JohnnieFootball

The 2009 NCAA Division III football playoffs are upon us.  On Sunday around 2:10pm the brackets were revealed on ESPNEWS.  The committee has decided NOT to place seedings on teams this year, however, one can reasonably surmise that the West Region Bracket looks like this.

#1 SJU vs #8 Coe

#4 Monmouth vs #5 St. Thomas

#3 Linfield vs #6 California Lutheran

#2 Central vs #7 Mary-Hardin Baylor

These are the first round matchups with the winners playing each other at a home site to be determined (see: Most revenue for the NCAA).  The lack of seeding seems a bit ridiculous for a number of reasons, but this is par for the course with the always unpredictable NCAA.

At first glance you notice that there is the potential for an epic rematch with the Tommies in the 2nd Round as well as another “Miracle in the Mud” game between Linfield and Central.  The West (the NCAA doesn’t officially call it that, but I will because that is essentially what it is) Bracket is loaded with good teams and whomever emerges from it on December 5th will be battle tested.

There are really 5 teams capable of winning the bracket.  They are St. John’s, Central, Linfield, Mary-Hardin Baylor, and St. Thomas.  That is a lot of red and purple.  The darkhorse is Mary-Hardin Baylor who will be on the road for as long as their playoff run goes.  The favorite is probably Linfield or St. John’s. 

The sleeper in my mind is clearly St. Thomas.  I’ve seen the Tommies and Johnnies more than anyone this season.  They replaced their QB (Dakota Tracy taking over for Greg Morse) a few weeks ago and are now hitting on all cylinders.  It would be a really tremendous chess match in Collegeville on November 28th.

Multiple teams have a legitmate shot at winning the West region and playing at either Mount Union or Wisconsin-Whitewater in the National Semifinals.  This may be the 5th consecutive year with the Stagg Bowl matching up the Raiders and the Warhawks in Salem, VA, but one thing is certain.  The team that navigates the West successfully will be ready to give them a helluva battle.  Enjoy the ride!!!

Odds of Winning the West Region Bracket:

#1 St. John’s–                         5 to 1

#2 Central–                            10 to 1

#3 Linfield–                            6 to 1

#4 Monmouth–                      20 to 1

#5 St. Thomas–                    15 to 1  

#6 California Lutheran–     200 to 1

#7 Mary-Hardin Baylor–      8 to 1

#8 Coe College–                 150 to 1

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