Friday, November 27, 2009 11:07 PM CST
'Mad Dawgs' will make Eastern pay
By Les Winkeler, Lee News Service
Generally speaking, the Saluki is a docile animal.
The sleek canine will never be confused with a Doberman or a Rottweiler.
That may not apply to the football team that takes the field at McAndrew Stadium against Eastern Illinois Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Thanks to the NCAA selection committee the Panthers will be facing a pack of mad Dawgs Saturday.
After finishing the regular season at 10-1 and ranked first in The Sports Network poll and second in the NCAA Coaches Poll, the Salukis naturally figured they would be seeded one or two.
Essentially, there is no practical difference between a one and a two seed. Either top spot would have assured the Salukis of home games, as long as they continued to win, through three playoff rounds.
But, it didn’t happen.
Montana, ranked first in the NCAA poll, got the top spot. No one in Saluki land was too upset about that. The Grizzlies are undefeated, have appeared in the playoffs 17 straight seasons and are generally the standard by which other FCS programs are judged.
However, when the bracket appeared on the screen and (2) appeared behind Villanova, the disappointment was palpable. Groans and sighs replaced the usual bedlam associated with being selected to appear in the postseason.
In short, the Dawgs were mad as, well, whatever the strongest adjective that can be used in a family newspaper, is.
And, that is why I think the Salukis will prevail Saturday.
This is a team that has a chip on its shoulder. As if appearing in the playoffs isn’t motivation enough, this team feels like it has something to prove. And, it is a team that feels as if it has been justifying its existence all year long.
The Salukis weren’t picked first in the preseason Missouri Valley Football Conference poll, the University of Northern Iowa was. Realistically, that pick probably made sense. UNI is a traditional power and the Salukis had to play the Panthers at the UNI Dome, a place where unbeaten records go to die.
SIU prevailed.
The Salukis had to go to South Dakota State, a place where no Valley team had ever won.
SIU prevailed.
Now, the Dawgs feel as if they have been disrespected.
I think SIU will prevail.
And, it’s not just attitude.
This team can play.
Deji Karim has rushed for 1,512 yards, the fourth best single season mark in SIU history.
On the other side of the ball, this is the year the Saluki defense has been awaiting. SIU’s defense is tough, quick and experienced. The Dawgs opened the season with 10 returning starters.
However, I think it is the intangibles that will give the Salukis the win.
Les Winkeler is the sports editor for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at les.winkeler@thesouthern.com, or call 618-351-5088.
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