With the exception of the UNI game, Illinois State has been a machine this year. Better than advertised on defense and they have probably the single best rusher in the country in Marshaun Coprich. Tre Roberson has been doing an average-but-effective job at keeping the offense moving and does enough when Coprich isn't producing to keep the Redbirds ahead. Playoffs seem almost a lock and they have the horses to win games.

I really like Fordham as a "small school" that can challenge for a title this year, too. Their QB Michael Nebrich is the real deal and had a fantastic year this season - this year he's top ten in passing yards and has the Rams clicking as one of the most effective offenses in the country. They score 42 points a game, but the schedule is ludicrously soft - the only real competition they've played this year was Villanova and they got blasted 50-6. They have another game at Georgetown (win) and then finish the season at Army so ostensibly will finish the season 10-2, which won't get them a good seed but might be enough for that 7-8 seed and a few home games. Laud the cupcake schedule all you want, but a QB of Nebrich's caliber can elevate a team come playoff time.

Outside of the MVFC and a few small schools that could get hot at the right time, I like New Hampshire. We saw them in the semis last year with a very young team and they've gelled into a 9-1 team thus far with their only loss coming to Toledo by three scores - outside of that they've hammered just about everyone they've played. They do have two very intriguing games to finish the season, hosting Delaware then visiting Maine for the season finale, so that will tell us where this team is at. Could well ride a ten-game win streak into the playoffs and that easily gets them a top-2 seed.