Got back on the good foot last week. Only mis-step was Tech @ Hillsdale, and if you saw my blog post version of this you know that the day after I picked it I still was up in the air about it. If I had known Stewart was going to be able to give it a go for the Chargers, I likely would have switched. Oh well, that's what great about this league...sometimes you just can't tell what the heck is going on.

This week appears to be a bit more straightforward, although Hillsdale is once again in the middle of the pick that likely is giving folks the most trouble.


Grand Valley State vs Ohio Dominican

The final GLIAC installment of this rivalry actually has some juice to it despite the fact that these two clubs have only played a few times. I had a conversation with someone who is very close to things after last year's clash, and they referred to it as "two good D2 teams beating the #%(& out of each other", and that's just the most recent instance that makes the series intriguing. Many are classifying this as GV's first "real test" of the year. While I'm inclined to agree from a rivalry standpoint, I'm very interested to see if this game actually pans out that way. Let's face it, ODU's playmakers at the skill positions are not at the same caliber as the Dez Stewarts, Brandon Schoens and Mark Nichols of the recent past. And while the defense has been decidedly stingier the last couple of weeks, defending Tech and Saginaw just isn't the same as stopping Ferris and Findlay. In ODU's time in the league, this is the most potent GV offense they have faced and this Panther team is not at the same level it was over the last two or three seasons. ODU is still solid and their desire to knock off GV one last time will enhance their effort, but it's hard not to see GV handling this one. As long as they focus only on today and don't trap themselves by thinking ahead to next week's rivalry tilt with Ferris, the Lakers win.


Saginaw Valley vs Michigan Tech

Tech is probably upset enough by having dropped their roadie at Hillsdale last week. Add to the fact that the 4Q completely got a way from them and the score made things looks less competitive than it was, and the Huskies are going to be focused on "corrective action" this week. Houghton is a tough enough place to win as it is, but when your offense struggles to move the ball it makes it that much tougher...and SV has continued to have issues in that department. SV's D has been above average thus far and will give the Huskies a bit of a hard time, but in the end their inability to put multiple, consistent, point-generating drives together will be the Cards' undoing.


Lake Erie vs Northwood

In this week's installment of "something has to give", it's pretty obvious that LEC is the better candidate to wind up "the giver". Despite not having won yet this year, Northwood has been competitive nearly every week. Their last three games have all been one-score affairs that have come down to the game's final possession. The Storm? Well, not so much...their giving up more than 50 points per game and have simply not been able to hang around very long in their contests. No guarantee they don't figure things out today, but I'm not willing to bet on it.


Ashland vs Tiffin

After a ridiculously successful 2015 season, Antonio Pipken entered this season as the presumed "best player in the GLIAC" and a potential Harlon Hill candidate. After four weeks, his output has been middling in terms of the league, and while he hasn't been ineffective he hasn't been the force he was a year ago. Not sure if DC's around the league have figured things out, if his line-play isn't as strong or what. A massive effort will be required from him today if the Dragons are going to knock off Ashland. The Eagles used a second half steamroll job to overcome a three-score deficit and hand Ferris its first regular season loss in nearly three full seasons. Unless they have a hangover from that, they are far more talented and polished than Tiffin and should have little trouble today. Is this the game that Pipken breaks out for this year? It'll take that and then some for the Dragons to pull the upset.


Walsh vs Northern Michigan

The Cavaliers continue their league farewell tour by making their second U.P. trip of the season. They will visit the SuperiorDome, which is arguably the biggest home field advantage in the league. While I think NMU hasn't played to its potential yet, they have still figured out how to win a couple of games. They'll get a WU unit that endured some significant physicality last week from GV's visit. A long tiring game, with a long tiring trip, probably equates to the Cavs playing, well, tired. They'll make it interesting as their defense continues to show that it is better than people might want to believe, but their lack of offensive punch will cost them.


Hillsdale vs Wayne State

If there has been any team in my years of covering the league that has given me fits in game picking, it is Hillsdale. Looks like that trend will continue as they've tripped me up each of the last two weeks. So, how will they fair against their nearest league rival in Wayne State? While Wayne's overall firepower offensively probably isn't as potent as Hillsdale's (particularly with Chance Stewart at the controls), the Warriors will have an advantage physically. If they are able to keep HC's offense on the sideline with big doses of Brown and Stinson, that will make it harder for HC to get the type of rhythm they like going on O...and they'll need to do it, as I think HC's offense will pose some match-up issues for Wayne's D...particularly in the passing game. HC's D has been serviceable thus far, but has been beset by injuries and will have its work cut out for it. Look, to me this is a coin-flip affair. I will be pretty surprised if this game isn't tight into the 4Q and winds up being a last-possession kind of deal. In those kinds of games, it's hard to say either team has a significant advantage. Heads Hillsdale, Tails Wayne: Tails it is.


Ferris State vs Findlay

I'm normally inclined to think that good teams that suffer tough losses come back the next week angry, uber-focused, and destructive the following Saturday. While I'm OK with the premise that Ferris will come out firing today, I still think this game will be a bit more interesting than some think. Reason? Despite FSU's defensive front being strong and there being a significant amount of experience on the D as a whole, the 'Dawgs have shown a proclivity to give up big plays...particularly in the passing game. UF has the ponies to exploit that. Their problem? I don't think their D can get enough stops against Ferris. AU dominated them, and ODU did whatever they wanted as well. This one is interesting and may well be in doubt until late, but I think Ferris top-to-bottom still has too much firepower on offense and will simply wind up with more big plays that Findlay does.


Enjoy the day, gang. Follow along at the GLIAC Week 5 GameDay Home Page.