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It's Towson after Turkey

On Sunday, the playoff matchups were announced, and it was revealed that Lehigh would be playing the champion of the CAA, Towson, on the road in Towson, Maryland.  (Time TBD)

Some folks seemed, perhaps, a bit miffed that Lehigh didn't get the opportunity to host a home playoff game - but on balance, were pleased.  They'll be able to make a short trip to battle the best team in the CAA this year, and also line up against a team that was once a member of the Patriot League.

It's a matchup that has pleased everyone I've talked to.


The CAA champions, at 9-2, will not be an easy out.

While you can expect a much more substantial preview closer to game time, they boast one of the best rushing offenses in all of FCS, behind freshman RB Terrance West's 1,242 yards rushing in 10 games.

Lehigh and Towson at one time were members of the Patriot League, back when Gordy Combs was the Tigers' coach and Towson's Patriot League title hopes seemed to be dashed by Lehigh every year.

The Mountain Hawks went 10-1 against the Tigers, who always had entertaining shootouts with "Air Lehigh".

The matchup between the former Patriot League foes is just one aspect of this game that will bevery interesting the week after Thanksgiving.  The other is the likelihood that the winner will be the ultimate winner of the Lambert Trophy, given to the best team in the East.

Right now, Lehigh sits at No. 1 in this poll, and Towson at No. 2.

This Towson team is much, much different, however, than the teams the Mountain Hawks battled in the 1980s and 1990s.  It's goingto be a great game.

While I would have preferred a home game at Murray Goodman, it will be great to see Towson once again.

*****

Lehigh's draw is very intriguing to me in the sense, too, that should they get past Towson, they have some very intriguing possible matchups thereafter.

On their side of the bracket, should they win, they would either travel to No. 2 overall seed North Dakota State - who played Lafayette to open the season - or play two teams with playoff history against Lehigh, James Madison or Eastern Kentucky.

Eastern Kentucky denied Lehigh not one, but two I-AA championship opportunities back in 1979 and 1980.  It would be a thrill to play them again - and for the first time since 1980, when Roy Kidd outduelled John Whitehead at Taylor Stadium 23-20.

Or they could host James Madison - who, in 2004, won against Lehigh 14-13 in the infamous "7th-and-goal" game.

It's a bracket filled with potential Patriot League or Lehigh revenge - there's lots to like.

*****

I'm personally very happy for this game at Towson - which is at a time yet to be determined.  I cannot wait.

What a great time of year - Turkey, then Towson.
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