First things first, I should reintroduce myself to the GNAC. After a change of scenery at the ol' 9 to 5 job, I'm acclimated in my new role. But the last handful of months have taken it's toll on my ability to focus on what's really important, D2 football. I've followed all the games, but not to the extent that I feel is necessary.

This season's GNAC slate has given plenty of headlines. We'll start with Azusa Pacific, a squad that hasn't cemented its place as the GNAC dominator, but has certainly done enough to prove what many all thought they could do: Take advantage of the talent-rich Southern California and put the GNAC on notice. At 6-2 overall and 6-1 in the GNAC, the Cougars are in the front seat in capturing their first GNAC crown after doing just enough to win on the road against Central Washington last weekend.

On the other end of the spectrum is pre-season favorite Humboldt State, which has done a complete 180 compared to the last couple of years. The Lumberjacks have always been on the outside looking in from a regional rankings and national respect standpoint, however this could take a couple of years to bounce back in terms of a California recruit comparing HSU to APU. Besides a 43-6 loss to FCS Portland State, Humboldt hasn't been blown out in any game, but the biggest area for improvement here is the injury bug and negative momentum, which has led to an 0-8 season. No one predicted this.

Dixie State has shown some significant improvement and having Joe Don Duncan back is huge for a Red Storm team that sorely missed him last season. Griff Robles not only a force in the air (2400 yards, 20 touchdowns, just five picks), but he's the teams No. 1 rusher with 576 yards and nine scores.

Simon Fraser initially looked as though the Clan would challenge for the GNAC defeated the once-dominant HSU and CWU on the road. But five straight losses later, the Clan must try and salvage what's left of their schedule.

Western Oregon can't get over the hump. The Wolves continue to generate that respect within the GNAC of always being in the league championship mix, but never enough to get it done. At 5-2 within the GNAC, WOU still has a mathematical chance at taking the crown or at least sharing it, but that will mean beating CWU and APU.

Central Washington generated the biggest highlights in the preseason by firing head coach Blaine Bennett less than a week before practices. While that continues to generate off field buzz, interim head coach John Picha has led the Wildcats to a respectable 5-3 record, but the loss to Azusa Pacific at home certainly had to hurt, especially since CWU already had a road win over APU earlier this year. Defensively, CWU could probably challenge anyone around the country, but offensively the Wildcats have been disappointing.

What's on tap?

Azusa Pacific (6-1 GNAC, 6-2 overall) vs. Western Oregon (5-2, 5-3)
Let's see what Azusa does with the league lead. Round two of this series will have a difficult time matching the intensity of the last meeting (a 34-32 APU win), when the two teams combined for 25 points in the fourth quarter, with WOU a two-point conversion away from creating a tie with a minute left in the game.
Keys for WOU to upset will be to improve the running game and time of possession differentials. The Wolves netted just 58 yards on the ground to Azusa's 191, and the Wolves had a TOP disadvantage of 2-to-1, 40 minutes to 20 minutes.
Keys for Azusa is to not rest on its laurels after knocking off CWU on the road last week. Western Oregon can easily play spoiler here since the Wolves still have a shot at the league title.
Both teams need to improve the PAT factor though. WOU missed two kicks and the two-point PAT in the fourth quarter. APU missed one PAT, but of course hit four field goals, so I don't see this as an epidemic.
I see this as a W for Azusa, with a 27-17 victory.

Central Washington (5-2, 5-3) vs. Humboldt State (0-7, 0-8)
Three months ago, this looked like it was going to be for the league championship. CWU and Humboldt have battled the last three years and 2013 was supposed to be no different. While CWU lost a little luster, it's nothing compared to how far HSU has fallen. Of course, these two teams have generated a solid rivalry despite not being geographically close, so this still has the makings to be a potentially good game.
Different for this game will be that as of this writing, it's unsure if starting runningback Jordan Todd will play for CWU or if he'll be much of a factor on Saturday after leaving last week's game in the first half with an injury.
Statistically speaking, last month's contest was a sleeper. CWU had just 250 yards in offense and one fumble. Humboldt had a few more yards, but four turnovers, one of which resulted in an immediate touchdown for the CWU defense.
Keys for both teams is to obviously protect the ball more and be more efficient with the possession. CWU was 3-for-16 on third down conversions. Humboldt was 4-for-17. Beyond CWU's three scores in the 21-13 victory last month, the Wildcats never positioned themselves in the red zone, as their offensive scoring strikes were 40 and 59 yards out. Humboldt scored on it's only red zone opportunity.
This is a scary game for the Wildcats. Yes, Humboldt is winless and yes, CWU already has a win on the road over the Lumberjacks, but at some point you have to expect a team like Humboldt with its recent history of success to awaken against a Wildcat offense that's been inconsistent at best. Pins and needles battle into the fourth quarter, CWU 23-14.

Simon Fraser (2-5, 2-5) vs. Dixie State (3-4, 3-5)
Looking at last month's contest, Dixie had its way with the Clan. Not only did the Red Storm win 39-12 (and it wasn't even that close with those 12 points coming late in the fourth quarter), but it was a dominating performance as DSU rushed for 333 yards (Robles had 176 and two scores) and had another four touchdowns off of 251 yards passing.
The reality is Simon Fraser, despite early season success, doesn't have an answer for Dixie's offense. The Clan's two wins came against teams (CWU and HSU) which have inconsistent offenses at best, whereas Robles, tight end Duncan and running back Myles Burton are a trifecta of offense. Supplement that with two takeaways for the Red Storm defense and eight punts for the Clan in round one and we're looking at another decisive victory for DSU.
Simon Fraser needs to do a lot to not repeat the same mistakes made in the first game and it won't happen. Dixie State evens its GNAC record with a 35-14 victory.