In the West Region, the Clarmont-Mudd-Scipps Stags took the top seed. That pits them against the play in team — the Redlands Bulldogs.
Currently, the Stags (the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion), are having no problems with the Bulldogs. However, we know the Equipment team at Redlands and they, frankly, embody bulldog moxie. Keep voting Stag fans, or you may experience an epic upset.
At the same time, the Sacramento State Hornets, the West Region #2 Seed, trail the #15 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. How does this happen? Is it that the Colorado School of Mines have a voting block that is turning out in great numbers? Or, is it the fans of other helmets are clicking on that stubborn working burro due to it's unique look? Regardless, the Hornets have the rest of the week of voting to rally the voters or bow out of HB3.
NOTE: Due to current limitations of the voting program, it appears the winners of the #1 verses #16 seeds will face the winners of the #2 verses #15 seeds in the second round. These winners would more normally work through the entire regional bracket before facing each other. We are working with the vendor. Stay tuned.
The match-up between the #3 San Marcos Bobcats and the # 14 Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons is building already to an amazing contest that could produce a real contender. Voters seem to love the curled up dragon, while the Texas voting bloc is pushing the Bobcats to an early lead. These teams are deadlocked at 50 percent each after hundreds have voted and thousands wait to cast their ballot.
Meanwhile, the #4 Southern Oregon Raiders badly trail the #13 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers. This is a huge upset. Frankly, neither of these helmets engender a strong response from non-connected voters. Yet, anyone can win Helmet Bowl III and it starts with this first round. One of these teams will advance.
The Kansas State Wildcats have toyed with greatness in Helmet Bowl national championship brackets of the past, and hold a healthy lead over the Western Oregon Wolves. If they can garner some momentum, the EMAW folks could make some noise in HB3.
When we look at the match-up between the #6 Wyoming Cowboys and the #11 Nebraska Kearney Lopers, we see two things: 1) a D1 vs DII contest, and 2) two fairly unique and attractive helmets. The Lopers bring a growing number of voters and currently hold a 75 to 25 percent lead! Watch this team, Helmet Bowl fans!
The Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm come into this contest a #10 Seed, but last year charged into the Fantastic Final Four of Helmet Bowl II. Do they have the gumption to do it again; or even push further? First, they have to get past a fairly basic helmet from the Central College Dutch. Currently, the Storm lead the Dutch 71 to 28 percent.
Now, the UT Permian Basin Falcons have a gorgeous helmet and a really nice image this year. They bring their #8 Seed against the Oregon State Beavers, at #9. The Falcons have a strong lead after the first six hours of voting. Will they hold it, grow it, or lose it? That's what a week of voting is all about!