A couple of marquis matchups will highlight the Week 9 schedule of games in the Northern Sun this week. This week, the big showdown takes place in St. Cloud, we'll discuss that contest a little later. But we start with a Thursday night game in Mankato.


Augustana (5-3) at Minnesota State (6-2)
Last Year: 17-13 Augustana

The Augustana Vikings have won five straight games as they get set for a showdown with the Mavericks in Mankato on Thursday night. In case you can't make it to the game, or catch it online live, it will be broadcast via tape delay on Friday night at 9:30 on Fox Sports Net.

Far be it from me to talk down on a team who has won five straight games, afterall a five game winning streak is just that, and in college football, that in and of itself is quite the accomplishment. However, over the course of the five game winning streak the Vikings haven't seen anyone the caliber of Minnesota State.

The steak started against Southwest Minnesota State, today the Mustangs are 3-5, then Augustana beat Concordia, who like Southwest is 3-5, and who at the time was playing their third string quarterback. The Vikings then came from behind for a dramatic win over Northern State, today the Wolves are 2-6. Winona State was the fourth victim on the Vikings winning streak the Warriors are currently 4-4, and last week the Vikings sent Minnesota State Moorhead to 2-6 on the year.

Obviously as you can see, none of those teams are over .500 on the season, in fact, Augustana's record against teams over .500 is 0-2.

While I give the Vikings credit for winning five straight, the level of competition isn't what they are going to face Thursday night in Mankato.

The Mavericks are coming off an impressive win over Wayne State at home, in which the Maverick defense forced five turnovers on their way to the win. Four interceptions and a fumble recovery made the difference in the game for the Mavericks who did give up over 500 yards to the Wildcats, including 230 on the ground.

Honestly, I am having a tough time with this one, because if the Mavericks hadn't forced those turnovers to Wayne State last week, they certainly could have been in some serious trouble, and Augustana has better talent at every skill position. Josh Hanson isn't prone to that many turnovers either, he has thrown just four interceptions in 256 attempts.

I know they are not in the top 10 this week, but if the Mavericks run the table I think they are very much still alive for a playoff spot, especially because that would include wins over Augustana, and Minnesota Duluth.

With that little bit of extra to play for, I am going to give a slight advantage to Minnesota State, so I will take the Mavericks to win on Thursday night.

Extra Point: Not only is the overall series fairly even with Augustana holding a 23-18 advantage over the 41-previous meetings, but expect it to be close, this game usually is, as the two of the last three meetings have been decided by four points or less.