WEST
SCAC - Millsaps #2 VS 
NESCAC - Trinity #6
These two teams will be battling it out after earlier exits in last years tournament. Trinity in round one and Millsaps in round two. Both teams got to this round by knocking off top 10 programs in Hiram and Wittenberg Colleges in earlier rounds this year.
This will be an interesting battle with the QB's at Millsaps having only thrown for an
amazing 71 TDS with just as astonishing a single INT. Wonder what Trinity will gameplan to try and slowdown?
Trinity will bring a slightly more balanced offense to the game with a couple of 1000 yard rushers. One of whom has topped the 2000 yd mark for the season. Their QB's amassed 39 TD's with 0 INT for the season.
As expected with those kind of offensive numbers, both teams are very efficient in the passing game at 65% completion rates. Both teams are established, well coached, relatively deep, and this should be a very entertaining game to watch with some wings and buttered popcorn!
High scoring game most likely with Trinity holding a late -3.5 line. Over/under is 62.5. Go over....
EAST (Game of the Week)
USA South - Ferrum #3 VS 
MIAC - St. Olaf #7
These two teams represent dynasties with a capital "D". mfnmyers and bugeaters11 have been at their respective schools for what seems like forever, especially to their conference mates. 48 CC and 10 NC for bugeaters and 45 CC and 3 NC in Bryant for these outstanding programs.
One of these two teams has played for a national title the last seven years in a row. Ferrum was knocked out in the sem-finals last year while St. Olaf played in the NC game. Both coaches left last seasons title hunt with bad tastes in their mouths and this year, they play what has to seem like a NC game in the final eight round! Their fanbases are literally foaming at the mouth....
This is a classic heavyweight battle that could literally go either way. Ferrum has been literally devastating to opponents this year scoring over 62 points in nine games. They have topped 80 at three times. 5700 yards of passing offense with 84 TD/0 INT. They pass at a 68%+ completion pct as well. I hope the boys on defense at St Olaf have been working on their conditioning and bring lotsa gatorade. Just in case you wondered, they also have a couple of clydesdales that have over 1000 yards rushing as well. Wow.
Now don't go feeling sorry for St. Olaf just yet, as they are pretty stacked as well. They may not have the gaudy numbers of Ferrum, but they have played deep all year. Four different starters at QB with impressive passing numbers and another 1000 yard rusher. They also have 12 different players with receptions for the year.
Year after year, these two programs reload. Unfortunately, this is not the NC game for the fans, coaches, or players in this game but it could be as tough a game as either will play before the NC game. It will be a war.
St. Olaf is holding a late -6.5 line. Over/under is 65.5. Go under....
NORTH
MWC - Illinois #1 VS 
NEFC - Worcester State #9
Illinois has been ranked first or nearly first all season, but both of these teams have reached new levels for their programs this year. Both exited last years playoffs in round two and both had to beat upstarts themselvesto get here this year in Wabash who bested Thiel and California Lutheran who shocked Randolph-Macon.
Compared to the game of the week offenses, you would think these programs are pedestrian with lower total passing yards, rushing yards, and overall touchdowns, but don't sleep on this game. It will be well worth watching. Illinois plays great defense and has knocked off six ranked opponents already this year. The challenge for Worcester State will be finding a way to keep the chains moving consistently so they have a chance late.
WSC is holding a late -4.5 line. Over/under is 53.5. Go under....
SOUTH (Blowout Special)
NJAC - Huntingdon #12 VS 
NWC - Menlo #13
Without a doubt the most lopsided of the games in the final eight will find Menlo trying to overcome a deeper, more talented Huntingdon team. Menlo surprised the #1 seed in the South last week in a tight 10-3 battle settled by a special teams return for a TD while Huntingdon sent a great Gettysburg team home. If you don't remember, Gettysburg is the team that won last years NC game over St. Olaf. Wow.
Huntingdon and Menlo both have 2800+ yards rushers, but Huntingdon has almost 8500 yards of total offense to Menlo's miserly 4500 yards. This could get ugly early.
Menlo needs to find a way to at least slow down the balanced, powerful O of Huntingdon, pray for turnovers on the short end of the field, and at least three special team touchdowns. That is a lot to ask for folks. Think Red....
Huntingdon is holding a late -8.5 line. Over/under is 60.5. Go over....
If you read this far chrondon, I took your challenge! I added content...
2/22/2017 10:12 PM (edited)