The opponent's big gun on offense is limited to dink-and-dunk catches or has to grind out three or so yards per carry, while Sam Mentkowski and Dom Todarello have all the room they need in the receiving corps.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense makes people long for 2016, while Dylan Hecker can't do everything he's accustomed to doing on offense and someone they've trained in the past few weeks has to try to fill in.
This season's turning point:
Turner Geisthardt converted a fourth-and-2 in Oshkosh territory at John Carroll, allowing the Titans to run out the clock on a 23-17 win. If the Titans had lost that game, then had three virtual bye weeks before playing UW-Whitewater, the team's trajectory could have gone quite differently.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.586 (6)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
239.6/233.0
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
105.2/208.1
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.9/4.8
How far can they go?
They have the usual challenging bracket for this part of the country, and getting out of it to the semifinals is not guaranteed.
Quarterback Matt Sacia does his thing efficiently and Dylan Binion churns up big chunks of rushing yardage.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
A prolific passing team hell-bent on throwing the ball finds enough time and enough targets to make it a viable strategy.
This season's turning point:
The Knights came out and scored two touchdowns in the first five minutes of the second half at Luther, breaking a 7-7 tie en route to a 41-16 win. Wartburg shut out Dubuque the next week and rolled from there.
Trine is advancing the ball in large chunks on the ground. The Thunder average 6.42 yards per carry -- third best in the nation.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They are committing an excess of penalties. Trine's offense relies heavily on tempo and nothing disrupts rhythm like yellow flags. Not to mention the lost yardage.
This season's turning point:
A Week 8 50-14 win over Hope. After three consecutive 6-4 seasons, this dominant victory not only assured the Thunder of their best record, but clearly marked them as the best team in an improved MIAA.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.492 (151)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
340.3/148.8
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
109.3/183.0
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.4/4.3
How far can they go?
Geography has set up with a chance to get their doors blown off in the quarterfinals.
The offense can stay balanced and churns out third down conversions. Running back Austin Breunig and quarterback Broc Rutter are among the best in the region at their positions. Defending both has been a nightmare for CCIW defenses this season.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They aren't getting pressure in the backfield and giving up big pass plays. In the Little Brass Bell game, Wheaton was able to keep Cardinal defenders off of their quarterback and complete 10 of 12 passes for 174 yards and three TDs in the decisive second half.
This season's turning point:
The Monday finish to the Little Brass Bell game. The Cardinals got their doors blown off by their archrivals on that evening, but have been nothing short of dominant ever since
Strength of schedule (rank):
.519 (76)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
199.1/259.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
67.9/229.7
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.5/4.7
How far can they go?
If they get out of the secon... sorry, first-round game against St. John's, there is always a chance they could keep going.
They can get Evan Clark enough touches on offense and the defense or special teams deliver a couple of short fields to help the offense out..
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Jackson Erdmann looks like he did against the regionally ranked teams on the schedule (total of 24-for-47 with two picks) rather than how he did vs. the rest of the MIAC, or there are any prolonged defensive possessions. Even in the loss to St. Thomas, the Johnnies only allowed 20 points.
This season's turning point:
Shrugging off the poor offensive performance vs. St. Thomas and rolling businesslike through the rest of the MIAC schedule.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.519 (79)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
219.4/207.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
74.8/121.7
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.8/3.3
How far can they go?
The first game is a toss-up, but if advancing, it won't be for long.
The defense is locked in. The Grizzlies are capable of winning a shootout, but are at their best when the defense is consistently making big plays. Twenty sacks and 21 turnovers helped Franklin win eight straight games after starting 0-2.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They can't establish the run. As great as quarterback Chase Burton is, he needs help on offense. The Grizzlies were held to 100 rushing yards in their two losses to start the season. Jordan Brown and Jacob Earl shared the bulk of the workload as the Grizzlies averaged 188 rushing yards per game in HCAC play.
This season's turning point:
The Oct. 21 win at Rose-Hulman. The Grizzlies avenged last year's loss which kept them out of the playoffs. The defense held the Fightin' Engineers to minus-2 yards of offense in the fourth quarter of the 29-22 victory, after giving up 498 yards through the first three quarters.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.450 (219)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
160.6/419.8
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
160.2/287.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:
8.0/5.5
How far can they go?
They can make the first round game more than interesting.
Michael Whitley is at full strength and mobility, and his receivers outplay their defenders on his long heaves down the field. When Whitley is on his game and able to move around in the pocket, he can keep a play alive long enough for his receivers to get enough separation for Whitley to get a ball in there. And it doesn't take much.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They can't stop the run, and Dezmon Eddie isn't able to be a dual threat on offense.
This season's turning point:
Unfortunately, it was a negative one, when Whitley's knee seemingly popped on a second-quarter play in Week 10.
UW-Oshkosh Titans
Wartburg Knights
Trine Thunder
North Central (Ill.) Cardinals
St. John's Johnnies
Franklin Grizzlies
Monmouth Scots
Lakeland Muskies