2021 MIAA Week Seven Preview

October 13th, 2021 7:00pm

As we prepare for the run to the playoffs, I believe the MIAA is down to four teams with a legit shot of making the playoffs. Northwest Missouri and Nebraska Kearney still own their own destiny. Washburn and Pittsburg State both have two losses and need help to get into the playoffs. Let’s take a quick look around the region to see what teams are vying for the seven playoff spots.

GAC: Henderson State (6-0), Harding (5-1), Ouachita Baptist (5-1), Southeastern Oklahoma (5-1), Arkansas-Monticello (4-2) and East Central (4-2)

GLIAC: Ferris State (5-0), Grand Valley State (5-0) and Michigan Tech (3-2)

GLVC: Truman State (5-1), Indianapolis (4-2) and Lindenwood (4-2)

That is 16 teams battling for seven spots. I doubt a three loss team gets into the playoffs unless the GLVC gets one in via Earned Access.

Week Six Recap

Northwest Missouri 20 Pittsburg State 19

Pittsburg State should have won this football game. Nine more first downs, 74 more total yards, won the turnover battle two to zero and lost the game. The biggest reason is because the Northwest Missouri defense forced Pittsburg State to settle for six field goals, two of which were missed in the fourth quarter. Credit to the Northwest Missouri defense for playing well with their backs against a wall and offense for finally coming alive over the final 25 minutes. Now if Pittsburg State can win out to finish 9-2, they have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs. Another loss would likely end those hopes.

Washburn 23 Fort Hays 20 OT

This game did not have the fireworks I expected it to have but was a tremendous football game. Mitch Shurig’s walkoff touchdown pass to James Letcher Jr in overtime was movie-esque. Washburn should be kicking themselves for losing to Emporia State last week. Fort Hays can kiss the playoffs goodbye this year, but a bowl game is still a possibility.

Central Missouri 45 Emporia State 38

OFFENSE! Braden Gleason and Logan Twehous combined for 900 yards and five touchdowns in the air. Both teams combined for 1,160 yards of total offense. After scoring a total of 33 points in the first three games of the year, Central Missouri has averaged 38 points per game over the last three games.

Nebraska Kearney 35 Missouri Western 14

Missouri Western’s offense has been grounded for two weeks now. I am not sure what is wrong with their offense right now. As for Nebraska Kearney, they did what I expected them to do. The defense rebounded after a rough first half last week against Fort Hays and Nebraska Kearney took care of business.

Missouri Southern 52 Lincoln 32

This game was all Missouri Southern. Lincoln scored two late touchdowns to make the score look better than what it actually was. Missouri Southern ran the ball for 318 yards at nearly eight yards per carry.

Central Oklahoma 49 Northeastern State 9

This game was last Thursday. I checked in on the game and it was 42-9 in the third quarter. So yeah, an Oklahoma sized beatdown.

Last week: 4-2

Season: 24-11

MIAA Week Seven Power Rankings

Northwest Missouri State --
Nebraska Kearney --
Pittsburg State --
Washburn +1
Fort Hays State -1
Central Missouri +2
Missouri Western -1
Emporia State -1
Central Oklahoma --
Missouri Southern +1
Northeastern State -1
Lincoln --

Week Seven Games

#4 Northwest Missouri (5-0) at Washburn (4-2)
Saturday, 1pm
All-time: Northwest Missouri leads 32-6
2019: Northwest Missouri won 38-17

	Northwest Missouri	Washburn
Points Scored	30.0	38.2
Points Allowed	8.0	24.3
Pass Yards	221.6	309.2
Pass Yards Allowed	213.6	241.5
Rush Yards	197.4	157.8
Rush Yards Allowed	48.4	114.3
Total Offense	419.0	466.8
Total Defense	262.0	355.8

This is a do or die game for Washburn’s playoff hopes. Unfortunately for Washburn, Northwest Missouri got a bit of a wake up call last week. Mike Hohensee and Al McKeller should be healthier this week for Northwest Missouri’s offense. Northwest Missouri has won 15 straight games against Washburn and won the last 13 meetings in Topeka. The last time Washburn beat Northwest Missouri was 2005 (I was 10 years old) and have not won at home in this series since 1994 (10 months before I was born). I expect those streaks to continue, though Washburn will make it tough.

Northwest Missouri 27 Washburn 14

#22 Nebraska Kearney (5-1) at Emporia State (3-3)
Saturday, 1pm
All-time: Nebraska Kearney leads 13-11
2019: Nebraska Kearney won 31-21

	Nebraska Kearney	Emporia State
Points Scored	32.5	34.5
Points Allowed	20.8	28.5
Pass Yards	195.8	333.2
Pass Yards Allowed	221.7	289.3
Rush Yards	258.5	129.2
Rush Yards Allowed	155.8	99.8
Total Offense	454.3	462.3
Total Defense	377.5	389.2

Emporia State is a team that could give Nebraska Kearney troubles, especially through the air. However, Emporia State does not have the same defense that Fort Hays had to pair with the aggressive passing attack. Nebraska Kearney should win this game but it will be a dog fight. Emporia State is 1-3 in their last four but they have all been one score games. Sit back and enjoy two of the best quarterbacks in the MIAA in Braden Gleason and TJ Davis, but edge TJ Davis.

Nebraska Kearney 37 Emporia State 33

Lincoln (0-5) at Pittsburg State (4-2)
Saturday, 1pm
All-time: Pittsburg State leads 10-0
2019: Pittsburg State won 56-14

	Lincoln	Pittsburg State
Points Scored	24.0	28.2
Points Allowed	63.6	20.2
Pass Yards	246.0	258.0
Pass Yards Allowed	272.4	231.0
Rush Yards	122.6	144.3
Rush Yards Allowed	294.2	128.8
Total Offense	368.6	402.3
Total Defense	566.6	359.8

I will keep this game preview short and sweet. Lincoln’s defense is awful. Pittsburg State should run wild, over 300 yards wild.

Pittsburg State 51 Lincoln 17

Central Missouri (2-4) at Missouri Southern (2-4)
Saturday, 4pm
All-time: Central Missouri leads 24-15-2
2019: Central Missouri won 71-42

	Central Missouri	Missouri Southern
Points Scored	24.5	20.0
Points Allowed	31.7	27.2
Pass Yards	309.8	176.3
Pass Yards Allowed	300.2	193.8
Rush Yards	116.7	157.8
Rush Yards Allowed	190.2	207.8
Total Offense	426.5	334.2
Total Defense	490.3	401.7

Logan Twehous ignited the Central Missouri offense in October. However, believe it or not, but Missouri Southern possesses the top ranked passing defense in the MIAA. Central Missouri’s defense has to play better for them to finish the season above .500. Central Missouri has the more talented squad here, Twehous will get the ball to his talented receivers and bring home the win.

Central Missouri 31 Missouri Southern 21

Northeastern State (2-4) at Missouri Western (2-4)
Saturday, 4pm
All-time: Missouri Western leads 10-0
2019: Missouri Western won 58-23

	Northeastern State	Missouri Western
Points Scored	18.2	26.3
Points Allowed	40.2	34.0
Pass Yards	202.0	246.8
Pass Yards Allowed	308.3	296.3
Rush Yards	106.7	133.7
Rush Yards Allowed	177.5	151.5
Total Offense	308.7	380.5
Total Defense	485.8	447.8

Long story short, Missouri Western needs a “get right” game for their offense. This is that game. Northeastern State has not been the same team since their thrilling 49-48 OT win over Lincoln in week four. They lost to Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma by a combined score of 90-19. If Missouri Western does not handle Northeastern State, then it will raise serious questions about Missouri Western.

Missouri Western 45 Northeastern State 10

Central Oklahoma (3-3) at Fort Hays (3-3)
Saturday, 7pm
All-time: Central Oklahoma leads 7-6
2019: Fort Hays won 35-7

	Central Oklahoma	Fort Hays
Points Scored	28.8	35.7
Points Allowed	23.3	22.0
Pass Yards	168.8	327.7
Pass Yards Allowed	220.5	209.7
Rush Yards	169.8	164.8
Rush Yards Allowed	145.5	149.2
Total Offense	338.8	492.5
Total Defense	366.0	358.8

Central Oklahoma was able to “fix” their offense over the last two weeks. We will see if it is actually fixed or if it was just a byproduct of playing the two worst defenses in the MIAA. Fort Hays has a physical defense that will key on the Central Oklahoma running game because their passing game is nonexistent. Fort Hays has one of the best offenses in all of Division II and I expect them to rebound after a lackluster performance last week in Topeka. I trust Fort Hays to win this game. It should be an excellent game to end the MIAA slate of games.

Fort Hays 34 Central Oklahoma 23