Quote from: Pat Coleman on Today at 09:07:04 AM

Quote from: RoyalsFan on Today at 12:38:08 AM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 14, 2025, 10:02:55 PM

Quote from: RoyalsFan on December 14, 2025, 09:08:32 PM

Quote from: ncc_fan on December 14, 2025, 06:22:15 PMYes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how that works now.

Yes, discussed in a number of podcasts in the last two seasons.

Sorry, I don't listen to podcasts.

Well, we also referenced this when we wrote about our projected bracket each of the past two years. For example:
https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/our-projected-bracket

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone reads everything you put out. It just ins't that important to me. I asked a question and someone answered it, end of story.

Quote from: USee on Yesterday at 02:10:59 PMUWRF will have to outscore NCC to win.

Gee - Captain Obvious. 

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 14, 2025, 10:02:55 PM

Quote from: RoyalsFan on December 14, 2025, 09:08:32 PM

Quote from: ncc_fan on December 14, 2025, 06:22:15 PMYes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how that works now.

Yes, discussed in a number of podcasts in the last two seasons.

Sorry, I don't listen to podcasts.

Quote from: ncc_fan on December 14, 2025, 06:22:15 PMYes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how that works now.

Quote from: USee on December 14, 2025, 02:45:41 PM

Quote from: RoyalsFan on December 14, 2025, 01:28:51 PM

Quote from: sju56321 on December 14, 2025, 11:45:39 AMWatching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

Unfortunately that is a double edged sword when it comes to getting an at-large bid. Win/loss record seems to be more of a factor than strength of schedule when determining at-large bids. It is fine if you happen to win those non conference games, but if you lose them it really hurts IMO.

This is no longer true w NPI.  In fact it seems the tougher your non conf opponent the better your chances of an at large bid.  Take Wheaton. Last year they scheduled Oshkosh and lost. Finished 8-2 (w losses to NCC and UWO). Didn't get in. This year they replaced UWO w Mt Union. Same result. 8-2. Easily got in.  The reality is weaker non conference opponents hurt your NPI. You can actually lose a road game to a strong opponent and increase your NOI more than a home win against a weak team

I really don't follow the selection process that close. Are you saying that NPI is now the only determining factor when selecting at-large teams? I didn't think it was that cut and dried, otherwise there wouldn't be any drama on selection Sunday.

Quote from: sju56321 on December 14, 2025, 11:45:39 AMWatching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

Unfortunately that is a double edged sword when it comes to getting an at-large bid. Win/loss record seems to be more of a factor than strength of schedule when determining at-large bids. It is fine if you happen to win those non conference games, but if you lose them it really hurts IMO.

Disappointing loss today, but not unexpected. Congrats to the Royals for a great season, exceeding all preseason expectations with a MIAC championship, undefeated regular season and quaterfinals appearance in the playoffs, especially considering they only had 6 starters returning from last year. This is a young team and expectations will be high for next year.

With that said, some thoughts on today's game. 2 plays in the first half were crucial, the first being Drews losing the ball attempting to pass on a drive in NCC territory for a turnover. The second and more important one was the goal line stop at the end of the 1st half by NCC. While it may not have changed the outcome of the game, momentum plays a huge role in college and Bethel not scoring at the end of the 1st half to go into half time tied was a huge let down for them. Would have been nice to see how those 2 plays would have changed the game had they gone Bethel's way.

Quote from: hazzben on December 07, 2025, 09:52:02 AMWe need to see what the post-blaha era brings. But I said to my brother yesterday, UWRF feels a little like 2003 SJU. A very good team, with a transcendent player, and a feeling of almost inevitability. That Mount team was also regarded like this NCC team. Supposedly the best ever and unbeatable.

D3 was a little tighter at the top then. We almost knocked SJU off for 409, but Kirchoff getting carted off after the go ahead TD left us shorthanded in the final drive. Basically SJU had close calls that year, but Blake Elliot kept doing Blake Elliot things. This UWRF D with a healthy Blaha will be a really tough out. I think Wheaton is their biggest obstacle left before the Stagg.

Yeah, I still remember the 409 game where a Bethel defender stepped in front of Elliot and got both hands on the pass but Elliot reached around from the back and got 1 hand on the ball and they called it a simultaneous catch. Happened right in front of the SJU bench so pretty sure that influenced that call. If I remember correctly, it was late in the game and would have pretty much sealed a win for Bethel.

Congrats to the Royals for their win today and moving on to the next round. NCC will be a difficult test.

Bethel didn't play their best today, but the weather and missing 3 linemen (including the center) had something to do with that. I thought Bethel got a bit lucky on a couple of plays which could have changed the outcome today. The first was a long pass after Bethel was down 10-0 that probably should have been intercepted by UWP at the goal line, Drews threw into double coverage. The other big play was a trick play that had Rundell throwing back to Drews which was intercepted and returned deep in Bethel territory. UWP got called for roughing the passer, which I don't disagree with, it's just that this rarely gets called if it isn't the quarterback that is throwing the ball so I was surprised it got called.

The other thing I thought a bit perplexing was the Bethel defense after being up by 3 scores in the 4th quarter. At that point, everyone knows that UWP has to score quickly, so don't give up the huge plays, but they gave up a td in 2 plays of 51 yards and then another td in 3 plays of 63 yards on long passes. Wouldn't you play 2 deep safties and not let receivers get behind you? I realize I am arm chair coaching here, but that defense didn't make sense to me. The receivers were getting well behind the defenders.

Final 51-26 Bethel. Congrats to both MIAC teams today - maybe both teams will get a little more respect after today from the experts.

Cooper Drews with his 3rd rushing td to go up 51-26. So much for those thinking this was going to be a close game.

Geeblie with a td run to go up 44-20.

End of 3rd quarter, 37-20. Bethel with 2nd and goal from the 2 to start the 4th quarter.

Coe not going away, convert on 4th down for a td but PAT blocked. 37-20 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd.

Coe with a blocked punt and short td run but Drews to Rundell again for 50 yard td. Bethel up 37-14.