The offense is scoring quickly, as it did most of the season, and the defense isn't giving up big plays through the air.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Quarterback Zach Anderson is throwing interceptions and running backs can't find holes. If their closest games, Anderson has thrown picks and the running game has been stifled.
This season's turning point:
In their Week 5 game against Sul Ross State, the Cru found its running back in Duane Thompson, a freshman from Washington, D.C. He got carries to start the season, but since breaking out against the Lobos, he has 438 yards and 11 touchdown runs for a team that often turned to its backups early.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
249.5/254.3
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
86.1/211.2
How far can they go?
To the postgame celebration in Salem, if it can finish off one of the purple powers it's gone toe-to-toe with in the past two semifinals.
Seth Klein is distributing the ball to his receivers and All-American receiver Anthony Davis is making plays in the open field, either on pass plays or kick and punt returns. The Pride have also shown a knack for getting interceptions that either lead directly to points for them or deny opponents' scoring opportunities.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They can't get pressure on the quarterback and the opponent has time to throw. Widener's run defense has been fantastic, but opponents have had chances to move the ball against the Pride secondary. Widener's defensive line and pass rushers need to get to the quarterback before he can exploit lapses in Widener's one-on-one coverage.
This season's turning point:
The first 10 minutes of the second half against Delaware Valley. After finishing the first half tied at 14, the Pride took the second half opening kickoff and drove 62 yards for a touchdown. Widener stopped the Aggies on their first possession and then pushed inside the Del Val 40. Facing fourth-and-5, Widener executed a perfect fake punt with Max Kutler sprinting 39 yards for the touchdown. A few minutes later Klein connected with Anthony Davis for a 55-yard touchdown and the Pride were on their way to wrapping up a perfect regular season.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
186.4/278.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
54.4/225.0
How far can they go?
They could at least repeat as MAC champs and get to the quarterfinals, but Muhlenberg could give them trouble in the first round as well.
The offensive line plays well. If they can give senior Chris Smallwood room to run the ball, that pulls some of the opponent's attention away from pass defense. And that gives senior quarterback Aaron Wilmer more space to throw to his receivers, particularly senior Rasheed Bailey.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Their pass defense gives up big plays and can't get off the field on third down. The Aggies' secondary has been susceptible to giving up long gains or touchdowns on deep patterns, and they can't afford to make those mistakes in the playoffs. Because of that vulnerability, Aggie cornerbacks sometimes give receivers big cushions that make it easier to convert on third-and-long.
This season's turning point:
Wilmer's 58-yard touchdown bomb to Tar'iq Thomas with four seconds left in the first half gave Delaware Valley a 35-28 lead on Lycoming in a pivotal MAC contest. The Aggies trailed the Warriors by 14 points late in the first quarter before rallying to take the lead at the half. Del Val was able to outscore the Warriors the rest of the way, and stayed on track for a 9-0 start and an at-large bid.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
206.6/307.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
144.7/214.8
How far can they go?
The Aggies should win one and could win two games in this bracket.
Linfield is able to run the ball effectively. In Linfield's eight wins this year, the 'Cats averaged 237.3 rushing yards. Also, the defensive line's ability to pressure quarterbacks has been crucial in Linfield only allowing 10.2 points per game.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
If they are unable to run the ball effectively, are accumulating a number of penalties, and turning the football over. That was the recipe for Linfield's week 7 loss to Willamette.
This season's turning point:
The opening game when Linfield inserted third-string quarterback Sam Riddle into the game to spark some life into a struggling Linfield offense at Chapman. The sophomore rallied the team to a 21-14 win and the Wildcats offense finished the regular season averaging 49 points per game.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
224.3/243.8
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
75.7/126.6
How far can they go?
The rematch with Chapman might be the only win the Wildcats can truly aspire to, with UMHB looming.
Jeremiah McKibbins is getting the ball on a consistent basis and making things happen. He was a little slow to get started this season after missing the 2013 season with a knee injury, but had four 100-yard games and two 200-yard games for the Panthers, scoring 16 touchdowns. He had just a handful of carries in the season-opening loss to Linfield.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Michael Lahey waits in the pocket and gets sacked. He has only been sacked in two games, but Linfield got him six times and La Verne three. However, Lahey has completed two-thirds of his passes or better in every game this season and he's usually good for some yards with his feet as well.
This season's turning point:
Beating Cal Lutheran on the road. That put the Panthers at 4-0 in SCIAC and 5-1 overall. Lahey tied a season-high with three touchdowns, and McKibbins ran for a season-high 211 yards.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
269.3/202.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
129.2/244.9
How far can they go?
They played Linfield competitively back in September so it's not impossible to conceive of them advancing to the second round.
The defense gets pressure and sacks on the opposing quarterback, even against the best teams on the schedule.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Marquis Barolle gets bottled up and his inability to break off long carries affects the passing game's effectiveness.
This season's turning point:
You could say it was when Dennis Dunn ran on the field in the closing seconds of TLU's game vs. Louisiana College. Or when TLU rallied from a 15-point deficit with 17 minutes left vs. East Texas Baptist. But it's probably just being able to hold off 2-6 Trinity the week after getting pasted by Mary Hardin-Baylor in the regular season.
They can methodically milk the clock and keep running the ball, even if they're not gaining more than a few yards a pop. Nick Palladino is an extremely efficient quarterback who doesn't make a lot of mistakes (68.3 percent completion rate, just two interceptions).
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Opponents are converting well on third down. Muhlenberg hasn't generated a lot of turnovers this season, so it is really important to get off the field on third down. Johns Hopkins converted 10 of 18 third downs, while the rest of the Mules' opponents converted just 26 percent of the time.
This season's turning point:
Surviving a late push by Susquehanna to beat the Crusaders 24-20 a week after Muhlenberg's loss to Johns Hopkins. The Mules twice forced Susquehanna to settle for field goals in the fourt quarter, including after a first-and-goal situation from the 2-yard line. Susquehanna finished the season 2-8.
Rushing/passing yards per game:
160.5/271.0
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
79.9/188.8
How far can they go?
They certainly have an opportunity to make it to the quarterfinals in this bracket.
Marcus Morrast is doing his thing. The senior quarterback has run for 90 or more yards in three games this year and thrown for 300 or more twice. That includes 501 yards (and a D3football.com Play of the Week selection) vs. Methodist in Week 4. CNU's offense is more than capable of the big play and will need a couple of them to advance in the playoffs.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They have trouble containing the opposing pass rush or generating one of their own.
This season's turning point:
Defeating North Carolina Wesleyan and Methodist in back-to-back weeks after starting the season 0-2 with losses to frequent playoff contenders Salisbury and Hampden-Sydney.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders
Widener Pride
Delaware Valley Aggies
Linfield Wildcats
Chapman Panthers
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs
Muhlenberg Mules
Christopher Newport Captains