MIAA Week Six Column

October 4th, 2022 4:00pm

As we reach the midpoint of the season I think we know one thing about the MIAA in 2022, the conference is deep with talented teams. But are there any true national championship contenders? I have my doubts but there are a few teams that could win a playoff game and a couple others could win a bowl game. 

Week Five Game Recaps

Northwest Missouri 16 Missouri Western 3
This was the first game I have been able to attend in person this year. The first half was unpleasant to watch. Missouri Western put together two solid drives in the first half but settled for two short field goal attempts, including a missed 32 yarder. On the other side, the injury bug has definitely infected the Northwest Missouri offense. Mike Hohensee was out, Braden Wright played hurt and multiple lineman and skill guys were either out or playing hurt. That is the only reason I can think of for the most conservative play calling that I have seen outside of Iowa Hawkeyes football. The Bearcats had 6 drives in the first half and ran 21 plays for 47 yards (excluding the kneel down). 

Emporia State 42 Washburn 35
If you checked the score after the game was over you would have thought that this was a fun, competitive game. The problem is Emporia State was up 42-14 with 13 minutes left in the game. I give credit to the Ichabods for continuing to fight and making the game come down to an onside kick, but this was a dominant win for Emporia State. Braden Gleason was brutally efficient all day and shredded the Washburn secondary, especially in the 3rd quarter. The Hornets scored a touchdown on all three drives in the third quarter and the first drive of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 42-14. If Emporia State plays like this the rest of the year, they could absolutely upset Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri. This team is not out of the playoff race yet. Washburn needs to do something about their defense. The Ichabods have allowed 30+ points three times this year through five games. Washburn has to win out to have any hope of making the playoffs again.

Pittsburg State 38 Missouri Southern 9
Pittsburg State absolutely rolled in this one. Missouri Southern is an improved team this year but the Lions ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday. The Gorillas defense only allowed nine first down with 241 yards of offense at 4.4 yards per play. 

Nebraska-Kearney 38 Fort Hays 20
Nebraska-Kearney’s rushing attack was not its normal dominant self but TJ Davis hit on a couple long passing touchdowns and the Lopers got a big win. Last year Fort Hays upset the Lopers behind a big comeback. Chance Fuller returned for the Tigers but the Lopers defense played quite well. I will keep saying it, but if the Nebraska-Kearney defense can continue this level of play, then the Lopers are a scary football team.

Central Missouri 35 Northeastern State 13
This was a much needed win for Central Missouri. The Mules first four opponents were a combined 12-4 on the year not including their wins over Central Missouri. Shoutout to the Mules defense for allowing 180 yards of total offense in this game. Central Missouri just strangled the life out of Northeastern State. 

Central Oklahoma 45 Lincoln 3
Central Oklahoma did whatever they wanted to do on offense and defense. Shoutout to Jacob Delso, four receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns for the Bronchos. 

MIAA Week Six Power Rankings

1. Pittsburg State --

2. Nebraska-Kearney --

3. Northwest Missouri --

4. Emporia State +1

5. Washburn -1

6. Central Oklahoma +2

7. Missouri Western -1

8. Missouri Southern -1

9. Fort Hays --

10. Central Missouri --

11. Northeastern State --

12. Lincoln --

13.  Pittsburg State feels like the best team in the conference with Nebraska-Kearney right behind them.

14. The Northwest Missouri defense is the best unit in the MIAA, but they have to win one way right now, that is why they are 3.

15. Emporia State jumps into the top four and I think could be primed to play spoiler for the two teams ahead of them in the rankings. 

16. Washburn falls to five but they could keep falling if they do not fix that defense.

17. Central Oklahoma is playing tremendous football right now, they are a sleeper team for the rest of the season.

18. Missouri Western and Missouri Southern are both talented teams that just quite crack the top half of the conference.

19. Fort Hays will be better now that Fuller is back under center, but the defense is not the normal Chris Brown defense. 

MIAA Picks

Last Week: 5-1 (83.3%)

Season: 21-9 (70%)

Week Six Game Previews

We have a Thursday night game this week and the two bluebloods going head to head on Saturday. Now that we have five weeks of data, I can start using more stats in the previews. Let’s dive into the matchups.

Northeastern State (1-4) at Central Oklahoma (3-2)
Thursday, 7pm
All-time series: Central Oklahoma leads 51-27-2.
Last Year: Central Oklahoma won 49-9.

Central Oklahoma 41 Northeastern State 10

Game of the Week: #10 Northwest Missouri (4-1) at #6 Pittsburg State (5-0)
Saturday, 2pm
All-time series: Northwest Missouri leads 29-25.
Last Year: Northwest Missouri won 20-19.

Pittsburg State 19 Northwest Missouri 13

#14 Nebraska-Kearney (4-1) at Missouri Western (2-3)
Saturday, 4pm
All-time series: Nebraska-Kearney leads 19-12.
Last Year: Nebraska-Kearney won 35-14.

Nebraska-Kearney 31 Missouri Western 20

Washburn (3-2) at Fort Hays (1-4)
Saturday, 7pm
All-time series: Washburn leads 45-27-3.
Last Year: Washburn won 23-20 OT.

Washburn 38 Fort Hays 34

Central Missouri (1-4) at Emporia State (3-2)
Saturday, 1pm
All-time series: Central Missouri leads 42-20-4.
Last Year: Central Missouri won 45-38.

Emporia State 31 Central Missouri 17

Lincoln (0-5) at Missouri Southern (3-2)
Saturday, 2pm
All-time series: Missouri Southern leads 10-2.
Last Year: Missouri Southern won 52-32.

Missouri Southern 40 Lincoln 13