Column: Handicapping the Week 0 MIAA slate
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The MIAA office and commissioner Mike Racy fought for it and now Week 0 in Division-II football is a reality. Racy and the MIAA have also heard about not playing non-conference games for years.
Now both non-conference games and Week 0 are both a thing. And it leads to a very exciting first weekend of Division-II college football with seven games featuring MIAA teams occurring on Thursday, August 29, and one game on Saturday, August 31, but the game on Saturday is the game of the week in Division-II college football with Ferris State visiting Pittsburg State for a top-5 showdown in the Jungle.
That is far from the only great matchup though. Let’s do some MIAA Network planning and look at all seven matchups.
Minnesota State at Northwest Missouri State
Thursday, August 29, 6 p.m.
The Mavericks were a playoff team in 2023 led by a dominant rushing attack with former Missouri Western running back Shen Butler-Lawson’s 1,446 yards and 15 touchdowns.
It appeared for much of the offseason like Butler-Lawson would be back in Mankato, but he decided to transfer to Indiana State after the spring.
The Mavericks do return starting quarterback Hayden Ekern, who is a senior and began his college career at Division-I FCS South Dakota. He threw for 2,654 yards and 23 touchdowns while also running for 330 yards.
The Bearcats lost their top quarterback, top running back and top two receivers in the offseason, but return four offensive linemen and a ton of defensive talent. They will have to lean on their defense in this one to pull what nationally will probably be considered a mild upset.
Prediction: Northwest 14, Minnesota State 13
Missouri Western at Northeastern State
Thursday, August 29, 6 p.m.
The former MIAA matchup was a 44-0 Missouri Western victory last season. This game is simply a tuneup for the Griffons before a big game with Fort Hays State the following week.
The most interesting subplot of this game is how Tyler Fenwick handles the Griffon quarterback situation which he called a 4-man competition at MIAA Media Day. Whoever gets the nod should be set up for success against the RiverHawks.
Prediction: Missouri Western 52, Northeastern State 10
Washburn at Emporia State
Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m.
The only conference game of the weekend is the Turnpike Tussle that Emporia State won 38-23 last season.
The Hornets are without crafty lefty Braden Gleason for the first time in years, but we are likely to get our first look at Oklahoma State transfer Gunnar Gundy, also a left-handed quarterback. Around the quarterback, the Hornets are loaded on offense.
I expect Washburn to be far more competitive this year, but I don’t think they have enough to pull off this upset.
Prediction: Emporia State 31, Washburn 13
Nebraska-Kearney at Chadron State
Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m.
Chadron State is picked seventh in the RMAC while Nebraska-Kearney is picked 10th in the MIAA. The MIAA is widely considered the best conference in Division-II football.
Chadron State returns its quarterback Preston Pearson and running back Jake Marschall from last season’s roster, but the top of the scouting report will be wide receiver Tommy Thomas who had 55 catches for 908 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Lopers were incredibly disappointing last season, but I’m counting on the strength of the MIAA with this pick.
Prediction: Nebraska-Kearney 27, Chadron State 24
Missouri Southern at Midwestern State
Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m.
The Lions are picked eighth in the MIAA while Midwestern State is picked fifth in the Lone Star Conference.
The two-handed rushing monster for the Mustangs is junior Devin Cross with 813 yards last season and Jalen March with 739 yards.
I’m a huge fan of what Atiba Bradley is building in Joplin though and despite the long trip, I think the Lions open the season with a strong statement in Texas.
Prediction: Missouri Southern 38, Midwestern State 27
Angelo State at Fort Hays State
Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m.
This one flips the last matchup’s mileage with the Texas school heading to Hays, America. Angelo State is picked second in the Lone Star Conference while the Tigers are fifth in the MIAA.
Running back Brayden Wilcox is the player to watch for Angelo State after he rushed for 510 yards on a 5.4 yards per carry average.
I am higher on the Tigers than the polls though. I think Chris Brown has a playoff darkhorse and this is a must-win if that’s going to be a possibility.
Prediction: Fort Hays State 27, Angelo State 20
Ferris State at Pittsburg State
Saturday, August 31, 7 p.m.
Ferris State won back-to-back national championships before a first-round loss last season with a tough draw against rival Grand Valley State. Ferris State is ranked fourth in the Lindy’s preseason national poll.
Pittsburg State is ranked third in that poll with the return of senior quarterback Chad Dodson Jr. and an extremely talented back-7 on defense. With Central Missouri looking like a powerhouse, the Gorillas have no room for error if they drop this game.
Other than Grand Valley State on Oct. 26, this will be Ferris State only true test of the season. Ferris State is built around a dominant offensive line led by Bryce George and Lawrence Hattar.
Prediction: Ferris State 18, Pittsburg State 17
