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1. Findlay (7-0) - The most unappreciated undefeated team in the country. The Oilers have a good signature win over Indy this season but are only ranked #14 in the AFCA Poll and #15 in the D2Football Poll. With all of that said Findlay came out this week against KWC flat and looked like they did against Wayne State. Only had a 7-0 lead at halftime but the Oilers were never threatened in this game as they only gave up 151 total yards and they rushed for over 200 as a team. The ground game is starting to dominate. With a game against Ohio Dominican this week the Oilers should improve to 8-0 or does ODU have another upset in them? Findlay seems to be in a great playoff position with a win over a GLVC conference champion even if they lose a game down the stretch.
2. Ashland (6-1) - The Eagles have been on cruise control the last few weeks. Ok I should give Ohio Dominican more credit as they did fight hard against Ashland. The Eagles only held a 17-14 lead at halftime and didn't put the Panthers away until the 4th quarter. Game was bit of a slugfest and that should prepare them well for this coming week as they travel to Tiffin. Ashland ranked #16 in the country has been dominate along the defensive front and will need to control the Dragons best player RB Ronald Blackman. Blackman is also very dangerous out of the backfield as a receiver so the Eagles defense will have to be on their game to control him. The Eagles have looked great this year minus the 4th quarter against Indy. I think Ashland goes on the road this week and shows they are one of the best teams in the country. I think Ashland needs to win the conference to make the playoffs but still think they have a chance if they go 9-2 as they do have a good non conference win over IUP.
3. Northwood (6-1) - Northwood proved they are one of the best teams in the GMAC this weekend by dominating a Hillsdale team that has played most teams close this year. The Timberwolves only loss this season was a 21-13 decision to Ashland and the last 2 weeks they have looked unstoppable. Now they have played the 2 worse pass defenses in the league the last two weeks but they have scored 100 points in those weeks. For an offense that struggled at the beginning of the year Northwood is looking awesome. I have heard so many positive things about the coaches up in Northwood and how they care about their players and how they get the most out of each player. The players play with passion and energy. With how they are playing the Timberwolves have a great chance to have a say in how this conference race plays out. Playoffs? Win out and they are in the playoffs even if they don't win the league. Have a good non conference win over SVSU. With one more loss they would probably miss the playoffs but would be on the bubble.
4. Tiffin (5-2) - The Dragons are playing their best football at the right time. The last two weeks Tiffin has looked like one of the best teams in the country and this weekend at home they will have a chance to prove it. With Ashland coming to town the Dragons will need their explosive offense to show up and score some points against a dominate defense. I do think Tiffin can create some miss matches as they do have a lot of weapons and a QB that can spread the ball around. Blackman out of the backfield as a receiver could play a huge part in this game but it will be decided by the big guys up front. Can the Dragons oline slow up what has been one of the best dlines in DII? This is going to be a great game. Tiffin needs to win out for a playoff berth and if they make it they could be dangerous.
5. Walsh (5-2) - The Cavaliers did not convince me this weekend they are as good as their 5-2 record after struggling with Lake Erie. Walsh was only up 7-6 with 30 seconds left in the 3rd quarter and the Storm outplayed them most of the game. A win is a win and now they have a Thomas More team coming to town and they should be able to push that record to 6-2 which would guarantee them a winning record. With a tough ending schedule I will be interested to see if Walsh can get a 7th victory or even more! This team has shown huge growth over the last 2 years. Playoffs? Probably not but win out and see.
6. Ohio Dominican (3-3) - The Panthers are so much better this year. Not sure what their record ends up being but the product on the field looks much better. They played hard this weekend hanging with a great Ashland team until the 4th quarter. Defense is very good again this year and the offense has scored a few points, not a lot but a few, to help out. It will be fun to see if the Panthers can finish the year with a winning record as they have a good chance to get to 6-4 if they play some good ball down the stretch.
7. Hillsdale (2-5) - Just the opposite of Northwood and what is happening inside their program, Hillsdale has real problems. The OC has been described as lost and clueless but from what I hear he is not the problem. Sounds like the DC is the cancer. Described by more than one person I have spoke with as arrogant and undermining of the head coach to the players. Former head coach looking over the program making sure all is good for his sons, the OC and DC, as the team is falling apart on the field. Have not seen the Chargers get beat that badly in a few years as Northwood had their way with them. Played with little fight or emotion this weekend, coaching staff has lost the locker room. Does Lake Erie have a chance this weekend? With the Storm showing much improvement this season I would not be surprised.
8. Lake Erie (1-6) - The Storm outplayed Walsh last weekend but couldn't score a TD to win the game. Lake Erie is showing improvement this year. Do they get a program building win this weekend at Hillsdale?
9. Thomas More (0-7) - Nothing to be said.
10. KWC (0-7) - Nothing to be said. Needs HELP!
2. Ashland (6-1) - The Eagles have been on cruise control the last few weeks. Ok I should give Ohio Dominican more credit as they did fight hard against Ashland. The Eagles only held a 17-14 lead at halftime and didn't put the Panthers away until the 4th quarter. Game was bit of a slugfest and that should prepare them well for this coming week as they travel to Tiffin. Ashland ranked #16 in the country has been dominate along the defensive front and will need to control the Dragons best player RB Ronald Blackman. Blackman is also very dangerous out of the backfield as a receiver so the Eagles defense will have to be on their game to control him. The Eagles have looked great this year minus the 4th quarter against Indy. I think Ashland goes on the road this week and shows they are one of the best teams in the country. I think Ashland needs to win the conference to make the playoffs but still think they have a chance if they go 9-2 as they do have a good non conference win over IUP.
3. Northwood (6-1) - Northwood proved they are one of the best teams in the GMAC this weekend by dominating a Hillsdale team that has played most teams close this year. The Timberwolves only loss this season was a 21-13 decision to Ashland and the last 2 weeks they have looked unstoppable. Now they have played the 2 worse pass defenses in the league the last two weeks but they have scored 100 points in those weeks. For an offense that struggled at the beginning of the year Northwood is looking awesome. I have heard so many positive things about the coaches up in Northwood and how they care about their players and how they get the most out of each player. The players play with passion and energy. With how they are playing the Timberwolves have a great chance to have a say in how this conference race plays out. Playoffs? Win out and they are in the playoffs even if they don't win the league. Have a good non conference win over SVSU. With one more loss they would probably miss the playoffs but would be on the bubble.
4. Tiffin (5-2) - The Dragons are playing their best football at the right time. The last two weeks Tiffin has looked like one of the best teams in the country and this weekend at home they will have a chance to prove it. With Ashland coming to town the Dragons will need their explosive offense to show up and score some points against a dominate defense. I do think Tiffin can create some miss matches as they do have a lot of weapons and a QB that can spread the ball around. Blackman out of the backfield as a receiver could play a huge part in this game but it will be decided by the big guys up front. Can the Dragons oline slow up what has been one of the best dlines in DII? This is going to be a great game. Tiffin needs to win out for a playoff berth and if they make it they could be dangerous.
5. Walsh (5-2) - The Cavaliers did not convince me this weekend they are as good as their 5-2 record after struggling with Lake Erie. Walsh was only up 7-6 with 30 seconds left in the 3rd quarter and the Storm outplayed them most of the game. A win is a win and now they have a Thomas More team coming to town and they should be able to push that record to 6-2 which would guarantee them a winning record. With a tough ending schedule I will be interested to see if Walsh can get a 7th victory or even more! This team has shown huge growth over the last 2 years. Playoffs? Probably not but win out and see.
6. Ohio Dominican (3-3) - The Panthers are so much better this year. Not sure what their record ends up being but the product on the field looks much better. They played hard this weekend hanging with a great Ashland team until the 4th quarter. Defense is very good again this year and the offense has scored a few points, not a lot but a few, to help out. It will be fun to see if the Panthers can finish the year with a winning record as they have a good chance to get to 6-4 if they play some good ball down the stretch.
7. Hillsdale (2-5) - Just the opposite of Northwood and what is happening inside their program, Hillsdale has real problems. The OC has been described as lost and clueless but from what I hear he is not the problem. Sounds like the DC is the cancer. Described by more than one person I have spoke with as arrogant and undermining of the head coach to the players. Former head coach looking over the program making sure all is good for his sons, the OC and DC, as the team is falling apart on the field. Have not seen the Chargers get beat that badly in a few years as Northwood had their way with them. Played with little fight or emotion this weekend, coaching staff has lost the locker room. Does Lake Erie have a chance this weekend? With the Storm showing much improvement this season I would not be surprised.
8. Lake Erie (1-6) - The Storm outplayed Walsh last weekend but couldn't score a TD to win the game. Lake Erie is showing improvement this year. Do they get a program building win this weekend at Hillsdale?
9. Thomas More (0-7) - Nothing to be said.
10. KWC (0-7) - Nothing to be said. Needs HELP!
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