QB Bay Harvey is finding open receivers (JHU averages over 9 yards per reception) and the defense is sacking the opposing teams QB (33 sacks this year) and getting off the field with three-and-outs.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense is being stretched by their opponent?s passing game and the offense is struggling to run and hold onto the football.
This season's turning point:
The "Miracle at Muhlenberg" -- while of course that blocked FG could have resulted in overtime, the heads-up play by TE Will Leger basically saved the Blue Jays' season, because there clearly was no guarantee the Centennial could get two teams into the NCAA playoffs.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.598 (10)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
191.4/263.1
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
122.4/183.8
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.5/4.9
Leading passer:
Bay Harvey, 240.1 ypg
Leading rusher:
Aaron Winston, 71.5 ypg
Leading receiver:
Cole Crotty, 84.3 ypg
Leading tackler:
Cole Peters, 68 (37 solo)
Leader in sacks:
Luke Schuermann, 9.0
Leader in interceptions:
Cole Peters, 3
How far can they go?
This bracket is there to be taken. JHU is one of a handful of teams in this quadrant that should be able to reach the semifinals.
QB Drew Campanale is being efficient (71% pass completions this season) and the defense is holding the opposition to under 14 points.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
Hard to say because when you win all your games by an average of 40 points, are you ever playing poorly? Ultimately the biggest question is how will RMC respond to their first real adversity which is bound to happen eventually in a NCAA playoff game.
This season's turning point:
Washington & Lee scored on its first possession of the de facto ODAC Championship game in Week 9, putting RMC in a rare 6-0 deficit. The Yellow Jackets responded by scoring 28 unanswered points and, the rest, as they say, is history.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.503 (102)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
258.8/240.4
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
48.2/170.6
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.3/3.8
Leading passer:
Drew Campanale, 199.2 ypg
Leading rusher:
Nick Hale, 81.7 ypg
Leading receiver:
David Wallis, 77.1 ypg
Leading tackler:
Neftali Reyes, 52 (26) (solo)
Leader in sacks:
Wade Grubbs, KU Htoo, 2.5
Leader in interceptions:
Tony Skinner, 5
How far can they go?
Nobody in this quadrant of the bracket should have the Jackets out of their element.
The triple option is working and the Pride are racking up close to 400 rushing yards and the defense is forcing turnovers (SC has eight interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries on the season).
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The offense is averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry rushing and the defense is staying on the field for more than 25 minutes of the game.
This season's turning point:
An 18-play, 97-yard drive in Week 8 that was capped with an 18-yard Jacob Silvester to Bradley Barcell TD pass (yes, the Pride do occasionally throw the ball!) to give them a 14-0 lead, and eventually a 31-21 victory.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.596 (11)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
407.4/28.6
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
105./177.3
Yards per play/allowed per play:
6.6/4.8
Leading passer:
Jacob Silvester, 28.6 ypg
Leading rusher:
Arsen Shtefan, 120.6 ypg
Leading receiver:
Bradley Barcello, 18.4 ypg
Leading tackler:
Aiden Lewin, 78 (40 solo)
Leader in sacks:
Quinn Sweeney, 3.5
Leader in interceptions:
Tyler Paladino, 3
How far can they go?
Springfield lost to Union and Union lost to Ithaca. Ergo ... if Ithaca can play assignment defense, they should be in good shape.
The offense can string enough plays and first downs together to not only move the ball consistently, but give the defense a chance to rest and recuperate. The defense responds with a score or a big play to set one up.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The offense can't consistently move the ball, and defensive stops or big offensive drives are waylaid by penalties.
This season's turning point:
Delaware Valley won back-to-back games in the final minute in dramatic fashion, including on a broken play where an opposing defensive back slipped and fell, allowing for a game-winning 71-yard touchdown pass.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.526 (63)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
197.5/117.5
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
67.0/130.2
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.2/3.4
Leading passer:
Louie Barrios IV, 101.3
Leading rusher:
Jay White, 113.5
Leading receiver:
Luan Avdijaj, 24.7
Leading tackler:
Nick Chapman, 82 (44 solo)
Leader in sacks:
Jacquez Mabin, 12.5
Leader in interceptions:
Micah Bootman, 3
How far can they go?
Playoff experience doesn't hurt and might be enough to get them through to the second round.
The Union offensive line and defensive line are controlling the line of scrimmage. The O-line has paved the way for Union to rush for almost 260 yards per game, while the defense is holding the opposition to only eight TDs all season.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
QB Donovan Pacette is under constant pressure and the offense can't convert on third down, making it a long day for the defense.
This season's turning point:
While many may point to the Liberty League gauntlet and big wins over Hobart and RPI, the season really turned when Union got a big, 34-7 win over Springfield in Week 3. That win would buoy their Pool C bid chances as the Pride rose to the top ranked team in Region 1.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.555 (24)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
257.7/198.9
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
57.0/147.7
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.9/3.5
Leading passer:
Donovan Pacatte, 191.3 ypg
Leading rusher:
Michael Fiore, 103.1 ypg
Leading receiver:
Landers Green, 61.4 ypg
Leading tackler:
Spencer Goldstien, 54 (31 solo)
Leader in sacks:
Ethan VanderBrink, 3.5
Leader in interceptions:
Nathan Sullivan, 4
How far can they go?
Probably favored in the opening round, but unlikely to get much further than that.
RB Jalen Leonard-Osborne is able to break a long TD run or reception and S Derek Slywka picks off the opposing team's quarterback.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The defense is giving up long pass plays and the offense is turning the ball over, or QB Colin Schumm is otherwise showing the growing pains inherent to being thrust into the starting lineup a month ago.
This season's turning point:
In Week 7, an eight play, 71-yard TD drive in the fourth quarter to hold off Union in the final game of the Bombers Liberty League gauntlet. That fourth quarter also saw the unfortunate loss of fifth-year senior and starting QB A.J. Wingfield* to a season ending leg injury.
The offense is stretching the field with the arm (and legs) of QB Matt Dzierski and the defense is holding their opposition to under three yards per carry.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
The Captains are turning the ball over. In their three losses this season (by a combined 14 points), CNU committed five turnovers.
This season's turning point:
A Week 5, 24-14 win over defending NJAC champions, Salisbury singled to the rest of the conference that the Captains were a legitimate contender. Even though they were tripped by Montclair in Week 10, they took care of TCNJ in the season finale to clinch the title.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.459 (191)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
143.1/200.2
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
87.2/144.7
Yards per play/allowed per play:
5.8/4.0
Leading passer:
Matt Dzierski, 154.6
Leading rusher:
Gunner White, 68.8
Leading receiver:
Colin Hart, 78.6
Leading tackler:
Kindrick Braxton, 69 (44 solo)
Leader in sacks:
Deven Norman, 4.0
Leader in interceptions:
4-way tie with 2
How far can they go?
Christopher Newport's return to the playoffs will be a short one.
The artists formerly known as Colonials are running the clock and able to keep the other team's offensive unit off the field.
You'll know they're playing poorly if:
It's only the Chad Blaszky show on offense. He ran for 233 yards and two touchdowns against Mass-Dartmouth, but when he's the only option working, it's a struggle for the Wolves.
This season's turning point:
Having Keion Jones ready to plug in at quarterback as a starter in Week 5 against Mass-Dartmouth, and the defense helping him out with some big early takeaways in what became a 52-21 win.
Strength of schedule (rank):
.449 (199)
Rushing/passing yards per game:
183.4/286.6
Rushing/passing yards allowed:
138.6/143.2
Yards per play/allowed per play:
7.5/4.5
Leading passer:
Keion Jones, 226.6 ypg
Leading rusher:
Chad Blaszky, 120.3 ypg
Leading receiver:
Julian Ferguson, 90.3 ypg
Leading tackler:
Nosa Uzamere, 64 (47 solo)
Leader in sacks:
Raquell Davis, 3.5
Leader in interceptions:
Mileeq Green, Michael DeFelice, 3
How far can they go?
Once upon a time, Western Connecticut got a top seed and a first-round bye. Well, the committee has gotten marginally better at seeding since then, and this bracket will result in the same 0-1 trip for Western.
Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets
Springfield Pride
Delaware Valley Aggies
Union Garnet Chargers
Ithaca Bombers
Christopher Newport Captains
Western Connecticut Wolves