THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 1--PART 2

KEY: Projected games highlighted in RED.

Game (s) of the week in italics.

Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.

Saturday, August 29

NCAA DIVISION II

Grand Valley State at West Texas A&M

(Preseason #1 team in d2football.com, AFCA polls faces early season test against the Buffaloes.)

Delta State at Texas A&M Kingsville

(Javelinas host Gulf South Conference favorite Statesmen in season opener.)

Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) at Minnesota-Duluth

North Alabama at Southern Arkansas

UNC Pembroke at Fayetteville State

Virginia State at Livingstone

Mary at Chadron State

Clark Atlanta at Fort Valley State

Central Oklahoma at Pittsburg State (Kan.)

NAIA

Avila vs. Doane

Ottawa vs. McKendree

(First Down Classic at Platte City, Mo.)

Faulkner at Webber International

Dickinson State at Rocky Mountain

Azusa Pacific at Carroll (Mont.)

Eastern Oregon at Southern Oregon

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--2009 DEBUT!!!!!! (Part 1)

Welcome to the "Lightning Round", the weekly post of predictions available exclusively on Real Football Central!

Each week, the "Lightning Round" will predict who will some of the top games in small college football nationwide. Here are some ground rules for these predictions.

Only teams that are currently competing at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA), NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels eligible to have their games included on the list of predicted games. Additionally, games involving current NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-A) programs are ineligible for inclusion on this elite list.

For example, the following games are "LR Eligible".

Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern (FCS)
Grand Valley State vs. Ashland (D-II)
DePauw vs. Wabash (D-III)
Azusa Pacific vs. Carroll (Mont.)--(NAIA)
Quincy (NAIA) vs. Indiana State (FCS)
St. Cloud State (D-II) vs. Maine (FCS)

These games aren't eligible for inclusion on "The Lightning Round".

Any game involving two FBS teams (example: Ohio State vs. Michigan).
A game pitting any FBS opponent vs. an FCS opponent (example: Charleston Southern vs. Florida).

Having said that, what are waiting for? Let's go!

Projected winners are highlighted in RED.

Game (s) of the Week highlighted in italics.

Other games of interest highlighted in BOLD type.

Thursday, August 27

NCAA DIVISION II

Northwest Missouri State at Abilene Christian

(Bearcats face Wildcats in playoff re-match.)

Ashland at Bloomsburg

(Huskies take on the Golden Eagles in another battle of playoff teams from 2008.)

Saginaw Valley State at California (Pa.)

Carson-Newman at Winona State

Albany State (Ga.) at Chowan (N.C.)

Arkansas Tech at Northeastern State (Okla.)

NAIA

Marian at St. Francis (Ill.)

Bethel (Tenn.) at St. Xavier

INTERDIVISIONAL GAMES

Quincy (Ill.)--(NAIA) at Indiana State (FCS)

West Alabama (D-II) at Belhaven (NAIA)

Minot State (NAIA) at Bemidji State (D-II)

Friday, August 28

NCAA DIVISION II

Indiana (Pa.) at Southern Connecticut State

Assumption at Millersville

RFC Original--The NAIA Dandy Dozen

Editor's Note: Our preseason rankings wrap up with a look at which made the Top 12 in the NAIA.

1. Sioux Falls (14-0 in 2008): The Cougars won their second national championship in the last three years after knocking off then defending national champion Carroll (Mont.) in last year's title game. With 18 starters coming back this year, USF is the obvious favorite to repeat as NAIA champs. That is, unless another team proves otherwise.

2. Carroll (Mont.)--(13-1): The Saints from the northern Rocky Mountains just may be that aforementioned team to stop the "Sioux Falls Express", as their quest to win an unprecedented sixth national championship in seven years was derailed by these similarly aforementioned Cougars from South Dakota. Obviously, don't be surprised if the 2009 edition of the Saints make another deep playoff run.

3. St. Francis (Ind.)--(12-1): The Cougars from Indiana have made a serious run at a national championship the last several years, only to fall short each time. The big question mark is on defense. That's where USF only returns four starters from a year ago.

4. Lindenwood (Mo.)--(11-2): The Lions look to not only defend the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship they won last year, but also take that next step, and advance to the NAIA championship game in Rome, Ga. They hope to do just that, with 15 starters returning from 2008.

5. Morningside (10-2): The Iowa-based Mustangs hope to make a deeper playoff run after a heartbreaking 34-31 loss to Lindenwood in last year's quarterfinals.

6. University of the Cumberlands (Ky.)--(10-2): The Patriots advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NAIA playoffs for the first time ever last season, only to lose to St. Francis (Ind.), 31-20. Can the two-time defending Mid South Conference East Division champions take that step, and go deeper into postseason play? If this early season ranking is any indication, those chances could be very good for the Cumberlands faithful.

The Other Six

7. Mid American Nazare (Kan.)--(10-1)

8. Langston (Okla.)--(10-3)

9. Friends (Kan.)--(10-1)

10. Shorter (Ga.)--(9-3)

11. Union (Ky.)--(9-3)

12. Virginia-Wise (8-3)

Honorable Mention: Lambuth (Tenn.)--(8-4), St. Ambrose (Iowa)--(8-4), Ottawa (Kan.)--(8-2), St. Xavier (Ill.)--(7-4), Montana State-Northern (7-3), and Dickinson State (N.D.)--(7-4).

E-mail: realfootballcentral@gmail.com

RFC Originals--The D-III Dandy Dozen

Editor's Note: Our preseason previews with the revelation of the top 12 teams in NCAA Division III.

1. Mount Union (15-0 in 2008): There's no doubt as to who's on top to start the 2009 season: none other than the Purple Raiders from Alliance, Ohio. With 10 national championships (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2008) in the last 16 years, Mount Union has had a run of excellence that even the strongest programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-A) can't match. In fact, in the last 10 seasons alone (1999-2008), the Purple Raiders have lost just five games overall. Now, the big question is this: Can head coach Larry Kehres and his charges continue that run of excellence this season? An experienced group of returnees could provide answers as to whether the "Mount" will mount up yet another national championship trophy come December.

2. Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-2): The Warhawks hope to do something very few teams at any level of football have done over the years: reach a national championship game for the fifth year in a row. UWW has reached four straight Stagg Bowls at Salem, Virginia, with one national championship (2007) already under their belts, at the expense of the aforementioned Mount Union program. Additionally, the Warhawks have compiled an impressive 55-5 record over the last four years. It's a run of success this program hopes to continue in 2009.

3. Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-2): The Crusaders have become one of the strongest programs in all of D-III over the last seven years, winning at least 10 games in all but of those seasons. That's not to mention they've played for a national championship in 2004. Last year, though, UMHB reached the national semifinals, only to lose to eventual national runner-up Wisconsin-Whitewater. It'll be interesting to see if the Crusaders can take that next step, and make their first trip to the Stagg Bowl in five years.

4. Wheaton (11-3): Another national semifinalist from a year ago, the Thunder hope to go all the way in 2009. It fell to Mount Union there.

5. North Central (11-1): But the defending College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin champion Cardinals might have something to say about that along the way. They downed the Thunder 44-23 en route to the league title, but fell to Franklin in round two of last year's D-III playoffs.

6. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (9-2): The Pointers pulled off the upset over Wisconsin-Whitewater en route to a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) title last season, but lost to Wartburg in the first round of the playoffs. UWSP hopes to win at least one playoff game this year, assuming the Pointers can tough in the always-tough WIAC. They open the 2009 season with three straight non-conference games, all on the road.

The Other Six

7. Willamette (11-1)

8. Hardin-Simmons (9-2)

9. Wesley (9-2)

10. Cortland State (11-2)

11. Ithaca (9-2)

12. Monmouth (Ill.)--(11-1)

Honorable Mention: Washington & Jefferson (11-2), St. John's (Minn.)--(8-3), Case Western Reserve (10-1), Franklin (11-2), Wabash (10-2), Christopher Newport (8-2), Otterbein (9-2), Hobart (9-2), DePauw (8-2), LaGrange (9-2), and Millsaps (11-1).

RFC Originals--The Dandy Dozen of (NCAA) Division II

Our preseason previews continue with a look at the top 12 teams in NCAA Division II. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

1. Minnesota-Duluth (15-0 in 2008): Of course, the most logical place to start this latest installment is with the defending national champions from Duluth, Minnesota. After an unlikely, yet remarkable season a year ago, can the Bulldogs repeat the feat in 2009? Team captains Tobias Lemke, Cole Strilzuk, and Brandon Wood could be the key as to whetherd UMD can bring home another national championship trophy home come December.

2. Northwest Missouri State (13-2): The Bearcats accomplished a "four-peat" last year, but not the one most people want: a fourth straight national runner-up finish. Still, that hasn't stopped both the coaches and media from picking Northwest to finish on top in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association for the fourth straight year. A season-opening contest at Abilene Christian on national television (CBS College Sports) August 27 could tell just how good the Bearcats may be in 2009, as they hope the fifth time will be the charm, at least in terms of winning their first national championship in 10 years, with back-to-back crowns being won in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

3. Grand Valley State (11-1): GVSU has won four NCAA Division II titles this decade (2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006). But despite not having lost a regular season game in five years, the one loss the Lakers did suffer ended their season the last two years. Can Grand Valley end this current decade with a "one for the thumb" national championship in 2009?

4. California (Pa.)--(12-2): The Vulcans have gone 25-3 over the last two seasons, but both ended with losses in the national semifinals. Can Cal U finally get over the hump, and punch a ticket to the title game in Florence, Alabama this December.

5. Bloomsburg (11-2): The Huskies return a solid nucleus for what could be another potential deep playoff run. Their first comes on August 27. That's when they'll face another playoff team from a year ago in Ashland.

6. North Alabama (12-2): The Lions may have a new head coach in Terry Bowden, who--of course--is the son of legendary Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden. But it will take more than a famous name for UNA to make another deep playoff run in 2009.

The Other Six

7. Abilene Christian (11-1)

8. Pittsburg State (11-2)

9. West Texas A&M (11-2)

10. Delta State (11-2)

11. Chadron State (11-2)

12. Central Washington (10-2)

Honorable Mention: Valdosta State (9-3), Albany State (Ga.)--(7-4), Tusculum (8-4), Seton Hill (10-3), Ashland (9-4), West Chester (9-4), Wayne State (Neb.)--(9-3), and American International (-2).

RFC Originals--DEBUT EDITION

Well, here it is! The debut of the "RFC Originals", articles on small college and minor league professional football not available elsewhere. First up is the first-ever RFC "Dandy Dozen" poll. This is where we rate the top 12 small college football teams in the nation, whether it be the Football Championship Subdivision of NCAA Division (formerly NCAA Division I-AA), NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, or the NAIA. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!

RFC Dandy Dozen Debut Poll--FCS

1. Richmond (13-3 in 2008): Despite a third-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association South Division, the Spiders peaked at the right time, winning their first-ever national championship. Can they win back-to-back titles in 2009? An October visit to defending division champion and intra-state rival James Madison, and a home showdown against Villanova could decide if UR will even get that chance--to return to the playoffs at least.

2. Appalachian State (11-3): The Mountaineers quest to win an unpredecedented fourth straight FCS national championship was de-railed by this aforementioned Richmond squad in last year's quarterfinals. A healthy Armanti Edwards leading the way at quarterback could determine whether or not the Mountaineers win four FCS crowns in the five years.

3. Montana (14-2): After falling to Richmond in last year's title game, the Grizzlies will look to win--or share--the Big Sky Conference crown for the 11th straight season.

4. Northern Iowa (12-3): The Panthers hope to have a happy ending in 2009 after losing a heartbreaker to Richmond in last year's FCS semifinals. They'll find out quickly just how good they are when they pay a visit to Big Ten Conference foe Iowa to open the season on September 5.

5. James Madison (12-2): The Dukes are re-loading for 2009 after going unbeaten (8-0) in the CAA South Division in 2008, losing to Montana in the FCS national semifinals. Senior defensive end Sam Daniels is among three Sports Network preseason All-Americans hoping to lead JMU to its second national championship in six years.

6. Villanova (10-3): Despite a second place finish (7-1) in the CAA South, two of the Wildcats three losses last season came to James Madison, with the latter coming in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, a season-ending 31-27 setback. 'Nova will be tested quite often this season, as the Wildcats must travel to New Hampshire (October 10), James Madison (October 17), and defending national champion Richmond (November 7).

The Other Six

7. Weber State (10-4): Shared Big Sky title with Montana last season.

8. Southern Illinois (9-3): Another conference co-champion, the Salukis shared the Missouri Valley Football Conference championship with Northern Iowa in 2008.

9. New Hampshire (10-3): Winners of the CAA North title a year ago, the Wildcats managed to outlast Southern Illinois, 29-20, before losing a heartbreaker to UNI, 36-34, in the FCS quarterfinals.

10. Wofford (9-3): A second place finisher in the Southern Conference last year, it'll be interesting to see if the Terriers can mount a serious challenge to Appalachian State's supremacy in that league this year.

11. Eastern Kentucky (8-4): The Colonels enter the 2009 season as the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions after a 7-1 finish in league play in 2008.

12. Maine (8-5): The Black Bears fell in the first round of the FCS playoffs to Northern Iowa, 40-15.

Questions or comments about the Dandy Dozen? Send them to realfootballcentral@gmail.com.

New e-mail address for RFC

Effective immediately, the dawkndqbfb@yahoo.com e-mail address for RFC will no longer be used. Instead, please send any responses to realfootballcentral@gmail.com. That's realfootballcentral@gmail.com. Thank you.

COMING SOON!!!

The RFC Originals. Articles and/or interviews not available anywhere else.

NFL Draft Coverage

Visit realfootballcentral.blogspot.com starting Saturday, April 25 for complete coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft, including coverage at the "RFC News Center" regarding any small college players who have been drafted or have signed free agent contracts with any NFL teams.

2009 af2 Preview--Part 3

Our preseason outlook for arenafootball2 wraps up with a round-up of the Southwest Division, courtesy of af2.com.

Southwest Division

2009 af2 Preview--Part 2

Our preview of the 2009 arenafootball2 season continues with an inside look of the Central and West Divisions, courtesy of af2.com.

Central Division

West Division

2009 af2 Preview

As hard as it is to believe, the 10th anniversary season of arenafootball2 opens Friday night, with the Tri-Cities Fever facing the Central Valley Coyotes, followed by the Florida Firecats playing host to the South Georgia Wildcats on Saturday. Here are previews of the three divisions that make up the American Conference, courtesy of af2.com.

East Division

Midwest Division

South Division

The "Twitter Ticker" is here!

Now available on Real Football Central, the RFC "Twitter Ticker". Your source for scores and breaking news related to the world of small college and minor league professional football, both indoors and outdoors. Follow all of the action on realfootballcentral.blogspot.com, and click the "Follow me on Twitter" link in the upper right hand corner of the blog.

COMING SOON TO RFC!!!!

The Real Football Central "Twitter Ticker"! Here, you will find breaking news, as well as scoring updates from some of the top games in small college and minor league professional football, both indoors and outdoors! Watch for it at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com!

WE'RE BAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!

After a hiatus of more than a month, RFC is back with a new feature, the "RFC News Center". It features the latest headlines in the world of small college and minor league professional football, indoors as well as outdoors. Check it out on the top right of the homepage at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Real Football Central says Happy New Year, with hopes for a prosperous 2009! As always, RFC will go on hiatus for the upcoming NFL playoffs, with regular posting to resume after Super Bowl XLIII in February. Here are the final tallies for the 2008 season on the "LIGHTNING ROUND".

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES (FCS, NCAA Division III, NAIA)

2-1 (.667)

FINAL TOTALS FOR 2008

306 games right, 162 wrong (.654)

And as a new year gets underway, and RFC goes on hiatus, Arena Fan Online explores what 2009 will be like without arena football, as the Arena Football League board of directors voted to cancel its upcoming season. Still, it won't be a total loss.

SEASON'S GREETINGS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR

FROM

REAL FOOTBALL CENTRAL!!!

National champs crowned

The 2008 small college football season ended this past weekend, with one national champion crowned Friday night, and two others on Saturday. Here's what happened...

FCS Championship--at Chattanooga, Tenn.

Richmond 24, Montana 7

The University of Richmond Spiders completed one of the greatest Cinderella stories in all of sports Friday, as the knocked off the University of Montana Grizzlies for their first-ever NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) title.

Complete coverage...

Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch

Billings (Mont.) Gazette

Chattanooga Times Free Press

NCAA Division III Championship--at Salem, Va.

Mount Union 31, Wisconsin-Whitewater 26

One year after being denied a three-peat, the Purple Raiders of Mount Union College won their 10th national championship in the last 16 years by dethroning the defending national champion Warhawks Saturday.

Article courtesy of Mount Union College Sports Information

NAIA Championship--at Rome, Ga.

Sioux Falls 24, Carroll (Mont.) 7

The Cougars win their second national championship in three years, and deny the Saints their sixth title in seven years, in convincing fashion.

Article courtesy of naia.cstv.com

National title games end 2008 season

It may hard to believe, but this is the last weekend of the 2008 small college football season, as three games will decide national championships in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formeryly NCAA Division I-AA), NCAA Division III, and the NAIA. Here's a quick look at each of those contests.

FCS Championship (Tonight [Friday] at Chattanooga, Tenn.)--Montana vs. Richmond

Probably one of the most unlikely title game pairings in FCS history will take place between the No. 4 seeded Grizzlies, and the unseeded Spiders. Montana upset No. 1 seed James Madison, 35-27, in a national semifinal game last week, while Richmond rallied to stun No. 3 seed Northern Iowa on the road in the other semifinal contest.

NCAA Division III Championship (Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl)--(Saturday at Salem, Va.)

For the fourth straight year, it's Mount Union vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater for all of the marbles in D-III. The defending national champion Warhawks will look to make it back-to-back titles, while the Purple Raiders hope to take back the title that Whitewater took away last year. Should be yet another hard-fought, down-to-the-wire game.

NAIA Championship (Saturday at Rome, Ga.)

In a battle of 13-0 teams, Carroll (Mont.) hopes to win an unprecedented sixth national championship in seven years, while Sioux Falls hopes to win a second title in three teams. The Cougars won the crown in 2006.

THE LIGHTNING ROUND--WEEK 17 (THE SEASON FINALE)

Last Week: 2-4 (.333)
Year To Date: 304-161 (.654)

KEY: Projected winners highlighted in RED.

FCS CHAMPIONSHIP--at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Friday)

Montana (14-1) vs. Richmond (12-3)

NCAA DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP (Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl)--at Salem, Va. (Saturday)

Mount Union (14-0) vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-1)

NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP--at Rome, Ga. (Saturday)

Carroll (Mont.)--(13-0) vs. Sioux Falls (13-0)