Let me start by saying I'm glad I was wrong in picking this game.

Azusa Pacific was the last one standing after Thursday night's battle between the Cougars and perennial power and second-ranked Grand Valley State. After two overtime rounds, Azusa grabbed a 26-23 victory over the Lakers. What this means in the most basic form is that APU is now 1-0 and GV is 0-1.

Anyone that follows Division II football knows it means significantly more than that.

Azusa earns one of the biggest victories in the history of the program - certainly the biggest victory as members of the GNAC - and it has opened its season with huge momentum. Nobody denied that APU was the team to beat in the GNAC, but any naysayers or those who weren't 100% bought into Azusa Pacific's 2014 potential have to acknowledge what happened. Grand Valley is one of those teams that as soon as they lose, people go in panic mode. The Laker fan-base has been so spoiled with four national titles in a five-year span and eight national semifinal appearances in 13 years that losing so early to a team that isn't amongst D2's elite is cause for concern in Michigan. Grand Valley is still very good. Azusa proved it's very good as well.

Yes, Grand Valley was on the road. Yes, it was just one game. Yes, it could be a fluke. My guess is this could be the tip of the iceberg for Azusa.

Terrell Watson certainly showed his D2football preseason All-American nod wasn't just talk. The Cougar running back rushed for 207 yards and three scores as part of an offense that netted 272 total yards.

Wait a second. 272 yards when you're No. 1 running back gains 207? Yes. I don't mean to rain on the parade here, but there's the biggest concern I have with Azusa: No passing game. Anyone who has followed APU over the years knows the Cougars have been a run-first mentality for many years. It's worked for them. It worked for them against Grand Valley. But if there's a team that can shut Watson down later this season (playoffs maybe?) - Central Washington held Watson to 40 yards and no scores in one game last year - APU hasn't shown it's passing game can make up for the lack of ground game.

But right now, Azusa Pacific should get a huge bump - figuratively and literally. I can't imagine the Cougars won't be in the D2football top 25 next week. I also can't imagine that Humboldt State thinks it has a walk in the part when it hosts APU next Saturday.

Azusa Pacific just became a team to watch this year. Something the GNAC has known, but those east of...well, east of Azusa's campus just found out.