We won't need to wait nearly as long for this year's John Carroll-Heidelberg game. John Carroll athletics photo by John Reid III

The curtain is about to rise on another college football season. But before the lights come on inside stadiums across the NCAA Division III landscape, it’s worth taking some time to look at some games worth watching during the 2014 campaign.

I’ll be looking at some of the top games to pay attention to in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, North Coast Athletic Conference, Ohio Athletic Conference and Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Most of the games I’ll be looking at will have conference championship implications riding on them, although a few of the games are non-conference battles that will serve as measuring sticks for the year ahead, and perhaps offer a glimpse of the potential a team has to make a playoff run come November.

So without further delay, here are my top 10 games to watch in the Great Lakes Region this season.

Wabash vs. Hampden-Sydney on Sept. 6: As far as openers go, this is about as big as it gets as it features two nationally ranked teams. The No. 16 Little Giants, the NCAC runner-up and the league favorite this year, will battle a 21st-ranked Tigers team coming off a playoff appearance and enters the year as the favorite to defend its Old Dominion Athletic Conference title. Wabash will need to contain the dynamic tandem of Nash Nance (3.504 passing yards, 27 touchdowns) and Holton Walker (1,723 receiving yards, 16 TDs) to be in a position to win. The Little Giants’ cause will be aided by nine returning starters from the nation’s top defense (220.7 yards per game). A win for Wabash would give it a huge shot of confidence heading into NCAC action.

Wesley vs. Thomas More on Sept. 6: This showdown will have a postseason-like feel to it. Thomas More has a chance to make a statement against one of the nation’s best teams behind All-American running back Domonique Hayden, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards a year ago. The showdown kicks off a daunting stretch where it will play five of its first six away from home. Thomas More isn’t short on experience as its quarterback is a two-year starter and the line features three returning starters. The defense welcomes back seven starters. The Saints will be tested big time by a fifth-ranked Wildcats team that returns 18 starters and reached the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. If the Saints want to be a playoff team this year, a win here would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.

John Carroll vs. Heidelberg on Sept. 20: Both teams have proven they are among the best in the OAC, but if one of these two teams hopes to end Mount Union’s grip on the championship, this is a must-win game. The winner keeps its hopes alive of being a league champion. The Blue Streaks finished second last year and went to the playoffs. The Student Princes were second two years ago and made a postseason appearance. Heidelberg had one of the best offenses in the nation last year while John Carroll featured one of the best defenses. Something will have to give when these two nationally ranked opponents square off in a pivotal early-season showdown.

Wabash vs. Wooster on Oct. 4: Wooster won seven games a year ago, and with 17 starters back, it’s poised to make a legitimate push for the championship. Nine of those starters are back for an offense that cranked out nearly 500 (443.6) yards per game last season. Wabash had an effective offense as well last year, ranking 55th nationally. Wooster’s success will hinge on taking a step forward on defense. The Scots finished strong, allowing only 21.5 points per outing over the last four games, and if they can pick up where they left off, they will have a chance to spring the upset.

Washington and Jefferson vs. Thomas More on Oct. 4: The Presidents and Saints shared the championship a year ago, and it’s a safe bet they will be playing for the title again. The Presidents, who received votes in the national poll, will be counting on an experienced offensive line that features four returning starters. W&J welcomes back five starters on defense, including three in the secondary. Thomas More, fueled by the added motivation of missing the playoffs a year ago, will bank on the experience of 18 returning starters. This game should be close and could be decided by which team keeps mistakes to a minimum. The winner will no doubt have the inside track to the title and a playoff berth.

Mount Union vs. Heidelberg on Oct. 18: The Purple Raiders, ranked third in the preseason, defeated the Student Princes by 10 last season and this year’s OAC matchup should be just as competitive. It will feature two of the most explosive offensive players in the country in Mount Union quarterback Kevin Burke and Heidelberg running back Cartel Brooks. On that note, the defense that has the most success could very well determine the outcome. This is a must-win for Heidelberg if it wants to break Mount Union’s hold on the championship.

Albion vs. Olivet on Nov. 1: Olivet comes into the season with luxury of having every starter back, and that means there is no reason why it shouldn't contend for an MIAA title. But to claim its first title since 2007, it needs to knock off Albion in a late-season showdown on the road. Quarterback Braden Black leads the way after throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 20 TDs a season ago. Albion also has a quarterback with experience as Dominic Bona is back for another year and is one of 15 returning starters. Bona threw for 2,308 yards and 16 scores last season. The signal caller that has the better game will be a key factor in the outcome of a game that will likely have the league title riding on it.

Wabash vs. Wittenberg on Nov. 8: Wittenberg has won four of the last five titles and continuing that string hinges on being able to take care of business against rival Wabash. The 13th-ranked Tigers don’t have a quarterback with a lot of experience but they do return 11 starters in all, including five on defense. If the offense takes shape behind a new starting quarterback over the course of the season, Wittenberg will have a shot to win the league title again. The Tigers should be ready to play this showdown, but winning it will depend on how much success it has against a talented and experienced Wabash defense.

Mount Union vs. John Carroll on Nov. 15: This will be the last hurdle Mount Union will have to leap on the road to a 23rd consecutive conference championship. The Blue Streaks featured one of the top defenses in the nation a year ago but lost 42-34 to the Purple Raiders to see their title hopes end. The Blue Streaks, ranked No. 10 in the preseason, return six defensive starters this year and will need to find a way to slow down the high-powered attack of the Purple Raiders to have a shot at the upset. The good news for Mount Union is that, like the Heidelberg game, it will play this one at home as well.

Wabash vs. DePauw on Nov. 15: The Little Giants will host the latest edition of the Monon Bell rivalry. The Tigers fell behind 21-0 in the opening quarter a year ago and lost 38-21. But it was one of only two losses they suffered in their final six games as they finished 4-6. Seven starters are back on each side of the ball and that group includes four offensive linemen. The Tigers have the potential to be even better this year, and while they won’t be playing for a conference championship in week 10, they will go into the finale with a chance to play spoiler to the Little Giants’ title hopes. And in a rivalry game, records get thrown out the window.