Of course, we're definitely planning on putting together a post that covers every GLIAC game for the week. However, we felt like the Ashland at Saginaw Valley game deserved a little special attention since it's this week's D2 Game of the Week on CBS CollegeSports TV.

As an added bonus for all your GLIAC Maniacs out there, I will be posting a live blog from Wickes Stadium. If anyone wants to follow along, check it out at the The GLIAC Home Page.


Ashland (5-1, 5-2) at Saginaw Valley (4-2, 4-2)

As we roll into the final month of the season, league and playoff implications start to have some legs under them...and they'll have center-stage in this one as a the dreaded "third loss" is in play for whoever drops this one. While the Cards have the advantage of homefield, they are still trying sort out the mistakes that cost them last week at Indy. Ashland flies into Saginaw on a four game win streak, and is playing some very solid football.

Ashland Keys:
- Balance as best you Can - Over Lee Owens' tenure, the Eagle offense has almost always been reputed for being high-powered and quick-strike in nature. This year's group is really more "ground and pound", averaging 201 yards per game rushing. With that said, the SV defense has given up big chunks of yardage in the passing game. With the weather looking nasty, the ground game is likely to be the preferred method of moving the ball...but it is always easier when the threat of the pass is valid. Taylor Housewright and his receivers need to make enough of the aerials work to keep the Cards from stacking the box.
- Force Mistakes - Saginaw turned the ball over three times in their loss to Indianapolis last week. From what we've seen out of Ashland thus far, a shootout doesn't favor them. They need to get the Cardinals into bad situations and force turnovers to keep the pace of the game to their liking.

Saginaw Valley Keys:
- Cash'em In - Despite not putting tons of yardage into the books, Ashland is still managing to score at a clip of more than 33 points per game. Saginaw Valley has more than enough firepower to keep up with that type of scoring, but ONLY if they finish drives and cash in on opportunities. Bad penalties, turnovers, and stalled drives will hurt any team...but they could prove even more fatal in this one as Ashland's defense is very stingy (less than 22 points per game) and the weather might favor their gritty style.
- Fight through It - We hate to harp on the weather, but it does look pretty nasty. With that said, catching the ball becomes the hard part in a passing game at that point...getting open is much easier as receivers know where they are going and a reacting defensive player is the one more apt to slip and/or lose ground. Saginaw has been torching opposing defenses to the tune of almost 280 yards per game...no sense in trying to put the handcuffs on Jonathon Jennings and crew if they can still do what works for them.

Prediction:
We have been impressed with how plucky Ashland has been of late. Despite having some performances that weren't overwhelming, they still have a strong resume with some impressive wins on it...none more so than their defeat of Wayne State last week. Despite that, we have a hard time not going with Saginaw Valley here. Home game, national TV, angry over missed-opportunities and giveaways a week ago. Coach Collins will have the red-birds ready...no gimme, but we'll go with the homestanders. Saginaw Valley 25, Ashland 22.


Stay tuned for the rest of the weekend's previews coming soon. And again, feel free to catch our LIVE BLOG for tonight's game. Enjoy!