1. St. Scholastica embarrassed the preseason number one team this weekend from start to finish with that vaunted defense and an offense that seems to have an endless list of playmakers. This team did not make any mistakes and capitalized on everything Greenville gave them. Outside of Northwestern, the Saints do not have a team left on the schedule that can even compete with them much less upset them, and I’m not even sure Northwestern can play with this team all four quarters. Its only week three but St. Scholastica appears poised to represent the UMAC in the Division III playoffs for the second consecutive year.
2. Northwestern will have two tune-up games before they travel to Duluth to visit the Saints. I’m not saying they couldn’t beat St. Scholastica, but they will have to play a whole lot better than they did against Presentation if they want to challenge the reigning conference champs. This team does have a lot of talent with quite possibly the most dynamic player in the UMAC in WR Brian Lecheler, but overall are too inconsistent. The key for the Eagles leading up to the trip to Duluth will be steadily improving and focusing on taking care of business the next couple of weeks.
3. University of Minnesota-Morris has not necessarily earned the number three spot in the poll more than other teams have lost that distinction. I think that Greenville is a better team than Morris, but being undefeated in conference so far deserves some recognition. They have pulled off some squeakers against some of the worst teams in the conference. The defense has played pretty well over the last two weeks, but its safe to say that this team has not found its rhythm on offense which does not bode well when Greenville comes to town next week.
4. Greenville has been riding on their preseason ranking so far in this power poll. I think they are the third best team in the conference and this week will be the week to prove it. The good news is that they are not as bad as the 45-3 loss says they are; still they got pounded by St. Scholastica this week. Maybe that will get a fire going underneath their tails a little bit this week. QB Brendan Chambers and company should be motivated to make up for a lame effort last week and show they can still be a player in the conference.
5. Eureka came away with a tough win against a very scrappy team from Crown. The inability to run the ball effectively will continue to hamper the Red Devils all season. Teams are figuring out how to defend the pass and daring Eureka to run the football. A non-conference game against Simpson will most definitely not be what the doctor ordered to fix an ailing running game. This season will ride on the arm of QB Sam Durley: as he goes so will the Red Devils.
6. Westminster did nothing to improve their rankings in the poll by beating Martin Luther. Beating a team that gives the ball over eight times is a given. Still trying to figure out how good this team is after two weeks. The Blue Jays travel up to St. Bonifacious to play a Crown team that plays with a chip on their shoulder.
7. Crown. You have to love the spunk that these kids play with even though they had a heartbreaking loss. When the season started, I would never have given the Storm a chance against Westminster. After watching two weeks of games, I think this Crown team has a good chance to beat Westminster at home. I am not sure what happened to starting QB Wess Safford, but the comeback was led by QB Josh Sanados and it will be interesting to see who starts the game at QB this upcoming week.
8. MacMurray has been in both of the games that they have played. Count me as one of the people a little surprised at how they have played. They just need to learn how to finish games. It won’t get any easier with a trip to St. Paul this weekend to face Northwestern.
9. Martin Luther has had way too many issues with turnovers for this team to function. It seriously could be over in the first quarter against St. Scholastica if they turn the ball over this much.
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