Another pretty standard week in the GPAC as no serious upsets occurred. However, the stage is set for some excellent matchups this coming weekend. The marquee match-up heading into this game was Sioux Falls visiting Hastings, but Sioux Falls took the drama out of that with a 34-10 win. Morningside and Northwestern both took care of their opponents to set up a showdown with potential conference title implications against each other this weekend. Dakota Wesleyan was able to bury another cream puff and enter the national polls at #21, and will play their toughest test of the season so far in Mitchell against Midland. In other news, Dordt still hasn’t won a game, as they were blanked by Nebraska Wesleyan. On with the rankings:

1.) #1 Sioux Falls (4-0) Going to Hastings and winning is never easy, USF has given me no reason to even consider moving them from their current position.

2.) #17 Northwestern (3-1) They gave up 38 points to Briar Cliff, but still put up 59 points, and have a huge game this week at home against Morningside.

3.) #4 Morningside (4-0) This offense looks better each week and has used a soft early schedule to work out some of their kinks. We will see if that translates to a win in a very hostile environment in Orange City.

4.) #21 Dakota Wesleyan(3-0) Ate up another cream puff, but will face a stiffer test this week against Midland University. The fact that this game is in Mitchell could play a major factor.

5.) (receiving votes) Hastings (2-2) Hastings has played a tough schedule early, but is a good enough team that they could very conceivably finish 5-1 on the year. However, a repeat appearance in the playoffs would require an upset win over Morningside.

6.) Midland University 2-2 (1-2) This team has played a brutal early season schedule, and it doesn’t get any easier with back to back road games against Dakota Wesleyan and Hastings.

7.) Concordia 2-2 (1-2) Can they use their bye week to draw up an upset at Hastings? I think not.

8.) Nebraska Wesleyan (1-3) Finally gets their first win by blanking Dordt.

9.) Briar Cliff 1-3 (0-3) Played better against Northwestern, but this team doesn’t have the talent in the trenches to match their skill position players.

10.) Doane (1-3) They are better than Dordt.

11.) Dordt (0-4) Better luck next year.