Four games down, three games to go...

Augustana (0-2) at Mary (1-1)
Last Year: 52-21, Augustana

The Augustana Vikings have had 17 0-2 starts in their 89-year history of the program. The last time though the Vikings started a season at 0-2, was 20-years ago, in 1991.

Certainly not the start the Vikings were hoping for to the 2011 season especially considering both losses were home losses where Augustana had lost one game since the opening of Kirkeby Over Stadium.

So maybe a little road trip is just what this Vikings team needs to get it going. Especially one to Bismarck, North Dakota where they will face a team they have never lost too.. the University of Mary (2-0 all time).

It's hard to put your finger on any one thing that the Vikings have struggled with so far in the 2011 season, I think its more of a product of a tough schedule to start the season, but if I see one red flag it is their struggles to run the football. Maybe we'll have a better idea of where they are at after they face Mary on Saturday, a team that gave up 550 yards to Southwest last week including 216 yards on the ground.

Look for Augie's offense to move the ball efficiently on Saturday, Mary struggled to stop the Mustangs at all on Saturday and they didn't force a turnover. In fact, Mary gave up 31-first downs in the game, and Southwest had just 11-third downs the entire game. That means they were giving up big chunks of yards on first and second down, leading to quick drives down the field.

If Augie's Defense doesn't come to play though they will be challenged in this one, Craig Bagnell threw for 403-yards last week, and North Dakota transfer Josh Murray continues to see more of a role, he rushed for 90-yards and two touchdowns.

I am sticking with the Vikings though to get the ship sailing once again.

Extra Point: A loss for the Vikings on Saturday would mark a 4-game losing streak, it would be their second straight loss in the NSIC, their first two game NSIC losing streak since 2008 when they lost to Wayne State and Winona State.



Southwest Minnesota State (1-1) at Bemidji State (2-0)
Last Year: 30-14, Bemidji State

The debate is on. Which NSIC team has the best defense, is it St. Cloud State, certainly they would be a solid pick, but I think right now I am going to lean to Bemidji State.

The Beavers are giving up 2.2 yards per carry against them on the year, and have given up just 118 yards on the ground so far. They are a nightmare on third downs as opponents have converted just 9 of 30 third downs on them this season, and oh yeah they are a plus five in turnover margin.

The match up against Southwest's offense will be an intersting one. The Mustangs have been better upfront than anyone in Marshall expected, and in just his third college start at quarterback Tyler Peschong threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Pescong also ran for 89 yards and two more touchdowns in the Mustang win, and he was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week.

The difference though I think will be made on the other side of the ball, Bemidji's top receiver is the Tight end, Brian Leonhart. He's in my opinion the best all around tight end in the league, and his team leading 12 receptions for 218 yards is a perfect match for the weakness of the Mustang defense. In the first week, Nick Wanner completed 10/12 passes, killing the Mustangs over the middle, last week, Craig Bagnell of Mary threw for a career best 403 yards, most of which came right over the middle. I see a long day for the Mustang secondary if they don't get that problem adjusted.

I am going to take Bemidji to move to 3-0.

Extra Point: Bemidji State has dominated the series in recent years winning 11-straight meetings between the two programs.


St. Cloud State (2-0) at Winona State (1-1)

Last Year: 31-26, St. Cloud State

Last and certainly not least this week is the matchup between Winona and St. Cloud. Both of these teams thought they could be in the playoffs this year, and its already an important game for the Warriors on that front.

But for St. Cloud, this is another opportunity to prove they are in the hunt for a confernece title. The Huskies are 2-0, and have looked really impressive so far in 2011. St. Cloud's defense made a statement last week against Concordia, intercepting five passes and putting the Huskies in position to score points. It's a statement they started making at the end of last year when they led the conference in turnover margin.

Rayon Simmons, the Winona State running back gets it. He rushed for 137 yards last week and three touchdowns, but he was still upset with himself for two fumbles after the game, eventhough they were recovered by his own teammates. But Simmons knows its mistakes like those that will cost the Warriors the game if they happen against a team like St. Cloud.

The other big question mark in this one is the quarterback situation in Winona. John Tiegland, Winona's starter against Moorhead last week did not return to the game after his back stiffened up. Brian Bradshaw came in and played well completing 10/13 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Warrior Coach Tom Sawyer though was quoted this week as saying if Tiegland is ready to go he is the starter, but he stopped short of saying his quarterback would be ready. That will be interesting to watch as a turnover hungry Husky secondary is salavating for an opportunity to steal a few more footballs.

I just see too much that could go wrong in this one for Winona to be able to beat the Huskies even at home. St. Cloud to me, looks as close to dominant as Minnesota Duluth did last year, and things like short hopping the punter on long snaps, or 11-penalties for 89-yards, or careless turnovers are going to be too much for the Warriors to overcome.

I like St. Cloud to go on the road and pull this one out. I will take the Huskies.

Extra Point: Winona's rushing attack may struggle against St. Cloud as well, the Husky defense has given up just 136 yards on the ground through two games, an average of 2.6-yards per carry. That can't be ignored with the Warriors questions at quarterback.