(Pictured: Battle Axe Trophy, Sledge Hammer Trophy, USF's Josh Butler and Michael Mehling, WSU's Paul Preston)
(Photos: BSU Athletics, SMSU Athletics, Leah Husemoen Photos, Winona Daily News)

After nine weeks of Northern Sun football, here are the standings.

Overall Standings
1. Sioux Falls (9-0)
2. Minnesota-Duluth (8-1)
3. Bemidji State (7-2)
4. Augustana (6-3)
4. Minnesota State-Mankato (6-3)
4. Winona State (6-3)
7. Minnesota State-Moorhead (5-4)
7. Northern State (5-4)
7. Southwest Minnesota State (5-4)
10. St. Cloud State (4-5)
11. Upper Iowa (3-6)
11. Wayne State (3-6)
13. Concordia-St. Paul (2-7)
13. Minot State (2-7)
15. Mary (1-8)
16. Minnesota-Crookston (0-9)


1. NWMSU (9-0)
2. USF (9-0)
3. Harding (9-0)
4. Emporia State (8-1)
5. UMD (8-1)
6. Azusa Pacific (8-1, 7-1 In-Region)
7. Central Missouri (7-2)
8. Bemidji State (7-2)
9. Southern Arkansas (7-2)
10. Henderson State (7-2)

Regional Rankings / Playoff PictureMineral Water BowlTie-Breaker
a. A divisional champion with a 6-5 record or greater, not selected for NCAA Division II Playoffs.
b. Best overall NSIC record.
c. Head-to-head.
d. Common opponent.
e. Rose Bowl Rule.
f. Lowest defensive average.
g. Coin flip.
Games for Saturday, November 5

Augustana (6-3) at Concordia-St. Paul (2-7), NoonUpper Iowa (3-6) at Sioux Falls (9-0), NoonMinnesota State-Mankato (6-3) at Wayne State (3-6), 1pm
The Mavs find themselves in unfamiliar territory, eliminated from the playoffs and on the outside looking in for a Mineral Water Bowl bid. Not since 2010 have the Mavericks missed the postseason.

If MSU is going to qualify for the MWB, it needs to win out and get help along the way. Winning at Wayne State would be the start of a bowl game push. While Mankato might very well roll out the typical starters at quarterback (Ricky Lloyd and Nick Pieruccini, seniors), there is an outside shot that promising freshman Ryan Schlichte gets a start or at least more reps at quarterback with the shot at the playoffs lost.

Wayne State continues to play decent offensively, but is in the lower half of NSIC defenses. The Wildcats especially struggle stopping the pass ( 14thMinnesota State-Moorhead (5-4) at Bemidji State (7-2), 1pmSouthwest Minnesota State (5-4) at Winona State (6-3), 1pm
This game is the second half of my co-main event for Week 10.

This is also a trophy game, the 2ndSt. Cloud State (4-5) at Minot State (2-7), 1pmMinnesota-Crookston (0-9) at Northern State (5-4), 1pmMary (1-8) at Minnesota-Duluth (8-1), 1pmWitt's Picks 2016 record: 57-15