Minnesota Duluth (7-1) at St. Cloud State (7-1)
Last Year: 40-17; 20-17 in overtime, both times Minnesota Duluth

I don't think I need to sit here and tell everyone about how important this game is. There is no doubt that given Bemidji State's loss last week the winner of the game on Saturday will be in the driver seat to not only win the Northern Sun North, but will be in position to win the Northern Sun outright.

If things seem similar between St. Cloud and Minnesota Duluth this year, they probably are.

The only blemish on the Bulldogs record since re-joining the Northern Sun was road loss at Wayne State. St. Cloud's only loss came on the road to Winona State .

Both teams have offensive balance, however both offense's have a talented stable of running backs, who have run for a lot of yards. Minnesota Duluth has gone over 2,000 yards on the ground, while St. Cloud's rushing attack has run for nearly 1,900 yards. Both teams are also led by mobile quarterbacks, who can hurt opposing defense's not only with a deadly accurate arm, but with their feet, and play making ability.

And both teams have very strong defense's ranked number one and number two respecitvely in the Northern Sun. Minnesota Duluth gives up 15.6 points per game, St. Cloud State gives up 15.8.

This is one of the more storied rivalries in the Northern Sun, the two teams first played in 1933, and despite Minnesota Duluth winning the contests in recent years the series is still led by the Huskies 22-21.

So as you can see, why its difficult to pick which team is going to actually win the game in St. Cloud on Saturday.

It looks to me that the Huskies have the better and more consistent passing game when Phil Klaphake is healthy. He returned to the St. Cloud lineup last week after his injury and wasted no time shaking the rust off. Klaphake threw for 342 yards and a touchdown. Did I mention, that he only played a half?

Don't forget it was St. Cloud State who gaves the Bulldogs their best challenge on their way to the 2010 National Championship, as the Bulldogs won the game in overtime, 20-17, after they tied in at 17 on a 19-yard field goal at the end of regulation.

I have forecast against the Bulldogs twice this year, and both times they have proven me wrong. Well Husky fans, you better hope that the third time is the charm, I like St. Cloud to get the win over the Bulldogs on Saturday.

EXTRA POINT: St. Cloud State Quarterback Phillip Klaphake became the 8th Husky quarterback to go over 4,000 yards passing. He did that in the first half last week against the Golden Eagles. By the way, he is just a sophomore.