One game on the MIAA slate tonight, and if you can't make it out to Topeka, no worries. You can still get a chance to check out quarterback Dane Simoneau and company against the '(old) new kid on the block.'

Lincoln (1-0) heads to Washburn (1-0) on a game that will be televised regionally on MIAA TV. Head to http://bit.ly/nrLERD for TV listings and scheduling info for MIAA TV.

Lincoln returns to the MIAA after a 10-year absence. The Blue Tigers started the Mike Jones era on a high note last week, but they weren't exactly playing a finely-tuned instrument. Washburn, on the other hand, looked impressive in their victory over Sioux Falls - particularly early with Simoneau starting off an automatic 14 for his first 14.

Let's get down to it. If Washburn doesn't win this game by 35 points, I'll be surprised. I try to stray away from picking blowouts, but Lincoln is going to have a rough time of it in their first year back in the conference (for football - they joined in all other sports in 2010).

It was beneficial that redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Redmond started his career with a 300-yard game, but Avila isn't bringing out the kind of defense that Washburn has. Now I'm not trying to tell you Washburn's defense is the best in the league, it's way too early in the season to start talking about that, but the pieces are there in Topeka to put forth a quality unit.

They've definitely got lots of experience, headlined by guys like linebackers Marty Pfannenstiel and Jahmil Taylor, who have a combined 41 starts under their belts.

But when you're talking Washburn football, you gotta talk Simoneau, who jumped up to No. 7 on the all-time MIAA passing list with his 452 yard game against Sioux Falls. Next up on the list is Blake Bolles, who is still a little more than 1,000 yards ahead of him, and with a good season, Simoneau could end up alongside Eric Czerniewski and Drew Newhart in the top 3 all-time league passers.

He won't be able to do that without a good receiving crews, and with five touchdowns to five different guys a week ago, it seems he has plenty of options.

Washburn came storming out of the gates last week, while Lincoln stumbled before picking it up in the second quarter - which seems to me a perfect recipe for a Bod-style beatdown tonight in Topeka.

For Lincoln, you'll want to be watching the play of Redmond, plus a trio of guys who each put up a good game last week in the receiving game. Wide receivers Corderious Gregory and Chris Willis, and running back Deon Brock each scored a touchdown and had at least five catches.

Defensively, senior DB O'Hara Fluellen garnered the most preseason buzz on the team, and he helps anchor a defense that held Avila to just 275 yards of offense.

Welcome back to the MIAA Lincoln. I sincerely hope you can turn your program around (just 24 wins in 11 seasons since bringing program back), but it's not happening yet.

Prediction: Washburn 45 Lincoln 10