With the three best teams in the NSIC likely sitting in the NSIC North Division in St. Cloud State, Minnesota Duluth, and Bemidji State, you might find it a little surprising that the biggest games in the conference this week are all in the NSIC South Division.

However, that's the case this week as we head into another busy weekend of NSIC Football.

Winona State (3-3) at Augustana (3-3)
Last Year: 17-0 Augustana

Don't look now, but after their worst start in 20-years the Augustana Vikings have made it back to 500, even if it took a last minute win on the road in Aberdeen last week to get there.

With 1:19 to go, Josh Hanson found Ben Parsley on a 24-yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings the lead, capping a 4-play 80 yard drive to lead the Vikings to steal a win on the road at Northern State.

The big play was really the punt though on the drive before, Northern Coach Tom Dosch had decided on a 3rd and seven from the Viking 44 yard line, that he would try to pin the Vikings deep, running with Kristin James, instead of throwing for the first down. Alex Alvarez then punted the ball, but it went into the end zone and the Vikings were able to start the drive on their own 20.

That made a big difference for the Vikings, who all of a sudden didn't have to worry about being backed up near their own goal, and as a result, they cut it loose driving the length of the field to steal the win.

This week it became public that Nate Mahone left the Viking football program, not unlike a situation last year in Mankato with a former Maverick running back. The loss hurts the Vikings more in the depth area than anything else, Dajon Newell, a red shirt freshman had taken Mahone's job as a starter, and outside of last week, had been doing a great job with it. Newell is obviously a key this week as the Vikings return home to play Winona State.

The Warriors lost a disappointing game at home to Minnesota Duluth last week in a game, I felt they had a good chance of winning. The Warriors have had a revolving door at the quarterback position, and to be honest it has let teams like Duluth and Minnesota State key on their running game.

Last week Alex Nelson was able to complete just 11 of 27 passes against the Bulldongs, instead of the 41% completion percentage that was, coaches would like to see that number over 60-percent. As Minnesota Vikings fans know when you can't throw the ball consistently, it also becomes more difficult to run, and as a result the Bulldogs slammed the door shut on the Warrior running game, holding the Warriors to just 69-yards rushing.

That will be a problem for the Warriors on the road this week in Sioux Falls against Augustana. I like the Vikings to win their fourth straight.


Wayne State (5-1) at Concordia (2-4)
Last Year: 17-14 Concordia

He's back! Spencer Ohm returned to the Concordia lineup last week, to throw for 301 yards and a touchdown against Bemidji State.

That's the good news for the Golden Bears, who have been fairly competitive despite having to use their 3rd string quarterback most of the season. The bad news was the three interceptions that Ohm threw against the Beavers though, likely costing the Golden Bears a chance to spoil homecoming.

However, I think a lot of quarterbacks could throw three interceptions against Bemidji State this year, and for it being Ohm's first game day snap in nearly a year, I can certainly understand the rust. I expect Ohm to shake off that rust, and I am putting Wayne State and upset alert this week.

The Wildcats have won five straight games, and they have been more and more impressive each week, however they have a big game next week against Minnesota State Mankato, and I think this sets up as a trap game. Besides, I also think Concordia has the weapons to burn Wayne's defense a few times.

Here is why, through 18 career games, Golden Bear receiver Charles Gilbert has 19-touchdown catches, of those 19, 18 of them have been from 23 yards or more away. The guy can score from any where on the field at any time.

Look for Ohm to be over 300-yards passing again this week, and look for a Golden Bear upset.

Extra Point: Concordia is 4-1 at home against Wayne State all time.


Minnesota State (4-2) at Upper Iowa (3-3)
Last Year: 48-14

There really isn't too much to say about this one, despite the fact that the teams remain a game a part in the standings.

Upper Iowa has taken some positive steps after last season, but defensively they have struggled against the top tier teams in the Northern Sun, which Minnesota State clearly is.

Last week in a disappointing loss to St. Cloud, Maverick running back Andy Pfeiffer still ran for 142 yards in what is a pretty tough Husky Defense. That doesn't spell great news for the Peacocks who are near the bottom of the league against the run, giving up 243 yards on the ground a game.

I will take the Mavericks to rebound with a road win.


St. Cloud State (5-1) at Southwest Minnesota State (2-4)
Last Year: 24-6, St. Cloud State

The Huskies in my mind put themselves ahead of everyone last week with their win over Minnesota State.

Obviously the big question for St. Cloud is will Phil Klaphake be able to play, well Coach Underwood says it will be a game time decision, but I would almost be surprised if he is back. When he plays, he certainly makes the Huskies a little different, but even without him, The Huskies ran the ball for over 300 yards against Minnesota State, and Southwest is 12th in the conference against the run.

One would worry that off a big emotional win over a big rival last week against Minnesota State that a road game at Southwest could be a trap game for the Huskies, and I might agree, if it were a normal week in Marshall.

But in Southwest's victory against Minnesota State Moorhead, they lost two starting offensive linemen, one likely for the rest of the season, and the Mustangs will be missing another this week for personal reasons.

With the mess up front for the Mustangs and the inability to stop the run, I don't see a St. Cloud trip up in the cards, I will take the Huskies.

The rest of the preview including a couple of interesting matchups in the NSIC North are still to come.