Bracketology Breakdown
Last Four In: Southeast Missouri State, North Dakota, Youngstown State, Stony Brook
First Two Out: Sam Houston State, New Hampshire
If you’re asking yourself, “Only the first two out? Isn’t it usually four or five, at least?” Yes, yes it is. You’re not mistaken and you’re not reading it incorrectly. The problem is, as I’m putting the bracket together, there just isn’t anybody that stands out as a potential third or fourth team just missing the cut. Now I could make it the next fourteen and list just about everyone, but I’m not going to do that. One, that’s silly and two, it doesn’t seem right to reward mediocrity.
As for the bracket itself, only one change this week, as far as teams going in and out. UC-Davis, who falls to an amazing 2-4, drops off the tree. For all the offensive clout the Aggies have, their defense is causing them a lot of stress. The team replacing them is the same team that beat them this week, North Dakota. North Dakota is the lame duck Big Sky de facto conference member that’s playing as an Independent before joining the MVFC next season.
Hopefully next week some of these teams just off the radar jump up and claim some of the sunshine, because right now, the bubble is very cloudy.
Bids By Conference
Big Sky (3): *Weber State, Montana State, Montana
Big South (1): *Kennesaw State
Colonial (5): *James Madison, Villanova, Towson, Delaware, Stony Brook
FCS Independent (1): North Dakota
Missouri Valley (5): *North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Illinois State, Youngstown State
Northeast (1): *Duquesne
Ohio Valley (2): *Jacksonville State, Southeast Missouri State
Patriot (1): *Georgetown
Pioneer (1): *San Diego
Southern (1): *Furman
Southland (3): *Nicholls, Central Arkansas, Southeastern Louisiana
* denotes projected conference automatic qualifier
