With playoffs set to begin this Saturday, here is a look at the playoff field from 1 to 6. All stats referenced are per game averages for the 2014 regular season.


1. Concord Mountain Lions

Conference: Mountain East
D2 Record: 11-0

Scoring offense: 45.2
Scoring defense: 19.3
Total offense: 493
Total defense: 333
Rushing offense: 217
Rushing defense: 113
Passing offense: 276
Passing defense: 220

My thoughts on #1 seed: Outlook:2. Bloomsburg Huskies

Conference: PSAC
D2 Record: 10-1


Scoring offense: 34.4
Scoring defense: 14.0
Total offense: 388
Total defense: 296
Rushing offense: 228
Rushing defense: 101
Passing offense: 160
Passing defense: 193

My thoughts on the #2 seed: The Huskies had the #1 seed until last week, but the loss to Slippery Rock only cost them one position. They really benefited from having a head to head advantage over the other 10-1 team in the mix.

Outlook: The Huskies are stinging a little bit from the loss in the PSAC Championship at Slippery Rock, but the week off will be quite valuable. The bye gives them an opportunity to regroup and get back on track after a tough outing at SRU. They desperately need hobbled running back Eddie Mateo to be at full strength for a playoff run so a week off and a home game is exactly what they need. Their physical defensive play could be a huge asset as the cold weather arrives for playoff season. They didn't have their best day at the Rock last week, but the Huskies do have a defense capable of taking them on playoff run.

3. Virginia State Trojans

Conference: CIAA
D2 Record: 9-2


Scoring offense: 31.4
Scoring defense: 18.2
Total offense: 357
Total defense: 301
Rushing offense: 178
Rushing defense: 136
Passing offense: 178
Passing defense: 165

My thoughts in the #3 seed:Outlook: The Trojans started the year 0-2 but those losses were at California (8-2) and at home to Lenoir-Rhyne (11-0). Since then, they have won 9 straight games and captured the CIAA championship. The victory over WSSU in the title game was very impressive, considering that that they played with an inexperienced backup QB. The offense uses a lot of different formations to get the job done and they can run or throw depending on how they match up. The defensive line is a tad undersized, but they attack and use a lot of blitz packages. They host a round one game and a win would give them 10 in a row and make them a very dangerous threat to keep rolling through the region.

4. West Chester Golden Rams

Conference: PSAC
D2 Record: 10-1

Scoring offense: 39.6
Scoring defense: 17.6
Total offense: 476
Total defense: 321
Rushing offense: 191
Rushing defense: 151
Passing offense: 284
Passing defense: 170

My thoughts on the #4 seed: They were #3 going into the final week and they defeated a team with a winning record so I can understand their confusion over being displaced from third by a two loss team. But as mentioned above, there is at least some merit in the decision. It is hard to believe that 10-1 only gets them to fourth place, but it is a competitive field. It is tough luck for WCU though. I think Slippery Rock is a much tougher match up for them than LIU Post would have been.

Outlook5. Slippery Rock

Conference: PSAC
D2 Record: 9-2

Scoring offense: 37.7
Scoring defense: 25.4
Total offense: 488
Total defense: 385
Rushing offense: 231
Rushing defense: 87
Passing offense: 257
Passing defense: 298

My thoughts on the #5 seed: If Virginia State was 4th and West Chester was 3rd, I would say Slipepry Rock is right where they belong based on win-loss record and SOS. But they have a right to question 5th place since VSU was moved ahead of West Chester. Slippery Rock also has better SOS than West Chester, so why the committee elected to elevate VSU but not SRU is puzzling. This is why I expected WCU to remain in 3rd with the 10-1 record.

Outlook:6. LIU-Post Pioneers

Conference: Northeast 10
D2 Record: 8-3

Scoring offense: 34.9
Scoring defense: 26.4
Total offense: 465
Total defense: 393
Rushing offense: 160
Rushing defense: 126
Passing offense: 303
Passing defense: 267

My thoughts on the #6 seed:Outlook: Regardless of how or why, Post isWho is the favorite?