2023 MVFC Season

[salemjack]

I don’t care who it is, but we need people with the energy and juice out there.

I don’t see that in our starters right now.

[jakejc795]

He got a lot of minutes in the second half with the 2's. Probably trying to get him reps to get comfortable with the system.

Yeah, I've seen him in there. You make a good point regarding familiarity with the system.

Hopefully bye facilitates that and Jacks get on track vs. F'ing Hawks.

[goon]

With jimmy and bobbit having a similar approach i was expecting more from the D line. I think some of that shows how impactful Sanders was on the d line. He made everyone better. We had had some teams take a deep shot but didnt get much pressure on those passes.

[RahRahRabbits]

With jimmy and bobbit having a similar approach i was expecting more from the D line. I think some of that shows how impactful Sanders was on the d line. He made everyone better. We had had some teams take a deep shot but didnt get much pressure on those passes.

We all knew losing Winkelman, and especially Sanders, would be a loss... but clearly not to this degree I think. There's a lot of football to be played and improvements to be made, but our still-deep defensive line just doesn't have the same fire without them. They're still good, don't get me wrong... but we clearly aren't seeing the QB pressures like we did last year. So many times we would only rush 3 last season, and still get significant QB pressure and sacks.

Montana state game exposed some holes with defensive ends getting too far upfield while still being blocked, and interior DL not getting the push we were used to seeing with Sanders. I'm hoping they can fix that this week prior to what will be a long, challenging slate of MVFC games with what appear to be a solid gamut of QB's. Perhaps DL coach Christian Smith moving on is more impactful than thought as well? Who knows. There's a lot of moving parts...

This team still has the personnel in place, both as players and coaches. We clearly couldn't expect perfection, though I think many of us had expectations that were potentially too high, including the talking heads and FCS media out there.

That being said. We're 3-0, going into the bye week. We already beat the #3 team in the FCS while playing a far from perfect game. There is room for improvement in offense consistency (this comment coming off a 70-point performance....), and defense, both pass and rush depending on the game. Both the MTST and Drake games showed that coaches and players are both ready to make the necessary adjustments in-game... which is what I want to see in a successful team. A hiccup certainly may still happen... I don't like the pressure of a perfect season... but I still like our chances come playoff time with this roster.

[AZjack]

The defense needs to get much better before UND, that offense is very good and Schuster will pick them apart if not pressured.

Without some turnovers, feels like Jacks will need to outscore UND, which this offense is more than capable.

[bigticket1]

Is there any good reason why almost all of the Valley teams have there bye weeks before the conference schedule even starts ?

[jakejc795]

Is there any good reason why almost all of the Valley teams have there bye weeks before the conference schedule even starts ?

Murray State Effect?

[RahRahRabbits]

Is there any good reason why almost all of the Valley teams have there bye weeks before the conference schedule even starts ?

Ill State/Mo State had byes last week, WIU has theirs next week, and everyone else is this week. It really is unfortunate... you would think it wouldn't be that hard to have the bye halfway through conference play when most all teams are stacked up the same like this. We had our bye in week 3 in 2021... adding that to the carryover from the spring season coupled with a brutal playoff road schedule, the team simply ran out of gas at the end of the year. 2022 had our bye in week 12, last game of the regular season, which I believe definitely helped our playoff push, but caused us to be playing hurt much of the year. Stig lambasted the end of year bye throughout the season, but sure came back to appreciate it through the playoffs. A nice, happy medium would be great, 4 games into the conference season...

[bigticket1]

Ill State/Mo State had byes last week, WIU has theirs next week, and everyone else is this week. It really is unfortunate... you would think it wouldn't be that hard to have the bye halfway through conference play when most all teams are stacked up the same like this. We had our bye in week 3 in 2021... adding that to the carryover from the spring season coupled with a brutal playoff road schedule, the team simply ran out of gas at the end of the year. 2022 had our bye in week 12, last game of the regular season, which I believe definitely helped our playoff push, but caused us to be playing hurt much of the year. Stig lambasted the end of year bye throughout the season, but sure came back to appreciate it through the playoffs. A nice, happy medium would be great, 4 games into the conference season...

I don't have a problem with most teams having their byes on one date since it doesn't give an advantage to any teams. But do it halfway through the conference schedule or later.

[RahRahRabbits]

Interesting week in the Valley! Missouri State and Illinois State both took care of business handily against bottom-feeders of Western Illinois and Indiana State. Southern Illinois took care of the 3rd bottom-feeder Murray State, though only by 3-scores at 27-6.

Jacks finally took down the Panthers in blowout fashion on Hobo Day - also setting an all-time margin-of-victory record against UNI (35 points, previous high of 31 in 2019, 38-7).

Yotes barely held on to beat the penguins after being up 31-10 in front of a whopping 3,608 people. Side note - really USD fans?! This team is actually looking pretty good... as much as it pains me to say this... they deserve better than that! Yuck.

And lastly... NDSU gets blown out by the F'in Hawks... 49-24... 25-point spread. That's pretty darn rare to see... I had to look it up myself. That is the largest losing margin-of-victory for the Bison since 2005 (a 31-point loss to Cal Poly in 2005, 37-6 final score). In that entire span, they had only lost twice by over 20 points--- by 24 to SIU in NDSU's dreadful spring season 38-14, and of course by 24 to the JACKRABBITS, 45-21 in the National Championship!!!! #EarsUp #HornsDown

Everyone is painfully aware of how dominant the Bison have been the past decade+.... but to lose only 3 times by more than 20 points in a 246-game stretch is unbelievable, all while playing quite a few FBS money games. For reference, the Jacks got beat 21 times total by more than 20 points in that same span, 8 times alone by the smelly cows (and 4 FBS games).

While the Bison are still going to be competitive... until Entz is gone, I'm calling the dynasty of rolling nearly all opponents without any concerns officially over!

[jakejc795]

Interesting week in the Valley! Missouri State and Illinois State both took care of business handily against bottom-feeders of Western Illinois and Indiana State. Southern Illinois took care of the 3rd bottom-feeder Murray State, though only by 3-scores at 27-6.

Jacks finally took down the Panthers in blowout fashion on Hobo Day - also setting an all-time margin-of-victory record against UNI (35 points, previous high of 31 in 2019, 38-7).

Yotes barely held on to beat the penguins after being up 31-10 in front of a whopping 3,608 people. Side note - really USD fans?! This team is actually looking pretty good... as much as it pains me to say this... they deserve better than that! Yuck.

And lastly... NDSU gets blown out by the F'in Hawks... 49-24... 25-point spread. That's pretty darn rare to see... I had to look it up myself. That is the largest losing margin-of-victory for the Bison since 2005 (a 31-point loss to Cal Poly in 2005, 37-6 final score). In that entire span, they had only lost twice by over 20 points--- by 24 to SIU in NDSU's dreadful spring season 38-14, and of course by 24 to the JACKRABBITS, 45-21 in the National Championship!!!! #EarsUp #HornsDown

Everyone is painfully aware of how dominant the Bison have been the past decade+.... but to lose only 3 times by more than 20 points in a 246-game stretch is unbelievable, all while playing quite a few FBS money games. For reference, the Jacks got beat 21 times total by more than 20 points in that same span, 8 times alone by the smelly cows (and 4 FBS games).

While the Bison are still going to be competitive... until Entz is gone, I'm calling the dynasty of rolling nearly all opponents without any concerns officially over!

I certainly hope you didn't just jinx those ungulates back into relevance.

Speaking of the Valley. Anyone have any insight on likelihood someone like Kelo could partner with Youngstown affiliate to air Jacks game on 11/11?

I'm not seeing any mention of video availability, even via ESPN+

[RahRahRabbits]

I certainly hope you didn't just jinx those ungulates back into relevance.

Speaking of the Valley. Anyone have any insight on likelihood someone like Kelo could partner with Youngstown affiliate to air Jacks game on 11/11?

I'm not seeing any mention of video availability, even via ESPN+

ESPN.com schedules from either team declare ESPN+ as an option, though Kelo would be neat too!

[jakejc795]

ESPN.com schedules from either team declare ESPN+ as an option, though Kelo would be neat too!

Thanks, I didn't check the "mothership," thinking if neither team's schedule site nor the ESPN+ upcoming schedule listed the game, it was an indication it wasn't being streamed (which I admit seemed illogical given pretty much all other Valley games being streamed)

[RahRahRabbits]

We're over half-way through the regular season, and have 3 of 8 conference games in the books. We do have some playoff scenarios starting to emerge that I’m excited to over-analyze! Buckle up... it's a long post. If you want to skip it, I certainly can't blame you!

TL;DR: RRR’s thoughts and musings on the MVFC’s playoff situation. I think seeing 5 teams make the cut, maybe even 6 is realistic – improving from last years’ 3-bid season. SDSU, USD, and SIU are in comfortable positions, and all vying for pretty high playoff seeds. UND/ISUr/NDSU are all sitting pretty well for a playoff berth as well, with YSU and UNI probably on the outside looking in - both needing to go 4-1 to close the season for the best chance of making it. There are actually a few scenarios still that all 8 teams in the running could end with at least 7 wins. I can't imagine the committee would put in all 8 if that were the case, would they?

Big games this week: SDSU at SIU. ISUr at YSU. UND at UNI.

In the running for a top seed:
South Dakota State; 6-0 (5-1 FCS) currently. Remaining: SIU, USD, NDSU, YSU, Missouri St

Jackrabbits control their own destiny in forcing the road-to-Frisco through Brookings with the MVFC autobid. As has been the case all year though, their remaining schedule is still the toughest in the Valley. Schedule makers certainly were not favoring the returning champs this year. They should still be favored in all matchups… but as we all know, getting through the Valley unscathed is a tall task for even the best of teams. If they do run the table, they will be consensus #1 seed in the playoffs. Drop 1 or 2 games against worthy adversaries… should still be a seed at least. Focus on the one game ahead, keep going 1-0.

South Dakota; 5-1 currently. Remaining: ISUb, SDSU, SIU, UND, WIU

The Coyotes have been some headline-worthy victories, but nothing that has really blown me away. They could be legit, or they could still be a pretender. St. Thomas, Lamar, and Murray State victories aren’t exciting. They did beat NDSU on the score board which is what matters at the end of the day, but statistically lost the game in nearly all categories. They were then up 31-10 on the Penguins and let them waddle their way back into the game before hitting a 41-yard FG as time expired. There’s some increasing chatter about Vermillion hosting College Game Day, which is beyond anything I can really fathom… going to be a huge game in a couple weeks. Can the yotes continue to do what they’ve done in the D1 era, knocking off the favored Jacks in the sewage treatment plant, or at least keeping it competitive? Or will this Jacks squad continue to be “demon slayers” in handily beating the Coyotes by more than one score in Vermin-town for the first time since 2003 (which has only been 4 games)… They have taken possession of the Bison rivalry and finally took care of the Hobo Day vs UNI ghost… this team is sure clicking. It will be fun to see both Gronowski and Davis make their DakotaDome debuts in a couple weeks. Yotes could realistically finish 10-1, or 7-3. If they do prove to be pretenders and finish 6-4, they're very possibly not in the playoffs. Win 4 of the next 5 to finish 9-2, they've likely earned their first ever seed for their their 3rd D1 playoff berth ever.

Southern Illinois; 5-1 currently. Remaining: SDSU, WIU, USD, NDSU, ISUb

It’s still hard to know who this Saluki squad is. Their best win is probably over Austin Peay and got absolutely embarrassed by Youngstown State. They have two easy gimmes in WIU/ISUb and could very easily win or lose any of the other 3 against SDSU/USD/NDSU depending on which team shows up. If they win 2 of those 3, they’re nearly a lock for a seed at 9-2, and a fairly high one at that. Lose their three tough games? 7-4, though comfortably in the playoffs.

In the running for a seed:
North Dakota; 4-2 currently. Remaining: UNI, ISUb, Murray St, USD, ISUr

UND actually has the easiest remaining schedule of any Valley team according to Sagarin ratings. If the same teams that played on the 14th show up this week, UND should easily handle UNI, and will almost certainly take down ISUb and Murray State. They should be 7-2 going into their game at USD, and if they slip past the yotes, will have a pivotal game against ISUr for a potential playoff seed, as the Redbirds may be fighting for even getting into the playoffs. After what happened to the Hawks last year with outbidding, but still being sent to Weber... you know they're salivating over a seed and a guaranteed home game.

Illinois State; 4-2 currently. Remaining: YSU, UNI, Missouri St, Murray St, UND

Redbirds are one bad final touchdown drive against Eastern Illinois from being 5-1, and solidly in the conversation for top-10 in the FCS. Up until a couple weeks ago, Eastern Illinois was looking decent, though losses to UT-Martin and SEMO the last two weeks have knocked them down a peg. Illinois State needs to win 3 more to be safely in the playoffs, which is certainly doable. Redbirds are being hosted by the Penguins (in what is really a must-win for YSU’s playoff chances), needing to win one of the next two games to be safely in playoff contention. They should easily handle Missouri and Murray States, and will have a tough matchup in Grand Forks to close out the regular season. If ISUr loses to both YSU and UNI, their game against the F’in Hawks will be win or go home. I think they’ll take care of that 3rd win somewhere along the way, and will finish either 7-4 or 8-3.

North Dakota State; 4-2 currently. Remaining: WIU, Murray St, SDSU, SIU, UNI

Is the dynasty over? Officially not… but this team is not the Bison team of the past decade+. There is something wrong in that locker room/coaching staff. The team gave up in Grand Forks this past weekend. I don’t think Entz is the coach of their future – or at least, he’s not the coach of their successful future. It would make me, and I think everyone else in the FCS, very happy if they retained him going forward. They have a couple easy games to get right, and sitting at 6-2 going into the final 3 game stretch should keep the Bison safely in playoff contention. If the wheels continue to implode, it’s still very possible a 6-5 NDSU team gets in just because of their past pedigree. They’ll likely take care of at least one of those games still, and will find themselves at 7-4 or 8-3, and playing on Thanksgiving weekend for the first time since 2010. They’re sure going to be fired up for the game in Brookings, and the result certainly isn’t guaranteed… but if the Jacks punch them in the mouth early, this Bison team has proven it can’t come back from behind mentally, physically, or schematically.

Playoff birth contenders:
Northern Iowa; 3-3 currently. Remaining: UND, ISUr, WIU, Missouri St, NDSU

Northern Iowa is still doing Northern Iowa things… being highly regarded for no real reason to start the season, just to waffle around .500, give or take, being a playoff-bubble team. Just like YSU, they need to realistically go 4-1 down the stretch here to secure a playoff birth. Depending on other conference results in the coming weeks, maybe a 6-5 UNI team sneaks in? I guess that could give the SDSU squad another chance to make up for 2019 fiasco – losing to UNI in the playoffs 10-13 after whooping them 38-7 just a few weeks earlier, both games at home. I think I’d rather they just stay the heck out of SDSU’s corner of the bracket though. A couple very big weeks for the Panthers against UND and ISUr.

Youngstown State; 3-3 currently. Remaining: ISUr, Missouri St, ISUb, SDSU, Murray St

What are the Penguins? Good? Bad? Mediocre…. That’s the answer, as it has been for nearly 25 years. Outside of their fluky 2016 campaign as the final runner-up team, the Penguins have only made the playoffs twice since their run of championship game wins/appearances in the 90s. That being said, this year is still on the table with their #2 easiest remaining conference schedule. This is a big week for them, probably a must-win actually if they want to make the playoffs, as going 4-1 down the stretch here puts them at 7-4. 3-point losses to UNI and USD are both pretty painful at this point for the flightless birds.

Mathematically not eliminated... but c'mon...
Missouri State; 2-4 currently. Remaining: Murray St, YSU, ISUr, UNI, SDSU

The Bears are also mathematically still in the race, though their #3 toughest remaining schedule will almost certainly prevent them from winning out. Missery State likely finishes 2-9 or 3-8 like the other MSU in the conference.

Murray State; 2-4 currently. Remaining: Missouri St, NDSU, UND, ISUr, YSU

Technically the Racers are not eliminated from the playoffs… but running the table against this slate of teams is very very very unlikely. According to Sagarin, this stretch of games is the #2 toughest behind only SDSU’s remaining schedule. Racers likely finish 2-9 or 3-8.

Mathematically eliminated:
Indiana State; 0-6 currently. Remaining: USD, UND, YSU, WIU, SIU

ISUb is also in the running for an 0-11 record, though I believe they’ll handle WIU, and could be primed for an upset in any of the other 4 games, which could impact that team’s playoff situation dramatically. Likely finish 1-10… but let’s cheer for the Trees to cause some chaos!

Western Illinois; 0-6 currently. Remaining: NDSU, SIU, UNI, ISUb, USD

Should safely finish a perfect 0-11. Adios Leathernecks, best of luck in your future conference! MVFC back down to a two-dog league… a mangy one and a pampered one.

[73alum]

Since Wilde is doing so well as a Freshman, I decided to see how Feldkamp and Bauer and AJ Coons we’re doing that transferred..
Feldkamp… Campbell…one catch in three games played out of seven and no punt or kick off returns
Bauer… I do not see any stats on him at Augustana…injured?
AJ Coons at Western Illinois… in seven games he has 17 catches for 243 yards. That probably makes him feel good but western Illinois is 0–7!!! Is that a good trade off!!?? I don’t know what Western Illinois had for wide receivers but I’m sure they need a little bit of everything on that team!!!