THE LIGHTNING ROUND--THE FINAL 2006 TALLY

It might be late, but better late than never. As 2006 draws to a close, here's the final tally for the Lightning for this past season.


CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES--4-1 (.800)

Only miss was the NAIA title game. (Sioux Falls defeated St. Francis (Ind.) 23-19 on Dec. 19)

FINAL NUMBERS FOR THE 2006 SEASON

341-154 (.689)

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM REAL FOOTBALL CENTRAL!!!!!

MOUNT UNION AIMS HIGH!

Their latest NCAA Division III football national championship trophy may be fresh in the trophy case, but Mount Union already has its sights on doing the "hat trick".

Article courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP--DECEMBER 18, 2006 (SEASON FINALE)

Well, here it is, the final edition of "MNR" for 2006. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

FCS RECAP

Appalachian State repeats as national champions with a 28-17 win over Massachusetts.

Article courtesy of College Sporting News

GRAND REPEAT FOR GRAND VALLEY

Grand Valley repeats as NCAA Division II national champions after downing Northwest Missouri State 17-14 at Florence, Ala. Saturday.

Article courtesy of mlive.com

MOUNT UNION MAULS WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER

The trophies just keep on coming for the Mount Union College Purple Raiders, as they won their ninth NCAA Division III title in the last 14 years with a 35-16 win over Wisconsin-Whitewater in Stagg Bowl XXXIV at Salem, Va. last Saturday.

Article courtesy of Cleveland.com

SIOUX FALLS WINS NAIA TITLE

The University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Cougars won their first NAIA national championship since 1996, as they defeated the University of St. Francis (Ind.) Cougars 23-19.

Article courtesy of Victory Sports Network

ALABAMA A&M WINS SWAC CROWN

The fourth time proves to be the charm for the Bulldogs, as they down the Golden Lions to win their first-ever SWAC title.

Article courtesy of al.com

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 16 (THE 2006 FINALE)

Last Week--5-1 (.833)
Year-To-Date--337-153 (.688)

Well, it has come down to this! Weeks and weeks of drills during the preseason, followed by more weekends of fall football frenzy have culminated into a championship weekend! So, as always, let's not waste any time. Let's go!

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION--FINALS

at Chattanooga, Tenn.

Massachusetts (13-1) vs. Appalachian State (13-1)

NCAA DIVISION II--CHAMPIONSHIP

at Florence, Ala.

Grand Valley State (13-0) vs. Northwest Missouri State (13-0)

NCAA DIVISION III--CHAMPIONSHIP

at Salem, Va.

Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-0) vs. Mount Union (13-0)

NAIA

at Savannah, Tenn.

Sioux Falls (13-0) vs. St. Francis (Ind.)--(13-0)

SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP

at Birmingham, Ala.

Alabama A&M (8-3) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (8-3)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM REAL FOOTBALL CENTRAL!!!!

NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

It all comes down to one game Friday night, as Appalachian State tries to defend its national title against Massachusetts in a nationally-televised game on ESPN.

Click here for the preview!

MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP--OCTOBER 11, 2006

Well, it has come down to this! The national champions of small college football will be decided this weekend! So, what are waiting for? Let's get started with a review of how all of the teams got to the title games in their respective divisions!

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION

It's Appalachian State vs. Massachusetts for all of the marbles in Chattanooga Friday night!

Article courtesy of College Sporting News

NCAA DIVISION II

It's a rematch of last year's title game here: Grand Valley State vs. Northwest Missouri State. Click on the links below for game summaries.

Grand Valley State 49, Delta State 30

Northwest Missouri State 33, Bloomsburg 3

NCAA DIVISION III

There's a rematch at the Stagg Bowl in Salem, Va. too, as Mount Union matches wits against Wisconsin-Whitewater for the second straight year.

Mount Union 26, St. John Fisher 14

Wisconsin-Whitewater 44, Wesley 7

NAIA

Article courtesy of Victory Sports Network

TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE NAMES NEW HEAD COACH

Keith Baxter hopes to restore the lost luster of a once proud program at the NCAA Division II level, as he became the new head coach Texas A&M-Kingsville Thursday.

Article courtesy of kristv.com

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP--SEMIFINALS

UMASS KNOCKS OFF MONTANA 19-17...PUNCHES TICKET TO CHATTANOOGA!!!

The Minutemen from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst reach the championship game of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly NCAA Division I-AA, for the first time since 1998, by pulling out a surprising win in hostile territory over the Grizzlies Friday night, before a national television audience on ESPN2.

Expanded Coverage

Article courtesy of Boston.com

University of Massachusetts Press Release

University of Montana Recap

Article courtesy of Helena (Mont.) Independent-Record

Associated Press Recap

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 15

Last Week--15-2 (.882)
Year-To-Date--332-151 (.687)

A light slate of games this weekend, as it's all NCAA, all the time!

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED

Most important games highlighted in BOLD type.

Classic games highlighted in italics.

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION--SEMIFINALS

Massachusetts (12-1) at Montana (12-1)

(It's the Grizzlies hosting the Minutemen in the mountain air that is Big Sky Country!)

Youngstown State (11-2) at Appalachian State (12-1)

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS--SEMIFINALS

Delta State (12-2) at Grand Valley State (13-0)

Bloomsburg (12-1) at Northwest Missouri State (13-0)

(It's the Huskies versus the Bearcats on ESPNU!)

NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS--SEMIFINALS

St. John Fisher (12-1) at Mount Union (13-0)

(It's the Rochester Redbirds taking on the Purple Raiders in this potential classic!)

Wesley (13-0) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-0)

(The Warhawks and Wolverines square off in the semis for the second straight year!)

NO MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP

This week's Monday Night Roundup will not run due to "technical difficulties". Sorry for the inconvenience.

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

MORE ON MOUNT UNION

Even at the NCAA Division III level, it's not easy staying on top. Read on to find out how and why Mount Union manages to stay among the nation's elite small college football programs year in and year out.

Article courtesy of Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE PLAYOFFS IN REVIEW--PART TWO

This installment recaps the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs, as well as the semifinals of the NAIA playoffs.

NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS--QUARTERFINALS

Mount Union 17, Capital 14

The eight-time national champion Purple Raiders moved one step closer to adding yet another title to their trophy case, but not before holding off a challenge from a Crusaders in a close finish.

Article courtesy of Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal

Bonus coverage courtesy of Cleveland.com

St. John Fisher 31, Rowan 0

The Cardinals advance to the national semifinals for the first time ever by pounding the Profs!

Article courtesy of Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Wesley 34, Mary Hardin-Baylor 20

The Wolverines from Dover, Del. advance to the semis after holding off a late rally from their Texas foes.

Article courtesy of Delaware Online

Wisconsin-Whitewater 17, St. John's (Minn.) 14

The Warhawks ward off a challenge from the Johnnies for a big quarterfinal win.

Article courtesy of Janesville (Wis.) Gazette

Bonus coverage

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)

NAIA PLAYOFFS--SEMIFINALS

Sioux Falls 25, Missouri Valley 18

The Cougars from South Dakota punched their ticket to Savannah, Tenn. after holding off the Vikings in a thriller!

Article courtesy of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader

St. Francis (Ind.) 49, St. Xavier 20

The Cougars from Fort Wayne, Ind. got the other spot in the NAIA title game by stomping a pack of Cougars from Chicago.

Article courtesy of Fort Wayne.com

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE PLAYOFFS IN REVIEW

Here's a quick recap of Saturday's playoff action.

NCAA DIVISION I QUARTERFINALS ACTION RECAP

Article courtesy of College Sporting News.

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS--QUARTERFINALS

Delta State 27, North Alabama 10

Statesmen pull off yet another upset on the road, end Lions perfect season!

Article courtesy of the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion Ledger

Grand Valley State 30, North Dakota 20

Next stop for the Statesmen is Michigan, as the Lakers stop the Fighting Sioux!

Article courtesy of milive.com.

Bloomsburg 24, Shepherd 21

The Huskies win 12th straight game, knock off Rams!

Article courtesy of Sunbury (Pa.) Daily Item

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 14

Last Week--24-6 (.800)
Year-To-Date--317-149 (.680)

December is just around the corner, and as the number of games played get smaller, the stakes only get bigger. So, what are waiting for! Let's get started!

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED

Most important games highlighted in BOLD type.

Classic games highlighted in italics.

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP--SECOND ROUND

Montana State (8-4) at Appalachian State (11-1)

Illinois State (9-3) at Youngstown State (10-2)

("Real Biggie" re-match of Gateway Conference squads!)

New Hampshire (9-3) at Massachusetts (11-1)

Southern Illinois (9-3) at Montana (11-1)

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS--QUARTERFINALS

North Dakota (11-1) at Grand Valley State (12-0)

(Both teams have combined to win four of the last five national championships! [UND in 2001; GVSU in 2002, 2003, & 2005])

Delta State (11-2) at North Alabama (11-0)

(Another regular season re-match of conference foes!)

Bloomsburg (11-1) at Shepherd (11-0)

(The top two seeds in the Northeast Region finally square off in West Virginia this weekend!)

Chadron State (12-0) at Northwest Missouri State (12-0)

(Unbeaten teams battle for bragging rights in the Southwest Region this Saturday!)

NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS--QUARTERFINALS

Capital (11-1) at Mount Union (12-0)

(Yet another re-match of a conference regular season game!)

Rowan (9-2) at St. John Fisher (11-1)

Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-2) at Wesley (12-0)

St. John's (Minn.)--(11-1) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (12-0)

(It's the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" [MIAC] against the "Cheese League" [WIAC] in this huge showdown!)

NAIA PLAYOFFS--SEMIFINALS

St. Xavier (10-2) at St. Francis (Ind.)--(12-0)

Missouri Valley (13-0) at Sioux Falls (12-0)

(A battle of unbeatens in the Upper Midwest ensues!)

OTHER GAMES

Alcorn State (5-5) at Grambling State (3-7)

Bemidji State (9-2) vs. Pittsburg State (9-2)*

*--Mineral Water Bowl at Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Johnson C. Smith (7-3) vs. Tuskegee (8-3)%

%--Pioneer Bowl at Charlotte, N.C.

MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP--NOVEMBER 27, 2006

DRIVE FOR FIVE DENIED!

For the first time since 2001, there will be a new national champion in NAIA football, as St. Xavier ended Carroll (Mont.)'s quest for a fifth straight title last Saturday at Helena, Mont.

FULL STORY

FULL STRENGTH

The defending NCAA Division II national champions return all 11 of their original starters back, and it couldn't have come at a better time!

FULL STORY

SLUGFEST

Here's a recap of North Dakota's dramatic 38-35 win over Nebraska-Omaha in round two of the D-II playoffs.

FULL STORY

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP--FIRST ROUND

The first round of the first-ever NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs is in the books. Click here for a recap of the first weekend's action.

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE DAY IN REVIEW--ROUND TWO

THE 10 BEST GAMES!!!!

With the balance of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend rapidly coming and going, let's quickly look at the 10 best games from the second week of the NCAA Division II, III, and NAIA playoffs.

Delta State 24, North Carolina Central 17 (NCAA D-II)

The Statesmen pull another rabbit out of their hat, as they rally to upset the previously undefeated Eagles.

Delta State Press Release

Bloomsburg 21, West Chester 20 (NCAA D-II)

Missed field goals by the Golden Rams help the Huskies move on the quarterfinals!

Bloomsburg Press Release

North Dakota 38, Nebraska-Omaha 35 (NCAA D-II)

Speaking of field goals, the Fighting Sioux found itself on the winning side after such a kick sunk the Mavericks in Omaha Saturday afternoon!

UND Press Release

Wisconsin-Whitewater 24, Wisconsin-LaCrosse 21 (NCAA D-III)

A go ahead touchdown catch in the fourth quarter lifts the Warhawks over the Eagles!

UW-Whitewater Press Release

Mary Hardin-Baylor 30, Washington & Jefferson 27 (NCAA D-III)

The Crusaders hold off a late rally from the Crusaders to draw a date in Delaware next Saturday! Wesley shut out Carnegie Mellon 37-0 in Dover to set up that date!

UMHB Press Release

Rowan 21, Wilkes 14 (NCAA D-III)

The Profs pull off the shocker against the Colonels to advance to the final eight!

Rowan Press Release

St. John Fisher 27, Springfield 21 (NCAA D-III)

The Cardinals exact revenge on the Pride, face Rowan in the quarters!

Box Score

St. Xavier 14, Carroll (Mont.) 7 (NAIA)

It's heartbreak in Helena, Mont., as the Cougars end the Saints hopes for a fifth straight national championship.

St. Xavier Press Release

St. Francis (Ind.) 42, Bethel (Tenn.) 35 (NAIA)

It was a good day to be a Mid-States Football Association fan, as another pack of Cougars rally to cut down a pack of Wildcats from the Mid-South Conference!

St. Francis Press Release

Missouri Valley 33, Northwestern (Iowa) 26 (NAIA)

The Vikings win a slugfest to stay unbeaten!

Box Score

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 13

Last Week--35-9 (.795)
Year-To-Date--293-143 (.672)

The first round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs is drawing closer and closer, while the second round of the NCAA Division II and III playoffs, as well as the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs surely will provide another round thrills and upsets. That's not to mention there will be a pair of games pitting four HBCU schools. All of this makes for a great feast of football this Thanksgiving Weekend!

By the way, we do apologize to the fans of both St. John Fisher and Union (N.Y.) who are reading this blog for not including their game in the list of predictions. Sorry for any inconvenience. All omissions aside, though, the other 15 games which were in the forecast all went correctly.

With that said, let's move on to this week's predictions! Happy Thanksgiving!

NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION--FIRST ROUND

Coastal Carolina (9-2) at Appalachian State (10-1)

(First-ever playoff game for Chanticleers!)

Furman (8-3) at Montana State (7-4)

Illinois State (8-3) at Eastern Illinois (8-4)

James Madison (9-2) at Youngstown State (9-2)

(It's the Dukes vs. the Penguins on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday!)

Lafayette (6-5) at Massachusetts (10-1)

New Hampshire (8-3) at Hampton (10-1)

Tennessee-Martin (10-2) at Southern Illinois (8-3)

McNeese State (7-4) at Montana (10-1)

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS--SECOND ROUND

South Dakota (9-3) at Grand Valley State (11-0)

North Dakota (10-1) at Nebraska-Omaha (8-2)

Delta State (10-2) at North Carolina Central (11-0)

Newberry (11-1) at North Alabama (10-0)

(The Indians march into the Shoals to square off against the Lions!)

Merrimack (8-3) at Shepherd (10-0)

West Chester (9-3) at Bloomsburg (10-1)

Midwestern State (10-2) at Northwest Missouri State (11-0)

West Texas A&M (11-1) at Chadron State (11-0)

(The Buffaloes make the stampede into western Nebraska to battle the Eagles!)

NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS--SECOND ROUND

Wheaton (10-1) at Mount Union (11-0)

North Central (9-2) at Capital (10-1)

Rowan (8-2) at Wilkes (11-0)

St. John's Fisher (10-1) at Springfield (10-1)

(Regular-season re-match of Empire 8 Conference powerhouses!)

Carnegie-Mellon (11-0) at Wesley (11-0)

(Battle of undefeated "Pool B's!")

Washington & Jefferson (10-1) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (9-2)

Wisconsin-LaCrosse (9-1) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (11-0)

(Here's another re-match of conference rivals from the regular season!)

St. John's (10-1) at Whitworth (11-0)

(The Johnnies go west to face the Pirates in this potential titanic battle!)

NAIA PLAYOFFS--QUARTERFINALS

Morningside (9-2) at Sioux Falls (11-0)

Bethel (Tenn.)--(10-1) at St. Francis (Ind.)--(11-0)

Northwestern (Iowa)--(11-1) at Missouri Valley (12-0)

St. Xavier (9-2) at Carroll (Mont.)--(11-1)

OTHER GAMES

Thursday

Turkey Day Classic at Montgomery, Ala.

Tuskegee (7-3) vs. Alabama State (5-5)

Saturday

Bayou Classic at New Orleans@

Grambling State (3-6) vs. Southern (4-6)

@--Game televised on NBC-TV at 2 p.m. EST

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND-UP--NOVEMBER 20, 2006

BREAKING DOWN THE FCS SELECTIONS

Coastal Carolina (9-2) at Appalachian State (10-1)

Furman (8-3) at Montana State (7-4)

Illinois State (8-3) at Eastern Illinois (8-4)

James Madison (9-2) at Youngstown State (9-2)

Lafayette (6-5) at Massachusetts (10-1)

New Hampshire (8-3) at Hampton (10-1)

Tennessee-Martin (10-2) at Southern Illinois (8-3)

McNeese State (7-4) at Montana (10-1)

Analysis: The pairings for the newly-renamed NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly NCAA Division I-AA, have been revealed. Unlike the hypocrisy that's the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), the FCS playoff field doesn't have any undefeated teams. But it does have three teams with one loss (Hampton, Massachusetts, and Montana), three teams with two losses (Coastal Carolina, James Madison, and Youngstown State), four teams with three losses (Furman, Illinois State, New Hampshire, and Southern Illinois), two teams with four losses (McNeese State and Montana State), and one team with five losses. That by itself should make for an interesting postseason at the FCS level, although Appalachian State just might be a solid favorite to repeat as national champions.

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED

In case you missed it, here are the selections of the 16 teams in the newly-created NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA).

Click here for the bracket.

B.C. LIONS WIN GREY CUP

Christmas came a month early for the British Columbia Lions, as they downed the Montreal Alouettes 25-14 to the win the Grey Cup in Winnipeg Sunday.

Article courtesy of Canada.com

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE DAY IN REVIEW--ROUND ONE

THE 10 BEST GAMES!!!!

It was a day of comebacks, upsets, and thrilling finishes in the first weekend of the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA playoffs. Let's quickly recap some of those finishes.

West Texas A&M 30, Abilene Christian 27 (NCAA Division II Playoffs)

The Buffaloes rally in overtime to stun the Wildcats!

West Texas A&M Press Release

Delta State 17, Elizabeth City State 10 (NCAA Division II Playoffs)

The Statesmen also manage to make a comeback to advance to round two!

Delta State Press Release

West Chester 31, Bryant 29 (NCAA Division II Playoffs)

The sixth-seeded Rams from suburban Philadelphia pull off the shocker of the day, as they eliminated the third-seeded Bulldogs in the Northeast Region bracket!

Bryant Press Release

South Dakota 31, Northwood 28 (NCAA Division II Playoffs)

The Coyotes advance to round two thanks to a field goal!

USD Press Release

Wisconsin-LaCrosse 28, Bethel (Minn.) 21 (NCAA Division III Playoffs)

The Eagles hold off a charge from the Royals to earn a re-match with Wisconsin-Whitewater!

UW-LaCrosse Press Release

St. John's (Minn.) 21, Central (Iowa) 13 (NCAA Division III Playoffs)

The Johnnies earn a trip to the Pacific Northwest after downing the previously undefeated Dutch!

Final Stats

Whitworth 27, Occidental 23 (NCAA Division III Playoffs)

The Pirates (11-0) come from behind to trip up the Tigers in a West Coast thriller!

Whitworth Press Release

Rowan 20, Hobart 18 (NCAA Division III Playoffs)

A last second field goal lifts the Profs over the Statesmen!

Rowan Press Release

Northwestern (Iowa) 17, Black Hills State 10 (NAIA Playoffs)

The Raiders hold off the Yellow Jackets to advance to the second round.

Northwestern Press Release

Morningside 38, St. Ambrose 31 (NAIA Playoffs)

The Mustangs rally in double overtime to pull off the upset over the previously unbeaten Fighting Bees!

Morningside Press Release

arenafootball2 Schedule announced

Let the hot stove league talk begin, as arenafootball2 announced its 2007 schedule!

af2 Press Release

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 12

Last Week--30-13 (.698)
Year-To-Date--258-134 (.658)

The playoffs have arrived for the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels, while the final weekend of the regular season has arrived for the soon to be re-named NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (soon to be former NCAA Division I-AA). There are many games at the FCS level that will have conference championship, as well as postseason implications this Saturday. So, without further ado, let's move on to this week's predictions!

Projected winners highlighted in RED

Key games highlighted in BOLD type.

Showcase games highlighted in italics.

DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION

Montana (9-1) at Montana State (7-3)

(A share of the Big Sky Conference championship on the line! Grizzlies can clinch title outright with a win!)

Lehigh (6-4) at Lafayette (5-5)

(142nd meeting all time! Winner gets Patriot League automatic bid to FCS playoffs!)

Yale (7-2) at Harvard (7-2)

(It's the Bulldogs vs. the Crimson in "The Game"! Winner wins a share of the Ivy League crown!)

James Madison (8-2) at Towson (7-3)

Bethune Cookman (5-5) vs. Florida A&M (6-4)*

*--Florida Classic at Orlando, Fla.

Charleston Southern (9-1) at Coastal Carolina (8-2)

South Dakota State (7-3) at North Dakota State (9-1)

DIVISION II PLAYOFFS--FIRST ROUND

First Round Byes: Grand Valley State (11-0), Nebraska-Omaha (8-2), North Carolina Central (11-0), North Alabama (10-0), Shepherd (10-0), Bloomsburg (10-1), Northwest Missouri State (11-0), Chadron State (11-0)

South Dakota (8-3) at Northwood (8-2)

Winona State (9-2) at North Dakota (9-1)

Delta State (9-2) at Elizabeth City State (9-2)

Albany State (Ga.)--(7-3) at Newberry (10-1)

Southern Connecticut (7-3) at Merrimack (7-3)

West Chester (8-3) at Bryant (8-2)

Missouri Western (9-2) at Midwestern State (9-2)

Abilene Christian (8-2) at West Texas A&M (10-1)

DIVISION III PLAYOFFS--FIRST ROUND

Hope (7-3) at Mount Union (10-0)

Mount St. Joseph (9-1) at Wheaton (9-1)

North Central (8-2) vs. Concordia (Wis.)--(10-0)**

**--Game played at Milwaukee, Wis.

Wittenberg (7-3) at Capital (9-1)

Washington & Lee (7-3) at Wilkes (10-0)

Hobart (8-1) at Rowan (7-2)

Curry (11-0) at Springfield (9-1)

Dickinson (8-2) at Wesley (10-0)

Millsaps (7-3) at Carnegie-Mellon (10-0)

Washington & Jefferson (9-1) at Christopher Newport (8-2)

Hardin-Simmons (8-1) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (8-2)

St. Norbert (10-0) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-0)

(It's the Midwest Cofnerence versus the WIAC in a battle of undefeated teams!)

Bethel (Minn.)--(9-1) at Wisconsin-LaCrosse (8-1)

Occidental (9-0) at Whitworth (10-0)

(It's Southern California against the Pacific Northwest in another battle of unbeatens!)

St. John's (Minn.)--(9-1) at Central (10-0)

(How about a once-beaten team taking on an unbeaten team?)

ECAC DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIPS

RPI (6-3) at Cortland State (9-1)

Rochester (7-3) at Alfred (7-3)

Bridgewater State (7-2) at Coast Guard (8-2)

Salisbury (5-5) at Delaware Valley (8-2)

Widener (6-4) at Ursinus (8-2)

King's (6-4) at Kean (6-4)

NCCAA VICTORY BOWL--at Tigerville, S.C.

Malone (7-3) at North Greenville (9-2)

NAIA PLAYOFFS--FIRST ROUND

Walsh (9-2) at St. Francis (Ind.)--(10-0)

Jamestown (8-2) at Sioux Falls (10-0)

Morningside (8-2) at St. Ambrose (10-0)

Montana State-Northern (9-2) at Carroll (Mont.)--(10-1)

(Third meeting between the Lights and the Saints!)

Bethel (Kans.)--(9-1) at Missouri Valley (11-0)

Black Hills State (8-2) at Northwestern (Iowa)--(10-1)

St. Xavier (8-2) at Georgetown (Ky.)--(9-1)

Friends (9-1) at Bethel (Tenn.)--(9-1)

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

BREAKING DOWN THE BRACKETS--THE NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS

Bracket A

Mount Union (10-0) vs. Hope (7-3)

Mount St. Joseph (9-1) vs. Wheaton (9-1)

Concordia (Wis.)--(10-0) vs. North Central (8-2)

Capital (9-1) vs. Wittenberg (7-3)

Analysis: The team to watch in this bracket is none other than Mount Union, whose Purple Raiders hope to win a ninth national championship in 14 years. But there are plenty of challengers wanting to knock off the Ohio purple people eaters, as the Mount St. Joseph-Wheaton winner could find themselves facing Mount Union in round two. Also, don't be surprised if the Purple Raiders end up facing Ohio Athletic Conference rival Capital in a potential quarterfinal re-match.

Bracket B

Wilkes (10-0) vs. Washington & Lee (7-3)

Hobart (8-1) vs. Rowan (7-2)

St. John Fisher (9-1) vs. Union (7-2)

Springfield (9-1) vs. Curry (11-0)

Analysis: This bracket has the potential for at least two re-matches in the later rounds: Hobart vs. Union, and St. John Fisher vs. Springfield, both in round two. Or how about more juicier match-ups down the road, like Wilkes-Hobart, Hobart-SJF, SJF-Rowan or even Curry-Wilkes. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, as anything can happen in round one.

Bracket C

Wesley (10-0) vs. Dickinson (8-2)

Carnegie-Mellon (10-0) vs. Millsaps (7-3)

Christopher Newport (8-2) vs. Washington & Jefferson (9-1)

Mary Hardin-Baylor (8-2) vs. Hardin-Simmons (8-1)

Analysis: This bracket is also packed with intrigue, as it has two undefeated teams (Wesley, CMU) that could collide in the second round should they get past the first round; another program that hasn't been to postseason play in more than three decades (Millsaps), a Virginia squad that has made the playoffs in six of the first seven years of the program (CNU), not to mention a program that played in the national title game just two years ago (UMHB). That alone should make for some interesting storylines in the 2006 D-III dance.

Bracket D

Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-0) vs. St. Norbert (10-0)

Wisconsin-LaCrosse (8-1) vs. Bethel (Minn.)--(9-1)

Whitworth (10-0) vs. Occidental (9-0)

Central (Iowa)--(10-0) vs. St. John's (Minn.)--(9-1)

Analysis: This probably has to be the most competitive of all four brackets, with five unbeaten teams. Four of those squads (Whitewater vs. St. Norbert, and Whitworth vs. Occidental) will square off in round one this weekend. Which is a shame, because only two of those teams will be assured of continuing their perfect seasons when the smoke finally clears.

MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP--NOVEMBER 13, 2006 (SPECIAL EDITION)

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA--THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

BREAKING DOWN THE BRACKETS

Now that the playoff brackets have been revealed, it's time to analyze each of them for the NCAA Division II, D-III, and NAIA levels. First up will be the D-II playoff bracket.

Northwest:

1. Grand Valley State (10-0)

2. Nebraska-Omaha (8-2)

3. North Dakota (9-1) vs. 6. Winona State (9-2)

4. Northwood (8-2) vs. 5. South Dakota (8-3)

Analysis: GVSU remains the team the beat for a national championship until, of course, another squad can prove otherwise. The biggest surprise here is the North Central Conference getting three teams (UNO, UND, and USD) into the playoff field, especially the Coyotes, who had been snubbed from postseason play, despite decent won-loss records the last two years, before the third time finally proved to be the charm this year.

Southeast:

1. North Carolina Central (11-0)

2. North Alabama (10-0)

3. Newberry (10-1) vs. 6. Albany State (7-3)

4. Elizabeth City State (9-2) vs. 5. Delta State (9-2)

Analysis: The fact that NCCU and UNA are not only undefeated, but also have the top two seeds in this bracket comes as no surprise. But there were a lot of surprises in this year's field, as Newberry makes its first-ever postseason trip, while DSU and ECSU have advanced to this year's Big Dance after lengthy absences. The Statesmen advanced to the D-II playoffs for the first time since winning the national championship in 2000, while the Vikings will play their first postseason contest since 1981.

Northeast:

1. Shepherd (10-0)

2. Bloomsburg (10-1)

3. Bryant (8-2) vs. 6. West Chester (8-3)

4. Merrimack (7-3) vs. 5. Southern Connecticut (7-3)

Analysis: Again no surprises here, as both Shepherd and Bloomsburg again have the top two seeds in this bracket. But it also has three of the five teams with three losses in Merrimack, Southern Connecticut, and West Chester, which should least make for an interesting first round this weekend.

Southwest:

1. Northwest Missouri State (11-0)

2. Chadron State (11-0)

3. West Texas A&M (10-1) vs. 6. Abilene Christian (8-2)

4. Midwestern State (9-2) vs. 5. Missouri Western State (9-2)

Analysis: This probably has to be the toughest of the four brackets in the NCAA Division II playoffs, as all six teams have two or fewer losses coming into this weekend's first round action. The Bearcats of Northwest Missouri are the obvious favorites to come out of this bracket, although a fine-feathered flock of football players from western Nebraska might have something to say about that.

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11, 2006 (SPECIAL EDITION)

COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY--THE PLAYOFFS ARE HERE!!!!!

The moment of truth has come for teams wishing to advance to postseason play in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA football. Click the links below to find out which teams made the playoffs, and which teams will be sitting at home for the holidays.

NCAA Division II Playoff Bracket

NCAA Division III Playoff Bracket

NAIA First Round Playoff Pairings

Stay connected to RFC for the latest news, views, and predictions throughout the playoffs.

COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY--PLAYOFF WATCH UPDATE

With "Selection Sunday" for NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA teams less than 24 hours away, here are some updates from key games played this Saturday.

North Dakota 33, South Dakota 26

The Fighting Sioux clinch a share of the North Central Conference championship with a win over the Coyotes in a shootout.

UND Press Release

Nebraska-Omaha 48, Central Washington 14

The Mavs win the other half of the NCC title with an easy rout of these ferocious felines from the Pacific Northwest.

Game story courtesy of WOWT-TV

Whitworth 44, Puget Sound 27

The Pirates complete a perfect regular season by rolling past the Loggers.

Whitworth Press Release

St. John Fisher 41, Alfred 13

The Cardinals from Rochester, N.Y. clinch a share of the D-III Empire 8 Conference crown with Springfield by stomping the Saxons.

SJFC Press Release

COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY--THE PLAYOFF WATCH

As promised, here are the final scores from the games that have the most bearing on postseason play at the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels from Saturday.

All times Eastern Standard Time

3:13 p.m.

New England Football Conference Championship Game at New London, Conn.

Curry 34, Coast Guard 28 (Curry advances to NCAA Division III playoffs)

3:51 p.m.

Cortland State 23, Ithaca 20 (Red Dragons finish the regular season at 9-1, await possible berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs)

3:54 p.m.

Click here for final stats of Cortland State's 23-20 win over Ithaca in the battle for the "Cortaca Jug".

4:11 p.m.

Indiana (Pa.) 21, California (Pa.) 17 (IUP wins Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division title, await word on a possible NCAA Division II playoff berth)

Click here for the final stats.

4:51 p.m.

Bethel (Minn.) 28, St. John's (Minn.) 13 (Royals upset Johnnies to win Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Cofnerence title, automatic NCAA Division III playoff berth)

4:56 p.m.

Capital 19, Baldwin-Wallace 7 (Crusaders finish regular season 9-1, await potential NCAA Division III playoff berth.

4:58 p.m.

Hobart 31, Rochester 21 (Statesmen finish regular season 8-1)

5:10 p.m.

A big upset in the NAIA as Malone breaks a 7-7 halftime, and knocks off Walsh 20-10. The Pioneers finish the regular season at 7-3, while Cavaliers fall to 9-2. Could this loss affect Walsh's postseason chances. Stay connected.

Click here for final stats.

5:22 p.m.

Georgetown (Ky.) 28, Cumberlands (Ky.) 14 (Georgetown improves to 9-1 overall, finishes Mid South Conference East Division play undefeated at 5-0, awaits first round opponent in NAIA playoffs).

6:21 p.m.

North Carolina Central 17, Elizabeth City State 14 (NCCU wins second straight CIAA championship, advance to NCAA Division II playoffs unbeaten at 11-0)

Click here for final stats

6:25 p.m.

Millsaps 34, Trinity (Tex.) 12 (Majors pull off big upset, win Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title, and advance to NCAA Division III playoffs for first time since 1975)

7:00 p.m.

NCAA Division II shockers!

Presbyterian upsets Newberry, 10-0, spoils Indians (10-1) perfect season

Newberry Press Release

ALSO...

Midwestern State pounds Abilene Christian 46-30

COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY--THE PLAYOFF WATCH

Stay connected to RFC throughout the day for the final scores of key games throughout the nation, as the selections for the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA playoffs arrive Sunday.

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 11

Last Week--24-14 (.632)
Year-To-Date--228-121 (.653)

Well, here it is! The final week of the regular season at the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels, while two weeks remain for the vast majority of NCAA Division I-AA programs. What will this weekend bring for teams that need to beef up their postseason resumes? The answer is anybody's guess. Anyway, let's move on this week's predictions.

Projected winners highlighted in RED

Key games highlighted in BOLD type.

Showcase games highlighted in italics.

DIVISION I-AA

Maine (6-3) at Massachusetts (8-1)

Cal Poly (6-3) at North Dakota State (8-1)

(Share of first place at stake in the Great West Football Conference!)

Northern Iowa (6-3) at Southern Illinois (6-3)

Coastal Carolina (7-2) at Gardner-Webb (6-3)

Hampton (9-1) vs. Florida A&M (5-3)

Princeton (7-1) at Yale (7-1)

(Big-time Ivy League showdown!)

Monmouth (N.J.)--(9-1) at Albany (N.Y.)--(7-3)

Stony Brook (5-5) at Central Connecticut State (7-3)

DIVISION II

North Alabama (9-0) at West Alabama (6-4)

Chadron State (10-0) at Adams State (6-4)

Midwestern State (Tex.)--(8-2) at Abilene Christian (8-1)

(How about a Texas shootout on the final weekend of the regular season for size?)

Central Washington (6-4) at Nebraska-Omaha (7-2)

Indiana (Pa.)--(7-2) at California (Pa.)--(8-2)

Wayne State (Mich.)--(6-4) at Ferris State (7-3)

West Chester (7-3) at Slippery Rock (7-3)

Western Oregon (6-3) at Humboldt State (8-1)

Tiffin (10-0) at St. Joseph's (7-3)

DIVISION III

Mount Union (9-0) at Marietta (6-3)

Bethel (Minn.)--(8-1) at St. John's (Minn.)--(9-0)

(It's the Royals versus the Johnnies for all of the marbles in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference!)

Capital (8-1) at Baldwin-Wallace (7-2)

(The Crusaders take on the Yellow Jackets in a contest with potential postseason implications.)

Wisconsin-La Crosse (7-1) at Wisconsin-Oshkosh (5-4)

Puget Sound (7-2) at Whitworth (9-0)

Wilkes (9-0) at King's (6-3)

Ithaca (7-2) at Cortland State (8-1)

(It's the Bombers battling the Red Dragons for the Cortaca Jug!)

St. John Fisher (8-1) at Alfred (7-2)

(Share of Empire 8 Conference crown at stake!)

Union (N.Y.)--(7-1) at RPI (5-3)*

*--Dutchman Shoes Trophy Game

Trinity (Tex.)--(8-1) at Millsaps (6-3)

Thomas More (5-4) at Mount St. Joseph (9-0)

Dubuque (5-4) at Wartburg (8-1)

St. Olaf (7-2) at St. Thomas (6-3)

Williams (7-0) at Amherst (5-2)

Curry (10-0) at Coast Guard (8-1)**

**--New England Football Conference Championship Game at New London, Conn.

DePauw (6-3) at Wabash (7-2)^

^--Monon Bell Game

Dickinson (8-1) at Ursinus (7-2)

Greenville (6-3) at Washington (Mo.)--(5-4)

Rochester (7-2) at Hobart (7-1)

NAIA

William Jewell (5-4) at Missouri Valley (10-0)

Cumberlands (Ky.)--(6-3) at Georgetown (Ky.)--(8-1)

Malone (6-3) at Walsh (8-1)

Montana Tech (6-4) at Montana State-Northern (8-2)

Morningside (7-2) at Dana (5-4)

Graceland (6-3) at Mid-America Nazarene (6-3)

Friends (8-1) at Sterling (6-3)