I wanted to get a special preview out early for the Wayne State at Saginaw Valley match-up with the game being played on Thursday. It should be a great game, as both clubs come in with only one loss. The game will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports Network as this week's Division II Game of the Week. If you can't be on the SVSU campus for this one, be sure and check it out on TV...and follow along with me as I'll be doing a LIVE BLOG from Wickes. I did this for the Ashland at Saginaw national game last year and it was pretty fun. Hopefully some of you will be bored out of your minds on Thursday and want to hang out with me via the web!

#21 Wayne State (4-1, 4-1) at #15 Saginaw Valley (4-1, 5-1)

As mentioned above, each club enters with a single loss. Both teams are also on decent win streaks, with Saginaw having rattled off three straight and the Warriors tallying four in a row after their opening defeat. I'm looking forward to this one because this should match strength vs. strength: The SVSU offense is the better of their sides of the ball, and they'll be running headlong into the Wayne State defense which has had the bigger impact on Wayne's outcomes thus far. Specifically, I want to see if the Warrior D will be able to get pressure on Jon Jennings and force/create mistakes, or will JJ be able to get things rolling to the other JJ (Jeff Janis) and make it a night full of big-plays.

Not that big plays would be the exclusive dominion of the Cardinals in this one. To be frank, I thought that the biggest difference in Wayne's victory over Hillsdale this past week was their ability to create and cash in on big plays. There were multiple ways that Hillsdale was doing a lot of what it wanted in that game, but the Warriors got one big play via the air to set up their first score, a long pick-six for their second, and an amazing long run by Desmond Martin to set up their third. That's the story of their 17-0 lead, and when you toss in a few more turnovers (including one that set up Wayne for a two-play, 12-yard drive for their final score) it's easy to see why the Chargers weren't able to make it all the way back. So, while everyone expects fireworks from the SV offense, the Cardinals must make sure they avoid mistakes because Wayne has a knack for cashing those in. Further, the ability of the Cards to stifle any chunk plays by Wayne's O will be key.

Of course, chunk plays aren't exactly the bread-and-butter of Wayne. Their preference is to snag big plays when they can (again, like last week), but do so in conjunction with physically beating a team up and grinding out long drives. If they're able to do that well, it follow the pattern of how to knock off Saginaw. The Cards' lone loss and overtime win over Ferris were due in large part to their opponent limiting the number of possessions the SV offense had. If the Warriors can do this, their chances for victory improve dramatically. I don't see any way for Wayne to shut Saginaw out, but if they can keep them 'under wraps' a bit, this will be a game they can take.

Wow...which force will win? Saginaw's passing game (tops in the GLIAC), or Wayne's pass D (also best in the league)? Wayne just passed a major test a week ago, but the Cards O has definitely shown to be a bit more explosive this season than Hillsdale's. Add to that Saginaw getting this one at home (a decided advantage on the short week), and it's hard not to like the Cardinals. Of course, Wayne does have the ability and mindset to grind this one...and that works against SV. Plus, the Wayne D is probably the best one that the Cardinals have faced to this point. I hate to say it, Gang, but I'm stumped. It's another coin-flip special! I haven't done this since week one, so I'm kinda due for one. Heads Wayne, Tails Saginaw: Tails it is! Saginaw Valley 26, Wayne State 25.