(Pictured: Key to the City Trophy. Photo: Augustana Athletics)

Wayne State (1-3) at Concordia-St. Paul (2-2), NoonMinnesota State-Mankato (3-1) at Winona State (3-1), 1pm
Mankato is a more difficult team to figure this season versus the past. While the Mavs beat MSUM 28-14 last week, it was a 14-7 contest heading into the 4thnd in the NSIC in rushing, averaging 126ypg along with leading all running backs with 7 scores. Wideout Will Claussen (14 catches, 262 yards, 1 TD) has come-on to help star pass-catcher Cam Johnson making this Winona offense pretty well rounded. Johnson is 2ndSioux Falls (4-0) at Augustana (3-1), 1pmndndBemidji State (3-1) at Mary (0-4), 1pm
Despite losing to USF by the narrowest of margins, 37-36, the Beavers proved they are right there with the Tier 1 squads in the conference and better than some of them. I stated a week ago BSU was the most complete team in the NSIC. I still very much believe that, but if there's one area to address it's defending the zone read running game in which the quarterback is a threat. On the offensive side the Beavers don't rely on any one star to be their go-to player. This is why I think they'll continue to be a front-runner in the conference this year, unless some air came out of the ball in the defeat to Sioux Falls.

Mary continues on with a tough experimental season with adapting to running the triple option offense while being a very young football team. The Marauders will have a few chances to get wins this year, but right now I see Bemidji State looking better in all phases of the game.
Beavers 48-0

Minnesota State-Moorhead (2-2) at Minnesota-Duluth (3-1), 1pm
The Dragons continued to show well defensively, holding Mankato well under average yards a week ago. However MSUM is having challenges being as explosive as its shown in years past. Demetrius Carr struggled last week, throwing 3 interceptions.

UMD once again found itself in a fire-fight but showed strong character by once again coming away with a win. The Bulldog offense continues to be a top unit in the conference while the defense looks like one of the worst. However, I'm going to give them a break..as they've played a tough schedule.


(Pictured: Nate Ricci. Photo: UMD Athletics)

I wouldn't be surprised if MSUM gave Duluth another scare, considering how the Dragons played both USF and MSU tight for 3 quarters. If MSUM can get more efficient play offensively it could possibly win this game. That said, I tend to favor the Bulldogs when they are at home.
Bulldogs 38-28

St. Cloud State (1-3) at Minnesota-Crookston (0-4), 2pm
Both teams are not playing good football at the moment. Crookston is having trouble scoring, but also gives up 50 points on a regular basis. SCSU has just 1 win after 4 weeks and has gotten blasted by the top teams in the process. Last week the Huskies lost at winless Wayne State. That's usually a pretty bad sign. In a nutshell, SCSU is having a heckuva time getting the running game going, with WR Jameson Parsons looking like a lone bright spot in a lost season.

I've spoken to how SCSU is struggling, but Mary and UMC are challenged at a different level than the other teams who've lost multiple games. I like the Huskies to get-right at Crookston, I do expect the Golden Eagles to get in the win column this year just not this this week.
Huskies 34-14

Minot State (1-3) at Northern State (2-2), 2:30pm
Minot beat Wayne State on the road a few weeks ago, seemingly taking a positive step for the program. However, in the last 2 weeks it got blown out by USF and then winless Upper Iowa. I think UIU is a better team than the 1-3 record suggests, but the one-sided loss also shows us the Beavers have a ways to go.

NSU got back on the winning track by thumping a CSP team that most thought was much improved. This was a positive step for the Wolves after their poor showing in Winona the week previous. The running game of Northern once again proved to be strong and the defense continues to be tops in turnover margin. With the Wolves defense being one of the best in the NSIC, I like Northern winning what might be an ugly game against MSU.
Wolves 31-10

Upper Iowa (1-3) at Southwest Minnesota State (3-1), 6pmWitt's Picks 2016 record: 23-9