DIII Football Championship

While we are in week 3 of the CFB Football playoff rankings, it’s a good time to remember that there are three other divisions that have had a full tournament championship for many years.

• Yesterday — DII Championship
• Today - DIII Championship - championship bracket
• Next week - FCS (Football Championship Sub Division) Bracket

DIII Tournament

Division III has a 32 team tournament in four regions.   27 teams are automatic qualifiers for conference champions and 5 are at large births.  The five at large teams are: Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW), St. John’s (MIAC), Hardin-Simmons (ASC), Case Western Reserve (PAC) and Frostburg State (NJAC).  The top seeds in each region:

• West Region - UW Oshkosh (WIAC)
• North Region - Mount Union (OAC)
• South Region - Mary Hardin-Baylor (ASC)
• East Region - Delaware Valley (MAC)

Here are some comments on each of the these regions:

West Region

This is usually a tough region and this year is no different.   UW-Oshkosh is last year's national runner up, and after an undefeated season they look like the team that will advance from this region.   The first round game to watch is St. John’s at North Central.   It’s unfortunate that these two teams are meeting in the first round as in another region, both of these teams might have advanced past the second round.    The award for the winner of this game is to face UW-Oshkosh.   The other half of this region has two an undefeated teams - Wartburg and Trine.

North Region

While this Region has 3 undefeated teams, it still looks like Mount Union is the likely winner.   No team has defeated Mount Union on the road in the first round and a win over Illinois Wesleyan in the second round looks likely.   Frostburg State has the talent to come out of the other half of the bracket, but not enough to overtake Mont Union.

South Region

While there are two undefeated teams in this region, we look for St. Thomas to come out of this region.   They would have likely been a number one seed if not for a surprising first round loss to UW-Stout team.    Penalties cost them that game, while 8 turnovers cost them against UW-Oshkosh last year.  They have a very stingy defense and a strong running game.   IF they clean up the errors wining this region is well within their reach.  Mary Hardin-Baylor  will need more stable quarterback play if they hope to challenge St. Thomas or undefeated Berry.

East Region

The one guarantee is that an team from the East Region will be in the final four since all teams placed in this region are from the east region.  Much like our thoughts on St. Thomas, defense wins championships, so we are picking Brockport to come out of this region.   Delaware Valley’s chances will depend on the health of MAC Offensive Player of the year Devauntay Ellis who injured his hamstring late in the season.

McGowan Mania Picks

West Region - UW-Oshkosh

North Region 2  - Mount Union

South Region - St. Thomas

East Region - Brockport

Championship — UW-Oshkosh defeats St. Thomas.