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Here's another outlook on the games that have potential conference championship and/or playoff implications. This installment focuses on some key games played at the NCAA Division III level this weekend.Mount Union (8-0) at Otterbein (8-0): Here's a game that's fit for the "Who would've thunk it?" category. The perennial powerhouse Purple Raiders face a Cardinals that's never won more than seven games in a season for at least the last nine years. At least, until this year. The winner of this game will win at least a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference, and that league's automatic bid to the playoffs to boot.Hampden-Sydney (7-1) at Huntingdon (8-0): The upstart Hawks from Montgomery, Ala. (and the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference--yes, they're really are members of the SLIAC--associate members, anyway) host the Tigers from Hampden-Sydney, Va. in a rare late-season non-conference battle with potential postseason implications. While the game itself may not count in any conference standings, it could go a long way toward deciding if either team gets an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Also, the Hawks will look to maintain their perfect record going into their season finale against LaGrange (Ga.), while the Tigers hope to wash the bad taste from their upset loss to Catholic two weeks ago out of their mouths.Rowan (7-1) at Montclair State (7-1): With Cortland State (N.Y.)--(8-0) already having clinched the New Jersey Athletic Conference autobid to the D-III playoffs, the battle between the Profs and the Red Hawks will be for the so-called "Pool C" at-large bid to the "little big dance".Augustana (Ill.)--(6-2) at North Central (8-0): The Cardinals can move one step closer towards a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title with a win over the Vikings.Carleton (6-2) at Concordia-Moorhead (5-3) and Augsburg (5-3) at St. John's (6-2): With four teams (Carleton, Gustavus Adolphus, SJU, and C-M) all tied for first place in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at 4-2, a fifth squad, St. Thomas (5-3, 4-3) a half-game behind that quartet, and two others, Augsburg (5-3) and Bethel (Minn.)--(4-4) a full game off the pace at 3-3, unpredictability is the name of the game in this suddenly competitive D-III conference. Still, these two aforementioned contests could help clear up who might end up getting this league's automatic bid to the D-III dance.Williams (5-2) at Amherst (5-2): With Trinity (Conn.)--(7-0) clinching the New England Small College Athletic Conference title last weekend, this game is for second place in a league which doesn't send any of its teams to postseason play. Even so, fans of both Amherst and Williams, respectively, don't need to be reminded of just how big the "Biggest Little Game In America" is to these passionate fan bases.Honorable mention: Ithaca (7-1) at Alfred (6-2), Trine (8-0) at Adrian (7-1), Fitchburg State (4-5) at Maine Maritime (6-3), Hobart (6-1) at RPI (7-0), Wisconsin-Stout (5-3) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (7-1), and Wisconsin-Stevens Point (7-1) at Wisconsin-Eau Claire (5-3).
The San Antonio Express-News, and mysanantonio.com, has a series on NCAA Division III football in Texas.San Antonio Express-News
Only one week remains in the NCAA Division II football regular season. That represents one last chance for teams that want to make the playoffs to make their case to the selection committee. So, without further ado, here are the key games in each of the four so-called "Super Regionals".Super Regional 1West Chester (8-2) vs. California (Pa.)--(9-1): The Golden Rams upset win over previously undefeated Bloomsburg sets up a re-match against the West Division champion Vulcans in the first-ever Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title game. California defeated West Chester 44-32 in the season opener on Aug. 30. While the Vulcans lone loss came against the Huskies, the Golden Rams only other defeat was against Delaware of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.Elizabeth City State (7-3) vs. Shaw (7-3): The Vikings will square off against the Bears for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship in Durham, N.C. Saturday. However, a third team, Fayetteville State (8-2), is ranked eighth in the latest Super Regional 1 poll, while ECSU is tenth. So, under the "earned access" rule, the Broncos could still make the playoffs even if the Vikings win.Southern Conneticut State (7-2) at American International (9-0): Although this contest doesn't count in the Northeast 10 Conference standings, it does decide whether or not the league champion Yellow Jackets can finish the regular season unbeaten, not to mention maintaining one of the top two seeds in the Super Regional 1 bracket.West Liberty State (6-4) at Seton Hill (9-1) and Charleston (W.Va.)--(7-3) at Glenville State (7-3): Although the Griffins are the only team from the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team currently ranked the Super Regional 1 poll (No. 5), there could be a four-way tie for the league title depending upon the outcome of this weekend's game. A Charleston win over Glenville, plus a West Liberty win over Seton Hill would result in "quad-champions" being crowned, as all four teams would finish the 2008 season with identical 6-2 records in WVIAC play. But, a Seton Hill win over West Liberty, plus a Glenville loss to Charleston, would mean an outright conference title for the Griffins.Super Regional 2Delta State (8-1) and North Alabama (9-1) are Nos. 1 and 2 in the Super Regional 2 bracket, while defending national champion Valdosta State (8-2) is No. 3, with the Blazers regular season already having been completed. That leaves a spirited battle for the three remaining playoff spots, mostly involving teams from the South Atlantic Conference.Tusculum (7-3) at Carson-Newman (8-2): The Eagles can clinch the SAC title outright with a win over the Pioneers.Mars Hill (6-4) at Wingate (8-2): The Bulldogs must win to maintain their hold on a potential No. 5 seed in the Super Regional 2 bracket.Super Regional 3Grand Valley State (9-0) at Wayne State (Mich.)--(8-2): The Lakers can wrap up an undefeated regular season--as well as the No. 1 seed in Super Regional 3--with a win over the Warriors.St. Cloud State (7-3) at Minnesota State (8-2): The No.5 Mavericks can secure a postseason bid with a win over the No. 9 Huskies.Super Regional 4Tarleton State (8-2) at West Texas A&M (9-1): The Wildcats and Texans meet with no worse than a share of second place overall in the Lone Star Conference on the line. WTAMU could finish with a share of the overall conference crown should Abilene Christian (9-0) lose to Midwestern State (6-3).
KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.NCAA DIVISION IIIMillsaps (7-0) at Trinity (Tex.)--(7-0)(A battle of the unbeatens ensues between the Majors and the Tigers in the de-facto Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship game!)Wesley (5-1) at Salisbury (7-1)(The Sea Gulls host the Wolverines in the "Route 13" rivalry!)Occidental (6-0) at Cal Lutheran (5-1)Union (3-3) at RPI (6-0)John Carroll (5-2) at Mount Union (7-0)Muhlenberg (7-0) at Dickinson (4-3)Wisconsin-Eau Claire (5-2) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (6-1)Wheaton (6-1) at Elmhurst (5-2)Rose Hulman (6-1) at Franklin (7-1)Luther (4-3) at Wartburg (5-2)Worcester Polytech (6-1) at Hobart (6-0)Kean (5-2) at Rowan (6-1)Amherst (5-1) at Trinity (Conn.)--(6-0)Albright (5-2) at Lebanon Valley (5-2)NAIABethel (6-1) at Ottawa (6-1)(The Threshers battle the Braves in a battle for second place in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference!)Missouri Valley (6-1) at Baker (6-2)(Winner of this game keeps at least a share of second place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference!)St. Xavier (6-2) at Malone (5-1)(The Pioneers host the Cougars in a game with potential postseason implications in the Mid States Football Association Mideast Division!)Black Hills State (5-3) at Jamestown (6-2)Northwestern (Iowa)--(7-1) at Sioux Falls (7-0)McKendree (3-4) at St. Francis (Ill.)--(6-2)Union (Ky.)--(6-2) at Virginia's College at Wise (7-1)
Last Week: 20-16 (.556)Year To Date: 183-87 (.678)KEY: Projected winners highighted in RED.Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.Other games of interest in BOLD type.FCSWofford (6-1) at Appalachian State (6-2)(Mountaineers face the Terriers in rare Friday night Southern Conference showdown!)Northern Arizona (6-2) at Montana (7-1)(Battle of one-loss teams in the Big Sky Conference! Lumberjacks are 4-1 in conference play, Grizzlies are 3-1.)Northern Iowa (6-2) at Western Illinois (5-2)(Panthers take on the Leathernecks in a critical Missouri Valley Football Conference clash!)Dayton (7-1) at San Diego (6-1)North Dakota (5-2) at Southern Illinois (5-2)Jacksonville (5-3) at Butler (6-1)Monmouth (5-3) at Albany (N.Y.)--(5-3)Morgan State (5-3) at Florida A&M (6-2)Lafayette (6-1) at Colgate (6-2)Northwestern State (5-3) at Texas State (5-3)NCAA DIVISION IIWingate (8-1) at Carson-Newman (6-2)(Bulldogs battle the Eagles with first place in the South Atlantic Conference at stake!)West Chester (7-2) at Bloomsburg (9-0)(Huskies host the Golden Rams in the de-facto Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division championship game!)Arkansas-Monticello (7-2) at North Alabama (8-1)California (Pa.)--(8-1) at Mercyhurst (6-3)American International (8-0) at Merrimack (5-3)Albany State (Ga.)--(5-3) vs. Fort Valley State (5-4)--at Columbus, Ga.Tusculum (6-3) at Mars Hill (6-3)Chadron State (8-1) at Mesa State (6-3)Abilene Christian (8-0) at Texas A&M Kingsville (6-3)
As the number of weeks in the regular season dwindle to a mere few, the games themselves only increase in importance, at least for the teams that want to advance to the playoffs. This installment deals with several critical contests in NCAA Division III.Millsaps at Trinity (Tex.): This is the "Game of the Week" in D-III, as the Tigers play host to the Majors in a re-match of the "Mississippi Miracle". Of course, for those folks that haven't watched the video highlights of the final play from last year's game, a bunch of laterals helped Trinity not only win that game, but also propel the Tigers to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title, and the automatic playoff berth to boot. By the way, both teams enter this unbeaten at 7-0, with Trinity sitting at 5-0 in SCAC action, Millsaps at 4-0.Wesley (5-1) at Salisbury (7-1): The Wolverines and the Sea Gulls meet in the "Route 13" rivalry, with more than just bragging rights and the Atlantic Central Football Conference title at stake. The winner of this contest stays in contention for one of the so-called "Pool B" bids for the D-III playoffs.Washington & Jefferson (7-0) at Thomas More (6-1): The 3-0 Presidents pay a visit to Crestview Hills, Ky. (yes, Kentucky) to face the 5-0 Saints in the de-facto President's Athletic Conference championship game.Occidental (6-0) at Cal Lutheran (5-1): The Tigers take on the Kingsmen on the West Coast, with the winner gaining the inside track on the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title. Both of those squads come into this clash a perfect 3-0 in SCIAC contests.
With just two weeks left in the NCAA Division II regular season, there's no shortage of games that have either conference championship, and/or playoff implications. Here are a just a few of them that will be played this weekend.Super Regional 1West Chester (7-2) at Bloomsburg (9-0): Both teams are a perfect 6-0 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division play. The winner of this game will likely win the division crown. For the Huskies, a victory would likely all but wrap up the No. 1 seed in Super Regional 1 for the NCAA Division II playoffs.California (Pa.)--(8-1) at Mercyhurst (6-3): Don't let the three losses of the home team fool you. The Lakers enter this contest at 5-1 in the PSAC West Division, and a very real opportunity to finish with a share of the division title with a win. Last week, Mercyhurst Edinboro 24-21 to earn that chance to shake things up in the Super Regional 1 playoff race.Honorable Mention: American International (8-0) at Merrimack (5-3)Super Regional 2Wingate (8-1) at Carson-Newman (6-2): With both teams at 4-1 in South Atlantic Conference play, this contest could be played for the de facto league championship. The Bulldogs are No. 2 in Super Regional 2, while the Eagles are No. 7.Arkansas-Monticello (7-2) at North Alabama (8-1): After disposing of defending D-II national champion Valdosta State 41-23 last weekend, the Lions host the upstart Boll Weevils in a Gulf South Conference game that has playoff implications. With its lone loss coming to current regional No. 1 Delta State (7-1), UNA can't afford another loss if it wants to stay in playoff contention.Honorable Mention: Albany State (Ga.)--(5-3) vs. Fort Valley State (5-4) at Columbus, Ga., Tusculum (6-3) at Mars Hill (6-3)Super Regional 3Chadron State (8-1) at Mesa State (6-3): The Eagles are the lone unbeaten team in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play at 7-0, as well as ranked No. 3 in Super Regional 3. But an upset win by the Mavericks, who are 6-1 in RMAC action, could open the door for at least a share of the conference title. Still, a Chadron State win would all but seal an outright crown for the Eagles.Super Regional 4Abilene Christian (8-0) at Texas A&M Kingsville (6-3): After impressive wins over West Texas A&M and Tarleton State in back-to-back weeks, the Wildcats control their own playoff destiny against the Javelinas, who need to win their remaining games, and get help to advance to postseason play.
Just under a week after disposing of Elon, 55-20 last week, No.3 [Sports Network] Wofford squares off against No. 2 and three-time defending NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national champion Appalachian State in a rare Friday night Southern Conference showdown! The game will be televised on ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m. EDT.Appalachian State Game NotesWofford Game NotesALSO SEE...Observations from the 50-yard lineArticle courtesy of obsfifty.blogspot.com
James Madison 23, Villanova 19The top ranked [Sports Network] Dukes down the seventh ranked Wildcats on game's final play.James Madison University Sports InformationWofford 55, Elon 20The Terriers put themselves into the thick of the Southern Conference race with easy win Saturday.Wofford College Sports InformationALSO SEE...No. 4 Wofford crushes No. 3 Elon, 55-20, improves to 4-0 in SoCongoupstate.comAppalachian State 26, Furman 14Head Coach Jerry Moore gets career win No. 200 in hard fought win over Purple Paladins.Appalachian State University Sports Information Weber State 42, Northern Arizona 14Wildcats take over sole possession of first place in Big Sky Conference with resounding win over the Lumberjacks!Weber State University Sports InformationFCS ScoreboardThe final scores for the week ending October 25, 2008North Alabama 41, Valdosta State 23The Lions cruise to an easy win over the Blazers in NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference action Saturday night.University of North Alabama Sports Information NCAA Division II ScoreboardThe final scores for the week ending October 25, 2008North Central 44, Wheaton 21The Cardinals gain possession of the "Little Brass Bell" in convincing fashion.suburbanchicagonews.comWisconsin-Stevens Point 17, Wisconsin-Whitewater 16A last second touchdown and two-point conversion lifts the Pointers to an upset win over the defending NCAA Division III national champion Warhawks.University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Sports InformationBONUS COVERAGE...Pointers wing it, soar highMilwaukee Journal-SentinelNCAA Division III ScoreboardClick hereNAIA RecapThe Victory Sports Network reviews Southern Oregon's unlikely upset win over NCAA Division III Mary Hardin-Baylor, as well as another shocker in the Central States Football League.
The last full weekend of October brings more critical games in small college football this Saturday. Here are some select game notes from those contests.Valdosta State at North Alabama (NCAA Division II)VSU Game NotesUNA Game NotesNorth Central at Wheaton (NCAA Division III)North Central Game Notes
The James Madison University Dukes, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the Sports Network NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision poll, travel north to face No. 7 Villanova in a key Colonial Athletic Association contest.Article courtesy of James Madison University Sports InformationALSO SEE...JMU Game NotesVillanova Game Notes
Last Week: 22-10 (.684)Year-To-Date: 141-61 (.698)KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.FCSJames Madison (6-1) at Villanova (5-1)(No. 7 [Sports Network] Wildcats host No. 1 Wildcats in Colonial Athletics Association showdown!)Wofford (5-1) at Elon (7-1)(First place in the Southern Conference on the line between the Terriers and Phoenix!)Furman (5-2) at Appalachian State (5-2)(Mountaineers host Purple Paladins in fierce Southern Conference rivalry!)Weber State (6-2) at Northern Arizona (6-1)(The Wildcats and the Lumberjacks square off in a battle for first place in the Big Sky Conference! Both teams are a perfect 4-0 in conference play!)Southeastern Louisiana (4-3) at Central Arkansas (6-1)Southern Illinois (4-2) at Missouri State (3-3)Bryant (4-3) at Massachusetts (4-3)Texas State (4-3) at Stephen F. Austin (4-3)NCAA DIVISION IIValdosta State (6-1) at North Alabama (7-1)(Blazers battle the Lions in a battle of one-loss teams in Gulf South Conference action!)Wayne State (Neb.)--(6-2) at Augustana (S.D.)--(6-2)Northwest Missouri State (7-1) at Washburn (6-2)Tarleton State (7-1) at Abilene Christian (7-0)Ashland (6-2) at Grand Valley State (7-0)West Virginia State (6-1) at Glennville State (5-3)Newberry (4-3) at Tusculum (5-3)Colorado Mines (6-2) at Chadron State (7-1)Western Oregon (5-3) at Central Washington (7-1)NCAA DIVISION IIINorth Central (6-0) at Wheaton (6-0)(First place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin--and the Little Brass Bell--is at stake between the Cardinals and the Thunder!)Wisconsin-Stevens Point (5-1) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (6-0)Willamette (7-0) at Linfield (4-1)Otterbein (6-0) at Capital (4-2)Curry (7-0) at Plymouth State (6-1)Wooster (5-1) at Wabash (6-0)Catholic (5-1) at Hampden-Sydney (7-0)Augsburg (4-2) at Gustavus Adolphus (4-2)Carleton (5-1) at St. Thomas (4-2)Franklin (6-1) at Mount St. Joseph (4-2)Delaware Valley (4-2) at Lycoming (4-2)Wilkes (2-4) at Albright (4-2)Huntingdon (6-0) at Westminster (Mo.)--(3-3)NAIAMontana State-Northern (5-2) at Carroll (Mont.)--(8-0)(Saints play host to the Lights in Frontier Conference showdown!)Bethel (Tenn.)--(3-4) at Lambuth (5-2)Quincy (4-3) at St. Francis (Ill.)--(5-2)Union (Ky.)--(6-1) at Shorter (5-2)Northwestern Oklahoma State (5-1) at Langston (6-2)
KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.FCSJacksonville State (5-2) at Tennessee-Martin (6-2)--(Thursday on ESPNU at 7:30 p.m. EDT)Corrected on October 23, 2008
Looking for more small college football games with big implications? Well, here are at two games with that kind of impact!Furman at Appalachian State (FCS)--SaturdayFurman Game NotesNorth Central at Wheaton (D-III)--SaturdayMore than the "Little Brass Bell" will be at stake when the Cardinals face the Thunder in this College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rivalry.Little Brass Bell Webpage--courtesy of North Central College Sports Information
The Elon University Phoenix and Wofford College Terriers face off in a battle of top five teams in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision this Saturday. Elon is ranked third in the latest Sports Network poll, while Wofford comes in ranked fourth. In the FCS coaches poll, the Terriers are No. 6, while the Phoenix are No. 7.MORE COVERAGE...Wofford approaching Elon showdown like a championship gameArticle courtesy of GoUpstate.comALSO SEE...Wofford Game Notes
Richmond 30, Massachusetts 15The Spiders spoil Homecoming for the Minutemen in FCS Colonial Athletic Association action Saturday.Boston Globe (Boston.com)BONUS COVERAGERichmond Times-Dispatch (inrich.com)UR takes 30-15 win over MassachusettsUR bounces back with rugged winFCS ScoreboardEvery final score for the week ending October 18, 2008Abilene Christian 52, West Texas A&M 35The third-ranked NCAA Division II Wildcats crush the No. 4 Buffaloes in a Lone Star Conference showdown Saturday!Abilene (Tex.) Reporter NewsTuskegee 33, Albany State (Ga.) 20The Golden Tigers stay undefeated, defeat the Golden Rams in SIAC action Saturday!al.comNCAA Division II ScoreboardFinal scores for week ending October 18, 2008Wabash 13, Wittenberg 10One of the top games in NCAA Division III didn't disappoint, as the Little Giants come from behind to down the Tigers.Wabash College Sports InformationMonmouth (Ill.) 38, Ripon 35The Scots rally to beat the Red Hawks in Midwest Conference showdown, take over sole possession of first place.Monmouth College Sports InformationNCAA Division III ScoreboardAll final scores for week ending October 18, 2008NAIA Football Saturday RecapCourtesy of Victory Sports Network
KEY: Projected games highlighted in RED.Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.NCAA DIVISION IIIWabash (5-0) at Wittenberg (4-1)(First place in the North Coast Athletic Conference on the line between the Little Giants and Tigers!)Monmouth (Ill.)--(6-0) at Ripon (5-1)(Red Hawks host the Scots in Midwest Conference first place showdown!)Capital (4-1) at John Carroll (4-1)DePauw (4-1) at Trinity (Tex.)--(5-0)Luther (3-2) at Buena Vista (4-1)Wisconsin-Whitewater (5-0) at Wisconsin-Oshkosh (3-1)Carthage (3-2) at North Central (5-0)Hampden-Sydney (6-0) at Washington & Lee (4-2)Occidental (4-0) at Chapman (3-1)Alfred (4-3) at Utica (2-3)Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.)--(3-2) at Augsburg (4-1)Franklin (4-1) at Anderson (3-2)Washington (Mo.)--(3-2) at Wooster (4-1)NAIAMissouri Valley (5-0) at Mid America Nazarene (6-0)(Sole possesion of first place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference is at stake between the Vikings and Pioneers!)INTERDIVISIONAL GAMEWestern Washington (D-II)--(3-3) at North Dakota (FCS)--(4-1)
Last Week: 26-12 (.684)Year-To-Date: 141-61 (.698)KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.FCSRichmond (4-3) at Massachusetts (4-2)(Minutemen host Spiders in top 10 Sports Network tilt! UR #9, UMass #10!)Citadel (3-3) at Furman (5-2)Appalachian State (4-2) at Georgia Southern (3-3)McNeese State (3-2) at Sam Houston State (2-2)North Dakota State (3-3) at Northern Iowa (4-2)Central Arkansas (5-1) at Texas State (4-2)Lafayette (4-1) at Liberty (6-0)Cal Poly (3-1) at South Dakota State (3-3)Florida A&M (4-2) at Southern (4-2)NCAA DIVISION IINorth Alabama (7-0) at Delta State (5-1)--(Thursday)(Statesmen host Lions in battle for first place in Gulf South Conference!)Abilene Christian (6-0) at West Texas A&M (7-0)(Wildcats take on Buffaloes in clash of undefeated teams in the Lone Star Conference South Division!)Albany State (Ga.)--(5-1) at Tuskegee (6-0)(It's the Golden Tigers playing host to the Golden Rams in SIAC showdown!)Nebraska-Omaha (4-2) at Pittsburg State (Kan.)--(6-1)Seton Hill (7-0) at Charleston (W.Va.)--(5-2)Wingate (7-0) at Newberry (3-3)Minnesota-Duluth (7-0) at St. Cloud State (5-2)Midwestern State (4-2) at Texas A&M Kingsville (5-2)
