Let me get this straight. Tusculum passed for a total of 20 yards on Saturday against Brevard, Newberry lost its first Division II game of the season to Catawba, Wingate won by less than a touchdown to Limestone, and Mars Hill was the second SAC team to fall prey to North Greenville in four weeks? Not to mention that Carson-Newman was wiped out by Lenoir-Rhyne to the tune of 52-17 where the Bears only punted and passed the pigskin on one occasion.


That's hard to comprehend. It absolutely defies logic. A power shift may be taking place before our eyes. This past weekend was saturated with rain, rushing offenses, and my personal rethinking of who might be contenders for the SAC title.


Let's start with the pretenders, shall we?


Carson-Newman suffered its second conference loss in three weeks, currently sitting at 3-2 overall. The Eagle offense has been pretty steady in terms of production this season, but with all of their offensive starters this team returned for the 2015 season, it is hard to fathom their veer would average less rushing yards per game (272) than their defense allows (283). Unless the GSC and SIAC absolutely beat up on each other the rest of the season, it is highly unlikely for the Eagles to snag a top seven finish in the region.


Mars Hill has to be put in the pretender category in my eyes, even if they have only played one conference game so far. I might change my mind over the next two weeks if they can sweep Newberry and Catawba on the road. (For a team that is only 1-4 on the season, it is all but impossible for the Lions to run the table and finish 7-4.) Scheduling FCS Western Carolina and Chattanooga in back to back weeks to begin the season did not affect their playoff aspirations in terms of losses, but it is fair to say it will hurt them by not having many Division II wins.


Tommy, get on with the show, who are the current contenders?


Let's look no further than our league's only two ranked teams, #19 Lenoir-Rhyne and #23 Wingate. Lenoir-Rhyne's only true battles that are left to be waged are at home against Wingate on October 17th and at Catawba on November 14th. Perhaps Newberry could trick the Bears on Halloween day, but I suspect this Lenoir-Rhyne team will be treating the Wolves to cruel and unusual punishment on the ground.


Wingate's defense has posted shutouts on three occasions in their first five outings of 2015. Their dominance starts up front with the likes of defensive end Andre Foulks, who was recently tabbed as the SAC's Defensive Player of the Week. It doesn't end there though believe it or not. Their secondary is rangy and physical as Josh Shelton has racked up a pair of interceptions, while Nortavius Otis ranks second on the team in tackles (31). With all of that being said, I can see the Bulldogs losing up to three games to finish the season as Lenoir-Rhyne, Carson-Newman, and Newberry still linger on their schedule.


Catawba's only SAC loss has come to the hands of Wingate two weeks ago. I have the Indians as a possible contender as they have beat Carson-Newman and Newberry early in the conference slate. In my opinion, another loss would seal the Catawba Indians' postseason fate.


Week 5 Predictions


My picks last week did more than simply rock the boat to my season totals. To put it lightly, I was shipwrecked with a 2-3 record. Hopefully it has not tossed my ship too much and stranded me on an island. (Of course I could use the Professor's help after my Gilligan-like performance recently.) I stand 23-8 overall and possess a respectable 74% winning percentage.


(3-2) (1-2 SAC) Carson-Newman: 58 (0-5) (0-2 SAC) Brevard: 17


In last year's meeting, Carson-Newman brawled with the Tornados for four quarters, edging them 55-42. Over 700 combined rushing yards were compiled and only three total punts were had by both teams.


I would be flabbergasted if Brevard keeps this within four touchdowns, because the Eagles are fighting to stay alive for a chance at the playoffs. (The SAC title is off the table right now, whether earning it outright or clinching a share of it, in my opinion.)


(4-1) (2-0 SAC) #19 Lenoir-Rhyne: 70 (0-5) (0-0 N/A) Faith (FL): 0


The University of Faith will need divine intervention to keep Lenoir-Rhyne under 70 points. This brand of non-conference scheduling will be drawing to a close by next season as SAC athletic directors understand these type of matchups only hurt your football program. The University of Faith has given up over 70 points in three different games this season.


Games involving schools such as Faith do not count as an NCAA sanctioned game, therefore neither the outcome nor the statistics will be officially recorded. I am glad the NCAA made such a ruling during the summer.


(5-0) (2-0 SAC) #23 Wingate: 24 (2-3) (1-2 SAC) Tusculum: 7


I do not suspect that Tusculum will again be limited to only 20 passing yards by Luke Lancaster this Saturday. I also do not suspect the Pioneers to beat Wingate by any means, but who would have predicted the wild 3 OT finish Tusculum and Lenoir-Rhyne had a few weeks back?


Running back Isaac Robinson had a career day in the Pioneer backfield with nearly 40 carries for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wingate surrenders less than six points per contest so far this season, and I do not see this week being much different.


(1-4) (0-1 SAC) Mars Hill: 34 (3-2) (1-1 SAC) Newberry: 31


Both squads are coming off shocking defeats, or are they really that shocking? The Lions were tamed by North Greenville on Saturday, who soundly defeated Lenoir-Rhyne back in September. Newberry lost a 17-13 physical game at Catawba in less than stellar field conditions. (This was the case with most football games in the Southeast recently.)


As much as this game will come down to an epic tug-of-war rushing battle between the Wolves' Romelo Doctor and the Lion's Shaikel Davis and Jamel Harbison, I believe Mars Hill quarterback Austin Brown will be the difference maker. The freshman has accounted for 591 yards of offense and seven scores against formidable competition.


(3-2) (2-1 SAC) Catawba: 33 (1-3) (0-0 IND) Limestone: 14


Sophomore quarterback Bo Whitney is the offense for Limestone, plain and simple. Against Wingate, the former West Liberty State/Texas Tech transfer completed only 30% of his passes for 41 yards, but did gain 127 yards on the ground. Limestone's most impressive drive of the season took place in the third quarter with a resounding 99 yard paydirt drive on six plays. Whitney normally eclipses the century mark on the ground with his towering 6'5 250 lb. frame.


Catawba's offense will likely strive for a more balanced approach this weekend. Coach Curtis Walker's team has leaned heavily on reliable running backs Cary Littlejohn and David Burgess when their number is called. Preseason All-SAC receiver Carlos Tarrats has been held in check so far this season and is due for a big game. Limestone's offensive line might hold up pretty well against Catawba's front seven for a quarter or two, but eventually the Tribe will wear down the Saints.