Welcome, Gang, to GLIAC Rivalry Week! It's a shame that Notre Dame leaving will jumble this all up (more on that in another post to come), as I was looking forward to Rivalry Week being a cornerstone for the league slate each year. Perhaps down the road something will be put together...they might even be able to hold the bulk of it in place even with an odd number of teams. Time will tell I suppose, but for this one week we'll get it the way it was originally designed. Should be great! Let's take a look.


Tiffin (0-4, 1-4) at Findlay (3-1, 3-1)

While Findlay and Ashland have a pretty good rivalry, geographically speaking the Oilers are actually closer to Tiffin...and these two have a long-standing tango. Just 25 miles apart along US-224, they compete for recruits, fans, and of course bragging rights across the sport spectrum. The unfortunate piece of this is that Tiffin has struggled with being competitve annually in football, so the Oilers have dominated this series to the tune of 19-1 all time. Will the Dragons make a dent in that record?

If they will, there's a good chance that it will be because they figure out a way to stop the run. Tiffin yields more than 200 yards per game on the ground, and if the Oilers are able to get into a rhythm with solid running and short, effective passes from Clay Belton it will exploit the biggest weakness of the Dragon defense and keep their O from being able to do anything...and there is a possibility that they could, as Findlay has shown they are prone to yielding some yardage. They gave up more than 500 yards to Notre Dame a week ago so if TU can get something going it's not inconceivable that they can make this a game.

Ultimately, I don't think they will. QB James Capello didn't finish last week's game, and I'm not certain to his availability for Saturday. While Dan Pitts has got snaps last year, the last thing an offense prone to not scoring needs is an upheaval at quarterback. Toss in a Findlay club that should be wide awake after nearly losing to a team that they likely should have handled a week ago, and I think the Oilers will handle their business. Monterae Williams has a big day and so does UF. Findlay 44, Tiffin 28.


#16 Saginaw Valley (3-1, 4-1) at Northwood (3-1, 4-1)
The Axe Bowl

Another pair of schools that are about 25 miles apart are Saginaw Valley and Northwood. This rivalry, however, is definitely more heated than the one above...and decidedly more even on the football field with SV holding the edge, 23-14-1. These two typically put on a show, and the game is often decided late. Last year was no exception as the Cardinals notched a 28-20 win by holding off a last-minute NU drive that reached the Cardinal eight yard line.

This year's tilt shouldn't be any exception. The rivalry itself will get these two charged up for each other, but toss in the fact that staying at the top-end of the North standings is at stake and we have ourselves something cooking. The match-up that I'm watching the most is the Northwood defense against the Saginaw offense. The Woodies have been stingy against opposing offenses, and have done a very good job in keeping teams from scoring (19.2 points per game). That matches up well with a Saginaw offense that moves the ball like mad, but seemingly has trouble at times generating points. With all of that said, there's little getting around the fact that Northwood hasn't faced an offense with this kind of firepower yet. How well they keep Jon Jennings, Tim Hogue and Jeff Janis in check will go a long way to determining this result. On offense, if Aaron Shavers can keep the Cards defense guessing and chew up clock, it will play to NU's advantage. Saginaw's toughest games this year have been ones where their opponents have out-possessed them and limited their chances with the ball. This is NU's bread-and-butter, and if they are effective it could be a long afternoon for SV.

While I think Northwood won't be able to shut down the Cardinal offense entirely, I'm not convinced that Saginaw will be able to overcome having their possessions kept to a minimum. I think Saginaw is the favorite here, but for some reason I like The Woodies. If they possess the ball for 34 minutes or more and turn the ball over one time or less, I think they get it done here. I would consider it an upset, but I'm going with the T'Wolves. Northwood 32, Saginaw 27.


#12 Hillsdale (4-0, 4-1) at Wayne State (3-1, 3-1)

Both of these clubs have really improved their perennial status within the league over the last few seasons, and with that improvement this rivalry has blossomed and become quite heated. Within the confines of this series, Hillsdale has a couple of demons they're looking to exorcise: First, the Warriors have won the last two meetings. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Hillsdale hasn't won at Adams Field since 1998. The Jewel of the Lodge has often been a tough place to visit, and there should be little doubt that Wayne will doing all it can to be "less than gracious" as hosts once again on Saturday.

Wayne's defense has done a pretty good job this season being inhospitable as I mentioned above. They are tops in the league in scoring defense allowing only 15.8 points per game. That might not prove to be much of an advantage, however, as Hillsdale has been equally stingy to this point at only 16 points per game. So, if we accept the premise that between the two defenses "something has to give", it's hard to ignore the likely advantage that Hillsdale has offensively. The Chargers are scoring a full 15 points per game more than Wayne thus far, and have done so by racking up 125 more yards per game than the Warriors. While one can certainly point to a few weaker opponents on the schedule for HC thus far, the notion that Wayne's slate has been laden with juggernauts isn't exactly a fair representation. While there are pieces that are starting to click a bit for Wayne, their overall offensive output thus far has been decided less consistent than what we have seen from Hillsdale. For the Warriors to defend their home turf, they'll not only have to slow down Hillsdale like they have their prior four opponents, but they must find a way to generate some consistent offense. If the ol' Hillsdale recipe of converting a maddening number of third downs and keeping the ball for two thirds of the game starts to take hold, that consistency from the Wayne offense will be at an even higher premium given that their number of possessions will likely be limited.

OK, so both D's are pretty decent and Hillsdale's offense is, well, just plain better than Wayne's. The stats show that and I doubt most around the league would find that a point worth arguing. That means Hillsdale should win, right? Well, as I mentioned earlier Hillsdale's visits to The Jewel seem to bring out the best in the Warriors. Even when the chips have been down, Wayne seems to have a bit of Hillsdale's number of late and knows how to get past them. With all of that said, I still like the Chargers here. If the game is tight late and the teams are required to throw the ball in order to cover lots of ground quickly, it's hard not to like Anthony Mifsud and Company who complete more than 68% of their pass attempts and lean on the passing game as staple in their offense. Conversely, Wayne is only completing about 53% as a team and that lack of prowess can hurt late in games...especially considering that Hillsdale preys on inefficient passing attacks to the tune of a league-high 13 interceptions thus far. Advantage, Hillsdale. Hillsdale 24, Wayne State 20.


Michigan Tech (3-1, 3-1) at Northern Michigan (0-4, 1-4)
The Miner's Cup

With all due respect to evert other rivalry in this league, I have yet to find one more venomous than this one. The two U.P. schools get after each other across GLIAC competition, but also mix it up in some of the more "northern" of sports, namely hockey. I've had the good fortune of attending a Tech @ NMU hockey game once...it was very early in the season, and even those these foes aren't in the same conference they played like EVERYTHING was on the line. The place was completely packed, loud as can be, and just plain nuts. I wondered if it was a "hockey-only" thing with it being in the U.P., but I was there for the Thursday night game these two had a few years ago...just as bonkers. While I don't live up there and don't see it day-to-day, I get the real impression that these two outfits just plain don't like each other. Kinda what makes a weekend like this even more fun, isn't it?

While the rivalry itself is heated, I have to openly wonder if the game itself will wind up living up to that. Northern is struggling through a lot of transition, and it seems apparent that this could be "one of those seasons". They're the only North Division team with less than two league wins (let alone any), and they have appeared to be pretty well overmatched in just about every GLIAC tilt thus far. Add in the fact that they'll get a Tech group coming in smarting after their first loss of the year, and I don't like NMU's chances.

The bottom line here is that Northern is last in the league in scoring at only 12 points per game. With an offense that just can't seem to put up points facing a defense that is less than accommodating to allowing them (Tech is still giving-up less than 21 a game, even after allowing more than a 50-spot last week), I just don't see the 'Cats being able to keep this one tight enough to have a shot later in the game. The rivalry keeps them close early, but Tyler Scarlett and his crew stretch things out after the break. Tech 40, Northern 14.


#18 Ashland (4-0, 5-0) at Ohio Dominican (2-2, 3-2)

With Ashland and Ohio Dominican having only played each other twice, we'd have to classify this rivalry as "budding". Separated by an hour and some change, these two definitely fight over the fertile central Ohio recruiting grounds. Of course, to make a relationship like this "testy" you need a surprise, painful result to help get things going...and ODU chipped in with one last year by knocking off Ashland in Week 10 and all but drowning out the Eagles' playoff hopes. The Panthers haven't had the start they'd hoped for thus far, and knocking the AU train off course again would go a long way to easing the sting of ODU's two early losses. Can they pull off the trick for a second straight year?

If they hope to do so, they're going to have to find a way to disrupt the Ashland offense. Senior QB Taylor Housewright is having far and away his best season in the purple-and-gold, leading the Eagle offense to a league-low three turnovers and a scoring clip of more than 40 points per game. While ODU appears to have been solid defensively (22 ppg), a closer inspection reveals that in their two games against clubs with a winning record the Panthers are yielding 42 points per game. Not good. Getting pressure on Housewright has to be the top priority for the Panthers, and keeping the McCune/Taylor ground attack under wraps isn't far behind. Those are two very tall tasks for the ODU defense.

While I think the ODU defense might perform better here than some might think, their offense is what concerns me the most...and namely the passing game. While statistically the Panthers have had nice balance, I'm not convinced that the ODU passing game has what it takes to keep up with Ashland's. If this game manages to get into any form of a shoot-out, that favors the Eagles. Ohio Dominican must keep this one close as long as possible in order to have a shot, as Ashland has shown over the last few weeks that once they get someone down they tend not to let them back up (except maybe a small hiccup at Ferris). This should be a good one, but in the end it's hard not to see Ashland running it to 6-0. Ashland 30, ODU 22.


Malone (1-3, 1-4) at Walsh (0-4, 1-4)
The Gallagher Trophy

The GLIAC's only true crosstown rivalry gets its first go as Malone visits Walsh...well, er, not exactly. These two share Fawcett Stadium in Canton, so I guess "visit" is a stretch. We've all seen Fawcett on TV before, as it hosts the first NFL preseason game (The Hall of Fame Game) each year as a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Enshrinement Weekend. It's got to be a bit of a thrill for these two schools to be able to call such a unique stadium home. While they play for the Gallagher Trophy, maybe we can dub this one the "Fawcett Fiasco" or the "Canton Conundrum". No? How about the "Hall of Fame Hostility"? Maybe they could play for the "Cav-oneer Cup"? What? Not a fan of dopey alliteratives? Sorry...you all should know by now that dopey is the best your going to get in any regard out of me.

OK, so the battle for the Gallagher Trophy (full name the Gallagher/Bankert Memorial Trophy) should be plenty heated. This will be the 18th time these two have gone at it, and Walsh has claimed ten of the last thirteen meetings. Neither team has been especially good at putting points on the board, but Walsh has definitely shown more prowess at keeping opponents from scoring, yielding about eight fewer points per game than the Pioneers. And, despite losing four straight (while Malone notched a victory last week), Walsh has seemingly been more competitive later into games. The Cavaliers' Anthony Schrock is third in the league in receiving, which is pretty impressive considering that Walsh's passing offense is one of the least-effective in the league and has had to jumble QB's. If Schrock has another big day, it will bode well for the Cav's.

While both clubs have had their struggles, they have also shown some signs of figuring out how to be competitive weekly in this league. Seldom have newcomers figured that out quickly, so that's not intended as a slight in anyway. They get to take out some early-season frustrations against an arch-rival so this one should be fun to watch. While Walsh's current win streak in the series probably has Malone pretty ticked-off, I don't know if they have the defense that the Cavaliers do. I'll take the "home-standers" to get their first GLIAC win. Walsh 25, Malone 21.


Lake Erie (0-4, 0-5) at Notre Dame (0-4, 1-4)

Whenever I see a match-up like this I laugh to myself...and it's not about the records. Student-athletes have to work hard at so many things and manage their time and energy really well. I admire that and the effort they put into their various tasks. So, to have one of their life's passions drag them through a tough year with a bunch of difficult results is unfortunate. It's certainly a part of the educative process, as we all must learn to handle losing. That said, a season like what these two have had thus far (at least W/L-wise) just has to be so hard to stomach.

No, what I chuckle about with these is that when you get the league's two least-effective defenses on the field against each other it's so easy to presume that the game will be some sort of track meet. Invariably I'll predict such a thing, and invariably I'll be so wrong that all I can do as laugh at myself. I suppose providing one's self with endless entertainment has its own merits, but it certainly compromises they scant shreds of credibility I might ever have had as a football journalist. Oh well, I like my fun so let's stick with it!

Yep, the league's two most porous defenses in terms of points allowed will tangle. Despite the fact that Notre Dame gives up a league-worst 56 points per contest, for some reason I like them here. Their offense seems to have just a touch more polish than LEC's, with Ray Russ awakening in the passing game last week and Pedro Powell finally getting back on track after a couple of lackluster performances. While LEC QB Patrick Nicely has been valiant in leading his club, I just don't think The Storm will be able to keep up with NDC's attack. Notre Dame 48, Lake Erie 35.


Ferris State (2-2, 3-2) at #2 Grand Valley (4-0, 5-0)
The Anchor-Bone Classic

Saturday will mark the 41st meeting between these two, and while the Lakers have notched eleven straight wins in the series the value of this match-up hasn't diminished. Both clubs circle it on their calendars, and it goes without saying that the folks in Big Rapids are especially fired-up to find out what interesting wrinkles their new coaching staff will have cooked-up in order to end GV's recent run of dominance.

It goes without saying that Ferris will have their chance. Yes, Grand Valley is unbeaten this year but to say that they have looked somewhat "clunky" at times in getting there might be an understatement. The Laker defense is next to last in the GLIAC in total defense and is yielding 30 points per game (and that's with a shutout in there). Ferris comes in leading the league in rushing at almost 310 yards per contest, and their new scheme under first-year head coach Tony Annese is unique to the GLIAC...and just might provide another fitful evening for the Lakers, who have struggled more with running QB's out of an option style, attacking run game than they have against power run games. Grand Valley was much better against the run a week ago against Tech, but again, the Huskies are more power in their approach.

So, can the Ferris offense run roughshod over the Laker defense? Maybe. They certainly can't afford to go 7 or 22 on third down like they did against Ashland in their first loss, nor can they turn it over four times like they did getting napped at Saginaw a week ago. If they can avoid the mistakes, the Bulldog offense can absolutely do an adequate amount of damage to garner win on Saturday. With all of that said, I'm not sure if I'm convinced that their defense can do enough against the Grand Valley O. While the 'Dawgs took a (somewhat surprising) major step forward in slowing down Saginaw Valley last week, on the season the FSU pass defense has had some major struggles. They are tasked this week with slowing down arguably the league's best WR in Charles Johnson, and a passing attack that has seen QB Isiah Grimes throw for 727 yards over his first two collegiate starts. It'll probably be another wild one, but the Lakers seem to know how to pull these types of games out this year. It's hard not to like them to do it again. Grand Valley 47, Ferris 38.