Top NAIA Football Matchups: Breaking Down NAIA’s Top Matchups for Week 0

Hello, Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my top NAIA matchups from week 0.

Grand View University at Central Methodist University 

This is the only ranked matchup in the NAIA on the week 0 schedule and it should be a good one. Defensively for Grand View, they have senior defensive back Felix King who had 2021 28 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 PBUs. For the Viking’s offense, they have senior wide receiver Gerald Sama who had 729 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in 2021. For the Central Methodist Eagles defense, the name to watch is senior defensive back Mujahid Camel who had 50 tackles, 5 sacks, and 5 PBUs in the 2021 season.

University of Montana Western at Carroll College 

This is another fun week 0 NAIA matchup. Redshirt junior running back Duncan Kraft had 855 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns for Carroll College in 2021. For Montana Western’s defense, they have sophomore defensive back Braden Swank who in 2021, had 65 tackles and 20 PBUs. For the Bulldog’s offense, they have senior running back Reese Neville who in 2021 had 955 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively for Carroll, they have redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Garrett Worden who had 34 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks.

Culver-Stockton College at Baker University 

This will be an interesting matchup. Baker lost a lot of talent but still has linebacker Canon Karn who had 75 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks last season on defense. Offensively for Culver-Stockton, they have sophomore wide receiver Slayton Ochoa who had 650 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in the previous season. On the Culver-Stockton’s defense, they have junior defensive back Jahmar Bingham who had 34 tackles and 12 PBUs in 2021.

Peru State College at Missouri Valley College 

This is another fun matchup. Missouri Valley’s defense has returning senior defensive back Drew Peterson who in 2021 possessed 75 tackles. For Peru State’s defense, they have senior linebacker Clayton Thrasher who had 59 tackles and 3 PBUs in 2021. Offensively for both of these teams a lot of unknowns but I expect some players to come out and do well.

William Penn University at Benedictine College (Kansas) 

This is a matchup that I think might not have the same feeling as the others I think that this matchup will fly under the radar. Benedictine is led offensively by sophomore wide receiver JaShawn Todd who can run and catch having 310 receiving yards and 302 rushing yards in 2021. Defensively for William Penn, the name to watch is junior defensive back Zenin Hall who had 39 tackles and 3 PBUs in 2021. Defensively for Benedictine junior defensive back Joshua Morris is the one to keep an eye on he had 42 tackles and 7 PBUs.