i think it comes down to strength of schedule...

UTT played a soft schedule throughout the year which got them to be a top 25 team
Concordia won the head to head matchup, but again didn't play a tough schedule.

McMurry took one from Chapman on the road and won their conference and played well when they needed to.
Redlands and East Bay were 1 and 2 in strength of schedule in the west and faired well in region.

The west is so deep that it deserves an 8 team region.