NSIC Preview - Week 5

[Matt Witwicki]

(Pictured: Dominic Bonner-UMD, Matt Heller-AU, Ryan Ludlow-WSC, Vernel Wingate-SMSU)
(Photos: Duluth News Tribune, WSC Athletics, SMSU Athletics)

Winona State (2-2) at Concordia-St. Paul (1-3), Noon^st win of the year, then got dumptrucked by Bemidji State last weekend 47-7. The score is shocking (as BSU got its 1^stSouthwest Minnesota State (4-0) at Augustana (3-1), 1pmMinnesota-Crookston (0-4) at St. Cloud State (2-2), 1pmSioux Falls (4-0) at Wayne State (3-1) 1pm^thndMary (0-4) at Bemidji State (1-3) 2pm^ndndMinnesota-Duluth (2-2) at Minnesota State-Moorhead (3-1), 2pm
Moorhead cleared some very large hurdles this year for their program, beating Winona State and Augustana, and getting out to a 3-0 start. The question now looms, did the bubble burst in the Dragons blowout loss in Marshall last Saturday? I understand SMSU has developed into a dangerous team, but 48-9?

Having watched most of that game it was apparent to see the running game of the Dragons was limited (for a 2^ndndNorthern State (0-4) at Minot State (0-4) 6:00pm^th in receiving yards in the NSIC.

With the Northern State offense not looking explosive so far this season, I like Minot State to stay in this ballgame until the end. However, I do think NSU has a few more playmakers and is the better football team.
Northern State 30-20

Minnesota State-Mankato (4-0) at Upper Iowa (3-1), 6pm^ndnd

[Joe Price]

What do you contribute all the success to SW Minnesota so far?

Mankato- Upper Iowa game looks interesting.

[Matt Witwicki]

Sorry Joe, I didn't see that I had a comment on the column. SW has been explosive offensively in both the run and the pass, but their defense looked like the one of years past this last Saturday. The Mustangs can be a really good offensive team though and that's their deal.