(Pictured: Virgil Hammond-MSU, Max Mickey-USF, WSU Defense, DJ Hebert-UMD)
(Photos: Mankato Free Press, Argus Leader, WSU Athletics, Minot State Athletics)


-AU and SMSU lead the NSIC in points per game at 43.0, with USF next at 42.0 ppg.
-UMD is tops in D2 in Time of Possession at 36:22 per contest. SMSU is a league worst at 24:40.
-NSU has the best Turnover Margin at +6 with WSU and UMD next at +5.
-SMSU averages a league-high 70% completion rate and 337 yards passing per game.
-USF leads D2 in yards rushing per game (371.8) and total offense (585). UMD is 2nd nationally with 536.5 yards per contest.
-Winona State is the best in the NSIC in Scoring Defense (14ppg), Pass Defense, Total Defense, and Punt Return average.
-Despite seemingly having a down year, MSU-Mankato leads in defending against the rush (2.9ypc) and is 2nd in Scoring Defense and Total Defense.
-Bemidji State leads the league in First Downs gained with 27 per game
-Trey Heid paces the Northern Sun in Points Responsible For with 150 through 6 games (3rd Nationally). Drew Bauer is next with 124, followed by Luke Papilion at 120.

nd
-NSU has the most interceptions in the league with 12.
-UMD has allowed the most scores through the air with 19 but yields the fewest rushing yards per game.
-Nick Pieruccini leads the NSIC in Passing Efficiency (169.3), having thrown 12 scores with 2 interceptions, 66.4% completions. Trey Heid is in 2nd place at 164.4 with twice the pass attempts.

-Wideouts Damon Gibson (MSUM), Jameson Parsons (SCSU), Cameron Johnson (WSU), and Matt Heller (AU) are all over 700 yards and 6 touchdowns. These 4 are far ahead of the rest of the pass-catchers in the NSIC.
-Sam Johnson (CSP) leads the league in tackles (10.6 per game), with Kirby Hora from AU second (10.3 per game).

Games for Saturday, October 15

Upper Iowa (1-5) at Concordia-St. Paul (2-4), Noon


Peacocks 34-17

Mary (0-6) at Minnesota-Crookston (0-6), 1pm

Crookston has struggled to get production through the air as starter Nathan Cole has 6 interceptions and just 1 touchdown pass. Wideout Adam Connette continues to be a shining star with the Golden Eagles offense (40 receptions, 450 yards) along with running back Andre Person (346 yards rushing, 1 score).

Season-to-date UMC has tallied 53 points and given up 281. UMary is a touch worse at 33 points scored and 271 points allowed. Both squads have been abysmal defensively.


Golden Eagles 24-20

Minnesota State-Mankato (4-2) at Augustana (4-2), 1pm

The Mavs defense has looked better than most but has struggled against Bemidji and Winona. Ruben Ibarra (LB) leads the team in stops with 57 while netting 2.5 sacks. Fellow-backer Marcus Gooden is next in tackles with 51. Mankato is among the league worst in takeaways with just 8 after 6 games. MSU has been excellent against the run but has struggled to defend against the pass.


(Pictured: Charlie Hayes-AU. Photo: Gene Smith)


Vikings 38-30

Northern State (3-3) at Minnesota-Duluth (5-1), 1pm





Bulldogs 34-22

St. Cloud State (3-3) at Minnesota State-Moorhead (3-3), 2pm
In years past SCSU would be the obvious choice but the last few seasons the Huskies have slipped and MSUM has improved to a middle of the pack squad. St. Cloud has played its best games the last few weeks but that gets qualified since they were against hapless Crookston and Mary. SCSU gained 363 yards and 389 yards in those games, low totals considering those defenses allow more than 500 yards per contest. Quietly, the Husky defense has moved up to 3rd in yards allowed in the NSIC and a respectable 25ppg. Again, playing Crookston and Mary helped.




Dragons 27-20

Minot State (1-5) at Bemidji State (5-1), 2pm


With or without their starting quarterback, I like Bemidji State in the Battle of the Beavers. BSU is a nationally ranked and it speaks well they defeated a difficult Northern squad without Hein and their starting kicker, Isaac Aanerud.
BSU Beavers 30-13

Sioux Falls (6-0) at Winona State (5-1), 2:30pm
This will be the 4th



nd in the NSIC in sacks with 23.



Cougars 35-27

Wayne State (2-4) at Southwest Minnesota State (4-2), 6pm
The Wildcats have shown signs of improvement offensively as QB Zac Osborn has hooked up with taller wideout Nate Rogers frequently. Rogers has 467 yards and 37 grabs through 6 contests, but is near tops in the league with 8 scores. The WSC defense is respectable against the run but has struggled against good passing teams. Overall the Wildcat defense is middle of the pack, led by DB Cam Montgomery who is tied for the lead in the NSIC in picks with 4, and has the most tackles on the squad with 38.




SMSU 44-40


Witt's Picks 2016 record: 38-10