(Courtesy of CSU-P Athletics)

The Thunderwolves versus The Wolves in a game to rule the Wolf PACK

NCAA Playoff Picture for Super Region 4:

  1. Ferris State (Lost to Ohio Dominican in Rd. 2)
  2. Colorado State Pueblo (Hosts the winner of Super Region 2)
  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 was 1: CSUP

    I was almost had an exact prediction for last week. A 3-point win for the Thunderwolves of CSU-Pueblo. Definitely a strange game with Pueblo jumping out to a decent 24 to 0 lead. However, it took a Punt Return for a TD to allow them to move on, as they held to edge out the Panthers of ODU. My greatest fear for teams in games is jumping out to a huge lead and then taking a conservative approach. I have seen too many teams lose with this mentality. That appears to be the case last week with CSU-P but they were able to take advantage on special teams to make the difference. I think they need a different approach this week.



    Super Region 4: Region Finals
    Playoff Previews and Predictions


    #22 West Georgia (12-2) v. #7 Colorado State Pueblo (12-1)
    5:30 p.m. CST Kickoff
    Pueblo, Colorado
    Game Broadcast on ESPN 3

    Weather Report for Game Time: 30 degrees with 60% chance of Rain and 5 to 10 mph wind


    It looks like we have another good matchup in the making with a pack of wolves take the field on both sides of the ball. How often do you see 2 teams with similar mascots that are wolves/thunderwolves. I would say not often for this type of mascot.



    These two teams actually have shared a common opponent in the previous two seasons. CSU-P and West Georgia have both played West Texas A&M several times, as WT has given the Wolves of West Georgia their 2 worst losses in the past few seasons. I remember watching the Wolves in person at WT last season and I can tell you this: The Wolves of last year are gone! This is a Cinderella team that has made incredible strides under the new direction of Will Hall. I mean a (3-7) season in 2012 and a (6-5) season in 2013 to a (12-2) season this year. That is simply almost unbelievable. This just proves that teams can make these types of improvements from year-to-year.

    I have a lot of respect for Will Hall and all that he has done at West Alabama and now at West Georgia. A younger coach that is proving to be a top notch coach in Division 2 Football and who is also a Harlon Hill Trophy winner, as well. Kudos to Coach Hall on this great season and everything that he is accomplishing.

    The West Georgia Wolves come into this game on incredible momentum as the road warriors of Super Region 2. WGU is primarily running the ball like they usually do and are led on the ground by senior running back Seth Hinsley, who has accumulated 1,390 rushing yards with 15 TDs. He is followed by the Wolves QB Dallas Dickey, who has 734 rushing yards and 2 TDs; also, with 1,816 passing yards and 16 TDs. I have seen Dickey play several times and he definitely loves to take off running. The defense of West Georgia has improved greatly and they are making major strides in the playoffs to stop teams. The Wolves have 3 defensive players in the double digits of TFLs and Defensive End Darius Caldwell has been playing hard in the backfield with 12 sacks.

    The Thunderwolves of CSUP have enjoyed great success this postseason as they are about to host their 3rd consecutive NCAA Playoff game.

    CSUP jumped out big last weekend but had to hold on for dear life to put the game away against a good passing team in ODU. It felt like they got too conservative in their offensive play-calling and did not put the gas pedal down. They went 3-and-out on several consecutive offensive drives that helped ODU get back in the game. In addition, the CSUP secondary really struggled; however, they were playing a really good passing team that has a great QB.

    The CSUP defense has been the more dominant factor on the team this year as they have not allowed many points scored. They have had tremendous success in the secondary and more success in the run defense. I would have to think if DE Darius Allen can stay healthy that he just may be playing on Sundays in the NFL.

    The CSUP defense did just enough last week to hold on to the win and QB Chris Bonner got the ball to Paul Browning at the right moments in time to keep several drives alive and get into the end zone. Browning is that receiver to go up and get the ball when you need someone to make a play. I really liked what Bernard McDondle (younger brother of starting running back Cameron McDondle) had to offer and help give the Thunderwolves a spark when they needed it most, last week.

    The matchup in this game is the running game of West Georgia versus the defensive line of CSUP.




    Prediction: Colorado State Pueblo 27 West Georgia 23