Week 12 “Other” Conferences Breakdowns
Only two weeks remain in the regular season and that mean action all across the country is slowly shaping what will become the playoffs. The big conferences are just trying to knock out a few more wins and stay where they are while the smaller ones are battling like there’s no tomorrow, because with only one automatic bid, for most teams… there isn’t. The bubble should be shrinking as we get closer to the selection day, but instead it seems to be growing. Here are five games for week 12 that will impact the postseason picture from other conferences, but don’t trust our selections… last week’s predictions went 1-4, but the season total is still a respectable 38-20.
Sacred Heart (9-2) vs Robert Morris (5-4), Saturday, 12:00 ET
The NEC conference title and playoff automatic bid is on the line between Robert Morris, 3-1 in conference, and Sacred Heart, 3-2 in conference play. It’s a lot simpler if Robert Morris comes away with the win, but Sacred Heart may be playing better ball and if the Pioneers do win, the NEC race gets very tight as Duquesne is brought back into the picture. The action starts early Saturday, and this is only the first of many that will help set the postseason picture.
Projected Score: Sacred Heart 27, Robert Morris 25
#22 Lehigh (7-2) vs Colgate (4-6), Saturday, 1:00 ET
The Patriot League title is up for grabs as these two teams, along with Lafayette, sit on top with just one loss apiece. Lehigh is the only one of these schools that has a chance to grab an at-large bid if they don’t get the automatic bid, but at 7-2 and already deep in the polls, the Mountain Hawks likely couldn’t survive another late loss with lots of good bubble teams out there from larger conferences. Colgate’s overall record isn’t impressive, but if the Raiders can win out they’d make the playoffs as conference champions and the win over Lafayette. However, to win out the Raiders have to go to unbeaten Fordham if they escape Lehigh this week.
Projected Score: Lehigh 35, Colgate 21
#23 Jacksonville State (8-2) vs #2 Eastern Illinois (9-1), Saturday, 1:00 ET
Eastern Illinois’s offense, led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, will try to lock down a conference title on Saturday. But with a loss, which has yet to come against an FCS opponent this season, the Panthers are still safely in the playoffs. The Gamecocks, however, are not already in the postseason field and need a strong finish to give them enough recognition for an at-large bid. JSU drilled another top OVC team in Eastern Kentucky last week 68-10. A repeat performance over EIU would certainly catch the eyes of many across the nation.
Projected score: Eastern Illinois 37, Jacksonville State 31
#6 Fordham (10-0) vs Lafayette (3-6), Saturday, 3:30 ET
This is the other top game in the Patriot League. Fordham has escaped and maneuvered its way to a 10-0 season. The Rams aren’t quite safe yet though. Fordham is ineligible for the auto bid and will have to get an at-large bid. It shouldn’t be a problem at the moment but with Lafayette and Colgate left on the schedule (the two teams fighting for the automatic bid), it won’t be easy finishing the season. The question would then become would a 10-2 Patriot League team that’s lost two in a row get an at-large bid? To be safe, Fordham needs one more win but Lafayette can’t afford the loss and lose ground to Colgate… something has to budge.
Projected Score: Fordham 30, Lafayette 20
#4 Sam Houston State (8-2) vs #11 Southeastern Louisiana (8-2), Saturday, 4:00 ET
Call it crazy, but the Bearkats, the team safely at the top of the polls all year, hasn’t locked up a postseason berth yet. If the Lions pull out the big win, they would earn the conference title by virtue of already beating McNeese State this year. If Sam Houston does lose, it would drop them in the polls, and with one game left against Central Arkansas, the Bearkats would be facing a game that possibly could decide if they made the playoffs. If SHSU wins, they wouldn’t automatically receive the conference title, but it would ensure that the two-time runner-ups couldn’t fall out of range for an at-large bid.
Projected score: Southeastern Louisiana 45, Sam Houston State 38
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