The much-anticipated 2015 NCAA Regional Rankings were unveiled for the first time on Monday. Each of the four super regions are loaded with teams eager to earn one of the coveted seven spots in their respective region. The South Atlantic Conference is aligned with the Gulf South Conference and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to make up Super Region Two.


The SAC is fortunate in the aspect that only three conferences make up our region. Every other Super Region across the Division II hemisphere is comprised of four different leagues. Of course, with that being said, Independent teams such as North Greenville or UNC-Pembroke have enjoyed matching up with our region's postseason teams in years past.


(8-0) West Georgia, without question or blemish, is the projected top seed. SIAC power (7-1) Tuskegee checks in as the second seed with only one loss on the season. (5-2) North Alabama stands at number three, (6-2) Catawba at number four, and (6-2) North Greenville rounds out the top five. (6-2) Carson-Newman and (6-2) Wingate are at the sixth and seventh spots.


If the season ended today, West Georgia would receive a first round bye, while Wingate would travel to Tuskegee, Carson-Newman would play at North Alabama (what a great matchup), and North Greenville would visit Catawba. Speaking of North Greenville, there has been a lot of chatter about the fate of the Crusaders and their failure to play at least eight Division II institutions this season. (Games against Charleston Southern, Ave Maria, God's Chosen, and Virginia-Lynchburg will come back to haunt North Greenville as those opponents will not aid their resume in any fashion.) An appeals process is available for the Crusaders, but it may be a long shot for a ruling to side in their favor.


If North Greenville continues its success this season against SAC competition by knocking off both Wingate and Carson-Newman on the road in the next two weeks, look for the GSC to potentially send in four teams into the Division II playoffs.


Do not count out (4-3) Lenoir-Rhyne just yet from our league, but it is still quite a long shot. The Bears would have to finish the rest of their slate unscathed, which would include ousting Catawba in Salisbury, NC, for the season finale.


Week 9 Predictions


Perhaps I am destined to go 3-2 every week? For the second straight week, I dropped a pair of games I felt were sure locks. Mars Hill toppled Lenoir-Rhyne 41-37 where eight different Lions recorded at least nine tackles on defense. My other "can't miss game" last week was Wingate playing Carson-Newman. Eagle kicker Carson Wise nailed an 18-yard field goal in overtime to lift Carson-Newman to a 41-37 win over the Bulldogs.


Before I forget, my season total is currently at a respectable 33-13 mark. I would be mentioned in the mythical "Pick 'em Regional Rankings", but likely as a fifth or sixth seed.


(6-2) (3-1 SAC) Catawba: 35 (0-8) (0-4 SAC) Brevard: 19


The Tornado defense surrendered five passing touchdowns from Raleigh Yeldell in their curshing 41-7 loss against Newberry last Saturday. For the season, Brevard on average is being outscored 37 to 12 in each contest. Catawba is building off four consecutive wins and is one of the hottest teams in Division II during the month of October.


The Indians also boast three healthy running backs that are capable of eclipsing the century mark, not including the draws from quarterback Mike Sheehan that seem to catch teams off guard. Brevard allows over 250 rushing yards per game, while only managing 163 on the ground themselves. I could see Catawba rushing for well over 300 yards in this contest.


(3-5) (2-2 SAC) Mars Hill: 48 (4-4) (2-2 SAC) Tusculum: 46


Last year's instant classic was decided only by a three-point margin as Tusculum edged MArs Hill 38-35. Although I am picking in favor of the Lions this season, I believe that most SAC followers can envision this game being extremely close and a plethora of points being scored.


Mars Hill running back Jamel Harbison recorded 41 attempts last season for 181 yards and two touchdowns against the Pioneers, and they will need similar production to get by a balanced Tusculum offense. (Yes, I said a balanced Tusculum offense.) Isaac Robinson is on pace for a 1,000 yard season in the Pioneer backfield. He is a large reason for Tusculum's success this fall.


(6-2) (0-0 IND) North Greenville: 31 (6-2) (3-2 SAC) Wingate: 24


This game might as well be tapped as the "Battle of the Workhorse Running Backs." Ashton Heard ran for over 300 yards in their win over Tusculum a couple of weeks ago for the Crusaders and has well over 800 rushing yards this season. Wingate's Lawrence Pittman racke dup 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns in their overtime loss against Carson-Newman.


Each rusher should secure over 100 ground yards, but I'll take North Greenville quarterback Nelson Hughes and his senior leadership as the game's biggest factor. His 14 passing tocuhdowns against only two interceptions is among the best in Division II.


(4-3) (2-2 SAC) Lenoir-Rhyne: 38 (4-4) (2-3 SAC) Newberry: 28


A combined seven losses are shared by these conference foes heading into Week 9, including five defeats within the SAC. In a game that is normally hyped up for one of the national games to watch is now simply viewed as the Bears trying to stay alive for a last-minute postseason push. Let's face it though, this is not the same defense of previous Lenoir-Rhyne squads. Senior leadership provided by Blake Baker, Tanner Botts, and Tyler Botts are sorely missed in 2015. In just one season, the Lenoir-Rhyne defense is yielding 31 points per game compared to only 15.6 last season. (Not to mention they are allowing over 130 additional more yards than last year's average.)

Newberry quarterback Raleigh Yeldell was virtually flawless in their thrashing of hapless Brevard. His counterpart in the backfield, Romelo Doctor, continues to surge for over 100 yards every weekend. Despite the shortcomings of the Lenoir-Rhyne defense, it is too difficult for me to predict that the Bears will lose three in a row.


(6-2) (4-2 SAC) Carson-Newman: 63 (2-5) (0-0 IND) Limestone: 14


The Eagles want to stay within the top seven of Super Region Two, and they should have no trouble accomplishing that task against Limestone. Their real test will come next week when the Eagles host North Greenville. Coach Ken Sparks may not have to rehash the "drawing of straws" comment to coach the legendary Carson-Newman team, but perhaps he might draw straws about who will carry the pigskin this Saturday.


Montavious Taylor came out of nowhere to attempt 20 carries for 143 yards in the squeaker with Wingate last week. Quarterback De'Andre Thomas and sidekick Damian Baker combined for 33 rushing attempts for over 160 yards.