All right, Gang...last week really was a bit on the "vanilla" side. If I can run the table, you know things were easy. This week, however, is LOADED with interesting contests. This is what makes the GLIAC so fun...I could point to at least half of these games where either team could win and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.


Ferris State v Michigan Tech - Hard not be impressed with both clubs' performances last week. That said, Tech's outcome was far more in-line with "expected" than not. The manner in which FSU blew out ODU definitely raised one of my eyebrows...will let you jokers guess as to which one. In any case, the FSU D is REALLY good. That alone can win you ball games. They will get a stiffer test this week IMO, as ODU's O definitely lost some key pieces (Dez Stewart comes to mind) and may have to do a bit more retooling than they thought. Tech's O will likely pose a bigger challenge, particularly at home. While I still wonder if Ferris will be as weekly consistent with Bell as they were with JVL (particularly in the short term), it's hard for me not to roll with them until proven otherwise.

Davenport v Tiffin - Nice win for DU last week. Congrats to them on their first win in program history. Beating a middle/lower level NAIA team is a bit misleading, however, and their first taste of the GLIAC's weekly punch-in-the-mouth will be interesting. Pipken and Co. are likely a little irritated by nearly being shout out last week...definitely not in line with the potential their weaponry offers. DU will have its day in this league, but they are REALLY young and those days are likely a few years down the line. TU gives up a few points, but cruises in their home opener.

Angelo State v Northern Michigan - What did I tell you last week about the "Troll Effect"? NMU looked like they spent most of the first half on the bus, but once they woke up they held LEC to three second half points in regulation, and fought back from a 22 point deficit. So, I automatically like their chances today for the simple fact they are at home. Now, Angelo was a 7-4 team in a decent LSC last year. They dropped a 33-19 decision at McKendree last week despite forcing four turnovers, returning an INT for a TD, registering a safety, and blocking both a FG and a PAT. How does that happen, you ask? Well, your O has to turn it over six times and yield six sacks with new guys playing QB. I think this game will be competitive, but I just have a hard time believing that Northern's O isn't leaps-and-bounds better than McKendree's, and won't commit anywhere near the number of mistakes. Add in the second week of a LONG road trips and the likelihood that NMU will be able to generate a healthy/disruptive pass rush, and I like the 'Cats here.

Lake Erie v Grand Valley State - GV and LEC have played in each of the last four seasons. The Storm has actually managed to cobble together some offense against the Lakers, averaging 24.25 ppg in the series. Why are they 0-4 against GV? Because their D has only held the Lakers under 60 once in four tries...and that was still a 57-spot. GV's D looked very good last week, and it will be interesting to see how solid they are this week against another spread-based attack. Given GV's proclivity for 60+'ers against The Storm, it's hard to think this game will stay close for very long.

Walsh v Hillsdale - Great win for the Chagas last week over the GLVC Champs. They open GLIAC play with a Walsh club heading to Michigan for the second straight week. The Cavs will jump up and bite a couple of folks this year, but I don't think it happens this week...particularly if Chance Stewart continues to progress within the HC system. Long drives that end in points are a must for Walsh if they want to hang around here...just don't see it happening.

Ohio Dominican v Findlay - I am genuinely flummoxed by this one. I knew that ODU would have some work to do...lost a couple of weapons on both sides of the ball, new coach, etc. But to see them go to Ferris and simply get pasted like they did last week surprised me. Findlay opened in "as they should" fashion, but they were a bit up-and-down at times last year and I'm starting to wonder if/when the roller coaster starts again. I look at this game and ask myself: Is ODU really THAT much worse than last year? I mean, their three losses in 2015 were to playoff teams, and a couple of those games were last-possession affairs. I'm inclined to think that the sample sizes we have thus far just aren't wholly indicative of what either team truly is. I am going simply on a gut call here with the Panthers...don't ask me why, but I just have a hunch ODU will come into this one with something to prove.

Wayne State v Ashland - This should be a REALLY good game. Both teams handled their business last week. While I think that from top-to-bottom AU has more talent, Wayne's ability to play a tough, physical game is going to present a significant challenge. WSU will run the ball, and if they are able to do it effectively this game will be tight. I'll take Ashland at home with their weapons, but this will be one of the hardest fought wins they'll have had in a while. If WSU runs for 250 or more and is able to pressure Tarnowski and hit him a few times, this could turn into a street fight. All bets will be off at that point.

Northwood v Saginaw Valley State - Ah, The Axe Bowl. The GLIAC has several rivalry/trophy games, and this is a great one. Both teams played multiple new QB's last week...and both teams got clobbered last week. This is a throw-the-records-out affair most of the time, so analyzing it to death won't help. I'm rolling with this: SV is at home, and has a staff that likely has more to lose by dropping this game and having a tough season. They NEED this game more than NU does. I get that isn't scientific, but that's what I'm rolling with.