Capsules for 2008
North Central (Ill.) Bracket | ||
|---|---|---|
| North Central (Ill.) Cardinals (10-0) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 1 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 9 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Naperville, IL | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Bendetti-Wehrli (5,500) | |
| Conference: | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 15 | |
| Head coach: | John Thorne (Illinois Wesleyan) | |
| Career record: | 57-18 (.760) | |
| Base offense: | Spread | |
| Base defense: | 3-3-5 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 2-3 (2005-2007) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (CCIW Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They're running significantly more than throwing and linebacker Matt Wenger is all over the place. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Penalties are an issue and second-and-long is a habit. | |
| This season's turning point: | Not blinking when Wheaton scored on the opening drive of the second half to cut the Cardinals lead to two scores. They answered with two scores en route to a 44-21 win. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 183.7/212.6 (1837.0/2126.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 82.9/214.7 (829.0/2147.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Otterbein poses the biggest challenge in this bracket. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Trine Thunder (10-0) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 2 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 20 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Angola, IN | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Shive Field (2,500) | |
| Conference: | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 133 | |
| Head coach: | Matt Land | |
| Career record: | 18-12 (.600) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 3-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-0 (First trip) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (MIAA Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | If they're able to maintain their balance. They average just fewer than 200 yards of both rushing and passing. No rusher goes for more than 55 yards per game and no receiver goes for more than 62. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | If Courtney Pearson is forced to make a lot of tackles. The star middle linebacker led the team with 82.5 in the regular season, but if he's making a lot of tackles, the opposing offense is running a lot of plays. | |
| This season's turning point: | Using five turnovers to upset then-No. 14 Franklin 30-27 in Week 3, then following that with a 31-30 win against Hope in the MIAA opener. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 197.0/190.0 (1970.0/1900.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 101.9/248.8 (1019.0/2488.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Trine's bracket is wide open. They could win the MIAA's first playoff game since the field expanded from 16 teams, and perhaps add another, or they could lose to CCIW runner-up Wheaton in the first round. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Case Western Reserve Spartans (10-0) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 3 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 21 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Cleveland, OH | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Case Field (2,400) | |
| Conference: | University Athletic Association | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 19 | |
| Head coach: | Greg Debeljak (John Carroll '87) | |
| Career record: | 34-18 (.654) | |
| Base offense: | Spread | |
| Base defense: | 3-5-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-1 (2007) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool B | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They spread the ball well in the running game and passing game and take the ball away on defense. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Hard to tell, since they have played just one Top 100 team and nobody in the Top 80, according to Massey. | |
| This season's turning point: | Two first-quarter touchdowns in the season opener against Kenyon from Dan Whalen to Shaun Nicely which got the year started. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 174.6/241.5 (1746.0/2415.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 130.1/146.1 (1301.0/1461.0) | |
| How far can they go? | One and out. Wabash has a lot of pent-up emotion from last week and won't want to end the season 0-2. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Otterbein Cardinals (9-1) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 4 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 19 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Westerville, OH | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Memorial (5,000) | |
| Conference: | Ohio Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 46 | |
| Head coach: | Joe Loth | |
| Career record: | 32-28 (.533) | |
| Base offense: | Spread | |
| Base defense: | Multiple 4-2-5 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-0 (First trip) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool C | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The Cardinals' rushing game, led by Colton Coy and Eric Yates, is on track to hit its per-game average of 199 yards. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They seem rattled by the burden of playing the first playoff game in school history. | |
| This season's turning point: | Bouncing back from a 49-20 loss to No. 1 Mount Union in Week 10, and allowing John Carroll to rally for 10 fourth-quarter points to tie in Week 11, only to get a 23-yard B.J. Wanniger field goal in overtime and cause a Blue Streaks fumble to win. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 199.4/176.1 (1994.0/1761.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 113.4/176.4 (1134.0/1764.0) | |
| How far can they go? | The OAC runner-up is usually a threat to win until a rematch with Mount Union, which in Otterbein's case would be in the national semifinals. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Franklin Grizzlies (9-1) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 5 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 8 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Franklin, IN | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Faught Stadium (2,000) | |
| Conference: | Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 21 | |
| Head coach: | Mike Leonard (Hanover '84) | |
| Career record: | 39-22 (.639) | |
| Base offense: | Wing-T | |
| Base defense: | 3-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-1 (2007) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (HCAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Quarterback Chad Rupp is distributing the ball to all his targets. Last week's Victory Bell win over Hanover is a good example. Rupp had four touchdown passes, each to a different a guy. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Rupp and Company are standing on the sideline, waiting for the ball. In the Grizzlies' lone loss, Trine held the ball for 39 minutes. The defense has to turn third-and-long into fourth and punt so the potent Franklin offense can put points on the board. | |
| This season's turning point: | The 42-7 win over Rose-Hulman that gave Franklin the upper hand in the HCAC race. Credit the Grizzlies defense which held the Engineers to 224 yards in the critical victory and denied Rose-Hulman the chance to clinch the automatic qualifier. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 136.0/305.9 (1360.0/3059.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 96.8/229.3 (968.0/2293.0) | |
| How far can they go? | History is not on Franklin's side since the HCAC is 1-10 in the playoffs since 1999. The Grizzlies could get the Conference's second win, but only if the defense plays its best game of the year. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Wabash Little Giants (9-1) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 6 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 18 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Crawfordsville, IN | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Little Giant (4,200) | |
| Conference: | North Coast Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 11 | |
| Head coach: | Erik Raeburn (Mount Union '91) | |
| Career record: | 63-27 (.700) | |
| Base offense: | One back | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 7-4 (1977, 2002, 2005, 2007) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (NCAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They stick with the running game and don't stare down receivers on offense and the front four gets pressure on the opposing quarterback. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They don't find the hot hand in the running game and the opposing secondary has a field day. | |
| This season's turning point: | Hearing DePauw ring the Monon Bell on the Little Giants' home field. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 195.2/267.1 (1952.0/2671.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 79.6/170.1 (796.0/1701.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Despite their Week 11 disappointment, they can still win a game or two in this bracket. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Wheaton (Ill.) Thunder (8-2) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 7 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 5 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Wheaton, IL | |
| Stadium (capacity): | McCully (5,000) | |
| Conference: | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 17 | |
| Head coach: | Mike Swider (Wheaton '77) | |
| Career record: | 104-31 (.770) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 6-5 (1995, 2002-04, 2006) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool C | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The offensive line allows the offense to establish its running game and have good pass protection. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense cannot control the line of scrimmage. | |
| This season's turning point: | Two things fall into place in the North Region alone in Week 11 to allow Selection Sunday to be meaningful to Wheaton's football season: DePauw beating Wabash and North Central beating Elmhurst. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 173.0/239.0 (1730.0/2390.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 91.6/217.0 (916.0/2170.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Trine is seeded higher but look at the common opponent. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Thomas More Saints (8-2) | ||
| Region: | North |  |
| Seed: | No. 8 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 24 Week 9 2008 | |
| Location: | Crestview Hills, KY | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Bank of Kentucky Field (3,000) | |
| Conference: | Presidents' Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 140 | |
| Head coach: | Jim Hilvert (St. Joseph's, Ind.) | |
| Career record: | 12-8 (.600) | |
| Base offense: | Spread | |
| Base defense: | 4-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-2 (1992, 2001) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (PAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | RBs Cordario Collier (5.7 ypc), Anthony Knott (8.1 ypc) and Kendall Owens (8.8 ypc) are chewing up yardage on the ground and Trevor Stellman is mixing in play action passes -- making the defense defend the entire field. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They are gassing the defense by not converting third downs or putting the ball on the ground. | |
| This season's turning point: | W&J tied Thomas More at 14 with 12:21 showing on the clock in the 3rd quarter. The Saints reeled off three straight TD runs (44, 30, 23) to answer, effectively putting the game out of reach and assuring the Saints of a playoff berth with the PAC title. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 245.2/164.8 (2452.0/1648.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 102.1/196.9 (1021.0/1969.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Looking like a good one-and-out candidate. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
Millsaps Bracket | ||
| Millsaps Majors (10-0) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 1 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 12 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Jackson, MS | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Harper Davis (5,000) | |
| Conference: | Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 26 | |
| Head coach: | Mike DuBose | |
| Career record: | 25-6 (.806) | |
| Base offense: | Spread | |
| Base defense: | 3-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-2 (1975, 2006) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (SCAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They're supplementing the high-powered passing attack with yardage from the running backs and scrambles from QB Juan Joseph. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | If teams are able to disrupt their offensive rhythm and make them one-dimensional. | |
| This season's turning point: | It probably came at some point last season, when late-game mistakes led to two heartbreaking losses that left them 8-2 and out of the postseason. This year, no team stayed within 17 points of the Majors. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 144.7/301.5 (1447.0/3015.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 122.0/152.5 (1220.0/1525.0) | |
| How far can they go? | If Millsaps can be more than just an explosive passing team, the Stagg Bowl is not out of the question. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders (9-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 2 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 3 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Belton, TX | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Belton HS (8,000) | |
| Conference: | American Southwest Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 4 | |
| Head coach: | Pete Fredenburg | |
| Career record: | 96-28 (.774) | |
| Base offense: | I-formation | |
| Base defense: | Overshift 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 10-6 (2001-02, 2004-07) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (ASC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The Cru running game is controlling the ball and the clock, keeping the other team's offense off the field. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Either quarterback is throwing more than 20 times a game or the defense cannot take away the opponent's running game. | |
| This season's turning point: | The move of Bryson Tucker to tailback to solidify a position at which six different players have started games this season. Tucker has topped 100 yards rushing in two of his three starts. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 264.8/146.9 (2648.0/1469.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 80.3/163.5 (803.0/1635.0) | |
| How far can they go? | As far as their perennially powerful running game and defense take them. This season that might mean winning their bracket, but likely not another stop in Salem. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Hardin-Simmons Cowboys (9-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 3 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 7 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Abilene, TX | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Shelton (4,000) | |
| Conference: | American Southwest Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 34 | |
| Head coach: | Jimmie Keeling (Howard Payne '58) | |
| Career record: | 158-46 (.775) | |
| Base offense: | One-back spread | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 4-5 (1999-2001, 2004, 2006) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool C | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They find the hot hand in the backfield early on and still keep everyone fresh. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They gamble and lose too many times on defense. | |
| This season's turning point: | A fourth-down stand with 3:49 remaining in the season opener on the road against UW-La Crosse, which allowed Hardin-Simmons to complete its comeback from a 21-0 deficit. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 192.9/287.3 (1929.0/2873.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 199.3/156.2 (1993.0/1562.0) | |
| How far can they go? | The first meeting with Mary Hardin-Baylor was a two-point game. So reaching the regional final is not at all a stretch. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Muhlenberg Mules (9-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 4 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 25 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Allentown, PA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Scotty Wood (3,000) | |
| Conference: | Centennial Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 8 | |
| Head coach: | Mike Donnelly (Ithaca '75) | |
| Career record: | 81-46 (.638) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 3-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 2-4 (2002-04, 2007) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (CC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | You see John DeLuca pounding the defense – a lot. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The Mules are giving up yardage and don’t have at least a two-score cushion going into the half. | |
| This season's turning point: | A close call against Johns Hopkins in Week 5 put Muhlenberg in perspective, moreso than any lopsided victory ever could. They survived a furious rally and gave up more than 500 yards, yet still came out on top. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 217.4/209.7 (2174.0/2097.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 101.8/156.4 (1018.0/1564.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Toughest Round 1 draw in the top-half of the South, and the defensive backs will be tested. It smells like '07 all over again. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Washington and Jefferson Presidents (9-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 5 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 11 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Washington, PA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Cameron (3,500) | |
| Conference: | Presidents' Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 13 | |
| Head coach: | Mike Sirianni (Mount Union ‘94) | |
| Career record: | 59-9 (.868) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | Multiple | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 19-19 (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989-96, 1999, 2000-02, 2004-07) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool C | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The quarterback is able to find several receivers for multiple catches each. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They can’t stop their opponent’s run game. | |
| This season's turning point: | After losing the conference title to Thomas More in Week 9, the Presidents went on to outscore their final two opponents 96-16, keeping the door wide open for the at-large postseason bid. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 185.4/316.5 (1854.0/3165.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 72.0/190.7 (720.0/1907.0) | |
| How far can they go? | W&J is 0-3 against Texas teams in recent years. The trail will go cold there. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Christopher Newport Captains (8-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 6 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 21 Week 11 2008 | |
| Location: | Newport News, VA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Pomoco (4,200) | |
| Conference: | USA South Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 47 | |
| Head coach: | Matt Kelchner (Susquehanna '82) | |
| Career record: | 57-26 (.687) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 2-5 (2001-04, 2006) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (USAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The defensive secondary can keep big-yardage plays from happening. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The Captains are being forced to throw the ball. | |
| This season's turning point: | In mid-October against Greensboro, CNU put its offensive faith – and muscle – in running back Tunde Ogun and promoted him as the team’s starter. He spent the next four weeks tallying at least 225 yards each game. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 266.1/108.8 (2395.0/979.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 128.2/205.0 (1154.0/1845.0) | |
| How far can they go? | It’s a long drive to Washington, Pa., and without a perfect performance, it could be an even longer drive back. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Wesley Wolverines (8-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 7 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 13 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Dover, DE | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Wesley (2,500) | |
| Conference: | Atlantic Central Football Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 3 | |
| Head coach: | Mike Drass (Mansfield '82) | |
| Career record: | 129-41-1 (.757) | |
| Base offense: | Pro set | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 8-4 (2000, 2005-07) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool B | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The defense is early on locking down opponents, which have scored a total of only 19 first-half points all season. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The running backs are having trouble hanging onto the ball. | |
| This season's turning point: | After Wesley’s loss in the opener against Delaware Valley, the team made the difficult decision to pull a veteran starter at quarterback and go with untested sophomore Shane McSweeny. He has since gone on to throw for almost 1,700 yards and is among the best in the country in passing efficiency. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 226.4/206.2 (2038.0/1856.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 82.7/167.4 (744.0/1507.0) | |
| How far can they go? | We hear that Texas is lovely this time of year. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| LaGrange Panthers (9-1) | ||
| Region: | South |  |
| Seed: | No. 8 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | Never ranked | |
| Location: | LaGrange, GA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Callaway (5,200) | |
| Conference: | Independent | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 217 | |
| Head coach: | Todd Mooney | |
| Career record: | 9-29 (.237) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-0 (None) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool B | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | If they're making an impact with defense and special teams. LaGrange led the SLIAC by allowing just 258.3 yards per game, and they scored nine touchdowns without the help of the offense. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The running game is slowed. In the last four regular season games, LaGrange averaged 313 yards on the ground. Junior running back Mario Wallace became the first Panther to go over 1,000 in a season. | |
| This season's turning point: | After going 0-20 the first two years of the program, a 34-31 win in the final seconds at Birmingham-Southern in the season opener proved that believing in Mooney's system would eventually pay dividends. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 190.5/205.0 (1905.0/2050.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 131.6/126.7 (1316.0/1267.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Making the playoffs and winning nine games after going 0-20 isn't too shabby. It's also probably the Panthers' limit. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
Mount Union Bracket | ||
| Mount Union Purple Raiders (10-0) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 1 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 1 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Alliance, OH | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Mount Union (5,450) | |
| Conference: | Ohio Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 1 | |
| Head coach: | Larry Kehres (Mount Union '71) | |
| Career record: | 270-21-3 (.923) | |
| Base offense: | Spread | |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 56-10 (1985-86, 1990, 1992-2006) | |
| Championships: | 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (OAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The offensive line gives Nate Kmic enough space to get to the second level | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Hmm, good question. Not sure if there's an answer yet. | |
| This season's turning point: | When Cecil Shorts answered the offense's biggest skill position question to the tune of 147 yards in Week 1. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 254.8/287.0 (2548.0/2870.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 43.0/115.9 (430.0/1159.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Same as always. Salem. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Ithaca Bombers (9-1) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 2 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 23 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Ithaca, NY | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Butterfield (5,000) | |
| Conference: | Empire 8 | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 18 | |
| Head coach: | Mike Welch (Ithaca '73) | |
| Career record: | 121-42 (.742) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple I | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 27-13 (1974-75, 1978-80, 1985-86, 1988, 1990-92, 1994, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007) | |
| Championships: | 1979, 1988, 1991 | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (E8 Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Offensively, they're moving the ball on the ground and through the air in balanced fashion. Defensively, they're taking the ball away (18 interceptions) and limiting opponents in the red zone (held opponents to a 51% red zone conversion rate for touchdowns). | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense is not making the most of its chances and the defense is breaking instead of bending. | |
| This season's turning point: | The emergence of sophomore quarterback Brian Grastorf and sophomore running back Dan Ruggiero (with injuries to starters Dan Juvan and Thomas Begerstock) in Ithaca's 45-35 win over Alfred and the pair's subsequent performance against Cortland State the following week. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 200.2/240.2 (2002.0/2402.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 111.7/226.1 (1117.0/2261.0) | |
| How far can they go? | If the Bombers can continue their performance from last week's Cortaca Jug, they're on track to go to their first regional final since 2003. However, all roads end in Alliance. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Cortland State Red Dragons (9-1) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 3 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 6 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Cortland, NY | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Stadium Complex (6,500) | |
| Conference: | New Jersey Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 22 | |
| Head coach: | Dan MacNeil (Cortland State '79) | |
| Career record: | 78-45 (.634) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | Multiple | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-5 (1988-1990, 1997, 2005) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (NJAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The offense is moving the ball with a balanced attack of the run (senior running back Andrew Giuliano) and the pass (senior quarterback Ray Miles). | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense is turning the ball over and the defensive secondary is unable to come up with stops. | |
| This season's turning point: | An early season victory over Rowan in Glassboro, N.J., opened the door on Cortland's hopes of a conference championship. However, a 22-point, fourth-quarter comeback victory at Kean the following week kept those hopes from being snuffed out. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 145.3/242.9 (1453.0/2429.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 91.0/228.5 (910.0/2285.0) | |
| How far can they go? | A second-round game with Cortaca Jug rival Ithaca determines whose playoff road comes to an end in Alliance. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Hobart Statesmen (8-1) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 4 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 17 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Geneva, NY | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Boswell (4,500) | |
| Conference: | Liberty League | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 32 | |
| Head coach: | Michael Cragg (Slippery Rock '83) | |
| Career record: | 98-42 (.700) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 3-6 (2000, 2002, 2004-07) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (LL Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Their offense is putting points on the board early. The Statesmen have failed to score an offensive touchdown in the first half in four of their eight wins. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Their defense is giving up easy points. A shootout is not something the Statesmen will easily win, meaning the defense must remain vigilant. | |
| This season's turning point: | The win at RPI through a walk-off field goal turned what was potentially a disappointing season after a home loss to Union into a second chance for the team in the playoffs. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 129.1/189.2 (1162.0/1703.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 142.9/132.8 (1286.0/1195.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Mount Union would be their second round game if they get through Lycoming. That seems to be an insurmountable roadblock to Hobart's bracket hopes. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Lycoming Warriors (7-3) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 5 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 22 Week 1 2004 | |
| Location: | Williamsport, PA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | David Person (3,700) | |
| Conference: | Middle Atlantic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 112 | |
| Head coach: | Michael Clark (Lycoming '93) | |
| Career record: | 7-3 (.700) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple Pro-Style | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 13-11 (1985, 1989-1992, 1995-1999, 2003) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (MAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The opposing teams have to mount 50 plus-yard scoring drives. Lycoming's defense is its strength so the offense and special teams, at a minimum, have giving the opponent the ball with a short field. The Warriors held Lebanon Valley, Delaware Valley and Albright to four touchdown drives combined. Another sign that things are going the Blue and Gold's way is that Josh Kleinfelter is able to get yards rushing and receiving. He's their best play maker so the Warriors need to put him in open space to make plays. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They turn the ball over, but that's not a good sign for anybody. The Warriors had five turnovers in their loses to Wilkes and King's. They are also in trouble if their running game is shut down. The offense is most effective when it's balanced. If quarterback Colin Dwyer has to throw the ball 35 plus times because the Warriors can't run, that's a bad sign. | |
| This season's turning point: | Scott Erikson's 18-yard field goal against Delaware Valley was the score that put the Warriors in the postseason for the first time since 2003. But it was the defense's stout play all afternoon that kept the field position battle tilted in favor of Lycoming. Since the Warriors' defense is the heart of their success, maybe the turning point was the moment Clark heard that long time defensive coordinator Steve Wiser would join the rookie coach and lead that unit. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 132.6/208.9 (1326.0/2089.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 108.6/181.8 (1086.0/1818.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Lycoming can win its first round matchup at Hobart in a game that should thrill defensive enthusiasts. But, as good as the defense is, it wouldn't stop Mount Union in the second round. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Plymouth State Panthers (10-1) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 6 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | Never ranked | |
| Location: | Plymouth, NH | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Currier (3,000) | |
| Conference: | New England Football Conference Boyd | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 126 | |
| Head coach: | Paul Castonia (Trinity, Conn. '86) | |
| Career record: | 30-59 (.337) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-3 (1984, 1994, 1995) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (NEFC Boyd Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | If they get a lot of second-and-short situations. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | If throwing the football is at any point a necessity. | |
| This season's turning point: | Stopping Coast Guard in four-down territory in the second quarter of their Week 3 game, a week after a loss at Mount ida. Plymouth drove 73 yards in seven plays for a touchdown, taking a 14-0 lead en route to a 26-7 win. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 298.8/57.3 (3287.0/630.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 153.4/268.5 (1687.0/2953.0) | |
| How far can they go? | If they can control the clock, they could give the NEFC another playoff win. But it would be a significant upset. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Curry Colonels (9-1) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 7 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 22 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Milton, MA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Walter M. Katz Field (1,600) | |
| Conference: | New England Football Conference Boyd | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 62 | |
| Head coach: | Skip Bandini (Massachusetts Maritime '81) | |
| Career record: | 32-3 (.914) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-6 (2003-07) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool C | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The team can maintain a balanced run/pass offense throughout the game, allowing the Colonels to control time of possession. In their loss to Plymouth State, they gained just 12 yards on the ground. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Their punter begins mounting large statistics. The Colonels do not have the horses to win shootouts against most of the teams in the bracket. | |
| This season's turning point: | Selection weekend. Written off by most as an inferior 9-1 team, a combination of losses by other teams and the Committee's confidence in the team's strength combined to give the NEFC its first ever Pool C bid. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 240.3/136.0 (2403.0/1360.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 236.9/197.7 (2369.0/1977.0) | |
| How far can they go? | If the Colonels can get through Ithaca, they would face the winner of Cortland/Plymouth State -- Cortland being a team that Ithaca beat to end the season. So, conceivably, they could win two games, but 2008 Ithaca and Cortland are not 2007 Hartwick. This should be a one-and-done year. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (6-4) | ||
| Region: | East |  |
| Seed: | No. 8 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | Never ranked | |
| Location: | Ashland, VA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Day (4,000) | |
| Conference: | Old Dominion Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 39 | |
| Head coach: | Pedro Arruza (Wheaton '95) | |
| Career record: | 18-22 (.450) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple two-tight end | |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-1 (1984) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (ODAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They're running the ball well. The Yellow Jackets are 5-0 this season when running 40 or more times and 17-2 since Arruza arrived. Also, if R-MC is converting on third down and not turning the ball over. In the first three games, the Yellow Jackets had 13 turnovers. They've had just seven since, and it's no coincidence the run to the ODAC title took place in that stretch. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | If R-MC falls behind early and is forced to pass. The Yellow Jackets are not built to play catch up. The defense is good at protecting a lead, and the offense functions better that way as well. R-MC likes to run and run and run and pick spots to take chances in the passing game. | |
| This season's turning point: | After a loss to Emory & Henry, the players realized they were on the verge of losing hold of the season. They refocused and have practiced better since, winning four straight after a 2-4 start. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 171.7/176.7 (1717.0/1767.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 134.7/200.5 (1347.0/2005.0) | |
| How far can they go? | To Alliance and back. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
Willamette Bracket | ||
| Willamette Bearcats (10-0) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 1 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 4 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Salem, OR | |
| Stadium (capacity): | McCulloch (3,500) | |
| Conference: | Northwest Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 81 | |
| Head coach: | Mark Speckman (Azusa Pacific '77) | |
| Career record: | 62-47 (.569) | |
| Base offense: | Fly | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-2 (1999, 2004) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (NWC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They aren't giving up big plays and they win the turnover battle. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They struggle to protect the ball and kick coverage struggles. | |
| This season's turning point: | Right out of the gate, when a home win against Concordia-Moorhead put the Bearcats on the radar. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 254.5/144.0 (2545.0/1440.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 137.3/175.9 (1373.0/1759.0) | |
| How far can they go? | A good shot at the semifinals if they can keep opponents off balance. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Occidental Tigers (9-0) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 2 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 15 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Los Angeles, CA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Patterson (2,400) | |
| Conference: | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 35 | |
| Head coach: | Dale Widolff (Indiana Central '75) | |
| Career record: | 165-91 (.645) | |
| Base offense: | Pro set | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 3-7 (1983-85, 2004-06) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (SCIAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They spread the ball around well on offense (two running backs, five receivers) and keep the defense off balance. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defensive line can't pressure the quarterback and opponents are able to move the ball through the air. | |
| This season's turning point: | The Tigers answered quickly after falling down 21-9 against Cal Lutheran, with a three-play drive culminating in a 41-yard Jason Haller touchdown run. Occidental went on to win 24-21. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 236.6/229.0 (2129.0/2061.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 81.2/226.4 (731.0/2038.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Tough call with the first round opponent but even with a win there, this is likely a brief playoff appearance. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Monmouth Scots (10-0) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 3 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 16 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Monmouth, IL | |
| Stadium (capacity): | April Zorn Memorial Stadium (2,600) | |
| Conference: | Midwest Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 124 | |
| Head coach: | Steve Bell (Bemidji State '91) | |
| Career record: | 67-24 (.736) | |
| Base offense: | One back | |
| Base defense: | Multiple | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-1 (2005) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (MWC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They're scoring quickly and can get at least two of the three phases of the game clicking. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | If the offense has short possessions that don't move the chains or the opposing offense is getting deep and sustains long drives, capped by some sort of score. | |
| This season's turning point: | Monmouth forced Ripon into a three-and-out and got the ball back with 3:28 left, down by three. The Scots answered with a nine-play, 77-yard drive and won 38-35. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 157.6/307.2 (1576.0/3072.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 98.1/139.2 (981.0/1392.0) | |
| How far can they go? | After a favorable first-round draw, not very far. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| UW-Stevens Point Pointers (9-1) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 4 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 14 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Stevens Point, WI | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Community Stadium at Goerke Field (4,500) | |
| Conference: | Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 48 | |
| Head coach: | John Miech (Wisconsin-Stevens Point '75) | |
| Career record: | 138-71-2 (.659) | |
| Base offense: | Multiple | |
| Base defense: | 4-4 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-3 (1986, 1999, 2001) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (WIAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The Jareds (Beckwith-to-Jenkins) are connecting and defensive linemen Matt Lunder and Brad Vickroy get pressure on the opposing quarterback. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Jenkins gets shut down and they need to rely on the running game. | |
| This season's turning point: | The last of many was when Brian Bailey blocked UW-Eau Claire's last minute extra-point attempt, giving the Pointers the one point they needed to win the game a few plays later. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 68.3/212.5 (683.0/2125.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 74.0/164.6 (740.0/1646.0) | |
| How far can they go? | At least to the regional final. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| UW-Whitewater Warhawks (9-1) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 5 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 2 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Whitewater, WI | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Perkins (13,500) | |
| Conference: | Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 2 | |
| Head coach: | Lance Leipold (UW-Whitewater '87) | |
| Career record: | 23-2 (.920) | |
| Base offense: | Pro style | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 14-5 (1988, 1990, 1997, 2005-07) | |
| Championships: | 2007 | |
| How they got here: | Pool C | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | If Levell Coppage gets through the line untouched, while opposing running backs do not. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense sputters and they settle for too many Jeff Schebler field goals. | |
| This season's turning point: | Still looking for it after home loss to UW-Stevens Point. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 210.3/197.6 (2103.0/1976.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 75.2/179.5 (752.0/1795.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Any number of tournament wins from zero to two would seem reasonable. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| St. John's Johnnies (8-2) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 6 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 24 Week 11 2008 | |
| Location: | Collegeville, MN | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Clemens (7,482) | |
| Conference: | Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 6 | |
| Head coach: | John Gagliardi (Colorado College '49) | |
| Career record: | 461-124-11 (.783) | |
| Base offense: | Pro Set Shot gun | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 39-17 (1976-77, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993-94, 1996, 1998-2003, 2005-08) | |
| Championships: | 1976, 2003 | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (MIAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Quarterback Joe Boyle is rushing for touchdowns. The sophomore who came on late in the season rushed for a team leading five touchdowns all in the last four wins of the season. With one interception for every ten completions, the Johnnies will breathe easier if Boyle keeps it on the ground. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Their opponent is piling up yards on the ground. Only one team ran for over 150 yards against the Johnnies and that was a victorious Concordia-Moorhead team. The Johnnies held four other opponents under 90 yards rushing and won all four games. | |
| This season's turning point: | A goal-line stand with 19 seconds left against St. Thomas which produced a fumble and a fumble recovery that sealed a 12-9 victory. The play came after what looked to be a go-ahead touchdown for the Tommies that was not ruled a touchdown by the officials. St. John's was 2-2 in conference heading into that game and has not lost since. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 113.7/194.6 (1137.0/1946.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 95.8/157.5 (958.0/1575.0) | |
| How far can they go? | While the defending national champion is never an appealing draw in the playoffs, the Johnnies need to realize this is not the same team that won in 2007. That being said they are very tough and will possess the toughest running game, led by Levell Coppage, the Johnnies have seen this year. The Johnnies will hang tough but won't have enough to stop Warhawk offense. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Wartburg Knights (8-2) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 7 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | No. 10 Final 2008 | |
| Location: | Waverly, IA | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Walston-Hoover (4,800) | |
| Conference: | Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 23 | |
| Head coach: | Rick Willis | |
| Career record: | 95-21 (.819) | |
| Base offense: | Pro set | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 3-7 (1982, 1993-94, 1999, 2002-04) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (IIAC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They get just enough from their running game to keep opposing defenses honest. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They can't cover a spread-out field. | |
| This season's turning point: | When Central beat Buena Vista on Nov. 8, putting Wartburg back in control of its own destiny. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 122.3/230.8 (1223.0/2308.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 140.1/175.3 (1401.0/1753.0) | |
| How far can they go? | Apparently not to Occidental. That would be crazy. But whomever wins the first-round game could well win the second-round game as well. | |
| Schedule and results | ||
| Aurora Spartans (9-1) | ||
| Region: | West |  |
| Seed: | No. 8 | |
| Last Top 25 Ranking: | Never ranked | |
| Location: | Aurora, IL | |
| Stadium (capacity): | Aurora (2,000) | |
| Conference: | Northern Athletics Conference | |
| Preseason ranking from Kickoff 2008: | 198 | |
| Head coach: | Rich Duncan (Bethany '90) | |
| Career record: | 24-16 (.600) | |
| Base offense: | Pro spread | |
| Base defense: | 4-3 | |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 0-3 (1992, 2000, 2004) | |
| Championships: | None | |
| How they got here: | Pool A (NATHC Champion) | |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | They complete 50 percent or more of their passes and take advantage of good field position set up by the defense. | |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They can't move the chains and need to rely on their defense to bring home the points, too. | |
| This season's turning point: | Holding Concordia (Wis.) on fourth down in Aurora territory in the fourth quarter of a 21-19 win. The stop rendered the Falcons' touchdown with 21 seconds left nearly meaningless. | |
| Rushing/receiving yards per game: | 193.6/162.6 (1936.0/1626.0) | |
| Rushing/receiving yards allowed: | 61.1/151.4 (611.0/1514.0) | |
| How far can they go? | They have the best draw of any No. 8 seed, though that probably won't be enough for a first-round win. | |
| Schedule and results | ||