Kansas State Top Five: Special Teams. Also, Rocky Mountain and Pennsylvania previews.

The Lead

We finally get to the end of our review of the top players in K-State history as our staff chooses the best special team players. Obviously, this is a bit of a mish-mash, but choosing the top five kickers, top five punters, and top five return specialists would be just a bit silly.

The staff mutually agreed that Tyler Lockett would be ineligible for this one, since he walked away with the wide receiver honors. You can feel free to slot him wherever you like. (Personal opinion: I'd put him second on this list.)

Two players received honorable mention but no votes. William Powell, who did a good job returning kicks immediately before Lockett's arrival, and James Garcia, who was the Wildcat punter during the Michael Bishop era. Andre Coleman, our ace recruiter, picked up a couple of votes, as did Anthony Cantele.

5. Aaron Lockett

And just like that, all three Locketts ended up somewhere on our lists. Please send more. We'll love them and take good care of them, we promise. The younger elder Lockett arrived in time to contribute to the 1998 near-championship run as a freshman, and his arrival was like lightning: against Louisiana-Lafayette, Bishop connected with Lockett on a 97-yard touchdown pass, the longest play from scrimmage in Wildcat history. In that game, Lockett set the single-game receiving yardage record for a freshman, and he also ended up setting the season record with 928. As a junior, Lockett led the nation in punt return average and was named a second-team AP All-American. In his junior and senior seasons, Lockett eanred first-team All-Big 12 honors as a return man; he'd received honorable mention and second team honors in 1998 and 1999 respectively as a wide reciever. Before Darren Sproles, Lockett was K-State's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage.

What we're saying here is that Aaron was actually a great player in his own right, and it's a shame he gets lost behind his brother and nephew.

Aaron was a seventh-round pick of the Buccaneers in 2002, but Tampa released him during camp. He signed with San Francisco, but never played in a regular-season NFL game. But Aaron went to the CFL for a few years, and was a member of the 2005 BC Lions squad which lost in the Grey Cup.

4. Jamie Rheem

Rheem stepped to mostly handle extra points in for an injured Martin Gramatica in 1996, hitting all 43 he attempted. He was a bit shaky that freshman year on field goals, connecting on only four of eight, and there was a tacit understanding that the Wildcats would generally rather go for it on fourth down in enemy territory on those relatively infrequent occasions they were faced with the decision. As a sophomore, he saw little action, and he redshirted in 1998. With Gramatica gone, the job was Rheem's, and his troubles on regular field goals evaporated. In 1999 and 2000, Rheem was 90-93 on extra points and 35-41 on field goal attempts, earning All-American accolades and being named a finalist for the Lou Groza Award both years. After graduation, his younger brother Joe replaced him, giving the Wildcats six straight years of Rheems booting balls through the uprights. Jamie went on to play for a short time with the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe, and now leads an ownership group which runs some Freddy's locations in Branson and Springfield.

3. David Allen

Allen came to Manhattan in 1997 as a running back, but soon found his true calling. He exploded on the scene during the magical 1998 season with four punt returns for touchdowns, earning consensus All-American accolades in the process. He never quite matched that output, but did run three more kicks back for scores in his career, giving him seven. That, at the time, tied the NCAA record. Allen eventually ended up with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003, and after two seasons there spent one year with the Rams. In his three-year NFL career, Allen had over 1,500 return yards. He's now a scout for the Jaguars.

2. Sean Snyder

We rag on him, we worry about whether he's going to take over the program, but today we just remember who he was 25 years ago. Snyder originally signed with Iowa, as that's where his daddy was, and redshirted in 1988. Sean stayed in Iowa for the 1989 season after Bill came to Manhattan, but after only playing in one game he transferred to K-State. After sitting out the required year, Snyder took over as the first-team punter and averaged 43 yards per punt during his two-year Wildcat career. In 1991, he achieved a true rarity for a punter, being named Big 8 Defensive Newcomer of the Year. As a senior, he was a consensus first-team All-American and All-Big 8 honoree. He's a member of the K-State Ring of Honor and, this fall, the K-State Sports Hall of Fame.

And, of course, he's also the associate head coach and special teams coordinator.

1. Martin Gramatica

This can't be much of a surprise. Twice a first-team AP All-American and winner of the 1997 Lou Groza Award, Gramatica came to the United States from Buenos Aires as a child. He came to Manhattan in 1994, immediately claiming the starting kicker job. Gramatica was nearly flawless on extra points, but wasn't a machine on field goals... yet. After an injury prevented him from playing in 1996, he was granted a medical redshirt, which allowed him to be part of the 1998 miracle season. As a junior and senior, he earned his nickname of "Automatica", hitting 107 of 108 extra points and, as a junior, going 19-20 on field goals. He wasn't as stellar as a senior, hitting only 22 of 31 field goals. But one of them was special. On September 12, 1998, in the midst of a 73-7 rout of Northern Illinois, Gramatica hit a 65-yard field goal. That, to date, is still the longest NCAA field goal without use of a kicking tee.

After graduation, he was drafted in the third round -- astonishingly high draft position for a kicker -- by Tampa Bay. He was a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl participant in 2000, and earned a Super Bowl ring in 2002. After 2003, however, Martin bounced around the league, stopping in Indianapolis, New England, Indianapolis again, Dallas, and New Orleans. He never stayed anywhere longer than a year.

Eternally popular with fans for his exuberant personality, Gramatica now runs a kicking camp with his brother Bill, who also had a brief NFL career (although mostly notable for tearing his ACL celebrating a game-winning kick).

Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preview

2014 Standings and Info
SCHOOL		LOCATION	RMAC	OVERALL
1	Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunderwolves	Pueblo CO	8-1	14-1
19	Colorado School of Mines Orediggers	Golden CO	8-1	10-2
	Chadron State College Eagles	Chadron NE	7-2	8-3
	Colorado Mesa University Mavericks	Grand Junction CO	5-4	6-5
	Western New Mexico University Mustangs	Silver City NM	4-5	5-6
	Adams State University Grizzlies	Alamosa CO	3-6	4-7
	Western State Colorado University Mountaineers	Gunnison CO	3-6	4-7
	New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys	Las Vegas NM	3-6	3-8
	Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets	Spearfish SD	2-7	3-8
	Fort Lewis College Skyhawks	Durango CO	2-7	3-8

Despite its long and storied history -- the RMAC was once home to Colorado, Colorado State, Utah, Utah State, Wyoming, Brigham Young, Montana, and Montana State -- the conference had never had a team capture the Division II championship until last year. The Thunderwolves of Colorado State-Pueblo brought the title home with a brilliant shutout defensive effort over Minnesota State-Mankato, and they're the clear favorites to repeat this season. CSUP picked up all nine other votes in the preseason poll. The top four, exactly as they finished last season, are pretty clear. Western State and Adams State should jockey for fifth, while the remaining schools other than New Mexico Highlands, who are the odds-on favorite to finish last, will battle for seventh.

A change is on the way in 2016, as Western New Mexico will depart for the Lone Star Conference.

Colorado State-Pueblo embarks on their title defense without quite a few pieces. DE Darius Allen (15.5 sacks), All-American and RMAC Defensive Player of the Year, has graduated along with OLs Scotland Doyle and Gary Dixon, CB C.J. Roberts (7 INT), S Jarrod Lacy, and RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year CB/KR Stephan Dickens (7 INT, 2 TDs on punt returns). QB Chris Bonner also graduates after a 3,291 yard season with 30 TDs against only 8 picks.

And yet they still have seven first-team selections returning. RB Cameron McDondle (2,014 yards/16 TDs) returns to lead the offense, along with leading receiver Keiren Duncan (712/3), OL Zack Martinez, DLs Morgan Fox (preseason Defensive Player of the Year, 12.5 sacks) and Tony Campton, LBs Seth Brown (94 tackles) and second-team selection Ben Estica (61). All are preseason All-RMAC picks, as is S LaRon Tarkington (3 INT). Both kicking specialists return in K Greg O'Donnell (51-52 on PATs) and second-teamer P Ken Kester. And that's not even considering leading tackler LB Joe Rosenbrock (107), who somehow hasn't received any accolades at all.

I think the Thunderwolves are going to be okay.

Colorado Mines has the biggest loss of any team in the conference: innovative head coach Bob Stitt, who was offered the reins at FCS Montana and couldn't refuse the opportunity. Gregg Brandon, offensive coordinator at New Mexico State, takes over the program.

The Orediggers bid farewell to all-RMAC selections WR Diamond Gillis (904/7), OL Adam Sibal, and LB Kale Kadavy (144 tackles). WR/KR Jimmy Ellis (807/5), TE Cole Spurgeon (939/11), and OLs Kyle Gilbert and Hasan Shaar received preseason All-RMAC nods, as did preseason Offensive Player of the Year QB Justin Dvorak (4,287, 36/10). Also returning are WR Nate Wiemers, DLs Dallas Fields and Emmanuel Graves (6 sacks), LB Billy Sprague (112 tackles), S Shawn Kobylinski, and K/P Avery Llewellyn, the preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. Mines will have some adjustment to a new system, but last year's conference co-champions will still contend.

Chadron State is still expected to land in the top third of the league despite heavy losses. All-RMAC selections RB Michael Madkins (1,074/11), OLs Sam Parker and All-American Mike Lorenzo, DT Zach Sandstrom, and CB Lane Haller are all gone, as are QB John McLain (2,591, 22/7), TE Ethan Bauer, and LB Isaac Holscher (98 tackles). OL Daniel Sotelo, LB Dylan Furrier (118 tackles), and KR Cody Paul, preseason picks, lead the list of returning players. Also coming back are WRs Kyle Vinich (899/9) and Danny O'Boyle (566/7(, safeties Ryan Wood (2 INT) and Cole Montgomery (4), and K Randy Wentz.

Colorado Mesa loses all-RMAC DT Ryan Sivetts, the team's leading rusher QB Andrew Cota, and WR Ian Juede. Last year's Freshman of the Year, CB Dustin Rivas (6 INT) returns along with fellow preseason selection LB Marcus Cross (81 tackles, 4.5 sacks), all-RMAC RB/KR D.J. Hubbard (408/1 and one kickoff return for a score), OLs Nick Leonard and Zeth Ramsay, DE Blake Nelson, and P Austin Pitchford. They're a cut above the next tier, but the Mavericks aren't in position to challenge for the title.

Western State loses very little. All-RMAC LB Jaden Terry (113 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and S Cole Waliczek (97 tackles) are gone, but preseason picks RB Austin Ekeler (1,666/14), CB Gerald Coleman (4 INT), K Ryan Winke, and P Dakota Swinehart are back along wtih QB Brett Arnvey (2,456, 17/13), WR Travis Haney (610/4), OLs Jared Mendicino and Holden Rexius, and DLs Thomas Chavira (5 sacks) and Austin Yurki. Western should be respectable, but will still probably lose to all four teams ahead of them.

Adams State moves on with new head coach Timm Rosenbach, formerly the offensive coordinator at UNLV. He replaces Marty Heaton, who announced in October he'd be resigning at season's end. All-RMAC CB Cariel Brooks (3 INT) returns, along with honorably mentioned DL Quincey Davison, QB and leading rusher Auston Hillman, RB Jabari Garvin, and WR Phil Romero. Leading tackler LB Conner Stevens (92 tackles) is gone, but no other key performers graduated. It's a bit grim, but not terrible; Adams might fight for .500, but may fall short.

Western New Mexico loses all-RMAC WR Donald Byrd (1,200/12) and a pair of honorable mention OLs in Jacob Costlow and Zayde Khalil. But more importantly, they'll be without junior OL Michael Coe, also all-RMAC last year and a preseason pick, who was injured in camp and will miss the season. Those losses put a productive backfield into question for 2015. DE Anthony Avina (5.5 sacks) and S Darius Guillory (5 INT) also earned pre-season nods. QB Mitch Glassman (3,543, 33/12) returns to the backfield alongside Offensive Rookie of the Year RB Marques Rodgers (1,296/6). With his primary target gone, Glassman might have trouble matching those numbers; with most of the offensive line gone, so might Rodgers.

Fort Lewis loses OL Arthur Ray, Jr. from the all-RMAC team and leading receiver Andrew Johnson. KR Juquette Thompson (an all-name candidate) returns with RMAC honors, and OL Sione Folaumoeloa earned a preseason nod. QB Jordan Doyle and leading rusher P.J. Hall also come back, but there's just not a lot here.

Black Hills State lost everyone who earned RMAC accoladres last year, including second-team TE Luke Whalen and honorable mention QB Ward Anderson (2,876, 17/9) and LB Trent Boner, the team's leading tackler (118). RB Phydell Paris (677/5) returns, as does WR Jerome Krysi (573/3), but the Yellow Jackets will have to hope junior QB Zach Meyer is up to the task of leading the offense.

New Mexico Highlands suddenly fired coach Eric Young in February, naming New Mexico defensive coordinator Jeff Mills as his replacement. That unrest, along with a vastly-depleted roster -- only 27 players as of yesterday -- have the Cowboys picked last. Losing last year's Offensive Player of the Year, WR Tyler Slavin (1,418/17), doesn't help. Also gone are QB Lance Orender (3,943, 34/20), LB Jared Koster (171 tackles, 5.5 sacks), and P Patrick Carney. WR Kirt Terry-Springs (731/7) returns, and earned a preseason nod; the other returning All-RMAC selection is LB Brandon Brown (123 tackles). Also returning are leading rusher Vincent Venegas (788/3), WR C.J. Grice, and S Eric Smith (3 INT).

Game of the year: October 24, Mines visits Pueblo to try and steal a share of the title again.

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference

2014 Standings and Info
SCHOOL		LOCATION	PSAC	OVERALL
EAST DIVISON
12	Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Huskies	Bloomsburg PA	9-0	11-2
15	West Chester University of Pennsylvania Golden Rams	West Chester PA	8-1	11-2
	East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Warriors	East Stroudsburg PA	5-4	6-5
	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Red Raiders	Shippensburg PA	5-4	6-5
	Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Golden Bears	Kutztown PA	5-4	6-5
	Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Bald Eagles	Lock Haven PA	2-7	2-9
	Millersville University of Pennsylvania Marauders	Millersville PA	1-8	1-10
	Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Wolves	Cheyney PA	0-9	0-11
WEST DIVISON
rv	The Rock of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	Slippery Rock PA	7-2	9-3
	Gannon University Golden Knights	Erie PA	7-2	9-2
	Mercyhurst University Lakers	Erie PA	6-3	7-4
	California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans	California PA	6-3	8-3
	Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks	Indiana PA	5-4	6-5
	Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Fighting Scots	Edinboro PA	2-7	3-8
	Seton Hill University Griffins	Greensburg PA	2-7	3-8
	Clarion University of Pennsylvania Golden Eagles	Clarion PA	2-7	2-9

While the east continued in its usual manner, the slow shift in power out west continued in 2014. And, as has frequently been the case of late, the leagues best and worst teams reside in the east, while the west is more balanced. That distinction is somewhat reflective of the state of football in Pennsylvania as a whole, with the sport remaining king in the coal regions of the western part of the state while it declines in the more urbanized east. Last year, two teams from the east reached the playoffs; both Bloomsburg and West Chester were eliminated by eventual national semifinalist Concord. The preseason coaches poll generally reflects last year's final results, with the minor exception of last year's west co-champions Gannon being picked to win the division. The PSAC doesn't release the vote totals, so it's unclear to what extent the coaches feel Bloomsburg and Gannon will dominate.

While the coaches' poll has been released, no preseason All-PSAC team has been announced; also note that the league announces separate all-conference teams for each division. Unsurprisingly, while this is a single 16-team conference, it operates as though it were two eight-team leagues; the conference even held separate media days for each division, hundreds of miles apart on the same day, making it impossible for any media member to actually cover both divisions.

Bloomsburg is expected to roll again despite the loss of Defensive Player of the Year LB Justin Shirk (120 tackles, 11 sacks), RBs Eddie Mateo (1,278/25) and Dai'Shon Munger (783/3), DLs David McFadden and Shawn Mitchell, and DB Thomas Cabrera (4 INT). Lots of folks return, though. The Huskies had four offensive limemen receive All-PSAC honors, and they all return: Christian Whiteside, Dakota Hoagland, John Garland, and Ryan Geiger. Also receiving accolades were DL Jeremiah Lowery, DB Gary Postell, K Braden Drexler, and RS Lawrence Elliott. DB Donovan Morris (5 INT) also returns, along with QB Tim Kelly (2,065, 11/7) and leading receiver D.J. McFadden (635/6). The line, really, is the key; behind all that beef, Bloomsburg will continue to have their way with folks offensively. They just might give up a lot more points than they're used to in the process.

West Chester also loses a Player of the Year in QB Sean McCartney (3,744, 42/10). WR Mike Doty (798/11), DL Mike Culbreath, LB Ronell Williams, and DB Al-Haj Shabazz (5 INT, 1 TD) are also graduating All-PSAC honorees along with OLs James Colivas, Derek Schatz, and Antoine Bland. RBs Brandon Monk (1,296/9) and Eddie Elliott (639/5) return, however, along with TE Tim Brown (1,059/17), OL Doug Gilbert, and DL Andrew Cohen (10.5 sacks). But the Golden Rams are going to have to find someone to distribute the ball, and they're going to have to rebuild that offensive line to make sure he can do it.

East Stroudsburg takes a hit on defense, losing All-PSAC DLs Bryan Thomson (6.5 sacks) and Brandon Gattelli (9.5), LB Cody Simcox (87 tackles), TE Steve Jones, and P Jordan Bair. League passing efficiency leader QB Matt Soltes (2,778, 30/8) returns, though, along with fellow honorees RB Robert Healy (817/8), WR Jon Schnaars (807/14), and DB Teron Dobbs (5 INT).

Shippensburg will lose the all-conference production of RB Blair Brooks (1,171/11), WR Trevor Harman (947/11), OL Doug Randall, and LB Brian Sourber (82 tackles), and QB Chris Lawshe (2,553, 24/10) is gone too. WR Sheldon Mayer (1,099/11) returns, along with RS Andrew Smith and Freshman of the Year DB Chavez Cheatham.

Kutztown had 10 all-conference picks last season, and while they lose DB English Peay (only 1 INT but 17 PD), the rest all return: RB Terry Williams (684/9), WR Kellen Willians (856/8), OL Jordan Morgan, DLs Eric Condron and Zach Greenwald, LBs Sam Dougan and Zachary Delp (91 and 90 tackles, respectively), K Alec Rosenfeld, and P Andrew Deutsch. QB Chad Barton (2,891, 29/8) also returns. Frankly, it's a mystery as to why the coaches have Kutztown picked so low; this is a historically strong program which dipped last year, but returns so much that it's impossible not to see them rise back to contention.

Lock Haven, on the other hand, is a historically bad program, just a couple of years removed from an NCAA Division II record 52-game losing streak. DB and leading tackler George Christas (100 tackles, 4 INT), the only Bald Eagle to earn All-PSAC honors, is gone. QB Caleb Walton (2,164, 15/16), RB Beau Swales (588/2), WR Bernard Smack (501/3), and DB Daniel Strawbridge (4 INT) all return, but when your leading tackler is a defensive back and your QB throws more picks than touchdowns, you have a problem. Maybe not a last-place problem, but nothing to get enthusiastic about.

Millersville also loses their only all-conference pick as LB Reggie Slaton (104 tackles) graduates, as has starting QB Matt Misley and leading receiver Malont'a Patterson. Leading rusher Myron Myles (413/2) is back, but little else.

Cheyney actually had four all-conference selections, but three have moved on: WR Khalif Dandy (696/4), LB Isaiah Fleming (115 tackles), and DB Jamil Williams (5 INT). DL Joseph Bryant returns, as do sophomores QB Mike Campbell (799, 4/8) and leading rusher RB Khalil Rodgers (386/2). Maybe that backfield will be something in 2016, but it's not there yet.

Gannon will rely on returning Offensive Player of the Year RB Brock Jones (1,628/16) and QB Liam Nadler (2,750, 21/4) to carry the offense. DL Trenton Donald and DB Mike Zanders also return from last year's all-conference list, while WR Justin Caliste (885/5), OLs Kelson Patterson and Alex Davis, and LB Luke Rankie depart. WR Jesstin Hamm (917/11) also returns to give Nadler a solid target, so Gannon won't have any trouble continuing to score points. LBs Joshua Wiechelt and Mike Zanders will also be back, solidifying the defense. The Knights will have all they can handle holding off the Rock, but they're definitely in contention for the West title.

Slippery Rock's only real losses are OL Kyle Nypaver and LB Austin Miele (86 tackles). RB Shamar Greene (1,482/10), OLs Cory Tucker and Joe LoSchiavo, DLs Joe Phillips and Freshman of the Year Marcus Martin (16 sacks), DBs Admire Carter (3 INT) and Derrick Fulmore (6), and K Mike Wainaukis are all returning All-PSAC selections, and QB Zach Newsock (1,791, 15/11) and leading receiver Jamire Dutrieuille (536/5) return as well. It'll be a tight race out West.

Mercyhurst will have to contend with the losses of WR Steve Yarbrough (761/7), TE R.J. Miller, OL Ben Gysin, LB Garrett Wild, and DBs Colin Kimball (PSAC-leading 7 INT) and Mike Foster. RB Brandon Brown-Dukes (774/5), LB Joe Dever, P Jordan Spangler, and RS Drew Robinson return with honors; also returning is QB Brendan Boylan (2,952, 29/8). It's probably not enough to chase down Gannon and the Rock, but the Lakers will be respectable.

California suffered an ugly interruption to their season when six players were arrested for the brutal beating of a local man on October 31. That led to the forfeiture of the Vulcans' game against Gannon on November 1. One of the six, redshirt junior defensive back James Williamson, was finally cleared late last month after prosecutors agreed that video proved he hadn't been present. (The other five players are still awaiting trial.) But Williamson had already been dismissed from the school and has since moved on, slinging lawsuits in his wake. The school spent the off-season "evaluating" the football program in the wake of the incident.

Those six players weren't critical. But graduation losses were heavy, and that means depth will be a concern. RB Terrell Roberson (606/17), OLs Jack Abercrombie and Mike Price, LBs Spencer Lynn and Jeff Knox, K Cody Nuzzo, and P Andy Cerett are all gone. QB James Harris (3,055, 24/7) and the PSAC's leading reciever Garry Brown (1,143/8) return, along with DL Jawan Turner (8 sacks) and DB Jordan Bowman (4 INT). But the Vulcans really can't afford any injuries, or their season is doomed.

Indiana took a dive last year, and it's going to be hard to get back up. The Hawks lose WR Drew Carswell (785/9), TE Brock DeCicco, OL Bruce Atkins, DL Shane Meisner, and DB Jerell McFadden. RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (846/10), OL Ethan Cooper, DL Matt Mowad, LB Kevin Clarke, and WR/KR Walt Pegues (507/4 as a freshman) are return all-conference honorees, and fifth-year senior QB Chase Haslett (2,178, 16/15) will be back as well. There's ammo here, but not enough to challenge.

Seton Hill bids farewell to DL Arthur Tsapdong (9.5 sacks), but returns all-PSAC WR F.J. Williams (1,071/8) and DB Phil Moreland. QB Drew Jackson has graduated, while leading rusher Brandon Stout (583/3) will be back. It's not a talent-laden roster, and they'll fight to avoid the cellar.

Edinboro returns all four of their all-conference honorees from last year, RB Anfreenee Williams (678/4), WR Darren Massey (900/11), DL Dominic Principale (7 sacks), and LB Mike Shansky (84 tackles). QB Cody Harris (2,344, 18/3) was excellent at preventing turnovers, and he'll be back as well. It's not a deep roster, but the Scots can hope for some breaks and perhaps get back to the solid program they once were.

Clarion embarks on their first season under new head coach and former offensive coordinator Chris Weibel, a former All-American QB at the school and member of the Clarion Sports Hall of Fame. Weibel replaces Jay Foster, who retired. The Eagles had one player of note last year: Defensive Player of the Year DL Julian Howsare, who has graduated along with his 9.5 sacks. QB Connor Simmons (1,808, 13/9) returns along with leading rusher Delrece Williams (370/6) and reciever Matt Lehman (540/2). So the Eagles aren't really going to have to retool the offense, but then it wasn't great to begin with. It'll be a long season.

Game of the year: First, let's note that on the final week of the regular season, although all 16 teams are already scheduled, the champion of the West Division plays at the champion of the East. That means they'll switch if necessary, with the team originally scheduled to play at the East champ instead visiting the team the West champ was supposed to play. If predictions hold, that means that Gannon, scheduled to play at East Stroudsburg, would instead visit Bloomsburg with Seton Hill traveling to ESU.

With that out of the way, there are two key games which are actually locked in on the schedule. Slippery Rock visits Gannon on October 3, and Bloomsburg calls on West Chester October 24. Both are critical contests which will not only help decide who plays for the PSAC title on October 14, but will also affect the playoff fates of all four teams.

A Note

You've probably noticed the previews have gotten a little more in-depth. If you're one of the people actually reading them, and you've got an opinion regarding the new format, please let us know.

Tomorrow

Well, the Top Five is over with. What do we have up our sleeve next? Your guess is as good as ours at the moment. Regardless, following our Lead we'll have previews of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the Northeast-10 Conference, which has 16 members but surprisingly actually only has ten for football. Wild, huh?