SFASawmillGuy said:

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Lamar single handedly trying to eliminate themselves from the playoff at large bid conversation. They're tanking in my power rankings.

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Lamar scores 13 points in the last THREE SECONDS of the game to beat East Texas A&M 33-23.

Insanity. I believe that game was headed to OT after Lamar kicked a field goal, but there was a flag on the play so Lamar was then able to get a TD.

It's safe to say, Lamar is not the team everyone but me thought they were. I fully expect them to lose to SLU, UIW, and be unranked when they lose to us.

Meanwhile Cal Poly might be the best bad team in the country. They were beating Montana 9-7 going into the 4th quarter before Montana scored 21 unanswered.

SFASawmillGuy said:

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It's safe to say, Lamar is not the team everyone but me thought they were. I fully expect them to lose to SLU, UIW, and be unranked when they lose to us.

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I agree. Not nearly as good as their record would indicate.

My updated Week 9 power rankings. All 3 contenders bounced back from slow starts to win their games.

1. SFA- Not the prettiest win, but a tremendous amount of grit, resilience, and maturity was on display. SFA's defense, after a slow start, dominated ETAMU and held them to just around 100 yards for the final 3 quarters. The offense never let the mistakes stop them, and played very strong and mature even after the turnovers.

2. SLU- The Lions looked vulnerable early against a bad HCU team, but took control in the second half after a slow start. Still playing high level football but still yet to face a really good team too.

3. Lamar- It's with great pain that I'm forced to once again promote them to top 3. Lamar did not play their best football to start off against an abysmal NWST team, but like SLU and SFA, came alive in the second half to put the Demons away. Will they be able to do the same against the Catholics next week?

4. ETAMU- Still a very scrappy team. It appears they're better than their record might indicate, but still have a ton of deficiencies. Still, they throw the ball well and I think will be good for a couple more wins before their season is over.

5. UTRGV- The Vaqueros continue to try and prove everyone who says they're not as good as they think wrong, this time absolutely obliterating UIW. UIW is having a down year, but UTRGV did to them what hasn't been done since they were a SLC newcomer. Pure dominance against the Cards.

6. Nicholls- Dominated McNeese up and down the field. We knew they had a really good defense, but their offense finally showed up. A strong showing against a rival.

7. UIW- Cardinals what were you doing!!! They looked completely helpless against the SLC newcomers. They did start to get things going offensively in the second half, but by then they had dug themselves so far into a hole there was no coming back. When we played them I think they had promise, now it looks like this team has quit.

8. McNeese- I can't imagine getting beaten that bad in a rivalry game, mostly because alcohol helped me forget the past decade or BOTPW games. They look like they've regressed a bunch since the start of the season, and possibly also look like they've given up on the year.

9. HCU- They held in there with SLU for a half of football. Unfortunately for them, the second half exists.

10. NWST- same as above, but replace SLU with Lamar. The Demons have not shown much meaningful improvement at all from a year ago. Still predict them to go winless in SLC action.

SFASawmillGuy said:

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My updated Week 9 power rankings. All 3 contenders bounced back from slow starts to win their games.

1. SFA- Not the prettiest win, but a tremendous amount of grit, resilience, and maturity was on display. SFA's defense, after a slow start, dominated ETAMU and held them to just around 100 yards for the final 3 quarters. The offense never let the mistakes stop them, and played very strong and mature even after the turnovers.

2. SLU- The Lions looked vulnerable early against a bad HCU team, but took control in the second half after a slow start. Still playing high level football but still yet to face a really good team too.

3. Lamar- It's with great pain that I'm forced to once again promote them to top 3. Lamar did not play their best football to start off against an abysmal NWST team, but like SLU and SFA, came alive in the second half to put the Demons away. Will they be able to do the same against the Catholics next week?

4. ETAMU- Still a very scrappy team. It appears they're better than their record might indicate, but still have a ton of deficiencies. Still, they throw the ball well and I think will be good for a couple more wins before their season is over.

5. UTRGV- The Vaqueros continue to try and prove everyone who says they're not as good as they think wrong, this time absolutely obliterating UIW. UIW is having a down year, but UTRGV did to them what hasn't been done since they were a SLC newcomer. Pure dominance against the Cards.

6. Nicholls- Dominated McNeese up and down the field. We knew they had a really good defense, but their offense finally showed up. A strong showing against a rival.

7. UIW- Cardinals what were you doing!!! They looked completely helpless against the SLC newcomers. They did start to get things going offensively in the second half, but by then they had dug themselves so far into a hole there was no coming back. When we played them I think they had promise, now it looks like this team has quit.

8. McNeese- I can't imagine getting beaten that bad in a rivalry game, mostly because alcohol helped me forget the past decade or BOTPW games. They look like they've regressed a bunch since the start of the season, and possibly also look like they've given up on the year.

9. HCU- They held in there with SLU for a half of football. Unfortunately for them, the second half exists.

10. NWST- same as above, but replace SLU with Lamar. The Demons have not shown much meaningful improvement at all from a year ago. Still predict them to go winless in SLC action.

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The McNeese v Nicholls result surprised me. I thought Mc was turning the corner with the win over HCU. Not that they were going to win out or anything but jeez.

Craig Haley's FCS Playoff Bracket Prediction as of right now,

Southeastern Louisiana at No. 16 seed Stephen F. Austin,

winner at No. 1 seed North Dakota State

In that scenario I guess SFA would find out real quick where they stood as a football program.

If we win out , I think we are more like a 10 or 11 seed.

SFASawmillGuy said:

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SFAXE93 said:

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Craig Haley's FCS Playoff Bracket Prediction as of right now,

Southeastern Louisiana at No. 16 seed Stephen F. Austin,

winner at No. 1 seed North Dakota State

In that scenario I guess SFA would find out real quick where they stood as a football program.

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In that scenario IF we slayed the giants in Fargo, there would be literally zero reason we lose anymore games.

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Whoa, Big Fella! Back up the bus... It's nice to dream, but.....

It seems to me the best case scenario for the playoffs is for both SFA & SELA to win out (this would more than likely eliminate Lamar). I think this puts both SFA & SELA as top 16 seeds and both get to host a home game in the 1st round. If SFA loses to Lamar and SELA beats Lamar, SFA gets in as an at-large and will probably travel to SELA for a 1st round game. Vice versa is SFA wins out and SELA loses to Lamar, SFA gets SELA at home. All due to the regional matchup scenario and the fact that SFA & SELA don't play in the regular season. I would like to see SFA play somebody from a different conference in round 1. If Lamar wins out, then SFA & SELA are both an at large and no telling where SFA & SELA end up.

I may be wrong but that is what my gut is telling me. Thoughts?

Laces Out Marino said:

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It seems to me the best case scenario for the playoffs is for both SFA & SELA to win out (this would more than likely eliminate Lamar). I think this puts both SFA & SELA as top 16 seeds and both get to host a home game in the 1st round. If SFA loses to Lamar and SELA beats Lamar, SFA gets in as an at-large and will probably travel to SELA for a 1st round game. Vice versa is SFA wins out and SELA loses to Lamar, SFA gets SELA at home. All due to the regional matchup scenario and the fact that SFA & SELA don't play in the regular season. I would like to see SFA play somebody from a difference conference in round 1. If Lamar wins out, then SFA & SELA are both an at large and no telling where SFA & SELA end up.

I may be wrong but that is what my gut is telling me. Thoughts?

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I can only see this happening because of having a regional game close together. I would rather see NAU again. If they somehow can still squeeze in (They dropped out of the Top 25 this week). I do hope we get a better seed, a good first-round match, and a manageable second round. I may try to make it back to Nac if we do get some home Playoff games.

It has been awhile (15-years), since SFA has hosted a playoff game, the last time was back to back in 2009, a 44-33 win over Eastern Washington, and then 2010, a 24-54 loss to Villanova.

Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings received an invite to the 2026 @ShrineBowl today. pic.twitter.com/0jtmjAxWvj

— Opta FCS Football (@OptaAnalystFCS) November 4, 2025

A special post-practice announcement today for Charles 👏#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/gObiIanYw7

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) November 4, 2025

If you can ball, they will find you!
Proud of you @freecharlieee‼️

✅ RECRUIT ✅ DEVELOP ✅ RETAIN
#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough https://t.co/gzIONxEVvP

— Marcus Trice (@CoachTrice8) November 4, 2025

If we win out (75% likelihood) SFA would probably garner a 10-11 seed. Host.

Hoping SELA does the same and ends up a seed also. Lays out nicely for a 2nd round match w/ SELA. Assuming we win out and get a workable 1st round game.