The first round match-ups consist of Wayne State (Neb.) at Chadron State, and Minnesota State-Mankato at Ashland University.
Wayne State (Neb.) at Chadron State
Chadron has been very impressive this year, as they were expected to be down after the loss of Danny Woodhead, the NCAA's all-time leading rusher. Their only loss was a 38-31 setback to Pittsburg State, a playoff team in Super Region 4, early in the season. Wayne State's losses were back-to-back in weeks three and four, dropping games to Saint Cloud State (31-17) and Minnesota State-Mankato (26-21).
Chadron has actually gone away from their extreme rushing attack they had with Woodhead, and have been very efficient throwing the ball, passing for 27 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
Their rush defense is stout, allowing around 60 yards per game, which could be trouble for Wayne State who averages 174 yards per game on the ground. Chadron seems to have everything in place to control this game, and they should do just that.
Minnesota State-Mankato at Ashland
This has the potential to be a good game as long as Mankato can figure out how to slow down Billy Cundiff and his corps of great receivers that lead the fifth ranked offensive attack in the country.
Mankato counters, however, with the 12th ranked pass efficiency defense and the 13th ranked scoring defense.
Ashland fell on some hard times to begin their season, dropping a heartbreaking 49-42 game to No. 1 SR1 seed Bloomsburg in the season opener, falling 25-24 to Ferris State in their second game, and then ripping off six victories in a row before suffering another heartbreaking loss, this time to the No. 1 team in the country, Grand Valley State, 48-42 as the Lakers came back from a 36-21 deficit mid-way through the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Mankato lost 29-9 to Central Missouri State in their own season opener, and to Augustana, 41-38, in the middle of the season.
If Ashland can perform per their usual on offense, they should be able to outscore Mankato in what could be a very high-scoring game.
Super Region 4 (Southwest Region)
Seed 1: (10-0) Abilene Christian
Seed 2: (10-1) Northwest Missouri State
Seed 3: (10-1) Pittsburg State
Seed 4: (10-1) West Texas A&M
Seed 5: (10-1) Central Washington
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