Honestly fellas, it's a disappointing end to the year. Here we should be excited for the big game and all I can think about is the poor quality of play that was exhibited in the playoffs. I know, I know, the weather was bad, the footballs were too hard/soft, my team was ready for basketball, our stud was hurt, they cheated by having a ringer- whatever! One semi featured 10 turnovers and three pick sixes. The other had 15 or 20 fumbles!!!! There are just no excuses for that poor quality of work. It's all about fundamentals. The two teams that will fight for it all should be clicking, playing their best ball of the year. There should be no doubt that these two teams deserve to be playing in December.
I, for one, am very thankful for the shift to two divisions. Maybe that will raise the level of competition and bring out the best in our teams. If you can't hold on to the football during playoff time then you may not deserve to be moving on. And really, there are only 4 or 5 schools in DII that will be quality teams come playoff time. Add in the 3 or 4 from DIII and you might see some better playoff football. The mediocre and lower teams in DII are pretty much the same as they are in DIII. Hopefully the playoffs will be better next year and our teams in DIII will face the challenge to play at a higher level.
As for the game this Thursday (don't get me started on playing on a Thursday! TAPPS blew that one). If ND has a decent spread game they will give SM fits. San Marcos' personnel won't match up well against a speedy spread team. If ND can play a disciplined spread game I give them the nod. However, if it's going to be two tight teams pounding each other, I will take SM. Here are the keys to victory- HOLD ON TO THE FOOTBALL, play disciplined football without late hits/cheap shots/ smack talk, win the special teams war, and, like I always say, PLAY DEFENSE.
I hope for the sake of the teams involved that they can play a good game. I would love to see a hard-fought, physical, disciplined, close game.
