Jabbering JAG 136.5 (Conference Title Games)

We are officially in the post-season! This DIAA season has been very interesting. I think this is one of those seasons where things didn't necessarily finish where they were expected to. There were some solid teams who finished where they were supposed to but there were some who under performed or didn't get the breaks they needed. There were some team who did surprisingly well. I think this was one of the most interesting seasons we've had in a while. Honestly, I don't have a clear favorite to win the NC this season... which I think is amazing and a testament to how difficult DIAA still is in Wilkinson even if we don't have the numbers that we used to have. Tonight I will give a quick preview of all of the CC games and predict a winner. Best of luck to everyone in their CC games!

On a side note I picked 6 of 10 CC games correctly at DIA... definitely not my best showing. GL to everyone who is in the CC in DIA!

A10

The most intriguing matchup of the CC games by far. Both of these tenured coaches have several conference titles already and they would love to add another to the trophy case. In doing that they not only beat their rival but also solidify their spot as a #1 seed. Both teams average over 60 ppg and their defenses can be stout and they make you play an efficient game as both teams average over 2 ints per game. This one will go down to the wire and I have to call MAINE 34-31.

Big Sky

An interesting matchup here. These teams played extremely well all season and have really closed out the regular season on a roll. These teams are very similar in stats, they both average over 500 yards and 50 ppg. Their QB's are also a combined 74 TD to 0 INT on the season. Those QB's abilities as well as the ablity of the offensive lines will be tested in this game. Both teams average nearly 3 sacks per game. I think I'm going to go on a limb in this one, gut is saying SMU but I'm taking SFA 31-27.

Gateway

This conference seems to be on the "back burner" as they have some solid teams but they don't seem like they pack the same punch they used to. That isn't to take away from these two talented teams and solid coaches. These two met in Youngstown earlier this season with UNI surviving a close, back and forth game. jddriscoll seems to have sternes number but we all know sternes will have his boys ready to go in this game. Tough one to call here but going for a sweep, UNI 33-31.

Ivy

This will be the 6th time in 8 seasons that these two teams have met in the CC. If any of you DII coaches read this, this is a conference to look into, a lot of good potential here and these two are making conference dynasties that could use a nudge :). Not the flashiest of offenses featured in this one but the Ivy guys are smart and they know defense wins championships as both teams have WIS top 25 defenses. The coaching series is very even which makes this a hard game to predict. I'm going with the Tigers from PRINCETON 28-24.

MEAC

I won't say much here but DSU faces a sim. This conference is another one I would look at if I were in DII or looking to make a move. This one should get ugly early and stay that way as DSU just seems to have more firepower all over the field. A lot of veterans on this team and it shows as the Hornets average over 50 ppg and the defense averages over 3 sacks and 2 ints a game. DSU 55-7.

NEC

I wouldn't necessarily say two surprise teams here. I will say I think both of these teams played very well this season and deserve to be where they are. Central Conn really needs this win as they are right on the bubble and as it sits they're on the outside looking in. Robert Morris is hoping to keep their #2 and MAAAYYYBBEE stretching it to a #1 seed in playoffs. Everything seems to favor RMU and I think this game will be interesting but sticking with the numbers here, RMU 35-24.

OVC

By far the toughest conference in Wilkinson and the CC features two top 10 teams doing battle. These two met last season and Samford would love to repeat. Coach orangepace looks to use his success against mraston to gain an edge in the matchup this season. I expect this one to be a dandy and close all the way. These offenses are loaded as both average nearly 60 ppg and the QBs have combined for over 100 touchdowns this season. Another tough one to call here, I like both of these coaches but I have to pick one. I'm going say the champs get unseated, MARIST 38-33.

PFL

A rematch in this game, with Jacksonville taking the W in the first meeting. Dayton has since played very good football and look to get revenge. Nothing headlining in this game in terms of stats as both of these teams like to control the clock, control the game and use a good amount of running plays to just that. Both teams will use the experience gained during their top 20 ranked SOS to help propel them in this matchup. On a neutral field I think this one is a coin toss, I'm taking DAYTON 27-24.

SoCon

This CC game has quite a bit on the line, more than just bragging rights and a trophy in the case. For one team it means a spot in the playoffs and for the other, a spot as a #1 seed. GSU has started to assert themselves in the conference as they have won 4 of the last 5 CC games. Nicholls would really love to get their first CC since season 83. Georgia Southern dominated in the first meeting this season. I think this one will be a bit closer but still taking GSU 38-20.

SWAC

Alabama A&M has been a staple in this game and they play.... wait... Arkansas Pine-Bluff. I would say this game is between two programs, that right now, appear to be heading in opposite directions. APB didn't even bat an eye in their first conference game against A&M but rematches are always difficult. Both of these teams have sack happy defenses but I think the difference in this game is on the offense. I think that A&M will have too many turnovers to overcome and ARK PB will win 35-21.