For the second week in a row, a top five team stumbled. One conference appears to have decided they’re just not going to lose games, and two others can’t buy a win. The WIAC schedule for the week included seven ranked teams and four of the top five, but after the dust settled three of those teams weren’t ranked anymore.
Big games to keep an eye on this week:
#7 Wheaton (IL) at Wisconsin-Platteville
#18 Kean at #11 Cortland State
Pacific Lutheran at #19 Cal Lutheran
#21 Wittenberg at Washington (MO)
Lebanon Valley at #25 Delaware Valley
Lycoming at Widener
Bridgewater State at Plymouth State
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST:
A 4-3 week in non-conference play for the second week in a row, but it was a different set of teams for the most part as #9 Hardin-Simmons was the only team to move to 2-0 following their 30-24 win at Willamette. #5 Mary-Hardin Baylor began their season with a 27-20 win over Wisconsin-LaCrosse, after which they jumped to #3. East Texas Baptist recovered from a tough week one loss, pounding Austin 54-17, while Mississippi College lost for the first time, succumbing in a 35-31 loss to Belhaven of the NAIA.
This week: 1400 ET: SUL ROSS STATE (0-0, 1-1) at HOWARD PAYNE (0-0, 0-2) 1800 ET: Millsaps (1-1) at LOUISIANA (0-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: TEXAS LUTHERAN (0-0, 1-1) at EAST TEXAS BAPTIST (0-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: McMURRY (1-1) at #3 MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR (0-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: #8 HARDIN-SIMMONS (0-0, 2-0) at MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE (0-0, 1-1)
Conference play gets going for the most part. HSU and Louisiana should win; UMHB probably should also, but McMurry is transitioning to scholarship ball and has beaten an FCS team, so it’s hard to tell.
CENTENNIAL:
The only close game as the Centennial got its conference schedule underway was Gettysburg’s 40-34 win over Ursinus. Dickinson, McDaniel, and Muhlenberg all won in small blowouts. The league’s sole remaining unbeaten, Johns Hopkins, crushed Susquehanna (the only other team to win its opener last week) 56-7. JHU thus clearly sets themselves up as the team to beat in the Centennial.
This week: 1300 ET: DICKINSON (1-0, 1-1) at SUSQUEHANNA (0-1, 1-1) 1300 ET: FRANKLIN & MARSHALL (0-1, 0-2) at URSINUS (0-1, 0-2) 1300 ET: GETTYSBURG (1-0, 1-1) at JUNIATA (0-1, 0-2) 1400 ET: JOHNS HOPKINS (1-0, 2-0) at MORAVIAN (0-1, 0-2) 1400 ET: McDANIEL (1-0, 1-1) at MUHLENBERG (1-0, 1-1)
Hopkins is a definitive favorite Saturday. Less so, but still on my good feelings list, are Dickinson and Gettysburg.
CCIW:
#15 North Central bounced back from their stunning opening loss to Redlands by destroying NAIA school Bethel (TN) 70-26. #8 Wheaton got their season started with a 54-34 win over Albion. The only conference team to suffer a loss was Augustana, who fell to Central (IA) 31-23.
This week: 1300 ET: Adrian (2-0) at AUGUSTANA (IL) (0-0, 0-2) 1300 ET: MILLIKIN (0-0, 1-1) at Hope (1-1) 1400 ET: Concordia (WI) (0-2) at CARTHAGE (0-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: Aurora (1-1) at ILLINOIS WESLEYAN (0-0, 2-0) 1600 ET: Olivet (0-2) at #14 NORTH CENTRAL (0-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: ELMHURST (0-0, 2-0) at Chicago (1-1) 2000 ET: #7 WHEATON (IL) (0-0, 1-0) at Wisconsin-Platteville (2-0) IDLE: NORTH PARK (0-0, 2-0)
North Central, Carthage, and Illinois Wesleyan should have easy rides Saturday. Elmhurst’s fate is going to depend on what Maroons team shows up, as Chicago’s first two games have been schizophrenic. Millikin I’m just not sure about, and Augustana is probably falling to 0-3; they drew exactly the wrong MIAA team to get healthy against. Lastly, we have what’s looking like a pretty big showdown. #7 Wheaton is traveling to Platteville, unranked but unbeaten and looking for all the world like a top 10 team on paper. Keep an eye on that one.
EASTERN:
Ick. Just ick. Last week, the conference went winless; this week, New York Maritime (48-0 winners over Western Connecticut State on Friday night) was the only team that didn’t lose. Maritime’s loss last week was to a Division II school, so not only are they still very much alive, but I suspect once conference play begins things are going to get ugly in a hurry.
This week: SATURDAY: 1200 ET: Worcester Tech (0-2) at BECKER (0-0, 0-2) 1300 ET: NORWICH (0-0, 0-2) at Hartwick (1-0) 1300 ET: Merchant Marine (1-1) at NEW YORK MARITIME (0-0, 1-1) 1330 ET: HUSSON (0-0, 0-1) at Springfield (1-0) 1800 ET: CASTLETON STATE (0-0, 0-1) at Rensselaer (0-1) IDLE: ANNA MARIA (0-0, 0-2) IDLE: GALLAUDET (0-0, 0-2) IDLE: MOUNT IDA (0-0, 0-2)
SUNY-Maritime will probably get past Merchant Marine, but after that you may as well expect losses. Becker and Castleton might surprise, but don’t count on anything. Remember, the entire conference is a combined 1-13 so far.
EMPIRE 8:
We are now two weeks into the season, and no Empire 8 team has lost a game outside the conference. #17 Alfred opened their season by hammering RPI 48-17. In-conference, Salisbury handled Ithaca 21-7, and was rewarded with the #24 spot in this week’s poll. Springfield, 48-24 winners over Frostburg State, joins Salisbury atop the standings for the time being.
This week: 1300 ET: Saint Lawrence (1-1) at #16 ALFRED (0-0, 1-0) 1300 ET: UTICA (0-0, 2-0) at FROSTBURG STATE (0-1, 1-1) 1300 ET: Norwich (0-2) at HARTWICK (0-0, 1-0) 1300 ET: ITHACA (0-1, 1-1) at Union (NY) (0-2) 1330 ET: Husson (0-1) at SPRINGFIELD (1-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: #24 SALISBURY (1-0, 2-0) at Christopher Newport (1-1) 1900 ET: SAINT JOHN FISHER (0-0, 1-0) at Rochester (1-0)
Alfred and Salisbury are obvious favorites, and Hartwick and Springfield should win as well. Utica’s a slight favorite over Frostburg, and I’ll give Ithaca the edge over Union. The questionable game is the battle of local rivals between SJF and Rochester.
HEARTLAND:
Horrible, horrible week. Manchester did knock off Kalamazoo 26-17, but everyone else lost, most of them badly. This included #21 Franklin, who got bushwhacked 45-0 by #1 Whitewater and fell out of the poll. Mount Saint Joseph, idle on the weekend, is the only Heartland team without a loss now.
This week: 1330 ET: FRANKLIN (0-0, 1-1) at BLUFFTON (0-0, 0-2) 1330 ET: HANOVER (0-0, 0-2) at DEFIANCE (0-0, 0-2) 1330 ET: MANCHESTER (0-0, 1-1) at EARLHAM (0-0, 0-2) 1900 ET: MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH (0-0, 1-0) at ANDERSON (IN) 1900 ET: ROSE-HULMAN (0-0, 0-1) at Kalamazoo (1-1)
Well, the good news is that at least four of these teams will win Saturday. Of course, that’s because conference play starts. Franklin, Manchester, and MSJ look like shoo-ins for wins. Hanover/Defiance is a pillow fight, and I don’t expect Rose-Hulman to get past Kalamazoo.
IOWA:
#14 Wartburg moved to 2-0 with a 26-21 win over Gustavus. Cornell, 22-14 winners over Macalester, and Dubuque, who crushed Anderson 67-20, also remain unbeaten. On the other hand, four teams remain winless, including no-longer-#24 Coe, who got dispatched 16-10 in overtime by Olivet Nazarene from the NAIA.
This week: 1400 ET: BUENA VISTA (0-0, 0-2) at #13 WARTBURG (0-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: LUTHER (0-0, 0-2) at CENTRAL (IA) (0-0, 1-1) 1400 ET: SIMPSON (IA) (0-0, 0-2) at COE (0-0, 0-2) 1900 ET: LORAS (0-0, 1-1) at DUBUQUE (0-0, 2-0) IDLE: CORNELL (IA) (0-0, 2-0)
The conference slate begins, and Wartburg, Central, and Dubuque should get off to good starts. Coe should probably handle Simpson, too, but when you’re 0-2 I’m not going to expect much even if your opponent is too.
LIBERTY:
Rochester, idle last week, joins Hobart atop the Liberty League standings following a 17-7 win over Case Western. It was a better week than last, as Saint Lawrence evened their record with a 29-14 win at Norwich, while Merchant Marine did the same in beating Coast Guard 35-28.
This week: 1900 ET: WORCESTER TECH (0-0, 0-2) at Becker (0-2) 1300 ET: MERCHANT MARINE (0-0, 1-1) at New York Maritime (1-0) 1300 ET: SAINT LAWRENCE (0-0, 1-1) at #16 Alfred (1-0) 1300 ET: Ithaca (1-1) at UNION (NY) (0-0, 0-2) 1800 ET: Castleton State at RENSSELAER (0-0, 0-1) 1900 ET: Saint John Fisher (1-0) at ROCHESTER (0-0, 1-0) IDLE: HOBART (0-0, 1-0)
Scroll back up to the Eastern and Empire 8 recaps for my thoughts on all these games.
MICHIGAN:
#22 Trine remainned unbeaten, dispatching Bluffton 41-27. Also undefeated is Adrian, 27-6 winners over Defiance.
This week: 1300 ET: ADRIAN (0-0, 2-0) at Augustana (IL) (0-2) 1300 ET: Millikin (1-1) at HOPE (0-0, 1-1) 1300 ET: Wisconsin-River Falls (0-1) at #22 TRINE (0-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: ALMA (0-0, 0-2) at Rockford (0-2) 1600 ET: OLIVET (0-0, 0-2) at #14 North Central (1-1) 1900 ET: Rose-Hulman (0-1) at KALAMAZOO (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: ALBION (0-0, 0-2)
Nobody’s a lock to win this week, though Adrian should and we’ll see exactly what Trine’s made of; a solid win and they become prohibitive favorites to win the conference, anything else and they’re an afterthought. Kalamazoo and Hope may emerge victorious; Olivet certainly will not, and I don’t know what to make of Alma/Rockford.
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Two games scheduled for this week had to be cancelled due to issues stemming from the severe weather in Pennsylvania; Wilkes at Waynesburg was cancelled, while King’s at Bethany is listed as “postponed” but isn’t likely to be played at a later date. As far as games that actually happened, five MAC teams moved to 2-0. Delaware Valley squeaked out a 20-19 win over Washington & Jefferson, and moved into the poll at #25. One other MAC team got on the good side of the ledger as well, as Stevenson picked up their first win ever in a 46-43 double-OT shootout with Christopher Newport.
This week: FRIDAY: 1900 ET: FDU-FLORHAM (0-0, 0-1) at College of New Jersey (1-0) SATURDAY: 1300 ET: WILKES (0-0, 0-1) at ALBRIGHT (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: LEBANON VALLEY (0-0, 2-0) at #25 DELAWARE VALLEY (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: KING'S (PA) (0-0, 0-1) at STEVENSON (0-0, 1-1) 1300 ET: LYCOMING (0-0, 2-0)at WIDENER (0-0, 2-0)
Here’s the thing about Delaware Valley. They’re 2-0. They’ve scored 30 points and allowed 28. Frankly, I’m not sure that was justification for them sneaking into the poll, although their quality of competition wasn’t anything shameful. So I’m going with Lebanon Valley here, just to be ornery. Lycoming’s a slight favorite over Widener; Albright over Wilkes is an easy pick. Florham’s probably going to lose, and while Stevenson’s first win ever was a nice story, I just don’t know what they’ll do this week against King’s.
MIDWEST:
Ripon defeated Lake Forest 42-13, and Illinois College got past Carroll 34-27. The wins keep both teams unbeaten, although they’re in a five-way tie for the Midwest lead at the moment.
This week: 1400 ET: GRINNELL (0-1, 1-1) at RIPON (1-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: ILLINOIS COLLEGE (1-0, 2-0) at LAKE FOREST (0-1, 0-1) 1400 ET: KNOX (0-1, 0-2) at SAINT NORBERT (1-0, 1-1) 1400 ET: LAWRENCE (1-0, 1-1) at MONMOUTH (IL) (1-0, 1-1) 1700 ET: CARROLL (WI) (0-1, 1-1) at BELOIT (0-1, 0-2)
The Midwest’s opening two weeks were confusing enough that the only games I’m comfortable speaking to with any authority are Ripon over Grinnell and Saint Norbert over Knox. Nothing at all would surprise me in the other three games (and if I’m being honest, I’m not even dead-solid certain on Ripon).
MINNESOTA:
#4 Saint Thomas laid down a solid 45-22 beating on River Falls, but got nothing to show for it in the polls as Mary Hardin-Baylor leaped over them to take the spot vacated by Wesley. UMHB’s vacated spot was taken by #6 Bethel, who routed Concordia (WI) 48-0. At the other end of the poll, Saint John’s was knocked out following a 47-19 pasting at the hands of Eau Claire. Saint Olaf and Concordia won, leaving the MIAC with five unbeatens (including idle Augsburg).
This week: 1400 ET: AUGSBURG (0-0, 1-0) at HAMLINE (0-0, 0-1) 1400 ET: CARLETON (0-0, 0-1) at #5 BETHEL (MN) (0-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: SAINT JOHN'S (MN) (0-0, 1-1) at CONCORDIA-MOORHEAD (0-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: Mayville State (2-1; NAIA) at GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS (0-0, 0-1) 1400 ET: SAINT OLAF (0-0, 2-0) at #4 SAINT THOMAS (MN) (0-0, 2-0)
And now the warfare begins. Bethel and the Tommies are locks. I’m going to go with the flow and pick Concordia over Saint John’s, but that’s always a scary proposition. Gustavus should handle Mayville, but I’m not at all certain about the Augie/Hamline game.
NEW ENGLAND:
The NEFC went 4-2 against non-conference opposition, while the Bogan Division took three of five cross-divisional games.
This week: THURSDAY: 1900 ET: NICHOLS (0-0, 0-2) at WORCESTER STATE (0-0, 2-0) FRIDAY: 1900 ET: WESTERN NEW ENGLAND (0-0, 1-1) at WESTFIELD STATE (0-0, 1-1) SATURDAY: 1200 ET: CURRY (0-0, 1-1) at COAST GUARD (0-0, 0-1) 1200 ET: FRAMINGHAM STATE (0-0, 1-1) at SALVE REGINA (0-0, 1-1) 1200 ET: MIT (0-0, 1-0) at MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME (0-0, 1-0) 1300 ET: BRIDGEWATER STATE (0-0, 1-0) at PLYMOUTH STATE (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: FITCHBURG STATE (0-0, 1-1) at ENDICOTT (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: MAINE MARITIME (0-0, 1-0) at MASSACHUSETTS-DARTMOUTH (0-0, 1-1)
Since I’m late, Worcester State already throttled Nichols 49-3. Nichols was already the only 0-2 team in the league, so let’s just go ahead and have the funeral now. Unfortunately, that was also the only game this week I had any confidence in trying to predict. Taking Endicott over Fitchburg would seem logical, I suppose. I’ll give Bridgewater an edge over Plymouth as well.
NESCAC:
The NESCAC, who doesn’t play any non-conference games at all, doesn’t begin play until September 24.
This week: No games.
NEW JERSEY:
Hello! Anyone drawing breath expected Kean to eat a loss Saturday, but they’re now responsible for a likely shakeup of the East’s playoff picture following a 31-28 upset of #3 Wesley. The win vaulted them into the poll at #18. #11 Montclair moved up a spot into the top ten following their 18-7 win over Salve Regina. CNJ opened their season with a 24-6 win over William Paterson, which moves them atop the standings alongside idle #12 Cortland State.
This week: FRIDAY: 1900 ET: FDU-Florham (0-1) at COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY (1-0, 1-0) SATURDAY: 1200 ET: WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE (0-0, 0-1) at BUFFALO STATE (0-1, 0-2) 1200 ET: #10 MONTCLAIR STATE (0-0, 1-0) at MORRISVILLE STATE (0-0, 0-1) 1300 ET: #18 KEAN (0-0, 1-0) at #11 CORTLAND STATE (1-0, 1-0) 1330 ET: ROWAN (0-0, 0-1) at BROCKPORT STATE (0-0, 0-1) IDLE: WILLIAM PATERSON (0-1, 1-1)
Montclair’s going to win. CoNJ and Rowan should. Buffalo State is probably going to beat WCSU; Western’s really bad. Which leaves us the question of Kean at Cortland. Was last week a fluke, or is Kean legitimate? We won’t know until Saturday, and until we know Cortland still has to be the favorite. But if Kean wins again, on the road, you may as well plan on the season-ending matchup between Montclair and Kean to decide the conference.
NORTH COAST:
The NCAC went 2-0 out of conference, with Allegheny knocking off Carnegie Mellon 33-13 and Denison rolling over Earlham 44-7. Kenyon made a valiant go of it, but their chances of actually winning a game this year may have evaporated in a closing-minutes 16-13 loss at Hiram. #18 Wabash opened their season with a 19-7 win at Wooster, while #19 Wittenberg joined Hiram and Wabash atop the standings after beating Ohio Wesleyan 34-13. Despite this, both teams dropped two slots in the poll, overtaken by Kean and Redlands.
This week: 1300 ET: DePAUW (1-0) at ALLEGHENY (0-0, 1-1) 1300 ET: WOOSTER (0-1, 0-2) at OBERLIN (0-0, 1-0) 1300 ET: OHIO WESLEYAN (0-1, 1-1) at #20 WABASH (1-0, 1-0) 1400 ET: #21 WITTENBERG (1-0, 2-0) at Washington (MO) (2-0) 1900 ET: HIRAM (1-0, 1-1) at DENISON (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: KENYON (0-1, 0-2)
DePauw and Wabash should win, and Denison should probably get past Hiram. It’s almost impossible to imagine Wooster going to 0-3, but they’ve looked like rancid compost while Oberlin’s got a 42-0 win on their ledger, so… take Oberlin. Which leaves us with the marquee game of the slate, Wittenberg at unbeaten Washington. For lack of any better ideas, I’m going to lean on home-field advantage here and take the Bears in a close one.
NORTHERN:
Maranatha remains atop the standings, although no conference play has taken place, following a 33-19 win over Crown. Concordia (IL) began their campaign with a 28-10 victory over Chicago.
This week: 1400 ET: AURORA (0-0, 1-1) at Illinois Wesleyan (2-0) 1400 ET: CONCORDIA (WI) (0-0, 0-2) at Carthage (2-0) 1400 ET: Alma (0-2) at ROCKFORD (0-0, 0-2) 1400 ET: WISCONSIN LUTHERAN (0-0, 0-2) at Minnesota-Morris (2-0) 1500 ET: Macalester (0-2) at MARANATHA BAPTIST (0-0, 2-0) IDLE: BENEDICTINE (IL) (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: CONCORDIA (IL) (0-0, 1-0) IDLE: LAKELAND (0-0, 0-2)
The first three games, we’ve already discussed. Wisconsin Lutheran is going to lose; Maranatha is probably going to win.
NORTHWEST:
The highest-profile game of the week took place in McMinnville as #7 Linfield dispatched #16 Cal Lutheran 24-14. Pacific Lutheran started their year with a 27-0 win over Hamline, while Lewis & Clark got on the board by beating Claremont-M-S 36-14. Willamette continues to suffer hard luck, being set down 30-24 by #9 Hardin-Simmons.
This week: 1600 ET: LEWIS & CLARK (0-0, 1-0) at Pomona-Pitzer (0-1) 1600 ET: PACIFIC LUTHERAN (0-0, 1-0) at #19 Cal Lutheran (0-1) 1600 ET: Sewanee (1-1) at PUGET SOUND (0-0, 0-1) 1600 ET: #17 Redlands (1-0) at WHITWORTH (0-0, 1-1) 1630 ET: Southern Oregon (0-2; NAIA) at WILLAMETTE (0-0, 0-2) 2230 ET: PACIFIC (OR) (0-0, 0-2) at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (0-1) IDLE: #6 LINFIELD
Lewis & Clark should win, while Willamette gets off the mat as well. Puget, Whitworth, and Pacific won’t be so lucky. The interesting game of the week is the battle of the Lutherans, and while Cal is ranked, Pacific is every bit capable of winning this game.
OHIO:
There was only one game in the OAC this weekend, and #2 Mount Union made sure it counted, pummeling Oshkosh 41-17.
This week: 1330 ET: WILMINGTON (OH) (0-0, 0-1) at CAPITAL (0-0, 0-1) 1330 ET: OTTERBEIN (0-0, 1-0) at #12 OHIO NORTHERN (0-0, 1-0) 1830 ET: HEIDELBERG (0-0, 1-0) at BALDWIN-WALLACE (0-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: JOHN CARROLL (0-0, 0-1) at #2 MOUNT UNION (0-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: MARIETTA (0-0, 1-0) at MUSKINGUM (0-0, 1-0)
We only got one game from each team in the first two weeks, so our analysis is only half as effective and that makes it hard to pick these games, or something like that. Still, some things can be said: Mount Union, Ohio Northern, Baldwin-Wallace, and Capital are going to win. Marietta/Muskingum is a toss-up.
I guess that wasn’t so hard after all.
OLD DOMINION:
The ODAC is now a combined 13-1, as only Guilford’s 40-22 loss to Methodist marred this week’s slate. Hampden-Sydney stormed NC Wesleyan, 56-17, and moves into the poll at #23, but right now everyone but Guilford and Catholic looks capable of winning this thing.
This week: FRIDAY: 1900 ET: Carnegie Mellon (1-1) at CATHOLIC (0-0, 2-0) SATURDAY: 1300 ET: Ferrum (0-1) at #23 HAMPDEN-SYDNEY (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: Shenandoah (1-1) at RANDOLPH-MACON (0-0, 2-0) 1800 ET: EMORY & HENRY (0-0, 2-0) at Virginia-Wise (1-1; NAIA) 1900 ET: Averett (0-2) at GUILFORD (0-0, 1-1) 1930 ET: WASHINGTON & LEE (0-0, 2-0) at Centre (1-0) IDLE: BRIDGEWATER (0-0, 2-0)
Can we just agree, between us, that picking any of these teams to lose would be about as stupid as sticking our hands in a running garbage disposer? Guilford, the only team to have shown themselves vulnerable so far, draws a really horribad Averett team. Catholic and Washington & Lee may have more trouble than they’re comfortable with, but this is a 6-0 week (and 19-1 season) waiting to happen.
PRESIDENT’S:
As noted above, Waynesburg and Bethany had their games washed out. #10 Thomas More moved up a notch after a 44-13 win over Hanover; the only other PAC team to win Saturday was Saint Vincent, who demolished FDU-Florham 55-3.
This week: 1330 ET: GENEVA (0-0, 0-2) at #9 THOMAS MORE (0-0, 1-0) 1330 ET: THIEL (0-0, 0-2) at WAYNESBURG (0-0, 0-1) 1900 ET: WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON (0-0, 1-1) at BETHANY (WV) (0-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: WESTMINSTER (PA) (0-0, 1-1) at GROVE CITY (0-0, 0-2) IDLE: SAINT VINCENT (0-0, 1-1)
Thomas More and Westminster will win. W&J should, I think; remember, that loss was by a point to a team that’s ranked. Waynesburg’s defense should stop Thiel’s offense, but I’ve been wrong about that before.
SOUTHERN CAC:
Birmingham-Southern, 35-29 winners over Huntingdon, joins Centre and Trinity atop the standings following Trinity’s 43-14 win over Texas Lutheran.
This week: 1200 ET: BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN (0-0, 2-0) at Ave Maria (0-1; NAIA) 1400 ET: Southwestern Assemblies of God (1-1; NAIA) at AUSTIN (0-0, 0-2) 1400 ET: TRINITY (TX) (0-0, 2-0) at RHODES (0-0, 0-1) 1600 ET: SEWANEE (0-0, 1-1) at Puget Sound (0-1) 1800 ET: MILLSAPS (0-0, 1-1) at Louisiana (1-0) 1930 ET: Washington & Lee (2-0) at CENTRE (0-0, 1-0)
Mark down wins for B-SC and Trinity. Austin and Millsaps are probably losing; Centre has a shot, but will likely fall short. Sewanee’s the wild card.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
The first week of the annual cross-play with the Northwest Conference ended badly, as only Occidental, 30-12 winners at Puget Sound, came away with a win. #16 Cal Lutheran lost 24-14 to #7 Linfield, but only fell to #19 as a result. Meanwhile, #20 Redlands jumped to #17 for doing absolutely nothing.
This week: 1600 ET: Pacific Lutheran (1-0) at #19 CAL LUTHERAN (0-0, 0-1) 1600 ET: Lewis & Clark (1-0) at POMONA-PITZER (0-0, 0-1) 1600 ET: #17 REDLANDS (0-0, 1-0) at Whiworth (1-1) 2100 ET: WHITTIER (0-0, 0-0) at Azusa Pacific (1-1; NAIA) 2200 ET: Pacific (OR) (0-2) at CLAREMONT-MUDD-SCRIPPS (0-0, 0-1) 2200 ET: Menlo (2-0; NAIA) at OCCIDENTAL (0-0, 1-0) IDLE: CHAPMAN (1-0) IDLE: LA VERNE (0-0, 0-1)
Four of these games, we’ve already touched on up in the Northwest Conference recap. As for the others, Occidental should win, while Whittier is probably not potent enough to get past Azusa despite having three weeks to prepare for them.
UNIVERSITY:
Well, that didn’t go as planned. After a perfect opening weekend, the league went 1-3 Saturday, with only Washington’s 48-21 win over Rhodes to the good. It seems that last year’s three-team jostle for an at-large playoff bid might not happen this year.
This week: 1200 ET: CARNEGIE-MELLON (0-0, 1-1) at Catholic (2-0) 1400 ET: #21 Wittenberg (2-0) at WASHINGTON (MO) (0-0, 2-0) 1900 ET: Elmhurst (2-0) at CHICAGO (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: CASE WESTERN (0-0, 1-1)
All three games have been covered.
UPPER MIDWEST:
Minnesota-Morris defeated Martin Luther 44-40 to go to 2-0 in conference. Westminster kept pace, knocking off Northwestern 36-26 in their conference opener.
This week: 1400 ET: CROWN (0-0, 0-1) at EUREKA (0-0, 0-1) 1400 ET: SAINT SCHOLASTICA (0-0, 1-0) at GREENVILLE (0-0, 0-1) 1400 ET: MARTIN LUTHER (0-1, 0-2) at WESTMINSTER (MO) (1-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: Wisconsin Lutheran (0-2) at MINNESOTA-MORRIS (2-0, 2-0) 1400 ET: PRESENTATION (0-0, 0-1) at NORTHWESTERN (MN) (0-1, 0-2) IDLE: MacMURRAY (0-1, 0-2)
Morris and Westminster appear set to continue winning here, and Saint Scholastica should continue sailing right behind in their wake. No idea on the other two games.
USA SOUTH:
This conference is not supposed to be this bad, but a 3-12 record in the first two weeks sort of speaks volumes. A major culprit is NC Wesleyan, who was supposed to contend for a playoff bid. After a 56-17 loss to Hampden-Sydney dropped them to 0-2, I think we can forget all about that now. But hey, Methodist beat Guilford. It was the league’s only victory in nine games this weekend.
This week: 1300 ET: FERRUM (0-0, 0-1) at #23 Hampden-Sydney (2-0) 1300 ET: GREENSBORO (0-0, 0-2) at Apprentice (0-2; n/a) 1300 ET: MARYVILLE (TN) (0-0, 0-2) at LaGRANGE (0-2) 1300 ET: SHENANDOAH (0-0, 1-1) at Randolph-Macon (2-0) 1400 ET: Faulkner (1-0; NAIA) at HUNTINGDON (1-1) 1900 ET: AVERETT (0-0, 0-2) at Guilford (1-1) 1900 ET: #24 Salisbury (2-0) at CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: METHODIST (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN (0-0, 0-2)
The bleeding’s not going to stop. We’ve already mentioned Ferrum, Shenandoah, Averett, and Newport’s impending doom. Greensboro may well lose to Apprentice. No idea what to make of the other two games.
WISCONSIN:
As previously mentioned, #1 Whitewater rolled and Eau Claire upset #25 Saint John’s while three WIAC teams served as cannon fodder for top-five opponents. There was one other game in the WIAC involving a ranked team, however; unfortunately, the result is that there’s now only one ranked team IN the WIAC, as Platteville upset #23 Stevens Point 26-3. Stout also remained unbeaten, knocking off NAIA opponent Jamestown 20-17.
This week: 1300 ET: WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS (0-0, 0-1) at #22 Trine (2-0) 1300 ET: Campbellsville (2-0; NAIA) at #1 WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER (0-0, 2-0) 2000 ET: #7 Wheaton (1-0) at WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE (0-0, 2-0) IDLE: WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE (0-0, 0-2) IDLE: WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT (0-0, 1-1) IDLE: WISCONSIN-STOUT (0-0, 2-0)
All three games involve ranked teams, and all three ranked teams should be expected to win Saturday.
INDEPENDENTS:
Macalester’s 22-14 loss to Cornell? Expected, although a heck of an effort. The 31-28 defeat #3 Wesley suffered on the road at Kean, on the other hand, is a potential season-wrecker. Wesley can probably forget all about their customary top seed in the playoffs, and as an independent they’re going to have to run the table the rest of the way or risk sitting at home in December.
This week: 1400 ET: MACALESTER (0-2) at Maranatha Baptist (2-0) IDLE: #15 WESLEY (DE) (1-1)
Macalester will likely lose, while Wesley licks their wounds.