The Heavyweight Title
Well folks we have finally made it, the end of the season is very near. We have but to crown our National Champions and the season will come to a close. I hope to see everyone who is in DIAA back again next season and I hope that maybe a few new faces will join the ranks as well. This world truly is something special, from the community to the competition. We've had another exciting season here in 142 but alas, all great things must come to an end. Without further adieu let's get this show on the road.
We have dissected the numbers and quoted stats and facts. We have discussed key players and strategies. We have talked scorelines and headlines. We got the opportunity to hear from coach Nitros and get his thoughts on the upcoming game. I haven't been able to get in contact with jddriscoll at this time but if he responds I will add it in.
Nitros:
1. What makes you most nervous about your opponent?: JD's talent makes me nervous. Unlike most teams where you can identify talent at specific areas, NIU has the No. 1 OL, #2 DL, #1 LB and #3 RB groups. His other groups, except QB rank top 5. The only weakness in his team is the QB position. JD is a very talented coach that relies more on his run game than his pass game. This is not a good matchup for me. He has a distinct talent advantage in this game at every position except QB. 2. Will you approach this game any differently than the rest through the playoffs?: I game plan for all big games a bit differently depending on the coach, talent and matchups. My isolation offense is pretty simple. For this particular game, I will focus on the DB. If I can get his top 2 DB on the bench, I should be able to do some damage against his second team DB's. On defense, I have to stop the run. Nothing else matters. If his 68 rated QB beats me, then so be it. 3. Who is the key player/position to try to stop in this game?: I must stop the run on defense and pass enough to get his #1 and #2 DB's out of the game. I should be able to make some money against his second string DB's. 4. What player/position needs to play lights out for your team?: My DL and ILB's MUST stop the run. My offense just needs to play as it has all year. If JD has any sense, he will not pass one time against me. He will win this game easily if he only runs the ball IMO. 5. Which opponent that you have already faced in playoffs most prepared you for this game or was the most challenging to gameplan for?: miami_jefe is the best coach with the best team that I have played to date.
NORTHERN IOWA
The Season: This team came in stacked to the brim with talent. So many top 50 players at their position I don't think jddriscoll even knew what to do with it all. UNI didn't miss a beat from a season ago. Right out of the gate this team was rolling! Through OOC their closest game was an 18-point victory over another playoff team in Harvard. The game was pretty lopsided at half but Harvard hung with the Panthers in the second half to make it a respectable final tally. UNI then didn't get challenged much in conference play until they ran into a pesky FIU squad. UNI had a 14-point lead at halftime and looked to be cruising but FIU wouldn't go away easily. UNI saw not only their lead disappear but they trailed in this game with nearly 7 minutes gone in the 4th quarter. The game was then back and forth with UNI obviously getting the last laugh with a go ahead TD with under 5 minutes left in the game on a 37 yard TD pass to WR Cruz. UNI cruised through their last three sim opponents and a rematch against Youngstown State on their way to a Gateway title.
The Playoffs: The post season started pretty much the same way the regular season went. UNI outscored their first two opponents in playoffs by a combined 116-8. Things then started to get a bit more interesting as UNI started facing top 10 opponents. However, despite a strong 2nd half, UNI was able to dismantle a solid Dayton team in the quarterfinals, UNI had built such a lead in the first half it was tough to overcome. In the Semis the Panthers faced Central Connecticut and had jumped out to an early lead and road that momentum into half where they had a 20-9 lead. Another even 2nd half would ensue and it was back and forth. CCSU was able to tie the game late in the 4th quarter off of a 6 yd TD pass but two drives and nearly 3 minutes later UNI retook the lead. CCSU had a chance to tie the game but was unable to convert a long 4th down from the UNI 14.
ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF
The Season: APB is a team who many have waited to see bring in national titles but each of the last 3 seasons one team has gotten in their way... the Panthers from Northern Iowa. This team had one goal in mind again this season, NC or bust. After a very promising first game against a sim, APB looked like they would cruise through the season. That ended quickly as they were "shocked" in week 2 by the ever tough Stephen F. Austin squad. APB faced a significant deficit at halftime and needed to find answers quickly. Their rally started with 14 unanswered points in the third quarter before surrendering the last points of the game on a field goal late in the 3rd quarter. The stout defense of SFA never allowed the Golden Lions to cross into the redzone the entire 4th quarter. APB then rolled through their next 2 games but were tested by Maine. A game that stayed tight the whole way and had a back and forth 4th quarter but APB proved to be too much. The Golden Lions then continued their streak as they pummeled their opponents in conference play on their way to a SWAC title.
The Playoffs: Truly the playoffs have been pretty uneventful for APB. They haven't scored fewer than 55 points through the playoffs! They also have had comfortable leads at halftime allowing them to continue to run their gameplan and allowing them to not try to do too much or get out of rhythm. Interestingly though this wasn't always done by their offense. In two of the game their offense did put up over 600 yards of total offense. However in the second round and semifinals this defense was a turnover machine. They forced 5 turnovers against Charleston Southern and then another 5 against St. Mary's.
THE GAME
These two squads were the ones who I figured had the best chances of reaching this point when the brackets were revealed. These two teams have been dominate the last several years and they dominated their way through the regular season and playoffs. There's so much to break down in this one. Will APB's defense continue their ball hawk ways? Will either team have a significant halftime lead, which is paramount to their success this season. Will UNI have another second half let down? Will UNI just be too talented for APB?
KEYS TO SUCCESS
UNI: This team needs to start strong but more importantly finish strong. I don't think the turnover bug will get this team due to all of the talent they have, nevertheless they need to not give APB more chances with the football so taking care of the football is very important.
APB: How do you overcome a talent deficit? You either gameplan to your strengths or try to get to the depth of the opponent. APB needs to find a way to work around all of UNI's talent. APB also needs to continue their "roll". They have clicked on all cylinders in the playoffs and will need to continue to do that and more to get the job done.
PREDICTION
Man, I really don't know in this one. These two coaches obviously know eachother pretty well. This will be the 3rd straight time they meet in playoffs. Both teams are very talented and we know both coaches are national championship caliber. I'm going to take APB 35-33. Good luck to you both!
