All 32 teams will be in action as the NCAA Division 3 Football playoffs get underway on Saturday, November 22. Let’s take a look at all 16 games and predict the winner of each matchup.
Wisconsin-Whitewater Bracket
Macalester (9-1) at Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-0) – 1 PM ET
This game will feature a stifling UW-Whitewater defense against a Macalester team that won the Midwest Conference. It is difficult to imagine this outcome being anything other than a UWW win and the Warhawks giving up more than 10 points. UWW wins 41-3 and advances to round two.
Franklin (8-2) at Wabash (9-1) – 12 PM ET
Franklin likes to score points in bunches (8 games with at least 35 points) while Wabash has the ability to score a lot of points or play a close game. Wabash’s only loss was a 21-15 thriller to Wittenberg, who is also in the playoffs. This game has the potential to be a shootout, but Wabash has the edge in this game. Wabash comes out of this game with a 49-31 victory.
St. Scholastica (10-0) at St. John’s (MN) (9-1) – 1 PM ET
A battle of Minnesota takes place here. St. Scholastica is rewarded with a trip to Collegeville and a tough task in the Johnnies. The Saints can put up points, but the Johnnies defense will keep them to a premium. St. John’s wins 30-14.
St. Thomas (MN) (8-2) at Wartburg (10-0) – 1 PM ET
One of the controversial picks in St. Thomas is not given any favors in their trip to Wartburg. Some feel as if this game might be close between the two. The Tommies and Wartburg both faced two common opponents in Augsburg and Bethel. The Tommies beat Augsburg 45-27 and lost to Bethel 35-24. Wartburg won against both and relatively easily; 40-3 over Augsburg and 31-14 over Bethel. Wartburg at home will be too much and the Knights win 35-20.
Based on the results above, that would mean Wisconsin-Whitewater would face Wabash and St. John’s would take on Wartburg in the second round.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Bracket
Muhlenberg (9-1) at Widener (10-0) – 12 PM ET
The Mules enter this game with a single loss to Johns Hopkins and were another one of the interesting selections into the playoffs. Their reward? A road game to Chester, Pennsylvania to face an undefeated Widener team. The Widener Pride will come out of this game undefeated, but it will be high scoring. Widener wins 45-37.
Christopher Newport (7-3) at Delaware Valley (9-1) – 12 PM ET
This game should feature a lot of offense. Delaware Valley enters with their one loss coming to Widener with a potential rematch of that game in the second round. While Delaware Valley has a poor defense, so does Christopher Newport. The Captains have given up at least 35 points in all three losses and have given up 26 points or more in 8 of their 10 games. This game could go either way and CNU will come out on top by a field goal, 51-48.
Champan (8-1) at Linfield (8-1) – 3 PM ET
This game was played in week one with Linfield winning 21-14. That game was played at Chapman and this game will be incredibly important for Linfield after one of their players was murdered this week. Linfield came out on top in week one and will do so again in Round one. Their defense will be too much and they can put up the necessary points. Linfield will win in honor of Parker Moore 28-10.
Texas Lutheran (9-1) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-0) – 1 PM ET
This game is a rematch of the 10/25 matchup that saw MHB win 72-16 on the road. That 72 point output was not even the best for the Crusaders. It actually was only the fourth best output behind 73, 83, and 84 point totals during the season. It is hard to see Texas Lutheran keeping this game closer than four touchdowns, less much winning. Mary Hardin-Baylor cruises to a 55-13 victory.
According to the predictions above, Widener and Christopher Newport will face off in round two while Linfield and Mary Hardin-Baylor will play each other.
Wesley Bracket
Hampden-Sydney (7-3) at Wesley (9-1) – 12 PM ET
Wesley is undefeated against Division 3 opponents (they lost 38-33 to FCS Charlotte last week). Their offense is prolific, as is Hampden-Sydney, but Wesley is going to be way too much for them. Wesley crushes the Tigers 73-21.
MIT (9-0) at Husson (8-1) – 12 PM ET
Do not reload this page because MIT is in the playoffs. Yes, that MIT. They will take on Husson in an intriguing game with MIT having the better offense and Husson having the better defense (on paper at least). This should be an interesting game with MIT coming out on top 28-20.
Rowan (7-3) at Johns Hopkins (10-0) – 12 PM ET
An undefeated Johns Hopkins team welcomes Rowan to Baltimore. Rowan enters this game 0-2 against Playoff teams after losses Widener (19-7) and Wesley (37-7). Rowan has a solid defense, but Johns Hopkins offense will be a bit too much. JHU moves on after a 28-7 win.
Ithaca (7-3) at Hobart (10-0) – 12 PM ET
This is an interesting game with Ithaca having a good shot at pulling the upset. What is bothersome about Ithaca were their losses to 4-6 Frostburg State (38-37) and 5-5 Cortland State (23-20). Still, this game has a close feel to it with Hobart coming out on top 17-13.
In the Wesley bracket, the second round games will be Wesley against MIT and Johns Hopkins against Hobart.
Mount Union Bracket
Benedictine (IL) (6-4) at Wheaton (IL) (10-0) – 1 PM ET
This is an easy game to call because Wheaton is far and away the more complete team. Wheaton has a suffocating defense and Benedictine will find points tough to score. Wheaton rolls to a 51-0 win.
Centre (10-0) at John Carroll (9-1) – 12 PM ET
This is a tough draw for an undefeated Centre team. John Carroll is coming off a controversial 31-24 loss at Mount Union and will be ready to take some anger out. JCU wins 49-17.
Washington & Jefferson (9-1) at Wittenberg (9-1) – 12 PM ET
Another tantalizing game that could wind up going either way. Wittenberg’s loss was to FCS Butler 22-16 while Washington & Jefferson’s stumble came last week at Waynesburg 31-28. This game has the possibility of a high scoring shootout and W&J comes out by the narrow margin of 38-37.
Adrian (8-2) at Mount Union (10-0) – 12 PM ET
This is another easy game to predict. Mount Union’s lowest offensive output was 31 points last week against John Carroll. Every other game they scored at least 58 points. The Purple Raiders demolish Adrian 73-7.
The last bracket sees Wheaton (IL) and John Carroll face off the second round with Washington & Jefferson taking on Mount Union in the second round.
Check back here on Saturday for the roundup of the first round games.