While a few scenarios could propel Stony Brook University's football team into the FCS playoffs for the first time as a scholarship program, only one has gained any traction with the players: Beat Liberty Saturday in the Big South regular-season finale.
Stony Brook (6-4, 5-0) leads the conference over Coastal Carolina (5-5, 4-1) and Liberty (7-3, 4-1). An SBU win would clinch the title and an automatic berth in the playoffs. But the Seawolves could advance even if they lose to Liberty.
"We're hot right now. We obviously want to win the game," quarterback Michael Coulter said. "We're obviously undefeated in the conference and want to stay that way."
The door opened for Stony Brook when Liberty, then ranked 11th in the nation, was upset by Coastal Carolina last week. Coastal hosts Charleston Southern (3-7, 1-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday, and what transpires in that game could affect Stony Brook, but only if the Seawolves lose to Liberty in the 3:30 p.m. game.
If Coastal and Liberty win, thereby creating a three-way tie at 5-1, Stony Brook will get the bid if it loses to Liberty by no more than 37 points, based on the tiebreaking criteria of fewest points allowed in all conference games.
But Stony Brook will try to avoid the numbers game. "You want to be 7-4 going into the playoffs, not have it decided by some number system," linebacker Stephen Schwicke said. "You want to win it straight out."
Said Seawolves running back Brock Jackolski, "If we lose, and what happens if we do, I don't think any of us are thinking that way."
Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore added, "It's unique when you start thinking about ties, but our preparation will be to win the football game and certainly take care of it the correct way. If anything else plays out, we'll probably figure that out after the game . . . It's an exciting time to have the opportunity on the last Saturday of the season to be able to play for a championship. This year, the championship has something else attached to it."
Stony Brook and Liberty were co-champions last year, but this is the conference's first year of postseason eligibility. Stony Brook has applied for a home game in the playoffs, which begin Nov. 27. A victory over Liberty would enhance the Seawolves' chances of hosting.
Stony Brook has an outstanding running game, led by Miguel Maysonet (1,095 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Jackolski (1,003, 12). The two Hofstra transfers have more than made up for the loss of Eddie Gowins, who played in only two games because of a severe groin injury.
Liberty will play without wide receiver Chris Summers, who caught 15 touchdown passes this season before being injured last week.
