All things D2 and D3 football 2022

[Ope3]

I'm not exactly sure what the point is of ranking teams that can't play in the postseason, like UST, Jackson St., and Princeton.

To provide reference and strength of schedule data for the teams that play UST. That to me appears to be quite relevant, for Playoff selection and seeding for those teams.

I think that's sort of what IceBox is alluding to.

 

[IceBoxGopher]

Speaking of rankings and polls, here are the recent polls and regional playoff rankings for D2. NSIC teams in bold, Minnesota teams in italics.

AFCA Division 2 II Poll

1. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 9-0
2. Angelo St. (Tex.) 9-0
3. Shepherd (W.Va.) 9-0
4. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 9-0
5. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 9-0
6. Delta St. (Miss.) 9-0
7. Ferris St. (Mich.) 7-1
8. West Florida 7-1
9. Benedict (S.C.) 9-0
10. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 8-1
11. Northwest Missouri St. 7-2
12. Colorado School of Mines 7-2
13. Davenport (Mich.) 8-0
14. Ashland (Ohio) 7-1
15. Indianapolis (Ind.) 7-1
16. Virginia Union 8-1
17. Harding (Ark.) 7-2
18. Indiana (Pa.) 7-1
19. West Georgia 6-2
20. Wingate (N.C.) 8-1
21. Truman St. (Mo.) 7-1
22. Newberry (S.C.) 7-2
23. Emporia St. (Kan.) 7-2
24. Minnesota St. Mankato 7-2
25. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 7-2

Others receiving votes
Texas A&M-Kingsville, 42; Albany St. (Ga.), 31; Henderson St. (Ark.), 26; Winona St. (Minn.), 26; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 13; Assumption (Mass.), 12; Kutztown (Pa.), 12; Notre Dame (Ohio), 9; Wayne St. (Neb.), 9; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 8; Tusculum (Tenn.), 4; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 3; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 3; New Haven (Conn), 3

D2 Football.com Poll

1. Grand Valley State (9-0)
2. Angelo State (9-0)
3. Ouachita Baptist (9-0)
4. Pittsburg State (9-0)
5. Ferris State (7-1)
6. Shepherd (9-0)
7. Delta State (9-0)
8. West Florida (7-1)
9. Colorado School of Mines (7-2)
10. Slippery Rock (8-1)
11. Northwest Missouri State (7-2)
12. Benedict (9-0)
13. Ashland (7-1)
14. Minnesota State-Mankato (7-2)
15. Virginia Union (8-1)
16. Indiana (PA) (7-1)
17. Harding (7-2)
18. Indianapolis (7-1)
19. Davenport (8-0)
20. Emporia State (7-2)
21. Wingate (8-1)
22. Bemidji State (7-2)
23. Albany State (7-2)
24. West Georgia (6-2)
25. Truman State (7-1)

SUPER REGION FOUR (Overall record/region record)

1. Angelo State (9-0, 9-0)
2. Colorado School of Mines (7-2, 7-1)
3. Winona State (7-2, 7-2)
4. Minnesota State-Mankato (7-2, 7-2)
5. Sioux Falls (7-2, 7-2)
6. Wayne State (NE) (7-2, 7-2)
7. Bemidji State (7-2, 7-2)
8. Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-2, 5-2)
9. Augustana (6-3, 6-3)
10. Central Washington (5-3, 5-2)

 

[short ornery norwegian]

MIAC Football - Schedule for Sat, Nov 5

Gustavus 5-3/4-2/2-1 at St. Olaf 4-4/3-3/1-2
St. Scholastica 2-6/1-5/0-4 at Macalester 3-5/1-5/1-3 (cross-division game)
Bethel 7-1/6-0/3-0 at Augsburg 6-2/4-2/3-0
Hamline 2-6/0-6/0-3 at Concordia 4-4/2-4/1-2
Carleton 6-2/4-2/2-1 at St. John's 7-1/5-1/3-0

Last week of the regular season. results will set up next week's "Championship" round of games.

For Championship week, Teams will be matched up based on records, with #1 team in Northwood Division playing #1 in Skyline Division, and so forth: #2 vs #2, etc.

St. John's can clinch the Northwoods #1 seed with win over Carleton.
Bethel can clinch the Skyline #1 seed with win over Augsburg.

the winner of the #1 vs #1 game is the automatic qualifier for the D3 playoffs.

 

[GFBfan]

MIAC Football - Schedule for Sat, Nov 5

Gustavus 5-3/4-2/2-1 at St. Olaf 4-4/3-3/1-2
St. Scholastica 2-6/1-5/0-4 at Macalester 3-5/1-5/1-3 (cross-division game)
Bethel 7-1/6-0/3-0 at Augsburg 6-2/4-2/3-0
Hamline 2-6/0-6/0-3 at Concordia 4-4/2-4/1-2
Carleton 6-2/4-2/2-1 at St. John's 7-1/5-1/3-0

Last week of the regular season. results will set up next week's "Championship" round of games.

For Championship week, Teams will be matched up based on records, with #1 team in Northwood Division playing #1 in Skyline Division, and so forth: #2 vs #2, etc.

St. John's can clinch the Northwoods #1 seed with win over Carleton.
Bethel can clinch the Skyline #1 seed with win over Augsburg.

the winner of the #1 vs #1 game is the automatic qualifier for the D3 playoffs.

It will be Bethel at St John’s for the MIAC title and auto bid.

 

[Panthadad2]

Speaking of rankings and polls, here are the recent polls and regional playoff rankings for D2. NSIC teams in bold, Minnesota teams in italics.

AFCA Division 2 II Poll

1. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 9-0
2. Angelo St. (Tex.) 9-0
3. Shepherd (W.Va.) 9-0
4. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 9-0
5. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 9-0
6. Delta St. (Miss.) 9-0
7. Ferris St. (Mich.) 7-1
8. West Florida 7-1
9. Benedict (S.C.) 9-0
10. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 8-1
11. Northwest Missouri St. 7-2
12. Colorado School of Mines 7-2
13. Davenport (Mich.) 8-0
14. Ashland (Ohio) 7-1
15. Indianapolis (Ind.) 7-1
16. Virginia Union 8-1
17. Harding (Ark.) 7-2
18. Indiana (Pa.) 7-1
19. West Georgia 6-2
20. Wingate (N.C.) 8-1
21. Truman St. (Mo.) 7-1
22. Newberry (S.C.) 7-2
23. Emporia St. (Kan.) 7-2
24. Minnesota St. Mankato 7-2
25. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 7-2

Others receiving votes
Texas A&M-Kingsville, 42; Albany St. (Ga.), 31; Henderson St. (Ark.), 26; Winona St. (Minn.), 26; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 13; Assumption (Mass.), 12; Kutztown (Pa.), 12; Notre Dame (Ohio), 9; Wayne St. (Neb.), 9; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 8; Tusculum (Tenn.), 4; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 3; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 3; New Haven (Conn), 3

D2 Football.com Poll

1. Grand Valley State (9-0)
2. Angelo State (9-0)
3. Ouachita Baptist (9-0)
4. Pittsburg State (9-0)
5. Ferris State (7-1)
6. Shepherd (9-0)
7. Delta State (9-0)
8. West Florida (7-1)
9. Colorado School of Mines (7-2)
10. Slippery Rock (8-1)
11. Northwest Missouri State (7-2)
12. Benedict (9-0)
13. Ashland (7-1)
14. Minnesota State-Mankato (7-2)
15. Virginia Union (8-1)
16. Indiana (PA) (7-1)
17. Harding (7-2)
18. Indianapolis (7-1)
19. Davenport (8-0)
20. Emporia State (7-2)
21. Wingate (8-1)
22. Bemidji State (7-2)
23. Albany State (7-2)
24. West Georgia (6-2)
25. Truman State (7-1)

SUPER REGION FOUR (Overall record/region record)

1. Angelo State (9-0, 9-0)
2. Colorado School of Mines (7-2, 7-1)
3. Winona State (7-2, 7-2)
4. Minnesota State-Mankato (7-2, 7-2)
5. Sioux Falls (7-2, 7-2)
6. Wayne State (NE) (7-2, 7-2)
7. Bemidji State (7-2, 7-2)
8. Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-2, 5-2)
9. Augustana (6-3, 6-3)
10. Central Washington (5-3, 5-2)

NSIC without any dominant teams this year. Sioux Falls was looking like it would have a big year, then they drop two in a row.

How is the conference auto-bid even decided? That conference is a mess. Five teams tied with a 7-2 conference record but division records all over the place.

2024 Football Standings - Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

The official 2024 Football Standings for Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

northernsun.org

 

[AO54]

To provide reference and strength of schedule data for the teams that play UST. That to me appears to be quite relevant, for Playoff selection and seeding for those teams.

I think that's sort of what IceBox is alluding to.

The coaches poll is not used for selection or seeding. As with seemingly all polls, the coaches give way too much credit to record without looking at the schedule.

 

[MaxyJR1]

It will be Bethel at St John’s for the MIAC title and auto bid.

Didn't Bethel beat them? or does it rotate for home field?

 

[Ope3]

Didn't Bethel beat them? or does it rotate for home field?

Pre-determined. Whatever Division St John's/Carleton are in will host the MIAC Championship.

I was never able to remember Legend/Leaders Big 10 Divisions. I waited it out and then they dissolved. Odds are low I will ever commit the MIAC Divisions to memory.

 

[Ope3]

The coaches poll is not used for selection or seeding. As with seemingly all polls, the coaches give way too much credit to record without looking at the schedule.

In most cases it's probably an Assistant or even Sports Information Director tasked with the Poll voting.

I was just speaking in general terms, for rankings etc, but yes good to know as far as FCS Seedings. Thanks.

 

[Panthadad2]

Didn't Bethel beat them? or does it rotate for home field?

The championship game rotates divisions each year. Yes, Bethel beat St. Johns during the season but they are in different divisions so they can play again for the championship game.

 

[GFBfan]

Didn't Bethel beat them? or does it rotate for home field?

It alternates. Last year the Skyline Division hosted all the final week games. This year all Northwoods teams host.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Dang it. Augsburg scored a TD with :31 left in game, trailed Bethel 28-27. Auggies went for the 2-pt conversion and the win, but Bethel intercepted a pass in the end zone and ran it back 100+ yards for 2 pts. Auggies can't convert the onside kick and Bethel hangs on to win 30-27.

Bethel QB Roste missed a chunk of the game with an injury.

Augsburg outgained Bethel 428 to 363.

So Bethel will play St. John's for the Playoff spot. Looks like Auggies face Gustavus in the Championship round.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

MIAC results from Sat. Nov 5

St. John's 45, Carleton 16
Bethel 30, Augsburg 27
Concordia 59, Hamline 0
Gustavus 42, St. Olaf 23
Macalester 54, St. Scholastica 35

Standings:
Northwoods-----
St. John's 8-1/6-1/4-0
Gustavus 6-3/5-2/3-1
Carleton 6-3/4-3/2-2
St. Olaf 4-5/3-4/1-3
St. Scholastica 2-7/1-6/0-4

Skyline------
Bethel 8-1/7-0/4-0
Augsburg 6-3/4-3/3-1
Concordia 5-4/3-4/2-2
Macalester 4-5/2-5/1-3
Hamline 2-7/0-7/0-4

Championship Week games for Sat, Nov 12
#1 v #1 - Bethel at St. John's
#2 v #2 - Augsburg at Gustavus
#3 v #3 - Concordia at Carleton
#4 v #4 - Macalester at St. Olaf
#5 v #5 - Hamline at St. Scholastica

 

[IceBoxGopher]

Results from this weekend and standings in the NSIC, Minnesota teams in bold.

• Minnesota State Mankato defeated Southwest Minnesota State, 45-24
• Minnesota State Moorhead edged Concordia St. Paul, 21-20
• Winona State dominated Upper Iowa, 45-7
• Bemidji State took down Northern State 24-14
• Wayne State bested Sioux Falls, 31-24
• Minnesota Duluth defeated Augustana, 34-24
• Minot State outlasted UMary, 17-10

1. Bemidji State (8-2)
1. Minnesota State-Mankato (8-2)
1. Wayne State (8-2)
1. Winona State (8-2)
5. Minnesota-Duluth (7-3)
5. Sioux Falls (7-3)
7. Augustana (6-4)
7. Northern State (6-4)
9. Minnesota State-Moorhead (4-6)
9. Southwest Minnesota State (4-6)
11. Mary (2-8)
12. Minot State (1-9)
12. Upper Iowa (1-9)
14. Concordia-St. Paul (0-10)

Here's the schedule for the regular season finale:

• Minot St. @ CSP
• MSU Moorhead @ Wayne St.
• Winona St. @ MSU Mankato
• USF @ Upper IA
• Augustana @ SW MN St.
• UMD @ Northern St.
• Bemidji St. @ Mary

In the Dragons' case this Saturday it was a nail biter. MSUM outplayed Concordia for a lot of the game but didn't capitalize on all the opportunities they had, causing it to get close. Thanks to having some luck on their side, Concordia ended up missing what would have been a game winning field goal. Hoping next week MSUM can pull a miracle and defeat Wayne State to get to 5-6, at least near .500.

 

[Ope3]

MIAC results from Sat. Nov 5

St. John's 45, Carleton 16
Bethel 30, Augsburg 27
Concordia 59, Hamline 0
Gustavus 42, St. Olaf 23
Macalester 54, St. Scholastica 35

Standings:
Northwoods-----
St. John's 8-1/6-1/4-0
Gustavus 6-3/5-2/3-1
Carleton 6-3/4-3/2-2
St. Olaf 4-5/3-4/1-3
St. Scholastica 2-7/1-6/0-4

Skyline------
Bethel 8-1/7-0/4-0
Augsburg 6-3/4-3/3-1
Concordia 5-4/3-4/2-2
Macalester 4-5/2-5/1-3
Hamline 2-7/0-7/0-4

Championship Week games for Sat, Nov 12
#1 v #1 - Bethel at St. John's
#2 v #2 - Augsburg at Gustavus
#3 v #3 - Concordia at Carleton
#4 v #4 - Macalester at St. Olaf
#5 v #5 - Hamline at St. Scholastica

I understand the #1s having a repeat game, but seems silly to have Concordia face Carleton again. Should just flip with Augsburg & Gustavus.

First went OT though, so it should be a good one.

 

[Some guy]

I understand the #1s having a repeat game, but seems silly to have Concordia face Carleton again. Should just flip with Augsburg & Gustavus.

First went OT though, so it should be a good one.

It’s kind of a dumb set up I think. But with the top of the conference being so different than the bottom I guess they wanted to guarantee extra games between bottom teams and extra games between top teams.
They should just play 8 game schedules with no championship.
Last year 10 doesn’t play last year 1
Last year 9 doesn’t play last year 2
Last year 8 doesn’t play last year 3
Etc

 

[Schnauzer]

I understand the #1s having a repeat game, but seems silly to have Concordia face Carleton again. Should just flip with Augsburg & Gustavus.

First went OT though, so it should be a good one.

So Concordia and Gustavus can play for the fourth time in two seasons?

 

[Ope3]

So Concordia and Gustavus can play for the fourth time in two seasons?

I only care about Carleton (& St Olaf). J/k.

I missed the Cobbers & Gusties had also already squared off. Since the Knights have also already played the Scots, solving one repeat only creates another, or likely a mismatch. No good solutions.

 

[Some guy]

I only care about Carleton (& St Olaf). J/k.

I missed the Cobbers & Gusties had also already squared off. Since the Knights have also already played the Scots, solving one repeat only creates another, or likely a mismatch. No good solutions.

It’s almost like they have a 10 team conference so you play 7 of the other 9 and then have a crossover

The crossover is a 60% chance of being a rematch because of math

 

[Ope3]

It’s almost like they have a 10 team conference so you play 7 of the other 9 and then have a crossover

The crossover is a 60% chance of being a rematch because of math

Yes, Divisions in a 10 team league are cumbersome. As you alluded to, just seems like a ploy so the rest of the conference does not have to play St Johns or Bethel as often.

 

[Panthadad2]

It’s kind of a dumb set up I think. But with the top of the conference being so different than the bottom I guess they wanted to guarantee extra games between bottom teams and extra games between top teams.
They should just play 8 game schedules with no championship.
Last year 10 doesn’t play last year 1
Last year 9 doesn’t play last year 2
Last year 8 doesn’t play last year 3
Etc

The conference purposely went to this process to minimize the number of 7+ touchdown win monkey-stomp games matching the St. Johns/Bethels with the Macalesters/Hamlines and others. There is a massive difference in quality in the MIAC. The best teams are relevant nationally while the bottom teams compete at the UMAC level.

 

[Some guy]

The conference purposely went to this process to minimize the number of 7+ touchdown win monkey-stomp games matching the St. Johns/Bethels with the Macalesters/Hamlines and others. There is a massive difference in quality in the MIAC. The best teams are relevant nationally while the bottom teams compete at the UMAC level.

Easier way to cut down on 70 point wins is to have the St. John’s coach stop being a dick about 1.5 quarters earlier

 

[Panthadad2]

Easier way to cut down on 70 point wins is to have the St. John’s coach stop being a dick about 1.5 quarters earlier

It may have been an enticement to get Macalester to enter the league after UST left, and may St. Scholastica. I don't know. Just speculating.

 

[Some guy]

It may have been an enticement to get Macalester to enter the league after UST left, and may St. Scholastica. I don't know. Just speculating.

For sure it was. MIAC has an issue right now.
People cared about it because at the D3 level there were 3 nationally competitive teams plus only 1 real dog.

Now 1/3 of the conference are dogs and only 2 national contenders.
Local media doesn’t care as much anymore.

Honestly the league would’ve been better staying at 8 and playing more non conference games than adding scholastics and Mac IMO
It’s become a watered down product.

 

[Tommyboy]

For sure it was. MIAC has an issue right now.
People cared about it because at the D3 level there were 3 nationally competitive teams plus only 1 real dog.

Now 1/3 of the conference are dogs and only 2 national contenders.
Local media doesn’t care as much anymore.

Honestly the league would’ve been better staying at 8 and playing more non conference games than adding scholastics and Mac IMO
It’s become a watered down product.

Not very competitive, St. Scholastica has starters that did not play HS football. Looks like HS football.

 

[Ope3]

For sure it was. MIAC has an issue right now.
People cared about it because at the D3 level there were 3 nationally competitive teams plus only 1 real dog.

Now 1/3 of the conference are dogs and only 2 national contenders.
Local media doesn’t care as much anymore.

Honestly the league would’ve been better staying at 8 and playing more non conference games than adding scholastics and Mac IMO
It’s become a watered down product.

I think you're spot on with the dogs/National contenders ratio.

Keep in mind though, the MIAC exists for more than a dozen other sports. Sticking together and adding St Scholastica overall, is the best move, IMO.

 

[Some guy]

I think you're spot on with the dogs/National contenders ratio.

Keep in mind though, the MIAC exists for more than a dozen other sports. Sticking together and adding St Scholastica overall, is the best move, IMO.

True.
Mac was already in MIAC in other sports though. Didn’t need scholastica.
Could’ve given them the Mac deal.

I would argue would’ve been better for Mac to stay in the Wisconsin/Illinois football conference.

 

[Panthadad2]

Not very competitive, St. Scholastica has starters that did not play HS football. Looks like HS football.

And yet, St. Scholastica was always one of the best UMAC teams. D3 should really be split into two divisions in my opinion. There will likely be multiple 50-60+ point blow outs in the first round of the playoffs when a bunch of crappy conference champions get auto bids to be hamburger meat.

 

[Some guy]

And yet, St. Scholastica was always one of the best UMAC teams. D3 should really be split into two divisions in my opinion. There will likely be multiple 50-60+ point blow outs in the first round of the playoffs when a bunch of crappy conference champions get auto bids to be hamburger meat.

I guess I don’t see the problem with that. Who cares that there are blowouts?

 

[Ope3]

True.
Mac was already in MIAC in other sports though. Didn’t need scholastica.
Could’ve given them the Mac deal.

I would argue would’ve been better for Mac to stay in the Wisconsin/Illinois football conference.

Also true.

However without Mac & St S, I think St Olaf, Hamline & Carleton also look for another option. They were the 3 who were going to bolt if St Thomas hadn't been excommunicated.