Some very interesting upsets that leave lots of stuff wide open. A little less wide open simply because Indiana is still in this thing. Either way, it's nice to see variety with who we see in the final 8 and so on. Unpredictability is a good thing, even if it sucks to be on the wrong end of it, I certainly don't like that part but overall, I think it makes the game more fun.
North
SDSU vs. Long Island
Wow. I totally didn't see either of these teams winning and here they both are. The SDSU game was more shocking to me than the Long Island game. GVSU was up 21-10 at half and SDSU just didn't seem quite over the hump to be able to hang with them but proved that wrong in a hurry. I guess SDSU can really play when they want to. Some nice wins lately with the CCG over Humboldt and now the upset against GVSU. Long Island had trouble in the first round against the SIM Glenville so I thought that was a sign of bad things to come but they were able to edge out SEO in a close, low scoring affair, 24-17. Now what to make of this matchup, I have zero idea. I think I like SDSU by just a slim margin but really, with how much I was shocked last round, who knows what will happen. On paper it may look like Long Island has the better overall talent, especially at the skill positions but SDSU is better on the lines so there is some give and take there. If Long Island can get off to a hot start I like their chances. I think a lower scoring game suits SDSU a bit better. Should be close. I'll take SDSU in quadruple overtime, why not.
South
Quincy vs. Saint Joseph's
Quincy absolutely pummeled Saint Joe's in the regular season, 44-3. There have been two ways that the games between these two teams have gone over the last five years. Either Quincy has demolished SJC or they've beaten them by around 10-13 points. Either way is a bad sign for me and I think Quincy will most likely get by unscathed in this one. This really looks like a good year for Quincy to have a chance for revenge against lyonzfan's Indiana (PA) in the finals.
East
NCCU vs. Indiana (PA)
Speak of the devil. kevinbigham has already almost conceded defeat but I wouldn't say it's over yet. NCCU is great on the lines and Indiana is just that much better. It's hard to believe. NCCU's QB will have to play up to and beyond the hype of his talent in this one. I think Indiana will be able to control the game enough for a final score that I see as them winning by a couple scores. It's not over til it's over, kevin but it doesn't look great for you either.
West
ESUP vs. UMC
Another wow as ESUP took down the vaunted Mansfield. Well done, sir. Now you get UMC, a team that is one year away from being extremely good but also still has a great shot in this one. I would say UMC would be much less likely to win against Mansfield but then again, this is the team that just beat that Mansfield squad, so what's scarier? I think this one will come down to the wire and my gut tells me to go with ESUP but I don't know if that's more just because of today's results. After all, this is a team that has lost 4 games this year. That's a lot for a team in the quarterfinals. It might be pretty close to 50/50. Might be another classic.
Well, more GL to all and see you in the final four soon! I'll guess at it right now as SDSU/Quincy and Indiana/ESUP. If that were the case, at least the PSAC couldn't have two teams in the final again. Yeesh.