Division III Football - Week 1
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by Wizardman
Well, since I'm running short on time this week, and my team had the week off, this recap probably won't be as good quality as the next few I do. They'll get better as I get better in writing these.
1. Mount Union looks they may win yet again already
As an OAC fan, of course I'm going to keep a close eye on the Purple Raiders. It's a shame that Averett couldn't keep an eye on them, as they led 72-0 at halftime. Yes, as the half. They won 75-7, though Mount Union could've had anyone play the second half and they would've won. I happened to watch them myself last year, and form what it sounds like they are even scarier this year. Poor OAC, hehe.
2. About time they put Carnegie Mellon in the top 25
With a win at Rochester, 35-10, the Tartans.... yes, the Tartans, are at #25 in the standings, after having a nice layover from their 11-1 season last year. Quite frankly they should be ranked much higher. They have one of the more unique playbooks in the league (listen to them on the radio, they're a true grind-it-out team who throws in the occasion trick play, it's fun to listen to), and they are a very solid team. They're in a small academic conference, so maybe that hurts them.
3. No upsets
The worst part about week one if the lack of key non-league matchups where the weak team has a great shot at toppling a ranked team. 0 unranked teams beat a ranked team this week. The closest we got is Wesley (#7 ranked) winning 34-31 against N.C. Wesleyan. Wesley's another weak conference team, so they cannot afford matches like this one, they'll need to step up.
4. UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater
Seriously, these two programs are quite powerful too. Of course Whitewater pounds Lakeland 41-7, but more impressive is the La Crosse team winning 47-21 against the ranked Hardin-Simmons. This was a key matchup for them since they don't face another DIII team until, you guessed it, Whitewater. That match the 29th will be great to watch/listen too, since that will determine the conference winner already, and maybe who faces mount union late. Oh, and La Crosse gets to face Asuza Pacific, so they better be ready
5. What to watch next week
Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. Christopher Newport will be a great matchup to watch, most likely the match of the week due to their high rankings. #23 Christopher Newport beat #10 Rowan 23-17 in the closest thing we got to an upset, so they're moving up the rankings quickly and don't look to stop where they are now.
Also, Augustana at Baldwin-Wallace will be a tough one. B-W was ranked 6th in the OAC last preseason, then immediately upset the 18th ranked vikings. Now both teams are ranked, 16th and 24th. Who edges out this time? Remember, B-W's defense has a lot more experience now, and they're playing at home. Plus, Augustana won their first game 65-0.
Springfield vs. Union will also be an interesting matchup. The #9 pride vs. the (in my opinion) very overrated Union team, who continues to win and get the upsets it needs. If they fixed the holes from last year, they could be very good down the stretch.
Until next week, I'm Wizardman, bringing you guys who don't get scholarships to play the game.
