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Post by 83wasagreatyr on Nov 13, 2023 8:13:42 GMT -5
Exactly, focus on VMI. We need this one. Let's get a big crowd to show up on Saturday. 4 hour drive or less for many. Go CATS!!
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Post by wcugrad95 on Nov 13, 2023 8:33:32 GMT -5
VMI is typically a tough place to play - the atmoshpere always seems odd (not sure how to accurately describe it). There are generally very few fans on the visitor's side, and it seems like VMI plays LOTS of early starts - Saturday is another noon kickoff.
But there should be no excuse for the Cats to not be up for this game. We have let late-season games get us in the past, and we have seen other recent SOCON teams do the same (Mercer a couple of times, us beating Chatt last season, etc.). I expect to see a motivated and determined team, I just hope we don't get too hyped.
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Post by The Cats on Nov 13, 2023 8:41:26 GMT -5
VMI is typically a tough place to play - the atmoshpere always seems odd (not sure how to accurately describe it). There are generally very few fans on the visitor's side, and it seems like VMI plays LOTS of early starts - Saturday is another noon kickoff. But there should be no excuse for the Cats to not be up for this game. We have let late-season games get us in the past, and we have seen other recent SOCON teams do the same (Mercer a couple of times, us beating Chatt last season, etc.). I expect to see a motivated and determined team, I just hope we don't get too hyped. Since they don't have lights, they start early to ensure there is time to complete the games once daylight savings time is over....
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Post by catamountalum04 on Nov 13, 2023 8:46:59 GMT -5
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Post by Speedwell Cat on Nov 13, 2023 10:04:42 GMT -5
Lots of teams will be pulling for VMI
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Post by wcugrad95 on Nov 13, 2023 10:05:18 GMT -5
I have plenty of problems with his thinking. He has 3 teams from MVFC getting in at 7-4. I get they have all these SOS numbers (because they play each other), and I can see 1 or even 2 getting in. But 3???
He also has Incarnate Word as "in" versus WCU as on the bubble. UIW has played absolutely nobody this year, with several close games against many of those teams and they lost to Nichols who was one of the few ok teams they played (by the way Nichols is going to finish 6-4). I wouldn't even have UIW in the field even at 8-2. I'd argue the top-5 of the SOCON would beat them and would be 9-1 against their schedule.
On the wrong side for us, I think Richmond will beat William & Mary this weekend and they will be in at 8-3 (he has them out with a loss at 7-4). So I'll be a fan of the Tribe this weekend. I am also pulling very hard for Samford to give UT-M a loss to make our win over the Bulldogs look better and to put the Skyhawks at the same record as us but with a loss to a team we beat handily. If William & Mary and Samford could pull off those wins, it might pave the way for Chattanooga to get in.
I will not be surprised to see something similar to what he has at the top. Six of the eight seeds going to 2 conferences means they will win plenty of home playoff games, and that will continue to feed the machine saying those are the best conferences and always give them higher perceived SOS that will once again have them over-represented in the 2024 pre-season top-25.
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Post by genehenley on Nov 13, 2023 10:43:08 GMT -5
Hopping in to say it's more likely the SoCon gets 4 bids than 2.
Having seen how the committee works, the worst thing would be if Western somehow loses to VMI.
Western would be 7-4 with losses in 3 of their final 4 games, which the committee would look down on.
But then what do you do with UTC, who also finished 7-4 but lost head-to-head to Western Carolina, in Chattanooga? How do you handle all that? I don't see them leaving both out, which should give WCU the edge despite what would be a poor finish.
I believe all four teams will get in. Separate from the poor finish to last year (losing 3 of final 4), the only reason in the committee's eyes that UTC didn't get in was because they were outbid by Delaware, who had the same identical resume (7-4, losing 3 of final 4).
The SoCon is starting to take some respect from the CAA (which was carried by James Madison much like the SoCon was carried by App and GaSo for years), and I think that'll be evident on selection Sunday.
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Post by wcugamer2 on Nov 13, 2023 11:14:10 GMT -5
Furman = Autobid, 10-1 overall, 10-0 vs FCS, 3 ranked wins over Samford, WCU, and UTC, ranked #2/#3 in current poll, 1 game remaining vs Wofford
Mercer - 8-3 overall, 8 FCS wins, Strength of Schedule is 70, 1 ranked win over WCU, ranked 15th in current poll, 0 games remaining in regular season
WCU - 7-3 overall, 7 FCS wins, Strength of Schedule is 44, 2 ranked wins over Samford and UTC, ranked 16th in current poll, 1 game remaining in regular season vs VMI
UTC - 7-3 overall, 7 FCS wins, Strength of Schedule is 84, 1 ranked win over Samford, ranked 17th in current poll, 1 game remaining vs Alabama
The SoCon (baring any major upsets) should get 3 teams into the field. But even if the selection committee goes fewer, the SoCon is positioned to have 4 teams in the 2024 pre-season top 25. If the SoCon wants to start getting the respect that we all think we deserve, then the beginning of the following season is where it begins.
If the SoCon can start with 4 pre-season top 25 teams, and keep teams there, it's easier to position for the playoffs. That's how the Big Sky and MVFC get half their leagues in the playoffs every year, even with teams that have 4 league losses.
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Post by wcugrad95 on Nov 13, 2023 11:28:36 GMT -5
Western can’t have losses in 3 of our last 4 games - we are currently on a 2-game winning streak. I think we will win, be on a 3-game win streak with hopefully 2 by wide margins, and at 8-3 not on the bubble with 2 ranked wins and a tie for 2nd in the SOCON.
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Post by wcu77 on Nov 13, 2023 15:26:58 GMT -5
I just think it’s a beautiful thing we can even have this conversation! We will all be upset if we miss out on the playoffs but it truly is great to be able to speak about it after decades. Whatever happens I know we are proud of this team for the turn around and we are finally in a good position for a bright future in football.
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