Small College Football Playoff Predictions & Bracketology: NCAA Division II

Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a three-part series leading up to the start of the playoffs at the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. First up is NCAA Division II. In each installment, there'll be some predictions of each first-round game, followed by a brief analysis of each bracket. So, with further ado, on to the first post.

NOTE: For this week's regular "RFC Top Games" column, please click here, or scroll below.

KEY: Projected winners marked in RED.

NCAA Division II Playoffs-First Round

Saturday, November 17

Interactive Bracket

Printable Bracket

Super Region #1

BYE: Notre Dame (Ohio)-(11-0)

Hillsdale (9-2) at Kutztown (9-1)

Slippery Rock (9-2) at LIU Post (10-0)

New Haven (8-2) at West Chester (10-0)

Quickie Analysis: Upstart Notre Dame (Ohio) leads the way in this first bracket, with the Falcons making their first-ever postseason appearance. But two other unbeaten teams join them in LIU Post and West Chester, as both teams look to make deep postseason runs en route to that elusive national championship. Also, don't count out the likes of Kutztown, Hillsdale, Slippery Rock, and New Haven.

Super Region #2

BYE: Valdosta State (10-0)

West Alabama (8-3) at Bowie State (9-2)

Wingate (8-3) at West Georgia (10-1)

Florida Tech (8-3) at Lenoir-Rhyne (10-1)

Quickie Analysis: Valdosta State outlasted fellow in-state rival West Georgia 47-31 to not only clinch the Gulf South Conference crown but also land that all-important #1 seed and a first-round bye. Newly-crowned CIAA champion Bowie State also joins a solid field in Super Region 2, as well as South Atlantic Conference champion Lenoir-Rhyne and three eight-win teams in Florida Tech, West Alabama, and Wingate.

Super Region #3

BYE: Ouachita Baptist (11-0)

Fort Hays State (9-2) at Indianapolis (9-1)

Harding (9-2) at Ferris State (11-0)

Northwest Missouri State (9-2) at Grand Valley State (10-1)

Quickie Analysis: Fans that are looking for a so-called "Bracket of Intrigue" could very well find it in Super Region #3. With two undefeated teams in #1 seed Ouachita Baptist and #2 seed Ferris State, as well as several nine-game winners in Fort Hays State, Harding, and Indianapolis, and even two former national champions in Grand Valley State and Northwest Missouri State and Grand Valley State squaring off in the first round, don't be surprised if anyone of these squads end up representing the region in the national semifinals on December 1.

Super Region #4

BYE: Minnesota State (11-0)

Colorado State-Pueblo (10-1) at Colorado Mines (10-1)

Azusa Pacific (8-3) at Tarleton State (10-0)

Texas A&M-Commerce (9-2) at Minnesota-Duluth (11-0)

Quickie Analysis: The fourth and final bracket of the D-II playoffs features two teams apiece from Colorado, Minnesota, and Texas, as well as well one team from California in Azusa Pacific. Keep in mind that Texas A&M-Commerce managed to win the national championship last year despite being seeded sixth. The most intriguing of the three first-round match-ups will take center stage in Colorado, as Colorado Mines plays host to Colorado State-Pueblo in a battle of 10-1 teams.

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