East Region Playoff Discussion

[pg04]

What did we Sow?  Had fisher been in the playoffs they would have gotten their a$$ handed to them just like the 3 teams that actually did.. I'm not sure the point. 

[SJFF82]

What did we Sow?  Had fisher been in the playoffs they would have gotten their a$$ handed to them just like the 3 teams that actually did.. I'm not sure the point. 

that is clear....like Booby said, there were posters who went on the offensive about how they didnt want to see Fisher 'take up the East's cause' this year.  They all wanted AU.   AU didnt make it out of Rd1.

The point is that those other teams did no better than the one nobody wanted.  Dont turn it around from what it was and claim Fisher would have gotten sliced also.

But....where is Fisher in the Final ERFP I wonder....certainly could argue 2 behind Albright.

[pg04]

You did do a good job of reminding me to inform everyone to get their end of year polls in! 

[Frank Rossi]

 "Turn out the lights, the party's over"  Dan"d"y Don Meredith

Somebody at the Mount better find a throwing QB quick before Mount's party is over.  Strange day yesterday in Alliance.

[rams1102]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Montclair fan and one who made the trip to see the Red Hawks play in the second round of the NCAA'S in Alliance, below are my thoughts on D3 Football and the East Region, below :

As far as D3 Football there are (2) teams in a league of their own. Whitewater and Mount Union. They would beat the balance of the Top 25 10 of 10 or 9 of 10 times. Then there is a group of approx 8 teams that are close but not yet at their level. Linfield, Wesley, Whittenberg, MHB, Central, St. John's, Wabash and N.Central. Then the balance of the Top 25 are Jeckel and Hyde teams. As a Montclair fan who bitched about our QB and the weak "O", we scored the most points against Mount Union in the playoffs (they came in the 1st half) with the exception ow Whitewater. Who would have thunk that. I did not expect (7) picks. I also complained about the NJAC 100 man roster limit, but I just read that it also applies to Whitewater and the balance of the Wisconsin conference.

I think it's going to be a while until you see a dominent team like Rowan again in the East but time will tell. When the Top (4) teams in the country do not include the East, that's why you see Mount Union coming over. There are some teams in the East that may have a chance once in a while, but not on a consistant basis, I'm not sure. That's what makes D3 Football so exciting. I will cut and paste this to the NJAC Board and wait for any comments.

Everybody Have A Safe And Healthy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SJFF82]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Montclair fan and one who made the trip to see the Red Hawks play in the second round of the NCAA'S in Alliance, below are my thoughts on D3 Football and the East Region, below :

As far as D3 Football there are (2) teams in a league of their own. Whitewater and Mount Union. They would beat the balance of the Top 25 10 of 10 or 9 of 10 times. Then there is a group of approx 8 teams that are close but not yet at their level. Linfield, Wesley, Whittenberg, MHB, Central, St. John's, Wabash and N.Central. Then the balance of the Top 25 are Jeckel and Hyde teams. As a Montclair fan who bitched about our QB and the weak "O", we scored the most points against Mount Union in the playoffs (they came in the 1st half) with the exception ow Whitewater. Who would have thunk that. I did not expect (7) picks. I also complained about the NJAC 100 man roster limit, but I just read that it also applies to Whitewater and the balance of the Wisconsin conference.

I think it's going to be a while until you see a dominent team like Rowan again in the East but time will tell. When the Top (4) teams in the country do not include the East, that's why you see Mount Union coming over. There are some teams in the East that may have a chance once in a while, but not on a consistant basis, I'm not sure. That's what makes D3 Football so exciting. I will cut and paste this to the NJAC Board and wait for any comments.

Everybody Have A Safe And Healthy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry xmas and happy new year to you as well.

My only comment, as I agree with virtually everything you 'said' is that the 4 #1's should not automatically be a reflection of the Top 4 in the poll as we have now seen 2 consecutive years a number 1 exit early due to this theory of 'we have to move MUC to the East to pave the way for the 4 #1's.

Only MUC and UWW have earned this benefit of the doubt. In 2009, do we really know that St. Johns was better than DVC or Albright?.  How bout in 2008? Wasnt Bethel a 7 seed in the North that year that beat St Johns and advanced all the way to the semis.

Rowan lost 5 times in the Stagg in the 90's, yet one could argue the only reason they made it that far is cuz they didnt have to face MUC until that point.  I do realize that during one run they beat MUC on the way, but I am just wondering aloud in the silence of the off season here.

If we all agree that MUC and UWW are the perrennial locks for the Stagg, and that MUC should always be shipped East, then the only conclusion is that no true East team will ever get a crack to be the next Rowan.

Look for example at the final Top25:  Albright and DVC are just a few spots behind St. Johns, who was a number 1.  We all know the parity in the rankings once you get past the 2 gods.  Yet hands down everyone argued that the 4 #1's have to go to the Top 4?  Well was St. Johns really a top 4?  Guess not.

[dlippiel]

dlip feels we are in desperate need of a "Beast of the East" to arrive upon the scene soon and challenge the level of Eastern play to make a move towards that next level. Overall dlip feels the East beats the **** out of itself year in and year out while playing a high level of football. Unfortunately for us east region fans this "level" just is not measuring up to the level of the top 5-10 teams in the nation on an annual basis. What can be done to change this? Topic of discussion.

[Pat Coleman]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Montclair fan and one who made the trip to see the Red Hawks play in the second round of the NCAA'S in Alliance, below are my thoughts on D3 Football and the East Region, below :

As far as D3 Football there are (2) teams in a league of their own. Whitewater and Mount Union. They would beat the balance of the Top 25 10 of 10 or 9 of 10 times. Then there is a group of approx 8 teams that are close but not yet at their level. Linfield, Wesley, Whittenberg, MHB, Central, St. John's, Wabash and N.Central. Then the balance of the Top 25 are Jeckel and Hyde teams. As a Montclair fan who bitched about our QB and the weak "O", we scored the most points against Mount Union in the playoffs (they came in the 1st half) with the exception ow Whitewater. Who would have thunk that. I did not expect (7) picks. I also complained about the NJAC 100 man roster limit, but I just read that it also applies to Whitewater and the balance of the Wisconsin conference.

I think it's going to be a while until you see a dominent team like Rowan again in the East but time will tell. When the Top (4) teams in the country do not include the East, that's why you see Mount Union coming over. There are some teams in the East that may have a chance once in a while, but not on a consistant basis, I'm not sure. That's what makes D3 Football so exciting. I will cut and paste this to the NJAC Board and wait for any comments.

Everybody Have A Safe And Healthy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry xmas and happy new year to you as well.

My only comment, as I agree with virtually everything you 'said' is that the 4 #1's should not automatically be a reflection of the Top 4 in the poll as we have now seen 2 consecutive years a number 1 exit early due to this theory of 'we have to move MUC to the East to pave the way for the 4 #1's.

Only MUC and UWW have earned this benefit of the doubt. In 2009, do we really know that St. Johns was better than DVC or Albright?.  How bout in 2008? Wasnt Bethel a 7 seed in the North that year that beat St Johns and advanced all the way to the semis.

Rowan lost 5 times in the Stagg in the 90's, yet one could argue the only reason they made it that far is cuz they didnt have to face MUC until that point.  I do realize that during one run they beat MUC on the way, but I am just wondering aloud in the silence of the off season here.

If we all agree that MUC and UWW are the perrennial locks for the Stagg, and that MUC should always be shipped East, then the only conclusion is that no true East team will ever get a crack to be the next Rowan.

Look for example at the final Top25:  Albright and DVC are just a few spots behind St. Johns, who was a number 1.  We all know the parity in the rankings once you get past the 2 gods.  Yet hands down everyone argued that the 4 #1's have to go to the Top 4?  Well was St. Johns really a top 4?  Guess not.

Rowan beat Mount Union in the semis in 1999 in Alliance. If you can't beat Mount Union in Alliance, I suspect it's pretty likely you can't beat UW-Whitewater in Salem.

[rams1102]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Montclair fan and one who made the trip to see the Red Hawks play in the second round of the NCAA'S in Alliance, below are my thoughts on D3 Football and the East Region, below :

As far as D3 Football there are (2) teams in a league of their own. Whitewater and Mount Union. They would beat the balance of the Top 25 10 of 10 or 9 of 10 times. Then there is a group of approx 8 teams that are close but not yet at their level. Linfield, Wesley, Whittenberg, MHB, Central, St. John's, Wabash and N.Central. Then the balance of the Top 25 are Jeckel and Hyde teams. As a Montclair fan who bitched about our QB and the weak "O", we scored the most points against Mount Union in the playoffs (they came in the 1st half) with the exception ow Whitewater. Who would have thunk that. I did not expect (7) picks. I also complained about the NJAC 100 man roster limit, but I just read that it also applies to Whitewater and the balance of the Wisconsin conference.

I think it's going to be a while until you see a dominent team like Rowan again in the East but time will tell. When the Top (4) teams in the country do not include the East, that's why you see Mount Union coming over. There are some teams in the East that may have a chance once in a while, but not on a consistant basis, I'm not sure. That's what makes D3 Football so exciting. I will cut and paste this to the NJAC Board and wait for any comments.

Everybody Have A Safe And Healthy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry xmas and happy new year to you as well.

My only comment, as I agree with virtually everything you 'said' is that the 4 #1's should not automatically be a reflection of the Top 4 in the poll as we have now seen 2 consecutive years a number 1 exit early due to this theory of 'we have to move MUC to the East to pave the way for the 4 #1's.

Only MUC and UWW have earned this benefit of the doubt. In 2009, do we really know that St. Johns was better than DVC or Albright?.  How bout in 2008? Wasnt Bethel a 7 seed in the North that year that beat St Johns and advanced all the way to the semis.

Rowan lost 5 times in the Stagg in the 90's, yet one could argue the only reason they made it that far is cuz they didnt have to face MUC until that point.  I do realize that during one run they beat MUC on the way, but I am just wondering aloud in the silence of the off season here.

If we all agree that MUC and UWW are the perrennial locks for the Stagg, and that MUC should always be shipped East, then the only conclusion is that no true East team will ever get a crack to be the next Rowan.

Look for example at the final Top25:  Albright and DVC are just a few spots behind St. Johns, who was a number 1.  We all know the parity in the rankings once you get past the 2 gods.  Yet hands down everyone argued that the 4 #1's have to go to the Top 4?  Well was St. Johns really a top 4?  Guess not.

IMHO St John's would beat Albright and Del Val during the season or during the playoffs this past year. There is no dominent team in the East and I'm not sure when it will happen again.

[rams1102]

dlip feels we are in desperate need of a "Beast of the East" to arrive upon the scene soon and challenge the level of Eastern play to make a move towards that next level. Overall dlip feels the East beats the **** out of itself year in and year out while playing a high level of football. Unfortunately for us east region fans this "level" just is not measuring up to the level of the top 5-10 teams in the nation on an annual basis. What can be done to change this? Topic of discussion.

Agree 110% with you. Maybe we can open a "Thread" What does the East need to do to become dominent. It may pass some time during the Winter, Spring and Summer until it's time for some football again.  If the schools in the East know their schedules now, they should post them or any part of them. Will Montclair play Wilkes, Rowan play Lycoming, Kean play Del Val? I know it's easier for the NJAC w/10 teams.

My first shot at the new thread would be to get Wesley into the NJAC. Maybe a 100 man varsity roster limit? It works for Whitewater.

[SJFF82]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Montclair fan and one who made the trip to see the Red Hawks play in the second round of the NCAA'S in Alliance, below are my thoughts on D3 Football and the East Region, below :

As far as D3 Football there are (2) teams in a league of their own. Whitewater and Mount Union. They would beat the balance of the Top 25 10 of 10 or 9 of 10 times. Then there is a group of approx 8 teams that are close but not yet at their level. Linfield, Wesley, Whittenberg, MHB, Central, St. John's, Wabash and N.Central. Then the balance of the Top 25 are Jeckel and Hyde teams. As a Montclair fan who bitched about our QB and the weak "O", we scored the most points against Mount Union in the playoffs (they came in the 1st half) with the exception ow Whitewater. Who would have thunk that. I did not expect (7) picks. I also complained about the NJAC 100 man roster limit, but I just read that it also applies to Whitewater and the balance of the Wisconsin conference.

I think it's going to be a while until you see a dominent team like Rowan again in the East but time will tell. When the Top (4) teams in the country do not include the East, that's why you see Mount Union coming over. There are some teams in the East that may have a chance once in a while, but not on a consistant basis, I'm not sure. That's what makes D3 Football so exciting. I will cut and paste this to the NJAC Board and wait for any comments.

Everybody Have A Safe And Healthy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry xmas and happy new year to you as well.

My only comment, as I agree with virtually everything you 'said' is that the 4 #1's should not automatically be a reflection of the Top 4 in the poll as we have now seen 2 consecutive years a number 1 exit early due to this theory of 'we have to move MUC to the East to pave the way for the 4 #1's.

Only MUC and UWW have earned this benefit of the doubt. In 2009, do we really know that St. Johns was better than DVC or Albright?.  How bout in 2008? Wasnt Bethel a 7 seed in the North that year that beat St Johns and advanced all the way to the semis.

Rowan lost 5 times in the Stagg in the 90's, yet one could argue the only reason they made it that far is cuz they didnt have to face MUC until that point.  I do realize that during one run they beat MUC on the way, but I am just wondering aloud in the silence of the off season here.

If we all agree that MUC and UWW are the perrennial locks for the Stagg, and that MUC should always be shipped East, then the only conclusion is that no true East team will ever get a crack to be the next Rowan.

Look for example at the final Top25:  Albright and DVC are just a few spots behind St. Johns, who was a number 1.  We all know the parity in the rankings once you get past the 2 gods.  Yet hands down everyone argued that the 4 #1's have to go to the Top 4?  Well was St. Johns really a top 4?  Guess not.

Rowan beat Mount Union in the semis in 1999 in Alliance. If you can't beat Mount Union in Alliance, I suspect it's pretty likely you can't beat UW-Whitewater in Salem.

I dont understand where this fits?  I acknowledged that Rowan beat MUC once.  My point was that had MUC been in the East all through the '90's, then likely, Rowan would never have advanced to the Stagg 5 times, thereby earning the title "Beast of the East".

Maybe I misunderstood your post?

[Pat Coleman]

My point was that in order to compete in the Stagg you have to be able to be good enough to beat Mount Union on the road. If your goal is merely to get to the Stagg and be blown out, then yes, avoiding Mount Union will get that done for you. But if you are good enough to win the Stagg then you are good enough to win at Alliance. They are not unbeatable.

[labart96]

Thought I'd resurrect this page given this week's ATN podcast and discussion of playoff possibilities.

Here's an attempt at an "eastern bracket".  Note I am assuming the following:

UWW will be #1 in the "West" or "North"
Wesley will be #1 in the "South" (while it is possible that Wesley could be moved into the "East", I don't think there is enough precedent to make MHB the #1 seed in the South.  Also, there are several candidates for the West or North brackets which makes it easier for the Committee to move MUC east)
A number of teams in the Top 25 (e.g., #4 St. Thomas, #6 North Central) could be viewed as potential #1 seeds for the "North" or "West" 

This would effectively keep a UWW-MUC rematch until the finals as the likely final four (assuming top seeds won out) would be Wesley vs. MUC and UWW vs. St. Thomas which are both travel friendly.

1.  MUC - there's precedence and given the fall out of unbeaten teams, especially if MSU loses, the Committee will fall back on MUC as the top seed in the "east"
2.  MSU - even with 10-0 finish I think they'd get a #2 and at least host throughout until the trip to Alliance given the preponderence of teams with strong records and SoS in other regions
3.  DVC - ironically the "best team in the East" (IMO) will have the toughest draw having to travel pretty much every game after the first round.  That said, I think DVC is the favorite to make it to the Regional Finals and give MUC a decent game.  Of course the NCAA ratings that come out on Wednesday may have them as #1 so who knows?
4.  Alfred - E8 champ will host a first round game at Merrill then travel to Alliance (if for w/e reason Merrill isn't "playoff ready", then Alfred would travel to Glassboro - this happened to Hobart one year)
5.  Rowan - in as the Pool C given overall strength of schedule
6.  WNEC - NEFC champ will travel to Doylestown (only ~230 miles).  If Maine Maritime wins the NEFC then some shuffling would occur given the closest team would be SLU which is just under 500 miles away from upper ME.
7.  SLU - LL champs travel the ~350 miles down to Montclair
8.  SJFC - given the assumption SUNY M and Norwich will have effectively eliminated each other from Pool B, Salisbury will be out at 8-2 (due to a loss to Wesley), I think a second E8 Pool C team is possible given the overall strength of the conference this season and the fact if SJFC wins out they are still likely a Top 25 team and certainly are familiar with the trip to Alliance.

[theoriginalupstate]

My prediction of the bracket...

1) MSU "A" (10-0)
2) DVC "A" (9-1)
3) Alfred "A" (9-1)
4) Rowan "C" (9-1)
5) Fisher "C" (9-1)
6) SUNY Maritime "B" (10-0)
7) St. Lawrence "A" (6-4)
8) WNEC "A" (10-1)

[labart96]

My prediction of the bracket...

1) MSU "A" (10-0)
2) DVC "A" (9-1)
3) Alfred "A" (9-1)
4) Rowan "C" (9-1)
5) Fisher "C" (9-1)
6) SUNY Maritime "B" (10-0)
7) St. Lawrence "A" (6-4)
8) WNEC "A" (10-1)

I hope you're right...it would be nice to have an "all east" playoff bracket...but I am not counting on it.