Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
In the FCS Huddle: Numbers don't lie for FCS playoff teams
By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - You sometimes hear people in sports utter the phrase, "Statistics are for losers."
You might know some of those Thanksgiving turkeys.
While it's true that sometimes statistics add up to puzzling numbers, the 20 teams that are headed to the FCS playoffs will agree some of their favorite stats have turned them into winners this season.
As the playoffs begin this weekend, with four first-round games, here are statistics that the qualifiers hope to build on while they travel The Road to Frisco:
Albany - Behind quarterback Dan DiLella, Albany ranks No. 1 in the Northeast Conference and No. 9 in the FCS in passing efficiency at 153.48. The Great Danes have thrown for 28 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. DiLella has completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 24 TDs and eight interceptions.
Appalachian State - The Mountaineers don't plan to beat themselves. Their 48 penalties are the fewest among the playoff teams. At less than 4.4 per game, they rank sixth in the FCS.
Central Arkansas - The Bears have had a plus turnover margin for seven straight seasons, but this year's has been the best during that time. They are plus-12, which ranks 12th nationally.
Eastern Kentucky - The trend for the Colonels in recent seasons also is turnover margin. With a minus total, they're mediocre. With a plus number - like plus-16 this season - they've had big seasons. They're tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin.
Georgia Southern - Indeed only Wofford's rushing game has been better than the Eagles' triple option in the FCS. But what gives the Eagles good field position and keeps the offense going plays a big part in their success. Their 26.2-yard kickoff return average - thanks, Laron Scott - ranks third nationally and their 48.8-percent third-down efficiency (62 of 127) ranks fifth.
James Madison - Put up your Dukes and play defense. In rugged CAA Football, coach Mickey Matthews' squad ranks first in rushing defense (95.5 ypg), total defense (305 ypg), scoring defense (19.3 ppg) and first downs allowed (186).
Lehigh - The Mountain Hawks defy the fact that playoff teams think run first. Behind quarterback Chris Lum, they are the only playoff team among the top 13 in the FCS in passing offense, ranking fourth with 342.4 yards per game. In contrast, seven of the top 13 teams in rushing offense are in the playoffs.
Maine - Opponents struggle to pass against the Black Bears. Buoyed by both a strong pass rush and secondary, they lead the CAA in passing defense (190 ypg) and are second in pass defense efficiency (112.3) and interceptions (17).
Montana - Hulking tackle Jon Opperud and the Grizzlies protect their quarterbacks. They have thrown the ball 338 times, but allowed only eight sacks. Among playoffs teams, that's only one sack fewer than Georgia Southern and Wofford, a pair of option teams which have combined for only 209 pass attempts.
Montana State - No playoff team gets after opposing quarterbacks more than the Bobcats. They have collected 38 sacks, led by sophomore defensive end Brad Daly's 10. They've allowed only 14 sacks.
New Hampshire - Redshirt senior quarterback Kevin Decker has fueled the CAA leader in total offense. At 441.9 yards per game, the Wildcats also rank eighth in the FCS.
Norfolk State - Two is better than one as the Spartans have kicked a FCS- leading 25 field goals. Ryan Estep is nearly automatic under 40 yards (20 of 21) and Everett Goldberg is 5 of 8 from 40-plus. They've combined to make 25 of 29 attempts (86.2 percent).
North Dakota State - Opponents can't beat the 10-1 Bison if they can't score. In the FCS, only unbeaten Sam Houston State has allowed fewer points and touchdowns than the Bison, who have allowed 14.9 points per game. Four of their first five opponents scored 10 or fewer points.
Northern Iowa - When the Panthers get to the red zone, they know what to do with the ball. They have scored 94.6 percent of the time - on 35 of 37 opportunities - to lead the nation. It's includes 25 touchdowns.
Old Dominion - The Monarchs have the punting game down. Jonathan Plisco's 46.1-yard average ranks second in the nation, which leads to the Monarchs' 37.8-yard net average (ninth nationally). On punt returns, they lead the CAA in punt return yards (240), punt return average (10.4) and punt return touchdowns (two).
Sam Houston State - It's easy to think running back Timothy Flanders first with the Bearkats, but their ability to stop the run is second to none in the FCS. They have allowed a mere 59 rushing yards per game on a minuscule 2.3 yards per carry. The No. 1 playoff seed also has the nation's top scoring defense (12.6 ppg) and is No. 2 with a plus-24 turnover margin.
Stony Brook - Let's play pinball (oops, does that show our age? OK, PlayStation). The Seawolves lead the FCS in scoring offense (39.6 ppg) and touchdowns (59). Running backs Miguel Maysonet and Brock Jackolski have scored 16 touchdowns each.
Tennessee Tech - The Golden Eagles don't punt often, but when they do, they do it right. Nick Campbell has a pedestrian 39.6-yard average, but the Golden Eagles' net total of 37.6 yards per punt is first in the Ohio Valley Conference and 10th in the FCS. Only nine punts have been returned for 29 yards, a 3.2-yard average that is sixth-best nationally.
Towson - You try stopping Terrance West on third down. The Tigers lead the nation in third-down efficiency, converting 74 of 140 attempts for 52.9 percent. They're even better on fourth downs - 13 of 22, or 59.1 percent.
Wofford - Wingbone right, wingbone left, wingbone up the middle. The Terriers, behind junior fullback Eric Breitenstein, rank No. 1 nationally in rushing yards per game (356.2). That's 37.5 yards per game better than the No. 2 team, Georgia Southern, and a whopping 68.8 yards better than No. 3 Stony Brook.
COACHING CAROUSEL
The list of head coaching openings at FCS schools is growing.
Bob Spoo retired at Eastern Illinois and Ron McBride retired at Weber State, while six others have been let go in the last two weeks: Western Carolina's Dennis Wagner, Fordham's Tom Masella, Columbia's Norries Wilson, Massachusetts' Kevin Morris, Southeastern Louisiana's Mike Lucas and South Dakota's Ed Meierkort.
Of course, UMass is leaving the FCS for the Bowl Subdivision next year.
The most surprising move is South Dakota's. Meierkort's contract wasn't renewed despite the Coyotes going 54-35 in his eight seasons.
Richmond also will be interviewing candidates. It seems doubtful that interim head coach Wayne Lineburg will keep the job after going 3-8 this year, with eight straight CAA losses to end the season.
FCS AWARDS
Finalists for all four FCS national awards were announced this week. The awards page can be found at: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= cfoot2/fcsawards/index.aspx
FCS PLAYOFF PROJECTION
In the FCS Huddle has been projecting the FCS playoff field every week since the preseason. Here's our predictions for the playoffs: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf
JUST THE PICKS
Last Week's Record: 43-15 (.741)
Season Record: 573-198 (.743)
X-Predicted Winner
All Times EST
Thursday, Nov. 24
88th Turkey Day Bowl at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Ala.
Tuskegee (4-5) at X-Alabama State (7-3), 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 26
NCAA Division I FCS Playoff First Round
X-No. 17 James Madison (7-4) at Eastern Kentucky (7-4), noon
No. 19 Norfolk State (9-2) at X-No. 10 Old Dominion (9-2), 1:30 p.m.
Albany (8-3) at X-No. 22 Stony Brook (8-3), 2 p.m.
X-No. 15 Central Arkansas (8-3) at No. 21 Tennessee Tech (7-4), 3 p.m.
XXXVIII Bayou Classic at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
Southern (4-6) at X-Grambling State (6-4), 2 p.m.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - You sometimes hear people in sports utter the phrase, "Statistics are for losers."
You might know some of those Thanksgiving turkeys.
While it's true that sometimes statistics add up to puzzling numbers, the 20 teams that are headed to the FCS playoffs will agree some of their favorite stats have turned them into winners this season.
As the playoffs begin this weekend, with four first-round games, here are statistics that the qualifiers hope to build on while they travel The Road to Frisco:
Albany - Behind quarterback Dan DiLella, Albany ranks No. 1 in the Northeast Conference and No. 9 in the FCS in passing efficiency at 153.48. The Great Danes have thrown for 28 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. DiLella has completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 24 TDs and eight interceptions.
Appalachian State - The Mountaineers don't plan to beat themselves. Their 48 penalties are the fewest among the playoff teams. At less than 4.4 per game, they rank sixth in the FCS.
Central Arkansas - The Bears have had a plus turnover margin for seven straight seasons, but this year's has been the best during that time. They are plus-12, which ranks 12th nationally.
Eastern Kentucky - The trend for the Colonels in recent seasons also is turnover margin. With a minus total, they're mediocre. With a plus number - like plus-16 this season - they've had big seasons. They're tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin.
Georgia Southern - Indeed only Wofford's rushing game has been better than the Eagles' triple option in the FCS. But what gives the Eagles good field position and keeps the offense going plays a big part in their success. Their 26.2-yard kickoff return average - thanks, Laron Scott - ranks third nationally and their 48.8-percent third-down efficiency (62 of 127) ranks fifth.
James Madison - Put up your Dukes and play defense. In rugged CAA Football, coach Mickey Matthews' squad ranks first in rushing defense (95.5 ypg), total defense (305 ypg), scoring defense (19.3 ppg) and first downs allowed (186).
Lehigh - The Mountain Hawks defy the fact that playoff teams think run first. Behind quarterback Chris Lum, they are the only playoff team among the top 13 in the FCS in passing offense, ranking fourth with 342.4 yards per game. In contrast, seven of the top 13 teams in rushing offense are in the playoffs.
Maine - Opponents struggle to pass against the Black Bears. Buoyed by both a strong pass rush and secondary, they lead the CAA in passing defense (190 ypg) and are second in pass defense efficiency (112.3) and interceptions (17).
Montana - Hulking tackle Jon Opperud and the Grizzlies protect their quarterbacks. They have thrown the ball 338 times, but allowed only eight sacks. Among playoffs teams, that's only one sack fewer than Georgia Southern and Wofford, a pair of option teams which have combined for only 209 pass attempts.
Montana State - No playoff team gets after opposing quarterbacks more than the Bobcats. They have collected 38 sacks, led by sophomore defensive end Brad Daly's 10. They've allowed only 14 sacks.
New Hampshire - Redshirt senior quarterback Kevin Decker has fueled the CAA leader in total offense. At 441.9 yards per game, the Wildcats also rank eighth in the FCS.
Norfolk State - Two is better than one as the Spartans have kicked a FCS- leading 25 field goals. Ryan Estep is nearly automatic under 40 yards (20 of 21) and Everett Goldberg is 5 of 8 from 40-plus. They've combined to make 25 of 29 attempts (86.2 percent).
North Dakota State - Opponents can't beat the 10-1 Bison if they can't score. In the FCS, only unbeaten Sam Houston State has allowed fewer points and touchdowns than the Bison, who have allowed 14.9 points per game. Four of their first five opponents scored 10 or fewer points.
Northern Iowa - When the Panthers get to the red zone, they know what to do with the ball. They have scored 94.6 percent of the time - on 35 of 37 opportunities - to lead the nation. It's includes 25 touchdowns.
Old Dominion - The Monarchs have the punting game down. Jonathan Plisco's 46.1-yard average ranks second in the nation, which leads to the Monarchs' 37.8-yard net average (ninth nationally). On punt returns, they lead the CAA in punt return yards (240), punt return average (10.4) and punt return touchdowns (two).
Sam Houston State - It's easy to think running back Timothy Flanders first with the Bearkats, but their ability to stop the run is second to none in the FCS. They have allowed a mere 59 rushing yards per game on a minuscule 2.3 yards per carry. The No. 1 playoff seed also has the nation's top scoring defense (12.6 ppg) and is No. 2 with a plus-24 turnover margin.
Stony Brook - Let's play pinball (oops, does that show our age? OK, PlayStation). The Seawolves lead the FCS in scoring offense (39.6 ppg) and touchdowns (59). Running backs Miguel Maysonet and Brock Jackolski have scored 16 touchdowns each.
Tennessee Tech - The Golden Eagles don't punt often, but when they do, they do it right. Nick Campbell has a pedestrian 39.6-yard average, but the Golden Eagles' net total of 37.6 yards per punt is first in the Ohio Valley Conference and 10th in the FCS. Only nine punts have been returned for 29 yards, a 3.2-yard average that is sixth-best nationally.
Towson - You try stopping Terrance West on third down. The Tigers lead the nation in third-down efficiency, converting 74 of 140 attempts for 52.9 percent. They're even better on fourth downs - 13 of 22, or 59.1 percent.
Wofford - Wingbone right, wingbone left, wingbone up the middle. The Terriers, behind junior fullback Eric Breitenstein, rank No. 1 nationally in rushing yards per game (356.2). That's 37.5 yards per game better than the No. 2 team, Georgia Southern, and a whopping 68.8 yards better than No. 3 Stony Brook.
COACHING CAROUSEL
The list of head coaching openings at FCS schools is growing.
Bob Spoo retired at Eastern Illinois and Ron McBride retired at Weber State, while six others have been let go in the last two weeks: Western Carolina's Dennis Wagner, Fordham's Tom Masella, Columbia's Norries Wilson, Massachusetts' Kevin Morris, Southeastern Louisiana's Mike Lucas and South Dakota's Ed Meierkort.
Of course, UMass is leaving the FCS for the Bowl Subdivision next year.
The most surprising move is South Dakota's. Meierkort's contract wasn't renewed despite the Coyotes going 54-35 in his eight seasons.
Richmond also will be interviewing candidates. It seems doubtful that interim head coach Wayne Lineburg will keep the job after going 3-8 this year, with eight straight CAA losses to end the season.
FCS AWARDS
Finalists for all four FCS national awards were announced this week. The awards page can be found at: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= cfoot2/fcsawards/index.aspx
FCS PLAYOFF PROJECTION
In the FCS Huddle has been projecting the FCS playoff field every week since the preseason. Here's our predictions for the playoffs: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf
JUST THE PICKS
Last Week's Record: 43-15 (.741)
Season Record: 573-198 (.743)
X-Predicted Winner
All Times EST
Thursday, Nov. 24
88th Turkey Day Bowl at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Ala.
Tuskegee (4-5) at X-Alabama State (7-3), 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 26
NCAA Division I FCS Playoff First Round
X-No. 17 James Madison (7-4) at Eastern Kentucky (7-4), noon
No. 19 Norfolk State (9-2) at X-No. 10 Old Dominion (9-2), 1:30 p.m.
Albany (8-3) at X-No. 22 Stony Brook (8-3), 2 p.m.
X-No. 15 Central Arkansas (8-3) at No. 21 Tennessee Tech (7-4), 3 p.m.
XXXVIII Bayou Classic at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
Southern (4-6) at X-Grambling State (6-4), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
FCS playoffs broadcast information
ESPN owns the broadcast and streaming rights to all 19 games of the 2011 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, which start Saturday, Nov. 26, with four first-round games and conclude Saturday, Jan. 7, with the national championship game at Frisco, Texas.
All 19 games will be available on ESPN3.com, ESPN’s online network that is currently available to 70 million homes through affiliated service providers. A list of those providers can be foundhere.
ESPN3 is also available to 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel through computers connected to on-campus and on-base networks. The University of Montana’s campus network supports ESPN3.com.
ESPN will also broadcast select playoff games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU.
James Madison’s first-round game at Eastern Kentucky Saturday will be aired on ESPNU, but all eight second-round games on Saturday, Dec. 3, when No. 4 Montana hosts either Tennessee Tech or Central Arkansas, will only be available on ESPN3.com.
Local stations will not be showing second-round games.
One of the four national quarterfinal games will be played on Friday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. (MT) and will be aired nationally, as will another quarterfinal game on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 12:30 p.m. (MT).
The other two quarterfinal games will only be available through ESPN3.com.
The national semifinal games, which will be played Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, will both be broadcast.
The semifinal game on the 16th will be played at 6 p.m. (MT) and shown on ESPN2. The second semifinal will be played on the 17th at 12:30 p.m. (MT) and broadcast on ESPNU.
The national championship game will be played Saturday, Jan. 7. The game kicks off at 11 a.m. (MT) and will be shown on ESPN2.
Additional questions about ESPN3 and its affiliated service providers can be answered by ESPN Customer Care at 1-888-549-3776 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. (MT).
Montana Sports Information -- GoGriz.com
All 19 games will be available on ESPN3.com, ESPN’s online network that is currently available to 70 million homes through affiliated service providers. A list of those providers can be foundhere.
ESPN3 is also available to 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel through computers connected to on-campus and on-base networks. The University of Montana’s campus network supports ESPN3.com.
ESPN will also broadcast select playoff games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU.
James Madison’s first-round game at Eastern Kentucky Saturday will be aired on ESPNU, but all eight second-round games on Saturday, Dec. 3, when No. 4 Montana hosts either Tennessee Tech or Central Arkansas, will only be available on ESPN3.com.
Local stations will not be showing second-round games.
One of the four national quarterfinal games will be played on Friday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. (MT) and will be aired nationally, as will another quarterfinal game on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 12:30 p.m. (MT).
The other two quarterfinal games will only be available through ESPN3.com.
The national semifinal games, which will be played Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, will both be broadcast.
The semifinal game on the 16th will be played at 6 p.m. (MT) and shown on ESPN2. The second semifinal will be played on the 17th at 12:30 p.m. (MT) and broadcast on ESPNU.
The national championship game will be played Saturday, Jan. 7. The game kicks off at 11 a.m. (MT) and will be shown on ESPN2.
Additional questions about ESPN3 and its affiliated service providers can be answered by ESPN Customer Care at 1-888-549-3776 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. (MT).
Montana Sports Information -- GoGriz.com
CSN West: West Playoff Selection Almost as Expected
By Kent Schmidt
CSN West columnist
College Sporting News
First, the following are the seeded teams in the 20-team tournament from the West—
#1 Seed—Sam Houston State
#2 Seed—North Dakota State
#4 Seed—Montana
#5 Seed—Northern Iowa
Other West teams in the playoffs:
Montana State-Bye First Round and Host Second Round
Central Arkansas-Play First Round on the Road
The one surprise I had was Eastern Kentucky getting in and Illinois State begin left out.
Somehow Illinois State despite the same record as Eastern Kentucky lost out. It might be the common opponent of Eastern Illinois that may have done in the Redbirds.
EKU defeated EIU later in the season and Illinois State lost at EIU in their opener. EKU was not even ranked in the final modified GPI Top 25 so it is a bit surprising. To note, Illinois State was ranked #19 after their overtime loss to Northern Iowa.
Other than that, I thought the seeds were well deserved and about what I thought they would be overall.
To note, the only non-West seed is Georgia Southern at the #3 spot.
Who will the six West teams be playing?
We only know three definite games right now.
First Round—Central Arkansas @ Tennessee Tech
Second Round—New Hampshire @ Montana State
Second Round—Wofford @ #5 Northern Iowa
The other three games will pit the first round victors at the other seeds.
Second Round—Stony Brook or Albany @ #1 Sam Houston State
Second Round—Eastern Kentucky or James Madison @ #2 North Dakota State
Second Round—Central Arkansas or Tennessee Tech @ #4 Montana
What are my early thoughts on how the field will go?
As you can see with the seeds, it could be two West teams that play each other in the title game and on one side of the bracket there are three seeds all from the West so the chances are pretty good that side will see a West team advance of either Northern Iowa, Montana, or Sam Houston State. Montana State is also on this side.
On this side, I could see a Montana – Montana State rematch in the semi-finals.
The other side has North Dakota State as the #2 seed and would have to advance to the title game to have my dream of two West teams playing each other come true.
I think this might be possible. NDSU will see a near sellout for all games in the Fargodome. It might be fate that Georgia Southern and NDSU are bracketed together as the two teams had been scheduled to play an early season game this year but the Eagles backed out in favor of a home game.
So, I think the NDSU – Montana championship could be in order. Both teams have great home field advantages and I believe have teams that can win in the playoffs.
This border title game may bring back memories to many of the older Griz and Bison fans of bowl games in the late 1960s and early 1970s in what was the old College Division of football, before playoffs and the current divisions were introduced.
But we shall see. There are twenty teams and around 16, I believe, could have a realistic chance at getting hot and going all the way to Frisco.
The next month and a half should be fun to see how this really plays out.
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