OK, so I’ve written in the past about my concerns about Rowan (Immediate thoughts on Week 7 and Week 9). Today my fears came true. Rowan couldn’t muster up enough offense (or, according to observers, much of a sense of urgency) in a 20-19 loss at William Paterson. When was the last time William Paterson was the lead story on D3football.com? Sept. 19, 2002, for a Mark Simon Feature on a pair of Pioneers who returned to football after returning from military service.
Funny, when I started to write that sentence, my assumption was “never” — but I checked it out.
Rowan needs to come out firing next week. They won’t get into the playoffs with two losses, not in their final two games. There might be a two-loss team that gets in the field somewhere, but not in this situation. Rowan wins and it’s in (beating both Cortland State and Montclair, the other two teams they’d be tied with). If Montclair wins, Cortland goes to the playoffs because Cortland beat Montclair.
Nice little 32-0 run, Whitewater. That was another one of the early scores that sent ripples through knowledgeable D-III fans.
Who’d have thought that we could have six potential playoff teams meeting at the Monon Bell, Cortaca Jug and Dutchman Shoes games next week? Cortaca won’t have any effect on whether either team makes the playoffs (Cortland’s at-large bid chances are a longshot at best, they wouldn’t even be the best two-loss team out there) but Ithaca is in and Cortland will be scoreboard-listening. RPI almost didn’t make it to this dance, however, needing a late TD to beat Rochester.
Capital had another great day on defense. In fact, if you throw out the Mount Union game, Capital has allowed just 7.6 points per game all season. Usually I’m not in favor of throwing out a game to make a point, but Capital has allowed just 11.4 points per contest even with that game, and shoot, for most of the past decade the Purple Raiders have been the Priceline of offense — you know, name your own score.
Only today did McDaniel refute my hypothesis that their 4-1 season could very well turn into 4-6. The Green Terror had lost four in a row before beating Muhlenberg today 13-6.
Ferrum clinched its first playoff bid since 1990, UW-Whitewater its first since 1997, and Johns Hopkins its first ever. Welcome to the show. See you on ESPNews in a week.
If Crown plays Southwest Assemblies of God and nobody reports a score, does it count?
E-mail of the day:
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
K (xxxxxx@comcast.net) on Saturday, November 05, 2005 at 09:55:34 AM
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Subject: What About Rowan
Notes: I consistanly monitor your website and I think that it great, however you never write anything about Rowan football. Rowan has been at the top of Division III football for many years and you never give them any respect. I would like to see anything about Rowan football Thanks
I think the moral of the story is, don’t complain about lack of respect on Saturday morning. Save it for the blog. Ugh.
We said the last two weeks of the seaon in upstate New York would be exciting. With Union’s win yesterday it all comes down to their game with RPI. Tipped hats to Hobart. They have a great club. It wasn’t to be yesterday. They may not be out of it yet with an RPI victory next week. We also said at one point Union may be the worst undefeated team in the land. Yesterday’s win certainly dignifies their season. I think we can now throw out that indictment. In any event, all three teams have had a fabulous year. But Union gets the prize (thus far) for magic!
Guess I will go ahead and have my crow for breakfast. Congrats to Averett for their victory over CNU.
Had the pleasure of seeing H-SC totally dismantle the Hopkins D Sat. The game was actually more lopsided than the score. Oh to have the last 3 minutes of the W&L or BC game back for another shot.
Congrats to the Jays for getting in.
how bout them panthers and that sufficiently…..nearly perfect day of offense?? the panthers had 9 drives resulting in TDs out of 10 possessions. those panthers have done more then enough to prove that their offense can score on anyone at anytime. congrats to the 05 USA SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPS!!!!!
Just wanted to give a shoutout to the Scots for completing their 10-0 season with a 48-0 bashing of rival Knox. Despite winning their 6th straight Bronze Turkey, that is always a game that worries you due to the impact that it has on the two schools. I would like to tell you that the records don’t matter when this game is played…but that would be a lie.
And how about QB Mitch Tanney’s day….21-23 with 405 yds and 5 TD’s…in 3 quarters of play! He currently has a season completion % of 74.4, which would be a new D3 record. He has also tossed 33 TD’s to just 3 INT’s. How’s that for efficiency.
MC’s leading rusher Dante Daniels (851 yds, 12 TD) didn’t even touch the ball.
Also, congrats to Augustana for wrapping up the CCIW crown with a thrilling win over #11 NCC. And can Whitewater get any better? Just wondering.
For someone who isn’t quite sure how the LL and NCAA bids will work…what are the scenarios for each of the three teams to make it to the NCAA’s? Also, I agree with theduke….big tip of the hat to my Statesman! Hold your heads high and finish strong!
Three teams from the LL making the NCAA’s????
Sorry not going to happen, however i can see them getting two bids.
Three LL teams is very possible, actually. Will have to run the numbers later in the week but I think right now we’ll have three LL teams in our projections.
Sorry, allsky7, you’re not getting those last 3 minutes against BC (&W&L) back anytime soon. It serves you guys right to put so much emphasis on one game, have your coach engage in trash talking, and have it blow up in your face. We’ll see you pink bow tie wearing preppies again next year and beat you OUR WAY at our place. Go Eagles!
“you’re not getting those last 3 minutes against BC (&W&L) back anytime soon. It serves you guys right to put so much emphasis on one game
,have your coach engage in trash talking, and have it blow up in your face. We’ll see you pink bow tie wearing preppies again next year and beat you OUR WAY at our place.”
WOW, such talk from someone (player / former player/fan?) that is one terrible roughing the passer call in 03 and one play away in 05 from losing 2 of 3 to a bunch of “bow tie wearing preppies.” I know, I know, it didn’t happen so I’ll save you the time of a comeback line.
Not familiar with the “trash talking” you refer to. Only trash talking I have heard is in quotes above. Careful now, don’t forget that BC was the worst team in the ODAC for 20 years prior to 2000. Things have a way of coming full circle.
For the record: I’m a blue jean wearing and 4 wheel truck driving “redneck” Ferrum and Maryville alum. Don’t even own a bow tie. 🙂
Congrats to the Eagles and good luck in the playoffs! Perhaps a Ferrum / BC matchup?! That could be fun.
Well, I guess I had it coming. In the meantime, though, as a BC alum who lived through many years of losing records and an underfunded program, it sure is great to be winning. According to my compadre Texashorn, a matchup between us and Ferrum in the first round may well be forthcoming. Stay tuned on Selection Sunday. We’ll be looking forward to meeting up with y’all if not on Nov. 19, sometime in 2006.
I don’t see 3 LL teams making the NCAA, I would love to see it, I hope to see it, but I just don’t think in fairness to other more powerful conferences that three deserve it. On that note i feel there should be no question that 2 should. After thinking about it, Union should really be in already after yesterday victory over an excellent Hobart team (If I was a Hobart fan I would be very proud of their effort, they are a class act!) I see Union and Hobart getting in if Union defeats RPI, if Union loses I think RPI and Union deserve to go. What an aboslutly exciting time here in upstate NY for the LL teams! Dutchmen deserve respect, hopefully next week they will leave all doubters on there bare bottoms!
I think the Liberty will have difficulty getting three teams no matter what: this is my projected east bracket (no particular order):
Del Valley
Ithaca
Union
Fitchburg State
Curry
Rowan (Cortland if the lose this week)
St John Fisher
Hobart or RPI
So who gets the other Pool C bids in your projection? You can’t just project a bracket in isolation.
PCOLE, Here it goes….
Pool A’s
Wabash
Augustana
Mt St Joseph
Lakeland
Mt Union
Albion
UW WHItewater
Fitchburg State or Curry (Not sure if the NEFC gets one or two bids with 14 teams)
Ithaca
Rowan or Cortland
Union
Delaware Valley
Mary Hardin Baylor
Johns Hopkins
Bridgewater
Trinity Tx
Ferrum
Coe
Occidental
St Johns
Monmouth
Pool B’s
Wesley
Huntingdon
Thiel
Linfield
Outside looking in Washington and jefferson
Pool C’s
North Central
St John Fisher
Depauw
Hardin Simmons
Cal Lutheran
Concordia Moorhead
Hobart
Outside looking in Central
ICfootball, HSU has the Pool A in the ASC because of a projected higher winning percentage (HSU = .900 vs UMHB = .889). The UMHB at Louisiana College game was canceled due to Hurricane Rita, whose path went right over Pineville LA that day.
Thanks to ICFOOTBALL for putting Wabash at the head of the Pool A’s–hope that bodes well for the Little Giants playoff run. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Monon Bell means more than just bragging rights this year. I can’t wait to see Keith’s take on The Big Game.
Sorry for the confusion all. I meant how are two of the teams getting in? As in if Union wins and wins the LL outright who should get the second bid if any? Or is RPI gets in and there is a three way tie what are the scenarios? I guess there is no exact science for this but I was just curious what everyone’s opinions were. Those who responded I agree though. Thanks for the feedback!
Statesman,
I think if Union beats RPI, Union and Hobart are in. If Union loses (I think RPI owns the tiebreaker) RPI and Union will go in. I know i’d be leaving Hobart out but I just dont see the NCAA taking 3 teams from 1 conference in the Eastern Region.
Right you are, DaddyO. Home field advantage throughout the playoffs is a big deal. Not to mention returning the Monon Bell to its natural habitat in Crawfordsville.
lg1970 and DaddyO, the problem that i see for Wabash is that i think the NCAA will keep UW WHitewater in the NOrth as the number one seed. I could see Wabash as the two. I think that Wabash will have to beat Mt Union at home and if they do that then go on the road to beat UW WHitewater in the quarterfinals.
I dont see Linfield, St Johns and UW Whitewater all is the west.
Upstate:
So what exactly is the tiebreaker in the LL. Oddly enough even though I played four years in the league I still don’t think I know it? What a great year it has been though in the upstate. Would be very interesting to see SJF paired up with Hobart in the first round or even Hobart paired up with Ithaca. Both teams were dropped from the statesman’s schedule to make room for the LL schedule. SJF got the last laugh in a series dominated recently by the statesman with a 20-12 win in 2003, so I know alot of players would be geared up for a game with them. Although Ithaca always seems to come up big with us I know that would also be an interesting game to see.
Keith McMillan covered that and other three-way tiebreakers that could come into play in this past week’s Around the Nation.
Thanks Pcole. I guess that makes it even harder on the statesman for dropping both SJF and Ithaca from their schedule. Although you never know how they would have faired (won or lost) it surely would have helped in that category seeing as Dickinson and F&M are both sub .500 Just have to wait and see what team will get snubbed because all three have been terrific.
“SJF got the last laugh in a series dominated recently by the statesman with a 20-12 win in 2003”
Dont forget the 17-14 win in 2002 over then ranked Hobart!
This week’s Ferrum game vs. CNU has similar implications surrounding it as the game did two years ago; however this time the shoe is on the other foot. Two years ago CNU had already won the conference, but still had to travel to Ferrum for the final game to sew up home field for the first round. The talk all week was about how long the starters would play against Ferrum, and the focus was not on winning the game. Ferrum took advantage of the Captains overlooking them and defeated them and deflated them going into the playoffs. I know that Ferrum learned a lot from that situation, and trust me when I say that Ferrum will give everything that they have to win this game this weekend. They will not be looking past the Captains, and they will be motivated to remain undefeated…for the next five weeks!!!!! EYE ON THE PRIZE BLACK HATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a former player and fan of NYS DIII football for over 30 years I would like to agree that ’05 certainly has been a banner year upstate. With the impending potential matchups of 2 teams from each league in the playoffs I can’t wait for the building rivalry between the Empire8 and the LL to play out on the field. By the way “upstater”, the last time “U” met Ithaca was a ’99 ECAC game won by the Dutchmen 31-7 and lets not forget RPI’s 21-16 win over the bombers in the “03 playoffs.
ICFOOTBALL… Whoever wins Saturday between Fitchburg State and Curry will go to the NCAAs and attempt — notice I say attempt — to get off the 0-6 NEFC schneid… more than likely, the loser will go to the ECACs… it is very possible that the NEFC will have three teams involved in the postseason — Bridgewater State finished the year 8-1 and will also be in the hunt for the ECACs
Would love to see a Fisher-Hobart first round match-up…good rivalry from the ’90’s. SJF needs to take care of business this week against Alfred!
YES!!! Holy smokes what game! Augustana over North Central! Augie does it again. I’m telling you, the CCIW is tough as nails, and if you can win that conference, then you are going places.
SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!
Next week is Wheaton.
Congrats to Monmouth College on winning again, and going undefeated for the season. Thank you for beating Knox. I never have liked Knox, especially since one of Bill Clintons goons became the new president of the college. I am glad you guys destoyed them.
I was wondering does anyone know if Wesley clinched an automatic berth? Brockport State won in a head up matchup between the two and could end the season with the same conference record of 4-1? Just wondering.
The ACFC does not have an automatic berth. I am the conference SID for the ACFC
Only conferences with seven or more active Division III members receive automatic bids. The PAC will receive its automatic bid in 2007, most likely, after a two-year waiting period. The ACFC is not eligible for an automatic bid, regardless of membership.
Pat thanks for the bit of info. Another question is what Conferences may have two teams chosen? I am thinking the OAC has to be at least one of them.
what good is a message board if someone doesnt pee in the pot every once in a while?
I am wondering when more than one OAC team is actually going to be taken seriously. I realize that I may be a little biased, but this statement is meant for every OAC team to have finished second since Mount Unions reign of dominance began.
Each year every OAC team seemingly starts the season with one automatic loss to Mount. And every year that loss gets held against them. There are dominating teams in every conference, but none have dominated like Mount, and I think that should be taken into consideration before blowing off another OAC team from Playoff selection.
Why is it so difficult for a second or third OAC team to make the playoffs??? In recent years the OAC teams that were given a chance in the playoffs easily defeated their higher ranked opponents until stumbling against their heated conference rival, Mount Union. ONU in 1999 and the JCU Arth-Streaks ring most recent, among others. Every year the games played between the top 4 OAC teams are dogfights that come down to the final few minutes. Coincidence?…I think not. 2nd place in the OAC is good enough to be #1 in just about every conference throughout the country, and 3rd place isn’t too shabby either.
There have been plenty OAC schools that did not make the playoffs that most likely would have faired very well in the playoffs had they not been “snubbed.” I think its silly to overlook the second and third place OAC team when they play in one of the toughest conferences in DIII football, against what is considerably one of its greatest teams and coaches.
There will always be teams that get snubbed. Everyone has their turn, but given the circumstances over that past 10+ years I think more attention needs to be given to the “other” OAC schools come playoff time.
I think it should be an automatic playoff spot to whichever team finishes second in the OAC.
-talk to me
rbrockwell, that’s what we do playoff projections for.
ONUalum, this is not the year to cry about the automatic loss to Mount Union, since your school proved it’s not automatic. 🙂 The “other” OAC schools get plenty of attention and whenever one finishes with one regional loss, you can basically count on them getting in.
SeanGOP,
Were you at the Augie-North Central game? If so, I’m curious, listening to it on the radio, it sounded like there was some really questionable calls on Augie’s last drive. Personal foul, a bad spot, and the late off sides on the blocked FG. They made it sound like the stripes had money on the home team. Said the North Central coaches chased after the zebras after the game.
Boy the elements really cooperated with Augie too. I saw North Central once this year on nice afternoon and their O was unstoppable. I remember thinking at the time they might be in trouble on a sloppy late Oct, early Nov Saturday. Saw Augie play Carthage and thought they were outplayed, but they came up with one big defensive play after another. In typical Augie fashion they found a way to win.
I’d hate to play either one of them in the playoffs. Lots of players on both rosters. Also think Augie-North Central is going to be quite a rivalry game for years to come.
GoScotties:
You are right–Tanney has had a terrific year. Is my memory correct that he began at Wabash, but later transferred, as he did not believe he would play much there? Now Wabash and Monmouth have two of the best quarterbacks in the country. Russ Harbaugh has also completed more than 70% of his passes and has only three interceptions on the year. Good luck to both schools in the playoffs.
Hasbeen,
Only non-winners rag about questionable calls. If I was North Central I would look for any excuse other than being outplayed. A win is a win, and Augie has beaten some good (great) teams. Augie would have won by even more had they not fumbled a couple of times.
The elements did favor Augie – rain and wind does not do much for a team that depends on the pass. However, Augie leads the nation in interceptions, so the one pass they intercepted was low. Though Augie had to run in the rain, and that contributed to the fumbles.
Augie – North Central game as a rivalry game? Sure, over the last couple of years it has been a good match-up. But Augie has won them all but one in the last 25 or 30 years.
I am so looking forward to the playoffs. IS D3 FOOTBALL.COM DOING A PLAYOFF POOL THIS YEAR? LET ME KNOW.
Augie at Wheaton this weekend. Yet another tough game for Augie in a conference that is tough as nails (just ask the CCIW non-confernence foes – the CCIW was 21-3, the best in tha nation).
GO AUGIE!!!!
thejudge:
You may be correct, I know that Tanney transferred, I’m just not sure where he came from. If it was Wabash, I can only imagine the competition that existed for that starting QB job. There were, however, other circumstances which led to him arriving at MC. His father played basketball for the Scots, and he came in ’04, the year after MC record holder Rob Purlee graduated. I’m sure he saw an opportunity to step in as the starter right away. He’s had one of the best years in MC history: nearly 2500 yds, 33TD’s, only 3 INT’s and he was a semi-finalist for the Draddy Award. Not to shabby. It would be quite a storyline if MC and WC met in the playoffs. Probably won’t happen though (unless it’s in the Stagg Bowl).
Hey Everyone,
Check this site out:
http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf
It is the Massey Ratings for Division III football, and it is very interesting. It ranks the teams, the conferences and the schedules.
GoScotties:
The playoff matchup had also occurred to me–it would be interesting. Regardless, the two schools and quarterbacks have had great years so far, and hopefully their seasons will continue for a few more games. Wabash has a tough game with a very good (it hurts me to say that) DePauw team this Saturday, so their playoff thoughts have to be delayed a while longer.
I’m really wondering what everyones thoughts are about the Midwest/Great Lakes playoff picture.
Any thoughts of where Mount St. Joseph is going to wind up traveling to in the first round?
Any chance for a home game?
MountMANIAC
I’m guessing that Mount St. Joseph will be headed to Mount Union or Wabash. Things can change this Saturday, though.
i think that the midwest/greatlakes region might look like this: the only question is if the NCAA will have two teams from the same conference play each other in the first round:
1. UW WHItewater
2. Wabash
3. Mt Union
4. Augustana
5. North Central
6. MT St Joseph
7. Albion
8. Lakeland
SeanGOP,
So you weren’t at the game? My only info came from some student radio announcers. That’s why I asked. Why so defensive bro?
“Augie would have won by even more had they not fumbled a couple of times”. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe North Central wins had the weather cooperated. Does it really matter?
“Though Augie had to run in the rain, and that contributed to the fumbles”. And so did the defense.
After seeing both play Carthage, North Central wins 9 out of 10 times, especially on a dry track. Maybe they meet again in the playoffs? Until then, its just one Man’s opinion.
I’ve got nothing against Augie. Its a great academic institution with tremendous football tradition. Congratulations on your 5,734th conference championship.
Well, this is my first year in college football and the proud parent of an Averett University player. I enjoy reading these comments each week and looks like Averett doesn’t have many readers or if they do, they don’t comment. So I will take the opportunity to do some clapping for Averett. First of all congrats to Kyle Wilson who rushed for over 200 yards against a fine team (CNU) this past Saturday. Kyle has now rushed for over 1000 yards this season and has one more game left to get 60+ yards, which will break the Conference record. Also congrats go to Averetts kickers…they made 6 of 7 field goals against CNU and they both broke a school record of making 3 each. Their combined 6 I belive breaks a Conference record. And finally congrats to Mike Dunley, head coach of Averett for securing his 3rd winning season in a row. Mike has been at the school just 4 years and really got things going in the right direction. A win over Chowan this week will give the Cougars a 7-3 season and a 3rd place finish in the conference standings. What a great way to start his recruiting with a great year.
I would also like to give my congratulations to Averett on a fine season and also an exciting win last Saturday against CNU. Thanks for ensuring Ferrum goes to the Playoffs this year. Its nice to hear that Kyle Wilson rushed for over 200 yards against CNU. It’s no telling how many yards the D3 #1 rushing team in the Nation will be able to put up against them. Its nice to see CNU not in the top 3 in the conference this year.
I just got done looking at the d3football poll of the week asking which will be the biggest rivalry this week. How in the world can the biggest rivalry in Div. III football be left off the list? Wabash and Depauw are a combined 17-1. This game has postseason implications for both teams and the all time series is once again tied. Last year, this game was the highest attended game in all of Div. III football only being bested by the national championship and the semi-finals. I think this is huge oversite by D3.
ICFOOTBALL:
Should Wabash lose to DePauw (I shudder just thinking it and don’t believe it will happen….but) and the remaining seven teams in the North win, how would you revise your rankings? And why, for heaven’s sake, is Trinity ranked first in the South? MH-B would clean the Tigers’ clock 99 times out of 100 this year….
I put it on the poll at 10:35 p.m.
I apologize for the error. I’ve had about five hours of sleep each of the past two nights, I’m working 40 hours a week at my day job and about 50 on the site. Cut me some slack — and perhaps make sure your post is still accurate when you make it.