The round robin scheduling isn't anything new, and while the GNAC isn't the only group already playing within its own conference, the league counters still snuck up for a surprise.

At first glance, nothing on the schedule jumps out as a marquee event over any other conference football game, so we'll list these games in accordance to kickoff time rather than "game of the week" style.

Simon Fraser (1-0) vs. Central Washington (0-1)
2 p.m., Terry Fox Field, Burnaby

Simon Fraser's Clan gets to see a couple of things: 1. Lets see how good our team is after dismantling an overmatched D3 opponent in week one (props for doing it on the road, however); and 2. Lets see if we can beat these guys at our house two years in a row.

For Central Washington: 1. While there looks to be a difference between SFU and last week's opponent Texas A&M-Kingsville (now ranked #23 this week), what are the Wildcats going to do to put more than seven points on the board? 2. Was it stellar defense by TAMUK or being sloppy with the ball by the CWU offense that resulted in four turnovers (which led to 20 points)?

While 2011 was a different time with different personnel, it can't be forgotten what happened at Terry Fox Field last year, especially in the fourth quarter. In the first three quarters, the two teams combined to score 16 points. In the final stanza? SFU outscored CWU 29-14 in the 35-24 Clan upset win. All of a sudden it was an all-out sprint and in the end, Simon Fraser outpaced the Wildcats big time (and only 578 fans got to see it. C'mon city of Burnaby, get behind your team).

On paper, both teams are coming from opposite games where Simon Fraser poured on the points, while holding Pacific University to minimal success (51-14). Central Washington couldn't muster up much of an offense that mattered (yes, the Wildcats outgained TAMUK, but what did the scoreboard say?) and couldn't keep the Javelinas from taking advantage of major shifts in momentum (four turnovers) in the 35-7 loss.

Simon Fraser's defense was a major talking point in the offseason, where in offseason stories and videos a few players discussed the difference between 2011 and 2012 when it came to a cohesive game plan on defense. It was the opposite in Ellensburg, where the talk was about the experience coming back on offense (coupled with a few big-time DI drop downs) that would help offset the huge losses on defense.

This is what needs to happen for both teams: Simon Fraser has to jump out early against a team thoroughly humbled in its season opener and if turnovers happen, score on those opportunities. For Central Washington, the team needs to protect quarterback Ryan Robertson. Robertson was sacked four times and an inefficient line harkens back to the days of 2007 and 2008 when then-quarterback Mike Reilly scrambled nearly every other play. This is not a comparison here, but even Ryan Robertson says he's a pocket passer, not prone to using his legs instead of his arm.

Here's the one saving grace for Central Washington: It is loaded with talent. It doesn't want to lose again in Burnaby. That's not saying SFU is fine with losing at home, but it goes in the Wildcats' favor, 27-21.

Dixie State (0-1) vs. Western Oregon (0-1)
6 p.m., Hansen Stadium, St. George

Both teams are coming off losses - Dixie State to a decent Adams State team, and Western Oregon against a team who many feel wll be in the national championship mix in Grand Valley State.

Dixie State showed glimpses of proof (espeically defensively) that the Red Storm will be OK without all-world tight end Joe Don Duncan. It's amazing, however, how DSC managed to keep it close (17-9) against Adams State despite four interceptions, six sacks and two lost fumbles. Two of those picks were when the Red Storm were deep in the red zone, so the offense has the ability to drive, but has so far shown the inability to put a stamp on that letter to send it off in the mail so to speak.

For Western Oregon, the Wolves got out first against Grand Valley, kept it close and statistically looked pretty evenly matched against a great team. However, consider that the Lakers also scored on a 90-yard punt return and returned two picks back to the house and you'll start to see some major differences in the game. Dixie State doesn't pose the same problems GV does, but it will present some problems.

Western Oregon and Dixie State both have quarterbacks who will make a defensive coordinator sweat. Cody VonAppen is fun to watch. He might be this year's John van den Raadt (shout out to you Azusa folks) where he can beat you with his arm (272 yards last week) and his legs (72 yards rushing, long of 23). Unfortunately for VonAppen, he found himself scrambling quite a bit in getting sacked five times and throwing three picks. For Griff Robles at Dixie, the guy is big (6-5, 230 pounds), so it's going to take a group of guys to bring him down.

For Dixie to get the "W" at home, the Red Storm has to complete drives and protect Robles quarterback better. You can't outgain a team 419 to 255 like they did last week and only come out with nine points. Defensively, the Red Storm shut down Adams State on all but three drives (even holding the Grizzlies to negative net yardage on six drives). They didn't do anything overly spectacular (creating just one fumble), they just played well. For Western Oregon to get a win on the road, jumping out early certainly helps and definitely utilizing the leg of Kelly Morgan once the Wolves get near the 40-yard line.

Dixie hasn't quite found its groove yet, and while Western Oregon hasn't either, the Wolves are closer to getting there. WOU, 24-10.

#25 Humboldt State (1-0) vs. Azusa Pacific (0-1)
6 p.m., Redwood Bowl, Arcata

Azusa Pacific definitely got a rude welcome in the Cougars' first game as a Division II team (41-3 loss to UC-Davis) and Humboldt State's win over Colorado Mesa (38-19) was business as usual for the Lumberjacks. Humboldt plays its second of three straight at home to open the season, while Azusa suits up in the road white jerseys for the second week in a row.

Azusa may be young, but are smart enough to know the Cougars are going up against a quality opponent with plenty of experience on both sides of the ball.
"The O-line is what impressed me the most. Huge, huge massive men who move well and pull well," APU head coach Victor Santa Cruz said of Humboldt State on the Azusa athletics web site. That's something to be said since his offensive line might not be the most experienced, but definitely large themselves. "Defensively and offensively, (Humboldt) knows their system, they have an identity early on."
One O-lineman who is missing from APU's travel roster is that of 6-9, 322-pounder Luke Marquardt, although in the game notes and in Santa Cruz's pre-game interview, nothing was mentioned as to why the absence.

The Lumberjacks, who moved into the D2football.com weekly poll at No. 25 this week, isn't resting on its laurels.
"We just understand that with that comes a responsibility," HSU head coach Rob Smith said of the rankings accolades.

Key for Humboldt will be taking advantage of a Cougar team still not used to this caliber of play. And APU's Santa Cruz said his team needs to not be satisfied with keeping a game close early on.
"We need to get beyond just good effort," he said.

He's young, but APU tailback Terrell Watson is big (6-2 235) and put on some yards against Davis last week (144 on the ground, 38 receiving) and is emerging as the No. 1 threat for the Azusa offense.

Humboldt showed a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball with 192 yards on the ground (Nick Ricciarduilli with 159 himself) and 168 in the air (Victor Spencer with nearly 100 yards and a score).

Azusa didn't do much in the air against UCD, and with Humboldt holding Mesa to just 113 yards last week, it could be pretty bleak for the Cougars to muster up much of a balance attack. If it does get overly one-dimensional for APU the Humboldt defense might be able to key in for multiple sacks and picks.

Humboldt is playing at home in front of a fan base that APU's Santa Cruz credits with being part of one of the better game-day atmospheres in all of Division II. Humboldt goes 2-0 on Saturday with a 40-17 victory.

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