(11-01-2021 11:04 AM)TDenverFan Wrote:  This article points out we've clinched our first winning season in 6 years (since 2015), so that's something at least. https://www.afca.com/fcs-poll-william-ma...e-in-2021/

I remember going to that playoff game that season @ Richmond with a group of friends, WM fans probably outnumbered Richmond fans in their stadium, but that didn't seem to help much...

Yeah, I was at that game too. Afterwards I rescued a W&M flag that was hanging in the trees near a parking lot.

The article notes several good matchups between Top 25 teams this coming week. I highlighted several more that the article didn't mention:

"There are four top-25 matchups this coming Saturday with two coming from the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The first one has No. 2 North Dakota State traveling to No. 12 South Dakota State, while No. 9 Southern Illinois hosts No. 20 Missouri State. All four teams have the top four spots in the conference standings. A third matchup is a top-five battle in the Big Sky Conference as No. 4 Montana State travels to No. 5 Eastern Washington."

Also playing:
#6 SE Louisiana at Incarnate Word
#13 Villanova at Elon
#14 East Tennessee hosts #18 VMI

#1 Sam Houston plays only 10 games this year including last week against Tarleton and this coming week against Dixie St (both new members of FCS and part of the new revived WAC).

#10 Montana barely escaped with a 1-point win last week against one-win Southern Utah (who missed a PAT) and this week they get another bottom feeder Northern Colorado. (On the other hand, W&M did play 0-8 Albany and were fortunate to come away with the win).

(11-01-2021 11:02 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  We were not a top 4 seed in either 2004 or 2009 when we made it to the semi finals. I seem to recall that we did get a top 4 seed one year after 2009 and then ended up laying a bit of an egg at home in a quarterfinal game. I want to say that it was Georgia Southern and their triple option that ran us into the ground in the second half.

No if I remember correctly the playoffs were cancelled that year and nothing happened.

Stats poll has us tied for 20th

https://tribeathletics.com/news/2021/11/...polls.aspx

This one “Madness” popped up when I googled FCS poll.

Here we are #16. Seems more relevant, someone actually paying attention.

Rank Team Comments Prior
1 north Dakota State Logo North Dakota State Bison were nearly perfect, beating Indiana State 44-2. They travel for the Dakota Marker next week, at South Dakota State. 1
2 Sam Houston State Logo Sam Houston Bearkats took control of Tarleton State in the middle of their game, let off the gas, made it a little closer. Come home to play Dixie State next. 2
3 James Madison Logo James Madison Dukes turned back Elon, stunting their playoffs hopes. Now a late non-conference game at home with Campbell. 6
4 Eastern Washington Logo Eastern Washington Eagles had the week off to think about their Weber State loss. A good time for extra prep; Montana State visits next week. 5
5 Montana State Logo Montana State Bobcats had the week off. Their Weber State road win is looking better. A win at Eastern Washington would be even bigger. 8
6 Southeastern Louisiana Logo Southeastern Louisiana Lions needed defense to actually beat McNeese. A win at Incarnate Word should clinch the Southland's automatic playoff berth. 7
7 UC Davis Logo UC Davis Aggies had the week off. Next, they travel to a upset-hungry Northern Arizona, who's trying to play back into the playoff picture. 9
8 Southern Illinois Logo Southern Illinois Salukis lost a tough road game at Northern Iowa. Expect a motivated effort next week when hosting Missouri State. 3
9 South Dakota State Logo South Dakota State Jackrabbits got back on track at Youngstown State. They better be even better when North Dakota State visits next week. 10
10 #21 Northern Iowa FCS Football 2021 Preview Northern Iowa Panthers take down a second straight top 6 team, Southern Illinois. Now they leave home to play Illinois State. 17
11 #20 Villanova FCS Football 2021 Preview Villanova Wildcats had been rolling, W&M just didn't care. They'll now travel to Elon. The Phoenix will be fighting for their playoff lives. Upset alert? 4
12 Sacramento State FCS Football Top 25 Sacramento State Hornets beat Northern Colorado, 27-17. A very workmanlike effort. Two home games coming up. First of those will be against Cal Poly. 12
13 Kennesaw State FCS Football Top 25 Kennesaw State
Owls have won six in a row, beating Grdner-Webb this week. They'll go to Robert Morris next week.

16
14 FCS Football Top 25 Tennessee-Martin Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks had trouble with APSU, but just keep on winning. A home win against Tennessee State would likely gain a share of OVC title. 11
15 East Tennessee State FCS Football Top 25 East Tennessee State Bucs had the week off. And a good time to have it. Next week they host Virginia Military, which will be important in the SoCon standings. 14
16 William & Mary FCS Football Top 25 William & Mary Tribe have been underrated most of the year, probably shouldn't have been. Huge win at 'Nova. Can they follow-up at Delaware? 25
17 Princeton FCS Football Top 25 Princeton Tigers won at Cornell, business as usual. Road game at Dartmouth could snag them the Ivy Championship. Still no playoffs. :-( 20
18 Montana Logo Montana Griz continue to struggle since the Sac State loss. Had to come from behind, at home, to beat Southern Utah. At Northern Colorado next. 13
19 Eastern Kentucky FCS Football Top 25 Eastern Kentucky Colonels destroyed Lamar for their fifth straight win. Go to Stephen F. Austin next week, which is a huge game for both teams. 15
20 Missouri State FCS Football Top 25 Missouri State Bears battled to defeat North Dakota. May need a couple more wins to make playoffs. A road win at Southern Illinois would help. 23
21 VMI FCS Football Top 25 VMI Keydets beat Samford, in a crazy come from behind way. A win at ETSU next week would give them tiebreaker advantage over all SoCon. 18
22 Jackson State FCS Football Top 25 Jackson State Tigers road win at MVSU wasn't as easy as most years. Home game with Texas Southern is next. Getting close to clinching SWAC East. 19
23 Incarnate Word FCS Football Top 25 Incarnate Word Cardinals turned back Houston Baptist, as they should have. Home game with SE Louisiana should determine the Southland's auto. 22
24 South Dakota FCS Football Top 25 South Dakota
Coyotes slip a little more with their bye after their loss to Illinois State two weeks ago. They'll go to Western Illinois next week. 21
25 Weber State Weber State Wildcats went to Idaho State and won big. Coming home next week for a playoff eliminator with Portland State. NR

(11-01-2021 12:05 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 11:02 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  We were not a top 4 seed in either 2004 or 2009 when we made it to the semi finals. I seem to recall that we did get a top 4 seed one year after 2009 and then ended up laying a bit of an egg at home in a quarterfinal game. I want to say that it was Georgia Southern and their triple option that ran us into the ground in the second half.

No if I remember correctly the playoffs were cancelled that year and nothing happened.

We weren’t a top 4 the year we had JMU in the semis at Zable? I thought we had 3 home games in the playoffs that year?

(11-01-2021 04:56 PM)TribeinVB Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 12:05 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 11:02 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  We were not a top 4 seed in either 2004 or 2009 when we made it to the semi finals. I seem to recall that we did get a top 4 seed one year after 2009 and then ended up laying a bit of an egg at home in a quarterfinal game. I want to say that it was Georgia Southern and their triple option that ran us into the ground in the second half.

No if I remember correctly the playoffs were cancelled that year and nothing happened.

We weren’t a top 4 the year we had JMU in the semis at Zable? I thought we had 3 home games in the playoffs that year?

Tribe was a #3 seed in the 2004 playoffs- thanks in part to an impressive win on the road at JMU in the regular season.

(11-01-2021 04:56 PM)TribeinVB Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 12:05 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 11:02 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  We were not a top 4 seed in either 2004 or 2009 when we made it to the semi finals. I seem to recall that we did get a top 4 seed one year after 2009 and then ended up laying a bit of an egg at home in a quarterfinal game. I want to say that it was Georgia Southern and their triple option that ran us into the ground in the second half.

No if I remember correctly the playoffs were cancelled that year and nothing happened.

We weren’t a top 4 the year we had JMU in the semis at Zable? I thought we had 3 home games in the playoffs that year?

We were a #3 seed in 2004.

(11-01-2021 08:43 AM)Tribal Wrote:  #21 and FCS Team of the Week!

https://twitter.com/craighaley/status/14...41312?s=21

I'm not sure that tweet is active any more -- just now it didn't work for me. Anyway, in it Craig Haley named W&M the Team of the Week. I guess he just changed his mind. Here is what he wrote in his weekly awards article:

"NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK

Northern Iowa (23-16 win over then-No. 3 Southern Illinois)

UNI (5-3) beat a top 10 team for the second consecutive week and, incredibly, the 42nd time since 1985. The Panthers, who won at South Dakota State a week earlier, overcame a 13-3 deficit, going ahead for the first time 20-16 on Theo Day’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Fourtenbary late in the third quarter. Matthew Cook kicked three field goals, while defensive end Caden Houghtelling had a fumble recovery and an interception."

The reasons that substituting Northern Iowa for W&M is a crock are these:

1. N. Iowa was at home. William and Mary won on the road.
2. N. Iowa itself was already ranked (16). W&M was unranked.
3. N. Iowa scraped by in a close win. W&M pummeled Villanova and only a late game "prevent" (ha) defense allowed 'Nova to score as many points as they did.

Missouri Valley Football Conference bias anyone? Trying to ensure 5 teams make it out of the MVFC? Padding the UNI reputation just in case they suffer another loss down the stretch?

Edit: One of you folks who have twitter should call out Haley on this.

I'm not sure what you're looking at...

I still see that tweet as well as the article (https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...eek-9-2021) that has W&M as the team of the week.

If you go to his main Twitter page, he has the article about W&M pinned at the top of his page.

(11-02-2021 01:25 PM)wml33t Wrote:  I'm not sure what you're looking at...

I still see that tweet as well as the article (https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...eek-9-2021) that has W&M as the team of the week.

If you go to his main Twitter page, he has the article about W&M pinned at the top of his page.

I'm looking at this article (sorry, a minute ago I copied the wrong article).

https://theanalyst.com/na/2021/11/shahee...-9-awards/

on this website

https://theanalyst.com/na/sport/american-football/fcs/

I don't know why suddenly I can't read tweets. This happened once before for about a week and then it mysteriously cleared up.

VERY INTERESTING that the same writer (Craig Haley) is writing for two different websites (Athlon and theanalyst) and saying two very different things on them.

Yeah, ok, that's a bit weird.

The current FCS bracketology has us facing VMI in the play in game for the right to travel up to play #1 NDSU. Fun times.

https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2021...ns-9-bzbz/

(11-02-2021 02:14 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  The current FCS bracketology has us facing VMI in the play in game for the right to travel up to play #1 NDSU. Fun times.

https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2021...ns-9-bzbz/

It's way too early for these predictions -- although I acknowledge that these guys have to write something to earn their paychecks.

Since I think that W&M will win out and be the CAA champs, that would make any predictions without W&M being the champ to be non-starters.

Obviously, the CAA champ should most likely be one of the four top seeds. What interests me is that the writer thinks the CAA auto-qualifier will be Villanova. I don't know if that is because Nova beat JMU (and the writer assumes that JMU beats W&M) or because JMU might be ruled ineligible for the auto because they are moving to the FBS. Even if JMU beats the Tribe, if they are ruled ineligible then W&M could still get the auto if Nova loses another CAA game (because, obviously, W&M has the head-to-head tiebreaker over Nova). A 3-way tie between JMU, Nova, and W&M is unlikely because either JMU or W&M will lose in two weeks and I expect these teams to win their other games (although it would be good if Nova lost to Delaware).