After Valdosta State’s dominating 35-7 win over Winston-Salem in last year’s title game, college football fans hope this year’s championship game will be a lot more interesting. Chances are, it will be. Unlike the FBS and Division III, Division II possesses a lot more disparity. There has not been a repeat champion since Grand Valley in 2005 and 2006, and in the last 12 years only TWO championship games have been decided by more than a touchdown.
Preseason Top-25:
1. Valdosta State
With all the starters returning on both sides of the football, Valdosta State will be dangerous again this year. The Blazers ran for nearly 3500 yards last season, and with both running backs returning, there is no reason why they should not be able to do the same this season. Valdosta State could be the first team to repeat since 2006.
Players to Watch
RB Cedric O’Neal – As a freshman, O’Neal led the Blazers with 180 carries and 14 touchdowns. But what stands out is the fact that he averaged 6.7 yards per carry, an outstanding number at any level.
RB Austin Scott – Scott was also a freshman last season, and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. This one-two punch will be what carries the Blazers offense.
WR Gerald Ford - At 6’3 220 lbs., Ford was a matchup nightmare last season on his way to a 1000 yard season. Ford will be keeping opposing defensive coordinators up again this year.
WR Seantavious Jones – Jones recorded 13 TD receptions last season, and averaged over 18 yards per reception. Look for him to continue to burn opposing CB and use his 6’4 frame to grab the ball at its highest point in the red zone.
CB Lance Holder – Holder recorded four interceptions and 60 tackles as a junior last season, and is poised to lead the Blazers defense again this year.
Key Games
With only ten regular season games, the Blazers will have to make each game count. If Valdosta State can get to the West Alabama game (October 12th) at 4-0, this will be the biggest game of the year. UWA was ranked 21st in the country last season, and will be hosting the Blazers this year. Should Valdosta State win, they should be a top seed in December when the Division II playoffs begin.
2. Minnesota State
Minnesota State is poised to make another run with their top three rushers returning this year. In addition to a good offense, the Mavericks have one of the better defenses in D2. Look for the Mavericks to be there at the end!
Players to Watch
QB Jon Wolf – The dual threat QB returns after a superb junior season. Last year, Wolf accumulated over 700 yards rushing and 10 TD while throwing for 1700 yards and 13 more TD. Wolf is poised to lead the Mavericks deep into the DII playoffs
RB Connor Thomas – As a redshirt freshman last year, Thomas led the Mavericks with 938 yards rushing and 10 TD. Thomas is also the team’s kick returner and can break a game open at any time.
DE Chris Schaudt – As a junior, Schaudt was a force in the trenches. He accumulated 17.5 tackles for loss in addition to 11.5 sacks. Schaudt will continue to use his NFL sized body to disrupt opposing backfields again this year.
Key Games
Last year, the Mavericks were undefeated in the regular season, and the teams’ only loss all year was to would-be champion Valdosta State in the playoffs. This year, Minnesota State has to get through powerhouse Minnesota Duluth on the road. If the Mavericks can come out of that game with a win, they could cruise to another undefeated season.
3. Missouri Western
Losing superstar running back Michael Hill will hurt, as he contributed over 2300 yards of total offense, but with dual threat quarterback Travis Partridge returning, the Griffons are likely to win a lot of games again this year.
Players to Watch
QB Travis Partridge – Without a doubt, Partridge will be the guy this year. After scoring 48 total touchdowns last year (30 passing, 18 rushing), Partridge will need to repeat that production once again to balance out the loss of Michael Hill.
RB Raphael Spencer – Last year, Spencer was a redshirt freshman, and did not see the amount of carries his talent warrants, but for obvious reasons. Now as the clear number one back, Spencer will hope to replace Michael Hill as the Griffons next great running back. Spencer only had 63 carries last year, but MWSU fans should be excited because he turned those touches into over 600 yards!
TE Reggie Jordan – As a redshirt junior, Jordan caught 11 touchdown passes to lead the Griffons. His red zone presence will be used again this season, and double-digit touchdowns will likely be reached again.
DB Michael Jordan – Jordan is a redshirt sophomore this season, and he looks to add to his playmaking repertoire. Last season Jordan returned four interceptions for a total of 149 yards! He will continue to be a force in the secondary this season.
Key Games
After a 12-win season last year, the Griffons look to repeat that success this year. If they can get to the November 16th game vs. Northwest Missouri with one loss or less, they will likely be a high seed in this year’s tournament. Last year the Griffons beat NWM by only 1 point in a thriller. Another key game, as it is every year, is the game vs. Missouri Southern, who won last year’s contest by a single point.
4. West Texas A&M
The Buffs of WTAMU had one of the most electrifying offenses last season, and nearly ALL of the skill position players are back. With the exception of standout running back Khiry Robinson, all of the offensive weapons are back.
Players to Watch
QB Dustin Vaughan – Vaughan may be the next DII quarterback prospect to be drafted. He has an NFL body, and an NFL arm. Not to mention he threw for 4700 yards and 45 touchdowns in 15 games last season. Vaughan is a pure pocket passer who will try to lead the Buffs to the Promised Land this year.
RB Geramy Alridge – Alridge will likely be the featured back for the Buffs this season, and he will be ready for the challenge. In limited action last season, Aldridge averaged 6.6 yards per carry.
WR Torrence Allen – Last season, Allen exploded for over 1400 yards and 12 touchdowns. With Dustin Vaughan throwing the ball to him, Allen should repeat this production once again.
DL Ethan Westbrooks – Like Vaughan, Westbrooks could be headed to the NFL with another strong season. Last year, he tallied 19.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. Those numbers are staggering, and if you have seen him play, they are not hollow numbers. Look for Westbrooks to lead the Buffs defense to another great season.
Key Games
The big game this year for WTAMU is certainly the nationally televised game vs. Chadron State in Cowboys Stadium. If the Buffs pull out a win there, they could be headed for an undefeated season and could possibly be a sleeper for a number one seed.
5. IUP
IUP outscored their opponents 471 to 175 last season, and only a handful of starters graduated. They are poised for another chance to get to the DII championship. IUP lost to Winston Salem 21-17 last year, and will want to make up for that this year. They lose star running back Harvie Tuck, but still have a great one in De’Antwan Williams.
Players to Watch
RB De’Antwan Williams – As mentioned above, Williams is a great RB. At only 5’7 he is tough to see behind the line of scrimmage, and just explodes through the hole. Last year, Williams rushed for over 1300 yards and 10 TD, splitting carries with Harvie Tuck. This year, Williams could be the go-to guy and could easily get 1500 yards.
RB Montay Green – Someone will need to step in as the second RB for IUP this year, and Green will likely be that guy. Averaging 5.5 yards per carry last year will give him the nod over Alex Holland.
DL Shane Meisner – Last year, Meisner tallied eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss. If he can increase that production this year, it will be huge for IUP who needs to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks with the loss of ball-hawk Johnny Franco.
Key Games
The big game for IUP this year is of course the Cal U game at the end of September. IUP will look to avenge last year’s crushing loss. Another key game is the season finale vs. Shippensburg.
6. Ashland
Ashland only lost one game last season, and they have a lot of returning starters, but the question is can they repeat last season’s success without their star quarterback Taylor Housewright? If so, the Eagles could see repeat success.
Players to Watch
RB Anthony Taylor – Taylor rushed for nearly 1200 yards last season, and will see a lot of action again this year. Look for him to repeat his solid 5.7 yards per carry.
RB Jordan McCune – McCune was nearly a mirror image of fellow running back Anthony Taylor on the stat sheet, but one costly fumble separated the two. Expect McCune to have another good year for the purple and yellow.
LB Domi-on Combs – Combs led the Eagles defense last season with 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. The energetic linebacker will look to add to those numbers this year.
Key Games
The key game for the Eagles this season is the season opener vs. Indianapolis. If Ashland can get through this game with a win, they could potentially reach double digit wins.
7. Winston-Salem
The Rams finished last season 14-1 and were ranked number three in the country. They have fallen to seventh due to the graduation of their star quarterback Kameron Lewis. Can the Rams repeat a 14-win season? Of course, but they have to do it with an unproven signal-caller. Winston-Salem also graduated its top two running backs.
Players to Watch
RB Brandon McDonald – McDonald will likely take over as the starting running back for the Rams, and hopes to maintain his 5.5 yards per carry in a bigger role.
RB DeQuann Leak – Leak will be the backup running back, but will play a big role in the offense. Leak is another guy with a hefty yards per carry average (5.3) but he will likely need to boost that number to get more looks.
DL Donnie Owens – Owens led the Rams defensive line last season with seven sacks, and he will need to up that number this year if Winston Salem wants to make a run.
Key Games
The key game for the Rams will be on September 21st vs. Tuskegee. If Winston-Salem wants any chance at a championship, they will need to beat Tuskegee.
8. Minnesota Duluth
The Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth ended last season at 10-2, and graduated their best offensive weapon in quarterback Chase Vogler. But with running back Austin Sikorski and the offensive line, Minnesota Duluth should be able to win ten games this year.
Players to Watch
RB Austin Sikorski – Last year Sikorski rushed for just under 900 yards but pounded in 14 touchdowns. Sikorski should increase his yardage this season and will likely be one of the top scorers in Division II.
RB Logan Lauters – As the backup running back and the third option to carry the ball, Lauters put up 700 yards and eight touchdowns. Lauters will assume the backup role once again this season, but will look to increase his workload and repeat last year’s 5.8 yards per carry.
DB Kenny Chowa – Chowa recorded three interceptions and seven passes-defensed last year, and will lead the Bulldogs defense to what promises to be a good year.
Key Games
The key game for the Bulldogs will be the rivalry game vs. Bemidji State. Should UMD come through with a victory, they should remain in the top 10 all year.
9. CSU-Pueblo
After a successful 12-1 season, the Thunderwolves graduated both the starting and backup quarterback. In order to repeat last year’s performance, CSU-Pueblo will need the new field general to play well.
Players to Watch
RB J.B. Mathews – As a sophomore, Mathews tallied 16 total touchdowns and accrued over 1600 yards of total offense. Mathews will be the focal point of the offense once again and is poised for a great season.
RB Cameron McDondle – McDondle was a great surprise last year, averaging 6.3 yards per carry as a freshman. Look for him to be the change of pace back to Mathews this year and continue to put up solid numbers as a number two running back.
S Jarrod Lacy – Lacy was second on the team with four interceptions, but was the second leading tackler as well. Lacy will be the leader on defense this year, and if he plays well, the Thunderwolves could win double-digit games again this year.
Key Games
October 12th, CSU-Pueblo visits Chadron State. Should they be victorious, they could be a number two seed in next year’s NCAA Division II tournament.
10. Northwest Missouri
Northwest Missouri’s season ended last year in heartbreak. Minnesota State ended their season 38-35 in triple overtime. With their starting quarterback and a top running back returning, the Bearcats may be a surprise this year.
Players to Watch
RB James Franklin – Franklin will take over as the starter this season after only starting two games last season. He averaged five yards per carry and scored a dozen touchdowns last season. Franklin will play a major part in the offense this year for the Bearcats.
DB The Dixon Twins – Brian and Brandon Dixon will continue to be forces in the secondary for the Bearcats. Last year they combined for ten interceptions and 17 passes defenses. If opposing offenses want to throw the ball they will need to get through these two.
Key Games
As always, Northwest Missouri has one of the tougher schedules in Division II. Tough games include Saginaw Valley State, Missouri Southern and Missouri Western. If the Bearcats can win ten games, they will definitely be in the top ten.
Rounding out my preseason Top 25
11. Shippensburg
12. Carson-Newman
13. Winona State
14. Henderson State
15. Saginaw Valley
16. Indianapolis
17. West Alabama
18. Emporia State
19. Midwestern State
20. Bloomsburg
21. Harding
22. Chadron State
23. Harding
24. Tuskegee
25. New Haven
Predictions
Valdosta State will win the Division II Championship over West Texas A&M.
DII Player of the Year: Dustin Vaughan QB WTAMU
Coach of the Year: Don Carthell WTAMU