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One week to go in the regular season and there
are still playoff spots there for the taking. Bloomsburg dropped its second
straight, this time to rival West Chester, after appearing to be the class of
the PSAC through the first eight games of the season. Also in the West,
Shippensburg defeated Cheyney to strengthen its claim to a playoff spot. East
Stroudsburg dominated Millersville to stay in the playoff race as well. In the
East, California continued its dominance of the West with a victory over
Mercyhurst, while Clarion pulled off an upset of Edinboro. In other action, C.W.
Post defeated Kutztown, Slippery Rock destroyed Lock Haven and Gannon put the
nail in IUP's first losing season since 1982.
Regional Rankings
The regional rankings break down as follows:
1. West Liberty (9-1)
2. California (8-2)
3. Shippensburg (8-2)
4. Bentley (7-1)
5. Bloomsburg (8-2)
6. East Stroudsburg (7-3)
7. Edinboro (7-3)
8. Charleston (8-2)
9. Clarion (7-3)
10. Fayetteville State (7-3)
Assuming all non-PSAC teams win this weekend
for simplicity, it would appear that both California and Shippensburg will make
the playoffs, regardless of what happens in their contest against each other in
the State Game. Bloomsburg is now in a must win situation after dropping two
straight. Three straight losses would likely give the selection committee enough
of a reason to allow the Huskies to start their offseason sooner than expected.
It cannot be simpler for East Stroudsburg, win and you are in the playoffs.
Edinboro needs to win and either Gannon beat Bloomsburg or Slippery Rock beat
East Stroudsburg. Despite Clarion's strong finish to the season, they likely are
held out of the playoffs unless several teams in front of them lose. Clarion was
also not helped by the schedule maker that set them up against Cheyney in the
final week, which will surely not help their strength of schedule component.
The Official Jim Milligan PSAC Power
Rankings
State Gamers
1. California
2. Shippensburg
Potential Playoff Participants
3. Bloomsburg
4. East Stroudsburg
Long Shots
5. Clarion
6. Edinboro
Better Luck in 2010
7. West Chester
8. Slippery Rock
9. C.W. Post
10. Gannon
11. Mercyhurst
12. IUP
13. Millersville
14. Kutztown
15. Cheyney
16. Lock Haven
Football by Numbers
105 - Average yards rushing by Alfonso Hoggard,
the only PSAC running back to average more than 100 yards rushing per game.
0 - Number of successful field goal attempts
for Lock Haven through nine games.
10 - Negative turnover differential for IUP
this season, worst in the PSAC, which explains most of the problems in their
first losing season since 1982.
Week 10 Matchups
State Game
California at Shippensburg
California and Shippensburg have the top two
scoring offenses in the conference, so there should be plenty of points on the
scoreboard regardless of who wins. Both teams are fairly balanced on the
offensive side of the ball with equally effective running and passing attacks.
Both teams also have strong special teams play in pretty much every facet of the
kicking game. California has the stronger defense of the two and is especially
effective against the run. Assuming California can take away the run of
Shippensburg, they should come away with another championship.
My pick: California wins another State title
Mercyhurst at West Chester
West Chester has had a disappointing season,
but they defeated rival Bloomsburg and would love to end the season with a
winning streak. Despite the disappointing season, the Rams still have one of the
best defenses in the conference and are giving up the least ground yards per
game in the conference. Mercyhurst has struggled offensively all season and will
likely have a hard time moving the ball against the Rams.
My pick: West Chester wins finale
Gannon at Bloomsburg
In just two weeks, Bloomsburg went from a
possible State Game participant to needing a victory just to make the playoffs.
The Huskies will have their hands full with a Gannon team coming off of a
thrashing of IUP. Gannon has the second most productive rushing offense in the
conference led by Jon Richardson. However, the Bloomsburg defense should be
playing with desperation and should be up to the challenge.
My pick: Bloomsburg finally captures its
playoff spot
IUP at Kutztown
IUP appears to have quit on the season, which
pains me to type. The passing offense is just pitiful and Kutztown may be poised
for a rare victory against the Hawks. I would be choosing Kutztown, but they
looked less than impressive in their loss to C.W. Post last week, so?
My pick: Just for old time's sake, IUP wins?barely
Edinboro at Millersville
Edinboro's rushing attack has been their
Achilles' heel this season, but should have plenty of running room against
Millersville. The only question is whether a victory will be enough to raise the
Scots into a playoff spot.
My pick: Edinboro runs through porous
Millersville defense
Slippery Rock at East Stroudsburg
East Stroudsburg will attempt to ride their
passing game into the playoffs. Their defense is weak, the rushing attack is
less than impressive and their special teams are below average. However, ESU has
arguably the best passing game in the conference and an opportunistic, bend but
don't break defense. Slippery Rock is a solid team, but ESU will be playing with
passion to lock in the last playoff spot.
My pick: East Stroudsburg squeaks into the
playoffs
Clarion at Cheyney
Clarion's Alfonso Hoggard should have a field
day against the Cheyney defense.
My pick: Clarion wins easily
Lock Haven at C.W. Post
C.W. Post has one of the best offenses in the
conference. Lock Haven does not.
My pick: C.W. Post wins easily
PSAC TV
SportsFever TV
Nov. 7 PSAC Championship Game, Noon
Nov. 14 NCAA Division II Playoff Game, Noon
Check out pasportsfever.com/tvnetwork.html for
your local listing.
As a reminder, all of ESU's home games are
broadcast live on Blue Ridge TV-13 and IUP replays can be caught Monday and
Tuesday evening on WIUP.
If you have any questions, comments or
information that you would like me to post, feel free to email me at  .
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