St. Cloud State (6-1) at Minnesota Crookston (1-6)
Last Year: 49-6, St. Cloud State

The St. Cloud State Huskies will hit the road on Saturday after survivng Southwest in Marshall will have another trap game to be on the lookout for. There is no question that St. Cloud with a 24-3 lead in Marshall heading into the fourth quarter last week came down a little bit, allowing the Mustangs back into the game.

In fact, if it wasn't for Marvin Matthews stepping in front of a Tyler Peschong pass on a first and 15 the Huskies could have been in trouble.

There is no word on whether or not Phillip Klaphake will be back for the Huskies, but he was a game time decision at Southwest, and watching him move around on the field before the game, it certainly looked to me like he could have gone if need be, but he didn't take a snap. I would be surprised if he didn't go this week, especially with Minnesota Duluth up next, the Huskies don't want their offensive leader trying to shake off the rust against the Bulldog defense.

The challenge this week, goes from an aerial attack which the Mustangs presented them with, two stopping a ground and pound attack from Minnesota Crookston featuring the NSIC's leading rusher Richard Haley.

I think the match up works out a little better for St. Cloud this week, their defense is tough against the run, and I think Crookston is going to struggle to maintain that style this week, if they want to move the football. Look for the Huskies to get to their stretch run at 7-1, I like St. Cloud to get the win,



Upper Iowa (3-4) at Southwest Minnesota State (2-5)
Last Year: 40-34, Southwest OT

Three times since 2006 this game has been decided on the last play. All three times the game has been won by Southwest. In 2006, the Mustangs won in the third overtime, on an interception after Southwest kicked the go ahead field goal.

In 2008, on the last play from scrimmage in the closing seconds Josh Shudlick connected with Sean Patrick O'Leary on a 54 yard touchdown pass as time expired. And again in overtime last year, Gannon Moore scored the game winning touchdown for Southwest after a Curt Gosser interception ended a Peacock drive.

The Peacocks have had a couple of injuries which have hurt them defensively the last few weeks. Linebacker Tony Leggett and corner Daejahn Love have been missing the last few weeks, but sounds like they will both be back in Marshall this week.

The real key will be how much has the Southwest run defense improved, or Chris Smith could have a big week. The Mustangs have been playing better in recent weeks on that side of the ball, and they will have to focus on stopping Smith, without losing track of Jesse Hubbard who can be a dynamic playmaker in open space.

Tyler Peschong has put together a couple of solid back to back weeks, but the real key for the Mustangs is that running game. Warren Matthews and Gannon Moore are both really talented, both running and out of the backfield. If they have space the Mustang offense is impossible to stop.

I think the Peacocks will still have some trouble stopping the Mustangs though, so I will take Southwest to get the win.

Extra Point: Speaking of overtime, the last time Upper Iowa won an overtime game was on November 8th of 2008, when they beat Minnesota Crookston 37-36 in double overtime.


Northen State (2-5) at Minnesota Duluth (6-1)
Last Year: 27-7, Minnesota Duluth

Well a win for the Wolves had been a long time coming. Northern since beating Southwest had played tough against St. Cloud State and nearly beat Augustana just the week earlier got the win they had been hoping for last week against Minnesota Crookston. Not really an upset I know, and I still think Coach Dosch and the Wolves are going to upset someone.

I just can't see that happening on the road at Duluth this week, especially with the way the Bulldogs run the ball. Last week it was Austin Sikorski who put up the big numbers for the Bulldogs in the backfield rushing for 185 yards and three touchdowns, normally that would be a pretty good bet for conference player of the week. He was just beaten to the award by last week's National Offensive Player of the Week, Kristin James, of course that's the Wolves running back. All he did was run for 246-yards and four touchdowns.

I don't forsee another week like that for James this week, but if he could get to 150 or so, that might be able to keep Northern in the game. That is going to be pretty tough though, the Bulldogs are strong against the run, second in the Northern sun, as teams only average just over 86-yards a game against them.

I think Northern has come a long ways, and they are getting close to turning the corner, but I don't think the Bulldogs will have a lot of trouble with them at home tomorrow.


MSU Moorhead (2-5) at Augustana (4-3)
Last Year: 47-17 , Augustana

We knew it was going to happen at one point or another, but Augustana has now won four straight. They just had to get that first one, and since they beat Southwest they haven'st stopped winning.

There really isn't too much to say about this game. Look for a big day from Dajon Newell, he has solidified the Augustana running game rushing for 432 yards already in just five games, while the Dragons are last in the conference at stopping the run.

Further, the Dragons will have trouble against the NSIC's second rated passing attack. Josh Hanson has thrown for 1,658 yards and 10-touchdowns, and Sam Holsen is flying down the field again, as he caught six passes for 95-yards and a pair of scores last week against Winona.

I look for the Vikings to win their fifth straight, and pretty handily at home.