S140 The A-Rod Rockne Show
REGULAR SEASON EDITION --- Show Music to fully enjoy today's episode ---
Dan Nessler "Thank you for tuning in and welcome to the The A-Rod Rockne Regular Season show. My name is Dan Nessler and to my side is the coaching extraordinaire Rockin' A-Rod Rockne.
Today we are bringing to the viewing audience, an inside look at how Division 2 is shaping up as we head toward the Conference finals. A-Rod, there is a lot to cover today but we will try to touch the league as much as time will allow.
Without further ado, let's jump to the recruiting trail, how did team's shape up this season?"
Rockin' A-Rod "Thanks Dan, we will try to cover quite a few areas today to get everyone up to speed. On the recruiting trail, the SIAC conference really shined this season. With the addition of head coach Fla_dave's return to Saint Joseph's and Heyunous over at Lane University, they take the top position. Morehouse went neck for neck and finished #6 while Saint Joseph took the top spot at #5. Albany State finished 13th and Lane was #29."
Dan Nessler "The best recruit class for coach fbuckster in the last 27 seasons and Albany State finds themselves stocking up on need positions at quarterback, running back and defensive line."
Rockin' A-Rod "There has been a growing shift in power conferences over the years and SIAC finds themselves planted as the #2 conference in the nation. The GLIAC still has the talent but with the change over in coaching staff, it's difficult to say if they can hold #1."
Dan Nessler "It looks like they may catch up to them soon if the SIAC is able to retain their coaches for the upcoming seasons."
Dan Nessler "On that subject, the PSAC has to be the most competitive for who will win their conference title this year. They had quite a few vacancies this season which caught most of us by surprise. Two teams this season were ranked inside the top ten to start the year and their showdown is tonight."
Rockin' A-Rod "I tell ya what, you have two unnamed coaches (AI-SIM) who put up a fight after their coaches left, specifically Slippery Rock is right now the team nobody wants to face. Currently, they are 8-2 and ranked #35 with three very winnable games."
Dan Nessler "This conference will host their annual showdown tonight when West Chester (10-0) takes on the conference champion Bloomsburg (9-1). The Winner will face Edinboro who successfully took down Slipper Rock yesterday."
Rockin' A-Rod "My money is on Bloomsburg, coach Jms245 continues to move the needle and I think we may see them in the semi-finals this year. West Chester has the team to return to glory, but Bloomsburg is just that good in big games."
Dan Nessler "Another big conference to talk about is the Northeast conference who hosts one of the teams many people say could be in the National Championships. Long Island has been in the big game two seasons in a row and the alumni has switched from hope to expectation there."
Rockin' A-Rod "No doubt and they should! This is a tough conference, you have 3 teams ranked inside the top 20 who will all make the playoffs. Southern Connecticut lost by 10 points to Long Island but is ranked 2 spots higher in the WIS poll. Both of these teams should enter the tournament with great seeds and have a legitimate shot. Fairmont State and Stonehill are both sitting at 9-1, with Fiarmont State just needing to win out to have a Conference Title shot."
Dan Nessler "As we take a glance around the country, what is happening down in the Lone Star Conference? Texas A&M-Commerce will be in the championship game again after winning over #22 Angelo State yesterday. On the North end of the bracket, we have a new face at Central Oklahoma and head coach Lsusaint."
Rockin' A-Rod "Great program over there that was established by the last coach and currently Central Oklahoma is stting at 8-2. Their two losses where against #5 Bloomsburg and Ferris State. The Bloomsburg game will be a good measuring stick to see if TAMC is still as good as they have been the last two seasons. Both of the teams have beat Angelo State, so the showdown will have to wait until the championships."
Dan Nessler "Texas A&M-Commerce has been to the big game 4 out of 5 seasons and took a big loss in talent this season when their seniors graduated. They recently moved up in the coaches polls to #3, does that surprise you A-Rod or expected?"
Rockin' A-Rod "Back to back national championships and 2 losses in 6 seasons, this team is where I expected them to be. Their not as good as they have been and they do have some holes this season. Their secondary is going be tested this year and the offensive line is very young with only one senior on the roster. It's a different team then we are use to seeing where the defense leads the team, this year it all falls on QB Melvin Taylor who rates an elite 65 core rating. 70.9% completion ratio, 3356 yards, 43 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The most impressive stat is that he has not been sacked 1 time on 347 attempts."
Dan Nessler "Currently, they are ranked #17 with WIS that will put them in some tough match-ups early."
Rockin' A-Rod "It's possible they are in the championship again, but they are gonna need some match-up help from the playoff bracket to make that happen."
Dan Nessler "Rockne News released the top 10 results from the Omcs1981 coaches poll. Some of the results were not a surprise, but with how close the talent is, you almost want to choose 3 or 4 and say they are tied."
Rockin' A-Rod "I think Cheyney is too low in the rankings, that's a final four team and I'd be surprised if they are not there. Are they better than the teams listed above them? Talent wise, they are impressive and have the roster to do it. Their last 3 seasons doesn't help to justify why they should be ranked higher, finishing with a second round loss and their last two seasons ended in the quarterfinals."
Dan Nessler "Indeed, that has to factor into the confidence level of the voters. Currently, they are ranked #8 with WIS and could land a great seed if they can move up the rankings before the season ends. They have some real play-makers on defense, but their depth drops off a bit and could make a difference. I see them as a semi-finals caliber team this season."
Rockin' A-Rod "I tell ya what Dan, the team that is jumpin' all over my radar is Humboldt State. They got the coach, they finally got the team and now they have the ranking for the playoff seed. It couldn't be a better stage set for head coach Jaylien1."
Dan Nessler "Wouldn't that be something to see them finally make it after two seasons of semi-final appearances. What a story that would be if North Alabama could pull off a run and we would have two of the most up and coming talents in the league face off for the championship. "
Rockin' A-Rod "It's been a remarkable run for North Alabama and head coach Fazbear05 who left a good NC Central program to bring NAU to where they are today. Do you know that it only took Fazbear05 four seasons to take that team to their first NC appearance? Had he won it, it would of been the icing on the cake but ever since, he's been hungry! Listen... This would be a great story, but NAU has some concerns on defense with only 3 seniors on the roster. Their offense is in the same boat, but they have an outstanding offensive line to give their QB Elliot some time to find their senior duo receivers."
Dan Nessler "Do you think they can do it A-Rod?"
Rockin' A-Rod "To win a football game Dan, you just have to score more than the other guy. As long as they outscore everyone, then they can do it!"
Dan Nessler "A team that is not talked about enough was picked as the sleeper team of the tournament by Rockne News. Coach Fla_Dave has his Saint Joseph Pumas in a great position to re-establish his program. This is a team that went from dominating and feel to losing their conference crown. Since he took over, they have been left searching for a way to pass Morehouse. This looks like the year for them to finally rise up and take back the SIAC conference."
Rockin' A-Rod "Hey, good things come to those who work hard Dan. I heard rumors that Fla_Dave swims 100 laps and runs three miles before most people wake up in the morning. A true warrior to the gridiron and unless they slip to an upcoming Lane University, I just don't see them losing their shot. They do have a big showdown against Morehouse in a couple days and that will really establish how far this program has come."
Dan Nessler "I keep looking at their roster and I'm struggling to see where some of these top teams will dominate against them. I suppose their junior quarterback Jon Garrett is the weakest link if you could call it that. Plenty of programs would love to have this kid start for them."
Rockin' A-Rod "The coaching staff there has really put the rein him to avoid mistakes. He's throwing a 69.4% completion ratio for 34 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. What I like most about them is that most of the top teams find their strength at running back and the Puma's are equipped with one of the best linebacker cores in football. If they can keep those youngsters off the field and give their studs every chance, then it's gonna keep them in the game."
Dan Nessler "If they had a better youth on defense, I think the country's impression would be much greater. That is really going to be the trick with this team and hoping they can not give up some big drives."
Dan Nessler "Let's take a look at the teams who are right on the ledge from falling out of the playoff hunt. Pace, Edinboro, Missouri-Rolla, Findlay, North Dakota State and Tusculum are all close to not making it."
Rockin' A-Rod "Pace has a tough schedule that they need to win out. Even if they win out, they could face another loss in the championship game that would put them at 4 losses for the season. Edinboro has a clean slate and should be able to pull it in for the final run home."
Dan Nessler "Missouri-Rolla still has to face off with Cheyney and that may actually help them but improving their SOS. They also have a winnable game versus Lock Haven so I think they will be fine. Findlay on the other hand my not be as fortunate and needs a big win over #28 Ferris State. In fact, both of those teams will have that game marked on their on their schedule."
Rockin' A-Rod "North Dakota State is fortunate to have #22 St. Cloud State on their schedule tonight. This is a must win for this program to get in. Currently, they are 9-1 and should they lose, they would not have a chance at a rematch versus Humboldt State nor the rankings to get into the tournament."
Dan Nessler "What about Tusculum who lost a tough one to Presbyterian and won't be able to play that extra conference championship game. Does that hurt them or help them?"
Rockin' A-Rod "They are really stuck in wait and see mode and have to hope some of the teams we mentioned lose out. It's tough to see them get it if everyone keeps winning when they are have no human coach games left on their schedule."
Dan Nessler "Well folks, that's all the time we have for this evening. Wish we could cover the entire league, but until next time... I'm Dan Nessler"
Rockin' A-Rod "And I'm Rockin' A-Rod Rockne. Thank you for watching the A-Rod Rockne Show!"