We would absolutely demolish Montana in 2017. That team is a shell of what it once was & what it has potential to still be. Believe their coach is on the hot seat. Spoke briefly with some folks in Montana this summer while I was out there. They all were NOT pleased with where the program is competitively.

I think Nation was referencing the possibility of meeting the Bison at BFS.

I expect a tough game from them anywhere, but would much rather see them at home than at Frisco, both for the crowd noise advantage at home, and ticket availability at Frisco. On top of that, it would be an instant playoff game sellout at BFS.

Montana does have a top-notch home game atmosphere.

(08-26-2017 12:37 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Montana does have a top-notch home game atmosphere.

I agree. I watched the game a couple years ago that kicked off the season against NDSU and the place was rocking. Granted the opponent was a huge deal, but you could tell those people enjoy their football. That game really made me want to do a home and home deal with Montana and any other school who get's behind their team.

(08-26-2017 11:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  I think Nation was referencing the possibility of meeting the Bison at BFS.

I expect a tough game from them anywhere, but would much rather see them at home than at Frisco, both for the crowd noise advantage at home, and ticket availability at Frisco. On top of that, it would be an instant playoff game sellout at BFS.

I would love to see NDSU sign contracts to play a home and away games with quality programs like JMU. As FBS get harder to find I would like to see some better ooc games.

(08-25-2017 11:35 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Pre/early season playoff brackets are as worthless as titties on a bull. Numerous upsets and surprises will happen during the season. You can't predict injuries. They'll be a # of dark horses, & conversely a number of teams expected to be playoff or even seed contenders that will fall flat. Countless scenarios that could play out.

Colgate 20, @ Cal Poly 14

Cal Poly lost to non scholly San Diego last year in the playoffs, just got beat at home by Colgate in game that wasn't as close as the score (was 20-0 early 4th Qtr) and some idiot has them as the projected #6 seed. Worthless as titties on a bull.

(08-26-2017 08:55 PM)Bisonlurker Wrote:  

(08-26-2017 11:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  I think Nation was referencing the possibility of meeting the Bison at BFS.

I expect a tough game from them anywhere, but would much rather see them at home than at Frisco, both for the crowd noise advantage at home, and ticket availability at Frisco. On top of that, it would be an instant playoff game sellout at BFS.

I would love to see NDSU sign contracts to play a home and away games with quality programs like JMU. As FBS get harder to find I would like to see some better ooc games.

Our fans would love this too, though it might mess with our admin's scheduling philosophy: 1 FBS payday, 2 FCS patsies, then CAA schedule.

There's been past concerns about making the schedule too tough for playoff qualification, and I wouldn't expect our admin to initiate this. Hope they would be open minded if NDSU proposed it. Would be a great annual game for ESPN to showcase.

(08-26-2017 09:31 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(08-26-2017 08:55 PM)Bisonlurker Wrote:  

(08-26-2017 11:16 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  I think Nation was referencing the possibility of meeting the Bison at BFS.

I expect a tough game from them anywhere, but would much rather see them at home than at Frisco, both for the crowd noise advantage at home, and ticket availability at Frisco. On top of that, it would be an instant playoff game sellout at BFS.

I would love to see NDSU sign contracts to play a home and away games with quality programs like JMU. As FBS get harder to find I would like to see some better ooc games.

Our fans would love this too, though it might mess with our admin's scheduling philosophy: 1 FBS payday, 2 FCS patsies, then CAA schedule.

There's been past concerns about making the schedule too tough for playoff qualification, and I wouldn't expect our admin to initiate this. Hope they would be open minded if NDSU proposed it. Would be a great annual game for ESPN to showcase.

It would be amazing. 2 excellent programs that are very similar battling it out during an OOC game.
Unfortunately NDSU tries to schedule the exact same way. I can understand it from the stand point that the playoff committee looks at overall record for seeding and an extra lose or 2 could really hurt no matter the quality of the opponent. Home field is a huge thing come playoff time and they aren't willing to sacrifice it with a couple tough games that could turn into loses.

FSU and Bama are playing next week...let that sink in - zero reason for those schools to lay it on the line early and out of conference... except the old adage that steel sharpens steel... would love to see us get more brave OOC in FCS

(08-25-2017 09:59 AM)bjk3047 Wrote:  Hot take: I would rather not play Soft Houston again in the playoffs. There were enough circumstances to that game (banged up star QB, insane weather, special teams play) that I'll chalk it up to "not indicative of actual ability." To say nothing of the extra motivation they'd have after such an embarrassment.

(08-25-2017 10:01 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(08-25-2017 09:59 AM)bjk3047 Wrote:  Hot take: I would rather not play Soft Houston again in the playoffs. There were enough circumstances to that game (banged up star QB, insane weather, special teams play) that I'll chalk it up to "not indicative of actual ability." To say nothing of the extra motivation they'd have after such an embarrassment.

They've consistently been drubbed once they play the tougher teams in FBS, really any true top 5 quality opponent. This isn't a one year thing, but a consistent 5+ year trend.

Yep BJK gotta agree with Potomac here - if it was just our blowout I might agree with you but the Soft Houston Goldfish fold like cheap suitcase anytime they play a top tier team and have done so the last like 5 years.

(08-27-2017 12:08 PM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  FSU and Bama are playing next week...let that sink in - zero reason for those schools to lay it on tje line early ans out of conference... except the old adage that steel sharpens steel... would love to see us get more brave OOC in FCS

Why would anyone ever do that? Bunch of morons must be running those schools, as I speak in jest.

When is the next 12-game FCS season? We should EXPECT at least ONE quality non-conference game versus a playoff-caliber team in 12-game seasons.

(08-27-2017 06:03 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  When is the next 12-game FCS season? We should EXPECT at least ONE quality non-conference game versus a playoff-caliber team in 12-game seasons.

2019

Bama's other OOC include a terrible Fresno St. team who only won one game last year (vs. a terrible Big Sky team), a mediocre Colorado St team, and FCS Mercer (a mediocre Big South team).

In some ways our schedule lines up pretty well with Bama's. ECU is roughly analogous to FSU in terms of being a high quality OOC opponent. ETSU is roughly analogous to CSU in terms of being a mediocre OOC opponent. Norfolk St. is roughly analogous to Fresno St. in terms of being a terrible OOC opponent. The only thing we lack is a mediocre D2 school.

Unfortunately, there's no annual game with Rhode Island in the SEC. It's acknowledged that we shouldn't schedule a D2; D2's pretty much don't benefit JMU's playoff chances while a win over Mercer DOES help Alabama's bowl eligibility (not that they need it). That sentence was too long & I'm sorry about that.

ETSU MIGHT be mediocre, but all signs point to that as a cupcake in 2017. Replace it with a Wofford, J-ville State, Youngstown, even a CAA FB team if we're not scheduled that year. Montana, NDSU, wherever Rascati's coaching all seem like good ideas. No excuse not to get ONE desirable & winnable FCS game for any season. DEFINITELY no excuse in 12-game seasons.

I wasn't suggesting we schedule a D2, that was just part of the analogy from a competitive aspect since FBS has that extra game most seasons.

I also wouldn't say that we have an annual game vs. Rhode Island either. We played them last year and this year, but didn't play them for the several years prior. But I agree they are terrible and that there is no true SEC equivalent. However, between Vanderbilt and/or Kentucky Bama can usually count on a fairly easy SEC win or two.