We media members like drama. Photo finishes. Log jams at the top of the standings. Season finales with conference titles on the line. These are a few of our favorite things.
For several Division III teams, this weekend is about avoiding drama. “Leave no doubt,†as the Linfield fans used to say.
This is your chance, Ithaca. Beat Alfred and you’re in.
Mount St. Joseph, you got a second chance after slipping against Hanover. Take care of Anderson and take your place in the postseason.
UW-Whitewater, being “wacky in the WIAC†is overrated. Stuff Stout and stay out of trouble.
Del Val and Occidental can avoid some Week 11 drama by winning their game, their conference and their AQ this Saturday. Hobart can relegate the Union-RPI “Dutch Shoes†rivalry to the Pool C closet with a win tomorrow. As we wait to see who punches their playoff ticket, here are my two-cents worth (plink, plink)…
Wish you were here: If I had my way, I’d be listening to Rock Lobster, eating rock candy and heading to Rock Island, Illinois where Augustana and North Central will meet for the CCIW title. It’s tough to beat No. 17 versus No. 11 with playoff implications. Though I will say, I’m intrigued by Monmouth-Knox. Any game that involves a trophy like this has to be fun.
Don’t sleep on this one: Teams like Washington & Jefferson and Salisbury have more than a passing interest in the battle between Willamette and Whitworth. The Bearcats and Pirates will fight for their playoff lives as the former still has to play Linfield and the later already lost to the defending champs.
Most Likely Top 25 Team to Lose: No. 22 Central who travels to defending IIAC champ and current contender Wartburg.
Super Ridiculous Pick of the Day: All good things come to an end. Amherst 20 Trinity (Conn.) 17. I’m picking against the Clamorin’ Clucks, my alma mater, here. Especially if that means they are less likely to send me pledge drive solicitations.
Saturday night’s alright: …For doing something else. The only night broadcast is Chapman against non-D3 San Diego (Go Toreros) on www.usdtoreros.com. And that’s only interesting if SD’s coach Jim Harbaugh decides to suit up.
Union’s got the horses. They finally found their stride last weekend. Hobart has executed consistentlly throughout the season, thereby gaining the nod on paper. BUT pride and history plus the home field give the Dutchmen some important weapons. Does their charmed season afford them one more “W”?
There are no playoff implications in DC this weekend, but there is a glimpse at the future for two talented freshman QBs that like to “air it out.” Check out the boxscore for Guilford at Catholic about 5 pm Saturday aternoon.
Oops, I can spell, I just can’t type. It’s “afternoon,” of course. With that in mind, everyone have a good afternoon of football tomorrow!
From the home office, just a note that we are sending Keith McMillan of Around the Nation fame to Amherst this weekend for the Trinity/Amherst game. We’ll get a first-hand look.
There are some games this weekend that I have been keenly await the results of.
Hobart at Union: Union hasn’t lost any games, but went through a stretch in midseason where it was winning ugly, or winning lucky. They needed overtime to beat Kings Point and a last-second interception return for a TD to top Coast Guard, a combined 3-12. But last week the offense rebounded. Meanwhile, Hobart allowed 48 points to RPI (granted, triple overtime provided 14 of those), and has allowed just 38 points the rest of the season. Is that an adjustment or lack of quality competition? We’ll finally find out.
Central at Wartburg: We picked Wartburg to win the IIAC in our preseason Kickoff, with Central second and Coe third. The three teams are tied for first right now with two weeks remaining. (The conference coaches picked Central fifth.) Central has been winning by the skin of its teeth for much of the season and still seems a year away from putting it all back together, but has a chance to turn the calendar early.
Elsewhere …
Same time last year: These games were surprisingly close year but will not be this year, Buffalo State at Thiel, Randolph-Macon at Bridgewater (Va.).
Unexpected clinch of the week: Ferrum will clinch the USAC bid this week when they win and Averett beats Christopher Newport.
Hey, that’s our deal: UW-Stout was the last WIAC team to run the table. The homestanding Blue Devils can preserve that if they can upset No. 2 UW-Whitewater.
I’ll be staffing the home office this week. Next week I’ll be at Union/RPI and Keith will be at Wabash/DePauw.
It will be interesting to get Keith’s read on the top NESCAC teams. All the chatter earlier in the season about the Bantams sucess was provocative. It’s a shame they are not eligible for the playoffs and a paradox as their other teams are.
pcole
Good call on Averett to take down Christopher Newport. I think the Cougars will be really up for this game in Danville.
Averett 24….CNU 17. And while were making pics: Ferrum 41….NC Wesleyan 35 or 7, depending on which Panther D shows up!
The Bronze Turkey game is definitely one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year for any MC/KC student. Although the history of the rivalry shows the Scots holding a 56-50-10 edge, MC has owned the series for the last five years.
One of?
“Unexpected clinch of the week”
I don’t have a dog in that fight but I wouldn’t bet the farm on Averett beating CNU. Even in Danville. If they do, I will be back to have some fried crow.
allsky7 – i’m with you on that one…au is improved, but it’s still cnu we’re talking about
Well my predictions for the USA South will be CNU 28 Cougars 24. CNU pulls it out. As for the Ferrum game, Ferrum 49 NCW 14. Ferrum’s D will show up and the Big O keeps rolling.
Well I am just updating the scores, Ferrum is up 49-28 with 5 minutes left in the third. CNU is trailing the Cougars 22-14. Blackhatsonthehill’s perdictions may be pretty damn close. Mine are not close at all.
Fried crow all around “allysky7”!