Their defense is outscoring their opponent. The Purple Raiders led the nation with 11 defensive touchdowns. They allowed opposing offenses to score just 12 touchdowns.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
D'Angelo Fulford is inconsistent. The nation's leader in passing efficiency struggled just once this year, against John Carroll. Will an ankle injury suffered in the regular season finale have any effect on Fulford's efficiency?
This season's turning point:
A 23-10 win over rival John Carroll on Sept. 22. Despite being held to 286 yards and one offensive touchdown, the Purple Raiders pulled out the win thanks to two defensive scores.
The Streaks offensive line is controlling the line of scrimmage and standout running back Michael Canganelli is running free.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense is having trouble getting off the field on third down. John Carroll's defense rose up late in close calls against Marietta and Baldwin Wallace, but struggled early in those contests.
This season's turning point:
Trailing then-undefeated Marietta by three points late in their Week 8 contest, John Carroll stopped Tanner Clark on fourth-and-short at the Pioneer 34 yard line. The Streaks capitalized on the short field to take the lead and the crucial win.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.538 (51)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
275.9/167.5
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
59.5/204.6
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.16/3.93
How far can they go?
Ought to play in the quarterfinals, and won't be intimidated by The Machine if it comes to that.
Freshmen wonder twins Michael and Anthony Nobile are using their speed on defense to shut down the opponent's run game and pressure the quarterback. The Aggies' defense isn't as good against the pass as a year ago, but they have a lot of young talent in their front seven.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They fall behind by a couple scores and have to lean heavily on their passing attack. Quarterback Dashawn Darden is most dangerous when the Aggies can use him as another ball carrier. Delaware Valley only threw the ball 10 times in its 33-0 win over Widener.
This season's turning point:
Flipping a 17-0 deficit against Stevenson into a 31-20 victory. The MAC went to an unbalanced schedule after adding Alvernia and each team misses playing two others. Little did anyone know that Delaware Valley's win over Stevenson would be the only game played between the top three teams in the conference.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.468 (196)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
220.9/163.7
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
69.1/183.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.2/4.1
How far can they go?
No more than one win, and think of the first round as more like a 4-5 game.
The passing game is clicking. Tanner Young leads the nation in yards-per-completion and is fifth is passing efficiency. His best target, Jaylon Hibbs, set a program record with 12 receiving touchdowns this year and gains nearly 21 yards per catch.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They aren't controlling the special teams situations. Centre has excelled on kick and punt return, and ranks sixth in total blocked kicks.
This season's turning point:
Since falling in overtime to Berry, Centre has outscored opponents 266-115, averaging 44.3 points per game.
Michael Hnatkowsky is spreading the ball all over the field. Eight receivers caught at least 11 passes, and seven players caught touchdown passes, led by Max Kirin with 49 catches and nine scores.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They turn over the ball five times, as they did in their only loss of the season, to Johns Hopkins on Oct. 27. Muhlenberg had four of its six interceptions in that game.
This season's turning point:
A thrilling 34-31 victory at Thomas More on Oct. 13. Todd Spirt's field goal at the buzzer ultimately kept the Mules in playoff contention and eliminated the Saints.
The Presidents are balanced on offense and the defense is racking up tackles for loss (W&J averages almost 10 per game) and forcing three-and-outs.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
W&J is turning the ball over and is losing the time of possession battle by more than 10 minutes.
This season's turning point:
Beating Case Western Reserve in Week 6, 44-36, to put them into the driver's seat for the PAC title race. Although they were tripped up by Westminster in Week 8, the Presidents won their final two games by a combined 66-23 to clinch the automatic bid.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.481 (171)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
194.0/283.4
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
104.6/223
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.7/4.6
How far can they go?
Playoff experience could well get them back to the second round.
Your offense is idling on the sideline. The Yellow Jackets made the playoffs by controlling the clock and dictating the tempo in eight of their 10 games. They want to run the ball with a steady dose of Tre Frederick and Jordan Hall, and allow Burke Estes to attempt a small number of high-percentage throws. The Yellow Jackets forced opposing defenses to stay on the field for over 36 minutes per game this season.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They need to rely on Estes to throw the ball more than 25 times. If the defense loads up to stop Frederick and Hall and succeeds in doing so, the Yellow Jackets will struggle. Their defense bent but didn't break enough to clinch the ODAC, but that won't work as well in the postseason. Estes significantly reduced his turnovers this year, throwing just five interceptions. That was mostly due to attempting just 19 passes per game.
This season's turning point:
The double-overtime win over Bridgewater on Oct. 20. The defense gave up 451 yards and didn't force a turnover, but Tre Frederick rushed for 238 yards and three scores and Burke Estes connected with Robby Owens for the game-winner. The offense proved that it could win a shootout when needed without getting away from its bread and butter.
Canaan Gebele isn't the lone source of offense. Gebele can certainly be great, but Denison's dynamic offense is at its best when running back Alex Minton demands attention from opposing defenses.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense is giving up big plays in the pass game. Long passing touchdowns were key in both of Denison's losses.
This season's turning point:
A dominant 34-10 win over Wabash one week after a heartbreaking 68-66 quadruple overtime loss to Wittenberg. The Big Red have been red-hot ever since.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.497 (135)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
261.4/227.0
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
116.5/212.5
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.58/5.29
How far can they go?
It'll take more than an injured Purple Raider starting quarterback to get Denison past Mount Union.
Mount Union Purple Raiders
John Carroll Blue Streaks
Delaware Valley Aggies
Centre Colonels
Muhlenberg Mules
Washington and Jefferson Presidents
Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets
Denison Big Red