Continuing with the women's DII college fall regional previews, the Rocky Mountain is up next (read more for the Mid-Atlantic preview). This section of the Round of 32 is simpler, as there are only six teams competing instead of the traditional eight. The two at-large bids were not filled, and therefore the geographically isolated Montana State and Colorado Mesa received byes to the Round of 16 (Colorado Springs, Nov. 21).

Byes are gifts from a logistical standpoint; the Rocky Mountain finalists have guaranteed their next-round appearances and can sort out their travel in advance. But from a competitive standpoint, byes can hurt. It’s safe to say that Winona – which is the clear choice for a Round of 32 bye should it be considered a gift – is happy to be playing this Saturday, especially considering the circumstances surrounding its repeat Northern Lights title.

Winona’s league went from seven teams to four when the conference added a DII/NSCRO hybrid league this season. The Minnesota team played home-and-away series against its three opponents and won 498-12 across six games. For the Northern Lights final four, the top two teams from the DII league – Winona and Mankato State – were supposed to play the top two DII teams from the hybrid league – North Dakota and North Dakota State. Winona’s semifinal opponent, North Dakota State, withdrew from the tournament, while Mankato defeated UND 45-15. And then Mankato forfeited its spot in the Northern Lights final on Sunday. Winona won the conference title without playing a post-season match.

So again, the Black Katts are eager to get into playoff mode, and the University of Illinois – Chicago is the first recipient of that energy. UIC finished second in the Great Waters conference after losing 55-5 to UW Stout last weekend. Winona is the favorite in this match, and watch for players like lock Kourtney Kavajecz, Junior All American Lanoira Duhart, flyhalf Katie Dries, and flanker/center Lindsey Bucki, among many others, to distinguish themselves.

The winner of UIC vs. Winona will play Colorado Mesa in the Round of 16. The Mavericks had hopes of going deep into the fall championship, but a 49-12 loss to Montana State in the Rocky Mountain final indicated that the team had some more work to do.

Montana State is the sensation of the season, triumphing over the first 15s league in which it’s ever competed (read more). The Bozeman squad will face the Round of 32 winner between UW Steven’s Point and Mankato State. The Great Waters champ has the home-field advantage and is coming off a 55-5 win over UIC (read more). It is, however, missing the experience of flyhalf Jaime Destache and the speed of finisher Micah Hoger on the wing, two players who would have been handy in moving the ball away from the Mavericks’ typically strong forwards. While Mankato State has traditionally had the upper hand in this matchup, the Northern Lights runner-up had to rebuild in strength this season. Its two losses to Winona were big ones – 74-5 and 63-0 – compared to a year prior. This game is the Rocky Mountain Region match to watch this weekend.