Upset Guesses (Nov 30)

[IdaGriz01]

I thought about bagging the upset poll, since I thought it would be hard to decide what direction should be considered an upset. But most of the games turned out to have ranked teams on both side of the matchup. (Congrats to the NAU Lumberjacks, BTW, for finally cracking the top-10 in the TSN poll.)

So I figured ... Why the Hell not? However, because there are 8 games, I set up the poll to allow you to make two choices instead of one.

In case you’re wondering, the following TSN-ranked teams did not get bids: #16 MSU (7-5), #17 Youngstown State (8-4), #21 Chattanooga (8-4), #23 Charleston Southern (10-3), and #24 Lehigh. So, while four unranked teams got bids – all automatic – every other playoff team (20 of 24) was ranked in the TSN poll. My point: We should all be careful how we say “the polls don’t matter.” While that’s true, technically … the polls do, by and large, recognize the best teams, teams that will (mostly) end up getting into the playoffs.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Just thread-bumping, really, but the "upset" I'd most like to see is SUU over SHSU. Nothing against Sam Houston, but I think So-Ut has been under-appreciated all year long, and I'd like to see them do well.

 

[OldtiredGRiz]

I voted SDSU over NAU. I think it's likely to happen, but I don't want it to. I'd much rather see NAU win that one then go up and play EWU. I think the Lumberjacks would give EWU a heck of a battle. One game at a time, I know, but it's hard not to look at the bracket and start thinking about match ups down the road.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

Southern Utah over Sam Houston State and NAU over South Dakota State (which may or may not be an upset); that's enough for me. The others I'm not that familiar with.

 

[dupuyer griz]

sdsu over nau so the whining stops

 

[NLGrizFan]

I like these upset poll threads and hope they are posted all the way to Frisco. I've lost all faith in the NFL. Its now just something to do on Sunday. Thats pretty sad coming from a guy whos team won the SB last year. Anyways... I really like your poll posts! Keep em coming (or show me how to post them :lol: )

 

[kurtismichael]

SD State over NAU.

 

[OrgonGriz]

SDSU over NAU is my pick as well!

Is it just me or does it seem there are a lot of recent DII now in FCS in the play offs. I know field explained, but still!!

 

['68griz]

For the good of BSC, I want NAU to win. But, to shut up the NAU whiners, I'd like it the other way.

 

[IdaGriz01]

For the good of BSC, I want NAU to win. But, to shut up the NAU whiners, I'd like it the other way.

Yeah, kinda captures my feelings too. :roll:

 

[zirge]

ida, i am going outside the box here and would like to post now for the week after next upset poll thread....just in case you decide not to carry on after this week.
griz 31-30 over ndsu :clap: :thumb:

 

[IdaGriz01]

I see one lonely soul finally thought Butler might pull off the upset, they being at home and all.

Actually, I was thinking about starting an over-under for that game.

Butler played a truly weak-a** schedule, with two games against D-III schools. In fact, near as I can tell, they played almost the weakest schedule in all of Division I (#244 out of 246 , according to Sagarin, equally bad on other lists). Yet even with that, they lost 3 games.

Tennessee State played a very respectable schedule, and finished second in the Ohio Valley. I'm thinking 40-6 for T-State ... but only that close because Butler will be hugely fired up while State may not take the game seriously at first.

 

[NLGrizFan]

Oh yeah, I'm going with SUU shutting down Sam Houston. I'm not 100% on how they're sitting but by judging the last few of their games they don't seem to be the team they were in 2011-2012. Obviously. But then again my picks started dwindling towards the end of this season. So bet against my picks, I would.

 

[SaskGriz]

I see one lonely soul finally thought Butler might pull off the upset, they being at home and all.

Actually, I was thinking about starting an over-under for that game.

Butler played a truly weak-a** schedule, with two games against D-III schools. In fact, near as I can tell, they played almost the weakest schedule in all of Division I (#244 out of 246 , according to Sagarin, equally bad on other lists). Yet even with that, they lost 3 games.

Tennessee State played a very respectable schedule, and finished second in the Ohio Valley. I'm thinking 40-6 for T-State ... but only that close because Butler will be hugely fired up while State may not take the game seriously at first.

I am that lonely soul and my thinking was that T-State wasn't getting much love from the pollsters. Should have checked out Butler's schedule more (I was going with my gut, since they have played in two national championship games and almost beat Duke, LOL). This is why I drink in Vegas but don't gamble.

 

[IdaGriz01]

We’ll ignore, for the moment how many people have no faith in the Big Sky. Sigh.

It’s interesting that the Furman upset of South Carolina State is third in the voting at this point. Most of the hard numbers favor SC State: offense 29.6 points per game vs 23.4 ppg for Furman. State holds opponents to 14.0 ppg, while Furman gives up 23.5 ppg.

But Furman does have a slightly better GPI (#33 vs #40 for State). Sagarin also sees it the other way: Furman had a better SOS (#157 vs 202 for SC) and Sagarin’s numbers predict a 6-point Furman win, even accounting for State’s home-field advantage.

 

[IdaGriz01]

First game starts at 10:00 am -- Lafayette at New Hampshire. Wouldn't it be a hoot if the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record actually won a game?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Or would you hate it?

 

[rogermp]

Frankly I am pulling for a Griz v SHS Semifinal in Missoula in a few weeks.

 

['68griz]

Frankly I am pulling for a Griz v SHS Semifinal in Missoula in a few weeks.

A lot of miracles would need to occur for that to happen. I'm not sayin' it won't happen, but ....