August 28th, 2012 12:00am
Several times over the past few years I have stated in this column that I do not believe enough schools in this division try hard enough when it comes to fielding a competitive football team.
While I still believe this generally to be true, the advancements made by several programs last year have me believing that more and more schools are starting to realize that there are benefits to maintaining a strong Division II football program.
For example, New Haven reached the national quarterfinals in just its third season since reinstating its football program, while Colorado State-Pueblo made the playoffs in just its fifth season since doing the same. Wayne State (MI) had won eight games or more in a season just once in the previous 25 years before making it all the way to the national championship game in 2011. North Greenville has been a doormat for its entire existence in this division but reached the national quarterfinals last year. Heck, two of the last four national champions (Pittsburg State last year and Minnesota-Duluth in 2008) did not have winning records the season prior to winning it all.
So to all of these programs that have come out nowhere recently to have success I have this to say: Keep it up! Division II football needs more strong programs and it is exciting to see so many new schools playing good football. Here are a few storylines to follow as we enter the 2012 season:
Can Colorado State-Pueblo continue to ascend to national power status?
The Thunderwolves had a remarkable 2011, going 11-0 in the regular season and giving Minnesota-Duluth quite a battle before succumbing in the playoffs. Now comes the hard part: maintaining that high level of play. CSUP would appear to have the resources, location and coaching staff to at be near the top of the RMAC every year. But I get the feeling that this is a program that has its sights set on more than just conference titles. It will be interesting to see if the Thunderwolves can become the next D2 power.
Will a non-PSAC team win SR1 for a third consecutive year?
The PSACs stranglehold on the region has evaporated the last two seasons, with Shepherd of the WVIAC winning the region in 2010 and Winston-Salem State of the CIAA winning it last season. Odds are that a PSAC team will once again rise to the top soon, but it has been good for D2 football to see teams from the other leagues reach new heights. New Haven from the Northeast-10 would seem to be a program to keep an eye on in the region this season as the Chargers would appear to be loaded.
Bobby Wallace returns to North Alabama
Wallace returns to lead the Lions after 15 years away from the program. He led UNA to three consecutive national championships in the mid-90s. Wallace will also be employing the spread option offense at UNA, a big departure in scheme from the pass happy offenses the Lions had under Terry Bowden. With a renewed focus on the running game and Wallaces ability to recruit and attract talent, it will not be long until UNA is back in the national championship picture. It could even happen this year.
Is this the year that Grand Valley State wins its fifth national championship?
It is seems hard to believe that it has been nearly six years since the Lakers last hoisted the hardware in Florence. This years GVSU team appears to be extremely talented and it should not be hard for the coaching staff to keep the Lakers focused after they stumbled to three losses last year and missed the playoffs. Watch out for the Lakers this fall.
Top Games in Week One
Hillsdale at California
Both of these teams are stacked offensively. The Chargers return All-America running back Joe Glendening in addition to seven other offensive starters. Cal returns standout quarterback Peter Lalich and running back Lamont Smith. Both teams are rebuilding a bit defensively and it will be the team that can get a few stops or create turnovers that will win this game. California 30 Hillsdale 24.
Central Missouri at Missouri Western
On paper, this is the most highly regarded MWSU team in school history. But the Griffons will not have the luxury of easing into the 2012 schedule with a very talented UCM team visiting. I think MWSU is the stronger team defensively and that gives them a slight advantage in this one. Missouri Western 27 Central Missouri 23.
Nebraska-Kearney at Washburn
UNK plays its first game as an MIAA program against a Washburn team coming off its best season in school history. Both programs will rely on their defenses early on as both are young offensively and have to replace record-setting quarterbacks. UNK graduated 11 seniors on the offensive side of the ball and I cannot see them knocking off the Ichabods with so many new players in the lineup. Washburn 28 Nebraska-Kearney 17.
West Texas A&M at CSU-Pueblo
CSUP surprised the Buffaloes 26-24 in the season opener last season despite being out gained by over 200 yards. There will be no surprises this time as WTAMU will be looking for revenge. Having Dustin Vaughan quarterbacking the offense will help in that regard. West Texas A&M 31 Colorado State-Pueblo 21
Sioux Falls at St. Cloud
USF is the strongest program to move from the NAIA to Division II in the last 20 years and will be playing their first game as an NSIC member and D2 playoff eligible program. The Cougars reached the NAIA national championship game in each of their final five seasons in that division, winning three titles. They return a strong team this season, led by quarterback Taylor Perkins and a strong defense. Of course the Huskies are strong as well, led by junior quarterback Phillip Klaphake. St. Cloud State 28 Sioux Falls 17.
Lenoir-Rhyne at Concord
LRC won the game last season when these two teams played a non-conference game, but it was Concord that went on to earn a playoff berth. The Bears are the league favorite in the SAC behind their stingy defense, but they will have to deal with Concord standout senior quarterback Zach Grossi. This should be a good game. Lenoir-Rhyne 24 Concord 20.
Valdosta State at Saginaw Valley
To me, this is the most intriguing game of the entire week. SVSU was a playoff team last season and with 16 returning starters-- including star quarterback Jon Jennings-- the Cardinals will be very good this season. VSU was just 6-4 last season, but this should be the Blazers best team since the 2007 national championship squad. Valdosta State 31 Saginaw Valley State 28.
Mailbag
[Q] How is the change in the regions going to shake up D2 football? Will the LSC finally get out of the shadow of the MIAA?
Joseph
[A] The changes are limited to SR3 and SR4, so the eastern teams in SR1 and SR2 will not be affected by the changes. The new SR3 now becomes the toughest region in the country as it contains the last four national champions (Minnesota-Duluth in 2008 and 2010, Northwest Missouri State in 2009, Pittsburg State last year).
SR4 will be very good as well, with the GLIAC and LSC teams providing plenty of strength. Of course the LSC teams will get out of the shadow of the MIAA since the two conferences are no longer in the same region, but Grand Valley State casts a pretty large shadow as well. I do not think the regional changes will make it much easier for an LSC team to finally win a region and reach the semifinals.
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