Jabbering JAG 128.4
Well that wraps up the non-conference portion of the season. Let the true bloodbath begin now! Teams who didn't perform as well as they had hoped will start pulling out all of the stops and those who are doing really well and ranked high will have targets on their backs. Conference titles have become so important in Wilkinson because it is the only way you're ensured a playoff berth. With how competitive things have become, a solid record may not be enough to get you into the dance. Even if you do get in you will be a lower seed and have a hard time advancing to the next round. Good luck to all!
DIA Surprise Teams
Cincinnati - This squad has one winning season in the last nine, yet here they are sitting undefeated and #2 after non conference. This team is putting up over 40 ppg and allowing under 10! That is while playing four human coaches. There is still a lot of work left to be done for the Bearcats as they have to go through the gauntlet that is the Big East this season.
Texas A&M - Third year coach huskerfan26 has yet to really make his mark on the Aggie program but a 5-0 start has him appearing to be moving in the right direction. This team's closest game was by 17 points and that was against four veteran humans in non-conference. This team still has a tough road ahead as they have four currently ranked teams, including three elites on the schedule.
California - A second season in a row? Cal currently boasts the nations #3 SOS and is undefeated. They played four humans in non-conference, two of which are currently ranked. The PAC-10 is no joke and the Bears must trek through five straight humans if they hope to remain unbeaten and want to have another shot at a national title. Cal averages nearly 50 ppg and although the defensive numbers don't seem super impressive, the team has not given up more than 28 points in a game.
DIA Disappointment Teams
Navy - One of the toughest mid-majors in Wilkinson is off to a slow start. This team didn't pull any punches in non-conf though, they played two elites and two currently ranked opponents. The Midshipmen have quite a bit to figure out on both sides of the ball as they currently average over 40 ppg against and their offense is averaging just about half of that. The good news for Navy is they play in the Sun Belt which is currently WIS lowest ranked conference in the world so the wins should start flowing in.
Washington - Historically one of the toughest BCS teams in Wilkinson but after a below .500 start to the season with an SOS not ranked in the top 25, the Huskies are looking for answers entering conference play. UW did play two tough elites and was competitive in their other loss. Cjl hasn't managed a double digit win season with Washington in two straight seasons and will need quite a bit of help to achieve that mark this season.
Ohio State - This team is on here for how they have performed against tough competition. The Buckeyes have rolled two of their opponents, both of whom were mid majors. They non-conference schedule offset those opponents with three of the world's toughest elite programs. In those three contests the Buckeyes have lost by an average of 20 points. OSU is going to have to pick up the defense in B1G play if they want a shot at a CC.
DIAA Surprise Teams
Maine - This team is currently undefeated and in the top 10. While the strength of schedule isn't something to hang your hat on, the two wins they do have against humans were solid. They beat two great teams, in close battles, with a young defense. The Black Bears will really be able to test themselves and boost their strength of schedule in conference play as they are part of the #1 conference in WIS right now.
Northern Iowa - First year coach, who we all know can coach, has this team rocking. They're fresh off a huge win against Tennessee Tech. The Panthers are averaging over 50 ppg and only 8 ppg against. UNI still has some pretty tough teams left on the schedule and will truly get a chance to prove their ability to play at a top level consistently.
Grambling State - GSU has one of the longest, if not the longest tenured coaches in Wilkinson. This team is off to their greatest start in in a very, very long time and is primed to make playoffs for the first time since season 116. Another team who has a weaker SOS right now but will be able to improve that in conference play, through that weaker schedule they have not shown any signs of vulnerability.
DIAA Disappointment Teams
Duquesne - This MEAC squad has started to slide out of the spotlight. They're hoping their new coach will be able to return them to greatness but right now they're going through their lumps. This team was competitive in two of their three losses but the problem is that I'm not sure the MEAC has the ability to raise the Dukes' SOS high enough to get into playoffs without a CC. This team still could rebound and make a very strong push at the CC.
Texas State - This highly praised team already has more losses than a season ago and they still have a ways to go. The Bobcats are two points away from being above .500 but nonetheless they currently sit at 2-3. TSU has the talent to make some noise and their SOS should finish quite well but the Bobcats will need to pull off some important wins if they hope to get a favorable playoff seeding.
