SDSU @ NDSU, 10/19

[Lord Vigo]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

[catatac]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

[Lord Vigo]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

What I’m nervous about is if the Dakota State game
Is close and they decide to leave them as 1 and 2.

[LTown Cat]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

Completely agree with you.

[catatac]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

What I’m nervous about is if the Dakota State game
Is close and they decide to leave them as 1 and 2.

Ya, I suppose that is possible, but even if they did leave them both above the Cats as currently ranked, that's not necessarily going to be where the Seeds end up. Again, I'm sticking to it, if either of them got seeded higher than a 12-0 Cats team with our resume, the would be an outrage and IMO grounds for a lawsuit.

[Lord Vigo]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

What I’m nervous about is if the Dakota State game
Is close and they decide to leave them as 1 and 2.

Ya, I suppose that is possible, but even if they did leave them both above the Cats as currently ranked, that's not necessarily going to be where the Seeds end up. Again, I'm sticking to it, if either of them got seeded higher than a 12-0 Cats team with our resume, the would be an outrage and IMO grounds for a lawsuit.

I'm scarred by 2022.

The Bison went 9-2 but one loss was by 3 points @ Arizona and the other was by 2 points Vs SDSU.

The Cats were 10-0 in the FCS with a lone FBS loss @ Oregon State.

The voters gave the Bison the #3 seed and the Cats the #4.

Subsequently, the Cats had to play the Jacks in Brookings on an ice rink and the Bison got a shot at them in Frisco.

Doesn't seem like that much of a stretch for them to do the same thing with a 12-0 MSU team and a 10-2 Bison team if they're two losses are by 5 @ Colorado and, say, by 3 Vs. SDSU (or the same idea with a Jacks team, should they be the loser).

[Bobcatsinmso]

Last year it was Haslam at missoula representing the Big Sky on the selection Commitee, this year it will be Sacramento St AD Mark Orr. The comittee chair this year just happens to be NDSU AD Larson. Not a stetch at all that a repeat of 22 is a possibility. Wish Leon was the Big sky represenative this year, but not until 2028 as Orr will hold it for the Big sky until then.

[91catAlum]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

What I’m nervous about is if the Dakota State game
Is close and they decide to leave them as 1 and 2.

I agree with this. The Cats need to beat Idaho and the winner of ndsu/sdsu needs to win fairly decisively, for the Cats to move up.

[Bocephus]

Welp, they better pile it on Idaho tomorrow night. Leave no doubt. 2022 was terrible and sending NDSU to Bozeman last year wasn’t far behind.

[Bobcat4Ever]

Welp, they better pile it on Idaho tomorrow night. Leave no doubt. 2022 was terrible and sending NDSU to Bozeman last year wasn’t far behind.

All you can do is play your best game against every opponent (and score at 00:00 when it’s there) — and then hope. The deal last year of sending the Bison to Bozeman in the “second” round stunk. Absolutely stunk for both teams. The other games that weekend were a joke compared to the premature main event. Maybe the new seeding and the supposed relaxation of regional play will help — but I’ll believe it when I see it with that committee.

I’d be very surprised if these guys don’t come out focused and ready to keep a clean sheet! Go, Cats!

[Montanabob]

Welp, they better pile it on Idaho tomorrow night. Leave no doubt. 2022 was terrible and sending NDSU to Bozeman last year wasn’t far behind.

All you can do is play your best game against every opponent (and score at 00:00 when it’s there) — and then hope. The deal last year of sending the Bison to Bozeman in the “second” round stunk. Absolutely stunk for both teams. The other games that weekend were a joke compared to the premature main event. Maybe the new seeding and the supposed relaxation of regional play will help — but I’ll believe it when I see it with that committee.

I’d be very surprised if these guys don’t come out focused and ready to keep a clean sheet! Go, Cats!

get used to it. watch the brackets load top 3 BSC in an one quarter bracket and put the 4th and 5th on the other side. 4 Mvfc teams in different quarters.

[MSU01]

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

I wish I shared your optimism, but after 2022 I can absolutely see the committee seeding the NDSU/SDSU loser at #2 if they win the rest of their games and end up at 10-2. I'll be rooting for New Mexico to win as many games as possible to make MSU's FBS win look more impressive than maybe it seemed at the time...their remaining schedule is pretty weak so I can see them maybe even getting up to 6-6 and being bowl eligible by the end of the year.

[onceacat]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

What I’m nervous about is if the Dakota State game
Is close and they decide to leave them as 1 and 2.

Ya, I suppose that is possible, but even if they did leave them both above the Cats as currently ranked, that's not necessarily going to be where the Seeds end up. Again, I'm sticking to it, if either of them got seeded higher than a 12-0 Cats team with our resume, the would be an outrage and IMO grounds for a lawsuit.

I'm scarred by 2022.

The Bison went 9-2 but one loss was by 3 points @ Arizona and the other was by 2 points Vs SDSU.

The Cats were 10-0 in the FCS with a lone FBS loss @ Oregon State.

The voters gave the Bison the #3 seed and the Cats the #4.

Subsequently, the Cats had to play the Jacks in Brookings on an ice rink and the Bison got a shot at them in Frisco.

Doesn't seem like that much of a stretch for them to do the same thing with a 12-0 MSU team and a 10-2 Bison team if they're two losses are by 5 @ Colorado and, say, by 3 Vs. SDSU (or the same idea with a Jacks team, should they be the loser).

Totally different scenarios. MSU got blown off the field & embarrassed by Oregon State. NDSUs 9-2 record was pretty much the same as MSUs 10-1, so for anyone who isn't a total MSU homer, thats a coin flip.

Besides, theres zero difference between a 3 seed and a 4 seed.

If MSU is undefeated with a FBS win and NDSU has 2 losses (FBS and SDSU) this isn't even a remotely similar situation.

An undefeated Big Sky (like Sac State in 2022) will ALWAYS be seeded above a 2 loss MVFC team. ALWAYS.

[onceacat]

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

I wish I shared your optimism, but after 2022 I can absolutely see the committee seeding the NDSU/SDSU loser at #2 if they win the rest of their games and end up at 10-2. I'll be rooting for New Mexico to win as many games as possible to make MSU's FBS win look more impressive than maybe it seemed at the time...their remaining schedule is pretty weak so I can see them maybe even getting up to 6-6 and being bowl eligible by the end of the year.

You do remember that the committee put an undefeated Sac State team at #2 above a 2 loss NDSU team, right?

It will 100% be the same this year. An undefeated Big Sky champ will ALWAYS get the nod above a 2 loss MVFC team.

ALWAYS.

[MSU01]

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

I wish I shared your optimism, but after 2022 I can absolutely see the committee seeding the NDSU/SDSU loser at #2 if they win the rest of their games and end up at 10-2. I'll be rooting for New Mexico to win as many games as possible to make MSU's FBS win look more impressive than maybe it seemed at the time...their remaining schedule is pretty weak so I can see them maybe even getting up to 6-6 and being bowl eligible by the end of the year.

You do remember that the committee put an undefeated Sac State team at #2 above a 2 loss NDSU team, right?

It will 100% be the same this year. An undefeated Big Sky champ will ALWAYS get the nod above a 2 loss MVFC team.

ALWAYS.

I remember it quite well. The undefeated Big Sky team got bounced in the quarterfinals and it was an overseeded NDSU team that got to host its semifinal instead of traveling to SDSU. I think there's a very high chance that MSU would get the 1 or 2 seed if they finish 12-0 but I also think it's overly optimistic to assume it's a guarantee that would happen. The Big Sky appears way down this year after MSU and maybe Davis. 3 of the top 4 teams this year are MVFC, so strength of schedule will play in their favor.

[MSU Toddler]

What outcome benefits the Cats the most on this one?

[MSU01]

What outcome benefits the Cats the most on this one?

I'm not sure if there's a clear answer to this since NDSU and SDSU both have one loss and both still need to play USD later in the season. An NDSU win might help MSU more in terms of potentially getting the #1 playoff seed, as I think an 11-1 SDSU team would almost certainly be seeded #1 with wins over both NDSU and USD on its resume. An SDSU win may be better for MSU in terms of getting the #2 seed, the best path there would be for SDSU to win out for the #1 seed and give NDSU/USD as many losses as possible.

[MSU Toddler]

What outcome benefits the Cats the most on this one?

I'm not sure if there's a clear answer to this since NDSU and SDSU both have one loss and both still need to play USD later in the season. An NDSU win might help MSU more in terms of potentially getting the #1 playoff seed, as I think an 11-1 SDSU team would almost certainly be seeded #1 with wins over both NDSU and USD on its resume. An SDSU win may be better for MSU in terms of getting the #2 seed, the best path there would be for SDSU to win out for the #1 seed and give NDSU/USD as many losses as possible.

Good analysis and agree it's tough to figure who to root for or against.

SDSU still has UND at Aleres Center which may play a factor as well.

Really wishing ETSU wouldn't have choked against the Bison as that may have helped with the future picture.

I'm looking forward to watching the Dakota Marker game.

[The Butcher]

What outcome benefits the Cats the most on this one?

I'm not sure if there's a clear answer to this since NDSU and SDSU both have one loss and both still need to play USD later in the season. An NDSU win might help MSU more in terms of potentially getting the #1 playoff seed, as I think an 11-1 SDSU team would almost certainly be seeded #1 with wins over both NDSU and USD on its resume. An SDSU win may be better for MSU in terms of getting the #2 seed, the best path there would be for SDSU to win out for the #1 seed and give NDSU/USD as many losses as possible.

It's tough to gauge how good USD really is. They beat a Division II team and had a respectable 27-13 loss to Wisconsin, but Idaho also put up a fight against Oregon, and we saw how that turned out this weekend. Their FCS matchups so far include a non-scholarship program and three conference opponents with a combined 0-8 conference record. Only time will tell if USD is the real deal.

[Cledus]

We are 9 days away from what may end up being the most important football game for MSU's National Championship aspirations-- one that they won't even play in.

On Oct. 19th, South Dakota State will play at North Dakota State. Both teams have one quality loss, SDSU going down 44-20 @ #17 Oklahoma State and SDSU losing 31-26 @ Colorado. So whoever comes out the loser from this contest will technically be a 2 loss team.

Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that MSU runs the table and finishes the regular season 12-0. But that is at least an aspect of the equation that they can control. What they cannot control is getting voted one of the top 2 seeds. They need to jump SDSU or NDSU in order for that to happen, locking up homefield throughout the playoffs. Given that UM and MSU have a combined 2 road playoff wins in their history, homefield is virtually everything if they want to get back to Frisco.

The burning question in my mind is this-- if one school or the other loses close (say 3 points or less), will MSU jump them? Or will the voters stick them at #3 because the 2 losses of whichever team ends up on the short end are high quality losses?

I think what we need to root for here is that the Jacks win handily. A 2+ score loss at home should be enough for the Cats to jump the Bison, allowing that they continue to take care of their own business.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but IF the Cats can run the table, it doesn't matter who wins the Marker game. Cats will be guaranteed either the #1 or #2 seed when the time comes.

What I’m nervous about is if the Dakota State game
Is close and they decide to leave them as 1 and 2.

Ya, I suppose that is possible, but even if they did leave them both above the Cats as currently ranked, that's not necessarily going to be where the Seeds end up. Again, I'm sticking to it, if either of them got seeded higher than a 12-0 Cats team with our resume, the would be an outrage and IMO grounds for a lawsuit.

I'm scarred by 2022.

The Bison went 9-2 but one loss was by 3 points @ Arizona and the other was by 2 points Vs SDSU.

The Cats were 10-0 in the FCS with a lone FBS loss @ Oregon State.

The voters gave the Bison the #3 seed and the Cats the #4.

Subsequently, the Cats had to play the Jacks in Brookings on an ice rink and the Bison got a shot at them in Frisco.

Doesn't seem like that much of a stretch for them to do the same thing with a 12-0 MSU team and a 10-2 Bison team if they're two losses are by 5 @ Colorado and, say, by 3 Vs. SDSU (or the same idea with a Jacks team, should they be the loser).

I think the way the committee rationalized it was NDSU was so powerful that any loss they suffered would be the equivalent of a NDSU win over any other team. In my judgment, that's a flimsy excuse that doesn't really stand up to close scrutiny. But I think it's probably the best they could come up with to get the DSU's on opposite sides of the bracket.

If we test the strength of their position by replacing NDSU with MSU, and instead say both losses were by 1 point to UCD and um, does anyone really think MSU passes over teams in front of them for an easier path to Frisco?