The Cru is balanced on offense, scoring quickly and dictating field position. When the O-line protects, watch out.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Blake Jackson is being hurried and the running backs are being bogged down. Against HSU, the Cru only rushed for 124 yards. They need to be over 200.
This season's turning point:
Bryce Wilkerson's 97-yard kickoff return to open the second half vs. Linfield. That started to break open a tight game and helped propel UMHB to where they are now: the No. 1 team in the country.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.558 (24)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
264.0/249.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
69.9/231.1
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.4/3.8
How far can they go?
Anything less than Salem would be a disappointment.
They are protecting the quarterback and converting on third downs. Freshman Broc Rutter has put up gaudy numbers and is among the nation's leaders in pass efficiency, third-down conversions and red zone offense. He has a veteran receiver group that is as good as any in the country. When those guys are on the field, points happen.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They are committing turnovers and getting no pressure on the quarterback. The Cardinals are ranked in the top 25 in turnover margin because they have protected the football and taken it away by putting pressure on the quarterback. Their No. 1-ranked pass rush delivered 49 sacks in 10 games, which is elite even by Purple Power standards.
This season's turning point:
Leading archrival Wheaton 17-3 with Wheaton driving before the half (and receiving the second half kickoff) the Cardinal defense forced a punt with just 7 seconds left in the half. Junior safety Pat Cravens caught the punt at the NCC 33 yard line and raced 67 yards for a TD and 24-3 halftime lead that propelled North Central to a 35-25 win, an undefeated conference title, and their first win over Wheaton in three years.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.527 (62)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
139.7/282.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
81.1/204.4
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.2/4.2
How far can they go?
Probably the second-best team in this bracket, although Hardin-Simmons could lay claim to that as well. Expect results accordingly.
Tight end Zach Lindquist is getting yards after the catch and the defense is getting sacks without blitzing. Wheaton is good when it runs the ball so if Lindquist is productive, the play action game is working. Wheaton also has the No. 2 ranked pass rush in the country.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They are missing tackles and going three-and-out. This defense is ranked No. 12 overall and No. 2 against the run and is predicated on keeping everything in front of them and letting the front four go to work. The offense has been known to stall on occasion.
This season's turning point:
After scoring only 10 points in a win over Elmhurst and the offense clearly struggling, the Thunder were down 24-14 at Illinois Wesleyan. They got a field goal with a minute left in the first half to cut the lead to seven. They took the second-half kick and went on to outscore IWU 31-0 in a 48-24 rout. Wheaton averaged almost 40 points a game over their last five games.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.516 (92)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
171.5/263.4
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
46.5/208.6
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.6/3.9
How far can they go?
They face a second-round wall for sure, quarterfinals at best.
Yardage just comes and goes in bunches and the opposing quarterback can't remember which uniforms his receivers are wearing.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They can't move the chains when stuck with long fields and the opponent scores so quickly that the defense never rests.
This season's turning point:
Intercepting a pass at the 1-yard line with 1:02 left in the game while holding onto a 28-22 lead vs. Maryville. Huntingdon ran out the clock to win 28-24 and sew up the USA South Athletic Conference title.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.454 (212)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
282.8/284.5
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
140.6/238.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.4/7.2
How far can they go?
Interesting contrast of styles in the first round could make for entertaining game or complete blowout if Hawks' offense gets shut down.
The offense runs more than 100 plays. This team loves to control the tempo. Austin Swenson wants to throw over 50 times per game and loves to spread the ball around to a deep corps of experienced receivers, but the Fightin' Engineers also have a complementary rushing attack.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They lose the turnover battle. Rose-Hulman turned the ball over eight times in its two losses, including six in the season opener against Illinois College. The Fightin' Engineers need the ball in the offense's hands as much as possible.
This season's turning point:
A 23-22 win at Franklin on Oct. 22. Tyler Brutofsky forced and recovered a fumble at the Grizzlies 29, setting up Stanley Hogan's go-ahead touchdown run with 21 seconds to play.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.465 (196)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
176.9/247.6
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
119.9/213.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:
4.8/5.0
How far can they go?
It's kind of a short trip. Geographically and timewise.
The defense doesn't blink and continues to deliver stop after stop, allowing the offense time to find itself.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The offense isn't efficiently moving the football and the defense has to stay on the field.
This season's turning point:
Scoring the last 15 points of the game to defeat Cal Lutheran 34-30, wrapping up an unbeaten SCIAC season and surviving the last of a run of close games.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders
North Central (Ill.) Cardinals
Hardin-Simmons Cowboys
Linfield Wildcats
Wheaton (Ill.) Thunder
Huntingdon Hawks
Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers
Redlands Bulldogs