Gotta admit, as a fan I'm not real happy about the games all starting between noon and 2pm, with nothing close to a late game. This is the first week of the year that hasn't seen a night game on Saturday. Argh..


Upper Iowa (6-3) at Sioux Falls (8-1), Noon
This is really a big game for both teams, certainly a little more at stake for USF in the overall scheme of things. UIU is still in the running for the Mineral Water bowl, while USF is 7th in the Region and very much still in the hunt for the playoffs.

USF won in 2012, UIU wins in 2013. Both ended up being tight games and I don't think either team looks at the other like they are just superior to the other.

USF needs to avoid a post-loss hangover and the Peacocks have just gotten over a no-Chris Smith situation of their own. With the best running back in the conference back for UIU, they operate much differently as an offense. They were very explosive against Wayne State, blowing them out of the yard pretty unexpectedly last weekend. This will certainly be the challenge for the home Cougars as the Peacocks attack is very balance and come score from anywhere on the field.

On the other side of the ball is the pain-point for Upper Iowa, as they are essentially very similar to many defenses in this conference..seldom strong but often giving up 30-40 points or more to the better offenses in the league. It's hard to tell how healthy Nephi Garcia will be after making a point of suiting up and giving it a go against Mankato last week with so much hanging in the balance, but after seeing Nephi in the game it was clear he was not even 70% of himself. Garcia might have the best feet of any running back in the league, and when those feet/ankles are injured that's a huge blow to the wiggle that he possesses.

Overall I think that the USF offense will get out to a big start as they now have a brand new chip on their shoulder, the feeling of disrespect by being bumped down from #3 in the RR down to #7, and currently home for the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Coo put a number on the Peacocks. I don't expect the other sideline to just sit there and take it though. This game could have some signs of a fire-fight, as the Chris Smith Peacocks are dangerous. If USF is who I think they are....the Cougars get off the field enough time to let their offense attach the UIU D.
USF 58-30

Minnesota-Crookston (0-9) at Northern State (6-3), 1pm
Simply put, I don't see the Golden Eagles winning a game this year. But..I didn't have them winning one in my preseason column either.

NSU should get out early in this one and roll big. JJ continues to progress as a quarterback and has really become a memorable player for this Wolves team. He seems like an All-Forever player..a guy who's been there so long that it's hard to remember when he wasn't the quarterback. Wideout Jared Hannigan (below) and company have created a very balanced offense that has the Wolves flying high. It's still weird that they have been outscored and out-gained this season, even thought they are 6-3.
Northern 45-14



Minnesota State-Moorhead (2-7) at Bemidji State (3-6), 1pm
While BSU has won the Battle Axe game 13 of the 16 time, the Dragons are actually the holders of the Axe at the moment. So what happens this year....that's anybodies guess. Both teams have scored fairly well but also given up points at an equal or greater clip.



Jake Hodge returned at QB for the Dragons and the MSU-Moorhead D held an opponent (Minot State) to single digits. I didn't think they could hold anyone under 30 points, honestly. So here we go..I'm taking the hot Dragon Defense to pull it off 2 straight weeks and for Hodge to get it done again. Dragons..you owe me..a lot. Do it here.
Moorhead 41-40

Southwest Minnesota State (2-7) at Winona State (4-5), 1pm
A game with 2 teams that both had high hopes this year and find themselves in a lost season. Last year these teams were battling for a MWB spot, this year they are trying to finish around .500.

SW is showing signs of cracking now. Getting thumped by a CSP team that looked like they might not have a lot left. The Mustang defense is just not getting it done and the offense is no longer powerful enough to save them. This Mustang offense has only topped 28 points 3 times this year..a far cry from their monster season in 2013.

The Warriors will be trying to piece things back together after Augie simply throttled them in Sioux Falls. Having lost 5 of their last 6 games, it makes you wonder if Winona State's spirit is broken at this point with no playoffs and Bowl Game left as incentive. But SW can top that, they've lost 6 of their last 7. This one might be bowling-shoe-ugly, given both teams playing out the string, but I'm taking the home Warriors to be more physical and to find a way in this one.
Winona State 38-24

Augustana (5-4) at Concordia-St. Paul (3-6), 1pm
CSP has won their last 2 games in a row, but it hasn't been against teams (UIU without Chris Smith) the caliber of Augie. Trey Heid continues to make last year's challenges look like a thing of the past, and the Augie running game is cookin too. While Concordia is hot right now, I like Augie to play focused with the MWB in their sights.
Augustana 40-23


Mary (5-4) at Minnesota-Duluth (9-0), 1pm
Mary is back to throwing the ball for a ton of yards with Zach Roberson (below) back at the controls. He might be able to test Duluth a bit down the field, but I'm expecting the UMD pass rush to disrupt the Marauders offense and for a cold day in Duluth to help in that also. The cold weather is just what the doctor ordered for the home Bulldogs, as they can continue their ground march against a Mary defense that's not as good as most had anticipated coming into the year. With All NSIC LB Grant Singer gone for the rest of the year, Mary will have a hard time slowing down the UMD attack.
UMD 52-17



St. Cloud State (4-5) at Minot State (1-8), 1:30pm
This just isn't a real good game on paper. Minot has struggled all year and SCSU has been far worse than expectations. There just isn't a lot to talk about here..I'm taking SCSU to get back to .500. About time.
St. Cloud 38-27

Minnesota State-Mankato (9-0) at Wayne State (5-4), 2pm
A week ago I was thinking this has trap-game written all over it for the Mavs, against a very explosive Wayne State team that came up and got Winona State earlier in the year. With WSC getting slapped around in Fayette last week the way they did, I just don't look at this game the same way anymore. Could Wayne State threaten Kato with their passing game. Sure....but with the way that Mavs can get to the quarterback I think it will be hard for the Wildcats to be a consistent threat to Kato throughout the game.

Mankato is coming out of a very emotional win over USF, a battle that might have taken a bit out of them. However, the Mavs OL (basically an Omaha crew) will be playing a near home game and I think they will be pretty fired up about that. The pass rush of WSC won't much impact a Mavs team who'll be looking to do ground and pound. Trap game..? I'm not seeing the Mavericks going for that. Expect MSU to g-n-p to a big lead early and to not let the home team back in the game.
MSU-Mankato 55-20

Witt's Pick's Record: 56-16