Jabbering JAG 132.4 (Crunch Time)

(AWAGS this is for YOU!)

We're back! A couple of days away and oh how the landscape has moved over the last couple of games. It's crunch time now as division races are now taking shape and every game becomes more important. The OVC is still ranked miles ahead of the#2 and #3 conferences who are neck and neck with eachother. There are still 7 undefeated teams which I feel like is the most that we have had in DIAA at this point in the season for quite some time. If you haven't seen the first edition be sure you check out dachmann's Bubble Watch to see where he thinks your team, or other teams in your conference, currently stand in the playoff race and what they need to do to get a spot in the dance!

I like to take the best game from every conference but I picked a bad day to come back as most of the better games seem to be centralized in just a couple of conferences but let's get to it.

#5 Stephen F. Austin vs # 13 Texas State - One of the most anticipated games in the Big Sky this season. Underrated and 2-time Big Sky champs take on newcomer and hard hitting SFA. A battle for division bragging rights and bragging rights within the state of Texas. This game could be lower scoring as both teams like to run the ball quite a bit. A typical Big Sky setup with running offenses accompanied by tough defenses. SFA has played a gauntlet this season and have bested 7 of 8 humans. TSU comes in with a very low ranked SOS but this team has talent and they have beaten some tough teams. TSU 33-27

#17 St. Mary's @ Cal Poly - Both of these teams, at the beginning of the season, had very high expectations coming in but due to some unfortunate setbacks they have sunk in the polls. CP, the "unluckiest team in DIAA", is coming off another frustrating loss this season. Make that 4 coulda, woulda, shoulda games for the Mustangs this season. The strong defense of CP will try to get the job done against a potent SMU squad. St. Mary's comes in playing much better in conference play. They only have one conference loss and it was a close one. Both teams still have a shot to win the division and make the CC game. This will be the first meeting between gt_deuce and chrondon84. SMU 28-24

#24 Marist @ St. Peters - Two OVC North foes do battle here. This division is stacked and likely won't have a winner until the end of the season. St. Peter's is a team that I think still has a little ways to go to "complete" the rebuild but they are coming off a solid win against EIU. SP has struggled with turnovers this season and their defense looks to be porous. They will have to play a near perfect game. Marist is a team I warned you about with their early season frustrations. They come in with 3 straight wins and 2 of those against tough humans. The Red Fox defense also looks to be a bit weaker this season but their offense looks on point. Marist 35-21

#2 Jacksonville State @ #9 Samford - A tale of two tales in this one. JSU is finally playing the part that everyone has expected them to play. The Gamecocks are currently undefeated and they have only played one sim all season. This aerial assault offense is lighting things up and they are accompanied by a very stingy defense that hasn't given up more than 24 points in a game this season. Samford comes in with just one loss this season as they look to have taken a huge step forward in their rebuild. The Bulldogs come in 3-1 against human opponents. These two fantastic coaches will be prepared for this one as the winner takes the drivers seat in the division and will control their own destiny. JSU 30-21

#7 Georgia Southern @ Western Carolina - GSU has been impressive again this season. They sport a 4-1 record against human opponents this season and they have a top 20 SOS this season. This pass heavy offense throws for almost 500 yards per game. They face a team in WCU who, on paper, looks equally as tough as GSU…the difference is that WCU has played the #82 SOS this season. The balanced attack of WCU will have to be at the top of it's game as the defense they face averages almost 2 ints per game and 1 fumble per game. The winner of this game has pretty much punched their ticket to the SoCon CC game. GSU 35-20

#18 Grambling State @ Liberty - A SWAC West matchup for a chance to stay in the running. Liberty already has one conference loss and another, with Tex. Southern still on the schedule will effectively eliminate them from CC contention. The Flames have had trouble at QB this season as their upperclassmen signal caller has thrown 12 interceptions. Grambling comes in looking pretty solid on both sides of the ball and hoping to stay unbeaten in conference before their date with TSU. Both coaches are 2-2 against human opponents this season and 1lanceman has controlled the series against panthsho taking 8 of the previous 11 meetings. GSU 34-27