NCAA Playoff Picture for Super Region 4:


  1. Ferris State (Lost to Ohio Dominican in Rd. 2)
  2. Colorado State Pueblo (Hosts the 5th Seed in Region Finals)
  3. Michigan Tech (Lost to Angelo State in Rd. 1)
  4. Colorado Mines (Lost to Ohio Dominican in Rd. 1)
  5. Ohio Dominican (Travels to 2nd Seed in Region Finals)
  6. Angelo State (Lost to CSUP in Rd. 2)


    And then there were 2: CSUP hosting Ohio Dominican.









    Super Region 4: Region Finals
    Playoff Previews and Predictions


    #8 Ohio Dominican (11-1) v. #7 Colorado State Pueblo (11-1)
    1 p.m. CST Kickoff
    Pueblo, Colorado

    Weather Report for Game Time: 43 degrees mostly cloudy and 5 mph wind


    I have to say that this looks to be a great matchup of opponents. We have some big players on both of these teams that are going to be laying it all out there to try and help their team advance past the regional finals.



    The key players for the ODU Panthers coming into this game will be: QB Mark Miller, 68.4% completion percentage; 3,100 passing yards; 25 TDs and only 9 INTs. RB Brandon Schoen, 1,135 rushing yards; 113.5 yards per game; 12 TDs. WR Dez Stewart, 1,075 receiving yards; 10 TDs; PK Brent Wahle, 19 for 24 (79%) long of 53 yards; 40 for 40 on PATs.

    The ODU Panthers went back and forth with Ferris State last week until they pulled ahead in the 4th quarter to seal the deal. Their offense was very explosive through the air and Ferris had no answer for the passing game and the receiving core, as Miller threw for 4 TDs with no INTS.

    However, this ODU Panther passing game will be tested this week against one of the better passing defenses in Division 2. The CSUP Thunderwolves only allow 184.7 passing yards per game and really stymied a good passing team in Angelo State last week. It was quite impressive how many fits the pass defense took to the Rams. ASU is a good passing team and they could not get through the CSUP passing defense. On top of that, the rushing game was completely shut down all game. The CSUP rushing defense is even better than the pass defense by only allowing 106.5 rushing yards per game.

    As a fairly close observer of CSUP over the past few seasons, I think that this Pueblo defense may be one of the best that I have seen. CSUP did have their own struggles this season like many teams battling injuries. However, they have their key players back that did not have season-ending injuries and it definitely has changed their playmaking abilities. This defense has had no more than 23 points scored on them (happened in their loss and against Western State).

    The key players for the CSUP Thunderwolves coming into this game will be: QB Chris Bonner, 2,771 passing yards, 26 TDs and only 7 INTs. RB Cameron McDondle, 1,722 rushing yards; 15 TDs. WR Paul Browning, 460 receiving yards, 4 TDs. DE Darius Allen, 10.5 sacks, 16.5 TFLs, 4 FF, 2 FR. DE Morgan Fox, 9.5 sacks, 15 TFLs. CB C.J. Roberts 48 tackles, 1 sack, 4.5 TFLs, 7 INTs. CB Stephan Dickens, 63 tackles, 5 TFLs, 7 INTs.



    Back to the other side, I have watched the Panthers play multiple times this year in the GLIAC. They are a very capable team of winning this game. I feel that they could have gone further in the playoffs last season; but, had some key players injured at the wrong time. That tends to happen from time-to-time in Division 2 football. They will be making the long trip to Pueblo in hope of furthering their playoff experience. I really like the running abilities of Brandon Schoen. He is a great running back and comes in handy for the Panthers when they need him to.



    Prediction: Colorado State Pueblo 27 Ohio Dominican 24






    C.H.A.M.P.S. HEART OF TEXAS BOWL
    East Central (OK) (6-4) v. Texas A&M Commerce (8-3)
    6 p.m. CST Kickoff
    Copperas Cove, Texas


    The Commerce Lions and East Central Tigers are fairly familiar with one another, as they used to be old conference foes; before ECU moved to the GAC.

    The Lions have been explosive on the offensive side of the ball all season and a little down in the secondary. The defensive line has been their strength on the defense.

    The Lions lead several categories on the offense with their prolific passing offense. Their 2 quality backs in Cooper and Bergeron call also make several waves running the ball for the Lions. The overall goal is to try and outscore their opponent, as the defense has been down and has suffered several injuries over the season.

    I would equate this game to ECU playing Henderson State in the GAC. Commerce and Henderson State have almost identical stats: heavy passing and moderate running. Thus, I would compare the matchups to be very similar, minus the defenses. However, Commerce plays a little bit better competition than the GAC. This is not a shot at the GAC; but the LSC competition level just tends to be ahead of the GAC.




    The Lions hold the advantage over the Tigers 14-6-1, in the all-time series.

    My philosophy in this game is simply this: The Commerce Lions have been down for a while in the LSC, most people know this. Why do I mention this? Because, during those down years where the Lions had losing season, they still managed to beat the ECU Tigers quite a few times. Since then, the Lions are much improved.



    Prediction: Texas A&M Commerce 45 East Central 24