Everything they throw out there gains yards and the defense can
focus on the passing game because the opponent has given up any
hope of catching up via the ground game.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The losses of a starting quarterback (Neal Seaman), wide
receiver (Jasper Collins) and cornerback (Chaz Jordan) begin to
hurt them. But that won't be in November.
This season's turning point:
The 10-play drive for the game-winning touchdown at home
against Baldwin-Wallace. Before Matt Piloto (OK, mostly Jeremy
Murray and Chris Denton) got Mount Union down the field, the
already-vulnerable Purple Raiders were looking downright
mortal.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
267.6/221.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
66.2/106.5
How far can they go?
We have never said anything less than "all the way" for the
Purple Raiders. But there might be a quarterfinal challenge and a
semifinal challenge, which would be a departure from recent
years.
The offense is delivering balance between the run and pass. The
Little Giants’ attack is markedly different than it was just
five years ago: quarterback Chase Belton can throw, scramble and
simply plow ahead for hard yardage, while Jonathan Horn and Wes
Chamblee (an All-American as a punt returner who has brought three
punts back for touchdowns this year) give Belton solid targets
downfield.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The linebacker corps and secondary aren’t getting a jump
on the offense and are playing too cautiously to be aggressive.
Wabash – which has 14 picks this season and typically holds
its opponents to just a couple of yards after a catch –
boasts some highly physical defensive backs. And fifth-year senior
CJ Gum is an All-America linebacker who anchors the defense and
swarms to the ball on every play.
This season's turning point:
The win against Wittenberg to win the NCAC. It was clear from
the start of the season that Wabash was building to this point,
which came in Week 10. It was one of only two wins against
above-.500 teams, but it was a convincing and definitive one for
the Little Giants.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
169.5/183.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
64.2/180.8
How far can they go?
Expect a competitive home-game showdown against North Central
in Round 2.
The defense is laying the wood to opposing ballcarriers and it
doesn't matter who handles the snap because they're probably
keeping it or handing it off anyway.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They're anywhere close to 50-50 run-pass on offense and they
settle for field goals instead of touchdowns.
This season's turning point:
Wiping the SoCal dust from their feet after the season-opening
loss at Redlands.
Rushing/receiving yards per game:
222.6/198.8
Rushing/receiving yards allowed:
52.6/166.5
How far can they go?
A North Central on all cylinders against a banged-up Mount
Union sounds intriguing, but odds are Alliance is as far as they
can get.
Tyler Osterman has time to find his receivers open downfield
rather than dumping off on underneath routes. The run-to-pass ratio
is high and both sides of the ball are disciplined.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The running game is under five yards per carry and the defense
is stopping the run but not the pass.
This season's turning point:
Way back in Week 3, when Centre rallied from two touchdowns
down to beat Washington and Lee 42-35.
Wyatt Hanus has enough time to check all of his options in the
passing game. In addition to Michael Zweifel, Demacus Fleming and
tight end Miles Hookstead are legitimate receiving threats, plus
Justin Spaulding is a 1,200-yard rusher.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Zweifel has to play a lot of snaps on defense. Dubuque has
allowed 40-plus points twice this season and seems particularly
vulnerable to a strong running attack.
This season's turning point:
It could perhaps be a defensive play. Linebacker Dustin
Sorrentino brought down Coe quarterback Brad Boyle on a third-and-2
in Dubuque territory with 1:36 left in the game and the Spartans
holding a seven-point lead. Coe turned it over on downs on the next
play and Dubuque kneeled out the IIAC championship.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
177.8/330.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
146.2/207.4
How far can they go?
As far as the offense will carry them. How many slugfests can
they win?
Quarterback Travis Lane is hitting wideouts Kyle Vance and Sean
Cavanagh each at least six or seven or eight times a game. Coupled
with the dual-threat potential of running back Kirk Rohle and a
solid push from the front five, the Tigers are shining most when
the offense is clicking.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense is giving up the end zone. H-SC’s offense has
comfortably hung nearly 30 points or more in every game this
season, but the nail-biters come when the defense breaks down and
opponents become able to score at will. In the last four games,
opponents have averaged 42 points.
This season's turning point:
The conference clincher against Washington and Lee. The
Generals were the spoiler for the Tigers’ conference hopes
last season, so much was anticipated this season as well. A bigger
turning point will come if Hampden-Sydney can get over the Round 1
hump – a milestone that’s eluded them in their three
playoff visits in the past four seasons.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
140.5/334.0
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
130.8/273.9
How far can they go?
A favorable matchup makes a trip to Mount Union at least
possible.
John Borsellino gets 25 or more carries. He has averaged 30
carries in Benedictine wins, 16 in losses. That opens up the deep
ball for Chris Schultz (6-2) and Brandin Austin (6-3) in the
passing game.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They face a team with a top-notch running game. Even if you
throw out the 377 yards triple-option North Park rolled up on the
Eagles, there was still the 278 yards Kalamazoo ran for and another
198 by Wisconsin Lutheran.
This season's turning point:
The turning point is a negative one. Benedictine comes in after
struggling to beat winless Rockford and losing to Wisconsin
Lutheran.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
203.7/185.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
162.4/167.7
How far can they go?
Farther than they should have had to. Whitewater was a much
more sound first-round destination. Instead, it's four times as far
to Mount Union with the same result for all involved.
Mount Union Purple Raiders
Wabash Little Giants
North Central (Ill.) Cardinals
Centre Colonels
Dubuque Spartans
Illinois College Blueboys
Hampden-Sydney Tigers
Benedictine Eagles