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I managed to pick all of the games right last weekend. Second perfect week this season! Not sure what's in the water to cause me to do that, but let's see if I can get a third:
Augustana at Concordia-St. Paul - While I didn't see the game, the final score indicated that last Saturday Concordia struggled a bit with Crookston, which not what I would have expected. Granted it was on the road, but still. Augie did not have any trouble all with Mary, with a dominate win whereas Mary barely scored until junk time at the end of the game. Given their respective performances against struggling teams, I'm thinking the Vikings roll into St. Paul and get a victory by at least two scores.
Minot State at Minnesota State-Moorhead - I got to watch the USF/Moorhead game this last weekend. Moorhead has a potent offense that can score. Their Achilles heel seems to be their defense, which often looked to be in the right place but was having trouble making tackles. The Dragons have an easier matchup this weekend as the so far this season the Red Beavers have only been able to score 117 points in total. Taking out their two best offensive peformances (Mary and Crookston) they've only scored 55 points, working out to a 9 point per game average. I don't think Moorhead's defense will have too much trouble holding down Minot's offense. And I would be surprised to see the Dragons bounce back from last week's frustrating game and put up some impressive offensive numbers.
Minnesota State-Mankato at Wayne State - Both of these teams look like their typical selves this season. Because of this I'm not expecting an upset. The Mavericks should win this one comfortably.
Southwest Minnesota State at Winona State - Before the season started I would have guessed this game was already decided. Now? This might be the game of the week. Or at least one of the games of the week. Winona's injuries really seem to have taken their toll on a team that originally looked like they should return to the playoffs. SMSU struggled early, but have now won three of their last four games. I'm taking the "safe" pick with Winona at home, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if the Mustangs get the upset win.
Bemidji State at St. Cloud State - This is the other game of the week. Both of these teams appear to be very similar. Solid teams with very physical line play. Bemidji is coming off of two consecutive losses (Upper Iowa and Mankato) and St. Cloud is coming off of two consecutive wins (Sioux Falls and Upper Iowa.) Both teams are out of playoff contention, but this game could have some impact on a MWB berth. I am thinking that this will be a very hard fought game with the Green Beavers having a slight edge over the Huskies.
Upper Iowa at Sioux Falls - Which Peacock team will get off the bus on Saturday? UIU fans are hoping it's the one that beat Bemidji. USF fans are hoping it's the one that got thumped by Concordia. Consistency hasn't been the hallmark of either of these teams this season. USF is either playing lights-out (Augie, Minot, Moorhead) or like they're half asleep (Winona, Bemidji, St. Cloud.) The Coo need one more win to cement their 25th consecutive winning season. Their three losses this season have been by a combined total of 8 points so it's not like they're getting blown out, but at the same time it still counts as a tick in the loss column even if it was close. Overall the stats suggest that USF should win this one, but they need to play inspired to do it. I'm rooting for Gabe Watson to break the school record day he had last week and get 321 rushing yards.
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota-Crookston - I often root for the underdog in games that have no direct bearing on my team. Just because I like to root for the underdog. It's like the movie Rocky in real life. So come on Golden Eagles! Go out and get that upset!
Northern State at Mary - Unfortunately for Maurauder fans, I don't see them winning this one. But like I am rooting for Crookston, I'm also rooting for you!
Augustana at Concordia-St. Paul - While I didn't see the game, the final score indicated that last Saturday Concordia struggled a bit with Crookston, which not what I would have expected. Granted it was on the road, but still. Augie did not have any trouble all with Mary, with a dominate win whereas Mary barely scored until junk time at the end of the game. Given their respective performances against struggling teams, I'm thinking the Vikings roll into St. Paul and get a victory by at least two scores.
Minot State at Minnesota State-Moorhead - I got to watch the USF/Moorhead game this last weekend. Moorhead has a potent offense that can score. Their Achilles heel seems to be their defense, which often looked to be in the right place but was having trouble making tackles. The Dragons have an easier matchup this weekend as the so far this season the Red Beavers have only been able to score 117 points in total. Taking out their two best offensive peformances (Mary and Crookston) they've only scored 55 points, working out to a 9 point per game average. I don't think Moorhead's defense will have too much trouble holding down Minot's offense. And I would be surprised to see the Dragons bounce back from last week's frustrating game and put up some impressive offensive numbers.
Minnesota State-Mankato at Wayne State - Both of these teams look like their typical selves this season. Because of this I'm not expecting an upset. The Mavericks should win this one comfortably.
Southwest Minnesota State at Winona State - Before the season started I would have guessed this game was already decided. Now? This might be the game of the week. Or at least one of the games of the week. Winona's injuries really seem to have taken their toll on a team that originally looked like they should return to the playoffs. SMSU struggled early, but have now won three of their last four games. I'm taking the "safe" pick with Winona at home, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if the Mustangs get the upset win.
Bemidji State at St. Cloud State - This is the other game of the week. Both of these teams appear to be very similar. Solid teams with very physical line play. Bemidji is coming off of two consecutive losses (Upper Iowa and Mankato) and St. Cloud is coming off of two consecutive wins (Sioux Falls and Upper Iowa.) Both teams are out of playoff contention, but this game could have some impact on a MWB berth. I am thinking that this will be a very hard fought game with the Green Beavers having a slight edge over the Huskies.
Upper Iowa at Sioux Falls - Which Peacock team will get off the bus on Saturday? UIU fans are hoping it's the one that beat Bemidji. USF fans are hoping it's the one that got thumped by Concordia. Consistency hasn't been the hallmark of either of these teams this season. USF is either playing lights-out (Augie, Minot, Moorhead) or like they're half asleep (Winona, Bemidji, St. Cloud.) The Coo need one more win to cement their 25th consecutive winning season. Their three losses this season have been by a combined total of 8 points so it's not like they're getting blown out, but at the same time it still counts as a tick in the loss column even if it was close. Overall the stats suggest that USF should win this one, but they need to play inspired to do it. I'm rooting for Gabe Watson to break the school record day he had last week and get 321 rushing yards.
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota-Crookston - I often root for the underdog in games that have no direct bearing on my team. Just because I like to root for the underdog. It's like the movie Rocky in real life. So come on Golden Eagles! Go out and get that upset!
Northern State at Mary - Unfortunately for Maurauder fans, I don't see them winning this one. But like I am rooting for Crookston, I'm also rooting for you!
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