Week 1 Predictions- Jay's Picks

Jay’s Picks

Welcome back faithful followers of UMAC Central. Division 1 college football week one is in the books, the NFL started Thursday, and D3 college football begins on Saturday. It feels good to be back. After smoking Tommy in the predictions competition last year, I needed a break to relax and recharge the batteries. I’m not even sure Tommy can stay in the same league as me this year, but I want to improve on my 31 out of 38 prediction record from last year. 81% is not bad, but I can do better. This week we have ten games to predict, twice as many as usual. Never fear UMAC Central fans, we will predict them all. The games this week are not normally predictive of how teams will do in the UMAC, but still will give us some information about each team. Ready UMAC fans? Buckle up your seatbelts for UMAC football 2013!

 244^th ranked squad @ Martin Luther- This game will be a bloodbath. Sorry, Martin Luther, I’ll write something extra long next week when you play a real team. Martin Luther 63 244^th 6

Wartburg @ MacMurray- At least the game is a home game for the Highlanders. It really sucks to drive 2-3 hours and get pounded…then again it really sucks to get pounded at home too. Wartburg 56 MacMurray 0

Northwestern @ St. Olaf- Well it definitely could be worse for the Eagles. The Oles lose their coach, QB, and almost their entire defensive backfield. That just means that the Eagles could make the first quarter interesting much like they did against the Johnnies last year, but ultimately the Oles are just too big, strong, and physical; they will manhandle the Eagles at the line of scrimmage. It won’t be like playing against St. Thomas, but the Eagles will gain a nice reminder of how much better the MIAC is. St. Olaf 48 Northwestern 13

Westminster @ Hendrix- It’s nearly impossible to predict how a new team to a conference will perform. It’s virtually impossible to predict how a team will do who hasn’t played football since 1960. However, this is an interesting matchup. Hendrix is starting football for the first time since 1960, and is the ranked 243^rd by our friends at D3football.com. Westminster could really use this game to gain some chemistry on offense. QB Joe Plassmeyer will see a lot of new faces in the huddle, and this is exactly the kind of game that could develop some balance on offense for the Bluejays. Expect a sloppy game, but I think Westminster wins relatively easily. Westminster 28 Hendrik 17

Greenville @ Millikin- This game will be interesting not necessarily because it will be close, although I think it will be closer than last year, but because I will be interested to see who starts at RB since Manny Gamble is no longer with the Panthers. I also will be interested to see if the Panters defense has improved from last year. I fully expect the Panthers to start out slow and lose by 20+, causing the UMAC Central faithful to boldly claim that UMAC Central is “crying in a corner somewhere.” It’s not how you start but how you finish, and the Panthers are the best finishers in the UMAC.  Millikin 42 Greenville 20

Minnesota Morris @ Hamline- Hamline won once last year, and it was against our very own Minnesota Morris Cougars. Just a little embarrassing. Yeah I know they are in the MIAC and all, but come on. The word on the street is that Hamline might even be worse this year. So here is a chance for the Cougars to regain some pride. The real question is how many QB’s will Morris start? No matter the number of starting QB’s, I expect Morris to ride a healthy running game to a victory. Morris 26 Hamline 12

Knox @ Eureka- Let the Hunger games..excuse me..the Civil War activities begin! Personally, I think Knox and Eureka need to have a little Civil War reenactment. They could invite MacMurray and Westminster to play the part of the rebel army. We could get the whole UMAC involved. Boy, this could be mildly entertaining. As for the second installment of the Abraham Lincoln Bowl, I just want to remind Knox to suit up their defense this time. Having 11 players on defense is essential in attempting to win a game. In all seriousness, I don’t expect any Durley-esque moments out of this one, but I do think that Eureka goes 2-0 in the Lincoln Bowl. Eureka 31 Knox 28

Simpson @ Iowa Weslyan- This will be a tough introduction to NCAA D3 college football for the Tigers. Simpson is not a scholarship school, but they are no slouch either and are one of the better football programs in the IIAC. That being said, I have no clue what Iowa Weslyan will look like this year. It seems like they lost everything but the kitchen sink, but who knows, maybe they surprise some people. For my money, I think this will be a rude awekening for the Tigers. Simpson 48 Iowa Weslyan 17

Macalester @ Crown- For all the excitement surrounding the new Klein stadium and the massive recruiting class, it remains to be seen if the 2013 product of Storm football will be any better than 2012. Until the QB play improves, Crown will have a lot of skill players with nobody to get them the ball. I think Macalester physically beats Crown into submission. The Storm will come out loud and boisterous but end the day with barely a whimper. Macalester 42 Crown 27

Game of the Week

St. Scholastica @ Whitworth- Last year, the Saints held their own against a solid Whitworth squad, although Whitworth scored the first 28 points of the game and it was not till late in the game that the Saints were able to muster 13 points. So far I have the UMAC teams gaining non-conference wins against the likes of Hamline, Knox, and Hendrix—assuming they actually win. The UMAC would gain a nice feather in their hat if the Saints can pull of the upset against Whitworth. Of all the UMAC teams playing this weekend, I think the Saints have the best opportunity to win against a quality D3 opponent. QB  Tyler Harper will be much improved, which should make the offense much better; although we are concerned with  rumors spreading that RB Jake Jensen may be unavaible indefinitely. In short, I think the Saints make a good game out of it, but just aren’t quite ready to take on good teams beyond the UMAC. Whitworth 31 St. Scholastica 20