COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY--NOVEMBER 7, 2006

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFF PICTURE

As promised, we're breaking down the playoff races here at Real Football Central. Let's briefly look at the key games in each of the four regions at the NCAA Division II level heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

Click here for the latest NCAA Division II regional rankings

Northeast: Shepherd (W. Va.)--(9-0) and Bloomsburg (9-1) look to be serious locks for the top two seeds, as well as first round byes going into the playoffs. But the race for the other four playoff spots is wide open, with every other team in the top 12 having at least two losses. Indiana (Pa.) unfortunately, found itself joining that group after an upset loss to Slippery Rock last weekend, dropping the Indians record to 7-2, therefore putting their postseason hopes in jeopardy.

KEY GAMES

Indiana at California: No, this is not a pre-determined match-up for the Rose Bowl. However, it's a contest that could decide no worse than a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division title.

West Chester at Slippery Rock: The winner of this game still has slim hopes of reaching the postseason, while the loser can start making offseason plans. Both teams are 7-3 coming into this match-up.

Northwest: Defending national champion Grand Valley State (10-0) has dominated the region all season long, and should be favored to win its fourth title in the last five years. Still, there will be a multitude of match-ups with a lot of playoff implications this weekend.

KEY GAMES

South Dakota at North Dakota: The Coyotes and Fighting Sioux square off in Grand Forks, N.D. with at least a share of the North Central Conference championship on the line. USD (8-2) can win it outright with a victory, plus a Nebraska-Omaha loss to Central Washington.

Central Washington at Nebraska-Omaha: Although officially out of the NCC title and playoff race, the Wildcats still have a say in how the final pairings will turn out, as they face a Mavericks team that let a golden opportunity to win the conference crown slip away in a shocking loss at South Dakota last Saturday.

Wayne State (Mich.) at Ferris State: The winner of this contest will need help to reach postseason play. Enough said.

Southeast: Newberry (10-0), North Alabama (9-0), and North Carolina Central (10-0) appear to have punched their playoff tickets. But there are still questions as to who might join those teams in the postseason. Valdosta State (7-2), despite being ranked sixth in the Southeast Region poll, might need to defeat West Georgia, and hope for some help to extend their season, while Albany State (7-3) downed Fort Valley State in Columbus, Ga. to vault themselves into playoff contention.

KEY GAMES:

North Carolina Central vs. Elizabeth City State: The 10-0 Eagles will put their perfect record on the line against the 9-1 Vikings in the CIAA Championship Game at Durham, N.C. A loss to NCCU could mean ECSU may have to settle for the Pioneer Bowl.

Southwest: Northwest Missouri State (10-0) and Chadron State (10-0) both hold the inside track on the first round byes in that region. But deep in the heart of Texas, at least two key games could decide who will join the Bearcats and Eagles in the D-II Big Dance.

KEY GAMES:

Midwestern State at Abilene Christian: The Indians face the Wildcats in this critical Lone Star Conference contest. Another winner in, loser out kind of game.

Tarleton State at West Texas A&M: The Texans started the season 0-3, but have won six straight games to go to 6-3 overall, and can finish unbeaten in LSC play with an upset win over the 9-1 Buffaloes.