November 26th, 2013 12:00am
There were several interesting games last weekend, but the result that stuck out most to me was Grand Valley State's 40-7 win over Saginaw Valley State.
It was a vintage performance by the Laker defense. During GVSU's great run from 2001 to 2009, the Laker defense stifled many terrific offenses in the playoffs at Lubbers Stadium. Last Saturday's win over SVSU very much reminded me of those days. Sure, the cold and windy conditions put a big damper on what the Cardinals wanted to do offensively (throw the football) but the GVSU defense also seemed to play at a level I don't believe I have seen since Chuck Martin roamed the sidelines.
The question going forward for GVSU is this: can the Lakers continue this high level of play on the road? In home games this season the Lakers have an 8-0 record and have won every game by double digits. On the road GVSU is just 2-2 and has struggled in both victories while giving up 54 and 57 points in the two losses.
Up next for Grand Valley is a trip to Colorado to face the top seed in Super Region Four, CSU-Pueblo (11-0). This is the third straight season that the Thunderwolves have been a top seed in the region, but have so far won just a single playoff game. Both teams will have a lot they want to prove on Saturday and games like these are what make the D2 postseason so interesting. With seven other second round games also taking place, Saturday should be a very interesting day.
Observations from Round One of the Playoffs
-The 27-20 victory by Winston-Salem State over Slippery Rock was one ugly football game: Between the two teams there were seven turnovers and 29 penalties. WSSU's advantage in speed and talent over SRU was quite apparent but the Rams will struggle to advance if they don't clean up their game.
-Tuskegee surprised many people including yours truly with their performance at North Alabama (a 30-27 UNA win). The Golden Tigers carried the play for a good chunk of the game and with a break here or there could have come out on top. It will be very interesting to see if this program can continue to develop to the point where it can make deep playoff runs.
-Minnesota-Duluth dominated Emporia State in predictable fashion. There was just no way that ESU was going to go up there and win with a freshman quarterback making his first career start. The UMD running game dominated and the Bulldog defense played its best game of the season. This certainly bodes well for the Bulldogs' chances as they travel to Northwest Missouri State this week.
-West Texas A&M was impressive in beating Indianapolis 27-14. Quarterback Dustin Vaughan was efficient throwing the football, the defense was solid and the Buffalos ran the football effectively enough to control the game in the second half. WTAMU is picking a good time of the year to figure it all out.
Super Region One Playoffs
West Chester (11-1) at Bloomsburg (10-1)
When these two teams met three weeks ago Bloomsburg rushed for 310 yards as a team in opening up a 31-14 fourth quarter lead and then withstood a furious WCU rally in holding on for a 31-28 win. I expect this to be another very good game that could go either way, but it's hard to pick against Bloomsburg when they ran the ball so effectively the first time these two teams met.
Bloomsburg 28 West Chester 26
Winston-Salem State (10-1) at Shepherd (11-0)
These two teams have combined to win the region the last three years, so this is obviously a huge game. I think WSSU has more talent and team speed but they will have to play much better than they did last week to win at Shepherd. This is also WSSU's first road playoff game which could be a factor as well. Both of these teams have outstanding run defenses and I believe the team that can do the best job of establishing the run will probably win.
Winston-Salem State 24 Shepherd 19
Super Region Two Playoffs
North Alabama (9-2) at UNC-Pembroke (9-1)
I really thought the Lions were the favorite in the region but I'm not so sure now after they struggled against Tuskegee last week. This is really a battle of strengths as UNCP has a good run defense and UNA wants to run the football while UNCP is a passing team that will have to throw the ball against a UNA defense that has intercepted 24 passes this season. I will go with the Lions as I think they have just a bit more talent overall.
North Alabama 28 UNC-Pembroke 24
Carson-Newman (10-2) at Lenoir-Rhyne (10-1)
When these two teams met earlier this month, the Bears held the Eagles to under 100 rushing yards as a team in a 37-3 win. To put that in perspective, that was the first time this century that C-N had failed to rush for 100 yards in a game. I don't think the margin will be as wide this time but the Bears are simply the better team on both sides of the ball.
Lenoir-Rhyne 30 Carson-Newman 17
Super Region Three Playoffs
St. Cloud State (11-1) at Minnesota State (11-0)
Although these teams haven't played this season, they are actually big rivals historically and the programs know each other very well. They are similar in that they both have outstanding senior quarterbacks and experienced teams overall. The difference to me is that MSU is a little bit stronger in almost all facets of the game, particularly where it matters most: at the line of scrimmage.
Minnesota State 35 St. Cloud State 23
Minnesota-Duluth (11-1) at Northwest Missouri State (11-0)
This is the third playoff meeting between the two schools. NWMSU won in the first round in 2002 but the Bulldogs were victorious in the 2008 national championship game and the 2010 semifinals. UMD showed last week why they are an extremely dangerous team this time of the year because of the way they can run the football and stop the run. The Bulldogs have been exposed at times by teams that can throw the football and that's where I think the Bearcats have a slight advantage. This should be a very good game.
Northwest Missouri State 27 Minnesota-Duluth 21
Super Region Four Playoffs
West Texas A&M (10-2) at Ohio Dominican (10-0)
I have doubted them this season, but the Buffalos have proven each of the last two weeks that they have the fortitude to get into a slugfest and come out on top. ODU is just so balanced and effective offensively and efficient defensively that I think they will find a way to come out on top in this game. I do, however, expect Dustin Vaughan and the WTAMU offense to make enough plays to keep it interesting.
Ohio Dominican 31 West Texas A&M 27
Grand Valley State (10-2) at CSU-Pueblo (11-0)
As I stated at the beginning of the column, GVSU has struggled on the road and that makes this a very difficult game for me to predict. CSUP has a very potent offense and the Lakers have struggled with stopping the run this season. But the Thunderwolves are also very young defensively and they will be going up against a team with a veteran quarterback and a very good offensive line. This is really one of those games where nothing would surprise me, including a big win by either team.
Grand Valley State 38 CSU-Pueblo 35
Mailbag
[Q] You seem to favor teams that are physical and can run the football over passing teams. I didn't think your criticism of West Texas A&M a couple of weeks ago was fair. Why are you so biased against these types of teams?
Ron
[A] It's not bias. Teams that play physical, can run the football and stop the run are always the ones that end up hoisting the championship trophy in Florence each season. Teams like Saginaw Valley, Henderson State and West Texas A&M are fun to watch; but that style of play ultimately doesn't win out when it comes to the postseason.
[Q] What is your reaction to Tuskegee requesting to have the North Alabama fans moved to the other side of the stadium?
Jeremy
[A] Just so all of the readers are filled in as to what happened: Tuskegee played at North Alabama in the first round of the playoffs last weekend. Prior to the game, the Tuskegee administration requested from the NCAA that the UNA fans and band all be moved to the home side of the stadium. The NCAA then asked UNA to comply with the request, which they did.
To me this is ridiculous on so many different levels: Tuskegee fans should be embarrassed that their school even made this request in the first place. North Alabama supporters should be furious that their school was put in this embarrassing position. The NCAA was foolish to grant the request. Now that the precedent has been set, how will the NCAA react the next time a school makes this type of request?
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