MVFC Week 9 Preview
Chad Lenz & JT Nutt, MVFC Contributors | October 29, 2015
JT Says-
Indiana State @ Illinois State
Illinois State will remain undefeated. Indiana State has lost it’s last 2 conference road games and only managed 21 points combined against NDSU and SDSU. They scored 56 on Missouri State but allowed the Bears to score 28, their highest this season. South Dakota State and North Dakota state have lost so the Missouri Valley is now the Redbirds to lose. Other than the early against Eastern Illinois, the Redbirds have not trailed since they lost to the Iowa Hawkeye’s. They do not face NDSU in the regular season and with SDSU this could be a trap game but with a possible undefeated Missouri Valley season on the line, they will take care of business. Illinois State’s offense continues to put up points as they win 45-23.
South Dakota @ Northern Iowa
Raise your hand if you had South Dakota with 2 wins at this point? Exactly. Raise your hand if you had UNI with only 1 win at this point. Exactly. South Dakota had NO hangover after the upset win in Fargo. They put up a 40 spot on Missouri State and look to upset the Panthers in the UNI Dome. The Panthers lost 3 straight games, all of them winnable. They won the ugliest game in years for UNI football with a 10-7 win over. UNI STILL can’t throw the ball. At all. Aaron Bailey is a great runner but had to do solo work with Sawyer Kollmorgen not making the trip. UNI needs Sawyer to play. They need to pass the ball. Also, their running backs are getting blown out of the water by their quarterback. If they want any chance at the post season, the need to win this game and get the offense off of life supports. The UNI defense has been solid to spectacular all season. South Dakota will struggle to get points, even if they get yards UNI will find a way to win this one. 24-14.
South Dakota State @ Missouri State
The Jackrabbits get their turn at Missouri State. Missouri State is not good. They have been outscored 207-66 in Valley play. It’s quite amazing they put up 28 against Indiana State. South Dakota State only mustered 7 points against UNI but the 3rd string UNI defense would put up a better fight than Missouri State. Surprisingly, SDSU has only put up 88 points in conference play which puts them behind everyone but Missouri State and UNI. Neither team has lit it up but South Dakota State gets rolling early and often in this one. SDSU 45 Mo State 10
Chad says-
Youngstown State @ Western Illinois
This is a vital, dare I say must win, game for both of these programs. Youngstown State is looking to prove that the issues of past years October and November issues are, just that, the issues of past years. At 3-4, 1-3 in conference, they can’t afford another loss to even be on the bubble come selection Sunday. For WIU it sounds odd to say it is a must win, and maybe I’m a bit premature on it. They sit 3-1 in conference, tied for second place. The issue for the Leathernecks is their remaining schedule. After the Penguins they go on the road to NDSU and Indiana State, with SDSU to close the season. With 3 losses already on the books, and that kind of schedule, they have no room for error. The Leathernecks have their eyes still set square on the playoffs, which the Penguins are starting to see deja vu of past nightmares. I think the demons continue to haunt YSU. I’ve got WIU by 2 scores.
North Dakota State and Southern Illinois
The upset special of the week. Why am I crazy enough to say that? NDSU can’t seem to contain quarterbacks who can move. They’ve faced three in a row – Aaron Bailey, of Northern Iowa, ran for 157 on 12.1 yards per carry. Ryan Saeger, of South Dakota, picked up 92 at 5.8 yards per carry. Matt Adam picked up 88 on 6 carries, taking out sack yardage. This week they have to try to stop Mark Iannotti who averaged just under 5 yards per carry as part of the Saluki offense that averages 41 points per game and 110 yard MORE per game than the second best offense in the conference. There isn’t another, active player, in the conference within 120 yards of Iannotti when it comes to production. The good news for Bison fans? Southern Illinois doesn’t really like to play defense, giving up 32 points and 463 yards per game. If the Bison can do something no one else has, slow Iannotti, they should win with ease. If not? Well, the rumbling of NDSU slipping back to the pack will only grow.
| 12:00 | Indiana State @ Illinois State | ESPN3 |
| 1:00 | Youngstown State @ Western Illinois | ESPN3 |
| 1:00 | South Dakota @ Northern Iowa | ESPN3/Panther Sports Network |
| 2:00 | North Dakota State @ Southern Illinois | ESPN3 |
| 2:00 | South Dakota State @ Missouri State | ESPN3 |