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)

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).

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.

MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP--OCTOBER 6, 2006

COUNTDOWN TO SELECTION SUNDAY

All this week, RFC will count down to next Sunday's selections for the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA playoffs with some extended coverage. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFF PICTURE

Click here for the latest NCAA Division II regional rankings.

Stay connected to RFC throughout the week for a look at the games that have the most implications in terms of postseason positioning.

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4, 2006--PART TWO

WHITWORTH DOWNS LINFIELD, CLINCHES SHARE OF NWC TITLE

Linfield College (Ore.) may hold the collegiate record for consecutive winning seasons with 51 in a row, but it's Whitworth that stands just one win away from winning the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference title outright, as the Pirates ran their record to 10-0 with a 17-13 win over the Wildcats Saturday. It was Whitworth's first win over Linfield since 1975.

Article courtesy of Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman-Review

MORE ON ROWAN-CORTLAND STATE

Meanwhile, back east in the NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference, the Profs turned the race in the league upside down, as they upset the previously undefeated Red Dragons of Cortland State (N.Y.) 14-7 Saturday

Rowan Press Release

SAINT FRANCIS CRUSHES WALSH, CLINCHES MIDEAST LEAGUE CROWN

The "Game Of The Week" in the NAIA took place in Fort Wayne, Ind. Saturday, as the University of St. Francis clinched the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Championship with a 21-7 win over Walsh (Ohio). USF entered the game as the nation's top-ranked team, while Walsh was ranked third. Both teams were also undefeated coming into the crucial contest.

Article courtesy of Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4, 2006

YOUNGSTOWN STATE DOWNS SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

The Penguins rally to stun the Salukis in a Gateway Conference thriller, 31-24.

YSU Press Release

I-AA RECAP

Click here for a review of Saturday's NCAA Division I-AA action.

BEARCATS BATTER GORILLAS

The Fall Classic at Arrowhead V turns into a laugher at Kansas City, Mo., as Northwest Missouri State routed Pittsburg State (Kans.) 41-14 to win no worse than a share of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title.

Article courtesy of Kansas City Star

COYOTES PULL OFF UPSET

The University of South Dakota Coyotes maintained their hopes of winning a share of the North Central Conference championship by knocking off Nebraska-Omaha 45-28 at Vermillion, S.D.

Article courtesy of Sioux City (Iowa) Journal

PENN FALLS IN OVERTIME

The Ivy League's University of Pennsylvania Quakers set a new record; the wrong kind, as they lost their third straight overtime game to archrival Princeton 31-30.

Article courtesy of philly.com

ROWAN KNOCKS OFF CORTLAND STATE

The Profs stay in the NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference title hunt with an upset win over the Red Dragons.

Game summary and roundup courtesy of philly.com

UNION UPENDS HOBART

The Flying Dutch clinched no worse than a share of the Liberty League title in D-III action by stopping the Statesmen 31-14.

Hobart Press Release

STATESMEN STOP WEST ALABAMA

Delta State moved one step closer towards clinching a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs by routing West Alabama 41-14 in Gulf South Conference action at Cleveland, Miss. Thursday night.

Article courtesy of the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger

REAL BIGGIE PREVIEWS--WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4, 2006

The "A-List" games in all of small college football, in the final weeks of the regular season, coming right at you! So, sit back, and hold on tight!

Southern Illinois-Youngstown State

SIU Press Release

YSU Press Release

Nebraska-Omaha/South Dakota

UNO Press Release

USD Press Release

Northwest Missouri State-Pittsburg State

Article courtesy of Kansas City Star

Northwest Missouri Game Notes

Pittsburg State Game Notes

Cortland State-Rowan

Cortland Game Notes

Rowan Game Notes

Hobart-Union (N.Y.)

Union Game Notes

Whitworth-Linfield

Whitworth Press Release

Linfield Press Release

Article courtesy of Portland Oregonian

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 10

Last Week--28-15 (.651)
Year-To-Date--204-107 (.656)

November has arrived, and as the weather gets colder, the stakes are starting to get higher for the teams that want to advance to postseason play. For the Saints of Carroll College (Mont.), their 28-game winning streak ended with a 10-3 upset loss to Montana State-Northern last Saturday. The Lights win also avenged a 12-7 loss to the Saints earlier this season. That defeat alone might make it difficult for Carroll to win its fifth straight NAIA national championship. Still, just two weeks remain in the regular season, and anything can happen between now, and the final seconds of the final games ticking down to zero on Nov. 11, at least for most teams competing at the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels.

So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!

Projected winners highlighted in RED

Key games highlighted in BOLD type.

Showcase games highlighted in italics.

DIVISION I-AA

North Dakota State (7-1) at UC Davis (4-4)

Massachusetts (7-1) at New Hampshire (6-2)

Albany (N.Y.)--(6-3) at Robert Morris (6-3)

Cal Poly (6-2) at Montana (7-1)

Southern Illinois (6-2) at Youngstown State (7-2)

(It's the Salukis against the Penguins in a Gateway Conference grudge match!)

Tennessee State (5-3) at Eastern Illinois (5-4)

Elon (4-4) at Furman (6-3)

Western Kentucky (5-3) at Northern Iowa (5-3)

Alabama A&M (6-3) at Jackson State (5-3)

DIVISION II

Ferris State (6-3) at Northwood (7-1)

Merrimack (6-3) at C.W. Post (7-2)

Harding (6-2) at Arkansas Tech (6-3)

Carson-Newman (6-3) at Wingate (7-2)

East Stroudsburg (6-3) at Bloomsburg (8-1)

Johnson C. Smith (7-2) at North Carolina Central (9-0)

Nebraska-Omaha (7-1) at South Dakota (7-2)

(Real biggie in the North Central Conference!)

Northwest Missouri State (9-0) at Pittsburg State (8-1)--at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

(Major showdown in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association)

Virginia Union (7-2) at Elizabeth City State (8-1)

Saginaw Valley State (5-3) at Grand Valley State (9-0)

West Alabama (6-3) at Delta State (7-1)--(Thursday)

Slippery Rock (6-3) at Indiana (Pa.)--(7-1)--(Thursday)

DIVISION III

Curry (8-0) at U Mass-Dartmouth (5-3)

Rensselaer Tech (5-2) at Rochester (6-2)

Amherst (6-0) at Trinity (Conn.)--(5-1)

Coe (6-2) at Central College (Iowa)--(8-0)

Rowan (5-2) at Cortland State (8-0)

(Nitty-gritty grudge match in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, "aka" the NJAC!)

Emory & Henry (5-3) at Washington & Lee (6-2)

Franklin (7-1) at Defiance (6-2)

Hope (5-3) at Olivet (Mich.)--(5-3)

Illinois College (6-3) at St. Norbert (9-0)

Alfred (6-2) at Ithaca (7-1)

Union (N.Y.)--(6-1) at Hobart (7-0)

(Liberty League title on the line!)

Western Connecticut State (5-3) at Kean (5-3)

Wheaton (7-1) at Carthage (6-2)

Linfield (5-2) at Whitworth (8-0)

(Playoff implications are looming large in the Pacific Northwest!)

NAIA

Montana Tech (6-3) at Carroll (Mont.)--(8-1)

(Can the Saints bounce back from a rare loss?)

Dana (6-3) at Northwestern (Iowa)--(8-1)

Mid-America Nazarene (6-2) at Benedictine (Kans.)--(6-3)

Virginia-Wise (7-2) vs. Cumberlands (Ky.)--(5-3)

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND-UP--OCTOBER 30, 2006

IOWA CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN THIS SATURDAY

The Flying Dutch of Central College, who currently sit in first place in the NCAA Division III Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, faces Coe in a key showdown in the middle of the Plains.

Central College (Iowa) Press Release

WIN..AND YOU'RE THE CHAMPIONS...AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just when it seemed like the Golden Rams of Albany State University had any hope of winning the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) title for the fourth straight year disappear, this flock of sheep from Georgia got some unlikely help from two unexpected places this past weekend.

Article courtesy of Albany (Ga.) Herald

MOUNT UNION-CAPITAL REVISITED

One of the biggest games of the year at the NCAA Division III level turned into a laugher last Saturday, as the defending national champion Purple Raiders of Mount Union chewed up Capital 38-12 in a battle of "purple people eaters" in the Ohio Athletic Conference last weekend.

Mount Union Press Release

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF OCTOBER 28, 2006

NCAA DIVISION I-AA ROUND-UP

A recap of Saturday's action at the NCAA Division I-AA level, courtesy of I-AA.org.

Click here for the details.

APPALACHIAN STATE DOMINATES FURMAN

The defending I-AA national champions gain inside track on Southern Conference title with an easy 40-7 win at Boone, N.C.

Game story courtesy of Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal

JAMES MADISON ROUTS RICHMOND

Dukes take charge in Atlantic 10 Conference with a 27-10 victory over the Spiders.

Game story courtesy of Richmond Times-Dispatch

PENGUINS POUND REDBIRDS!

Youngstown State tightens the Gateway Conference race with a 27-13 win over Illinois State Saturday.

YSU Press Release


NORTH ALABAMA DOWNS VALDOSTA STATE IN OVERTIME

A touchdown in the extra period keeps the Lions unbeaten with a 31-24 win over the Blazers in NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference play.

Game story courtesy of Decatur (Ala.) Daily

WHITEWATER WINS DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE

The Warhawks of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater rely on their defense to nip the Crusaders of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 7-3 at Belton, Tex. Saturday in a rare late-season NCAA Division III non-conference game.

UW-Whitewater Press Release

REAL BIGGIE PREVIEWS--WEEK OF OCTOBER 28, 2006

The biggest games in all of small college football, straight from the source!

James Madison-Richmond

JMU Game Notes

Richmond Game Notes

Furman-Appalachian State

Game Summary courtesy of GreenvilleOnline.com

Youngstown State-Illinois State

ISU Game Notes

YSU Game Notes

Valdosta State-North Alabama

VSU Game Notes

UNA Game Notes

Mount Union-Capital

Mount Union Game Notes

Capital Game Notes

Wisconsin-Whitewater/Mary Hardin-Baylor

UMHB Game Notes

Springfield-Ithaca

Game preview courtesy of the Ithaca (N.Y.) Journal

Carroll/Montana State-Northern

Game preview courtesy of the Havre (Montana) Daily News

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 9

Last Week--22-18 (.550)
Year-To-Date--176-92 (.657)

Well, October is almost over, and November is almost here. As the regular season winds down, a lot of games over the final remaining weeks will decide which teams play past Thanksgiving, and closer to Christmas, and which squads will be making other plans for the postseason. Oh, just one more thing! Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night, as the time will change from Daylight Saving Time, to Standard Time!

And on that note, it's time for this week's predictions!

Projected winners highlighted in RED.

Key games highlighted in BOLD type.

Showcase games highlighted in italics.

DIVISION I-AA

James Madison (6-1) at Richmond (5-2)

(Big showdown between Virginia foes in the Atlantic 10 Conference! Bring on the baked ham!)

Youngstown State (6-2) at Illinois State (6-1)

(Battle of the Birds in the Gateway Conference, between the Penguins and Redbirds!)

Furman (6-2) at Appalachian State (7-1)

(Showdown for first place in the Southern Conference!)

Eastern Illinois (5-3) at Tennessee-Martin (6-1)

UC Davis (4-3) at South Dakota State (4-3)

Towson (5-2) at Delaware (4-3)

Alabama A&M (5-2) at Alabama State (4-3)*

*--Magic City Classic at Birmingham, Ala.

Central Connecticut State (6-2) at Monmouth (N.J.)--(7-1)

DIVISION II

Grand Valley State (8-0) vs. Ferris State (6-2)

Valdosta State (6-1) at North Alabama (7-0)

(Great showdown in the Gulf South Conference!)

Tarleton State (4-3) at Abilene Christian (7-0)

Truman State (4-4) at Pittsburg State (7-1)

Newberry (8-0) at Tusculum (5-3)

Central Washington (5-3) at Augustana (S.D.)--(5-3)

Catawba (4-3) at Wingate (6-2)

Wayne State (Mich.)--(5-3) at Northwood (6-1)

Henderson State (6-2) at Harding (5-2)

Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-3) at Midwestern State (6-2)

Carson-Newman (6-2) at Presbyterian (5-3)

American International (5-2) at C.W. Post (6-2)

New Mexico Highlands (5-3) at Fort Lewis (6-3)

Indianapolis (5-3) at Saginaw Valley State (4-3)

DIVISION III

Capital (7-0) at Mount Union (7-0)

(Battle of undefeated "purple people eaters" in the Ohio Athletic Conference!)

Wisconsin-Whitewater (7-0) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-1)

(It's the "Cheese League", aka the WIAC, against the Lone Star State in this rare late-season match-up!)

Rowan (5-1) at Montclair State (4-3)

Occidental (6-0) at Cal Lutheran (5-1)

(Little big showdown in Southern California)

St. Thomas (5-2) at St. John's (Minn.)--(8-0)

Springfield (7-0) at Ithaca (6-1)

(Another potential barnburner in the Empire 8 Conference!)

Rhodes (5-2) at Trinity (Tex.)--(6-1)

Hobart (6-0) at Alfred (6-1)

Sul Ross State (5-1) at Hardin-Simmons (5-1)

Ohio Northern (4-3) at Baldwin-Wallace (5-2)

Greenville (5-2) at Concordia (Wis.)--(8-0)

Delaware Valley (5-2) at King's (5-2)

Monmouth (Ill.)--(5-3) at Illinois College (6-2)

Minnesota-Morris (6-2) vs. Rockford (7-1)**--(Friday)

**--UMAC Day at the Metrodome at Minneapolis, Minn.

NAIA

Nebraska Wesleyan (5-2) at Sioux Falls (8-0)

Carroll (Mont.)--(8-0) at Montana State-Northern (7-1)

(Real biggie re-match in the Frontier Conference!)

Urbana (5-3) at Walsh (8-0)

Benedictine (Kans.)--(6-2) at Missouri Valley (8-0)

Valley City State (5-3) at Black Hills State (6-2)

Geneva (3-3) at Ohio Dominican (4-3)

Minot State (4-4) at Jamestown (6-2)

Kansas Wesleyan (7-0) at Bethel (Kans.)--(6-1)

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND-UP--OCTOBER 23, 2006

NORTHERN IOWA STUNS YOUNGSTOWN STATE

The defending NCAA Division I-AA national runners-up knock of the Penguins 31-23 in Gateway Conference showdown.

FULL STORY

SAINT NORBERT GETS BY RIPON

The Green Knights from Wisconsin remain unbeaten with a 38-28 win in NCAA Division III Midwest Conference action.

FULL STORY

MOUNT UNION SHUTS OUT BALDWIN-WALLACE

The Purple Raiders down the Yellow Jackets 14-0 to stay undefeated.

FULL STORY

ARENA FOOTBALL 2 ADDS FIVE NEW TEAMS

The arenafootball2 league will grow by five teams in 2007, with four teams in Texas, and a fifth in Cincinnati.

FULL STORY

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2006

Well, we're a little late, but, better late than never, as the latest installment of the "Sunday Drive" gets underway! So, without any further ado, here goes!

APP STATE STUNS GEORGIA SOUTHERN IN DOUBLE OVERTIME

The hometown Eagles from Statesboro, Ga. give the defending NCAA Division I-AA champs all they could handle, but still came up empty.

Article courtesy of Charlotte.com.

GRAND VALLEY STATE GRINDS NORTHWOOD

The defending NCAA Division II national champions cruise to an easy 45-14 win over the Timberwolves.

RECAP

NEWBERRY DOWNS WINGATE

The Indians (8-0, 4-0) established themselves as the team to beat in the South Atlantic Conference with a 36-24 win over the Bulldogs.

Article courtesy of thestate.com.

NORTH ALABAMA HOLDS OFF DELTA STATE

It wasn't easy, but the Lions remained undefeated with a 17-10 triumph over the Statesmen.

Article courtesy of roarlions.com.

SPRINGFIELD STOMPS SAINT JOHN FISHER

The Pride piles up almost 500 yards on the ground in a 55-38 rout of the Cardinals in NCAA Division III action.

FULL STORY

REAL BIGGIE PREVIEWS

YOUNGSTOWN STATE-NORTHERN IOWA PREVIEW

Northern Iowa Game Notes

Youngstown State Game Notes

GRAND VALLEY STATE-NORTHWOOD PREVIEW

GVSU Game Notes

Article courtesy of MLive.com

NORTH ALABAMA-DELTA STATE PREVIEW

UNA Game Notes

DSU Game Notes

SPRINGFIELD-SAINT JOHN FISHER PREVIEW

St. John Fisher Press Release

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 8

Last Week--22-15 (.595)
Year-To-Date--154-74 (.675)

Projected winners are highlighted in RED

Key games are highlighted in BOLD type.

Showcase games are highlighted in italics.

DIVISION I-AA

Northern Iowa (4-2) at Youngstown State (6-1)

(Showdown for share of first place in the Gateway Conference!)

Appalachian State (6-1) at Georgia Southern (3-3)

South Dakota State (3-3) at Cal Poly (3-3)

Delaware (3-3) at Richmond (5-1)

Western Kentucky (3-3) at Southern Illinois (5-1)

Harvard (5-0) at Princeton (5-0)

(Battle of unbeaten teams in Ivy League!)

Yale (4-1) at Pennsylvania (4-1)

Wofford (2-4) at Elon (3-3)

Delaware State (4-2) at Morgan State (4-2)

Monmouth (N.J.)--(6-1) at Robert Morris (5-2)

DIVISION II

Northwood (6-0) at Grand Valley State (7-0)

(Great match-up in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference!)

North Alabama (6-0) at Delta State (6-1)

(Can the Statesmen spoil the Lions perfect season?)

Augustana (S.D.)--(5-2) at South Dakota (6-1)

Nebraska-Kearney (4-2) at Chadron State (7-0)

West Alabama (5-2) at Valdosta State (5-1)

Wingate (6-1) at Newberry (7-0)

(A showdown for supremacy in the South Atlantic Conference!)

Minnesota-Duluth (5-2) at Nebraska-Omaha (5-1)

California (Pa.)--(5-2) at Shippensburg (4-3)

Bemidji State (5-2) vs. Winona State (6-1)

Central Washington (4-3) at Western Washington (2-5)

Albany State (Ga.)--(5-2) at Tuskegee (4-2)

Indianapolis (4-3) at Wayne State (Mich.)--(5-2)

C.W. Post (6-1) at Southern Connecticut (4-3)--(Friday)

DIVISION III

Mount Union (6-0) at Baldwin-Wallace (5-1)

Kean (4-2) at Rowan (4-1)

Cortland State (6-0) at Montclair State (4-2)

Springfield (6-0) at St. John Fisher (7-0)

(Battle for first place in Empire 8 Conference!)

Bethel (Minn.)--(5-1) at St. Olaf (6-1)

Ripon (5-2) at St. Norbert (7-0)

Wartburg (5-1) at Coe (6-1)

Concordia (Wis.)--(7-0) at Lakeland (4-2)

Guilford (4-2) at Washington & Lee (5-1)

Thiel (4-3) vs. Waynesburg (3-3)

King's (5-1) at Widener (4-2)

Williams (4-0) at Tufts (3-1)

Allegheny (4-2) at Wooster (5-1)

NAIA

Malone (4-2) at St. Francis (Ind.)--(6-0)

Ohio Dominican (4-2) at Walsh (7-0)

Jamestown (5-2) at Dickinson State (4-3)

Evangel (4-3) at Graceland (4-2)

Northwestern Oklahoma State (3-4) at Peru State (4-3)

ABILENE CHRISTIAN-WEST TEXAS A&M PREVIEW

A Texas shootout between two undefeated teams in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference kicks off a big weekend of big games in small college football!

Game Notes

Abilene Christian

West Texas A&M

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND-UP--OCTOBER 16, 2006

The "MNR" is back, with a review of the biggest games played at the NCAA Division III level, and then some. So, what are waiting for? Let's go!

UW-WHITEWATER ROUTS UW-LA CROSSE

The Warhawks remained undefeated with an easy win over the Eagles, but victory came with a price.

Article courtesy of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

CAPITAL EDGES OHIO NORTHERN

The Crusaders come from behind to beat the Polar Bears 17-10.

RECAP

NCAA DIVISION II REGIONAL RANKINGS RELEASED

Click here for the complete rankings.

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF OCTOBER 14, 2006--PART 2

UNO UPSETS UND

The University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season at the NCAA Division II level, as they knocked off the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux 21-20 Saturday.

RECAP AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

BEARCATS GET BY ICHABODS 31-26

RECAP

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF OCTOBER 13, 2006--PART 1

JAMES MADISON UPSETS NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Dukes throw the Atlantic 10 Conference into a frenzy, as they spoil the Wildcats perfect season.

FULL STORY

REDBIRDS STOMP SALUKIS 37-10

Illinois State rallies from an early deficit to down Southern Illinois in a key Gateway Conference showdown.

RECAP

Article courtesy of Southern Ilinoisan

Column courtesy of Southern Illinoisan

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 7

Last Week--32-14 (.696)
Year-To-Date--132-59 (.691)

Projected winners are highlighted in RED

Key games are highlighted in BOLD type.

Showcase games are highlighted in italics.

DIVISION I-AA

James Madison (4-1) at New Hampshire (5-0)

(Wildcats hope to knock off second straight Virginia foe!)

Columbia (3-1) at Pennsylvania (3-1)

Central Arkansas (4-2) at UC Davis (2-3)

Western Illinois (3-3) at Youngstown State (5-1)

Southern Illinois (4-1) at Illinois State (4-1)

(Real biggie in Gateway Conference!)

Towson (4-1) at Massachusetts (4-1)

DIVISION II

Chadron State (6-0) at Fort Lewis (5-2)

Nebraska-Omaha (4-1) at North Dakota (6-0)

Washburn (4-2) at Northwest Missouri State (6-0)

Shepherd (6-0) at Charleston (W. Va.)--(4-3)

Western Oregon (4-1) at Central Washington (3-3)

Presbyterian (3-3) at Tusculum (4-2)

Newberry (6-0) at Mars Hill (4-2)

Grand Valley State (6-0) at Indianapolis (4-2)

Carson-Newman (6-0) at Catawba (3-2)

DIVISION III

Carnegie Mellon (5-0) at Case Western Reserve (3-2)

Cortland State (5-0) at Western Connecticut State (4-1)

DePauw (4-1) at Rhodes (4-1)

Bridgewater (Va.)--(5-0) at Guilford (3-2)

Crown (3-2) at Northwestern (Minn.)--(4-2)

Elmhurst (4-1) at North Central (3-2)

Loras (3-2) at Wartburg (4-1)

Wabash (4-1) at Wittenberg (3-2)

Augustana (Ill.)--(3-2) at Wheaton (5-0)

Wisconsin-LaCrosse (4-0) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (5-0)

(First place on the line in the WIAC!)

Mount St. Joseph's (6-0) at Franklin (5-0)

(Battle of undefeated teams in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference!)

Ripon (5-1) at Monmouth (Ill.)--(4-2)

Louisiana College (3-1) vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor (4-1)

Wisconsin-Platteville (3-2) at Wisconsin-Oshkosh (4-2)

NAIA

Jamestown (5-1) vs. Black Hills State (4-2)

McKendree (3-2) at St. Ambrose (5-0)

(Critical showdown in Mid States Footall Association!)

Bethel (Kans.)--(5-0) at Friends (4-1)

Bethel (Tenn.)--(5-1) vs. Cumberlands (Ky.)--(3-2)

Virginia-Wise (4-2) at Shorter (4-2)

Urbana (4-2) at Malone (3-2)

Morningside (4-1) at Sioux Falls (5-0)

(Great showdown in Great Plains Conference!)

Geneva (2-2) at Walsh (6-0)

NO MONDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP

If you were looking for "Monday Night Round-up", it did what all NFL teams did, it took a "bye" week. Sorry for any inconvenience. In the meantime, you can find out when and where your favorite small college football team will be playing this weekend by clicking here.

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF OCTOBER 6, 2006

SAINT AMBROSE GETS BY SAINT XAVIER

The Fighting Bees sting the Cougars 35-27 in an NAIA Mid-States Football Association thriller Saturday!

Article courtesy of Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa)

SUNDAY DRIVE--WEEK OF OCTOBER 7, 2006--PART TWO

NEW HAMPSHIRE DOWNS RICHMOND IN A-10 SHOWDOWN

Article courtesy of Manchester (N.H.) Union-Leader

Summary and recap courtesy of Boston.com

WTAMU WINS THRILLER OVER MIDWESTERN STATE

RECAP

MORE ON SAINT JOHN'S-SAINT OLAF

The Johnnies remained undefeated on the 2006 season by downing St. Olaf 37-21 in a key NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game.

Article courtesy of St. Cloud (Minn.) Times

BETHEL BLASTS GEORGETOWN

The Bethel College (Tenn.) Wildcats took a giant step towards advancing to the NAIA playoffs by routing the Georgetown College (Ky.) Tigers 49-21 Saturday in Mid-South Conference action.

Article courtesy of Jackson (Tenn.) Sun

Summary courtesy of Kentucky.com

SIOUX FALLS DOWNS NORTHWESTERN (IOWA)

The University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Cougars win a thriller in a battle of unbeaten teams.

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

LIGHTS STUN OREDIGGERS

The Montana State University-Northern Lights knocked off the Montana Tech Orediggers in an NAIA Frontier Conference defensive struggle.

Article courtesy of Montana Standard