Only two games for me this week that seemed to be a fairly easy choice. I could see the other five easily go either way.
Augustana at Minnesota State-Mankato - GOTW. Augie's got a good run defense, and Kato is more of a running team. I'm thinking it will come down to the passing game, and frankly Augie is better in that regard. MSU has the benefit of home field advantage, but I don't think that will sway things enough to keep Augie from winning in what looks to be a tight contest.
Upper Iowa at Minot State - Try as they might, one of these teams will definitely not be going 0-11 this season. Minot has been playing tougher the last few weeks. I haven't seen that same toughness from UIU. Tack on the longest road trip in the conference and I think Minot gets their first win.
Mary at Minnesota State-Moorhead - Another toss-up. Mary has a great offense, but really no defense. I don't know much about Moorhead except for their scores, but from those they appear to be a little more balanced. I don't think they'll have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Marauders, who are probably looking to score after getting held down last Saturday. I'll pick Mary in an offensive shootout.
Northern State at Concordia-St. Paul - Easy pick #1 of the week. Northern doesn't appear to have the luster they did early in the season, but unfortunately for Concordia, the Golden Bears haven't had any luster this season. I think Northern takes this one easily as long as they don't overlook CSP.
Winona State at Sioux Falls - Yet another toss-up. If the Coo play like they have against Augie and Mary, then it will be a USF victory. If they play like they did against Northern and Bemidji, then I think Winona will win. As spotty as the Coo have been this year, the Warriors have been even more so. That also factors into the mix. I'm taking USF at home by a field goal.
Bemidji State at Minnesota-Duluth - On paper this looks like it should be a Bulldog win, but I also thought that a couple weeks ago when WSC came to town. Bemidji is an above average team this year, but as the season progresses their percentile seems to be dropping. They certainly have the ability to knock off Duluth. I'm going to go with the safe pick, however.
Wayne State at Southwest Minnesota State - Easy pick #2 of the week. SMSU is going to face an angry Wildcat team coming in after last week's home loss. I don't think the Mustangs have the offense needed to secure a victory against Wayne.
Augustana at Minnesota State-Mankato - GOTW. Augie's got a good run defense, and Kato is more of a running team. I'm thinking it will come down to the passing game, and frankly Augie is better in that regard. MSU has the benefit of home field advantage, but I don't think that will sway things enough to keep Augie from winning in what looks to be a tight contest.
Upper Iowa at Minot State - Try as they might, one of these teams will definitely not be going 0-11 this season. Minot has been playing tougher the last few weeks. I haven't seen that same toughness from UIU. Tack on the longest road trip in the conference and I think Minot gets their first win.
Mary at Minnesota State-Moorhead - Another toss-up. Mary has a great offense, but really no defense. I don't know much about Moorhead except for their scores, but from those they appear to be a little more balanced. I don't think they'll have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Marauders, who are probably looking to score after getting held down last Saturday. I'll pick Mary in an offensive shootout.
Northern State at Concordia-St. Paul - Easy pick #1 of the week. Northern doesn't appear to have the luster they did early in the season, but unfortunately for Concordia, the Golden Bears haven't had any luster this season. I think Northern takes this one easily as long as they don't overlook CSP.
Winona State at Sioux Falls - Yet another toss-up. If the Coo play like they have against Augie and Mary, then it will be a USF victory. If they play like they did against Northern and Bemidji, then I think Winona will win. As spotty as the Coo have been this year, the Warriors have been even more so. That also factors into the mix. I'm taking USF at home by a field goal.
Bemidji State at Minnesota-Duluth - On paper this looks like it should be a Bulldog win, but I also thought that a couple weeks ago when WSC came to town. Bemidji is an above average team this year, but as the season progresses their percentile seems to be dropping. They certainly have the ability to knock off Duluth. I'm going to go with the safe pick, however.
Wayne State at Southwest Minnesota State - Easy pick #2 of the week. SMSU is going to face an angry Wildcat team coming in after last week's home loss. I don't think the Mustangs have the offense needed to secure a victory against Wayne.
Comment