MVFC Week 12 Preview
Chad Lenz & JT Nutt, MVFC Contributors | November 19, 2015
JT Says-
South Dakota @ Illinois State
South Dakota has already upset North Dakota State this season. I got a hunch they do it again this week against Illinois State. Illinois State’s defense has looked suspect recently. They gave up over 500 yards to Southern Illinois, 465 yards to South Dakota State, and 353 yards to Indiana State. The running game has been great for the Redbirds but the Coyote defense will be a much tougher test than the Saluki’s were last week. South Dakota led into the 4th quarter against the Jackrabbits last week. Ryan Seager has been overlooked in South Dakota but he has put up 15 touchdowns and 2311 yards thru the air and on the ground. He’s been solid all season and will have a career day as the Coyotes find a way to knock off the Redbirds.
South Dakota State @ Western Illinois
Better late than never for both teams last week. The Jackrabbits scored 20 points in the 4th quarter including a pick 6 so come from behind against South Dakota. Western Illinois needed overtime to beat Indiana State which ended a 3 game skid. That win will be short-lived though, as South Dakota State is a vastly superior team to both Indiana State and Western Illinois. SDSU has won 3 straight including knocking off Illinois State who was #2 in the nation at the time. Taryn Christion has filled in nicely for Zach Lujan, throwing for over 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns combined in the air and on the ground. The premiere player for the Jackrabbits is wide out Jake Wieneke who has 10 touchdowns on 1226 yards receiving on 57 receptions. Nobody has stopped Jake at this point, and I just don’t see the Leathernecks being the defensive squad to do it. The Leathernecks hang around but fade late and SDSU picks up the win.
Southern Illinois @ Northern Iowa
The high power offense against the toughest defense in the Valley. Southern Illinois and Mark Iannotti have put up some video game numbers this season but that will come to an end as will the Saluki season. The Panther defense is the best in the conference and with another win here, should be enough for the playoffs. The UNI running game is firing on all cylinders right now and SIU’s defense allowed Illinois State 372 rushing yards last week. UNI will match that and could put up another 400 yards. Mark Iannotti will get to 3000 yards in this game. His stats are sick 2931 yards passing on 248-376 for 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, a 66% completion percentage, and averaging 293.1 yards per game. He’s also added 9 touchdowns on the ground. However, Tim Kilfoy and Deiondre’ Hall will be ready and continue the string of UNI interceptions. And the Panthers should roll at home in the UNI dome.
Chad says-
Youngstown State @ Indiana State
How do to the Penguins recover from last week’s collapse? They may still feel as though that pass interference was a bad call, no matter what the photo and video evidence shows. Pelini has never had a team playing for nothing going into the last week of the season. How does he handle it? I’m not sure that this Penguin team, or any team following Pelini’s lead, has the mental makeup to overcome the perceived slight. I’m not sure Indiana State will have much “go get em” this week either, with how they lost last week. I think the Sycamores come out with more fire and take this one, in ugly fashion.
Missouri State @ North Dakota State
The Bears have given up over 5,300 yards this season, which is over 400 more than anyone else in the nation. They’ve also given up 3,000 yards on the ground. Their average score this year is 48-10. There’s nothing I can say to make this game sound any better than a scrimmage. UNI ran for over 400 yards last week, running dive play after dive play. This will be a name your score game for the Bison. The starters will be pulled real early and be well rested for the playoffs.
| TIME (CT) | MATCHUP | TV |
| 12.00 | South Dakota @ Illinois State | ESPN3 |
| 12.05 | Youngstown State @ Indiana State | ESPN3 |
| 1.00 | South Dakota State @ Western Illinois | ESPN3 |
| 2.30 | Missouri State @ North Dakota State | ESPN3 |
| 4.00 | Southern Illinois @ Northern Iowa | ESPN3 |