The offensive line is creating space for Markeith Miller to run and the defense and special teams are outscoring the opponent. (UMHB's defense and special teams have combined for 15 touchdowns, while the Cru has only allowed nine touchdowns on the year.)
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The team is passing because it has to and not when it wants to. The defense and special teams are not giving the Cru short fields to work with.
This season's turning point:
Finding a starting quarterback and have four new starters on the defensive line grow into their roles in the first few games of the season. There really hasn't been a single turning point on the year.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.467 (198)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
270.0/221.7
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
66.5/107.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.4/2.8
How far can they go?
Playing in a title game in what's basically their backyard.
The Johnnies are aggressive on offense and Jackson Erdmann is getting rid of the ball quickly, hitting multiple different receivers but Will Gillach is primary among them.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Someone can match up with Gillach and with defensive end Nathan Brinker out, the Johnnies can't get enough pressure on the opposing quarterback.
This season's turning point:
With St. Thomas driving to cut the lead to one score, safety Max Jackson picked up a fumble and didn't stop until 99 yards later, when he was in the end zone. St. John's led 40-20 with 10:59 left in the game and that was the final score as well.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.553 (30)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
192.1/280.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
95.8/183.2
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.4/4.1
How far can they go?
It looks like they could actually go as far as their national ranking suggests.
The no-huddle offense is moving quickly and staying in rhythm, while the defense is getting pressure on the offensive backfield.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The offense is struggling to string together first downs, and the defense is allowing long possessions and can't get off the field.
This season's turning point:
In the Sept. 29 game against Linfield, the Pirates scored touchdowns on three straight possessions in the third quarter and defeated the Wildcats for the first time in more than a decade.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.526 (71)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
169.1/279.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
62.5/247.4
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.7/4.2
How far can they go?
Round 2. The Johnnies not only be good, they'll likely be better than Whitworth.
The Cowboys are moving the ball. They were shut out for the first time since 1993 in the first game with the Cru. HSU has since added two freshman receivers to the mix, and the offense has been clicking.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The opponent is moving the ball at will, especially throughout the first half.
This season's turning point:
The Cowboys lost starting quarterback Marc Reed in the season's second game and All-American running back Jaquan Hemphill in the first quarter of the fourth game. HSU has been adjusting on the fly and the Cowboys are getting better and better each week.
The Vikings are shutting down the run game and forcing opponents to throw the ball to play catchup.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They're giving the ball away and are unable to get off the field on third and short.
This season's turning point:
Game four at Centre. Not only was it a 38-35 overtime win, it was also when defensive back Justus Edwards suffered a serious injury that united not only the team, but the school and community as well. Berry followed up that game with a 61-0 blowout of Austin the following week.
The defense is getting stops and getting the ball back in running back Elijah Chenier's hands. Chenier is the program's all-time leading rusher with 3,256 yards. After giving up 78 points in the non-conference games against playoff teams Berry and Centre, the Scots allowed just 63 points while cruising through seven conference victories.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They fall behind and can't get the run game going. The Scots want to pound the rock and control time of possession, as they were able to do in USA South play. In their season-opening contest with Berry, the Scots fell behind early and mustered just 79 rushing yards.
This season's turning point:
The Oct. 27 shutout of conference foe Averett. The Scots held the Cougars to just 105 yards of offense in the 14-0 win that put Maryville in the USA South driver's seat.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.544 (41)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
227.9/166.0
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
67.0/183.9
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.3/4.8
How far can they go?
Rematch repeat. Repeat result.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags
Seed:
Likely No. 7, Mary Hardin-Baylor bracket
Last Top 25 ranking:
Never ranked
Location:
Claremont, California
Enrollment (FT undergrads):
2873
Stadium:
Fritz B. Burns Stadium and John Zinda Field (2000)
They just grind out play after play after play and a methodical offense produces enough and shortens the game enough to get the Stags the W.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They can't muster enough of a passing offense to stay in the game and sputter in the red zone, settling for three instead of seven.
This season's turning point:
Claremont ran off a string of six consecutive wins to start the SCIAC schedule ater a loss to Pacific Lutheran. It was enough to clinch the conference's automatic bid even with the Week 11 loss to archrival Pomona-Pitzer.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.474 (187)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
205.6/134.6
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
104.3/173.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:
4.9/5.3
How far can they go?
Looks like to Whitworth and back, but it's miles better than 0-9 in 2012.
Sophomore quarterback Zach Bloomquist has as much room to run as he has the ability to throw the ball. Since Bloomquist came to campus, he has started 15 games and the Knights won 12 of them.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Martin Luther's big-play offense sputters in the red zone, or the Knights grind out plays but never break any and they can't get any pressure on the opposing quarterback.
This season's turning point:
Bloomquist hit Josh Arndt with a 68-yard touchdown pass with 53 seconds left to lift Martin Luther over Rockford 28-24. The win, coming after a season-opening loss to Gustavus Adolphus, was the first of nine consecutive victories, which led to the Knights running the table in the UMAC.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.441 (213)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
265.7/190.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
101.2/235.2
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.6/5.0
How far can they go?
Home with the satisfaction of having made its first-ever Division III playoff trip.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders
St. John's Johnnies
Whitworth Pirates
Hardin-Simmons Cowboys
Berry Vikings
Maryville (Tenn.) Scots
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags
Martin Luther Knights