Does anybody else feel bad for Central Missouri, who gets to play the role of Northwest's rebound chick this weekend at homecoming?

The Bearcats are coming off a tough break-up with their conference win streak, and I don't see Adam Dorrel, Blake Christopher and company drowning in their own sorrows too long. Nope, I think they're already out on the prowl looking to make themselves feel better.

Now if this was a real rebound, Central would get at least some enjoyment out of it, before realizing they've been used and tossed aside, but frankly, I'm not so sure that'll happen.

Now I'm not expecting Central to lie flat on their backs in this game, but with Northwest's wham-bam-thank-you-mam offense looking for redemption, I'm not sure this will be a contest.

But what about Pitt State? Will their emotional victory last week over Northwest get the best of them this week when they head to Hays? It's a good question, and the answer could go either way, but we'll get back to that in the game previews.

In other MIAA action this week, Truman welcomes Washburn for homecoming in Kirksville, Missouri Western welcomes Lincoln to Spratt Stadium and Missouri Southern travels to Emporia for a battle with the Hornets.

Alright, let's get into the previews. We'll start in Warrensburg, where Northwest Missouri is hoping the rebound will be enjoyable.

No. 7 Northwest Missouri (4-1, 3-1) at No. 14 Central Missouri (4-1, 3-1)
Saturday, Oct. 8; 1:30 p.m.
Walton Stadium; Warrensburg, MO

In something I've never done, I"ve given away my prediction before my preview, but that doesn't mean I don't think Central Missouri CAN win this game. I just don't think they WILL win this game. I love what Tommy Corwin and Jamar Howard are doing at Central - I think it's making it a lot easier to deal with the losses of Eric Czerniewski and Jamorris Warren - but let's be real. The ground game is downright awful.

We started to see a little improvement against Emporia and Truman, but a step backward against Arkansas Tech is not what you wanted coming into the Northwest Missouri game.

The Central defense appears about average, something that's going to need to improve if they're going to hang around in this game.

If that does happen, AND Central can establish a running game, then I think UCM can pull off the upset. But more likely, I see Northwest controlling the game on both sides of the ball, running up a lot of points early on the Central D, and making the Mules play catch-up.

But hey, that's not such a bad thing. Perhaps no team in the league is better suited to play from behind than Central, who has made a habit of comeback victories.

But unfortunately for the Mules, I think we just saw the beginning of a Jake Soy hot streak last week, and he continues it with another multiple-TD game in Warrensburg.

Prediction: Northwest Missouri 48 Central Missouri 37

No. 6 Pittsburg State (5-0, 4-0) at Fort Hays State (2-3. 2-2)
Saturday, Oct. 8; 7 p.m.
Lewis Field; Hays, KS

A couple former Gorillas welcome Pitt State to Hays for the Tigers' homecoming this week. FHSU head coach Chris Brown and defensive coordinator Dion Menely were both defensive standouts in the 90s. Brown was happy with his defense's performances last week against Lincoln, but let's be serious. That was Lincoln. The 24-21 victory is darn near a loss in my book.

And now Pitt comes to town, fresh off their biggest victory since their program took a tumble a few years ago. All Pitt State needs to do here is take care of the football and stay creative. A turnover on their first play from scrimmage and some one-dimensional play-calling helped Northwest jump out to that early lead last week.

The heat is on Zac Dickey after his performance at Arrowhead to see if he can keep it up. If he continues to contribute more than 300 yards of offense a game, Pitt's going to be steam-rolling some teams down the stretch here.

For Hays, their bread and butter continues to be their running backs, Andre Smith and Edward Smith, who rank first and sixth in the league in rushing, respectively, but it won't be enough to get past a powerful Pittsburg State team

Prediction: Pittsburg State 38 Fort Hays 14

No. 8 Washburn (5-0, 4-0) at Truman State (2-3, 1-3)
Saturday, Oct. 8; 2 p.m.
Stokes Stadium; Kirksville, MO
MIAA Network

I ain't gonna lie. Washburn's early struggles can be a little concerning. But at the same time, just like UCM, it's part of what makes them so exciting to watch.

The schedule gods sure weren't nice to Truman this year, as they're facing their fourth ranked team already. They gave Pitt State all they could handle with the help of turnovers, but have been beat handily by Northwest and Central.

I think if Simoneau can keep himself from the early difficulties he's had, Washburn can run away with this game pretty early.

Prediction: Washburn 50 Truman State 27

Lincoln (1-4, 0-4) at Missouri Western (3-2, 2-2)
Saturday, Oct. 8; 7 p.m.
Spratt Stadium; St. Joseph, MO

Missouri Western, at 3-2, gets a five-game stretch of teams they should be able to knock off. None of them are givens, but this one's about as close as it gets to one.

These games will be a great test for Travis Partridge to see if he can break out and become an elite MIAA quarterback, because let's face it, if Missouri Western wants to compete Nov. 5 against Northwest Missouri, that's what he's going to need to become.

Lincoln's defense took advantage of an inconsistent Fort Hays team to keep themselves close last week, but I think Partridge has another productive day and Western cruises.

Prediction: Missouri Western 45 Lincoln 10

Missouri Southern (1-3, 1-3) at Emporia State (1-4, 0-4)
Saturday, Oct. 8; 2 p.m.
Welch Stadium; Emporia, KS

Both teams have some upside, but struggle in putting complete games together. Both have experienced quarterbacks putting up decent numbers this year and the teams have the two worst pass defenses in the league, so expect Collin Howard and Tyler Eckenrode to take to the air.

The difference here could be the running game. Both are middle-of-the-pack attacks, but Southern is only giving up 108 yards a game, good enough for first in the MIAA.

Still though, either team can win this game if they stay away from the mistakes that have cost them in earlier games.

These cellar-dweller games are sometimes the most fun, or at least the most interesting to pick, as they're usually a coin-flip.

I'll take Emporia at home and on the heels of Eckenrode.

Prediction: Emporia State 28 Missouri Southern 20

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