Though SJF's performance against Hobart may put them at the bottom of that list. 56-20 is hard to overlook.
Yep. And I'm thinking they aren't going to be the only team with 2 losses to tournament teams. W&L will probably fit that bill with Centre and H-SC and they lost both games on the road by a touchdown each. I don't think W&L deserves much consideration here either. You just can't lose 2 games in D3 and not win your AQ. I don't care how tough your schedule or who you lost to, two losses and arguing for a Pool C is extremely marginal.
Yeah, at least W&L played both of its games close. SJF got blown out twice, that's not playoff material unless the field is really weak. Wheaton lost to NC and IWU and one of the games was close.
I know Frank wishes and prays for East teams to get the nod, but 1) they have to earn them, and 2) his best bets are probably Endicott (in weak fields, committees have shown favor to 9-1 teams no matter their home conference) and for Widener to clinch the MAC and push Del Val into Pool C.
Although that opens Frank's other favorite can of gripes, since Del Val is the last standing legit No. 1 seed candidate in the East. Unless they want to give Hopkins a No. 1 lol. Even Wesley or Salisbury isn't going to be able to bail the East out.
In reality, if you're rooting for the East, I think you root *for* Del Val. I also think Salisbury is the potentially dangerous East team. I'd like to see how a dominant defense performs in its first shot against a perfectly-executed triple option.
Also the lack of undefeateds in the North (I think it's just Mount Union and Wabash) might necessitate an East team staying home if Del Val wins. Then again, the committee would be wise to split St. Thomas and UW-Whitewater up if possible.
Anyway, yeah, Pool C. That Redlands/St. Olaf problem solved itself, didn't it?