FOOTBALL: This Week In The GLIAC Features A Number Of Great Matchups

BIG RAPIDS - It should be yet another great weekend of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football with some of the great games that are being featured.

Ferris State University is in Ohio to take on the University of Findlay. Jason DaDay, Rob Bentley and I (Sandy Gholston) will be making the road trip to bring you that game on radio, Twitter and just about any other method we can think of between now and the noon kickoff.

In other action, the biggest game of the weekend is expected to take place between Grand Valley State University, the No. 1 team in the nation, and another nationally-ranked team, Saginaw Valley State University.

Here is how I see this weekend's games:

Hillsdale at Northwood

THOUGHTS: Hillsdale is a team that is on a mission this year to prove it is a top-three team in the conference. The Chargers are off to a nice start this season and coming off a good win last weekend over Michigan Tech. Hillsdale is on the road, but should be a considerable favorite to earn the win against a Northwood team that is playing better, but may not be ready to beat a team like Hillsdale.

Michigan Tech at Ashland

THOUGHTS: Ashland is coming off a 21-point win over Ferris and is opening its brand-new football stadium. Tech is a formidable opponent for the Eagles, but I have to think with the momentum from last week and the emotional lift that will come with opening a new stadium, the edge goes to Ashland. If Billy Cundiff is on his game like he was against Ferris, Ashland is a tough offense to slow down.

Tiffin at Northern Michigan

THOUGHTS: Tiffin is having a difficult time this season stopping people and keeping up with them on the scoreboard. Northern may not have some of the offensive firepower as some of the other teams Tiffin has played already this season (Ferris and Ashland), but that long trip to Marquette will be longer if Tiffin can't find ways to light up the visitor side of the scoreboard in the Superior Dome.

Wayne State at Indianapolis

THOUGHTS: Wayne State is going on the road with young quarterbacks and a young offensive line. How will its young quarterbacks handle playing in this road environment against a good team that plays well at home. This game could go either way (since the Greyhounds are at home), but Wayne gets a slight edge in this one.

Saginaw Valley at Grand Valley

THOUGHTS: This is the feature attraction of the weekend for fans of the GLIAC and Division II football. The two rivals are nationally ranked and have developed a nice rivalry over the years with both teams frequently (GVSU always) ranking among the nation's best. Saginaw Valley has a solid team, but I wonder if the Cardinals have the offense to keep up with the amount of points I expect the Lakers to put on their Jumbotron scoreboard. I don't know if Saginaw has quite enough offense to get it done in this one.

Ferris at Findlay

THOUGHTS: In our big game of the weekend, the Bulldogs will have to find a way to perform well on the road against a solid team that is confident at 2-0. Ferris can't let themselves fall into an early hole against these Oilers. The Bulldogs have to start fast and not turn the ball over (particularly early). If Ferris can draw first blood, defend the run better, run the ball consistently and clean up special teams it will win this game. Lots of things have to come together to be able to win on the road in this league.

Date	Away	Home	Time	Links
Sept. 12	Ferris St.	Findlay	12:00 PM	Live stats - Video - Audio
	Hillsdale	Northwood	12:00 PM	Live stats - Video - Audio
	Michigan Tech	Ashland	1:00 PM	Live stats - Video - Audio
	Tiffin	Northern Mich.	4:00 PM	Live stats - Video - Audio
	Wayne St. (Mich.)	Indianapolis	6:00 PM	Live stats - Video - Audio
	Saginaw Valley	Grand Valley St.	7:00 PM	Live stats - Video - Audio