Some are coming off a big win. Others return to action after disappointing losses. Regardless of which side of the fence they're on, several MIAA teams that are already facing pivotal points of their season are up for more tests this week.

Central Missouri laid a big fat egg last week in St. Joseph, falling to a offensively-inept Missouri Western team that is still trying to figure out how to replace Travis Partridge at quarterback. This week, they open their home season with the offensive machine that is Emporia State.

Missouri Southern, with the help of lots of turnovers and some sloppy play, fell victim to the aforementioned Hornets last week, and as a consolation prize, gets to host top-ranked Northwest Missouri.

Lindenwood, winner of the early favorite for MIAA game of the year last week in Topeka, faces perhaps the most daunting task of all, welcoming a seemingly fine-polished Pittsburg State team that pitched a shutout in its Week 1 victory.

And, okay. We can be honest here. For some teams, maybe it does get a bit easier. So is the way of the MIAA, where the bottom half of the conference is still a long way from its upper-echelon counterparts.

Let's take a look at this week's matchups, hoping that for me, things do get a little easier. I was a dismal 2-3 last week, missing the Western, Lindenwood and UCO victories. My bad on not posting a pick for the Pitt game.

No. 8 Pittsburg State (1-0) at Lindenwood (1-0)
Thursday, Sept. 11; 6 p.m.
Harlen C. Hunter Stadium; St. Charles, Mo.

Pittsburg State was pretty darn good on Saturday. They were a perfect 7 for 7 on red zone chances in their 37-0 drubbing of Northeastern State, forcing 3 turnovers and more-than-doubling the Riverhawks' offensive output.

Lindenwood found success last week in quite a different way. They were outgained by nearly 150 yards and fell behind early 24-7, but turned 3 Washburn turnovers and 2 more turnovers-on-downs into 21 points and won what became a back-and-forth battle down the stretch.

The question in this game is: Can Lindenwood force Pitt's Anthony Abenoja and company into the same kind of mistakes? The senior QB was a very efficient 18 for 23 in Week 1 with no picks, so I'm not entirely sure. Yeah, I get it. Northeastern State isn't exactly a bench-mark victory, but good football is good football, and it seems like that's what the Gorillas played last week.

But at the same time, there's plenty to be said about resilient football, especially in the MIAA, where you're going to take plenty of licks each and every week, and it's up to you to keep coming back with more ticks.

Prediction: Lindenwood makes this a game, but the Gorillas turn the table, using a fourth-quarter miscue to open it up. Pitt State 42 Lindenwood 24

No. 1 Northwest Missouri (1-0) at Missouri Southern (0-1)
Thursday, Sept. 11; 6:30 p.m.
Fred G. Hughes Stadium; Joplin, Mo.

I got my first in-person look at the "new" Missouri Southern last week in Emporia. I was excited to see just how far this option-heavy (okay, option-only) offense could take them. I wasn't real excited for too long. They put up some okay numbers, but once they fell a few scores behind Emporia, it was nearly impossible to think they could ever mount a comeback. The most impressive thing I saw out of them was the few times the passing game opened up, leading to quarterback Jay McDowell's only 2 completions that accounted for more than 110 yards.

And while I didn't get a first-hand look at Northwest Missouri last week, I feel pretty confident in saying they looked pretty good. Sure, I think we all expected a 34-7 score by about mid-second quarter, but a 27-point victory is nice in anyone's books. Solid numbers from QB Brady Bolles, 3 scores from RB Phil Jackson, and just another year of dominant Bearcat defense.

Prediction: I'm going for about the same point differential as above, but I think it'll be one of those "It was never really that close" games. Northwest Missouri 39 Missouri Southern 20

No. 16 Emporia State (1-0) at Central Missouri (0-1)
Thursday, Sept. 11; 7 p.m.
Walton Stadium; Warrensburg, Mo.

Emporia took a minute to get it together last week, but once they did, they looked pretty darn good. I don't have the exact numbers, but I'm pretty sure QB Brent Wilson targeted WR Austin Willis about 379 times, so if Central can keep tabs on him, it'll be a good start. But RB Kai Collins quietly picked up over 100 rushing yards, too. If the pass-happy Hornets have indeed found themselves a running game, you better watch out.

Oh, Central. You were so fun a few years ago when you tore apart most of the MIAA and won 2 playoff games. That was 2010. Ever since, you've been kinda lame. And you were REAL lame last week. NINE POINTS!? REALLY!? Maybe the Griffon defense is that good. Maybe you're just lame. We'll see this week.

Prediction: I'll be at this game, so I'm hoping for a closer outcome, but I'm not so sure. Emporia State 51 Central Missouri 17

Washburn (0-1) at Nebraksa-Kearney (0-1)
Thursday, Sept. 11; 7 p.m.
Foster Field; Kearney, Neb.

Here's one that maybe gets a little easier. Washburn's 3-headed monster of Jay Buhler, Vershon Moore and DuJuan Beard played their part last week, but key turnovers and a botched punt loomed large in their disappointing loss to Lindenwood.

A potentially-improved Kearney team could only hang around for so long in Maryville, but maybe things will be different at home.

Prediction: Maybe not. Washburn 42 Kearney 14

No. 20 Missouri Western (1-0) at Central Oklahoma (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 13; 6 p.m.
Wantland Stadium; Edmond, Okla.

A win is a win is a win. And ugly is ugly is ugly. Western's season opener was both. If Central turns out not to be as lame as I think they might be, maybe this was the precursor to a shining year for the MoWest defense. It's a talented squad any way you look at it.

Central Oklahoma turned a few (literally, like 3) heads last week in their mild upset of Fort Hays last week. Do it again, and the heads will continue.

Prediction: Central Oklahoma takes an early lead, but Western finally remembers that the end zone is their friend. Missouri Western 30 Central Oklahoma 17

Fort Hays State (0-1) at Northeastern State (0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 13; 2 p.m.
Doc Wadley Stadium; Tahlequah, Okla.
MIAA TV Game of the Week

So much for Hays making some noise after a strong finish last season. When you lose a game to an MIAA bottom-feeder, you write yourself off real quick.

Unfortunately for Northeastern State, when you play on the road at Pitt State in Week 1, you do the same.

Prediction: Hays looks like the team we thought they would be last week. Fort Hays 28 NSU 7