Welcome back to the 100-yard turf, GNAC fans.

Thursday's game:
Western Oregon at Grand Valley State
Western Oregon's Wolves take on the first of many giants this year. At Grand Valley, at Abilene Christian, at Montana, home and home with Central Washington, home and home with Humboldt State. Seriously? That's exhausting just thinking about it.

First things first, is the four-time national champion Grand Valley State Lakers, who are nearly invincible at Lubbers Stadium (133-31-1, including a playoff win over Central Washington in 2007).

Defensively WOU is solid, perhaps unfairly shadowed by CWU's stingy defense within the GNAC. Better yet for WOU is the fact that while the Wolves lost DB Caleb Singelton to graduation, eight starters return for the squad, including DB Bryce Peila. Offensively, the Wolves return offensive tackle Jason Slowey (who received postseason accolades last year, and preseason mentions already this year) along with guards Kevin Brockman and Ervin Una Smiley.

Grand Valley's defensive front is noticeably smaller than WOU's offensive line, but they're quick off the snap. Offensively, the Lakers will start a new quarterback and the offensive line is comprised of big juniors and seniors.

Intangibles? Lubbers Field and the frenzied atmosphere. While Western Oregon being an unfamiliar foe might affect attendance a bit, Lubbers is known for its early fall attendance, something Western Oregon doesn't experience much in the more sparsely-attended GNAC games. GV 31-14

Friday's game
Central Washington vs. #6 Texas A&M-Kingsville
Central Washington's Rodeo Bowl is back, and upon thinking of football and rodeo, many think of the state of Texas, so it's fitting that one of the Lone Star State's better teams is on the other side of the field for an unusual Friday afternoon kickoff (to coincide with the Ellensburg Rodeo's Friday evening start).

The Lone Star Conference is well known for its explosive offenses and CWU looks to have a no-name offense mentality, however, for both teams the defense will take center stage, as CWU's front four are a senior-led wall, while TAMUK's defense is anchored by defensive tackles Johnny Tivao (6-0, 355) and Bobbie Hampton (6-4, 310). Hampton is a transfer from Texas Tech. Tivao was part of a Javelina defense that led the nation in rush defense (57 ypg). Central Washington's defense held opponents to 70.9 ypg in 2010. Not bad, but they'll be tested by Javelina running back Jonathan Woodson, who started half of TAMUK's games last year.

Some early question marks for Central Washington have been answered in camp. Preseason second team All-American Stan Langlow (6-3, 220) was moved to outside linebacker this summer to help offset the loss of three senior linebackers. In his place are three transfers at defensive back, most notably Deonte Gordon (6-2, 200) and Genesis Fonoimoana (6-1, 205). The 'Cats return three starters on the offensive line, protecting third-year junior quarterback Ryan Robertson. However, a running back and wide receiver have not emerged as a go-to option for Central.

Intangibles? Well, thanks in large part to the fact that Ellensburg is basically sold out of hotel rooms during rodeo weekend, TAMUK is staying in Seattle and busing over the pass the morning of the game. Any team in Texas is used to long road trips, especially Kingsville. However, it is very rare to travel like this the day of the game. It could play a factor, or it could offset the fact that the Javelinas will be playing in much more moderate weather than the triple digits that have been plaguing Texas all summer.

Defense will rule and at the end of the day, Central Washington is playing at home with a core group of returning starters who have played against the likes of Minnesota-Duluth, FCS Eastern Washington and Humboldt State. The Javelinas are certainly tested by the upper half of the LSC, but add this game to the list of lessons for TAMUK. 20-17 CWU.

Saturday's games:
Simon Fraser at Pacific
Simon Fraser is in its second year of NCAA football. Pacific is in its second year of football. Period.

After playing much of last season with true freshman and a two-deep that wasn't that deep, Simon Fraser picked up a handful of transfers that should quickly help the Clan keep competitive this season and that should start against the Division III Pacific Boxers.

One of those transfers came via Arizona Western JC. William Hodgman (6-4, 320) should help anchor an offensive line that helped returning running back Gabriel Ephard (5-10, 195) rush for 941 yards in 2010.

For Pacific, 55 players return from last year's squad that went 0-9 on the season. 18 of those players started last year.

Yes, Simon Fraser took their lumps last year in the difficult GNAC, however, it's easy to think that the Clan being a D2 team in the metro area of Vancouver with a recruiting base for NCAA football that stretches throughout Canada can build the team more quickly than that of Pacific. On that note, Simon Fraser starts the season well on the road with a 27-19 win.

Dixie State vs. Adams State
Adams State was picked to be a middle of the road team in the RMAC this year. Dixie State is picked to be a lower tier team in the GNAC. Both have a chance to get a "W" over each other before taking on the more difficult conference schedules.

Adams State out played Dixie in the season openers for both schools in 2010. The Grizzlies put up 381 yards in the air against an overpowered DSC defense. While last year's games don't dictate present-day results, Dixie State is still in rebuilding mode in head coach's Scott Brumfield's second year. The Red Storm return just seven total starters from last year. One of those starters is sophomore quarterback Cody Stevenson, who threw for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Defensively, Dixie may be better prepared for a potential ASC aerial attack as three defensive backs and one defensive end return with another year of experience under their belt.

However, it's probably too soon to count on Dixie to compile too many wins this year with a deeper Adams State team picking up the win, 28-13.

Humboldt State at Colorado Mesa
It would be easy for Humboldt State to overlook Colorado Mesa, especially with the huge home rivalry game against Central Washington looming next week. However, as the GNAC has become accustomed to, HSU head coach Rob Smith won't let his players think that way.

Like Adams State, Colorado Mesa isn't picked to be one of the dominators in the RMAC, but Humboldt State will show why they could be dominating any opponent this season.

The Lumberjacks need to ensure the loss of four starters on offensive line doesn't create too much of a drop off in effectiveness, however, quarterback Mike Proulx and running back Lyndon Rowells are talented enough to help offset that learning curve on the line. Opponents put up 140 rushing yards a game on Colorado Mesa last year, something that bodes well for Rowells, the premier running back in the GNAC. Proulx has options in the air as well, with Chris Bolt seeing more time at tight end and three receivers, Dirk Dallas, Kevin Miles and Patrick Gondkoff coming back with significant experience.

Defensively, Humboldt brings back Guy Riccardulli, who missed last season due to injury. Riccardulli comes back to the strong safety position and he'll backup returning linebackers Chris Peterson and Jonathan Faraimo.

Again, previous years don't necessarily dictate current games, but it can still be telling. Mesa averaged less than 300 yards per game, but gave up nearly 385 in 2010. The Mavericks are going up against a team that can pass and run the ball very well. Colorado Mesa will have it's home opener spoiled by HSU, 38-14.

Prediction for 2011
Predictions are so difficult this year for the top three simply because Central Washington, Humboldt State and Western Oregon have prepared well, bring back plenty of experience and all three beat up on each other last year. Dixie State and Simon Fraser continue to build. Beating each other within the GNAC certainly brings a respect between teams and enhances growing rivalries. Of course nationally, that severely hurts the squads in the national and regional polls, the latter of which of course determine the postseason seeds.

It can be argued that any of the three (CWU, HSU and WOU) can come out with the GNAC championship. Very few scenarios have any team coming out unscathed. The 2011 season will look very much like the final standings of the previous year. As with last year the top three in the GNAC can play with anyone in the nation, but unfortunately, at most there will be one representative to the postseason, if any.

1. Central Washington 7-1 GNAC, 9-1 overall
2. Humboldt State 6-2 GNAC, 8-2 overall
3. Western Oregon 5-3 GNAC, 5-6 overall
4. Dixie State 1-7 GNAC, 1-10 overall
5. Simon Fraser 1-7 GNAC, 1-9 overall

Jon Guddat covers the GNAC for D2football.com. Contact Jon at [email protected].