Time to get it rolling again, Gang! With so many games this week, (not to mention many non-league clubs I don't know as much about), we'll keep the previews brief and to the point. Look for things to get back to normal/a bit more in depth next week once we are headlong into GLIAC play. In this post, well focus on what we have lined-up for Thursday evening:

Ashland at #15 Bloomsburg

After winning seven straight games to close out 2010, Ashland enters 2011 with more momentum than any team in the GLIAC. Their defense was better than it was in any year since 2005 and returns most of its key performers, including Jamie Meder in the middle and Logan Kerr on the back end. Keeping things going on D will be a challenge immediately for the Eagles, as they'll visit the Huskies and All-America tailback Franklyn Quiteh. Quiteh tallied more than 2,000 yards on the ground last year, including posting 140 yards and a score in last years loss in Ashland. Finding a way to keep Quiteh corralled will be the top objective for the Eagles if they want to escape Pennsylvania with a win.

Of course, if Ashland cant keep Bloom from racking up the points their cause wont be lost. Quarterback Taylor Housewright is back as is 1,300+ yard running back D.J. McCoy, so the Eagles should pack their usual offensive punch. The only concern they have on offense entering the season is the overall inexperience at wide receiver as their projected starters at the position have yet to catch a pass in college. Being able to stretch the field is a key to keeping running lanes open, so look for the Eagles to try and find ways to get the ball to McCoy in the passing game if they aren't able to throw it vertically. McCoy is a proven playmaker and may be the main source of dynamite for AU in the early part of the season.

I am normally a homer for the league whenever possible, and I definitely think this Ashland team has the potential to make a lot of noise in the league this year. With that said, they are making a tough road trip to visit a club that only allowed 85 yards per game on the ground last year and is looking to avenge their loss to the Eagles that opened 2010. Mix in the question marks in the passing game and I have to believe the Huskies are going to make things difficult for McCoy and the AU ground game. I'm taking the Eagles in a tight one, but Ill openly admit that I am not entirely confident in the pick. Ashland 23, Bloomsburg 21.

Gannon at Lake Erie

After suffering in the depths of the GLIAC for several seasons, Gannon has seen its life in the PSAC take a decidedly positive turn. The Golden Knights have been competitive for the better part of the past few seasons, including posting two straight winning records entering 2011. Another streak GU would like to keep going is their string of season-opening victories over Lake Erie, which presently stands at three.

Keeping both rolls going will be a challenge as only half of Gannon's defensive starters return, and graduation also claimed their starting quarterback, running back, and top two receivers from a year ago. The GU defense was solid in 2010, but will certainly be tested by a once again healthy Sean Bedevelsky. The Storm quarterback led the GLIAC in total offense at more than 290 yards per game in 2010, but missed the last two games of the year due to injury. When the senior signal-caller is running right, so is LEC.

I liked LEC in this game a year ago and they darn near got it done, losing to the Golden Knights by six after holding the lead in the fourth quarter. I previously mentioned that was LEC's third straight loss to GU, and each of those games was decided by six points or less. Im rolling with The Storm again this year. Gannon has several question marks at key positions, while Lake Erie is senior-laden at almost every spot. Coach Mark McNellie's crew finally exorcises the demon and concludes their series with their nearby neighbors to the East on a winning note. Lake Erie 38, Gannon 28.

Minnesota State at Northern Michigan

These two kicked-off the season a year ago in Mankato, and the bulk of the game proved to be a paint-drying affair. After nearly 55 minutes of ugliness the Mavericks posted a score, only to see Northern notch a touchdown of their own with less than a minute to play. Bernie Anderson showed some serious guts as the Wildcats went for two and the win. While the attempt went begging, the Cats showed they could hang with a solid club outside of the league (MSU was a 2009 playoff team and finished 6-5 last year), and returned home to start a three-game win streak.

This year, Northern is looking to finally take the next step to league and playoff contention after showing steady improvement over the last couple of seasons. Last years results could very well have been better without the loss of quarterback Carter Kopach midway through the season, and NMU is thrilled to have him back under center. Add in several key returners on defense and this team should prove competitive.

As for the opener, its no secret that Northern is a different team at home and typically a better one. Add in the fact that MSU will likely be starting a freshman at quarterback and I like the Wildcats to open 2011 on a winning note. Northern Michigan 19, Minnesota State 13.


Kentucky Wesleyan at Indianapolis

These two clubs had never met prior to 2008, but will open the season against each other for the fourth straight time. Indianapolis will be looking to sweep the non-conference portion of this series, as both clubs will see each other in GLVC play starting in 2012. None of the previous encounters between these two have been close (UIndy's victories have been by an average margin of 36-9), and there is little leading me to believe this years version will be much different.

Indianapolis is intent on making their final GLIAC campaign a memorable one, and theyll tune up for that run by feasting on an inferior Kentucky Wesleyan outfit that hasn't posted a winning record since 1999. Conversely, the Greyhounds return 17 starters from last years 6-5 club. Both of UIndy's top rushers are back, as are both quarterbacks that combined to start all eleven games last year (it appears Chris Mills is the guy heading into 2011). Perhaps most encouraging is the fact that five of the teams top six tacklers return from a 2010 Hound defense that was in the top half of the GLIAC statistically.

There should be no danger here. UIndy has pounded the Panthers three straight times, and they'll make it four in front of the home crowd at Key Stadium. Indianapolis 44, Kentucky Wesleyan 13.


Tiffin at Malone

Tiffin was able to knock off the Pioneers to open the 2010 slate. They then proceeded to drop their remaining ten contests, losing by an average of 27 points per game. Its a new day and a new regime in Tiffin, and coach Gary Goff is hoping to get his clean slate started by roughing up a still-NAIA opponent (Malone has applied for NCAA Division II status). The Dragons will have to go on the road to Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton to get that done.

Aiding Tiffin in their quest will be a new signal caller, Iowa State transfer James Capello. Capello will have some experienced assistance at the skill positions, but will need the offensive line to play MUCH better (TU allowed a league-worst 43 sacks in 2010) if the Dragons are to post a few wins this year.

As for their game against Malone, the Pioneers are going to look to prove they belong in Division II and in the GLIAC (rumors are swirling about their prospective membership in the league if their DII status is granted). Unfortunately, theyll be facing a Tiffin club that is looking to prove the same in their fourth trip through the league. Tiffin plays inspired on the road for their new leadership and wins in a squeaker. Tiffin 28, Malone 27.


Western Oregon at #4 Grand Valley

Year two of the Matt Mitchell era gets started in Allendale against visiting Western Oregon. The Wolves are coming off a 7-4 campaign in 2010, and are making the programs first ever trip to the Eastern Time Zone for Thursdays tilt. They hit The Shipyard with a solid defense that yielded less than 19 points per game last year and has the bulk of its starters back, including leading tackler Scotland Foss. Foss will be fronted by three returning All-GNAC selections on the line, so the Wolf defense should prove difficult to move around at the point of attack.

Western Oregon appears solid in the trenches on offense as well, as that front also returns three All-GNAC picks. Unfortunately, they represent the bulk of the returning offensive starters to a unit was decent a year ago but not overwhelming. Evan Mozzochi appears to be slated as the guy at quarterback, and while he played in eight games last year he was one of three players to get a start at the position and only completed about 50% of his passes.

For the Lakers, the sour taste of how 2010 ended still lingers. The 38-6 drubbing at Augustana was the programs worst loss since 1999, and all of the talk emanating from camp revolves around proving that result to be a fluke. Heath Parling will make his first start for Grand Valley at quarterback, but already has two years of study in the program under his belt. Hes surrounded by solid experience on the line, and extensive depth at the skill positions. While there will likely be some challenges moving the ball against a solid defense, the Lakers should be able to score points in this one.

While a new starting quarterback is always worthy of note, seeing what kind of defense Grand Valley puts on the field this year is what most are watching. The Lakers struggled through an injury-plagued 2010 that saw them net some of the worst statistical results in more than a decade. The returns of Danny Richard, Andre Thomas and Brandon Allen to the defensive line unit alone should make the defense much more formidable than it was in 2010.

While the caliber of play in the GNAC has proven solid in the past, Grand Valleys prior experience against it (a 41-21 win over Central Washington in the 2007 playoffs) is limited so its hard to know for sure what to expect heading into this one. While the Wolves offense was pretty balanced last year, they didnt overwhelm anyone in either facet and if their team completion percentage of 51% is the norm, they will struggle to move the ball against a healthy and motivated GV defense. I like the Lakers to take control of this one as the second half progresses. Grand Valley 34, Western Oregon 17.

That covers the games scheduled for Thursday, September 1. Be sure and check back leading up to Thursday's games as I will have previews of the Friday and Saturday games prior to play kicking off for the weekend. Football's back! I hate to see summer leave, but at least the fall brings us the game we love and a weekly dose of it.