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D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #1 NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:20:33 +0000

After starting off with a loss at Abilene Christian (the second season-opening loss in a row to the Wildcats), the NWMSU plowed through the MIAA to become conference champions. They avenged their loss to ACU in the second round of the playoffs and other than a scare at Central Washington had a comfortable run at the championship. This season will potentially be more of the same.

They return All-American receiver Jake Soy, who was named the nation’s top receiver in 2009, and All-MIAA QB Blake Bolles to lead the Bearcat offense along with Pre-Season All-American lineman Brett Grozinger, a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award last season. The defense will be anchored by All-MIAA and Pre-Season All-American Chad Kilgore and All-MIAA defensive back Ryan Jones.

While the Bearcats open at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville from the LSC, they only have three other home games. Key contests will occur on the road against Nebraska-Omaha, Washburn, Central Missouri and the Fall Classic at Arrowhead vs. Pittsburg State.

D2 Sports Network predicts the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats will finish the season with a 13-1 record and repeat as MIAA and National Champions.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #2 MINNESOTA-DULUTH

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:27:36 +0000

After being the Cinderella story team of 2008, the defending national champs were rudely awakened the second week in the 2009 season by a talented Central Washington team. However, from 1-1 to 11-1 the Bulldogs marched before losing the battle for the region with dynasty Grand Valley State. It was not the banner year of 2008, but was truly a successful campaign with a stellar record and being NSIC Champions. This year’s season could will likely be another year, with the same tough battles forming in the post-season.

UMD is led by NSIC Offensive Player of the Year running back Isaac Odim. A former Harlon Hill Award finalist, he is UMD’s all-time leading rusher and scorer and a member of the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American team. The defensive unit will be anchored by NSIC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Robbie Aurich, who led the team in tackles again last season with 93 stops and 40 solos.

This season will start with a change to avenge last year’s letdown loss to Central Washington. This could be a pace-setting game for Duluth as they attempt to run through the NSIC North again to position themselves for home-field during the playoffs. Key conference contests include Bemidji State, Winona State and 2009 NSIC South Champion Minnesota-Mankato.

D2 Sports Network predicts the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs will repeat as NSIC with a record of 12-2 in the semifinals of the NCAA playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #3 NORTH ALABAMA

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:48:49 +0000

What a roller coaster of a December it was in 2008 for North Alabama fans. After a romp in ‘windy’ Maryville ended the Lions season just one game shy of a home-standing title game, successful Head Coach Mark Hudspeth resigned leaving Lion Nation dejected facing a re-building year and a new coach. A note was sent to former Auburn Head Coach Terry Bowden in the booth of the D2 Championship Game gauging his interest to return to coaching. Days later a media firestorm unseen in D2 was ignited as UNA made the announcement of the hire.

The media coverage hasn’t stopped as Coach Bowden assembled over twenty transfers from Division I schools to fill the huge voids left in the Lions line-up that he combined with several talented Lion veterans to win ten straight games and sit atop the D2 rankings for the first time since 1997. The 1-2 finish has carried the ‘come-back’ story line into this season as once again, big name transfers are poised to compliment returning skilled veterans to make another run at that elusive forth national title.

The Lion defense will be anchored by returning All-GSC second team defensive back Chad Daniel and 2008 All-GSC second team linebacker Larry Wilson along with transfer safeties Rod Woodson (Alabama) and Bryan Thomas (Florida). The UNA offense will be led by veteran receiver Charles McClain and back Wes Holland along with touted transfers, quarterback Lee Chapple (Georgia Southern) and receiver Tim Hawthorne (Auburn).

UNA opens the season against fellow Gulf South Conference foe Henderson State in a non-conference game before traveling to WVIAC member Glenville State. Key GSC contests will include the usual tough rival games against Valdosta State and Delta State before attempting to avenge their only regular-season loss of last season as they again host in-state rival West Alabama.

D2 Sports Network predicts the North Alabama Lions will repeat as GSC Champions and finish the season 14-1 as national runner-up.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #4 CENTRAL WASHINGTON

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:05:36 +0000

The team to come closest to defeating the eventual national champions, Northwest Missouri State, in the playoffs was Central Washington. A blocked extra point at the end of the game was a heart-breaking way to close the season at home. However, the Wildcats did enjoy another successful year as they made their fourth playoff appearance (third consecutive) since joining Division II just a decade ago. I don’t expect much different this year as they are favored to win the GNAC and venture into the post season.

The offensive unit lost several key personnel but will be anchored by All-GNAC second team selection Bryson Kelly at running back. The defense will be led by two CDS Pre-Season All-Americans with linemen Tyrell Nielsen and Eugene Germany. Germany, who will be a senior for the Wildcats, was a unanimous first-team all-GNAC selection last season. He totaled 37 tackles while starting all 13 games as a defensive end in 2009, adding 10 1/2 tackles for losses and three quarterback sacks as a junior.

The Wildcats will start this season by hosting 2008 National Champion, Minnesota-Duluth before the round-robin conference schedule begins with additional contests coming against Eastern Washington (NAIA) and Southern Oregon (FCS). This season, the GNAC features a new school in the mix as Simon Fraser becomes the first Canadian institution to join D2.

D2 Sports Network predicts the CWU Wildcats to finish with a record of 11-2 as GNAC champions in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #5 GRAND VALLEY STATE

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:54:20 +0000

Grand Valley State has built a dynasty of success in many sports, most especially football. The Lakers have won four national titles in the past decade and made it deep into the playoffs five other times during that time period. That said, GVSU hasn’t won the national title in the past three seasons and that trend will more than likely continue this season with a new quarterback and head coach. Coach Chuck Martin left to join former Coach Brian Kelly’s staff at DI Notre Dame. He is replaced by his veteran defensive coach Matt Mitchell.

Last season the Lakers rode a veteran quarterback into the title game for the first time in a few years and came up short. The season started with a win over West Texas A&M before the Lakers showed vulnerability with a 7-point victory vs. Ferris State. Then, the rare slip up against Hillsdale. It was the first regular season loss for GVSU since 2004. They went on to finish strong including avenging the loss to Hillsdale and to Minnesota-Duluth for the previous season’s playoff defeat.

This year the Lakers reload and will be led on offense by first-team All-GLIAC lineman Cameron Bradfield and All-GLIAC honorable mention receivers Ryan Bass and Andrew Lorman. Bass had 36 catches for 605 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2009. The defense will be anchored by GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Danny Richard and first-team All-GLIAC linebacker Justin Victor.

They will face two of their tougher opponents at home to begin the season as West Texas A&M from the LSC visits before the GLIAC schedule starts with Hillsdale. The Lakers should cruise through the next eight GLIAC contests before a regular season finale with arch-rival Saginaw Valley State.

D2 Sports Network predicts the GVSU Lakers to finish 11-3 as GLIAC champions in the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #7 CALIFORNIA (PA)

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:36:29 +0000

After years in the cellar of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, California (PA) has found itself in a turn-around the past five years including three consecutive appearances in the national semifinals. However, last season included some early adversity as the Vulcans lost their first two games. They swiftly turned things around with a 8-game winning streak before losing in the PSAC championship game to Shippensburg. Yet, the Vulcan’s season allowed them to host the first round of the playoffs and they proceeded to tear through Super Regional 1, including avenging the loss to Shippensburg of just weeks prior. This season expect more of the same including CUP remaining SR1 champs.

The Vulcans return 18 starters this season including CDS second-team All-American Dan Jordan. The senior offensive lineman anchors one of the most veteran lines in the nation. Running the offense will be graduate student quarterback Josh Portis. He set new school records last season with 3,421 yards and 36 touchdown passes. The defense will be led by two-year starting junior linebacker Brett Diamond.

They start the season as they travel to GLIAC conference member, Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals won this battle last year and it will again set the tone of the season for both teams. CUP then travels to PSAC East foes CW Post and East Stroudburg before their PSAC West schedule begins with Clarion and includes key contests with IUP and Edinboro.

D2 Sports Network predicts the CUP Vulcans will win the PSAC West race and the conference title game finishing the season with a record of 11-3 in the semifinals of the NCAA playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #8 WEST ALABAMA

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:53:39 +0000

What a difference four weeks can make. In late October of 2009, West Alabama’s football team was dejected after a tough loss to then-winless, cellar-dwellar West Georgia with what looked like would be a season-ending loss to undefeated, top-ranked North Alabama. UWA Coach Wallace knew the opponent well as he had led them to three consecutive national titles in the early 90′s. His focus was continuing to promote the positive of what had been a roller-coaster of a year for the Tigers. Over the next month, West Alabama did the unthinkable as they defeated #1 UNA in over-time, made the playoffs and earned their first playoff victory, both for the first time since 1975. The run came to a close in the second round, but rest assured the taste of success stokes the summer heat of Livingston.

The Tiger offense will be a talented group coached by OC and former Harlon Hill winner, Will Hall. They are anchored by All-GSC returning wide receiver/return specialist Terry Allen along with All-GSC tackle Jarod Porter and the returning starter at quarterback Deon Williams. He was 197-355-12 for a 58.8 completion percentage, 2804 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also ran for over 350 net yards on the season with rushing touchdowns. The West Alabama defense will be led by Shontral Ford, the Gulf South Conference Defensive Freshmen of the Year.

UWA starts the season vs. NAIA Shorter College before starting their ten-game GSC schedule at UAM. They will have a chance the next week to avenge one of last season’s losses when NAIA Lambuth visits town before being tested on the road against Delta State just two weeks later. The season wraps up with key contests vs. in-state rival North Alabama and tough GSC foe Valdosta State.

D2 Sports Network predicts the UWA Tigers will finish the season with a record of 11-2 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #9 WASHBURN

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:04:45 +0000

Last season was bittersweet for the Washburn Ichabods as they had some huge wins and some hard-fought losses. Going down in three tough contests on the road, with the last being a heart-breaking overtime loss to the eventual national champion, seemed to overshadow the final two blowout victories that culminated a successful 8-3 record. In other regions, they would have been rewarded with a post-season birth, but Super Regional 3 was loaded with deserving teams and WU was left out. They won’t be this season, but it will remain the toughest region.

The Ichabod Defense will be led by All-MIAA DB Pierre Desir, who led the conference with seven interceptions, and All-MIAA second team selection safety Casey Curran. Quarterback Dane Simoneau, who set school single-season records for passing yards (2,955), passing completions (186), total offense (2,923) and passing percentage (60.4), was named to All-MIAA second team along with offensive tackle Brian Folkerts and center Ty Lewis with all returning as key starters for the Washburn Offense.

WU will start the season again with Colorado – Mines from the RMAC before hosting Abilene Christian from the LSC. That contest, along with with hosting MoWest the next week with a chance to avenge one of the last season’s losses will set the tone for the season. The Ichabods will also have a tough homecoming opponent as the National Champion Bearcats visit town.

D2 Sports Network predicts that the WU Ichabods will finish the season with a 10-2 record in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown – #12 ABILENE CHRISTIAN

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:25:57 +0000

ACU has had four consecutive years of post-season play now and have been ranked as high as #1 in the regular season. The only problem is that 2009 National Champion Northwest Missouri was on their schedule and in their region. The Bearcats were national runners-up the three other seasons. The Wildcats had their number to start each of the past two regular seasons but have two season-ending loses to them in the NCAA playoffs. There is good news to begin 2010 as the Bearcats are off the regular season schedule.

However, the Wildcats will start with the potentially equally-strong MIAA foe when they visit Washburn. This game will set the tone for the season while two dates stand out on the calendar. The first is a trip to LSC opponent Texas A&M – Kingsville in week five before taking on rival West Texas A&M in Canyon in the tenth week.

The team will be led on offense by All-Region & All-LCS South selections FB Justin Andrews and OL Royland Tubbs. The defense will be led by returning All-Region & All-LSC South stand-out DE Aston Whiteside and All-Region second team selections LB Fred Thompson (All-LSC South second team) and Kevin Washington (All-LSC South first team).

D2 Sports Network predicts the ACU Wildcats will finish the season 10-3 in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs.

D2 Top 15 Football Countdown Poll – #13 DELTA STATE

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:50:17 +0000

Delta State had a down year in 2009, as the Statesmen opened the season with a loss on the road vs. LSC opponent Texas A&M – Kingsville and the tone was set. The 2000 National Champions have been in the playoff hunt most every season and was coming off two consecutive GSC titles. Yet, DSU went on to have losses vs. Ouachita Baptist and GSC playoff teams Arkansas Tech, North Alabama and West Alabama. The .500 season left a void in most folks in Cleveland, Mississippi that they will want to fill. The Statesmen should return to a winning season and post-season competition this year.

A major leader and weapon will be All-American (Honorable Mention), All-GSC, and GSC Player of the Week, Trevar Deed. Any D2 school would be lucky to have him as he gained 1,917 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season. He will be supported by several returning starts and over 20 transfers from community college or other classification of the NCAA.

The Statesmen open against in-state rival Jackson State from the FCS (formerly I-AA). That game will be a good opener for bragging rights, but won’t factor into the post-season. A week later, DSU will attempt to avenge one of last season’s losses by hosting Arkansas Tech before traveling to an always tough opponent in Valdosta State. Just two weeks later in Cleveland, another GSC playoff team visits as UWA will attempt to make it two-in-a-row. Other tough games of the season include hosting North Alabama and the final week of the regular season on-the-road against Ouachita Baptist.

D2 Sports Network predicts Delta State will finish 8-4 losing in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.