Pool C -- 2014

[MonroviaCat]

Do you think the West could so something so a 9-1 Carroll makes the board somehow? Or do they rank the MIAC, WIAC and NWC over them. They have a good SOS, but I can't think that a team that lost to Macalester is playoff worthy. (No offense, Scots, but, wow...)

The MWC did get two in a couple of years ago.

I was thinking about that. Kind of like a 1 loss Centre. But that one loss.....yikes. It should be noted that Carroll is rejoining the CCIW (I think for 2016 but not sure).

Would kind of depend on what Macalester does in the MWC championship, too. 

[wesleydad]

Looking at 2 loss teams that have an argument on whether they should be considered, I think Thomas More has as good an argument as anyone else.  Losses to Wesley #4 and Wash and Jeff #14 are better than most other 2 loss teams.  Trouble is they are 8 in RR for the South and they will never get to the board with 2 or 3 other teams currently ranked ahead of them that might not get off the board and there is no way they all get out of the way.  I don't think any of them lose next week so tough one for Thomas More.

[SaintsFAN]

Looking at 2 loss teams that have an argument on whether they should be considered, I think Thomas More has as good an argument as anyone else.  Losses to Wesley #4 and Wash and Jeff #14 are better than most other 2 loss teams.  Trouble is they are 8 in RR for the South and they will never get to the board with 2 or 3 other teams currently ranked ahead of them that might not get off the board and there is no way they all get out of the way.  I don't think any of them lose next week so tough one for Thomas More.

Agree completely - it's going to be a lot like my freshman year in 1995 when we finished 5th in the North Region.  Franklin had #1 (in the North) Hanover beat in The Victory Bell Game, but blew it late in the game.  We were one of 5 in the region to finish undefeated that year and it still stings. 

The loss to Wesley is understandable, I would've like to see them beat W&J and if not for losing our starting QB at the end of the 3rd Q in what was a 3 point game, we'll never know. 

I'm hoping for carnage with Muhlenberg, Centre and Texas Lutheran.  But really, if your defense gives up 82 in a game, should you be Regionally Ranked in the Top 10 for that season???

[smedindy]

TLU's SOS is pretty high, though. That and one loss is what's keeping TLU there.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

As of right now I believe there are 28 teams either undefeated or with 1 loss. Of that group here's who ends up in Pool C:
John Carroll or Mount Union
Delaware Valley or Widener
Muhlenberg
Carroll
Wabash
Emory & Henry
Pool B Centre (or Texas Lutheran)
Pool B Framingham St
Pool B Chicago

If a 2 loss team gets in they would have to get in before at least 4 of those. Going to be a long week of waiting and discussing rankings

[umhb2001]

TLU's SOS is pretty high, though. That and one loss is what's keeping TLU there.

Plus it gives UMHB a drive in for round 1. 

[SaintsFAN]

TLU's SOS is pretty high, though. That and one loss is what's keeping TLU there.

This is true.  I'm just reacting emotionally.   

[ITH radio]

We discuss the playoffs in detail in the "4th qtr" of last night's show (basically after the LL / ER centric interviews and discussion / Union WR Kyle Reynolds and previewing the Dutchmen Shoes game):

www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2014/11/10/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

[ExTartanPlayer]

As of right now I believe there are 28 teams either undefeated or with 1 loss. Of that group here's who ends up in Pool C:
John Carroll or Mount Union
Delaware Valley or Widener
Muhlenberg
Carroll
Wabash
Emory & Henry
Pool B Centre (or Texas Lutheran)
Pool B Framingham St
Pool B Chicago

If a 2 loss team gets in they would have to get in before at least 4 of those. Going to be a long week of waiting and discussing rankings

2-loss Bethel has some pretty clear "there's no way you can put that team in ahead of us" arguments against a few of these.

Carroll lost to Macalester, who lost to the sixth-place team in the MIAC.  I don't think any serious argument can be made that Carroll belongs in the field

Bethel directly beat Chicago head-to-head.  If they don't go through Pool B and they're sitting on the board in Pool C, there's no chance Chicago goes in before Bethel.

The cavalry (wally) will no doubt be here soon with his more nuanced analysis, but from this chair right now...the Mount-JCU loser and the DelVal-Widener loser look like the only stone-cold Pool C locks.  At least someone from that Wabash, Muhlenberg, E & H, Framingham State group (assuming all finish 9-1) will get in and maybe all four will, but once the two-loss teams like Bethel are on the board, I doubt that all of the one-loss beauties will be in.  Somebody's staying home at 9-1.  Maybe two or three somebodies.

[Pat Coleman]

BTW, Wally, can you drop me an email? pat.coleman (at) d3sports

Thanks!

[ITH radio]

My guess is other B is TLU and they do rematch against UMHB to save a trip in that bracket.

C's go to DVC (think WID wins), JCU (think UMU wins), Centre (could be TLU here if for some reason Centre doesn't get B), Bethel (only 2 loss in), Wabash (Carroll not in RRs so nm that), and Fram St last in (beats out Muhl and others on SoS).

So basically one south C, two east, two north and one west

[USee]

As of right now I believe there are 28 teams either undefeated or with 1 loss. Of that group here's who ends up in Pool C:
John Carroll or Mount Union
Delaware Valley or Widener
Muhlenberg
Carroll
Wabash
Emory & Henry
Pool B Centre (or Texas Lutheran)
Pool B Framingham St
Pool B Chicago

If a 2 loss team gets in they would have to get in before at least 4 of those. Going to be a long week of waiting and discussing rankings

2-loss Bethel has some pretty clear "there's no way you can put that team in ahead of us" arguments against a few of these.

Carroll lost to Macalester, who lost to the sixth-place team in the MIAC.  I don't think any serious argument can be made that Carroll belongs in the field

Bethel directly beat Chicago head-to-head.  If they don't go through Pool B and they're sitting on the board in Pool C, there's no chance Chicago goes in before Bethel.

The cavalry (wally) will no doubt be here soon with his more nuanced analysis, but from this chair right now...the Mount-JCU loser and the DelVal-Widener loser look like the only stone-cold Pool C locks.  At least someone from that Wabash, Muhlenberg, E & H, Framingham State group (assuming all finish 9-1) will get in and maybe all four will, but once the two-loss teams like Bethel are on the board, I doubt that all of the one-loss beauties will be in.  Somebody's staying home at 9-1.  Maybe two or three somebodies.

I would think Wabash is a near lock as Pool C with a win this Saturday. The win over HSC gives them the criteria they didn't have last year. JCU/MT U loser will be off the board early and it's not clear to me that any of the other candidates have as strong a resume. SOS will be a factor in there but that RRO win is huge. I would think you get Del Valley, JCU in round 1/2 and then you are going to see 2 two loss teams on the board quickly (Bethel and NCC) along with the 1 loss teams you mention above. Interesting stuff.

[USee]

If Carroll gets in over Wabash (or any of the other 1 loss teams mentioned here) I will seriously consider changing my allegiance to women's soccer. That seems preposterous.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

As of right now I believe there are 28 teams either undefeated or with 1 loss. Of that group here's who ends up in Pool C:
John Carroll or Mount Union
Delaware Valley or Widener
Muhlenberg
Carroll
Wabash
Emory & Henry
Pool B Centre (or Texas Lutheran)
Pool B Framingham St
Pool B Chicago

If a 2 loss team gets in they would have to get in before at least 4 of those. Going to be a long week of waiting and discussing rankings

2-loss Bethel has some pretty clear "there's no way you can put that team in ahead of us" arguments against a few of these.

Carroll lost to Macalester, who lost to the sixth-place team in the MIAC.  I don't think any serious argument can be made that Carroll belongs in the field

Bethel directly beat Chicago head-to-head.  If they don't go through Pool B and they're sitting on the board in Pool C, there's no chance Chicago goes in before Bethel.

The cavalry (wally) will no doubt be here soon with his more nuanced analysis, but from this chair right now...the Mount-JCU loser and the DelVal-Widener loser look like the only stone-cold Pool C locks.  At least someone from that Wabash, Muhlenberg, E & H, Framingham State group (assuming all finish 9-1) will get in and maybe all four will, but once the two-loss teams like Bethel are on the board, I doubt that all of the one-loss beauties will be in.  Somebody's staying home at 9-1.  Maybe two or three somebodies.

Assuming none of them pick up a 2nd loss this weekend, then a minimum of 3 (9 teams, 6 spots) will fail to make the playoffs. Plus however many 2 loss teams jump in ahead. So it could be at least 4. And don't forget about oddball UW-Oshkosh with only 1 D3 loss.
Based on the regional rankings from last week... Carroll and Emory & Henry weren't in the rankings at all and will probably never reach the discussion. I bet at least 1 of the pool B teams gets left out. So that cuts it down to 6. Then it's a matter of what 2 loss teams get to the discussion.

[Ralph Turner]

A Framingham loss will help the South Region contenders.

For the 8 at-large bids, and assuming no surprises this weekend, here are my picks.

Wesley is in at Pool B1.
Centre will be undefeated and earns a bid, B2/C.
Texas Lutheran (also B2/C is a one-loss to UMHB. This is a bus ride for the first round.  TLU has the credientials to be at least the 8th best at large team.)
I like the UMU/John Carroll loser.
I like the Widener/Del Valley loser.
Wabash (especially if H-SC clinches the ODAC)

I have these on the table with two bids left:

Bethel (with losses to Wartburg and the Johnnies), then UW-Oshkosh.
Framingham State  (B/C)
Muhlenberg, then Thomas More (a loss to Wesley and to W&J.)
Carroll, then Chicago.