By Ryan Briggs
Grove City SID
Another summer has flown by, leaving the region on the doorstep of another college football season.
This opening edition of the Around the Great Lakes will provide an overview of what's new in 2006 as well as some other things to keep an eye on. Kickoff 2006 features in-depth looks at specific teams and conferences -- this column will look at some of the top matchups on the 2006 schedule.
Here's is a look at 10 of the top potential games (in chronological order). Only games involving two Great Lakes Region teams are included in this list.
John Carroll at Wooster, Sept. 2
These two northeast Ohio institutions have played just nine times. The teams last met in 1987, when pretty much all of this year's participating players were in diapers. It is also just one of three OAC-NCAC battles this year.
Albion at Thiel, Sept. 16
Defending PAC champion Thiel hosts MIAA kingpin Albion in Greenville. This should be a good barometer for each program as well as the respective strength of both conferences.
Alma at Wittenberg, Sept. 23
Alma and Wittenberg wrap up the non-conference portion of their respective schedules in what should be a very interesting inter-conference clash. A victory would provide a real shot in the arm for both teams entering league play.
Ohio Northern at Mount Union, Oct. 7
Mount Union is the defending national champion. Yet, Ohio Northern will look for its second straight win over the Purple Raiders in Alliance. Trivia question: Who is the last team to defeat Mount Union in consecutive years? Answer below.
Hope at Alma, Oct. 7
If you like offense, this is your game. There are always plenty of fireworks when these two longtime rivals meet. Both teams will also likely be in the thick of the MIAA race.
Washington and Jefferson at Thiel, Oct. 7
The last two PAC champions square off in Greenville. Thiel toppled the Presidents last year at historic Cameron Stadium, 38-35, en route to a 10-0 season.
Ohio Wesleyan at Allegheny, Oct. 28
The Gators will flip on the switch as Allegheny will host Ohio Wesleyan in the first night game at Frank A. Fuhrer Field. No matter what time of day the game is played, these two teams always seem to put on a classic.
Capital at Mount Union, Oct. 28
Mount Union handed Capital a pair of losses last year, including a 34-31 triumph in the regional finals last year.
Albion at Adrian, Nov. 4
Albion won the MIAA with a 6-1 record last year. Adrian handed the Britons their lone league loss. Adrian is the preseason favorite this year. The loser will likely have their MIAA title hopes dashed.
DePauw at Wabash, Nov. 11
Monon Bell CXIII. I know DePauw is not in the Great Lakes, but it would be journalistically irresponsible to not mention this game.
Making change
Three Great Lakes Region teams have new head coaches in 2006. The three new head coaches who are taking over come from a variety of backgrounds.
Matt Land takes over at Tri-State after serving as head coach at Fort Wayne (Ind.) South High School. He led South to an 11-3 record in 2005. Land also handled head coaching duties for the Fort Wayne Freedom of the United Indoor Football League.
Land is taking over a program that went winless in 2005.
Marietta promoted Curt Wiese from offensive coordinator to head coach during the offseason after Todd Glaser took over as head coach at UW-Eau Claire. Marietta went 5-5 last year.
Former Columbia defensive coordinator Tim Weaver is Bethany's new head coach. Weaver replaces Steve Lee, who was released following the 2005 season.
The Waiting Game
Not everyone will open the 2006 season this weekend. A handful of teams will wait until Sept. 9 to open the season.
Adrian, Alma, Baldwin-Wallace, Grove City, Heidelberg, Hope, Kalamazoo, Ohio Northern, Olivet and Wabash are all idle this week.
Games to watch
Wittenberg at Capital
Capital helped contribute to Wittenberg's slow start in 2005 by handing the Tigers a 54-0 pasting in Springfield. Capital has had the upper hand in this series. Wittenberg is looking to get back to the region's elite and a win in Bexley would go a long way towards that goal.
Salisbury at Washington and Jefferson
Resurgent Salisbury visits Washington & Jefferson in a South Region clash. Even though it is just the season opener, this game could very well have Pool B implications.
Thiel at Geneva
Defending PAC champion Thiel visits future PAC rival Geneva Saturday night. Geneva, currently in its final year in the NAIA, will play a full PAC schedule in 2007.
Trivia Answer: Denison. The Big Red defeated Mount Union in 1988, 41-27, then earned a 24-21 win at Mount Union in 1989.
