Is It Acceptable...

[The Ancient Enemy]

Is it fair to assess I-AA's worth vs. I-A based on whether or not they make the playoffs?

[fleaflicker]

I have no clue what you are saying. Rephrase the question a bit.

Interestingly enough though, the NCAA decided that for I-A competition, EVERY I-AA win counts towards a bowl game, instead of just using one every 5 years. In other words both of Texas Tech's I-AA opponents count towards their bowl game, and would count towards it if Texas Tech had only 4 other wins this year. What are your thoughts on that?

[The Ancient Enemy]

Like I just said. Is it fair to rate the level of IAA competition, vs. IA opponents, based on whether or not those IAA teams make the playoffs.

There are 4 teams left in the IAA playoffs. Appalachian State, Furman, Texas State, and Northern Iowa.

NIU lost to Iowa 45-21: Not that bad of a score.
Appalachian State lost to LSU: 24-0
Furman did not play any IA teams, but did return Ingle Martin and almost beat Pitt last year.
Texas State lost to A&M 44-31.

Those are not bigtime blowouts.

[fleaflicker]

Some IAA teams are better than some of the IA teams. Any of those teams left could probably win the Sun Belt (or come very very close), finish in the middle of the pack in the WAC, and possibly do the same in C-USA or the MAC. They'd probably have a tough row to hoe though, if they were in the MWC or the Big East, not to mention the five power conferences.

But on the other hand, it really isn't a fair assessment. Most of these teams don't play more than one or two I-A opponents, and the I-A teams usually don't play more than the same number of I-AA opponents. They don't play one another enough, and for the most part, they play entirely different levels of competition. So it's hard to say whether a final four Northern Iowa team is really better than a 6-5 Southern Miss team or any other halfway decent I-A team. There isn't enough information to go on.

[The Ancient Enemy]

You're not getting what I am saying. Look... what I am saying is this: If you play a I-AA team who makes it to the final four and you won the game, is that win worth more than a win over St. Francis.

If Appalachian State wins the I-AA playoffs, does that make LSU look better, or are they still criticized for playing a I-AA team?

[Lefteyelouie]

I think they should still be criticized for playing a I-AA team. I get tired of seeing these powerhouse schools play cupcake non-conference schedules. Even if they are in the final four for I-AA. You have to like the fact that Ohio State and Texas squared off in the early season this year. I don't think any wins outside of I-A should count for bowl games. At the very least it should be a huge factor in the BCS standings.

[abpk2903]

They should be critized basically if you have to count on beating any I-AA team to get intoa I-A bowl or a better bowl it is pretty sad. When was the last time PSU, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, or ND played a I-A it does not help your program at all.

[fleaflicker]

Oh, ok, I see what you are asking now. In other words: How much should a IA win against a IAA school be worth? Should it be weighted more if the school does well?

Right now, as I said, all wins are weighed the same, including IAA competition. But if a IAA school makes the playoffs, it should count the same as a mid major IA program, and if not, should be counted as less. Just my thoughts.

[The Ancient Enemy]

I just think it's ridiculous how people say that I-AA teams are better than a lot of the I-A teams yet don't want to honor that statement when LSU only beats a final-four App. State 24-0.