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

[sportsvine]

I didn't realize this until now, but, wow, Chadron's State's conference schedule is massively front-loaded with the best conference teams. With a tough non-conference schedule, a road game at Northern State who was 7-4 last year, and a home game against in-state rival UNK. After that begins conference slate against at Western State, then against Pueblo, then against Colorado Mines. This has to rank one of the toughest opening 5 games in all of D2. Their 6th game is at Colorado Mesa, usually a competitive mid-tier conference team. They don't play the bottom of the conference until the very last part of the season.