COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY--NOVEMBER 8, 2006

NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFF PICTURE

Real Football Central's road to the postseason continues with an outlook on the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Which teams have already clinched automatic bids to the D-III "Dance"?

Read below for the answers, in alphabetical order by conference.

American Southwest: Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.)
Centennial: Dickinson (Pa.)
Heartland Collegiate: Mount St. Joseph
Illini-Badger: Concordia (Wis.)
Iowa: Central College
Liberty League: Union (N.Y.)
Michigan Intercollegiate: Hope
Middle Atlantic: Wilkes
Midwest: St. Norbert (Wis.)
Ohio: Mount Union
Old Dominion: Washington & Lee
Southern California: Occidental

Which games played this weekend will have playoff implications?

Bethel (Minn.)--(8-1) at St. John's (9-0): The Johnnies host the Royals in a battle for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.

Capital (8-1) at Baldwin-Wallace (7-2): This contest is not only a battle for a share of second place in the Ohio Athletic Conference, but also for an outside shot at an at-large bid to the D-III playoffs, or "Pool C", for fans that speak "D-III-ese".

Puget Sound (7-2) at Whitworth (9-0): Although they have already clinched at least a share of the Northwest Conference championship, the Pirates are in the so-called "Pool B" category of teams wishing to advance to the D-III dance. In fact, the visiting Loggers could not only spoil the home team's perfect season, but also jeopardize their playoff chances, by pulling off the upset this weekend?

Ithaca (7-2) at Cortland State (8-1): The Bombers meet the Red Dragons for the 48th time in the battle for the "Cortaca Jug" in upstate New York. But much more will be at stake than winning a mere bottle, as both teams are coming off upset losses from last weekend. The Bombers lost to Alfred 28-17, while the previously unbeaten Red Dragons fell to Rowan 14-7.

St. John Fisher (8-1) at Alfred (7-2): The winner of this game will win at least a share of the Empire 8 Conference title. However, the winner could also win the crown outright if Norwich upsets Springfield (8-1) this weekend. Alfred, Fisher, and Springfield all enter the final weekend of the regular season with identical 4-1 marks in E8 play.

Trinity (Tex.)--(8-1) at Millsaps (6-3): The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title will be decided this weekend, as the Majors host the Tigers from San Antonio. Both teams come into the contest with perfect 5-0 records in SCAC action.

Curry (10-0) vs. Coast Guard (8-1): The championship of the New England Football Conference will be on the line this weekend between the Colonels and Bears at New London, Conn.

Rochester (7-2) at Hobart (7-1): After a 31-14 upset loss to Union spoiled their perfect season, the Statesmen must re-group fast, and defeat the Yellow Jackets to stay in playoff contention.

Other games of interest:

Williams (7-0) at Amherst (5-2): The Ephs face off against the Lord Jeffs for the 121st time this Saturday, making this series the oldest rivalry among current D-III members. Since the current members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) can't compete in the playoffs, this contest is basically their own national championship game, as Amherst can spoil Williams perfect season by pulling off the upset.

RPI (5-3) at Union (N.Y.)--(7-1): With a share of the Liberty League championship, and automatic playoff bid already wrapped up, the Dutch can now focus on winning the coveted "Dutchman Shoes Trophy" against the Engineers this weekend.

DePauw (6-3) at Wabash (7-2): The Tigers and Little Giants square off the 113th time at Crawfordsville, Ind. this Saturday in the battle for the Monon Bell. But although the latter team (Wabash) already has a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference crown, it can win the title outright should Hiram upset Wittenberg (6-3).