D'Angelo Fulford can stay in the pocket and pick apart the defense. Against Baldwin Wallace and John Carroll, the top two contenders in the OAC, Fulford carried the ball 33 times. He rushed just 34 times in the other eight games combined. Keep his legs fresh and give his receivers time to get open, and the nation's leader in passing efficiency will carve opponents up.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The Purple Raiders played about as flawless of a regular season as you could ask for. Maybe they could cut down on penalties (4.7 per game)? Only one defensive touchdown and no pick six yet this season (despite 13 interceptions)?! Slackers.
This season's turning point:
In their closest victory, a 37-14 win over rival John Carroll, the Purple Raiders held a 30-0 halftime lead. Trailing Ohio Northern 7-3 after one quarter, Mount Union erupted for 35 second quarter points en route to a 63-24 victory. Nobody else came close to putting a scare into The Machine.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.519 (84)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
2377/319.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
80.1/105.6
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.7/3.3
How far can they go?
They can certainly go as far as their national ranking suggests.
Wesley Wolverines
Seed:
Likely No. 2, Mount Union bracket
Last Top 25 ranking:
No. 10, Week 11 2019
Location:
Dover, Del.
Enrollment (FT undergrads):
1407
Stadium:
Mike Drass Field at Scott D. Miller Stadium (2500)
Nobody is talking about Nick Bruhn after the game. The senior kicker connected on 75% of his field goal attempts and 95% of his point after tries in 2019, up from 40% and 85%, respectively, in 2018. Much credit for this season's turnaround goes to Bruhn, but the Wolverines would rather earn a convincing win than have games decided by three or fewer points.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
They aren't winning the turnover battle. Typically one of the most opportunistic programs in the nation, the Wolverines only forced 17 takeaways this season. Meanwhile, the offense gave the ball away just as many times. Breaking even won't be good enough to advance deep in the playoffs. Freshman Drew Fry will get the call at quarterback for the first-round game against Framingham State.
This season's turning point:
The 24-18 four-overtime victory over Delaware Valley in Week 2. A 13-year playoff streak was snapped in 2018 in large part due to the Wolverines' struggles in close games. After going 1-4 in one-score games in 2018, Wesley went 4-1 in such tight games this season, only losing to Salisbury.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.535 (44)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
168.0/273.7
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
130.4/121.5
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.3/3.9
How far can they go?
The Wolverines can definitely win their way back to one rematch, but not sure about two.
Demetreus Jalepes churns up big chunks of yardage and it doesn't matter if Jay Scroggins completes a lot of passes, while the defense can take away either the opposing team's run or pass.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Penalties become an issue and the opponent can convert a few third downs here and there, keeping the Bridgewater defense on the field.
This season's turning point:
Jalepes breaks loose for a 71-yard touchdown on Bridgewater's first play after Randolph-Macon cut the Eagles' lead to 28-13 early in the fourth quarter in Week 10. The craziness that followed, including Bridgewater fumbling away an interception, was made easier to take because of the extra touchdown advantage.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.514 (98)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
172.1/241.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
103.4/167.8
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.2/4.0
How far can they go?
Bridgewater could certainly win two games, or zero.
They get into the red zone. North Central has scored 50 times, 45 of them touchdowns, on 55 trips to the red zone. So, as long as they can get there, they generally finish.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Rutter has to take the checkdowns and can't stretch the field, or can't stretch the field because he keeps ending up on his back.
This season's turning point:
Just getting off the bubble and getting into the tournament, which was, somehow, not a guarantee.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.500 (137)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
234.5/335.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
80.6/165.1
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.7/3.8
How far can they go?
Man, that is a really intriguing potential matchup in the second round. Seems like it would be worth the price of admission.
The Nobile brothers get pressure on the opponent's quarterback, the linebackers are stuffing the run and the offense gets the ball to its speedsters in space. Defensive end Michael Nobile leads the country with 26.5 tackles for loss and he's even more dangerous with twin brother Anthony back at the other end position.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The Aggies can't score touchdowns in the red zone and the defense commits bad penalties that keep drives alive. Del Val had 87.4 yards per game in penalties, the most of every team left except Brockport (106.8)
This season's turning point:
Del Val seized control of the MAC race with a 42-0 victory at Wilkes in week 7 when the Aggies held the Colonels to two first downs until the game was basically over.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.520 (80)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
152.9/241.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
459/136.6
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.1/3.0
How far can they go?
They have a chance to win at Bridgewater and presumably Wesley in the first two rounds.
The ball is in Shawn Coane's hands. The junior running back averaged 130.7 yards per game and rushed for 19 touchdowns. His success opened things up for quarterback Noah Wezensky, who passed for 2,346 yards and 21 touchdowns. The balanced attack sets up the big play -- 24 of Hanover's 55 offensive touchdowns were scored outside of the red zone.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense can't control the line of scrimmage. After giving up 35 points to Centre in the first two quarters of the season, the Panthers have dominated defensively. Hanover allowed just 10.2 points per game during its nine-game winning streak. But the Panthers allowed 244 yards rushing to the Colonels, and gave up 291 yards on the ground in Week 11?s narrow Victory Bell win over Franklin. They need to control the tempo and get off the field to have any postseason success.
This season's turning point:
A 27-3 win at Mount St. Joseph on Nov. 2. It was the first time in six years that the Lions didn't score a touchdown. The dominating performance boosted the Panthers' confidence as they handled a back-loaded HCAC schedule, going on to trounce Rose-Hulman and defeat rival Franklin in thrilling fashion.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.453 (207)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
209.3/261.7
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
129.5/157.1
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.8/4.4
How far can they go?
We know this first-round matchup was supposed to be better, but it wasn't.
The defense is getting sacks, tackles for loss and otherwise dominating the line of scrimmage and quarterback Adam Wojenski is throwing the ball to big tight end Jacob Maher.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The Rams offense is committing turnovers and the defense is giving up long pass plays.
This season's turning point:
Framingham State came back from a 33-26 deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the upset minded UMass-Dartmouth Corsairs, 39-33. The Rams went on to win the MASCAC for a third consecutive year.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.544 (33)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
172.8/266.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
90.5/184.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.3/4.3
How far can they go?
Framingham teams have surprised and hung with top East Region teams in the past in the playoffs, and they certainly could again this year, but it will take a really well-played game.
Quarterback Liam Thompson is making veteran decisions. Thompson has been at his best in Wabash's biggest wins this year, and has had some rookie moments during Wabash's low points.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Wabash is unable to establish its ground game. In defeats to Wooster and DePauw, the Little Giants were unable to run and this offense doesn't go far without that foundation.
This season's turning point:
Trailing 17-13 late in the third quarter against Denison, Patrick Kelley intercepted a Big Red pass in the end zone to preserve the narrow deficit. The Little Giants went on to score 21 fourth-quarter points and knock out their chief rival for the NCAC title this year.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.480 (174)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
196.8/203.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
129.0/205.0
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.7/5.1
How far can they go?
This is not the Wabash team that is going to rally past North Central.
Mount Union Purple Raiders
Wesley Wolverines
Bridgewater Eagles
North Central (Ill.) Cardinals
Delaware Valley Aggies
Hanover Panthers
Framingham State Rams
Wabash Little Giants