As promised, let's now take a look at the games that will take place on the back end of Week 1:


#18 Hillsdale at Ferris State

While it is true that Hillsdale is coming off of back-to-back playoff appearances, there are still some concerns heading into 2011 for the Chargers. The concerns probably aren't about the defense, as key cogs Joe Vear, Nick Hixson and David Bakker all return. They almost certainly aren't about the ground game, as 1,400+ yard rusher Joe Glendening is back along with his 15 touchdowns from last season. It's the passing game that his squarely under the gun as the new season gets going. Gone are quarterback Troy Weatherhead and top receiver Andre Holmes, and they will be replaced by junior quarterback Anthony Mifsud and a pair of new starting wide-outs that have yet to catch a pass in college. Making things more interesting is that while Mifsud was a top-level quarterback in high school, he has spent his first two seasons at Hillsdale as a receiver. Despite not being under center prior to this year, it's safe to presume that he entered camp with at least a solid understanding of the Charger offense, so it's not as though HC is staring from scratch. Plus, let's not forget the last time Hillsdale was in a similar situation...it was three short years ago that Mark Nicolet and Nick Gurica graduated and I think we all know how the Hillsdale aerial attack faired from there.

While there is inexperience within Hillsdale's offense, the bulk of the Ferris unit is rather tenured. Senior quarterback Tom Schneider returns after having started every game for the Bulldogs last year, and he also has his top rushers and receivers from 2010 at his disposal. What FSU will have to figure out his how to put behind them last year's five game losing skid that ended the season and seemed to erase the positives of their 5-1 start. The 16 starters that are back in Big Rapids would like nothing more than to knock off a Hillsdale bunch that has claimed five of the last six meetings in the series.

While I think it's unreasonable to presume that Mifsud can step in and do all the things that his Charger predecessors did, I also believe that he doesn't have to win this first game for Hillsdale. The Bulldogs gave up nearly 170 yards a game on the ground last year, and lost their top two tacklers from their 2010 defense. Glendening should be able to put up a solid effort at Top Taggart and keep the pressure of his new signal-caller. Plus, I'm not sure why but I get the feeling that Coach Otterbein will have his troops ready when they hit his old stomping grounds. I absolutely think Ferris can win this game, but am not convinced that they will. I expect a tight affair either way. Hillsdale 27, Ferris 24.



St. Joseph's at Ohio Dominican

Ohio Dominican enters their second year in the league with high hopes for improving on their 2-8 finish last year. They'll enjoy the luxury of 19 returning starters, including everyone on the offensive side of the ball. Running back Mike Noffsinger led the Panthers in rushing in 2010, and was followed by quarterback Jeremy Fudge. Both made significant plays in the ground game and should be able to do the same this year. The ODU offense could use a bit more balance, as Fudge's numbers via the air weren't earth-shattering. ODU's defense also needs some improvement, as they allowed 28 points or more seven times.

St. Joe's returns 14 starters from last year's 5-5 club, including quarterback Billy VandeMerkt. The Pumas managed to win their five games consecutively, but the streak was flanked by losing skids of three and two games.

While SJC won more games last year than ODU did, they didn't exactly beat anyone that would be confused with "worldbeaters". ODU should be well-prepared for this one having survived their first run through the GLIAC, as well as being led by Coach Bill Conley who absolutely knows what he is doing. I like ODU to defend their home turf and start 2011 with a win. Ohio Dominican 30, St. Joe's 19.


Urbana at #24 Wayne State

If there is any particular fanbase within the GLIAC that is dying to get this year started, it has to be the group that follows Wayne State. The 2010 Warriors finished with a school record for wins (9-2) and a share of the GLIAC South Title, and the 2011 group returns 18 starters to the fold. Wayne is deep and experienced, and knows that they must make big things happen with this year's senior-laden group.

Leading the offense will be Josh Renel who was second in the GLIAC in rushing yards per game, and second nationally in all-purpose yards per game. A steady and improving Micky Mohner is once again under center, and he'll rely on Troy Burrell and transfer James Jackson as his primary targets in the passing game. Wayne's defense was steady last year and has most of its key contributors back. They were a bit susceptible at times in the passing game yielding nearly 200 yards per game via the air, but finished in the top half of the GLIAC against the run.

Urbana has been scraping together schedules for the last couple of seasons as a DII Independent, but will linked up with the GLVC as an associate member for football starting next year. This year's Blue Knights will be led by quarterback D.J. Mendenhall, who had a solid 2010 and helped UU almost post their second straight winning campaign. While Urbana has won some ball games over the last couple of seasons, they have not consistently done so against top-level competition.

Wayne should enter this game with far superior talent. As long as Coach Winters has his troops dialed-in, there shouldn't be much of an issue. The Knights will likely be able to move the ball and even score some points, but in the end speed and depth should be what carries the Warriors...and rather easily. Wayne State 45, Urbana 20.



Findlay at Northwood

This match-up is the second of two "non-league" games this weekend that pits a pair of GLIAC clubs against each other, and both teams have playmaking Division I transfers piloting their respective offenses.

2010 was a fair one for Northwood. While the 5-6 record wasn't particularly remarkable, the Timberwolves did manage to get a solid year under the belt of quarterback Aaron Shavers. Heading into 2011, the experience the dual-threat quarterback gained will have to pay dividends as there is a youth movement behind him in the NU backfield. Fortunately, he will see some tenure on the edge as Quilan Mathis is back along with his GLIAC-best 23.4 yards per catch average from a year ago. "The Woodbone" seldom has a season in which it doesn't move the ball effectively, but the NU offense won't be able to post more wins on its own. Northwood will definitely need some help from a defense that struggled once again in 2010, allowing more than 31 points per game for the third time in four years.

If Northwood's 2010 was somewhat unremarkable, the Findlay's version of last year would have to be classified as dismal. After posting an impressinve 7-4 mark in 2009, the Oilers then (almost inexplicably) trudged through a one-win season that saw their offense finish last in the league in scoring and post ten points or fewer nine times.

Nine times? Nine times...

It's now a new day for the Oilers, as a new coaching staff is in place and the services of junior quarterback Clay Belton are now available. Belton would likely have played last year if he hadn't gotten caught up in the red tape of transferring, but the 6-6, 225 pound specimen is ready to go and is expected to provide a shot in the arm for the UF offense. He'll get some help in his endeavor from junior running back Monterae Williams, who is coming off his second straight All-GLIAC effort.

I have to be honest...I have no idea what to expect from this game. I really had Findlay pegged as a club that was going to do some solid stuff last year and the wheels came off almost immediately. I hear that Belton is a difference-maker, so I'll take the Oilers even though their defense was almost as bad last year as Northwood's was. Findlay 33, Northwood 29.


Michigan Tech at Winona State

The Huskies will venture across Wisconsin and the Mississippi River to visit Winona State, which happens to be the alma mater of Michigan Tech head coach Tom Kearly. It will be just the third time since 1994 that MTU will play a non-conference game during the regular season, and hopes are high for the season to get off to a fast start after an 8-2 finish a year ago. The Huskies have to feel good about their defense, which was the #2 unit in the GLIAC in 2010 and returns ten starters. Where Tech will have to figure some things out is on offense as Steve Short has (finally) departed, and red-shirt freshman Tyler Scarlett will take over at quarterback. Also gone is running back Phil Milbrath, and while Akeem Cason has seen a solid amount of action over the last couple of seasons this will be the first time he has begun the year as the club's primary ball-carrier.

Winona State returns 14 starters from last year's 7-4 club, but will also be looking to a new starting quarterback...well, sort of. John Tiegland will take over the reigns of the Warrior offense after transferring in from the recently disbanded Nebraska-Omaha program. Tiegland started ten games for UNO in 2010, so while he is new to the WSU system he brings a tenured skill set with him. He'll be blessed with a ground game that was second in the NSIC last year at more than 203 yards per game, and features the NSIC's top returning ground-gainer in Rayon Simmons.

If Tech's rushing defense is as good this year as it was last year, the Huskies have a great chance to come out of Verizon Wireless Stadium with a win. If Simmons has a good game and takes pressure of his new starting quarterback, however, I don't know if Tech's youthful offense will be able to keep up. I think Tech can win, but I'm rolling with a solid Winona club at home over a Tech offense that might take a few weeks to find its way. Winona State 17, Michigan Tech 10.


Enjoy the games this weekend folks. I'm looking forward to diving straight into league play in Week 2 and really getting after the season. A Happy Labor Day to All...