FB: Region 4 fan poll

[USee]

I think we never talk about (and don't want to believe) a dynamic that I absolutely believe is in play with these regional rankings and that is the bias of the committee members. It was alluded to that Northwestern may well be ranked in the West due to the presence of 2 Midwest Conference reps on the West RAC. I think the rankings in general, where the criteria do not give a definitive answer, have this bias present.

I don't know for sure but I would not be at all surprised if, for example, Wheaton reps contacted Mike Yeager and Chris Martin and lobbied for the ranking of IWU to support Wheaton's Pool C bid. I would be fairly sure the presence of two OAC voters has something to do with JCU's placement on the list as well. Going back, I know in 2008 there was a flurry of activity by Wheaton coaches to committee members to get a 2-loss Wheaton ranked ahead of a 2 loss Wooster (When Wooster was ahead of Wheaton in the final public rankings and both won in the final week). As much as we don't want to admit it, this stuff happens and when the criteria don't match the result, you can usually bet it's the result of lobbying and biases.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Back to the drawing board for this week's ballot - UMU just lost (at home, no less) to JCU, 31-28.

[smedindy]

Through no fault of IWU, I dropped them.

I did rank DPU, but behind Denison and Wabash. The loss to OWU I think offset it, plus they played a short-handed Denison offense. Frankly, from 6-12 are so even.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Through no fault of IWU, I dropped them.

I did rank DPU, but behind Denison and Wabash. The loss to OWU I think offset it, plus they played a short-handed Denison offense. Frankly, from 6-12 are so even.

Agreed.  I might even make it 6-13, adding Carthage.  But I raised IWU, from 9 to 8.

I've been voting in the NRFP since it began.  Tonight was the first ever ballot where The Machine was not at the top.

[Captain_Joe08]

Through no fault of IWU, I dropped them.

I did rank DPU, but behind Denison and Wabash. The loss to OWU I think offset it, plus they played a short-handed Denison offense. Frankly, from 6-12 are so even.

Agreed.  I might even make it 6-13, adding Carthage.  But I raised IWU, from 9 to 8.

I've been voting in the NRFP since it began.  Tonight was the first ever ballot where The Machine was not at the top.

I think every pollster will be doing a few shots doing their ballot this week (including myself). 

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Team A: 8-1; 1-1 RRO; .494 SoS
Team B: 9-1; 0-1 RRO; .490 SoS
Sadly we don't use the names Team A and Team B instead it's Franklin and Mount Union.

There was more carnage than I expected so there's still a faint glimmer of hope. The committee has given Franklin some favorable looks letting them host 1st rounds unexpectedly.
Just let me dream

[wesleydad]

Team A: 8-1; 1-1 RRO; .494 SoS
Team B: 9-1; 0-1 RRO; .490 SoS
Sadly we don't use the names Team A and Team B instead it's Franklin and Mount Union.

There was more carnage than I expected so there's still a faint glimmer of hope. The committee has given Franklin some favorable looks letting them host 1st rounds unexpectedly.
Just let me dream

And if most dont think team A has a chance to get in then Team B probably should not get in either.

[Li'l Giant]

I worked on my ballot as I usually do over breakfast tacos and coffee. It feels weird not having Mount Union at the top. I'm sure it won't last too long, though. I'm curious how far UMU fell on the other ballots and that discussion should be interesting.

Team A: 8-1; 1-1 RRO; .494 SoS
Team B: 9-1; 0-1 RRO; .490 SoS
Sadly we don't use the names Team A and Team B instead it's Franklin and Mount Union.

There was more carnage than I expected so there's still a faint glimmer of hope. The committee has given Franklin some favorable looks letting them host 1st rounds unexpectedly.
Just let me dream

I'd love to see what y'all could do in the tourney.

It sucks to be sitting this one out but there stand to be some good matchups of North playoff teams. I guess we'll see in a few hours.

It was great voting in this poll again this year. I'm sorry I didn't spend as much time discussing as I have before (or maybe y'all should be thanking me  ) but work has been a zoo this season. Thanks again to my long time amigo Wally Wabash for doing this.

[HScoach]

I've tried multiple times to tell everyone that this isn't a typical Mount team.   You'd have to go back to the very early LK years to find a Mount team this average.   Without "Raiders" across their chests, you wouldn't recognize them.

JCU is a pretty decent team, but don't start thinking this is JCU circa 2002 that's entering the playoffs.  Without seeing the draw, I'd think both Mount and JCU will be very fortunate to win more than 1 playoff game.

[smedindy]

It's hard to really see that from the outside, HScoach. We should have realized that the OAC was pretty tepid this year. I think they're well behind the WIAC, MIAC, E8 and NJAC this year, at the least. Maybe others.

But we didn't believe it until it was too late, almost.

If any year the NCAC could play the OAC pretty even, it was this one. Not that Mt. Union couldn't beat Wabash / DPU / Denison, but it wouldn't be a rout. Same with Witt and JCU. And I think the Wabash / Denison / DPU trio could beat anyone else in the OAC.

I wish this D-3 college football season could just go on...

[USee]

It is always interesting to see the reaction pollsters have when a top team loses. I suspected the reaction to Mt Union losing (#1-#7)would be to glorify JCU (from #16-#6)when it may actually be that both teams are more average than anyone thinks. We will know soon.

[Dr. Acula]

Just submitted my ballot.  It was surprisingly easier than I expected.

[Dr. Acula]

I've tried multiple times to tell everyone that this isn't a typical Mount team.   You'd have to go back to the very early LK years to find a Mount team this average.   Without "Raiders" across their chests, you wouldn't recognize them.

JCU is a pretty decent team, but don't start thinking this is JCU circa 2002 that's entering the playoffs.  Without seeing the draw, I'd think both Mount and JCU will be very fortunate to win more than 1 playoff game.

I think Mount lucked out on the draw big time.  They can win that region and that's not something I was expecting to say prior to the bracket coming out.

In other NR match ups, I'm excited to see how Witt does against TMC.  That's a good game.  And a looming CCIW rematch in round 2 is fun as well.

[wally_wabash]

I'm at a conference this week for work, gang.  I'll try to get this up tomorrow as usual, but no promises.  We might have some delay. 

And I think TMC beats the brakes off of Witt. 

[wally_wabash]

Sorry for the delay this week.  We'll do one more at the end of the tournament. 

Week 11 NRFP:



The NRFP is voted on by: Captain_Joe08, Dr. Acula, FCGrizzliesGrad, Li'l Giant, Mr Ypsi, NCF,  smedindy, USee, and wally wabash.