Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Championship Week)

RB Aaron Stecker was signed specifically for their semi-final matchup with Fitchburg Tech, and the 32 year old came through in Mexico's 92-65 win over the Red Raiders. Can the Wildcats' running game continue their dominance and get them their 2nd championship in 3 years?




Goal Line Stand (Championship Week)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette



Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year: The trees are lit, the snow is falling, and the two best teams in the FAC-10 are playing for the conference championship... or not.

Mexico versus Anheuser-Busch is the greatest example of the beauty of what the FBCS has become: a perfectly flawed method in determining the best team in the conference. What other league would give the 5th and 6th best teams a chance at the championship? As I said last week, the FBCS is not an exact science, but its a lot more fun.

Unfortunately, I also said last week that we'd be seeing Fitchburg Tech and Gillespie State playing. Instead, Red Raider QB Tom Brady decided not to show up against Mexico, as did the entire Gillespie State offense against Anheuser-Busch. That led to one of the most unpredictable conference championships in FAC-10 history:


Quarterback
36 years old against 24? You may think it's one sided, but if there's one 36 year old you want under center, its Kurt Warner (UM). Warner is averaging 16 PPG in the post-season, and has no intention of slowing down. Derek Anderson (AB) started the season on fire, but has slowed down in the playoffs averaging just 7.5 PPG. Anderson really needs to step up and prove he, and his team, are not a fluke, but Warner is just too hot right now.
Advantage: Mexico

Running Back
It takes two to make up the backfield, but both teams are cursed with one star and one scrub. LaDanian Tomlinson (UM) is a perrenial pro bowler, and can be expected to throw down 100 yards and a touchdown every week. Like Anderson, Adrian Peterson (AB) was one of the top backs in the league most of the season, but an injury has made him drop greatly in points the past few weeks. Backups Willie Parker (UM) and Ron Dayne (AB) are hit or miss each week. If it were a one-back league, Mexico would win, but Dayne's touchdown potential boosts AB's chances quite a bit.
Advantage: Push

Wide Receiver
Anheuser-Busch has the 3rd best receiver in the conference in Braylon Edwards. Again, like most of his team, he's tailed off in the past few weeks but is due for a breakout game. Unfortunately for them, Mexico has three of the top ten receivers, and all are putting up pro bowl numbers each and every week. Joey Galloway (AB) and Brandon Marshall (AB) have 6 touchdowns each, not enough to keep up with The Greatest Show On Mexican Dirt.
Advantage: Mexico

Tight End
AB Tight End Jeremy Shockey went down for the season in their semi-final game against Gillespie State. Whether it was out of spite, or they really thought he was the best guy available, the team signed Tony Scheffler (AB). Scheffler spent 2 weeks in the Mexico starting lineup, scoring a combined 2.5 points. The weak output led to the Wildcats' trading for superstar Jason Witten (UM), who has been unstoppable in the playoffs. 17 points in 2 playoff games has been a nice boost at a traditionally low-scoring position.
Advantage: Mexico

Kicker
Mexico has had a kicker-by-committee for the past 4 weeks, dropping long-time foot Adam Vinatieri. This week, it's veteran Ryan Longwell (UM), who should nail plenty of extra points for the high-scoring Wildcats. Jason Hanson (AB) is anything but automatic, but loves the long ones more than anybody else in the league. He's 9-11 from beyond 40 yards, and 3-4 past 50.
Advantage: Anheuser-Busch

Defense
London-Fletcher (UM) has been the most consistent defensive player in the league; 2nd in points, 2nd in solo tackles, yet failing to make the pro bowl. Mike Vrabel (AB) IS a pro bowler, mainly because of his explosiveness and versatility, not to mention his ability to score offensive touchdowns when they get down on the goal line. The chance to get 6, no matter how slim it may be, really helps AB.
Advantage: Anheuser-Busch


Therefore, Mexico has already won the championship, and we can put their name on the plaque today, right? Wrong. The lower seed is 4-4 in these playoffs, outscoring their "better" opponents by an average of 26 points. So whatever predictions you plan on making, throw them out the window, and enjoy the championship game of one of the craziest FAC-10 post-seasons ever.

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Heineken Keg Bowl (Finals)
(5) Mexico 98, (6) Anheuser-Busch 73

Labatt Blue Hula Bowl (Consolation)
(1) Fitchburg Tech 110, (2) Gillespie State 64

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League Notes
- Former Wildcat TE Tony Scheffler was signed by Anheuser-Busch for the championship game this weekend. Scheffler, thinking he'd been signed by his old team, showed up to the wrong practice on Wednesday, wearing his old Mexico uniform.

- For the first time in 3 years, Golden won their post-season bowl game, beating Athol 90-60 in the Miller High Life Beer Bowl. Fans from Coors-loyal Golden stormed the field, but immediately returned to the stands when they were given free Miller High Lifes.

- Gillespie State has quite the quarterback controversy for their Labatt Blue Hula Bowl matchup with Fitchburg Tech. Battling for the starting spot are 37 year old Jeff Garcia, 35 year old Jon Kitna, and 35 year old Rakeville Head Coach Drew Bledsoe.