Off to Ogden, Utah to take on a team that's played 5 games this year:
Links:
Saluki Insider Notes – 2020 NCAA FCS Playoffs
The SIU football team will make its first appearance in the NCAA FCS playoffs since 2009 when they travel to the state of Utah on Thursday. SIU plays Big Sky Conference champion Weber State in Ogden, Utah, on Saturday.
“They are a team that would fit right in in our league,” SIU coach Nick Hill told ESPN Radio Monday night. “They remind you a lot of Northern Iowa or maybe even Youngstown with Coach Pelini with how they play aggressive.”
Weber State has made five consecutive playoff appearances, including advancing to the semi-finals in 2019. The Wildcats are 5-0 this season and some felt that they should have received a top-four seed again in this year’s tournament.
“I thought that we would have got one of the top-four seeds and I think the players felt the same way,” said Weber State Head Football Coach Jay Hill. “The reality is it doesn’t matter.”
The strength of schedule no doubt hurt Weber State’s seeding hopes. Massey Ratings lists their schedule strength at 28 and ranks the Wildcats at number six this week. The Salukis are ranked 11th overall with a schedule strength at number 13.
“I’m sure they’re frustrated that they are not a seed,” says SIU coach Nick Hill. “They’ve been ranked number one or number two all year and then they’ve not gotten beat. They’re a really good football team.”
The Wildcats hold one top-25 victory defeating UC-Davis 18-13 on March 13. SIU tallied four top-25 wins during its eight-game season.
What can we expect?
“They play aggressive. They play a lot of man-to-man and will press you,” says Nick Hill. “They probably have as impressive of a front six or seven that we have played against…as good as North Dakota State, as good as Northern Iowa.”
Travel Plans
The Saluki will fly to Salt Lake City on Thursday. That is a day sooner than they normal travel for road games. NCAA Covid-19 testing rules mandate testing on Friday morning adding the extra travel day prior to the game. SIU plans to check-in to their hotel Thursday evening, have a good dinner and bond as a team. The team will practice on Friday at either the University of Utah or Utah State University.
“It will give them a different experience practicing on a different field,” said coach Hill.
Building the Program
Coach Hill did not watch the selection show on Sunday. Last season’s disappointing selection show was enough.
“I watched it last year,” said Hill. “That was like dying a slow death.”
This year was a much different. Hill received the good news from his wife and said it was a very good feeling. Weber State is now at the point where they expect to be in the playoffs every year. SIU just took the big first step changing those expectations in Carbondale.
“We are going to be travelling with 11 or 12 true freshmen,” said Hill. “I think this is where you can take huge strides for the expectations. It’s been a process to get back to this point, but we’re here now and we’ve got to use it to our advantage.”
Catch the Salukis and the Wildcats on ESPN 3 on Saturday at 3pm CDT in the first-round of the NCAA playoffs.
You can also provide financial support directly to the SIU football program on Saluki Funder at https://salukifunder.siu.edu/project/22654
Nick Hill on ESPN 103.5 earlier tonight:
https://www.1035espn.com/episode/in-the-dawghouse-04-19-21-nick-hill/
Congrats to Nick Hill, coaches, players and Salukis for great season! Happy to be back in playoffs and what a road to get there. Hope we continue to improve and looking forward to more post season play in the years ahead.
Also hope the defense steps it up a bit this weekend.
March on triumphantly!
With all the adversity this team faced this season, I couldn't be prouder of where they are. As I said last season, Saluki Football is back and I believe they'll be consistently fighting for, and in, the playoffs for the foreseeable future.
#Theyplayed !!!!!!!
Is Jimmy C or Elliot available Saturday?
Massey has Weber by 6.5.
I like the Dawgs. We have played a much tougher schedule, and they don't have a great offense this year. Freshman QB. Think they would have lost to E. Wash. if they had played. Montana and Montana St. opted out, so Weber wins it. (Montana St was picked to win the league.)
Pretty sure they haven't seen a running game like ours, and I think we'll have a great effort.
Go Dawgs!
I think this game comes down to defense and turnovers. If we can limit their run game and make their QB throw to beat us I like our chances. We have to be disciplined though (no stupid penalties like we had last week against SLU). On offense, run the ball and limit turnovers. I think we have a shot in this game and I am hopeful for a win! It would be nice to get another shot at SDSU.
Agree. We literally gave them a TD because of penalties, although that one pass int call was awful.
The penalties that tick me off are the personal fouls that do nothing but hurt your own team. Really stupid!
I really think Weber is over ranked at #3. Many of those coaches that rank are far worse at doing their homework than the FBS coaches.
Richmond (3 - 1) is still ranked ahead of us at #13, with 2 wins over a 1 - 5 team (Elon) and one 1 win over a 1 - 2 team (W&M who beat Elon).
3 - 2 UC-Davis is still ranked ahead of us with wins over Cal Poly, Idaho, and Idaho St. Lost to Weber and E. Wash.
Ridiculous.
MVC 🏈 had to prepare these guys for this game. Can’t see Weber having anything that could surprise the Dawgs. I’m more worried about the altitude. Not sure there’s time even in two days to adjust.
ValleyFB had to prepare these guys for this game. Can’t see Weber having anything that could surprise the Dawgs. I’m more worried about the altitude. Not sure there’s time even in two days to adjust.
Thought you were talking in 3rd person at first lol
Gameday! Looks like the Dawgs are 4 pt 'dogs'. I hope the focused team shows up, not the one that showed up against SDSU and at MSU.
Excited for this one.
Javon Williams out with concussion from last week. Huge loss!
