It has been an interesting season thus far with all of the non-conference games, but now it is time for the regular season to kickoff and that will happen Thursday night.
UNI at Indiana State
SDSU at NDSU
UNI at Indiana State
ISU blue is 2-1 with wins over Quincy and Eastern Illinois. Their loss is to Louisville and it is hard to gauge much from that game. Indiana State was picked to finish last in the preseason poll.
UNI was picked 3rd in the preseason poll, and many believe they could be the 2nd best team behind NDSU. They lost by 3 in Missoula and were down by 38 to Iowa before scoring the final 14. Hampton was the medicine they needed to build some confidence.
Prediction: UNI 31 - ISU 17
USD at Southern IllinoisUNI was picked 3rd in the preseason poll, and many believe they could be the 2nd best team behind NDSU. They lost by 3 in Missoula and were down by 38 to Iowa before scoring the final 14. Hampton was the medicine they needed to build some confidence.
Prediction: UNI 31 - ISU 17
Matchup between two teams predicted to be scrambling for the middle of the pack and likely out of playoff contention.
USD started the season well with a strong showing at Kansas State and a solid win over Northern Colorado. While the score doesn't tell the story, they got manhandled by Weber State, 27-10.
The Salukis are trying to build something after struggling the last few years. They destroyed Murray State to start the season, but then they collected their game check from Ole Miss and licked their wounds. SE Missouri got the best of them in a shootout.
This one could go either way, but the pups will beat the pups. USD 36 - SIU 31
YSU at Western IllinoisThe Salukis are trying to build something after struggling the last few years. They destroyed Murray State to start the season, but then they collected their game check from Ole Miss and licked their wounds. SE Missouri got the best of them in a shootout.
This one could go either way, but the pups will beat the pups. USD 36 - SIU 31
The Fighting Pelinis were picked to finish 4th in the MVFC and likely qualify for the playoffs. Then the lost to Butler at home and took their beating, (payday), from West Virginia. Nothing builds confidence like a date with Valpo before MVFC league play.
Western was picked 7th in the preseason poll, but has played solid in non-conference play. They split with the two Montana schools and actually had the lead early and were still in the game entering the 4th quarter vs. the Illini before falling.
Western wins at home 24-12.
Illinois State at Missouri StateWestern was picked 7th in the preseason poll, but has played solid in non-conference play. They split with the two Montana schools and actually had the lead early and were still in the game entering the 4th quarter vs. the Illini before falling.
Western wins at home 24-12.
This is turning out to be a bigger game than initially expected. MSU was projected to compete with ISU blue for the bottom of the standings. However, a dominating blowout win vs Northern Arizona had to build some early season momentum. Their only loss is to Oklahoma State.
Illinois State has hit the gates running, with blowout wins over Saint Xavier and Eastern Illinois. This last Saturday they ran all over Colorado State in an impressive 35-19 over the reeling Rams.
If MSU doesn't come out strong early, this one turns into a blowout. ISU 41 - MSU 21.
Illinois State has hit the gates running, with blowout wins over Saint Xavier and Eastern Illinois. This last Saturday they ran all over Colorado State in an impressive 35-19 over the reeling Rams.
If MSU doesn't come out strong early, this one turns into a blowout. ISU 41 - MSU 21.
SDSU at NDSU
Marker game - enough said.
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