Here’s an early preview of the potential playoff picture…
For those who don’t know, there are 16 teams chosen with 8 conferences receiving automatic bids. The Ivy League is the only official conference to not compete in the playoffs. The MAAC, Pioneer, and Northeast conferences are all eligible but have not featured playoff entrants.
The Automatic Bid Conferences (All teams are front runners at the moment)
Big Sky: Weber State (6-0) and Montana (4-1)
Colonial Athletic Association: James Madison (6-0), New Hampshire (4-1), Villanova (4-1), and William & Mary (4-1)
Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa (5-1), Southern Illinois (4-1), and South Dakota State (4-1)
Mid-Eastern Athletic: SC State (5-0), Morgan State (4-1), and Hampton (4-1)
Ohio Valley: Tennessee-Martin (5-1), Eastern Kentucky (5-1), and Tennessee State (4-1)
Patriot League: Colgate (3-0), Holy Cross (3-0), Lafayette (2-1), and Lehigh (2-1)
Southern: Appalachian State (5-0), Elon (5-1), and Wofford (4-1)
Southland: Central Arkansas (3-1) and NW State (3-1)
In 2010: The Northeast and Big South conferences will also receive automatic bids.
Here’s how my current playoff picture would look (based on current standings)
Automatic Bids: Weber State (8-0), James Madison (8-1), Northern Iowa (7-2), South Carolina State (7-2), Tennessee-Martin (7-2), Colgate (7-2), Appalachian State (7-2), and Central Arkansas (7-2)
The 8 At-Large Bids: Montana (8-1 Big Sky), New Hampshire (7-1 CAA), Cal Poly (6-1 Great West), Sacred Heart (8-1 Northeast), Elon (7-2 Southern), Dayton (8-1 Pioneer), Wofford (6-2 Southern), Southern Illinois (6-2 Missouri Valley)
In Order of Record
Weber State (8-0)
James Madison (8-1)
Sacred Heart (8-1)* Albany leads in-conference at 5-0 but is only 6-3 overall
Dayton (8-1)
Montana (8-1)
New Hampshire (7-1)
Northern Iowa (7-2)
SC State (7-2)
Tennessee-Martin (7-2)
Colgate (7-2)
Appalachian State (7-2)
Central Arkansas (7-2)
Elon (7-2)
Cal Poly (6-1)
Wofford (6-2)
Southern Illinois (6-2)
Kris said
One thing about the Missouri Valley, Southern Illinois currently is in the lead over UNI as we beat them and both have one loss…
John said
1) Central Arkansas is not eligible for the playoffs since they are a team in transition.
2) No team from the Northeast Conference will get an at large bid this year, I promise you that. (take you Sacred Heart)
3) Neither will the Pioneer Conference. (Take out Dayton)
4) The Richmond Spiders, unless they lose their last two games, will receive an at-large bid.
5) Same thing with Villanova. They may even receive one of the four seeds.
For a good rundown check out http://www.nobowls.com, or preferably my blog
…johnuniversecity.blogspot.com
Ryan said
Yeah John is right. Take Central Arkansas out. The Southland will come down to 3 teams: Texas State, Mcneese, or North Western State.
john986 said
Why does the CAA get 5 teams in the playoffs? Not to take any credit from Maine(8-4) but why Maine over a 10-2 Liberty or a 9-1 Praire View A&M, I dont understand?
So Sad said
Very good comments about Liberty but you do not tell the truth. Let take a look at Maine, the common opponent is Stony Brook . Maine struggled with Stony Brook 28-13. While Liberty Blew them out 33-0. I wonder who was shafted !!!!! Hello, Liberty also beat two ranked opponents including Elon .