Can it get any better than an 80 degree college football Saturday, in late October, without a cloud in the sky?

Of course it can, when that college football Saturday includes an opportunity to meet the one and only Bob Ryan, a regular contributor on ESPN shows Around the Horn and Pardon the InterruptionToughest Schedule ReportToughest Schedule Report Toughest Schedule Report. The strength of schedule calculation includes both opponents already played and opponents to be played in the future. This calculation is used in formulating the regional rankings.

To explain what is happening to Wingate, we need to understand that the strength of schedule is just one factor of the playoff selection process.

First, seven teams will receive a bid from each of the four regions in Division II.


1. Must have an overall record of least .500 against Division II opponents.
2. Must play at least eight Division II opponents during the regular season, but there is a possible appeal process.
3. Must play at least ten opponents during the regular season, but there is a possible waiver process.

Making Sense of the Required Criteria and the Released Rankings

As you can see, the third listed factor (again, third on the list, but not necessarily third in importance) is that of strength of schedule. The interesting question is whether or not the Toughest Schedule ReportToughest Schedule Report The Impact of Tuskegee and One Other SIAC Team

I will not even bring up the fact that Tuskegee has yet to arrange another game. Recall that Tuskegee must schedule another game if they wish to meet a requirement of a postseason bid: playing ten regular season opponents (regardless of Division).

However, it is important to note that Kentucky State lost to Lane last Saturday. Even if KSU wins the SIAC championship game, they are not going anywhere with four Division II losses. So now the only SIAC team capable of utilizing Earned Access is Albany State with three Division II losses. That may be enough to put the Rams at spot eight, and thus earn access into the playoffs.

But this brings up the same issue, as discussed last week, of whether the NCAA will rank Tuskegee in the final poll if it does not schedule the necessary tenth regular season game (remember, a necessary condition of making the playoffs). If Tuskegee is ranked in that final poll and does not schedule another game, then Albany State would not be able to use Earned Access. But if Tuskegee is removed from the final poll, the prior explanation comes into play for Albany State.

WEEK 10 2016 SAC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Last Week's Prediction Record (4-1)
Overall Prediction Record (35-16)

Saturday, November 5

Carson-Newman (4-5) (2-4 SAC) at North Greenville (5-4 IND) 1:00 PM ESTLenoir-Rhyne (2-7) (2-3 SAC) at Brevard (1-8) (0-5 SAC) 1:00 PM EST

The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears have been outscored 151-20 in their last three games. Unfortunately, the Bears have suffered through four straight losses for the first time since 2009. However, even that team only lost by one, three, and four points in three of those losses.

Jarrod Kellar took all but a few of the snaps at quarterback last Saturday in the 53-14 shellacking at Newberry. His day fits in with the score, as Kellar went 8-19 for 94 yards and 2 interceptions.

I suspect Lenoir-Rhyne will have both quarterbacks see plenty of snaps this weekend against one of the worst defenses in Division II, particular its run defense. Brevard is simply outmanned and outsized for this level of football. The Tornados have next to no depth on an offensive line that features two linemen under 203 lbs.

Look for the Lenoir-Rhyne running game to get back on track, with big runs from Nelson Brown, Darnell Jackson, and quarterback Kaleb Scott.

Lenoir-Rhyne: 35 Brevard: 10

Mars Hill (4-5) (2-3 SAC) at Wingate (7-2) (4-1 SAC) 1:30 PM EST
Tusculum (2-7) (1-4 SAC) at Catawba (4-5) (4-1 SAC) 1:30 PM EST
Newberry (8-1) (6-0 SAC) at Limestone (5-4 IND) 5:00 PM EST
Attached Files