The top three teams in the region are clear favorites and it is now a matter of who gets home field advantage. The bottom half of the region has a lot of sorting out to do over the final three weeks of the season.

1. IUP 8-0

They are the top dog in the region. They have handled business to date and are in position for the top seed. They have winnable games left with Gannon and Mercyhurst before the PSAC championship game on November 11th. The Crimson Hawks have survived all the challenges thus far and look to be a dangerous team in the playoffs.

2. Assumption 7-0

They are quickly becoming a team that is used to playoff football. They have qualified for the playoff the past two seasons and are ready to become an annual invitee. The Greyhounds have taken care of business in the NE-10 and have Stonehill, American International and Bentley in their way of a perfect season. They have the talent to win in the playoffs and hoping to play deep into the season.

3. Shepherd 7-0

They are a perennial top contender for the region title. Shepherd is undefeated again and hoping that they can stay close to home for a while. West Virginia Wesleyan, Charleston and UVA-Wise are left on the schedule and they have a clear path to 10-0 and an undefeated season. The Rams are a playoff tested team that nobody wants to see on their schedule in November and December.

4. Findlay 7-1

They are the lone GMAC team that has a chance at playing in the playoffs this year. Their lone loss was to nationally ranked Ferris State and they have rebounded nicely with six straight wins. They have Malone and Alderson Broaddus before a defacto GMAC championship title with Ohio Dominican in the final week of the regular season. The Oilers are coming off several seasons of .500 records and ready to make their mark in the region.

5. Slippery Rock 6-2

They were undefeated two weeks ago and now have two losses. Consecutive defeats to IUP and Edinboro have put a damper on the playoff hopes for the Rock. They have winnable games left with Clarion, Seton Hill and Kutztown or someone else depending on the PSAC East representative in the championship game. The Rock could be a dangerous team in the playoffs and a tough first round opponent.

6. West Chester 6-2

They are in the mix for the PSAC East title. They have lost to Slippery Rock and Bloomsburg which are quality losses. The Rams have East Stroudsburg and Millersville left on the schedule and might need the tiebreaker to get into the PSAC championship game. If they are able to get the championship game, they look like a lock for the playoffs.

7. Kutztown 6-2

They need to win out in order to stay in the playoff mix. They have lost to Assumption and West Chester which are teams ahead of them in the standings. They have a huge game this weekend with Shippensburg that will eliminate the loser from a potential playoff slot. They have Cheyney and then an opponent in the final weekend. The Bears need to win games and try for the championship game to get into the playoffs.

8. Notre Dame 6-2

They would have been ranked higher if not for an upset loss to West Virginia Wesleyan. The only other blemish on their resume was the opening week loss at Shepherd. The Falcons have Charleston and UVA-Wise left before final week game against nationally ranked Indianapolis. They will need to win out if they are going to finish in the top seven of the region.

9. Shippensburg 7-1

They are in a four-way tie for the top spot in the PSAC East and it might come down to tie breakers to decide who is the representative in the championship game. Their lone loss was to West Chester as they have been winning with a strong defensive effort each week. The Red Raiders have Kutztown and Bloomsburg left on the schedule so they control their fate for the championship game and a potential playoff slot.

10. LIU Post 5-2

They are a surprise in the top 10 over California and Bloomsburg. They have losses to Bentley and Assumption but have a very weak schedule down the stretch. They play Pace, Merrimack and St. Anselm to close out the season. They should win those games but their SOS will take a hit. They will need some help to get into the playoffs this year.


The breakdown is very similar to previous years. The PSAC has five schools, the NE-10 and MEC have two schools and the GMAC has one team. Last year, it was one CIAA school but they have been switched to Super Region Two.

Strength of schedule will help and aid teams down the stretch. My guess after the initial rankings is that the PSAC will have 3-4 schools and then the NE-10, MEC and GMAC will have one school each. For the MEC and NE-10 to get a second team into the bracket, they will need some help. Since teams int he rankings are still playing each other, this will sort it self out over the coming weeks.

As always, win on the field and don't let the committee decide your fate.