Another weekend of SAC football is in the books. If our league's football institutions had to be characterized as books for illustrative purposes, some of these books should not be judged by their covers, while a few others could be among the country's best sellers.


Tusculum and Mars Hill may be 1-3 in each of their first four games, but their records do not tell their 2015 story thus far. The Pioneers did not appear to be much of a contender in their initial two non-conference contests, but have only lost by a total of 10 points to the likes of Lenoir-Rhyne and Newberry in league play. The Lions, on the other hand, looked promising in their Herculean efforts against FCS Western Carolina and Chattanooga. (Yet Coach Tim Clifton's team has only mustered one win on the young season.)


Wingate and Newberry have come out of the gates early in Seabiscuit fashion, neither having suffered a Division II loss. Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman are pacing the Bulldogs and Wolves in the early going, and both teams have conference title aspirations and playoff berths very much in their sights.


Catawba's offensive woes continued in a 17-0 drenching loss to Wingate. Unless the passing game can be resuscitated from last year's impressive showing, the Indians are likely a long shot at finishing in the Southeast region's top 10. (Much less the SAC title and playoff picture.)


Week 5 Predictions


Did you know that both FanDuel and DraftKings spent an estimated $31 million for TV commercials in the NFL season-opening weekend? Both companies are jostling for position in the ultra-competitive fantasy sports experience.


You know what my response is to this madness?


Try picking winners each week in the South Atlantic Conference. It's not for the faint of heart. Besides trying to decide whether to start Matthew Stafford or Aaron Rodgers, how about attempting to decipher which SAC team may answer the million dollar question on how to stop the Carson-Newman veer option.


I am sitting at a comfortable 21-5 mark as we enter the fifth week of the 2015 season. It is certainly not easy to make these picks and carry a respectable 80.7% winning percentage, but somebody has to do it. And do it I shall.


(1-3) (0-1 SAC) Mars Hill: 36 (2-2) (0-0 IND) North Greenville: 21


It is very concerning that Mars Hill allowed 62 points and 435 rushing yards to an angry Carson-Newman offense. The Eagles that took out its frustration on the Lions after being shut down by Catawba two weeks prior. Let's not forget that the Lions lit up the scoreboard and stat sheet as well this past Saturday. Running back Shaikel Davis totaled 99 yards on the ground and returned a kick-off in the fourth quarter for a dazzling 99-yard score. Is Austin Brown now the man in charge under center? He threw for 156 yards and scrambled for 128 yards. I watched the live feed of his performance, and I was extremely impressed with his ability to make a play when the pocket routinely collapsed.


North Greenville's offense is extremely balanced with how they run their show on offense. Nelson Hughes has yet to throw an interception against his seven touchdown strikes, while Ashton Heard has grinded out 95 yards per game and four touchdowns on the ground. Although the Crusaders sailed past UNC-Pembroke 40-17, I still think the jury is undecided on just how good the Braves are this season. Give me Mars Hill in a potentially lopsided win.


(4-0) (2-0 SAC) Wingate: 27 (1-2) (0-0 IND) Limestone: 6


Wingate's rush defense was tested by one of the conference's better running backs in Catawba's Cary Littlejohn, and for the most part, they passed the test. Littlejohn had a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter and was held under the century mark. The Bulldogs are physical upfront and are not afraid to walk up their safeties near the line of scrimmage. Limestone quarterback Bo Whitney showed guts and grit in their 46-22 defeat by rushing for a game-high 164 yards and accounting for two scores. I am foreshadowing the Wingate defensive front bottling up Whitney early and often this weekend.


Lawrence Pittman carried Catawba defenders on multiple occasions en route to 193 rushing yards and a pair of scores. A deadlocked 0-0 score at the half only saw the Bulldogs reel off 17 consecutive points in their dominant 17-0 performance. Pittman is making a real case to be the SAC's Offensive Player of the Year. Give me the Bulldogs by three touchdowns and another monster game by Pittman.


(3-1) (1-0 SAC) Newberry: 21 (2-2) (1-1 SAC) Catawba 10


Newberry has been absolutely surging since their close 17-14 loss to FCS opponent Jacksonville in Week 2. What makes these past two victories even more impressive is their offensive firepower has been displayed without QB Raleigh Yeldell. The combination of Zach Blair's arm and Braxton Ivery's nimbleness has compensated for Yeldell's absence without question, but victories would not have been possible without the churning legs of tail backs Kevin Miller and Romelo "Love" Doctor.


Is it entirely possible that Catawba's offense could replicate its output in last year's 37-34 double overtime victory over the Wolves? It is, especially if running back David Burgess can help Cary Littlejohn with a lot of the carries. For the first time all season, I am not picking Catawba. I can't believe I am saying this, but give me Newberry by two scores against the Tribe.


(3-1) (1-1 SAC) Carson-Newman: 47 (3-1) (1-0 SAC) #22 Lenoir-Rhyne: 44


Back in 2013, Carson-Newman lost twice at Lenoir-Rhyne in the month of November. The Eagles only lost by three points last year as the humbled hosts to the Bears 35-32, but of course Ken Sparks and his team must travel back to Hickory this weekend. Coaches in this league would not mind if Eagle running back Damian Baker missed the team bus on road trips. Last weekend, Damian Baker had a career high 249 yards and four touchdowns at Mars Hill.


As this season has started to unfold, I am seeing more *****s in the armor from Lenoir-Rhyne than I have observed from Carson-Newman. I am sure the entire student body at Lenoir-Rhyne would disagree with me on that point. Both teams have dominated the SAC's points per game and rushing yard averages, with the Bears eclipsing almost 39 points and 433 ground yards per contest, while the Eagles manufacture 37 points and more than 295 rushing yards per game. Give me Carson-Newman by a leg. (The leg of a kicker that is.)


(1-3) (0-2 SAC) Tusculum: 38 (0-4) (0-1 SAC) Brevard: 17


I correctly predicted that Brevard would surrender 55 points to Southern Utah last Saturday. I was shocked that the Tornados managed over 210 yards of total offense. Three straight losses by Tusculum will come to an end this Saturday by means of a healthy passing game. QB Luke Lancaster has already mustered over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air. There is certainly no reason to think he will not have a monster day throwing the pigskin to receivers Justin Houston and Ken Funnye.


Brevard may own the past three Division II Mountain Bike National Championships, but I do not see how this fun fact will break the "cycle" of 11 straight Division II losses on the gridiron. Give me Tusculum by a wide margin in the mountains.