On Sunday, November 1st, Daylight Saving Time officially ended. Clocks were set back one hour earlier this month in recognition of this annual event. We can all thank Benjamin Franklin for this practice that dates back originally to 1784.

Should Catawba defeat Lenoir-Rhyne this weekend and Carson-Newman takes care of business against Tusculum, the Division II football world may feel like their clocks have been turned back to 1999. This was the last year both Catawba and Carson-Newman hosted first round playoff games in the same season. Of course you will remember that both teams easily advanced to the national quarterfinals, and the Eagles lost a legendary four overtime contest to NW Missouri State in the championship game.

Carson-Newman is eagerly rooting for Lenoir-Rhyne to take a bite out of the Indians on Saturday so the Eagles can share the 2015 SAC Championship. Taking a bite out of Catawba has not been out of character for the Bears over the past six seasons. In 2009, Lenoir-Rhyne held the Indians to negative three rushing yards. The 2013 contest was an ole-fashioned behind the woodshed whooping 48-15 to conclude Catawba coach Curtis Walker's inaugural season. The Bear's identity on offense remains intact from its Super Region Two number one seed back two years ago, but its defense surely is not.

By the way, is anyone talking about Newberry? The Wolves have quietly and earnestly crept back into the playoff picture. A topsy turvy weekend of football took place last Saturday as three of the top five in Super Region Two were delivered losses. The top seven seeds will gain admission into the playoffs from each Super Region, and Newberry checked in at number eight in Monday's latest rankings. Newberry has claimed three straight wins and I cannot stress their early non-conference schedule enough. A close defeat to FCS opponent Jacksonville in September is not counted against them in their loss column when taking into account the Regional Ranking's formula. However, their win over Florida Tech on the season's opening night is looking sweeter and sweeter each passing day. West Georgia, the projected number one seed, was knocked off by Florida Tech 28-26 on Saturday.

Week 11 Predictions

My pick 'em record for the 2015 regular season is an impeccable 42-14. In other words, my win-loss tally is as punishing as Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman's option attack, while stingy enough to rival Catawba's scoring and red zone defense. I could even make the argument that my predictions have been resuscitated from the brink of collapse, much like Newberry's newfound win streak after three straight midseason losses.

(8-2) (4-2 SAC) Carson-Newman: 33 (4-6) (2-4 SAC) Tusculum: 24

Ever since the Eagles fell 52-17 to Lenoir-Rhyne on October 3rd, five straight wins have given Coach Ken Sparks another strong likelihood of playoff contention. All Carson-Newman has to do is win against Tusculum at Burke-Tarr Stadium and they are in the postseason. Sounds simple enough. Or is it?

If this weekend's game is remotely similar to last year's contest, fans are in for a real treat. A 35 point second quarter showing by the Pioneer offense was not nearly enough offense to handle the Eagles. Carson-Newman outscored their Tennessee counterpart 28-0 in the second half and concluded the contest with a 55-35 score. Tusculum has experienced the highs and lows of Luke Lancaster at quarterback this season, but there is no doubt that he can be a real difference maker at any point in a football game.

(6-4) (3-3 SAC) Newberry: 21 (6-4) (3-3 SAC) Wingate: 20

It makes sense that teams in our league with significant win streaks are the cusp of playoff aspirations. Quarterback Raleigh Yeldell has been the strongest quarterback in the SAC this season in my humble opinion. Fighting through injuries and losses during the early and middle parts of the season, Yeldell continues to surge forward with unbelievable decision making under center. Against Limestone last weekend, he threw for 238 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 47-7 win.

Yes, these two league teams have identical overall and league records. And no, neither team shares a rivalry near the level of Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne or Carson-Newman and Tusculum, but there is a playoff berth at stake. Three weeks ago, everyone would have assumed I am referring to Wingate and their potential seeding for the postseason. The Bulldogs have lost four of their last five contests and it must be mentioned four of those defeats were by eight points or less. Nonetheless, Wingate should be extremely concerned about giving up 40 points in the first half to Mars Hill during their 42-24 loss to the Lions.

(8-2) (5-1 SAC) Catawba: 27 (5-4) (3-3 SAC) Lenoir-Rhyne: 17

Lenoir-Rhyne leads the country in rushing offense per contest with 388 yards. Catawba's "3-4" look on defense was quite successful against Carson-Newman's fifth ranked ground offense back in September. Linebackers Kyle Kitchens and Jamal Lackey can blitz off the edge or hold their ground in potential "pitch" situations. Inside linebackers Trey Evans and Michael Peppers could reach double digit tackle numbers on Saturday.

The Catawba offense has a sound running game, no one denies that fact. The passing game came to life against Tusculum in the Indian's 24-6 win. That is where Lenoir-Rhyne is most vulnerable on defense is the passing game where they allow a SAC worst 221 yards per game. It is hard to fathom that the Bears are one game away from falling to 5-5 overall on the season and potentially a losing record in the league with a 3-4 mark. If Lenoir-Rhyne played Carson-Newman this weekend, does anyone actually think the Bears could reproduce their 52-17 dominant performance? Not me.

(5-5) (4-2 SAC) Mars Hill: 34 (0-10) (0-6 SAC) Brevard: 7

I bet Mars Hill coach Tim Clifton wishes he could have his offense replicate their near-perfect first half showing in their 42-14 thumping over Wingate. Receivers Gilbert Johnson and Keshaun Taylor recorded 83 and 73-yard touchdown receptions respectively, while running back Shaikel Davis ripped off a 92-yard scoring run on Mars Hill's first play following a Wingate first quarter field goal. It should be noted that Johnson's touchdown reception was the game's first play from scrimmage. I'm pretty sure I heard Wingate coach Joe Reich scream out "Aye Yai Yai!" during each of these scoring plays. (I doubt it was Ricky Ricardo saying it, but Coach Reich certainly has some 'splainin' to do.)

Big plays early and often are on the table this Saturday night when these two schools square off at 6 PM. Brevard has not scored more than a touchdown since their 28-25 double overtime loss to Limestone back on October 17th. I do not foresee Brevard snapping that streak either against Mars Hill. In the words of Happy Gilmore's hockey coach after Happy did not make the team during open hockey tryouts, "Ah, well, better luck next year!"