I love techonology. My login issues aside last week, technology makes college football as great as it is.

I was sitting in the Press Box at USF on Saturday night, having just finished the post game show between Southwest and the University of Sioux Falls, when the Athletic Communications Director at Southwest, Kelly Loft, comes up to me and says "Ziemer, you need to see this!"

He then showed me the footage of the last second touchdown pass lifting St. Cloud State over Minnesota Duluth. Merely minutes after the game ended, anyone can see it. 10-years ago when I started calling Southwest games, we didn't even have live stats available from other games, and now we have that. Techonology is an amazing thing.

By the way, congratulations to the Huskies on the victory, after a couple of tough losses that crazy win is a way to save a season.

Between a season saving victory for the Huskies, another dominating showing by USF, and the first NSIC win for Minot State, last week was a pretty crazy week.

Let's go to the matchups this week:



Upper Iowa (2-3) at Concordia (1-4)
Last Year: 20-19 Concordia

At 2-3, Upper Iowa fell a field goal short of pulling what may have been the upset of the season so far in the Northern Sun last week, falling to Winona State 45-42.

There was no question the Peacocks had their chances. With 13-minutes to go in the game last week Cole Jaeschke hit Kyle Hosch on a 59-yard touchdown pass, to give the Peacocks a 35-31 lead. Unfortunately, it was short lived, Rayon Simmons led the Warriors back on the next drive to give them a 38-35 lead, then Jaeske was picked sixed by Jared Mitchell.

That gave the Peacocks a deficit too large to climb out, but it shows how far this team has come in just the last couple of years. A lot of times before teams turn the corners, they have a season where they lose a few close games, well Upper Iowa ended their season with three close losses, by four to Southwest Minnesota State, by three to Wayne State, and by one to Concordia. In fact, in that Concordia game, it was two touchdowns in the final 2:09 from Charles Gilbert that rallied the Golden Bears from a deficit to a one point win.

Gilbert is gone, as is the man who threw the passes to him. Concordia's offense still has some firepower, but the Golden Bears are really struggling on the other side of the ball. They are giving up 36-points a game, and over 200 yards a game on the ground. The one spot they have been decent is against the pass, but not a huge surprise, considering they have been playing from behind, teams just aren't throwing that much late against them.

I think Concordia is going to have a tough time stopping the Peacocks, and I will take Upper Iowa to get a big road win this week.



Minnesota State (5-0) at Augustana (2-3)
Last Year: 27-26, MSU

At 5-0, I don't know if there is a team that has outperformed Minnesota State University so far this year, in the Northern Sun, maybe the country. I say that because, I think you would be hard pressed to find a program that has dealt with the distractions this program has dealt with this year, and been still had success on the field.

Kind of reminds me a little of St. Cloud a couple of years ago, when the Huskies put together a huge season in the face of a vote by the school's students that would have ended the program.

One the surface one would think this game would be one of the higher profile contests on the schedule for the Mavericks this year, but Augustana, for a second straight year is failing to live up to their expectations.

Last week, the Vikings gave up 230 yards on the ground in their loss to Wayne State. In fact, the problem appears to be a little greater for the Vikings, they are 12th in the Northern Sun against the run. Remember, this is a defense that over the years has committed itself to stopping the run.

Talent wise, Augustana is scary, they can run, throw, and move the ball as effectively as anyone in the conference, but they aren't playing defense like they have in the past. Missed tackles is what killed them last week against Wayne, and to be honest, it will kill them this week against Minnesota State, only Minnesota Duluth runs the ball more effectively than the Mavericks do.

Look for Minnesota State to go into Sioux Falls and come out with a win, I like the Mavericks to move to 6-0.


St. Cloud State(2-3) at UM Crookston (1-4)
Last Year: 66-13, St. Cloud State

Winter looks like it could arrive in Crookston this week.

Minnesota Crookston still holds the most surprising upset of the season so far, beating Southwest Minnesota State two weeks ago, and snapping their 39 game losing streak.

That said, St. Cloud State's win last week was almost as impressive, after losing to Minnesota State and Sioux Falls early this season, the Huskies rallied in the game's final seconds, and on the last play from scrimmage, Phil Klaphake found Michael Walker wide open in the flat, for him to run it in for the game winning touchdown.

That win for the Huskies keeps a slim hope for the playoffs alive. The Huskies would have to win out, but keep in mind, they already have beaten Minnesota Duluth, arguably their toughest competition remaining on the schedule.

Expect, a slow, sloppy, and maybe frozen track in Crookston on Saturday, but I like the Huskies to come out of Crookston with their playoff hopes in tact, and a big road victory on Saturday.


Minot State (1-4) at Northern State (2-3)

It's too bad both of these teams are under .500 because I have a feeling htis could be one of the best games in the Northern Sun this week.

Northern rolls off of their 45-7 victory over MSU Moorhead, their second straight following an 0-3 start. While Minot State comes into Aberdeen off of their first win in the NSIC, 32-21 over the University of Mary.

Give the Beavers credit, the Marauders are a solid team, but so is Minot. The Beavers shut down Dariouse Gravely last week, holding him to just 53 yards rushing, on 21-carries.

They will get another challenge on the ground this week, the Wolves are a spread option football team. However, the Wolves showed a willingness to open it up a bit last week against MSU Moorhead, Jared Jacobson threw for 280-yards and three touchdowns in the game.

I look at that as the key to Saturday, if Northern can effectively throw the ball, the Beavers have been hurt threw the air more than they have on the ground this year. Minot State is about middle of the road against both defensively, but teams have been able to throw for nearly 250 yards a game against them.

I expect it to be pretty close, and Northern's passing game hasn't been consistent yet. I think it comes down to turnovers, and despite inconsistency in the passing game, Jacobson has only thrown one interception on the season. Because of that, and because they are at home, I will take the Wolves to win their third straight.


Bemidji State (2-3) at Mary (3-2)
Last Year: 49-21, U of Mary

If you like statistics this one could be an interesting matchup. The University of Mary has the Northern Sun's top passing attack. The Marauders average 322 yrads a game through the air. While on the other side, Bemidji State is number two in the conference against the pass, giving up about 155-yards a game through the air.

The Beavers are also 13th in the Northern Sun in scoring offense, averaging just over 18-points a game, while the University of Mary is seventh in the conference in scoring defense giving up nearly 28-points a game.

Lance Rongstad returned to the Beavers offense last week and posted an efficient 11/18 passing with a couple of touchdowns last week against Minnesota Crookston and overall the Beavers were a little more impressive last week in thei victory over Minnesota Crookston, than they had been at any other point this season.

Zach Roberson made his first start at quarterback for the University of Mary. He did throw for over 300-yards in that start, and two touchdowns, but he also through a pair of interceptions in the contest.

The troubling thing from Mary's offense that has made me cautious with them this year returned last week. Even with Dariouse Gravely, the Marauders were unable to consistently run the football, and that put a lot of pressure on Roberson in his first start. The Beavers will be tough against the run, and we already said they can play the pass.

I am wary of the Marauders only because there is some uncertainty at their offense's most important position. If I could tell you today, that Bagnell was going to start and be healthy I would maybe lean to the Marauders, because I can't, I think Bemidji's defense could rule the day, I will take the Beavers.



Wayne State (4-1) at Southwest Minnesota State (1-4)
Last Year: 52-29, Wayne State

Wayne State ran for 230 yards last week against Augustana, a lot of that was due to a lot of missed tackles by the Vikings. I would be shocked though if the Wildcats didn't have similar results this week aaginst Southwest, because the Mustangs have been plagued by the same problem defensively this season.

Wayne State brings a host of matchup problems for Southwest, first is their ability to run the football. Nick Pulscher has rushed for over 400 yards and four touchdowns on the season, and he has help in the backfield.

Southwest has given up at least 200 yards on the ground in four of their five games this year, the one they didn't, their 32-30 win over Northern State (the Wolves ran for 190 that day).

Further complicating things for the Mustangs Wayne is second in the league against the run, holding opponents to 90-yards a game, and an impressive 2.1-yards per carry. While they can be hurt a little through the air, teams have to struggle against the league's best pass rusher in Richard Daniel, and a defensive philosophy that isn't afraid to dial up the pressure and get after the quarterback.

It will be closer than last year's game because it is in Marshall, but Wayne shouldn't have too much trouble with the Mustangs on Saturday. I like Wayne State.



Sioux Falls (5-0) at Winona State (4-1)

Fans of Sioux Falls have something to cheer about in the USF Cougars. They are a special group, a strong 5-0 start, looked as impressive as we expected.

The Cougars are balanced, and explosive on offense. Quarterback Taylor Perkins, has the ability to shred a defense, he is strong armed, mobile, and has an ability to make plays. The Cougars ground game led by Kristian Porter and Jordan Taylor is solid, and they have a special group of receivers from converted quarterback Carrington Hanna to deep threat Jeremiah Oates.

From what I have seen, they not only look like the best team in that city, they might be the best team in the NSIC South Division.

They also have a great coaching staff, including their defensive line coach Jared Schwanz who reads this column every week (there's your shout out Jared).

All of that said, they will get their toughest test of 2012 on Saturday when they travel to Winona State. The Warriors should be able to move the ball on the ground against the Cougars, they showed some deficiency last week against Southwest on the ground. Rayon Simmons is sure to make that hurt this week unless they have gotten that issue addressed.

Still though, Winona can be a really tough place to play. I think the game will come down to whatever defense can get the extra stop. A turnover, could be pivotal, because I think both offenses will put up points this week.

That said, at the risk of being called a hater by Coach Schwanz, I think Winona has earned the right to be favored at home. This one could set the tone for the NSIC South Division Title race, but I will take Winona, in a high scoring nail biter.


MSU Moorhead (0-5) at Minnesota Duluth (4-1)
Last Year: 49-21, UMD

The only thing scarier than getting ready for Minnesota Duluth, is getting ready to take on the Bulldogs when they are coming off a loss. Or how about getting ready to face the Bulldogs when they are coming off a last second loss?

I am not going to make any bones about it, the Bulldogs are going to win on Saturday, but I can't help but start to wonder if teams haven't been able to see a flaw in that once great defensive unit.

While, the Bulldogs remain tough against the run, allowing just 100-yards a game. They have been giving up 29-points a contest, including 51-last week at St. Cloud State, and that err of invincibility seems to be gone from the defensive unit.

Look for them to try and make a statement this week against Minnesota State Moorhead, who is coming off a 45-7 loss to Northern State last week.

I like the Bulldogs big!