Now, we're on to the second half. Races tighten, playoff talk ramps up. Man, this time of the year is fun! Last week wasn't exactly "chalk", but there weren't any major surprises either. Plenty of interesting games start to dot the schedule beginning next weekend. As for Week 7, most of this seems pretty straightforward and a lot of us seem to be picking pretty similarly:


Northwood vs Ohio Dominican

If this game were at Northwood, I may actually be inclined to start sniffing around the upset bin. Despite only having won once, the Woodies have been more than competitive in multiple games and The Woodbone is always tough to prepare for...in part because you really only see it the one time each year. Be that as it may, I think the key here is that ODU is strong up front and has some guys on the back end that can run. Sound assignment keeping and being able to get sideline-to-sideline defensively usually stifles most option-style attacks and ODU has that ability. Moreover, if ODU has a weakness on defense it would be in defending the pass...and Northwood's passing game is the least potent in the GLIAC. Run heavy club heading against a D that's top five in the league in stopping the run? Advantage, Defense. In this case, advantage Panthers.


Walsh vs Wayne State

My vision of this game almost looks like Rock'Em, Sock'Em Robots. To guys sitting in the middle of the ring, not able to move a whole lot, pounding the tar out of each other. Both defenses are solid, and while Wayne's O has posted some points this year it has been accomplished more so by beating people into submission than it has being explosive. Despite the 0'fer record, Walsh doesn't typically give up tons of big plays and makes teams earn every inch they gain. Both teams will feel the body blows of this engagement, but in the end it's the Cavs that get their "block knocked off".


Northern Michigan vs Ferris State

Here's another one that might be upset bin material were the venue reversed. Ferris is coming off their second loss in three weeks after not having dropped a regular season game since 2013. Add to that it was a rivalry game (and a physical one at that), and you have some hangover material. Top it off with a lack of certainty regarding the health of QB Reggie Bell and this game being in the Dome would be plenty more interesting. Ahh, but it is not in the Dome...and hence the Troll Effect enters as a factor. Look, while there is some merit to the list of theoretics I just offered, at the end of the day you've got a Ferris offense that can move the ball all over the lot and a Northern defense that is, well, a little too friendly about letting teams do just that. The 'Cats are next to last in the league in rush defense and total defense. Look for a sizable day from Reggie Bell, and I have a suspicion that Jahaan Brown will have his best game of the season to date. Ferris is home for four of their last five, and they get that stretch started in fine fashion.


Ashland vs Lake Erie

The #1 offense in the league against the conference's most porous defense. Nothing to see here, people...just move along.


Michigan Tech vs Tiffin

Ahhh, a game with some intrigue. Traditional wisdom has the Huskies rolling in this one. But traditional wisdom hasn't been worth much around the GLIAC this year. While I'm not comfortable picking against Tech with two weeks to prepare, I think their extra prep time gets negated by the fact that they're on the road. So, with things seemingly "level" I go by the following: I've mentioned a couple of times recently that Tiffin is giving me the impression that they spent the first couple weeks of the season learning how to handle expectations (they've never really had those before), and are now starting to hit a stride. Their 3-1 in their last four games, and are averaging 32 points per outing. Tech has only scored 32 or more once this year...and that was before Labor Day. These are two teams trending in the opposite direction, and I like Tiffin to be able to move the ball here. Pipken has completed 60% of his passes over the last four games, and thrown for 10 TD's vs. 2 picks. If he keeps playing this well, I just don't think Tech has enough offense (particularly late) to come away with this one.


Hillsdale vs Findlay

Hillsdale, Hillsdale. What the heck am I going to do with you? In all my years of covering this league I don't think I've ever been less effective at picking any one team correctly. So, while I think that Hillsdale's D has its issues, the week off may have helped with that a bit in getting some guys back. And, like Tech, I'm seldom inclined to pick against Otter when he's had an extra week to get ready for somebody. While I did pick against Tech, Hillsdale has not been trending as negatively. And, in this game, Findlay HAS been the team that has been struggling to get W's (lost four of their last five). While I think this game hits pretty solid on the entertainment meter and it stays somewhat close (and quite probably high scoring), I think a health Chance Stewart, Trey Brock, and Joe Reverman is just too much of the Oilers. This is no cakewalk, but the Chagas get it done.


Truman State vs GVSU

This game actually has some on-paper intrigue. The Bulldogs are 5-1, so anytime you get a game this late in the season and the clubs have only combined for a single loss it's pretty good. And, a few of Truman's kids probably remember losing at GV back in 2013 and walking away thinking "we had a chance in that game". Add to that their bringing the ninth stingiest defense in the country (only allowing 14.5 points per game) and the GLVC is bringing it's best in to try and prove that their league is just as good as ours. While I'm not inclined to believe that, it can always be proven on the field. So, here's why I think GV should prevail...while Truman's D is pretty stout, their offense is perplexingly average. The Bulldogs have actually given up more yards than they have gained on the season, and while they are tops in the GLVC against the run they have the league's worst pass defense. Add to that the fact that they have the least potent pass offense in the league, and what you have is a club that likes to stay "on schedule". They accomplish this by getting leads, minimizing mistakes, running the ball effectively, and getting their defense off the field on third down. Now, being on schedule is neat but GV's scoring defense is actually fifth in the country and is likely more talented (particularly up front) than what the Bulldogs have seen thus far. This game has plenty of reasons to be interesting (including being the second straight GV game against Bulldogs), but barring some sort of hangover/collapse it's just hard to see this one still being in doubt into the 4th quarter.


Gonna be another gorgeous day tomorrow, Folks. Get out and enjoy one of these games and support these kids who work so hard on the field and in the classroom. Of course, as always, you can keep tabs on every game at the GLIAC Week 7 GameDay HomePage.