The first round match-ups in this super region are Nebraska-Omaha at Pittsburg State and Central Washington at West Texas A&M.
Nebraska-Omaha at Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State is a video game player's dream team. They put together 225 yards rushing per game and 203 yards passing per game, and have ran for 32 touchdowns, passed for 20 touchdowns, and thrown only six interceptions.
The regular-season match-up between these schools looked exactly like a typical Pittsburg State game, as the Gorillas ran for 266 yards and passed for 201 en route to a 35-28 victory over UNO.
Nebraska-Omaha isn't nearly as balanced, but they take their potent rushing attack into this game, an aspect that has gotten them over 280 yards per game this season.
Their do-it-all quarterback Zach Miller is again having a stellar season, as he has racked up over 1,000 yards rushing this year and 18 touchdowns while passing for over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pitt State's only setback this season was a rather surprising 35-10 loss to Northwest Missouri State, while Nebraska-Omaha under-performed this year in their new conference, three of four games in the middle of the season, as they lost to Northwest Missouri State 42-0, Truman State 26-20, and Pittsburg State 35-28.
Pittsburg State looks like they will have too much firepower though in the form of Caleb Farabi and Mark Smith.
Central Washington at West Texas A & M
This is my favorite game of the first round, as Central Washington faced some scrutiny this season for their schedule, which consisted of facing four different schools twice.
Their only setback was a very impressive one, as they went into the barn of Montana, a 1-AA powerhouse playoff team at 9-1, and dropped a 38-35 decision in week five on a late field goal by the Grizzlies.
Mike Reilly (pictured above) and Johnny Spevak have led a very potent air-attack that is averaging 305 yards per game. Reilly is an NFL prospect who has thrown for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to only five interceptions.
Spevak has been his go-to guy, as he has compiled 1,313 receiving yards (119.4 per game) and 16 touchdowns, some of the best numbers in the country for a wide receiver.
The problem with the Central Washington squad is a defense that leaves much to be desired, as the Wildcats are allowing an average of 343 yards per game.
Meanwhile, West Texas A & M has had a very potent offense (46.3 points and 523 yards per game) to go with a fairly decent defense that allows 19 points and 300 yards per game.
The Buffs also have a potent air attack, led by another NFL prospect in Keith Null, who throws for an average of 367 yards per game and has connected on 38 touchdown passes compared to 14 interceptions.
His main target is Charly Martin, also an NFL prospect, who has caught 73 passes for 1,372 yards and 16 touchdowns. West Texas A & M's only loss of the season was a 52-35 shootout to Abilene Christian, the No. 1 seed in the region.
Neither team has much of a rushing attack to speak of, but this game might be one of those "first to 50" type match-ups.
My personal opinion is that the poise of Reilly will lead the Wildcats late in the game as he and Spevak can take over at any point. All Central Washington has to do is hold on, possibly literally, to Charly Martin and not give up too many big plays.
In reality, this game will be all about the big play, and a shootout seems inevitable. My pick, however, will be Central Washington, as this game could be a coin flip.
Some of the first round games can be seen for free on the NCAA's All-Access video player at http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=ncaa and I strongly urge you to catch some of the action.
A lot of people think that Division II is inferior football, but numerous Division I transfers who are now in Division II football have said that the only difference between the high-level programs and the Division II programs are the size of the linemen and nothing more.
So grab some popcorn and watch some free football this Saturday as some of the most passionate players in the country lay it all out on the field...and not all out on a keyboard or computer screen.
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