Final Poll

[Travelingcat]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

Anyone not voting the Bobcats #1 should have their voting privileges suspended.

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

[kwcat]

Not a big deal. Both of the Dakota schools have history as well as strong schedules. We just have to prove them wrong at the end of the year. That’s the best thing

[MSU01]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

Anyone not voting the Bobcats #1 should have their voting privileges suspended.

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

You might as well not have a poll at all if you're going to suspend voters just for having a different opinion than most. Who cares, it's cool to see MSU at #1 even if not everyone put them there. All that matters anyway will happen on the field.

[Cledus]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

Anyone not voting the Bobcats #1 should have their voting privileges suspended.

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

I'll bet Riley Corcoran was one of the five.

[tetoncat]

Not a big deal. Both of the Dakota schools have history as well as strong schedules. We just have to prove them wrong at the end of the year. That’s the best thing

How would you pick any of the 3 between USD, NDSU, SDSU. With the round robin wins on road each had, and another loss, none separated themselves. Put them 2-4 however you want, but body of work didn't justify any of them at 1. Playoffs will determine champion. But, Cats played all top teams of BSC, no games were close. Dominated the mid and bottom level and an FBS win. What else would they need to do to pass the eye test for those voters. It shouldn't be who they think will win it all, it is who is #1 right now.

[Bobcat Sig]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

...

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

This has been my beef all along with both the polling and the seeding. Do wins matter? Or do losses matter? Because based on what I'm seeing; winning doesn't matter. You must have the brand and a tough schedule - the winning doesnt matter. Or so it seems.

[profisme]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

Anyone not voting the Bobcats #1 should have their voting privileges suspended.

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

You might as well not have a poll at all if you're going to suspend voters just for having a different opinion than most. Who cares, it's cool to see MSU at #1 even if not everyone put them there. All that matters anyway will happen on the field.

For polls yes, but it reminded me of the fact that Greg Maddux wasn’t a unanimous Hall of Famer and how some things don’t make sense and some people deserve a swift kick to the shins.

[kwcat]

Not a big deal. Both of the Dakota schools have history as well as strong schedules. We just have to prove them wrong at the end of the year. That’s the best thing

How would you pick any of the 3 between USD, NDSU, SDSU. With the round robin wins on road each had, and another loss, none separated themselves. Put them 2-4 however you want, but body of work didn't justify any of them at 1. Playoffs will determine champion. But, Cats played all top teams of BSC, no games were close. Dominated the mid and bottom level and an FBS win. What else would they need to do to pass the eye test for those voters. It shouldn't be who they think will win it all, it is who is #1 right now.

I had a buddy that looked at their strength of schedule before the rankings ever came out and that is exactly how he ended up with them. I never looked at it that close but his explanation was understandable.
South Dakota and South Dakota State Bolt Hadsten division to winds amongst their schedule

[tetoncat]

Not a big deal. Both of the Dakota schools have history as well as strong schedules. We just have to prove them wrong at the end of the year. That’s the best thing

How would you pick any of the 3 between USD, NDSU, SDSU. With the round robin wins on road each had, and another loss, none separated themselves. Put them 2-4 however you want, but body of work didn't justify any of them at 1. Playoffs will determine champion. But, Cats played all top teams of BSC, no games were close. Dominated the mid and bottom level and an FBS win. What else would they need to do to pass the eye test for those voters. It shouldn't be who they think will win it all, it is who is #1 right now.

I had a buddy that looked at their strength of schedule before the rankings ever came out and that is exactly how he ended up with them. I never looked at it that close but his explanation was understandable.
South Dakota and South Dakota State Bolt Hadsten division to winds amongst their schedule

That makes sense to sort between those 3. It doesn't make sense if shooting between a 2 loss team and an undefeated team. If that team is in a top 2 or 3 conference unless they didn't play the other top teams.

[allcat]

Not a big deal. Both of the Dakota schools have history as well as strong schedules. We just have to prove them wrong at the end of the year. That’s the best thing

How would you pick any of the 3 between USD, NDSU, SDSU. With the round robin wins on road each had, and another loss, none separated themselves. Put them 2-4 however you want, but body of work didn't justify any of them at 1. Playoffs will determine champion. But, Cats played all top teams of BSC, no games were close. Dominated the mid and bottom level and an FBS win. What else would they need to do to pass the eye test for those voters. It shouldn't be who they think will win it all, it is who is #1 right now.

I had a buddy that looked at their strength of schedule before the rankings ever came out and that is exactly how he ended up with them. I never looked at it that close but his explanation was understandable.
South Dakota and South Dakota State Bolt Hadsten division to winds amongst their schedule

Huh?

[89Cat]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

[coloradocat]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

I don't know that we would have dropped all the way to 4 but we definitely wouldn't have been #1. Probably still the 2 seed since we were still undefeated in FCS which still makes up for a little bit of SOS "weakness".

[CodyCat]

Not a big deal. Both of the Dakota schools have history as well as strong schedules. We just have to prove them wrong at the end of the year. That’s the best thing

How would you pick any of the 3 between USD, NDSU, SDSU. With the round robin wins on road each had, and another loss, none separated themselves. Put them 2-4 however you want, but body of work didn't justify any of them at 1. Playoffs will determine champion. But, Cats played all top teams of BSC, no games were close. Dominated the mid and bottom level and an FBS win. What else would they need to do to pass the eye test for those voters. It shouldn't be who they think will win it all, it is who is #1 right now.

I had a buddy that looked at their strength of schedule before the rankings ever came out and that is exactly how he ended up with them. I never looked at it that close but his explanation was understandable.
South Dakota and South Dakota State Bolt Hadsten division to winds amongst their schedule

Huh?

Both had division two wins amongst their schedule???

[tetoncat]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

I don't know that we would have dropped all the way to 4 but we definitely wouldn't have been #1. Probably still the 2 seed since we were still undefeated in FCS which still makes up for a little bit of SOS "weakness".

Where is the weakness? I know ranking says we ended up in 20's. Played 3 top 10 teams plus an FBS, mid of conference is avg or better than most teams in country.

[coloradocat]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

I don't know that we would have dropped all the way to 4 but we definitely wouldn't have been #1. Probably still the 2 seed since we were still undefeated in FCS which still makes up for a little bit of SOS "weakness".

Where is the weakness? I know ranking says we ended up in 20's. Played 3 top 10 teams plus an FBS, mid of conference is avg or better than most teams in country.

That's why I used scare quotes. It's been the narrative all season but I don't agree with it.

[Cledus]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

I don't know that we would have dropped all the way to 4 but we definitely wouldn't have been #1. Probably still the 2 seed since we were still undefeated in FCS which still makes up for a little bit of SOS "weakness".

Where is the weakness? I know ranking says we ended up in 20's. Played 3 top 10 teams plus an FBS, mid of conference is avg or better than most teams in country.

That's why I used scare quotes. It's been the narrative all season but I don't agree with it.

This weak schedule everyone says we have is in the 84th percentile.

[Montanabob]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

I don't know that we would have dropped all the way to 4 but we definitely wouldn't have been #1. Probably still the 2 seed since we were still undefeated in FCS which still makes up for a little bit of SOS "weakness".

Where is the weakness? I know ranking says we ended up in 20's. Played 3 top 10 teams plus an FBS, mid of conference is avg or better than most teams in country.

That's why I used scare quotes. It's been the narrative all season but I don't agree with it.

This weak schedule everyone says we have is in the 84th percentile.

we played BOTH UNCO and PSU. both are powerhouses.

[tetoncat]

It would be interesting to see where the Cats would be if we had lost to New Mexico Week 1. That game didn't seem that important at the time, but given where all the teams are now, I'm sure that would have given the voters and excuse to drop us to four. That drastically changes the look of things.

I don't know that we would have dropped all the way to 4 but we definitely wouldn't have been #1. Probably still the 2 seed since we were still undefeated in FCS which still makes up for a little bit of SOS "weakness".

Where is the weakness? I know ranking says we ended up in 20's. Played 3 top 10 teams plus an FBS, mid of conference is avg or better than most teams in country.

That's why I used scare quotes. It's been the narrative all season but I don't agree with it.

This weak schedule everyone says we have is in the 84th percentile.

we played BOTH UNCO and PSU. both are powerhouses.

Show me a schedule that doesn't have those games. Bottom of MVFC is just as bad as bottom of BSC. PSU would beat a lot of teams. Hell UNC almost beat ACU who is a playoff team.

[lutecat]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

Anyone not voting the Bobcats #1 should have their voting privileges suspended.

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

I'll bet Riley Corcoran was one of the five.

It's crazy he used to call games for us looking back. I'd be curious to go back and listen to any of the cat/griz games he called while he was "working for us". See how that compared to now when he calls griz games. I mean he sounds so sad when someone scores against the griz. Did he sound sad if the griz scored against us?

[Bocephus]

Incredibly, we were not a unanimous #1. The Dakota schools got the other five votes.

I get considering strengths of schedule (although ours was fine) etc. but we had a road win against an FBS team and easily swept our competition-- barring the late fluke against Davis that was only enabled by a dubious fourth down pass interference call.

The other teams didn't just have one loss-- they had TWO.

At some point, winning rather than reputation has to matter.

Anyone not voting the Bobcats #1 should have their voting privileges suspended.

https://theanalyst.com/2024/11/stats-pe ... ll-week-13

I'll bet Riley Corcoran was one of the five.

It's crazy he used to call games for us looking back. I'd be curious to go back and listen to any of the cat/griz games he called while he was "working for us". See how that compared to now when he calls griz games. I mean he sounds so sad when someone scores against the griz. Did he sound sad if the griz scored against us?

Wasn’t he sideline reporter only for football and women’s basketball?