#3 GLIAC NORTH
SAGINAW VALLEY STATE
CARDINALS (9-3 ALL, 9-1 GLIAC)
2014 Saginaw Valley State Preview (by Tony Nicolette, GLIAC
contributor)
They’ll now look to the “what is” that 2014 brings…and that “what is” will include a lot of new faces in key spots. This will be particularly true on offense, where the significance of the departures of Jennings and Janis is hard to understate. Upon closer inspection, the losses are even deeper as the top four ground-gainers and four of the top five pass catchers from last year’s squad must be replaced. Toss in the fact that more than half of the line has moved on and it is very likely that the offensive unit will be predominately youthful and untested.
The picture is slightly brighter on defense. While the top
two tacklers from a year ago are gone, the bulk of the secondary
returners are led by safeties Caleb Higbie and Major Metcalf.
Also back is the club’s top sack artist in Will
Schwarz. Schwarz and fellow senior Murtada Jabbie will be
solid anchors on the defensive front. In total, while roughly
half of the defensive starters may lean toward the side of
inexperienced as the season begins, there are definitely fewer
holes to fill on this side of the ball and there are several key
pieces that can shoulder the load in the early going.
Like any other GLIAC club, the Cardinals will have no weeks off as their new starters earn their stripes. With that said, Saginaw Valley does boast a schedule that, at least on paper, might almost appear to be daunting. They do have the luxury of opening at home, but the test will be a good one as former league mate and two-time defending GLVC champ Indianapolis pays a visit. Tough battles also loom in September against Michigan Tech and Ferris State. Perhaps the most daunting stretch for the Cards comes in the final four weeks of the slate as they conclude with an Axe Bowl match-up with Northwood, back-to-back roadies to Hillsdale and Ohio Dominican, and the finale against Grand Valley.