The Ags finally got in a rhythm taking the 3rd set 25-20.

Poly takes the 2nd set 25-20.

Poly wins the first set decisively 25-16...simply overpowered the Ags.

Great game preview, Toke! Very tough game for the Aggies and the Hawaii fans are as rowdy as they come making it a tough environment too!

I don't see a download link in my account yet either.

The win over UCSB was quite a match with every set being a nail-biter: 25-23, 23-25, 29-27, 27-25). Poly will be an another very tough match. The Mustangs beat the Ags in 4 sets in their only match earlier this season.

Central Connecticut State @ #9 Rhode Island





We get a rematch of a first-round matchup from last season. Rhode Island escaped with a win, but there's reason to believe that this year could be much more comfortable. Quarterback Devin Farrell did not play in last year's game due to injury, and is the key to a much-improved Rhode Island offense. Rhode Island should find plenty of success through the air on Saturday.

CCSU doesn't force turnovers at an elite level like last season, which could be an issue. The Blue Devils do not appear to have many advantages on either side of the ball. The Rams feature a stingy defense, which ranks 7th in yards per play allowed among playoff teams.

The Pick: Rhode Island

All first round games here: https://www.si.com/college/fcs/ivy/behind-the-numbers-2025-fcs-football-playoffs-first-round-preview

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day with family and friends while enjoying good food and drink.

Brace yourselves, I’m sure there’s more to come.

They've had several color commentators so far this season: Tom Abatemarco, Darius Graham and Sandy Simpson but we haven't see Bob Williams though. I'm not sure if they have a permanent guy right now.

One area that hopefully improves for the Aggies is their 3 point shooting. The Ags are putting up an average of 30.6 three point shots per game but they are only making an average of 7.7 of them per game for 33.2% shooting from 3.

The railing on the student side does not look good on TV but, like you, I don't notice it from our seats on the west side of the court. The ESPN+ cameras are aimed at an angle down to the court from above the east side seats and and it makes the railing look like it is blocking the view of the fans in the lower seats and it is very noticeable at the bottom of the TV screen spanning the length of the court. It looks like they need it there because there is now quite a drop-off between the bottom aisle and the level of the court but it is an eye sore on TV.

The new Aggie Pack announcer's voice is awesome and he did a great job last night even with the small crowd. We need him at the Aggie football games since Darius is retiring.

Here is the list of all 25 finalists:

https://theanalyst.com/articles/jerry-rice-award-freshman-finalists-fcs-football-2025

The early signing period is December 3-5. It's going to be a very busy time for the Aggie coaches trying to be in contact with our recruits and preparing for the playoffs at the same time.

The regular signing period starts February 4th. The Transfer Portal opens on January 2nd.

I don't think traffic should be much of an issue since it's Thanksgiving week and the crowd will most likely be very small unfortunately.

From Bob Dunning's Substack column:

If the Aggies prevail in their first game, they will almost certainly be headed to Fargo to take on the defending champion Bison either Dec. 12 or 13.

That matchup, of course, depends on the Bison winning their first game as well against the winner of this Saturday’s game between No. 13 Southeastern Louisiana and Illinois State.

NDSU will no doubt be heavily favored in its first game.

“Who would you rather play than the No. 1 seed?,” Plough asked.

“It would be a great challenge to go to the home of the defending champions, but a great opportunity too.”

Plough was especially happy to have a week off to prepare for the playoffs.

“Any time you can get a bye week at this time of year when you’re pretty banged up is a good thing,” said the Aggie coach.

“I’m especially happy that our guys will now get to go home for Thanksgiving, which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. We’ll practice through Wednesday this week and then they can go home and we won’t practice again until Sunday.”

https://www.thewaryone.com/p/uc-davis-receives-a-surprise-no-8?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2582284&post_id=179776202&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=31ratq&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

I know!!

I remember Volek saying that Sac would soon be the Florida State of the west and they would no longer be playing teams like Davis. Sac has a history of making bold statements about becoming the next great football program in the west and this year was no exception

Could Plough's name come up for the Cal job now? He was an assistant coach there so he's knows the program.