2026 SR4 way too early conference championship and playoff predictions

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

So I had some fun with this last year and was able to get a few of my predictions right. Let me see how close or really screw up the predictions for this year. I made a lot of predictions based on returning players (especially returning QB and/or QB's with lots of playing time). Bolded Teams are the winners each round.

1) Harding (GAC Champion) vs. Angelo State (LSC runner up)
2) Northwest Missouri State (MIAA Champion) vs. Colorado-State Pueblo (RMAC runner up)
3) Colorado Mines (RMAC Champion) vs. Central Oklahoma (MIAA runner up)
4) Western Oregon (LSC Champion) vs. Northeastern State (Independent at large).

Regional Semis:
1) Harding vs. Northeastern State
2) Northwest Missouri State vs. 3) Colorado Mines

Regional Final:
1) Harding vs. 2) Northwest Missouri State

[cwfenn]

You have Mines winning the RMAC - does Western Oregon have a shot at beating them in week 1?

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

You have Mines winning the RMAC - does Western Oregon have a shot at beating them in week 1?

I would consider it a pick em but give Mines the 3 points for being at home. I am interested in that game the most.

[crixus]

I would consider it a pick em but give Mines the 3 points for being at home. I am interested in that game the most.

Same here. Mark your calendars folks.

[Rambunctious1]

So I had some fun with this last year and was able to get a few of my predictions right. Let me see how close or really screw up the predictions for this year. I made a lot of predictions based on returning players (especially returning QB and/or QB's with lots of playing time). Bolded Teams are the winners each round.

1) Harding (GAC Champion) vs. Angelo State (LSC runner up)
2) Northwest Missouri State (MIAA Champion) vs. Colorado-State Pueblo (RMAC runner up)
3) Colorado Mines (RMAC Champion) vs. Central Oklahoma (MIAA runner up)
4) Western Oregon (LSC Champion) vs. Northeastern State (Independent at large).

Regional Semis:
1) Harding vs. Northeastern State
2) Northwest Missouri State vs. 3) Colorado Mines

Regional Final:
1) Harding vs. 2) Northwest Missouri State

Sure hoping your dreams come true on Angelo. I tried to catch a practice when I was down the other day but didn’t get to. Going to be real interesting what the LSC looks like going into week 3 with some tough rows to hoe.

[joshwahls]

There's at least one pretty big problem with this prediction.

One of these teams doesn't even play enough D2 games to even be eligible for the d2 playoffs this year.

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EDIT: Leaving up so the thread makes sense and for accountability, I believe the above is wrong, see below pdf.

[IronOre]

There's at least one pretty big problem with this prediction.

One of these teams doesn't even play enough D2 games to even be eligible for the d2 playoffs this year.

Details!

[joshwahls]

Details!

I believe I may have been remembering an old rule. I believe my original post to be wrong. 25-26 has them to be eligible on the below PDF. I have edited it because I don't think it's correct.

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/cha...ampsManual.pdf

Page 19 - thank you to pops and others.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I believe I may have been remembering an old rule. I believe my original post to be wrong. 25-26 has them to be eligible on the below PDF. I have edited it because I don't think it's correct.

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/cha...ampsManual.pdf

Page 19 - thank you to pops and others.

Yeah I know about the 8 D2 games rule but have heard enough chatter around and the D2 guys said on their podcast last night in so many words that Northeastern State is looking for an exemption to that rule since West Florida went D1 after that game was scheduled.

Either way its a week by week fun thing and if they are found ineligible, I will substitute them out for another team.

[cwfenn]

3 LSC teams made the D2Football.com preseason top 25 - Central Washington, Western Oregon, and UTPB:

https://www.d2football.com/d2footbal...17869978594033

[togthorn]

I would consider it a pick em but give Mines the 3 points for being at home.w I am interested in that game the most.

It going to depend if the new DC can turn the defense around. Mines has the offense and I wonder if elevation will have any bearing. It got Angelo State in one of the regional finals games.

[joshwahls]

It going to depend if the new DC can turn the defense around. Mines has the offense and I wonder if elevation will have any bearing. It got Angelo State in one of the regional finals games.

I've been to a lot of stadiums at every level across multiple sports pro and college, but Mines is my favorite one. I always hope you guys are there at the end to help showcase college football.

Right on the field. Insane backdrop in the south end zone. Great football, love it.

[joshwahls]

Yeah I know about the 8 D2 games rule but have heard enough chatter around and the D2 guys said on their podcast last night in so many words that Northeastern State is looking for an exemption to that rule since West Florida went D1 after that game was scheduled.

Either way its a week by week fun thing and if they are found ineligible, I will substitute them out for another team.

I think I was wrong on this. The rule is 9 games with 8 D2. I think they are GTG regardless. In my memory, it was 9 D2 games to get in, not 8.

I do apologize. I tried to edit as soon as I realized the issue and realized I was probably wrong about it.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I think I was wrong on this. The rule is 9 games with 8 D2. I think they are GTG regardless. In my memory, it was 9 D2 games to get in, not 8.

I do apologize. I tried to edit as soon as I realized the issue and realized I was probably wrong about it.

Nah no biggie and no need to apologize. We are all here to BS football and make friends. Northeastern State had a scheduling opportunity (not sure if they knew) to pick up Frostburg State (National Quarterfinalist) on Halloween night but chose to go the NAIA route instead. Delta State ended up taking that spot a couple of weeks ago to fill out their schedule.