Here's a look at my predicted outcomes for Week 1 of MIAA football, set to kick off Thursday night when 10 of the conference's 12 teams take the field. More preseason coverage can be found on my blog homepage at www.tinyurl.com/miaarond2.

Central Missouri at No. 22 Missouri Western
Thursday, Sept. 4; 7 p.m.
Spratt Stadium; St. Joseph, Mo.

Last year, UCM head coach Jim Svoboda didn't name a starting QB until the Mules took the field against the Griffons. This year, Western HC Jerry Partridge is returning the favor. Reports out of St. Joe indicate TJ LaFaver has the edge, but both he and fellow redshirt freshman Skylar Windmiller are expected to see action.

The Griffons will be playing with an untested QB, but make up for their lack of experience in most other categories, including star RB Raphael Spencer, last season's MIAA regular season leading rusher. The Mules bring back Hayden Hawk under center, marking the first time in Svoboda's 4 years at the helm he'll have the same guy starting the season at QB in consecutive seasons.

The Griffons have owned this series lately, winning the last 3 contests and 10 of the last 11.

Prediction: Central snaps the losing streak to the Griffs with a big day from Hawk. UCM 34 MWSU 28

Nebraska-Kearney at No. 1 Northwest Missouri
Thursday, Sept. 4; 7 p.m.
Bearcat Stadium; Maryville, Mo.
MIAA Network Game of the Week

Remember when the Bearcats were notorious for struggling in season openers? All of that has changed, with wins in Week 1 the last 3 years coming by an average of more than 35 points. Kearney head coach Darrell Morris says his team is better-suited to compete in the top-heavy MIAA this year, but proving that will be tough with a season opener in Maryville.

Prediction: Bearcat QB Brady Bolles accounts for 4 scores before halftime. Northwest 52 UNK 20

Missouri Southern at No. 19 Emporia State
Thursday, Sept. 4; 7 p.m.
Jones Field at Welch Stadium; Emporia, Kan.

This should be fun. The league's two up-and-coming programs face off for the first time in three years. This is a tough spot for both teams, because the loser faces an 0-1 hole to start the season with the rest of the 'traditional' powers of the conference remaining on the schedule.

The quarterback matchup will be one to watch here. The league's most prolific passer, Emporia gunslinger Brent Wilson, returns after a fantastic sophomore season that ended with an injury that kept him out of the playoffs. Southern's Jay McDowell ran the option to much success a year ago, and hopes that can continue this year.

Prediction: If you've been reading me the last few years, this will shock you (just kidding). Emporia 48 Missouri Southern 20

Lindenwood at Washburn
Thursday, Sept. 4; 6 p.m.
Yager Stadium; Topeka, Kan.

Washburn is coming off three straight losses to end its season for the second year in a row, while Lindenwood is hoping to rebound from a sophomore slump after a fantastic first year in the MIAA.

My early pick for MIAA Offensive Player of the Year will get his first chance to shine in this game. After missing all of 2012 and parts of 2013 because of some legal issues, Washburn RB Vershon Moore - the MIAA's leading rusher in 2011 - is back for a full season. In limited games last year, he amassed 412 rushing yards and 6 TDs, with another 2 in the air. With a full season to work with, I expect him to be the premier running back in the league.

Prediction: Moore gets things going in the right direction with 100+ yards on the ground and a couple of scores. Washburn 29 Lindenwood 21

Central Oklahoma at Fort Hays State
Thursday, Sept. 4; 7 p.m.
Lewis Field; Hays, Kan.

Fort Hays has a good chance to extend their hot streak from the end of last year with 3 games to start this season against bottom-half MIAA teams. Who knows what will happen from there. UCO returns WR Marquez Clark from an above-average offense last season, but still has yet to make any strides in moving out of the MIAA's basement.

Prediction: Fort Hays 24 UCO 17

I will add a prediction to Saturday's Pitt State v Northeastern State game (Saturday) here later this week.