First off, I want to apologize for not writing last week, or getting the preview finished, honestly, my professional career has been going through a lot of adjustments the last couple of weeks, and thus my time to devote to this has been limited.

That said, I have taken a position with a company that will allow me to focus more on the entire conference on the weekends, and I am excited for that opportunity, and I think the readers of tihs forum will benefit from my career adjustment, I will miss seeing the games in person, like I have over the years, but I am excited to watch the entire conference play on Saturday's.

Now, that is out of the way let's get to this week's preview.


Southwest MN State (0-1) at MSU Moorhead (0-1)

173, that's the combined number of snaps these two teams ran last week. The Dragons ran 79-plays in their loss to Augustana, the Mustangs ran 94 in their loss to St. Cloud State.

100, that's the number of combined passes, Demetrius Cook tossed the ball around 45 times in his debut as a college football starter, while Charlie Kern threw it 55 in his first college football start.

Although, this game start's as one of the early games, it may end as one of the late ones.

All joking aside, this could be an exciting offensive game to watch, Southwest did not tackle well against St. Cloud State, while MSU Moorehad made some mistakes that put them in a bad position early against Augustana.

That said I think you are looking at two of the more exciting first year starting quarterbacks in the Northern Sun this year.

I expect a lot of plays, a lot of passing, and a lot of points, but the Mustangs have more experience, so I will take the Mustangs, they have won the last four in the series.



Minnesota Crookston (0-1) at MSU Mankato (1-0)

There isn't a bigger disparity in the NSIC than this matchup on Saturday. Minnesota Crookston is going through another transition, and Minnesota State Mankato is coming off their best season in school history, at least on the field.

The Golden Eagles moved the ball for just 62-yards against Upper Iowa last week, and ran for a -43 yards in the game. Honestly, I know the Peacocks have improved, but they haven't been exactly known for their defense over the years. The Mavericks weren't as impressive in their victory over the University of Mary, as I had thought, but they did do quite a few nice things. Jon Wolf was efficient completing 13 of 20 passes for 249 yards. Defensively, they made some big plays with big returns on a fumble recovery and interception return, they also recorded three sacks.

That defense will give the Eagles headaches. Honestly, I don't know that there is a lot to say about this one, the Mavericks are going to win it, big on Saturday.



Augustana (1-0) at Minot State (0-1)

The football program is in crisis mode at Minot State, following the arrests of five of their players. Last week, they were decimated by Concordia, who might be a little better than advertised, but I think it might be more of an indication of Minot State.

Things don't get any easier this week, as Augustana comes into town. This is a new look Vikings team, a new coaching staff, a new quarterback, and a new attitude.

Considering he started his first game as a true freshman, Quarterback Trey Heid played exceptional for the Vikings. He was 18/26 passing for 166-yards a touchdown and an interception. He also ran the ball well for the Vikings, netting 83-yards and a touchdown. He had help, Dajon Newell ran well in the first half, rushing for 100-yards in the first half and helping the Vikings surge to a 41-7 lead.

The Dragons made an adjustment and rattled off 21-unanswered points in the second half, to make a game out of it in Sioux Falls last week. The biggest concern I think from last week for Augustana was their inability to run the football in the second half holding a lead. The mark of a good offensive unit is one who can run the ball, even when the opponent knows, that is your primary goal. Against, a better team, who didn't make mistakes early in the game like the Dragons did, that could cost them, if that doesn't improve.

It won't on Saturday, I like the Vikings, handily.


Winona State (0-1) at St. Cloud State (1-0)

Speaking of starts, a stunned Winona State Warrior squad heads to St. Cloud State this week, continuing what has to be the toughest start in the conference.

The Warriors come off of that inexplicible loss at home to Bemidji State blowing a big lead, and could be staring at their first 0-2 start since 2002 as they travel to St. Cloud and face what is the most explosive offense in the Northern Sun this year.

There is not a better offensive weapon in the conference than Huskies quarterback Phil Klaphake. He threw for 297 yards last week, and followed up his 37 touchdown (passing and rushing) in 2012 with a combined four of them last week at Southwest Minnesota State.

He has great weapons around him, and while Marcus Walker, last year's leading rusher for the Huskies didn't play last week, Ledell White and Kenneth Walker both showed they have the ability to keep defenses honest, opening up a lot of space for the Huskies dynamic receivers, Eli Shoemaker, Damon Treat, and Chad Peterson who left the game early against Southwest.

The biggest question mark is still the quarterback situation in Winona, with John Tiegland suffering an injury against Bemidji State, if he can't go, I give the Warriors almost no chance to win, even with him I think its slim.

I take St. Cloud State.

Extra Point: Winona State has only 0-1 three times prior to this season since 2002. In each case, they responded with resounding wins over MSU Moorhead in 2011 48-10, Northern State in 2008 39-14, and over Emporia State 40-21 in 2005.


Four games down, four more to go, those predictions will be released tomorrow.