Against the advice of some of the readers of this blog, Sunday's word isn't going to be the word "apologist" (for my Leopardphilia this week) or "unprofessional" (for my humorous post about UMass).Instead, I'm going for "rematch".
There is going to be plenty of time to recap the 2006 Patriot League season, which ended Saturday with Lafayette's loss to UMass 35-14. There's time to go over the performance of coach Coen and to start thinking of the offseason. But it's still playoff time, and the two games everyone must be following are a pair of regular-season rematches between bitter leaguemates.
It's somewhat ironic that in the BCS world we're very likely going to be denied the rematch that most fans would rather see (Ohio State/Michigan) in favor of a game which will be a whitewash in Ohio State/USC. In the world of the FCS playoffs, however, we get two interiguing second-round matchups that are very special rematches that could demonstrate exactly why the NCAA shouldn't shy away from them in any postseason, BCS or FCS.
Illinois State made no bones about who they wanted to play next Saturday. "Bring on Youngstown State!" Illinois State's Gateway title hopes were somewhat dashed after losing to Youngstown State 27-13 in their "worst performance of the year" as some fans put it. In that game, the Redbirds only scored 6 offensive points at home to the eventual Gateway champions. Illinois State is coming off a dominating performance on the road against Eastern Illinois 24-13, while Youngstown had to come from behind (and get a huge assist from James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews) to squeak to victory 31-28. Next week at the Ice Palace Youngstown I think will have their hands full with an Illinois State team which is eager to avenge the memory of that loss.
The UMass/New Hampshire game should be another nailbiter with a lot of emotion. In a 28-20 victory for the Minutemen four weeks ago, New Hampshire was denied on the UMass 3 yard line with under a minute to play. You have to believe Wildcat QB Ricky Santos has to be dying to get another shot at a team that many believe belong in Chattanooga this year. Still, the Wildcats barely squeaked by Hampton 41-38 after converting a 4th down 25 yard TD reception to RB Chad Kackert.
Southern Illinois/Montana and Montana State/Appalachian State will easily be eclipsed by these two other second-round matchups. Although it will be interesting to see both of those games, it's the "rematches" that will probably be the highlight of next weeks' slate of games.
It's not the first time the BCS could look to the FCS as to how they should run their postseason, nor will it be the last. But "rematches" are great games and great theater. They should be encouraged, not denied the chance to happen.
Comments
You advertise your blog in the "discussion" section of the AGS forum that busts-on UMass; while at later time you post your write-up of the game as a journalist in the same section.
Your blog dissing UMass, at the minimum, belonged in the "smack" section of AGS.
First, yes, I did bust on UMass on my post saying why Lehigh fans should root for Lafayette over UMass, but I think it was clearly a piece that was meant to be funny and not meant to be taken seriously. Read through the site; I've joked about Liberty, Monmouth, Colgate, Lafayette...
Second, if you read my CSTV writeup of the game, you can tell that the sendup of UMass didn't leach its way into my writeup of the game. Read it again and tell me it's not objective or busts on UMass in any way. If anything, it heaps praise on RB Steve Baylark.
Comment on my blog all you want, but do not question my objectivity on CSN or CSTV.
One person's humor is another's smack...Lets leave it at that.
I love your map project and have used it a few times already.
This brings up an interesting point. His first choice out of high school was Lehigh... but ran into trouble in Admissions. I was told by one of the Lehigh coaches that he was #1 on the Lehigh board for his position but didn't get through the process, yet ended up at a rival school with the same stringent admission policies. I was told that this is not uncommon in the Patriot League where schools make their decisions on athletes independently. The Ivies have the band system which breaks a student down numerically and thus if he doesn't get into one because he's below the bottom number, he won't get into any of the others. Period. Anyway, keep yor fingers crossed, great player.... better kid. No name for now...don't want to jinx!