Previews of the quarterfinal round of the NAIA bracket follow. For team capsules, see the first round precap and the other first round precap. Because the NAIA redoes things after every round, the previews for the second round will be in their own post following the recaps; trust me, it’s just easier that way.
11 Saint Francis (IL) (10-2) at 1 Marian (IN) (11-0)
Saint Vincent Health Field, Indianapolis IN, 1pm ET
Video available via Livestream. Audio available via WCSF and Stretch Internet. Live Stats should be available via DakStats, but no link has been provided yet.
Series: Marian leads 2-0 (last: 2010, 37-17 at Marian)
Jon’s Prediction:
Marian 34, Saint Francis (IL) 14. Saint Francis did well, very well, in upsetting Missouri Valley. It’s not happening again this week. The only statistical benchmark in which Saint Francis is superior to Marian is passing offense, but Marian’s superior pass defense will blunt even that small edge.
8 Azusa Pacific (9-2) at 2 Carroll (MT) (11-1)
Nelson Stadium, Helena MT, 2pm ET
Video available via Livestream. Audio available via KBLL. Live Stats should be available via DakStats, but no link has been provided yet.
Series: Carroll leads 6-0 (last: 2011 playoffs, 35-21 at Carroll)
Jon’s Prediction:
Carroll 33, Azusa Pacific 30. It’s going to be closer than you may have expected. The yardage difference between Azusa’s offense and Carroll’s defense is a lot larger than the yardage difference between Carroll’s offense and Azusa’s defense. Both teams match up very well unit-to-unit; they both have strong rushing attacks and strong rush defenses, and they’re both good but not great at both passing and stopping the pass.
9 Saint Francis (IN) (9-2) at 3 Georgetown (KY) (11-0)
Toyota Stadium, Georgetown KY, 1:30pm ET
Video available via iHigh, apparently pay-per-view only. Audio available via WLYV. Live Stats available via DakStats.
Series: tied 3-3 (last: 2005 playoffs, 44-14 Saint Francis at Saint Francis)
Jon’s Prediction:
Georgetown 31, Saint Francis (IN) 28. It’s going to be close, and I give Georgetown the edge because of the four offense-defense matchups, only Georgetown’s rushing defense vs USF’s rushing offense creates any mismatch at all.
5 Saint Xavier (11-1) at 4 MidAmerica Nazarene (10-1)
Pioneer Stadium, Olathe KS, 2pm ET
Video available via Sidearm. Audio available via WXAV and UStream. Live Stats available via DakStats.
Series: first meeting.
Jon’s Prediction:
Saint Xavier 40, MidAmerica Nazarene 24. Ultimately, this is going to be the story of the Cougars’ passing attack and rushing defense. The Pioneers are unsettled at QB, and they’ve faded somewhat down the stretch.