August 28th, 2007 12:00am
Under what terms does a college football game officially count? That's the big question surrounding the controversy involved with last Thursday's Northwest Missouri State-Arkansas Tech game. In case you missed it, the contest between the two teams was called with 2:30 remaining in the first quarter after lightning forced the game to be delayed twice. The Bearcats were leading 21-0 at the time.
The storyline behind the controversy goes like this: Northwest officials contend that it was agreed if a second lightning delay occurred, the game would be called and the result would count. ATU Coach (and Athletic Director) Steve Mullins contends that he never agreed to such an arrangement.
The rulebook states that under these circumstances it is up to the athletic directors and coaches at the schools involved to decide whether the game should be resumed at a later date, terminated, or forfeited. So, obviously, we are at an impasse and the NCAA will have to get involved to decide the outcome.
My personal opinion is that under no circumstances should a game that is less than half over count as a win or loss for anyone. We should find out in the next few days if the NCAA feels the same.
Langston Suspended at Central Oklahoma
I mentioned in my pre-season column about UCO's problems with the NCAA. In response to the NCAA's allegations, UCO President Roger Webb chose to suspend football coach Chuck Langston for two weeks (August 20th until September 3rd). Langston will miss this weekend's season opener against Abilene Christian. Langston is also banned from off-campus recruiting for the next year.
Apparently, Webb's move is an attempt to show the NCAA that UCO is taking the allegations seriously and that they are making an effort to discipline those involved. I have to think, though, that this suspension is just the tip of the iceberg and more heads will roll once the NCAA Infractions Committee gets involved later this year.
Danny Woodhead
I mentioned in the pre-season column that I thought Woodhead's chances of a Harlon Hill repeat hinged on his first three games. He's off to a great start after last week's 30 carry, 290 yard, four touchdown performance in Chadron State's 34-24 win over Washburn.
I was at the game and this was my first chance to see Woodhead in live action. Let me tell you, I left even more impressed than I thought I would be going in. Like all great backs, he has tremendous vision and breakaway speed. But I think what really sets him apart are his running "instincts". He always makes the right cut. He runs hard but under control, and he always seems to have that extra gear to get through the opening. Heck, he even knows when to give up on a play and just take what he can get when other backs might try to do too much and end up losing yardage. He is truly a great player.
I also left very impressed with Chadron State as a team. They are just a well-coached, very solid all-around ball club. The most impressive thing to me (outside of Woodhead, of course) was their offensive line play. The Eagles were replacing three first team All-conference players on the line and, as I understand it, had some injuries in fall camp that forced some guys to be moved around. As a group, they are lean and in shape and did a great job of creating space for Woodhead.
Could Chadron State win the national championship? Honestly, I doubt it. I just think that there are a handful of teams out there that have a higher overall level of talent and it would be very difficult to for the Eagles to have to beat three or four of them in successive weeks in the playoffs. But this is definitely a team to watch and there is no doubt in my mind that CSC has the ability to play with anyone in the country on a game by game basis.
Game of the Week
South Dakota @ West Texas A&M (Thursday Night)
The great thing about some of these big early season match ups is that you really have no idea what to expect. By default, that makes games like this one very difficult to predict.
This much we know: USD has one of the top offensive lines and top young quarterbacks in D-II in Noah Shepard. Despite three straight 9-win seasons, the Coyotes have struggled on the road, winning just one road game in that span against a team that finished with more than six wins. WTAMU returns two of the top linebackers in D-II in pre-season All-Americans Jared Brock and Steve Allen, but the Buffaloes must replace five All-LSC players (including quarterback Dalton Bell) from D-II's top passing offense.
All the rest is a big puzzle at this point, so I'm relying on gut instinct to predict an outcome in this game. WTAMU is a very talented team, but one that relies on an abundance of transfer players. It typical takes a game or two to get all of those guys on the same page. Despite the Coyotes' problems on the road the past few years, they have played in tougher venues than this one such as North Dakota's Alerus Center and Grand Valley's Lubbers Stadium. USD will not be intimidated by a large or noisy crowd. On paper, USD appears to be a bit deeper and more experience all the way around. So, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm going to pick the Coyotes in this game. But honestly, with all of the unknowns, no outcome would surprise me too much. South Dakota 31 West Texas A&M 21.
Other Games of Note
St. Joseph's @ Grand Valley
This shouldn't be much of a contest, but anytime the two-time defending national champs step on the field, it is worth noting. Obviously, the main thing to keep an eye on will be the performance of new Laker starting quarterback Brad Iciek. GVSU has gotten off to slow starts the last couple of years, but I wonder if the rest of the team will step it up a notch in support of Iciek? Grand Valley 41 St. Joseph's 7.
C.W. Post @ Bloomsburg
These two teams will be seeing plenty of each other in the future since the Pioneers will be joining the PSAC in 2008. But for now, this is still a non-conference game that may have major playoff implications in the Northeast Region come November.
I like the Huskies in this one for three reasons: 1. they are playing at home. 2. it will be difficult for the Pioneers to contain running back Jamar Brittingham and receiver Brahin Bilal for 60 minutes and 3. BU has a bit more depth and talent at just about every position on the field. Bloomsburg 27 C.W. Post 17.
Glenville State (1-0) @ California (1-0)
If the WVIAC is ever going to get to the point where it warrants two teams receiving invitations to the playoffs, then its teams need to start winning some of the big non-conference games like this one.
The Pioneers do have one advantage going into this one: Cal just played on Monday night and will have a short week of practice to prepare. But other than that, it's hard to find an aspect of the game where GSC might have an advantage. An especially worrisome match up for the Pioneers will be their young offensive line (just one senior) against a ruthless Vulcan defense that recorded nine sacks in last week's win. California 30 Glenville State 7.
Bemidji State @ Minnesota-Duluth
Despite winning the NSIC last year, BSU missed out on the playoffs, in part because of a 23-7 home loss to UMD. The Beavers return the bulk of last year's teams and have their eye on a first ever D-II playoff appearance this fall. But the Bulldogs (6-4 last year) are also experienced, returning seven starters each on offense and defense.
There are a couple of reasons why I like UMD in this game. They are playing at home, which can be a big help in these early season games. The second reason is that the Bulldogs have a veteran quarterback in junior Ted Schlafke and he will make enough plays to insure victory for his team. Minnesota-Duluth 24 Bemidji State 17.
Nebraska-Omaha @ Nebraska-Kearney
Both of these teams were picked second in their respective conferences going into this season and both teams have made multiple playoff appearances over the last several seasons.
But UNO has dominated this series (winning 11 of the last 12) and despite the Lopers having a solid defense (just 14.0 points per game allowed last year) , I think it's going to be very difficult for UNK to shut down quarterback Zach Miller (1098 rushing yards, 19 rushing TDs) and the powerful UNO rushing attack. Plus, if the results of UNO's scrimmage this fall are any indication, Miller now throws the ball pretty well also, completing 15 of 20 in that scrimmage. Nebraska-Omaha 34 Nebraska-Kearney 20.
Albany State (1-0) @ Valdosta State
Like the UNO-UNK match up, this is another backyard brawl and this game has had similar results over the years in that one team has been dominant. Ironically, the only time ASU has beaten the Blazers recently was in 2004, the year that VSU won the national title.
ASU does have one advantage in that they have a game under their belts while the Blazers do not. Although ASU was impressive in beating former D-II power North Carolina Central last week, the Rams struggled on offense and they will need to score more than 16 points this week to knock of Willie Copeland and the Blazers. Valdosta State 27 Albany State 14.
Ashland @ Saginaw Valley
This game is interesting because two teams that had disappointing seasons last year will do battle to see who can get off to a good start this season. I think the leadership of senior quarterback Chris Dougherty will help the Cardinals get the win. Saginaw Valley 30 Ashland 21
Mailbag
Todd saw this topic discussed recently on our message board and wants to know: Who do you feel are the elite football programs in Division II?
By my qualifications, the following six programs are a cut above everyone else in D-II:
Grand Valley
North Dakota
Pittsburg State
Valdosta State
Northwest Missouri State
North Alabama
Each of those programs has won at least one national championship, made multiple appearances in the championship game, has a long period of sustained success, and is a legit threat year after year to win the national championship. Those qualifications pretty much describe elite (five star) programs in my book.
Just a notch below those six would be what I would term four star programs-- schools that have been playoff regulars and had consistent success, but not to the degree of the elite teams. My list of those types of programs:
Nebraska-Omaha
Saginaw Valley
Carson-Newman
Bloomsburg
Delta State
Albany State
Winona State
Northwood
South Dakota
Chadron State
Catawba
Shepherd
Indiana
Texas A&M Kingsville
Contact Me
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