So who's going to win?

Psst. Hey bub. Yeah you. Come here. I want to tell you something about Saturday's game between Cal and someplace called Northwest Missouri State. You know, that semifinal game in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Wanna know who's going to win?
I'll tell ya, for a price.

I got the inside information on what it's going to take to win it. And you probably already know. No, it's not the razzle dazzle plays, or the special teams or even the kickers or quarterbacks. Heck, Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl for heaven's sake. and he ain't that good.

What's going to decide this game? Defense and running the football. So it might not bode well for Cal because tailback Windell Brown is hobbled. Has been for a while, but he will play, just not at 100 percent. The Vulcans' defense has been banged up all season and just now returning to health. It played well in last week's 57-35 win over West Liberty but the Hilltoppers had a lot of little guys on the line.

Northwest Missouri State has a good defense, eight returning starters, and an outstanding running game. They have big, strong linemen who allow an average of 2.5 yards per carry and that will be critical in determining field position.

So it doesn't look good for the home boys. It will be close but the team with the directional words in its name is going to win by a touchdown or two.