November 7th, 2006 12:00am
What in the world has happened to the Pittsburg State defense?
If you were at Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Gorillas get dismantled by Northwest Missouri State last Saturday, you were left scratching your head looking for an answer to that question.
Sure, this Gorilla defense is young and has had some injury problems, but they are also small, slow, and make Deion Sanders look like a tackling expert. It's truly shocking to see a program as good as PSU's be so dreadful on one side of the football. The Gorillas have a long ways to go this off-season if they are going to get back into national championship contention in 2007.
But before we look too far ahead, we still have a title to decide this year and last Saturday's game at Arrowhead did leave me positive about one thing: Northwest Missouri State is my favorite to win the national championship. I haven't seen another D-II team this year that I feel is good enough to overcome the Bearcats' front seven on defense and I will be surprised if it's anyone but NWMSU hoisting the Walnut and Bronze in mid-December.
Mansfield Dropping Football?
The Mansfield University Board of Trustees announced last week that the school is considering the termination of its 115-year old football program. The Mounties have struggled in recent years (0-9 this season so far this year), but in the announcement, the decision to possibly drop football apparently comes down to an overall budget crisis at the school.
To me, the timing of the announcement means one of two things: Either the administration decided to release this now to get out in front of the rumor mill in case word leaked out that this was under consideration. Or, it's an attempt to solicit monetary support for the program by making public the very real threat that the program could be dropped.
However you look at it, the situation is not good. Anytime a school at this level decides to drop football, it's another 70 plus kids that don't get an opportunity to play the sport in college. Plus, even though Mansfield has struggled for decades, the school has a quite a history in the sport-- the first football night game was played at Mansfield and the Mounties had eight undefeated seasons in their first 50 years of play. Hopefully someone can come up with a way to save the program before it's too late.
A Long Wait
Bemidji State captured at least a share of its first conference crown since 1959 with a win over Concordia-St. Paul last week. The Beavers (7-0 in the conference and 8-2 overall) can win the NSIC outright with a win over Upper Iowa at the Metrodome on Friday night. Unfortunately for BSU, the playoffs are looking like a long shot at this point.
Newberry captured its first ever SAC title by beating Lenoir-Rhyne 38-21 last Saturday. The Indians can finish an undefeated regular season and get the top seed in the Southeast Region with a win over rival Presbyterian on Saturday.
North Dakota Seeking an Injunction
In response to the NCAA banning UND from hosting postseason events because of its use of the Fighting Sioux nickname, the school filed a lawsuit earlier this fall. The lawsuit is most likely months or even years from being settled, but there is a hearing on Thursday where UND will seek a temporary injunction against the NCAA's ruling.
If the judge grants the injunction, UND will be eligible to host playoff games (and the Sioux will almost certainly be seeded high enough to get at least one home game). With as difficult as it is for opponents to win in the Alerus Center, the judge's ruling could have a huge impact on the playoffs in the Northwest Region.
Newberry is also subject to the ban and since they did not file suit or seek an injunction, the Indians will be on the road for all playoff games. With Newberry being the top seed in the Southeast Region, this could have a huge effect on the postseason in that region.
Playoff Analysis
I was going to write an additional column describing all of the different playoff scenarios, but with four different regions to cover and so many possibilities, Brandon Misener and I decided it would be easier to just do a podcast for each region. I encourage you to click the link on the D2Football.com homepage to listen to the podcasts if you're interested in hearing us break down the playoff field.
Top Games this Week
CIAA Championship Game
Elizabeth City State (9-1) @ North Carolina Central (10-0)
In a conference that is generally dominated by defense, these are the two best offensive teams. Both teams are also outstanding on defense, but it's the ability to score points that has set them apart from their counterparts in the CIAA. Win or lose, NCCU is a virtual lock for the playoffs, but ECSU's postseason chances would be placed in serious doubt with a loss.
I like the Eagles in this game for a couple of reasons. Number one; NCCU has a bit more talent overall and although the Vikings can score points, I'm not sure they can score enough to overcome the Eagles. Number two; NCCU has the advantage of a conference championship game at home. North Carolina Central 28 Elizabeth City State 20
Midwestern State (7-2) @ Abilene Christian (8-1)
It doesn't get any better than this: the winner of this game is almost certain to get into the playoffs. Two weeks ago, I was fairly confident that ACU was the best team in the conference. That was until the Wildcats' defense suddenly became porous-- ACU has given up 75 points in its last two games. That kind of effort will be a problem against MSU-- the Mustangs are the most explosive offensive team in the conference. But something tells me this is ACU's year and quarterback Billy Malone and the Wildcat offense should be able to match MSU score for score. Abilene Christian 35 Midwestern State 30
Tarleton State (6-3) @ West Texas A&M (9-1)
TSU has won six straight to put them in position to win the LSC South title and reach the playoffs with a win in this game. WTAMU can get a share of the LSC South, reach the playoffs, and complete a second straight 10-win regular season with a win over the Texans.
Both teams play good defense, but have contrasting offensive styles. The Texans are physical and like to pound teams with their rushing attack while the Buffaloes rely on the right arm of Dalton Bell to move the football. I expect this to be a very good game, and probably a low-scoring one determined by who can make the fewest mistakes. As well as TSU has been playing though, it's very difficult for me to pick against WTAMU at home. West Texas A&M 17 Tarleton State 14
Indiana (7-2) @ California (8-2)
IUP's playoff chances ended in last week's loss to Slippery Rock, but the Indians can still tie Cal for the PSAC West title with a win. The game is even bigger for the Vulcans; they can capture the West Division title outright and the school's first ever playoff berth with a win.
I think California wins this game for one very good reason: The Vulcans are the most talented team in the Northeast Region and have finally started to play like it in the second half of the season. IUP has great tradition and that factor can't be overlooked in a situation like this, but tradition doesn't overcome superior athletes. California 23 Indiana 14
South Dakota (8-2) @ North Dakota (8-1)
A bye in the first round of the playoffs and at least a share of the NCC title are on the line in this game. USD beat the Fighting Sioux 42-30 last year to break a 9-game losing streak in the series.
Most factors-- like the fact that UND has won 27 of its last 28 games in the Alerus Center and the fact that USD has struggled on the road over the past couple of years-- would point to a Fighting Sioux victory. But UND has given up a lot of big plays through the air this season and lulling teams to sleep with the running game and then throwing the ball deep is what USD does best. I expect this to be a well played and tight ballgame, but I have to give UND the edge at home. North Dakota 27 South Dakota 24
West Chester (7-3) @ Slippery Rock (7-3)
Both teams need some help to qualify for the postseason, but just the fact that the possibility exists makes this an intriguing game. SRU is coming off a big win over rival IUP, but the Rams have been on fire, averaging 49 points per game in their last four contests. SRU has a solid all around team capable of staying in the game, but WCU is too talented all around. West Chester 31 Slippery Rock 24
Newberry (10-0) @ Presbyterian (6-4)
Presbyterian is playing its final game as a Division II school and the Blue Hose would like nothing more than to put an end to rival Newberry's undefeated season. But Josh Stepp and the Indians are capable of putting too many points on the board for PC to keep pace. Newberry 28 Presbyterian 18
North Alabama (9-0) @ West Alabama (6-4)
UWA head coach Bobby Wallace faces his former team for the first time and his Tigers will be trying to prevent UNA from completing an undefeated regular season. The problem for UWA: The Lions are too fast and too talented. North Alabama 31 West Alabama 17
Mailbag
[Q] I would like to know your thoughts on Albany State University making the playoffs in front of Valdosta State University even though Valdosta State has the better record, and has beating Albany State earlier this season.
Lloyd
[A] If it does happen that Albany State ends up bumping Valdosta State out of the playoffs, it would be quite a travesty, in my opinion. Like I've stated in the past, I think the NCAA should just grant an automatic bid to each conference champion and then pick the at-large teams from there. The end result would be the same (ASU would still get in as the SIAC champ) but it wouldn't leave the perception that someone is getting a spot stolen from them as is the situation with earned access. I understand what the committee was trying to do when they implemented earned access, but with a 24-team playoff field, I think there is enough room to just go ahead and grant an auto bid to each conference.
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