Tweet
Code:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wingate (1-2, 0-0 SAC) @ Brevard (0-3, 0-1 SAC)
6 p.m. - Brevard, N.C.
SAC Members Picks = WU (16) over BC (0)
Spread = WIN (-11)
Last meeting (@WU, 2011) = Wingate 35, Brevard 31
Wingate heads to Brevard coming off a 9 turnover day in the loss to rival UNC Pembroke. The Bulldogs had their chances but sit at 1-2 and open conference play with the Tornados for the second straight year. Brevard has gone scoreless for six straight quarters including the 38-0 loss last week at Mars Hill. I said last week they seem to always play some teams very tough. Wingate is one of them. The Bulldogs trailed 31-17 heading to the fourth last year and 20-9 at half in 2010, yet managed to pull out both victories.
Brevard has really struggled in 2012, off to their worst start since joining the SAC in 2007. The Brevard defense is as young as any unit in the league, forcing just one turnover and picking up one sack. The offense hasn't helped much with just three touchdowns. The good news is that the offense isn't turning the ball over much and hasn't been penalized much. The real problem seems to be at quarterback. Three played against the Lions and none could get anything going. Coach Hamilton must find an answer there first for anyone else to have success.
Wingate's defense will get the option back-to-back weeks in Brevard this week and Carson-Newman the next. Believe it or not they had a pretty good day Saturday against Pembroke. The offense gave up two touchdowns and two more Brave drives started deep inside Wingate territory. They must use the Brevard game to continue their 2012 improvement and take it as prep for the Eagles. Wingate's offense can score with anyone as long as they protect the football. They can even score 35 with 9 turnovers and that will be trouble for BC who let Mars Hill throw all over them. I think Brevard will come around soon, just not sure it is this week.
Prediction: None (calling game)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carson-Newman (2-0, 1-0 SAC) @ Newberry (3-0, 1-0 SAC)
6:30 p.m. - Newberry, S.C.
SAC Members Picks = C-N (13) over NC (3)
Spread = NC (-3)
Last meeting (@C-N, 2011) = Newberry 24, Carson-Newman 3
Even though my main man Bob Eblen overlooked this game, it is the biggest one to date this season. I looked at Newberry's schedule early in the preseason and thought, four home games, two non-conference and two SAC games. If they could get through that, wow would they be in great shape. The Wolves are one game away from starting 4-0 but their toughest test yet comes calling in Carson-Newman. I picked the Eagles to finish second in my preseason poll because like some of you, I just didn't see Sparks having another sub-par season. It's still early but it appears they have found the right and healthy pieces to make the veer click.
Newberry dominated their first game, then struggled to come back against Shorter and then turned in a dominating second half against Catawba. Three totally different wins and plenty to learn from. Always think it benefits a team greatly to be in multiple situations. The Wolves have struggled to close out the first half but have been dominant in the second half, outscoring opponents 50-13. I doubt Coach Knight wants to get into another rally situation against the Eagle offense. Carson-Newman's defense was better in week two against an identity-less Lenoir-Rhyne offense. They still gave up points and yards but made the most of their opportunities. LR fumbled five times and the Eagles picked up all five, one for a score.
I've been going back and forth on this game all week. There is no doubt the Wolves get an edge from being at home. C-N's secondary was exploited badly in week one against Glenville St and we will find out if they have made improvements since then. Newberry proved they can rely on Murden's arm but they still have to sustain drives to keep the Eagle offense off the field and the running game will do that. Call me captain obvious but this game comes down to two battles. Murden against the Eagle secondary and Haywood against the Newberry front seven. No matter what, I can convince myself to pick either team but until proven wrong, the Eagles have the better offense. Barely.
Prediction: Carson-Newman 42, Newberry 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tusculum (1-2, 0-0 SAC) @ Catawba (2-1, 0-1 SAC)
7 p.m. - Salisbury, N.C.
SAC Members Picks = Even (8 each)
Spread = CC (-4.5)
Last meeting (@TC, 2011) = Catawba 23, Tusculum 21
In my mind, even more then then game above, this is the most interesting game of the week and the Pick 'Em proves it. No one really knows which teams will show up Saturday in Salisbury. Catawba had a good second quarter on paper in Newberry but not much else to show for outside of it. Two of the drives started inside the NC 20. The second half consisted of four interceptions, two punts, and two turnovers on downs. Not a good way to go into week four but it was just the second week for new look offense. Tusculum needed two fourth quarter touchdowns to beat a rebuilding North Greenville squad.
BJ Sherrill struggled in his first road game but will benefit from being back at home. As mentioned last week and it comes into play this week, keep an eye on the play calling. Will the Indians try to develop the run or will this be a game featuring over 100 combined passes. The Pioneers have already played two road games against two quality opponents and should be ready to get back under the lights.
Taking the blueprint from the Newberry/Catawba game tells you what you need to know about this game. Catawba shut down the NC running game but they had trouble stopping Murden in the air. Bad news? Tusculum doesn't run the ball. Bo Cordell, meet the CATU secondary. A lot of pressure will still be on the super talented Catawba defensive line to get as much pressure on Cordell as possible to slow him down. Another game that could really go either way and should feature a lot of points. I've been burned by TC already once this season but once again I'm going in favor of the more productive offense.
Prediction: Tusculum 34, Catawba 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mars Hill (1-2, 1-0 SAC) @ North Greenville (0-3, NO CONFERENCE)
7 p.m. - Tigerville, S.C.
SAC Members Picks = MH (15) over NGU (1)
Spread = MH (-7.5)
Last meeting (@MHC 2011) = Mars Hill 38, North Greenville 28
Mars Hill made week one at home count, in a 38-0 thumping of Brevard. Richt was very efficient and didn't have to do much. The Lions also enjoyed a huge rushing day from Lewis and Davis, something they really need as the season progresses to relieve the pressure off the quarterback and wideouts. I know it has been three weeks but it still hard to get a read on the Lions based on three opponents. North Greenville made some strides last week, having a lead late before faltering in Greeneville, Tennessee. The Crusaders outgained TC by almost 100 yards but were a dismal 2-5 in the red zone.
Mars Hill, while not a SAC game, needs the this game based on how brutal their schedule is to finish the year. Six tough conference games all are ahead in the following seven weeks. Of their 8 D2 games, the most winnable games on paper came last week and this week. So it will be a tough road and they must beat NGU to have positive momentum. At this point, I still consider them a darkhorse in league play. They have shown they can be balanced and play tough defense but until they get into the meat of the schedule, we can't determine much else. At the end of the day, I don't care who the opponent is, 38-0 is impressive.
This game seems like an easy one to pick based on the results from our expert message board members but I think it will be tougher than expected for the Lions. North Greenville is back in rebuilding mode and is already 0-1 to SAC teams. Like Brevard, I believe NGU continues to improve and will be much better soon, just not this week even though it could be a huge boost from their first home game. Mars Hill had their 2011 season ended by the Crusaders, plus MHC was the real SAC co-champions, regardless of some of the delusion in Tigerville. That being said, I think the Lions took it personal, make this game personal and get the job done.
Prediction: Mars Hill 35, North Greenville 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't forget, any one on Twitter this weekend at the games, please include #SACFB and #d2fb in your posts about the SAC teams so we can keep up. Post pictures, updates and of course anyone playing disturbing loud music!
Talk to you next week! Thanks for reading.
-Ryan (@RyanBrown_PxP )