Playoffs

[TJames]

I forgot to mention this after Saturday's game. I was talking to one of our former players, Joe Dunn, who now works for the NCAA. He was at the game Saturday.

Joe told me that he knows the chairman of the I-AA NCAA playoffs selection committee, as well as several of the committee members.

He asked them that if Indiana State won out over Youngstown State and Southern Illinois, would the Sycamores still be in contention for an at-large berth even if ISU lost to Northern Iowa.

They told him that yes, the Sycamores would still be in the mix. But winning their last two games is the deal breaker. Lose either of those games, then ISU falls off the list. Win both and they have a chance.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

That is very, very cool!!!

:sycamores::sycamores::sycamores:

 

[bent20]

That's good, but I'm not that worried about the playoffs this year. I'm not sure we even deserve it with three conference losses. I want us to win out just so we can finish strong and come into next season with all the confidence in the world. Let's also not forget that next year will also be a big recruiting year. We'll have several players graduating and a bunch of scholarships available. It's important to stay on the rise.

 

[TJames]

Whether the Sycamores actually make the playoffs is not the biggest deal for me....

it's that I want to see the Sycamores continue to aspire, to reach, to get as much out of this season as they possibly can.

I want them to wring the season out like a soaked wash rag. I want to see them go out to Youngstown State and kick butt.

And I especially want to see them go over to Carbondale and muzzle some Salukis. Anything after that is icing on the cake.

 

[niklz62]

it's that I want to see the Sycamores continue to aspire, to reach, to get as much out of this season as they possibly can.

I want them to wring the season out like a soaked wash rag. I want to see them go out to Youngstown State and kick butt.

And I especially want to see them go over to Carbondale and muzzle some Salukis. Anything after that is icing on the cake.

I agree. they just need to get a winning season this week and get the 7th win next week. does the parity in the MVC hurt their chances of getting 2-3 teams in the playoffs?

 

[TJames]

Joe Dunn told me that he was told that the MVC

could get three teams in.

 

[Bally #50]

I think three playoff teams is a probability. Not to throw water on our TREES, but there are THREE 6-3 teams above us and two are likely to go 2-0, one maybe 2-0, maybe 1-1. The two lower tier team victories will then come back to haunt us I am afraid. Win out and we still a huge longshot at best. Not saying we can't do it because we can, but split these last two and we should be thrilled at our FIRST WINNING SEASON since 1996. Win two and Trent will be somebody's COY, no doubt! He's already mine.

 

[TreeTop]

When was the last time there was ANY talk of the Sycamore Gridiron making it into the FCS/1-AA playoffs?

Maaaaayyyyybe the mid nineties (maybe).

Just that fact that there is even mention of the playoffs is a HUGE win for this program.

 

[Bally #50]

When was the last time there was ANY talk of the Sycamore Gridiron making it into the FCS/1-AA playoffs?

Maaaaayyyyybe the mid nineties (maybe).

Just that fact that there is even mention of the playoffs is a HUGE win for this program.

You got it Chief! My point exactly. Don't let a 6-5 season (or a 5-6) season be a disappointment. This has been a year in Sycamore football I will NEVER forget.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

A mention of playoffs is cool--more than anyone reasonably expected before the season started. A road win??? At this point, I would say it's entirely possible, if not expected. We know that the coaches and players, each and every one of them, expect it.
:sycamores::sycamores::sycamores:

 

[landrus13]

Getting into the playoffs would boost the players morale about next season and might even help us with recruiting.

 

[jno2879]

Playoffs? Playoffs? We talking about playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d

 

[IndianaState45]

Yes ...playoffs...why not us? It would be huge all the way around for the program.

 

[SupportTheSyc's]

Getting into the playoffs would boost the players morale about next season and might even help us with recruiting.

Agree. Getting this team (coaches and players) play-off experince would help them better prepare for future play-off oppotunities. That said, we can't worry about making the playoffs (and shouldn't be disappointed if we don't). Winning an "away" game this year is the next goal. Program is making great strides! GO Sycamores

 

[TJames]

just keep striving....is all you can ask for.....

that's what my goal for the sycamores are.

 

[goindystate]

I agree, and I think most ISU fans will too, but regardless of what happens the next 2 weeks, this season has far exceeded what ANY fan thought ISU would do this season. Any wins the next 2 Saturday's will be icing on the cake.

 

[JustAskin]

playoffs

I know players and staff are planning on not going home for Thanksgiving

 

[sycamore tuff]

I agree, and I think most ISU fans will too, but regardless of what happens the next 2 weeks, this season has far exceeded what ANY fan thought ISU would do this season. Any wins the next 2 Saturday's will be icing on the cake.

I predicted 4 wins for sure and possibly as many as 7. That is still possible!
I did have the pleasure of watching several preseason practices with my 14 year old son to help me with my prediction.

 

[FORMER SYCAMORE]

I believe Playoffs are out of the question this year even if we win out. With the landscape of the FCS this year there are plenty of teams with just as good or better resume then we have. This team is pretty good. And next year might be the year of the Tree. This would be the first team since 2002 that could have had a chance at the playoffs.

If you remember the 02 team we played two FBS teams. And had Ball State beat going into the 4th. Then the next week we went into EIU and had our chance against Romo and the Panthers if it wasn't for the long bomb on 4th and inches. Add that with the loss at Western Michigan in week one the 1-3 start was almost too much to overcome. But with the HC win against UNI and the win at SIU we had our chance to go 500 in the final week to ILST. Unfortunately the turnover bug hit us and it seemed like we couldn't get a call go our way. We had something like 100 plus in penalties. That year was still a fun ride.

Well back to this year. To the players...seal up what we didn't. Win one of the last two at least. You will never forget this time in your life. I know I never have forgotten my time as a SYCAMORE!!!!
:sycamores:

 

[Bally #50]

I believe Playoffs are out of the question this year even if we win out. With the landscape of the FCS this year there are plenty of teams with just as good or better resume then we have. This team is pretty good. And next year might be the year of the Tree. This would be the first team since 2002 that could have had a chance at the playoffs.

If you remember the 02 team we played two FBS teams. And had Ball State beat going into the 4th. Then the next week we went into EIU and had our chance against Romo and the Panthers if it wasn't for the long bomb on 4th and inches. Add that with the loss at Western Michigan in week one the 1-3 start was almost too much to overcome. But with the HC win against UNI and the win at SIU we had our chance to go 500 in the final week to ILST. Unfortunately the turnover bug hit us and it seemed like we couldn't get a call go our way. We had something like 100 plus in penalties. That year was still a fun ride.

Well back to this year. To the players...seal up what we didn't. Win one of the last two at least. You will never forget this time in your life. I know I never have forgotten my time as a SYCAMORE!!!!
:sycamores:

Thanks for your efforts, FORMER SYCAMORE. We have so much to look forward to in 2011. Man, I'd love to have that elusive road victory and we certainly can do it. I have said it over and over again, NO MATTER WHAT, we should be proud of this team. My gut feeling is that we will pull one of these out of a hat in the next two weeks. It's just meant to be, IMO. I sure hope so but either way, Trent has done a WONDERFUL job with these men.