Morningside College (Iowa) @ University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) – 1 p.m.
Just two weeks ago Morningside’s hopes for an undefeated regular season and a Great Plains Athletic Conference title were dashed by the Sioux Falls Cougars. While Morningside kept the game close early, USF exploded in the second half before coming away with a 49-21 victory. Whatever adjustments the Cougars made at halftime obviously worked. The Mustangs now have to find a way to counter what USF did in the second half of their last game or else their hopes of a national title will come to an end. I still think USF dominates in too many categories for the Mustangs to get the victory in this one. USF has a better defense, more diverse offensive attack and the ability to create turnovers. Morningside has to play near perfect to stay in this one and cannot have six turnovers again if they are to get a win. Tough game for the Cougars since they have beaten Morningside once and have to try to do it again. That could be the mental edge the Mustangs are hoping for. In the end, the Coo advance to the semis
USF 42 Morningside 20
MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) @ Carroll College (Mont.) – 12:07 p.m.
Well . . . this is the game the most ravenous fans of the College Fanz message boards have wanted for years. MNU travels to Carroll College to finally see what all of the fuss is about. I think MNU is going to be surprised with the hospitality and just how good the Saints are. Look for Carroll College to limit the MNU offense to near nothing in this game. The Saints do not have an offense that is going to score 56 points against MNU, but they will dominate the game especially on the ground. MNU has never seen a defensive scheme as good as Carroll College’s and this week will be an eye opening experience for the Pioneers
Carroll 31 MNU 7
Ottawa University (Kan.) @ Lindenwood University (Mo.) – 1:30 p.m.
Holy offense. This game has the makings of an NAIA record breaker. Two of the best offenses in the NAIA matchup in St. Charles this week for what might be the best game of the quarterfinals. If Ottawa prevent themselves from turning the ball over, they will stay in the game with the Lions. However, if Haller throws 4 interceptions again, the LU offense will not allow you to play catch up like Hastings did last week by giving up 27 fourth quarter points. I look for the Lions to get the victory in this one, but not before the fireworks nearly burn the place down.
Lindenwood 63 Ottawa 49
Lambuth University (Tenn.) @ St. Xavier University (Ill.) – 1 p.m.
Holy offense part two. These teams are going to get up and down the field a lot this weekend. The key may be the ability to create turnovers on “D”. Whoever’s defense can get the most takeaways will likely become the winner. I see the biggest difference in these two programs being the SXU defense. The Cougars are not going to shutout Lambuth like they did in their two previous meetings but I think Lally and the SXU “D” will put enough speed bumps in the road to slow down the Eagles offense to get the victory. It’s a good thing they are not going to fire a cannon after every score at SXU this weekend because I think they’d run out of gun powder.
SXU 60 Lambuth 48
