Season 133 DII (Pre-Season) Topic

SEASON 133 DII
(Pre-Rankings)
After the season flips, the following ratings are an estimate based on GUESS Ratings.



SEASON 133 PRE-RECRUITING PREVIEW
1 Northern Michigan spthibodeau 66.48
2 Texas A&M-Commerce akua29 64.33
3 Cheyney Sim AI 64.27
4 Presbyterian rposborne 64.13
5 Ferris State coachoatie 63.77
6 Winona State kwheeler 63.53
7 Saint Joseph`s tutank 63.35
8 Valdosta State champ83 62.57
9 Saginaw Valley State ojpick 62.39
10 Humboldt State maldito 61.83
11 Midwestern State Linux_Box 61.68
12 Virginia State coral_reefer 61.51
13 Shepherd dawgnuts 61.44
14 Tusculum clememp 61.37
15 West Chester 2000champou 61.26
16 North Carolina Central Fazbear05 61.24
17 North Alabama Sim AI 61.04
18 Indianapolis Sim AI 60.38
19 Angelo State Sim AI 58.57
20 Long Island dmac1213 58.37
21 Slippery Rock Sim AI 57.98
22 Fort Lewis justp3ach3y 57.89
23 Winston-Salem State wfudd77 57.86
24 East Central Sim AI 57.29
25 Missouri-Rolla olrdneck 56.81



PRE-SEASON RANKINGS (Guess 132) / Guess 133)

#1 Northern Michigan (68.99 / 66.48) -2.51
spthibodeau
Conference: GLIAC

Last Season: 19-0 National Championship Winner
Past 10 Season Achievements:
8 National Championships
10 NC Appearances
1 Final Four Appearance

System: Pro-Set, 4-3
Strengths: Offensive, Secondary
Concerns: None.

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 14
Running Back 17
Wide Receiver 20
Tight End 5
Offensive Line 56
Defensive Line 81
Linebacker 70
Secondary 47

Analysis:
It's amazing to see what head coach spthibodeau has accomplished over the last 10 seasons. This is what you expect for a championship team, featuring top ten talent across all positions year in and year out. Not only has he consistently recruited and performed well, he has played in arguably the toughest conference. Returning to the team will be the #4 QB Simpson, #3 RB Perry and #3 WR Cohen who made noise during their playoff run last season. Spthibodeau should have plenty of fire power behind one of the Nations best offensive line, but it is the defense worth watching. Get this, #1 Defensive Lineman, Linebacker and Cornerback in the DII nation. NMU's job may also be just a little easier on the recruiting trail after there has been coaching change at Indianapolis and Winona. On the radar is week 2 matchup vs justp3ach3y at Fort Lewis. They also face a great match-up vs tutank's Saint Joseph team in week 4.



#2 Texas A&M Commerce (66.21 / 64.33) -1.88
akua29
Conference: LSC

Last Season: 18-1
Past 10 Season Achievements:
1 NC Appearances
1 Final Four Appearance

System: I-Formation, 3-4
Strengths: Offense, Linebacker
Concerns: Offensive Line, Defensive Line

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 27
Running Back 29
Wide Receiver 29
Tight End 18
Offensive Line 149
Defensive Line 188
Linebacker 54
Secondary 103

Analysis:
Last season this team featured 22 freshman and had a very successful season. This large class is now going to be 1 year older. Some of the standout talent will be returning #2 RB Glover, #3 RB Shields and returning #2 WR Holliday who had an amazing season. Returning is top 5 talent at defensive line, linebacker and cornerback. Their weakness is going to fall on their JR* QB who is good, but he is no Crouch who led the league in yards last season. The offensive and defensive line could also be a concern with the majority of the players being sophomores. Still, they should have enough fire power to stay in every game.

#3 Saint Joseph’s (65.82 / 63.35) -2.47
tutank
Conference: SIAC
Last Season: 17-1 Semi-Finals

Past 10 Season Achievements:
3 NC Appearances
2 Final Four Appearances

System: Pro-Set, Trips, 4-3, Nickel
Strengths: Quarterback, Tight End, Defensive Line, Linebacker
Concerns: Wide Receiver, Secondary

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 20
Running Back 70
Wide Receiver 92
Tight End 33
Offensive Line 70
Defensive Line 59
Linebacker 79
Secondary 121

Analysis:
Tutank has kept them consistent in the playoffs over the last 3 seasons, reaching the final four twice. He was one play away from the NC game. Lack of depth may make an impact this year at running back and wide receiver. If they are able to recruit some good depth, QB Dennis White should be able to light up the scoreboard with WR Williams and TE Hall. Having played them, I know this team could easily be in the final four again this year. Their defense will play well this year, lead by a very good defensive line and a very good secondary. Week 4 will be his first test as they take on Northern Michigan.

#4 Cheney (67.72 / 64.27) -3.45
(Currently Vacant)
Conference: MIAA
Last Season:17-1 Semi-Finals

Past 10 Season Achievements:
1 National Championships
2 NC Appearances
5 Final Four Appearances

System: I-Formation, Nickel
Strengths: Offense, Linebacker
Needs: Offensive Line, Secondary

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 16
Running Back 40
Wide Receiver 19
Tight End 21
Offensive Line 168
Defensive Line 113
Linebacker 83
Secondary 171

Analysis:
The biggest question mark is who will take over this very talented squad. The previous coach robust_trex was arguably NMU's largest threat to the NC. Now that this role is vacant, it is going to be interesting to see where they go. Cheney had one of the largest drop offs in talent verses last season, so recruiting is going to set the tone this season. Very solid team across the board and I could of listed a lot of positions as strengths. The new coach is going to start off without playoff money and it's going to be important that they fall in the top ranking tradition with their upcoming class. Cheney is known for putting up points in a hurry and this season, it should be no different. Keep an eye on #5 QB Smith, throwing two top 5 WR's in O'dell and Glover.

#5 Presbyterian (66.61 / 64.13) -2.48
rposborne
Conference:SAC
Last Season: 15-1 Second Round

Past 10 Season Achievements:
2 Final Four Appearances

System: ND Box, Trips, 4-4, Nickel
Strengths: Tight End, Defense
Needs: Offensive Line Depth, Wide Receiver

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 40
Running Back 45
Wide Receiver 64
Tight End 27
Offensive Line 84
Defensive Line 41
Linebacker 58
Secondary 48

Analysis:
It's amazing they haven't passed the second round in 4 consecutive seasons. Rposborne always recruits well and has landed a top 3 class in the last 8 seasons. Attribute wise, they should be there, but they got knocked out by a talented Saginaw Valley State team. It appeared that rposborne had left the team, but apparently, it was just a contract re-negotiation. :) This upcoming season, they will feature two Top Ten RB's with Byrd and Brown. A nasty WR in Holmes will make the ND Box dangerous. The only real drawback is going to be a depleted offensive line that will have to feature some freshmen getting lots of play time. Defensively, they are well prepared and have probably one of the best linebacker groups around. I expect this team to finally get over the hurdle and make the at least the semi-finals this season.

#6 Ferris State (66.21/63.77) -2.44
coachoatie
Conference:GLIAC
Last Season: 14-2 Second Round

Past 10 Season Achievements:
1 NC Appearances
1 Final Four Appearances

System: I-Formation, 4-3
Strengths: Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Defensive Line
Needs: Running Back, Offensive Line

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 8
Running Back 191
Wide Receiver 55
Tight End 25
Offensive Line 128
Defensive Line 93
Linebacker 101
Secondary 106

Analysis:
This is a very nice group and I'm sure it was tough for coachoatie to step in a tough recruiting area without any playoff money. While most teams I have been looking at, seem to have some drop off in different areas, this team has a fairly balanced roster. Season 133 will be a different season and I expect this team will make a deep playoff run. The offense is lead by a Top 5 QB Samuels, RB Baldwin, TE Swain and a Offensive Line that has the #1 OL Brooks. On defense, they will bring back one of the top secondaries in Division II. Their non-conference scheduling is going o be interesting with Virginia State and upcoming Quachita Baptist.

#7 Valdosta State (65.49/62.57) -2.92
champ83
Conference: GSC
Last Season: 15-1 Second Round

Past 10 Season Achievements:
1 National Championships
4 NC Appearances
3 Final Four Appearances

System: I-Formation, 3-4, 4-3, Nickel
Strengths: Quarterback, Running Back, Tight End
Needs: Offensive Line, Secondary

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 10
Running Back 41
Wide Receiver 113
Tight End 24
Offensive Line 260
Defensive Line 179
Linebacker 121
Secondary 246

Analysis:
Valdosta St has made some impressive runs and brought home a National Championship. After two repeat NC appearances they were knocked out by Chutney in the second round. This year, they will lose quite a bit on defense. You have to believe that with Top 5 QB McCullough, RB Skinner and one of the best linebacker cores, they have a chance to return. They will have to make up some ground at defensive line and their secondary to push deep in the playoffs. Fortunately, their offensive line should hold and they do have some young playmaker's across the board.With an easy schedule their young boys will have time to grow and should be men by playoff time.

#8 Winona State (64.44/63.53) -0.91
kwheeler
Conference: NSIC
Last Season: 16-1 Quarterfinals

System: Pro-set, 3-4
Strengths: Quarterback, Defensive Line, Linebacker
Needs: Tight End


Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 22
Running Back 73
Wide Receiver 113
Tight End 186
Offensive Line 156
Defensive Line 89
Linebacker 80
Secondary 113

Analysis:
Speaking of boys, Winona was probably one of the fastest growing programs on the radar. They barely dropped in talent and that has a lot to do with their resent large recruit classes. Two top ten recruit classes under coach PSC43 with only 15 players who were not in those classes. It looks like we could be seeing this team make some deep playoff runs. However, that coach has moved on and they are now under new ownership with coach kwheeler.They only need to recruit 8 and there are no glaring issues which should give the new coach plenty of time to adjust. Watch out for RB Pena who ran for 2603 yards and caught 101 receptions.

#9 Saginaw Valley State (64.56 / 62.39) -2.17
ojpick
Conference: GLIAC
Last Season: 14-2 Quaterfinals
1 NC Appearances
1 Final Four Appearance

System: I-Formation, 4-3
Strengths: Offense
Needs: Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Secondary

Current Talent Grade before rollover (lower the better)
Quarterback 17
Running Back 31
Wide Receiver 35
Tight End 35
Offensive Line 242
Defensive Line 273
Linebacker 104
Secondary 212

Analysis:
Another great GLIAC team that is really balanced across the board. The only downside I can see is at quarterback, wherehe runs just 2 of them. This year, Saginaw Valley St. threw a total of 9 interceptions and 3 were versus Northern Michigan. Ojpick puts together a very nice team, one that is capable of making the final four. After back to back quarterfinal seasons and a lightened schedule next year, Saginaw Valley St. should have a great run.


Teams on the Edge
West Chester (2000champou), Virginia State (coral_reefer), Tusculum (clememp), Midwestern State (Linux_Box), North Carolina Central (Fazbear05), Humboldt State (maldito), Sheperd (dawgnuts)
6/2/2017 3:20 AM (edited)
Nice write-up!! Enjoyed it!!


coachoatie
6/6/2017 10:46 AM
Thanks for doing these write-ups, akua. I think you overrate my team's ability to compete against NMU, though. They are a machine.
6/7/2017 9:38 AM
Season 133 DII (Pre-Season) Topic

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