(Pictured: Jack Nelson-WSU, Gena Adams-BSU, Matt Heller-AU, Luke Papilion-USF)
(Photos: Winona Daily News, BSU Athletics, MW)

Winona State (6-2) at Augustana (5-3)
This game is basically the co-main event this weekend.

Winona is in a good spot after 8 weeks. The Warriors are 10th

Augustana has become a pass heavy attack with both Charlie Hayes and Matt Heller healthy. Trey Heid is separating himself from the pack for the NSIC South POY award. He leads the conference at 331ypg in the air and is good for another 69ypg on the ground. The senior signal caller is completing 62% of his throws for 30 scores with just 7 interceptions.


(Pictured: Augustana. Photo: MW)

Defensively AU allows 419ypg (10th in the Northern Sun). The Viking defense sits at 28ppg, good for 6th. It is a league worst with just 4 interceptions. The AU defense is 11th in the conference against the run.


A year ago the Vikings snatched a last second victory at Winona.

Rumor has it that this game has drawn interest from NFL scouts, as 2 of the best quarterbacks inthe NSIC faceoff. I think both will show well, but I think WSU keeps its playoff hopes alive and outlasts AU in a barn-burner on the road.
Warriors 34-30

Concordia-St. Paul (2-6) at Southwest Minnesota State (4-4)
rd quarter. While the Mustangs have played with and beaten (UMD) the top teams, they are struggling to be at the top of their game in the back half of the year, mostly due to injury and now the weight of 4 setbacks.




Mustangs 45-27

Minot State (2-6) at Minnesota State-Moorhead (4-4)

Moorhead is now back at .500 but still has a chance to finish with a winning year. The QB spot seems to be a coin flip weekly with Demetrious Carr and Jake Hodge but Carr has apparently taken the controls. Wideout Damon Gibson continues to be a star offensively for the Dragons, as he's as good as any in the league. The Dragons defense continues to show improvement year-over-year.
Dragons 37-24

Northern State (4-4) at Mary (1-7)
Mary seeks to earn the Marauders first home win of the year but faces a team that will physically test them and should control their triple option offense. NSU put up 538 yards of offense with a balanced attack against SCSU. I see the NSU offense being too much in this matchup.
Wolves 38-13

Bemidji State (6-2) at St. Cloud State (4-4)


The Beavers nearly came back and beat UMD last week, throwing for 380 yards and 5 scores in the 2nd half. Gena Adams continues to be a great open field threat in the running game while Tahi Nomane is the power back. The two have combined for over 1200 yards and 14 scores on the ground. Pass catchers Blake Holder and Brady Schmidt stepped up a week ago against UMD and the Beavers passing game does a good job of spreading the wealth.

The BSU defense struggled against a zone read attack that could pass (courtesy Drew Bauer) and allowed 600 yards and 54 points to the Bulldogs.


Beavers 41-24

Wayne State (3-5) at Upper Iowa (2-6)





Peacocks 44-40

Minnesota-Duluth (7-1) at Minnesota-Crookston (0-8)
UMD outlasted BSU a week ago in a barn-burner. As impressive as the Bulldog offense was, the UMD defense almost gave away the game in the 2nd


Crookston had a strong effort in nearly coming back for a win against Minot State. The Golden Eagles narrowed a 35-20 halftime deficit to 38-30 in the middle of the 4thquarter but were unable to get any closer. Andre Person ran for 142 yards in the loss, while receiver Andrew Connette collected 6 grabs for 60 yards and2 scores. Unfortunately UMC allowed 515 yards of offense, continuing to be a pain point.
Bulldogs 55-10

USF (8-0) at MSU Mankato (6-2)


USF comes into this week 9 test without a blemish. The Cougars continue to have great success in the running game, powered by a veteran offensive line and the dynamic rushing of Max Mickey. Teams are keying on QB Luke Papilion these days but Mickey continues to get loose and now has 5 touchdown runs of over 50 yards. USF averages 341ypg on the ground and has scored 30 times in the rushing game.



MSU is fresh off a 4 touchdown throwing performance by Ricky Lloyd. Much of the year coach Todd Hoffner has switched between 2 and sometimes 3 signal-callers in an effort to find an optimum offensive performance. Most still contend Nick Pieruccini offers the most flexibility at QB. Ricky Lloyd is also well-versed in the quarterback runs of the MSU attack, but Pieruccini is a hard-to-find runner behind a large offensive line. Speaking of the offensive line, it is still a young group and the Mavericks running game has been solid, though not spectacular like in the past. Virgil Hammond has been a reliable performer but there has been little production from the late arriving D1 transfers.


(Pictured: Virgil Hammond-MSU. Photo: MW)







The Cougars biggest obstacle could be mental. Since joining the conference in 2012, USF has beaten every team in the Northern Sun except

A win gives the Mavs a chance at the postseason and continued supremacy over a budding rival in the new guy, Sioux Falls. With head-to-head tie breakers a part of the NCAA selection criteria, Mankato is currently on the outside looking in, having lost to both Bemidji State and Winona State. With 7 postseason slots available, the Mavs still have life but only with a victory Saturday. Sioux Falls is hoping to further secure their #2 spot in the Regional Rankings or possibly move up in the event NWMSU stumbles. With a loss the Cougars are still very much in the field of 7 but run the risk of creating a less favorable path for themselves come late November.


Cougars 37-27


Witt's Picks 2016 record: 50-14