larger alumni base and primarily were recruiting not just athletes but student to the University. It was a no-brainer.

[GreenwoodBearcat]

Plays the SOS game? Meaning, Truman’s conference has open dates, so Truman goes out and schedules four teams who will finish at or above .500, including two (Davenport and Ashland) who are going to make the playoffs, one (SD Mines) who hasn’t lost a game this year to a team with fewer than 7 wins, and another (Hillsdale), who is .500 and not some bottom-dweller?

Is that what “playing the SOS game” means? I call that “challenging themselves in nonconference to prove they have talent because they know the bottom of the GLVC isn’t very strong.”

And exactly why did Truman leave the MIAA? Simply because they were middle road or doormats in the MIAA and couldn't ever see themselves making the playoffs.

[Redwing]

Like I say, I'm torn on it because I don't think either conference should be rewarded. One is lazy, the other is running a pyramid scheme.

I want the silo to go away, too. It will take fans and boosters becoming activists and putting pressure on administrators, though, and I'm not sure getting jobbed out of one playoff will be enough to make that happen.

Now is a great time to dump silo's for Football. I know some GLIAC teams that are ready and waiting. Open dates are available for '23

[Sir Shanks Alot]

Plays the SOS game? Meaning, Truman’s conference has open dates, so Truman goes out and schedules four teams who will finish at or above .500, including two (Davenport and Ashland) who are going to make the playoffs, one (SD Mines) who hasn’t lost a game this year to a team with fewer than 7 wins, and another (Hillsdale), who is .500 and not some bottom-dweller?

Is that what “playing the SOS game” means? I call that “challenging themselves in nonconference to prove they have talent because they know the bottom of the GLVC isn’t very strong.”

Ok TSU Mike....Let's say a decent amount of all you own is on the line and you have to bet it on the outcome, or....your stuff is on the chopping block...

Who are you taking NW or Emporia vs. UIndy or Truman...... (The DOGS left the conference for a reason....they competed yearly with Lincoln, SBU, MOSO you name it for the crown of the bottom tier.) I know that was the past, but seriously, look at the more recent (post season) matchups when they are presented. The answer to the first question is very obvious.

Now a legit question...Where do you think TSU or UIndy would finish in the MIAA? How about the other conferences in the region? (We have a flawed system!)

Let's get to the FCS model where they actually try to get the best teams into the post season regardless of region!

[CatFan88]

Plays the SOS game? Meaning, Truman’s conference has open dates, so Truman goes out and schedules four teams who will finish at or above .500, including two (Davenport and Ashland) who are going to make the playoffs, one (SD Mines) who hasn’t lost a game this year to a team with fewer than 7 wins, and another (Hillsdale), who is .500 and not some bottom-dweller?

Is that what “playing the SOS game” means? I call that “challenging themselves in nonconference to prove they have talent because they know the bottom of the GLVC isn’t very strong.”

You didn't play Ashland this year, so let's get that out of the way. Challenging themselves to prove they have talent. By beating middle of the road teams from soft football conferences like the RMAC and GMAC? Congratulations on proving your talent. You got beat by Davenport who's quickly finding out they aren't upper tier GLIAC.

[TSU_Mike59]

Because Truman and Indy play the SOS game.

Plays the SOS game? Meaning, Truman’s conference has open dates, so Truman goes out and schedules four teams who will finish at or above .500, including one (Davenport) who will make the playoffs, one (SD Mines) who hasn’t lost a game this year to a team with fewer than 7 wins, and another (Hillsdale), who is .500 and not some bottom-dweller?

Is that what “playing the SOS game” means? I call that “challenging themselves in nonconference to prove they have talent because they know the bottom of the GLVC isn’t very strong.”

Edited because my brain just got teams jumbled in my head. Was trying to say Hillsdale beat Ashland and instead said Truman beat Ashland.

[CatFan88]

Like I say, I'm torn on it because I don't think either conference should be rewarded. One is lazy, the other is running a pyramid scheme.

I want the silo to go away, too. It will take fans and boosters becoming activists and putting pressure on administrators, though, and I'm not sure getting jobbed out of one playoff will be enough to make that happen.

I bought my Powerball tickets this morning. If I win it, I guarantee silo scheduling will be a thing of the past in the MIAA.

[Predatory Primates]

Because Truman and Indy play the SOS game. The MIAA shouldn't be rewarded, at all. The time has come and gone for the MIAA to be taught a hard lesson about silo scheduling. I want NW to make the PO's but I can tolerate the penalty of missing the PO's if it wipes silo scheduling off the board.

Like I say, I'm torn on it because I don't think either conference should be rewarded. One is lazy, the other is running a pyramid scheme.

I want the silo to go away, too. It will take fans and boosters becoming activists and putting pressure on administrators, though, and I'm not sure getting jobbed out of one playoff will be enough to make that happen.

[CatFan88]

I'm torn on the subject. The MIAA shouldn't be rewarded for the silo crap, but I'm not sure the glvc teams would make the playoffs if they were in any of the other 3 conferences.

Because Truman and Indy play the SOS game. The MIAA shouldn't be rewarded, at all. The time has come and gone for the MIAA to be taught a hard lesson about silo scheduling. I want NW to make the PO's but I can tolerate the penalty of missing the PO's if it wipes silo scheduling off the board.

[CatFan88]

I don't know if Truman gets in with loss but Indy has real strong SOS because it all those gliac games they played. If obu wins I think it's the miaa runner up vs glvc runner up.

Indy played one GLIAC (SVSU) and lost. They played 2 GMAC (Tiffin and Ohio Dominican) and won. ODU lost to Tiffin and Ashland and beat William Jewell (might be a notch above Lincoln) by 10. Tiffin lost to Ashland and Truman. Ashland sits atop the GMAC at 8-1 but got upset by 5-5 Hillsdale. While Indy's SOS might be strong, the quality is Walmart.

[Sir Shanks Alot]

No argument from me on that. I suspect that's the issue the committee may be struggling with. Monday will shine some light on it.

My eyeballs (and heart) tell me that NW/Emporia Winner is the better team than any other choices for the 7 seed. I do feel the Indy/Truman winner would be at best in the MIAA tier of teams Washburn/UNK , and more likely the MW/UCM/UCO/MOSO teams, and the Harding/Henderson choice would likely be on the Washburn/UNK line.

As the season has played out, Pitt is a ESU kicker from having 1 loss, and a bit better play from NW from having 2 losses themselves. Both ESU and NW killed themselves vs. UCO and Pitt or could be sitting where Pitt is instead.......

So....I think it is right and easily justifiable for the committee to let the win and in scenario's do their thing..... Indy vs. TSU and NW vs. Emporia, winners take all. Easiest and fairest choice for the committee.

Now....can we please look HARD at implementing the system that the FCS employs. It seems they get the best teams in the playoffs and then regionalize things as best they can.

[jimbo slice]

Don’t worry. We lost to that trash team too.

yeh and next year as well.

[Predatory Primates]

A ND to be real honest, I'm dont think NWMsU is as well rounded as Emporia is.

I agree. NW has the best front 7 in the conference, but has major holes in other areas. ESU is really solid and deep on D, really good pass O, getting closer to balanced on that side of the ball, and decent on special teams.

That said, I don't know that they know how to win with their backs against the wall like NW has done a few times this season.