Before we get started this week, I'm going to waste my time and yours talking about the discussion that's taken over my last blog post.

Now to preface my comments, please realize this is all in jest. I love that my blogs generate discussion, and heck, that you're even reading.

But if I have to listen to one more grumpy Gorilla growl over my alleged Northwest homerism, I'm going to explode. Calling me a Northwest homer couldn't be any farther from the truth.

I love MIAA football. I love MIAA teams that win. Northwest Missouri, in the three years I've been here, wins. I'm sorry if a team that has gone 3-6 in conference in consecutive seasons doesn't get the attention of a team coming off a 49-game MIAA win streak.

And to the Pitt fans who complain that I led my blog with the Northwest-Central game, REALLY? A top-25 matchup, which I attended, that drew over 14,000 fans should be buried behind Pitt State playing in Fort Hays? Oh, oh, I guess I could have went with Washburn, the conference's other unbeaten, and their matchup in Truman.

The silly accusations are laughable. Were you complaining the first two weeks of 2009 when I gushed all over Pitt State, or last year when I talked incessantly about Central Missouri?

And lastly, this blog is about my opinion. I'm not supposed to sit here and praise every team, and make sure each school's fans feel good about themselves. If Pitt State keeps winning, they'll get the attention, adoration and praise they deserve.

But we all know, once I jump on board their bandwagon, they'll start losing, so I'm not so sure that's what you want either.

Either way, just enjoy the ride you're on, and come to me if you want to hear about the most relevant, important stuff in the conference, not what a couple miserable monkeys want to hear.

Alright, moving on. And please, don't take that too seriously. Especially since I'm planning my first trip to the Jungle since 2009 in a few weeks and I want to leave with all my limbs in tact.

Let's talk High 5. Here's my very unofficial power rankings of the MIAA.

1. Pittsburg State (6-0, 5-0) - The more you look into this team, the more there is to like. Running game and defense are by far the best in the league; Special teams has been special at times this year; And with Zac Dickey leading the conference in completion percentage and his playmaking receivers coming into their game, it's hard to think of anyone else in the top spot.

2. Washburn (6-0, 5-0) - Unless, that is, you wanna throw Washburn up there. The 'Bods boast the leagues' leading rusher, arguably the best quarterback, a healthy arsenal of talented receivers and their defense isn't far behind Pitt State's. I'm not terribly worried about the come-from-behind victories, but their lack of a blockbuster win as of yet has them in the second slot.

3. Northwest Missouri (5-1, 4-1) - Uh, oh. I'm talking about the Bearcats. I better be careful. This isn't the dominant Bearcat team we've seen over the last five years, but then again, even in the peak of their dominance, they weren't always dominating their opponents. Games remaining against Washburn and Missouri Western will tell us more, but for now, they're a solid No. 3.

4. Missouri Western (4-2, 3-2) - With two losses coming to two top 10 teams, I'm a little curious how they were left out of this week's D2Football.com Top 25 poll, while Central, who lost to the Griffons got in. MoWest is dealing with some injuries and has a quarterback I don't entirely trust to take them to the promised land, but I'm happy with what they've done this year.

5. Central Missouri (4-2, 3-2) - Oh Central, if only you had a running game... Tommy Corwin is the MIAA's leading passer and cornerback Marlon Douglas' diving interception reminded us all why he was a preseason All American, but the Mules are going to need to pull an upset over either Washburn or Pitt to get themselves even a shot at the playoffs, and it would still be tough.

Agree with what I have to say? Disagree? Good. Now tell me why. Post a response to this blog, e-mail me at [email protected], @ me on Twitter @miAARONd2 or message me at Facebook.com/apheintz. .