RFC Summer Semester--Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (NCAA Division III)

Looking back: SUNY-Maritime breezed through the 2010 regular season, going unbeaten at 7-0 in ECFC play, as well as earning its first-ever NCAA Division III playoff berth, before being crushed by Alfred, 60-0, in the first round.

Looking ahead: As the ECFC begins its third season of competition at the D-III level, look for Maritime to be the favorite to finish on top in 2011.  Additionally, multiple schools throughout the league are breaking in new head coaches for the upcoming season.

Website: http://www.easterncollegiatefootball.com/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. SUNY-Maritime (10-1):  The Privateers have had just one other winning season in their program's history: a 6-4 mark in 2009. 

2. Norwich (8-3):  The Cadets 2010 season ended with a 27-21 overtime setback to Framingham State in the ECAC Northeast Bowl.  If they're to make a run at a conference title, and/or a possible playoff berth in 2011, they must do it under a new head coach in Mark Murnyack.

3. Mount Ida (6-5):  The Mustangs advanced to the 2010 ECAC North Atlantic Bowl, losing 26-17 to Springfield.

4. Castleton State (5-4):  The Spartans enter the 2011 season with just their second head coach in their program's brief history in Marc Klatt.

5. Becker (2-8):  The Hawks also have a new head coach in Michael Lichten. 


6. Gallaudet (3-5):  The Bison finished a respectable 3-4 in ECFC play last season.


7. Husson (1-9):  The Eagles look to put a dismal 2010 season behind them, with, you guessed it, a new head coach in Sean Murphy.


8. Anna Maria (0-10):  The Amcats are still looking for their first-ever win.

RFC Summer Semester--New England Small College Athletic Conference (NCAA Division III)

Looking back: Williams won its third outright NESCAC title in the last decade in 2010, while also notching its seventh undefeated season in the last 22 years.

Looking ahead: With postseason play out of the question for this 10-school, NCAA Division III conference, expect Williams to be the team to beat when the 2011 season starts on September 24.  The season lasts just eight weeks.

Website: http://www.nescac.com/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Williams (8-0):  The Ephs have an all-time record of 623-345-47 in 125 seasons.

2. Trinity (Conn.)--(7-1):  A week two loss to Williams cost the Bantams (10/02/2010) a chance at a NESCAC title.

3. Amherst (6-2):  The Lord Jeffs started last season 6-0 before losing the final two games to Trinity, and Williams, respectively.

4. Colby (4-4):  The Mules finished in a three-way for fourth place with Middlebury and Wesleyan.

5. Wesleyan (4-4):  The Cardinals last winning season was in 2002, when they finished 5-3.

6. Middlebury (4-4):  The Panthers were 2-3 in games decided by 13 points or less last season.

7. Bowdoin (3-5):  A season-ending 26-21 win over archrival Colby was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 2010 season for the Polar Bears, as that victory resulted in the program's 19th C-B-B (Colby-Bowdoin-Bates) title.


8. Bates (2-6):  The Bobcats struggled in close games last year, finishing 1-3 in games decided by seven points or less.

9. Tufts (1-7):  The Jumbos face an uphill battle after a rough 2010 season.

10. Hamilton (1-7):  The Continentals played in only one game decided by single digits: a 30-26 loss to Middlebury.

RFC Summer Semester--New England Football Conference (NCAA Division III)

Looking back: A tight, competitive regular season in both the Bogan, and Boyd Divisions, respectively, resulted in Endicott advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2010.

Looking ahead: Expect another tight race in the NEFC for 2011.

Website: http://www.newenglandfootballconference.com/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

Boyd Division

1. Western New England (9-2):  The Golden Bears lost their chance to advance to the NEFC title game with a 23-15 loss to Endicott late last season.

2. Endicott (9-3):  The Gulls enter their ninth season of football looking to defend their first-ever conference championship.  The nine games they won in 2010 is a program record.

3. Salve Regina (6-4):  The Seahawks started 1-4, but finished with a five-game winning streak.

4. Curry (6-4):  The Colonels will look to win their first conference title since 2007, as well as advance to the D-III playoffs for the first time since 2008.

5. Plymouth State (6-4):  The Panthers went from having a 10-win playoff team in 2008, to no postseason play in 2010.  The locals hope that 2011 will mark a return to prominence under Paul Castonia, who's entering his ninth season in New Hampshire.


6. Nichols (1-9):  The Bison faithful hope the hiring of new head coach Kevin Loney will turn around the fortunes of their struggling football program.


7. UMass Dartmouth (3-7):  The Corsairs will play six home games in 2011.


8. MIT (1-8):  The wins have been few and far between for the Engineers, who have had just one season of at least five wins (5-5 in 2008) in the last years.


Bogan Division

1. Maine Maritime (8-3):  The Mariners enter 2011 hoping to earn their second NCAA playoff appearance in three years, as they reached postseason play in 2009.

2. Framingham State (9-2):  After capping off a record-setting 2010 season with a 27-21 overtime win over Norwich in the ECAC Northeast Bowl, the Rams hope to take the next step, and advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time in program history.


3. Westfield State (5-5):  The Owls finished tied for third in the Bogan Division at 4-3.


4. Worcester State (5-5):  The Lancers placed nine players on the All-NEFC academic team in 2010.


5. Bridgewater State (5-5):  The Bears open the 2011 season with three straight road games.


6. Massachusetts Maritime (5-5):  The Buccaneers five wins in 2010 were four shy of the nine game they had won over the previous four years (2006-2009) combined.


7. Coast Guard (2-7):  They may not have been winners on the field, but the Bears were winners in the classroom, as they placed 22 players on the All-NEFC academic team.


8. Fitchburg State (1-9):  After a dismal 2010 season, the Falcons find themselves in the "nowhere to go but up" category for the 2011 campaign.

RFC Summer Semester--Northeast 10 Conference (NCAA Division II)

Looking back: For the second straight season, no team from the Northeast 10 Conference received an invitation to the NCAA Division II football playoffs.  In 2009, as well as 2010, there has been at least a three-way tie for the conference title.

Looking ahead: Can any team in the NE-10 break through to postseason play in 2011?  That question will be answered soon enough, starting on Labor Day weekend.

Website: http://www.northeast10.org/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. American International (6-4):  The Yellow Jackets were one of four teams to finish in a four-way tie for first place in 2010, as they finished with a 6-2 mark in NE-10 action.  They'll look to earn their second-ever NCAA playoff appearance in 2011, advancing to postseason play just one other season (2008).

2. Southern Connecticut State (6-4): The Owls overcame a 3-4 start to finish 2010 above .500 with wins in their final three games.  They're shooting for an 18th straight season of being .500 or better in 2011.


3. New Haven (8-2):  A unique tie-breaking procedure gave the Northeast 10 Conference title to the Chargers, who are entering their third year of their resurrected football program.  UNH didn't field any teams from 2004-2008.


4. Bentley (5-4): The Falcons bounced back from a slow start at 1-4 to finish with a flourish, winning four straight games to finish the 2010 season.


5. Assumption (6-5):  The Greyhounds have had only one season with at least seven wins since starting varsity play in 1988, a 7-3 mark in 1994.


6. Stonehill (5-5):  The Skyhawks were held to 30 points or less in four of their five losses last season.


7. Merrimack (4-6):  The Warriors scored at least 40 points in their four wins last season.


8. Saint Anselm (2-8):  The Hawks hope to soar in 2011, while putting a miserable 2010 campaign behind them.


9. Pace (0-9):  The Setters hope to snap a 10-game skid dating back to the final game of the 2009 season.





 

RFC Summer Semester--Patriot League (FCS)

Looking back: Lehigh was the lone Patriot League team to win at least 10 games in 2010, as the Mountain Hawks advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs, losing to eventual national runner-up Delaware, 42-20.

Looking ahead: The PL will celebrate its 25th anniversary of football sponsorship with the first-ever night home game for Holy Cross against Massachusetts on September 1.

Website: http://www.patriotleague.org/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Lehigh (10-3):  The Mountain Hawks play five straight non-conference games, three of those at home, before beginning defense of their Patriot League at Bucknell on October 8.  Head Coach Andy Coen returns 13 starters, while losing nine.


2. Colgate (7-4):  The Raiders will play six games on the road, five at home, in 2011.


3. Holy Cross (6-5):  The Crusaders defense allowed just under 380 yards, and barely over 23 points per game last season.

4. Georgetown (4-7):  The Hoyas signed 30 freshmen for 2011.  They'll have to grow up fast, as Georgetown hopes to improve on a 2-3 record in conference play in 2010.  

5. Fordham (5-6): The Rams have had just one winning season under Head Coach Tom Masella, finishing 8-4 in 2007, with a Patriot League title.

6. Lafayette (2-9):  The Leopards open the 2011 season on the road at 2010 FCS playoff qualifier North Dakota State.


7. Bucknell (1-10):  The Bison surrendered at least 30 points in seven games, including the final five contests, of last season.


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RFC Summer Semester--Northeast Conference (FCS)

Looking back: The NEC went 0-1 in its first-ever FCS playoff appearance, as Robert Morris lost to North Dakota State, 27-13, on November 27, 2010.

Looking ahead: Bryant officially joins the NEC as a full member in 2012.

Website: http://www.northeastconference.org/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Robert Morris (8-3):  The Colonials welcome nine starters from the NEC's first-ever automatic FCS playoff qualifier.  But the first several weeks on the schedule are brutal, as three straight road games follow their home opener against Dayton on September 3.

2. Central Connecticut State (8-3):  Although they won a share of the NEC title with a 7-1 league mark, a late season loss to Robert Morris cost the Blue Devils a playoff berth.  They'll look for payback against the Colonials on November 5.

3. Duquesne (7-4):  The Dukes return 14 starters in hopes of contending for a conference championship in 2011.

4. Albany (6-5):  A season-ending three-game winning streak gives the Great Danes momentum heading into 2011.

5. Wagner (5-6):  The Seahawks will try to bounce back after a rare sub-.500 campaign.  Head Coach Walt Hameline is one of a select few coaches that's a member of the 200-win club.

6. Bryant (7-4):  The Bulldogs will find out quickly just where they stand when they open the 2011 season against Maine on September 3.

7. Monmouth (3-8):  The Hawks look to put a disappointing 2010 season behind, as they finished NEC play a dismal 3-5.


8. Sacred Heart (4-7):  The Pioneers have three home games to kick off 2011. 

9. St. Francis (Pa.)--(1-10):  It seems like the 2011 season can't come soon enough for the Red Flash, as they ended the 2010 season with eight straight losses.

RFC Summer Semester--Ivy League (FCS)

Looking back: 2010 was the year the Quakers, the Penn Quakers.  Going undefeated in conference play at 7-0 a year ago, Penn won its 15th Ivy League championship all time, and 14th dating back to 1982.

Looking ahead: Unlike most conferences around the nation, the Ivy League won't be adding any new members anytime soon, or any current members leaving for that matter.  Nor will any of the so-called "Ancient Eight" be making a serious postseason run, as they have chosen not to participate in the FCS (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) playoffs.

Website: http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/

2011 Predictions (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Penn (9-1):  The Quakers hope to add another Ivy League title in 2011: their 16th. Their non-conference schedule includes a contest against 2009 FCS champion Villanova. 


2. Yale (7-3): The Bulldogs hope to recover from the sting brought about by last year's season-ending loss to Harvard in "The Game."


3. Harvard (7-3):  The Crimson play three of their first four games on the road to open the 2011 season.


4. Brown (6-4):  The highlight of the Bears schedule is a night game against archrival Rhode Island on October 1. 


5. Dartmouth (6-4):  Coming off their first winning season since 1997 (8-2), the Big Green hope to win their first Ivy League title since 1996 (10-0, 7-0).


6. Columbia (4-6):  The Lions will play six home games this season.


7. Cornell (2-8):  26 players signed to suit up for the Big Red in 2011.  The program has never won an Ivy League title outright (co-champions 1971, 1988, 1990) despite winning five mythical national championships, the most recent coming in 1939. 

8. Princeton (1-9):  The Tigers enter the 2011 season trying to snap an eight game losing streak.







 

RFC Summer Semester 2011 Debut--Colonial Athletic Association (FCS)

Editor's Note: This marks the first of what (hopefully) will be multiple posts on previews leading up to the start of the 2011 small college football season, on Real Football Central.  Additionally, there will also be posts on some key games in indoor and arena football, as well as a brief look ahead to the upcoming Canadian Football League.  So, sit back and enjoy, as summer draws near!


Colonial Athletic Association


Website: http://www.caasports.com/


Looking back: The CAA once again proved why it's one of the toughest conferences in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS--formerly NCAA Division I-AA), as the Delaware Blue Hens reached the championship game in 2010, only to lose to Eastern Washington.  Since 2003, when Delaware won a national title, current CAA squads have advanced to the title game six times, with James Madison winning it all in 2004, Richmond taking home the 2008 crown, and Villanova capturing the 2009 championship.  In all, the CAA has combined to win four FCS national championships in the last eight years.


Looking ahead: The CAA is suddenly preparing for a future without Massachusetts.  Athletic officials at UMass recently announced their intentions to move their football programs to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) at the end of the 2011 season.


Predicted order of finish (2010 record in parentheses)


Projected champion listed in BOLD type


1. Delaware (12-3):  After falling short in last year's title game, the Blue Hens look to begin their road to the 2011 national championship.  But Head Coach K.C. Keeler must replace eight defensive starters.


2. Villanova (9-5): The Wildcats have a tough roe to how in trying to win their second national championship in three years, as they lose six starters each on both sides of the football.


3. William & Mary (8-4): After reaching round two of the FCS playoffs last year, don't expect the Tribe to sneak up on anyone this year.


4. New Hampshire (8-5): Head Coach Sean McDonnell enters the 2011 season needing just 12 wins to reach 100-win mark for his coaching career.  Of course, though, that means the Wildcats from northern New England would need to make a deep playoff run.


5. Richmond (6-5): The Spider faithful hope the addition of former Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes tight end Andrew Tallman will lead to a return to prominence for a program that hopes bounce back from a disappointing 2010 campaign.


6. Massachusetts (6-5): The Minutemen hope their final FCS--and CAA--season will lead to another postseason berth.


7. James Madison (6-5):  The Dukes struggled to a 3-5 mark in CAA play last season.  However, head coach Mickey Matthews does welcome back eight starters on offense, and 10 on defense.


8. Rhode Island (5-6): The Rams face a tough start to their season, playing four of their first six games on the road.  They open the season at Syracuse on September 10.


9. Maine (4-7):  Head Coach Jack Cosgrove enters his 19th season with an overall record of 97-108.  He needs just three wins to join the 100-win club.


10. Towson (1-10):  After nine straight losses to close out the 2010 season, the Tigers have nowhere to go but up for the 2011 season.

11. Old Dominion (8-3):  The third-year Monarchs begin their inaugural season in the CAA. 

UMass says goodbye to CAA: The impact on the FCS

In April, the University of Massachusetts football program announced its plans to leave the Colonial Athletic Association, and the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, for the Mid-American Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision, at the end of the 2011 season.  College Sporting News discusses the impact of the UMass move here.

GSC extends membership to University of New Orleans

The Gulf South Conference extended an invitation to the University of New Orleans on Thursday.  Additionally, officials with the soon-to-be former NCAA Division I athletic department announced plans to add a football program by 2015.

Click here for more details, courtesy of unoprivateers.com.

NFL lockout could help other leagues

The lockout in the National Football League could serve as a big boost to other professional football leagues in the U.S., as multiple stars consider making the jump to the Arena Football, United Football, and other leagues, respectively.  


Click here to find out more, courtesy of Yahoo.

A "Lamb" leads the return of Mercer football

Click here to find out why former Furman head coach Bobby Lamb is the right choice to lead a re-started football program at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., courtesy of the Albany (Ga.) Herald.

Football Fun in the Atlantic Sun?

While their current conference may not sponsor football now, there's a good chance that several current members of the Atlantic Sun Conference: Florida Gulf Coast, Kennesaw State, and Mercer, among others, will either start, or consider pursuing some gridiron glory in the not too distant future.  In fact, don't be surprised if the A-Sun decides to toss its hat in the football ring down the road.

Click here to find out what could happen next, courtesy of naplesnews.com.

Eastern Washington wins FCS title

The Eastern Washington University Eagles take home their first-ever national championship.  They won the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision title by rallying to defeat the University of Delaware Blue Hens, 20-19, on Friday night. 

Click here for the recap, courtesy of College Sporting News.

Semifinal/Championship Round-Up

On the weekend before Christmas, three national champions were decided in three different divisions, while the finalists for a fourth were determined over two days.  Click on one of the links below to find what happened.

FCS Semifinals

Eastern Washington dethrones Villanova (Associated Press)

Delaware downs Georgia Southern (Wilmington [Del.] News-Journal)

NCAA Division II Championship

Minnesota-Duluth downs Delta State on last second field goal (Duluth [Minn.] News-Tribune)

NCAA Division III Championship (Stagg Bowl)

Wisconsin-Whitewater repeats as national champions (Madison.com)

NAIA Championship

Carroll [Mont.] denies Sioux Falls repeat title (Associated Press)

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THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 17

Last Week: 7-2 (.778)
This Year: 549-255 (.683)

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

FCS Playoffs--Semifinals

Friday, December 17

Villanova (9-4) at Eastern Washington (11-2)

Saturday, December 18

Georgia Southern (10-4) at Delaware (11-2)

NCAA Division II Championship--at Florence, Ala.

Delta State (11-3) vs. Minnesota-Duluth (14-0)

NCAA Division III Championship--at Salem, Va.

Wisconsin-Whitewater (14-0) vs. Mount Union (14-0)

NAIA Championship--at Rome, Ga.

Carroll (Mont.)--(14-0) vs. Sioux Falls (14-0)

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Playoff Roundup--FCS Quarterfinal/D-II/D-III Semifinal Recap

FCS Quarterfinals (all articles courtesy of College Sporting News)

Delaware downs New Hampshire

Villanova crushes No. 1 Appalachian State

Georgia Southern eliminates Wofford

Eastern Washington wins in OT

NCAA Division II Semifinals

Delta State drops Shepherd (Associated Press)

Minnesota-Duluth downs Northwest Missouri State (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

NCAA Division III Semifinals

Mount Union outlasts Bethel (University of Mount Union Sports Information)

Wisconsin-Whitewater routs Wesley (uwwsports.com)


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THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 16

Last Week: 14-7 (.667)
This Year: 542-253 (.682)

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

Click on one of the highlighted links below to see the playoff brackets for each division.

FCS Playoffs--Quarterfinals

Friday, November 10

New Hampshire (8-4) at Delaware (10-2)

Saturday, November 11

Villanova (8-4) at Appalachian State (10-2)

Georgia Southern (9-4) at Wofford (10-2)

North Dakota State (9-4) at Eastern Washington (10-2)

NCAA Division II Playoffs--Semifinals

Saturday, December 11

Shepherd (12-1) at Delta State (10-3)

Northwest Missouri State (12-1) at Minnesota-Duluth (13-0)

NCAA Division III Playoffs--Semifinals

Saturday, December 11

Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-0) at Wesley (12-0)

Bethel (Minn.)--(12-1) at Mount Union (13-0)

Other Games

Saturday, December 11

SWAC Championship at Birmingham, Ala.

Alabama State (7-4) vs. Texas Southern (8-3)

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Playoff Round-Up--Part 2

Everything went according to script in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals, and NAIA semifinals last Saturday, except for one game.  Click here to find out what that game was, and how that team pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the postseason so far.

Also, take a peek at the updated bracket for the D-III playoffs here, as well as the setup for the NAIA championship showdown between defending champion Sioux Falls and Carroll (Mont.) here.

Playoff Round-Up--Part 1

It was a weekend of upsets, for the most part, in small college football playoff action last Saturday.  Click on the links of below for a brief recap.

FCS Second Round

Villanova overcomes first quarter deficit, stomps Stephen F. Austin (College Sporting News)

Georgia Southern stuns William & Mary (georgiasoutherneagles.com)

North Dakota State goes to 2-0 in playoffs (gobison.com)

New Hampshire ousts Bethune-Cookman (unhwildcats.com)

Updated FCS playoff bracket

NCAA Division II Quarterfinals

Shepherd stomps Mercyhurst (Martinsburg [W. Va.] Journal)

Delta State dumps Albany State (Ga.)--(gostatesmen.com)

Minnesota-Duluth downs Augustana (Sioux Falls [S.D.] Leader)

Northwest Missouri State moves on (KansasCity.com)

Updated D-II playoff bracket

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 15

Note:  We did it again.  The second round NCAA Division III playoff contest between Linfield and St. Thomas, won in double overtime by the Tommies last Saturday, was inadvertently omitted from the list of predictions.  RFC regrets the error.

Last Week: 21-4 (.840)
This Year: 528-246 (.682)

KEY: Projected winners marked in RED.

Click on one of the highlighted links below to see the brackets for each division.  All games are played on Saturday, December 4.

FCS Playoffs--Second Round

Western Illinois (8-4) at Appalachian State (9-2)

Villanova (7-4) at Stephen F. Austin (9-2)

Southeast Missouri State (9-2) at Eastern Washington (9-2)

North Dakota State (8-4) at Montana State (9-2)

Lehigh (10-2) at Delaware (9-2)

New Hampshire (7-4) at Bethune-Cookman (10-1)

Wofford (9-2) at Jacksonville State (9-2)

Georgia Southern (8-4) at William & Mary (8-3)

NCAA Division II Playoffs--Quarterfinals

Shepherd (11-1) at Mercyhurst (10-2)

Delta State (10-3) at Albany State (Ga.)--(11-0)

Augustana (S.D.)--(11-1) at Minnesota-Duluth (12-0)

Central Missouri (11-2) at Northwest Missouri State (11-1)

NCAA Division III Playoffs--Quarterfinals

Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-0) at Wesley (11-0)

Wisconsin-Whitewater (12-0) at North Central (12-0)

Alfred (10-2) at Mount Union (12-0)

Bethel (Minn.)--(11-1) at St. Thomas (12-0)

NAIA Playoffs--Semifinals

St. Xavier (13-0) at Carroll (Mont.)--(12-0)

MidAmerica Nazarene (12-0) at Sioux Falls (12-0)

Other Games

NCAA Division II

Pioneer Bowl XII at Columbus, Ga.

Fort Valley State (8-2) vs. St. Augustine's (8-2)

Mineral Water Bowl at Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Pittsburg State (Kan.)--(5-6) vs. Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)--(8-3)

Kanza Bowl at Topeka, Kan.

Washburn (7-4) vs. Midwestern State (8-3)

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Playoff Roundup--Part 2

The home teams went 6-2 in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, while all four home teams stayed unbeaten en route to moving on in the NAIA playoffs.  Click on one of the links below to read summaries of all of the action.

NCAA Division III Second Round

Whitewater trips up Trine (uwwsports.com)

North Central outlasts Ohio Northern, 28-9 (Patch.com)

Mount Union downs Delaware Valley, 31-3 (Youngstown [Ohio] Vindicator)

Alfred stuns Cortland State (Syracuse.com)

St. Thomas wins in 2OTs (Portland [Ore.] Tribune)

All scores for Saturday, November 27 (d3football.com)

NAIA Quarterfinals

Sioux Falls cruises to semis (Rapid City [S.D.] Journal)

Mid America Nazarene stomps Morningside (Sioux City [Iowa] Journal)

St. Xavier gets by St. Francis (Ind.), 40-21 (sxucougars.com)

Carroll (Mont.) crushes Marian (KPAX)

Playoff Roundup--Part 1

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and unfortunately, so have the postseason dreams of the teams that lost Saturday.  Click one of the links below to find out who will move on, and who will be home for the holidays.

FCS First Round

Georgia Southern crushes South Carolina State, 41-16 (College Sporting News)

North Dakota State cruises in first-ever playoff game (gobison.com)

Lehigh ends Northern Iowa playoff dreams (Des Moines [Iowa] Register)

Click here for bonus coverage from the Lehigh-Northern Iowa contest

Western Illinois outlasts Coastal Carolina, 17-10 (Sports Network)

NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round

Shepherd wins shootout over Kutztown  (journal-news.net)

Mercyhurst boots Bloomsburg (Mercyhurst College Sports Information)

Albany State (Ga.) holds off Wingate (Albany [Ga.] Herald)

Delta State drills North Alabama (gostatesmen.com)

Minnesota-Duluth wins in OT (Duluth [Minn.] News-Tribune)

Augustana stomps GVSU (Sioux Falls [S.D.] Argus-Leader)

Central Missouri upsets Abilene Christian (missourinet.com)

Northwest Missouri eliminates TAMUK (Corpus Christi [Tex] Caller-Times)

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 14--PART 2

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

Click on one of the highlighted links below to see the playoff brackets for each division.  All games will be played on Saturday, November 27.

NCAA Division III Playoffs--Second Round

Montclair State (10-1) at Wesley (10-0)

Thomas More (11-0) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (11-0)

Ohio Northern (10-1) at North Central (11-0)

Trine (11-0) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (11-0)

Delaware Valley (8-2) at Mount Union (11-0)

Alfred (9-2) at Cortland State (10-1)

Bethel (Minn.)--(10-1) at Wheaton (10-1)

NAIA Playoffs--Quarterfinals

McKendree (9-2) at Sioux Falls (11-0) 

Marian (10-2) at Carroll (Mont.)--(11-0)

St. Francis (Ind.)--(10-1) at St. Xavier (11-0)

Morningside (10-1) at Mid America Nazarene (11-0)

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THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 14--PART 1

Last Week: 32-16 (.667)
This Year: 507-242 (.677)

Note: The first round NAIA playoff game between Dickinson State (N.D.) and Morningside (Iowa) was inadvertently left off the predictions list for last week.  Also, apologies for the typos in Part 1 of TLR.  RFC regrets both errors.

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

Click on one of the highlighted links below to see the brackets for each division.

FCS Playoffs--First Round

Western Illinois (7-4) at Coastal Carolina (6-5)

Robert Morris (8-2) at North Dakota State (7-4)

Lehigh (9-2) at Northern Iowa (7-4)

South Carolina State (9-2) at Georgia Southern (7-4)

NCAA Division II Playoffs--Second Round

Shepherd (10-1) at Kutztown (10-1)

Bloomsburg (10-2) at Mercyhurst (9-2)

Wingate (9-2) at Albany State (Ga.)--(10-0)

North Alabama (9-3) at Delta State (9-3)

St. Cloud State (10-2) at Minnesota-Duluth (11-0)

Grand Valley State (11-1) at Augustana (S.D.)--(10-1)

Central Missouri (10-2) at Abilene Christian (11-0)

Northwest Missouri State (10-1) at Texas A&M-Kingsville (10-1)

Other Games

Tuskegee (D-II)--(8-2) at Alabama State (FCS)--(7-3)

(Turkey Day Classic at Montgomery, Ala.)

Grambling State (8-2) vs. Southern (2-8)

(Bayou Classic at New Orleans, La.)

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 13--PART 3

KEY: All games are marked in BOLD type.

Click on one of the highlighted links below to see the playoff brackets for each division.

NCAA Division III Playoffs--First Round

Muhlenberg (7-3) at Wesley (10-0)

Montclair State (9-1) at Hampden-Sydney (9-1)

Washington and Lee (8-2) at Thomas More (10-0)

Christopher Newport (6-4) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-0)

St. Norbert (7-3) at North Central (10-0)

Wittenberg (10-0) at Ohio Northern (9-1)

Trine (10-0) at DePauw (9-1)

Franklin (9-1) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-0)

St. Lawrence (5-5) at Mount Union (10-0)

Salisbury (7-2) at Delaware Valley (8-2)

Alfred (8-2) at SUNY-Maritime (10-0)

Endicott (9-2) at Cortland State (9-1)

Benedictine (Ill.)--(8-2) at St. Thomas (10-0)

Cal Lutheran (8-1) at Linfield (8-1)

Bethel (Minn.)--(9-1) at Wartburg (10-0)

Coe (9-1) at Wheaton (9-1)

ECAC Bowl Games

Saturday, November 20

Maine Maritime (8-2) at Western New England (8-2)

Franklin and Marshall (6-4) at Washington and Jefferson (8-2)

Framingham State (8-2) at Norwich (8-2)

Lebanon Valley (6-4) at Johns Hopkins (7-3)

RPI (6-3) at St. John Fisher (8-2)

Mount Ida (6-4) at Springfield (8-2)

NAIA Playoffs--First Round

Northwestern Oklahoma State (8-2) at Sioux Falls (10-0)

Azusa Pacific (6-3) at Carroll (Mont.)--(10-0)

Cumberlands (Ky.)--(7-3) at St. Xavier (11-0)

Georgetown (Ky.)--(8-2) at MidAmerica Nazarene (10-0)

St. Francis (Ind.)--(9-1) at Lindenwood (9-1)

McKendree (8-2) at McPherson (10-0)

Marian (9-2) at Ottawa (Kan.)--(9-1)

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THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 13--PART 2

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.

Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.

Click on the highlighted links below for the playoff brackets in each division.

NCAA Division II Playoffs--First Round

Bloomsburg (9-2) at California (Pa.)--(10-1)

Shaw (9-2) at Shepherd (9-1)

North Alabama (8-3) at Valdosta State (8-2)

Morehouse (8-2) at Wingate (8-2)

Colorado Mines (9-2) at Grand Valley State (10-1)

Hillsdale (9-2) at St. Cloud State (9-2)

Missouri Western State (8-3) at Northwest Missouri State (9-1)

West Texas A&M (8-3) at Central Missouri (9-2)

First Round Byes: Mercyhurst, Kutztown, Albany State (Ga.), Delta State, Augustana (S.D.), Minnesota-Duluth, Abilene Christian, Texas A&M-Kingsville.

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 13--PART 1

Last Week: 25-15 (.620)
This Year: 475-226 (.678)

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

Game (s) of the week highlighted in italics.

Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.

Click on one of the highlighted links below for a schedule of this week's games.

FCS REGULAR SEASON

Saturday, November 20

Villanova (6-4) at Delaware (9-1)

(Blue Hens look to defend top ranking against defending national champion Wildcats!)

Bethune-Cookman (10-0) at Florida A&M (7-3)Montana State (8-2) at Montana (7-3)


(Only their Sunshine State rivals, the Rattlers, stand between the Wildcats and an undefeated regular season!)

Richmond (6-4) at William & Mary (7-3)

(The Tribe take on the Spiders in a game that with possible playoff implications!)



(Grizzlies play host to the Bobcats with more than just bragging rights at stake!)

Yale (7-2) at Harvard (6-3)

Chattanooga (6-4) at Wofford (8-2)

Northern Iowa (7-3) at Western Illinois (6-4)

Stony Brook (6-4) at Liberty (7-3)

Duquesne (6-4) at Bryant (7-3)

Jackson State (7-3) vs. Alcorn State (5-5)

(at Jackson, Miss.)

Sacramento State (6-4) at UC Davis (5-5)

Playoff Picture Roundup--Part 2

The final week of the regular season at the NCAA Division III and NAIA levels produced surprising, and not so surprising results.  Read on to find out what happened.

NCAA Division III

Wabash bashes DePauw (Wabash College Sports Information)

Widener upsets Delaware Valley (Widener University Sports Information)

Cortland State rallies to re-claim Cortaca Jug (cortlandreddragons.com)

Franklin captures HCAC crown (franklingrizzlies.com)

Louisiana College stuns Hardin-Simmons (lcwildcats.net)

All final scores for the week of November 13, 2010 (d3football.com)

NAIA

Marian mauls Walsh (muknights.com)

William Penn rolls past St. Francis (statesmenathletics.com)

Northwestern (Iowa) knocks off Midland (Midland University [Neb.] Sports Information)

All final scores for the week for the week of November 13, 2010 (NAIA)

Playoff Picture Roundup--Part 1

On this, the second weekend in November, there were big upsets, and more uncertainty, as the playoff picture started to clear somewhat.  Click on one of the following links below to find out what happened.

FCS

No. 1 goes down, again! (JMUSports.com)

Delaware drills UMass (masslive.com)

Appalachian State wallops Wofford (Winston-Salem Journal)

Jacksonville State wins shootout over SEMO (Southeast Missourian)

Villanova playoff hopes in doubt after loss (Philadelphia Inquirer)

All final scores for the week of November 13, 2010 (sportsnetwork.com)

NCAA Division II

Mercyhurst blasts Bloomsburg, wins PSAC crown (The Daily Item [Pa.])

Harding stuns North Alabama (Harding University Sports Information)

Colorado Mines wins in triple overtime (Denver Post)

All final scores for the week of November 13, 2010 (sportsnetwork.com)