Week 1 Predictions and Rankings

[GMACFB]

Week 0 is behind us and we now begin the regular season with everyone in action. A mixed result on week 0 as Tiffin lost a game they seem to dominate and Kentucky Wesleyan had perhaps the worse loss in DII to start the year. With the playoffs being decided with a computer formula this year the non conference games are even more important. We need a big week from all the GMAC teams.

1.#12 Ashland vs #25 IUP - Ashland opens the season against the preseason PSAC West division favorites and the 25th ranked team in the country (AFCA) in IUP. Personally I do think these rankings are a little high as IUP is replacing a ton of talent including one of the best QBs in the country. This is always a tight game but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles stretch it out at home in the 4th quarter. Ashland starts the year tough and proves why they are the 13th ranked team in the country. ASHLAND wins 27-10.
2. Northwood vs. Wayne State - Wayne State is going to be a better team this year but Northwood might have the best team they have had in over 20 years. Wayne State plays there best football at the start of every season but the Timberwolves have large expectations this year and they get off to a fast start on the road. Northwood wins 41-17.
3. #19 Findlay vs #7 UIndy - A very tough test for the Oilers to start the season. UIndy has a game under their belt and seemed to figure things out as their game went along in a week 0 win. Traveling to the 7th ranked team in the country to open the season with a new coach and a bunch of new talent is just to much for me to take Findlay to win this one. Findlay is going to be ok but this is tough. UIndy wins 27-17.
4. Tiffin vs Northern Michigan - Tiffin had a week 0 game that I still am not sure how they managed to lose. Outgained Carson Newman 442 to 228 yards and built multiple double digits leads only to give up the lead for the first time with 43 seconds left after being outscored 10-0 in the 4th quarter. Just a devasting loss for the Dragons and honestly the conference as a whole as that would of been a very good non conference victory. Ronald Blackman is the most complete RB in the country and is in for another big season but can Tiffin bounce back and go on another long road trip? Heading up to Northern Michigan is a long haul but luckily the Wildcats had a rough looking start to open their season as they also took a loss. I think this ends up being a close game but Tiffin rides Blackman to a win. Tiffin wins 38-31.
5. Hillsdale vs McKendree - McKendree played SVSU in week 0 and got beat badly. The Bearcats did play better in the second half but Hillsdale is loaded with talent. The Chargers have not in recent memory started the seasons very well but with their returning experience look for Hillsdale to win by double digits. Hillsdale has the experience and talent to be a true sleeper in the GMAC. Hillsdale wins 31-20.
6. Ohio Dominican - Maybe you have heard that Ohio Dominican had a week 0 game against a FCS DI team and WON. With highlights on Sporstcenter the Panthers are flying high as they travel to Edinboro. Ohio Dominican better get refocused real quick as the Fighting Scots come in after a 7-4 season and feeling good about the year ahead. Honestly Edinboro is probably better than Morehead State but these Panthers looked so much different on offense in the first game that I have high enough hopes for this team to jump them up 1 spot in my rankings. When is the last time the Panthers put up 506 yards of offense with 23 first downs? The defense did give up a huge comeback but were able to make plays throughout the night. This is a big non conference game for the conference and I am riding the Panthers to do it again this week. Ohio Dominican wins 21-20.
7. Walsh vs Wheeling - Walsh had a week 0 game and came out with a 30-27 win over West Liberty. The Cavaliers built a 30-13 lead before hanging on for the victory in the 4th quarter. The Walsh offense looked great at times putting up 428 yards but the defense struggled giving up 446 yards. The defense will need to improve this week as Wheeling comes into town after scoring a victory over Thomas More in week 0. Walsh easily won this game last year and I think they will do the same this year. Walsh wins 34-13.
8. Lake Erie vs Saint Anselm - This is a favorable matchup to start the season for the Storm. Saint Anselm is transitioning to DIII in 2027 and I think Lake Erie should have their way with them. I know that sounds strange but if Lake Erie doesn't win then our bottom 3 teams might be the 3 worse teams in DII. Lake Erie is good enough to win this one. Lake Erie wins 41-24.
9. Thomas More Bye Week - Thomas More had a week 0 game and lost to Wheeling 27-10. After leading 7-0 at the half the Saints gave up 27 straight second half points. Thomas More will need to get much better as their next opponent is University of Dayton in week 2.
10. Kentucky Wesleyan Bye Week - KWU had a week 0 game and lost to NAIA Kentucky Christian. The Panthers lost to a NAIA team that went 4-6 last year and it wasn't even close 44-24. In fact KCU felt bad for KWU and called off the dogs as it was 35-3 at halftime. Something needs done at KWU as that is embarrassing to all of DII football.

PLEASE SHARE HOW YOU SEE THE WEEK OF GAMES GOING. LETS GO GMAC!!

[Bballfan]

What needs done with KWC football is it needs eliminated. The school has no money. They already cut some other sports at the school. Nobody cares about football at a basketball school anyhow. At some point it is just about ego sadly.

Indy can't get into the GMAC soon enough.

[SVSUAlum]

The GMAC is gonna be a great conference next year. It’s top 4 or 5 teams are all good and next year they add UIndy. The GMAC becomes very deep with 6 quality teams. They are starting to become level with the top conferences in the amount of quality teams in the league. Sure you all still have KWU, Thomas More and Lake Erie but the rest of the conference is respectable.
My top 3 teams this year would be:
1. Northwood - Most balanced team overall.
2. Ashland - Always good and they have championship history.
3. Hillsdale - Most experienced team in the country.

I think one of these 3 teams win it this year. Enjoy it now because Indy is coming next year to take everything.

[BlazedTheDragon]

I was honestly baffled watching the Tiffin game last week. I have never seen a kickoff unit so garbage; part of the reason Tiffin outgained Carson Newman by so much was that Carson Newman seemed to be starting in plus territory every time. The bright spot of the game was Ronald Blackman. Having him back at running back is going to be an absolute weapon for the Dragons as the season goes on. He looked as fast as I had seen him play over the last 4 years. Kyle Antione ended up starting for the Dragons while Cane Mack would come in to run as well. They each had a rushing TD in the contest. Antione looked good at times but also shaky at times, and the pick was a fairly ugly one backed up. He also had a snap go over his head, and he wasn't able to get on it. Unfourtanatly turnovers, special teams, and giving up explosive passes were the main reasons I think that Tiffin lost. (At the end of the first quarter, Tiffin had Carson Newman outgained 100-0, literally 0 yards of offense in the 1st quarter). Still can't believe they lost, because it did feel like Tiffin dominated the game.

Winners:
Ashland
Northwood
Uindy
Tiffin
Hillsdale
ODU
Walsh
Lake Erie


Also, Uindy will not just walk in and dominate next year, have people forgot that they lost to Findlay last year? And also have went 1-1 against tiffin in their last 2 and also had a battle with Ashland last year. The Gmac has some quality football teams.

[Bballfan]

I


Also, Uindy will not just walk in and dominate next year, have people forgot that they lost to Findlay last year? And also have went 1-1 against tiffin in their last 2 and also had a battle with Ashland last year. The Gmac has some quality football teams.

They do. They also have some garbage teams.

Outside of Grand Valley and Ferris State, a number of GMAC schools are on par with other schools in the region when it comes to football. I mean Ferris State should be playing a non-power 4 FBS schedule.

[GMACFB]

I would agree the addition of UIndy will make the GMAC much closer to conferences like the PSAC, MIAA, and NSIC. The GLIAC has the best team or 2 but as far as overall depth they lack. With UIndy joining we have 6 quality teams that might have 4 ranked in the top 20 regularly. That’s pretty good. Personally it would be nice to see the GMAC and GLVC combine and make a 2 division conference with end of year cross overs.

[OilerNTN07]

Well the season is officially underway. Looking forward to the twists and turns through the season (as long as they are positive for UF of course). Picks this week without much commentary until we see how some of these teams stack up.

Ashland - Tough to call, but I’ll roll with GMAC

Northwood - Interesting to see how Northwood builds on last year’s success.

Findlay - Taking the Oilers here to get a kick start of the John’s era.

Northern Michigan - Tiffin is certainly getting their mileage in early in the season (I think last week was at CN). If this were at Tiffin, I’d probably go with the Dragons, but this could be a tough early hole if the Dragons drop this one.

Edinboro - Was last week a fluke or has ODU got something cooking? This week will help bring some clarity.

Walsh and Lake Erie for the final two picks, just because GMAC.

**BONUS PICK**

I’ll take Bye Week over KWU. Not trying to kick a horse while their down, but in all seriousness hate to see the kids have to suffer if the university is not supporting the program the way they should.

[TheDog]

I would agree the addition of UIndy will make the GMAC much closer to conferences like the PSAC, MIAA, and NSIC. The GLIAC has the best team or 2 but as far as overall depth they lack. With UIndy joining we have 6 quality teams that might have 4 ranked in the top 20 regularly. That’s pretty good. Personally it would be nice to see the GMAC and GLVC combine and make a 2 division conference with end of year cross overs.

Privates get by much better in a conference full of privates rather than with state schools like in the GLIAC.

[Bballfan]

1. Ashland vs IUP - Ashland really struggled the last time they played IUP at home. I think they can win, but would not be surprised if IUP does. Will go with Ashland.
2. Northwood vs. Wayne State - Northwood.
3. Findlay vs UIndy - Findlay has a new coach and a tough opener. I will go with future GMAC opponent UIndy.
4. Tiffin vs Northern Michigan - If Tiffin can't beat Northern Michigan, they are going to have a tough year. Tiffin.
5. Hillsdale vs McKendree - GLVC football is not at the same level as the GMAC (and will be even worse next year without UIndy). Hillsdale.
6. Ohio Dominican - Edinboro is not Morehead State. They are competent football team. Edinboro.
7. Walsh vs Wheeling - Wheeling is one of those schools hanging on by a thread to even stay open. Their athletics are a reflection of how bad the school is financially. Walsh.
8. Lake Erie vs Saint Anselm - Not often Lake Erie wins. They do here.

[Bballfan]

Ashland again struggled to IUP last night. At one point down 31 - 10. So the final score wasn't indicative of how Ashland got dominated for 3 quarters.

[TheDog]

Ashland again struggled to IUP last night. At one point down 31 - 10. So the final score wasn't indicative of how Ashland got dominated for 3 quarters.

Looks like Findlay or Northwood are the top programs in the GMAC this year. Can't give Hillsdale any love being our sworn enemy!

[GMACFB]

A rough night for the league besides Northwood looking like men among boys in their game against Wayne State. Ashland looked rough but I did think IUP had some good players including the QB. Ashland secondary looked young and small and the offensive running game was terrible. Look for big improvements as the season goes for the Eagles. Then we have Ohio Dominican who again blew a large lead but lost this time in 3OT. Would have been a great non conference win and seemed to be the better team but found a way to lose. Come on GMAC we need some wins!

[Bballfan]

Looks like Findlay or Northwood are the top programs in the GMAC this year. Can't give Hillsdale any love being our sworn enemy!

Hard to say. I mean Ashland is going to start the season 0 - 2 most likely, but then they are done with the public schools. Findlay and Hillsdale will be road challenges, but I don't believe either of those schools are at the level of Ashland's first two opponents.

Could see them still finishing 9 - 2.