NUIC Week 5 Picks and Preview

Stateline Sports Hub. Media picks.

26-2. Kyle Kampmier. NUIC Football Fanatics/Freeport Journal Standard. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, Dakota.

26-2. Scott Leber. WTVO TV. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, Dakota.

25-3. Matt Trowbridge. Rockford Register Star/Freeport Journal Standard. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, Dakota.

25-3. Cody Cutter. Sauk Valley News. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, E/PC.

24-4. Joe Dredge. WROK/Stateline Sports Hub.  Dakota, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, E/PC.

24-4. Derrick Mason. Townsquare Media. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, Dakota.

24-4. Terry Werntz. Former Dakota and Freeport football coach. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, Dakota.

23-5. Mike Buda. WIFR TV. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, E/PC.

22-6. Pete Leinweber. Deep Dish Football. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, E/PC.

21-7. Tim O'Hallaran. Publisher Edgy Tim. Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, E/PC.

20-8. Al Zipsie. Stateline Sports Hub. Du/Pec. Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, Forreston, Dakota.

The best matchup this week is Dakota slightly favored over E/PC by our panel. All the other games are unanimous with  Du/Pec, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Aquin, West Carroll, and Forreston.

Besides the NUIC being the dominant small-school football Conference in the State. This year has a good chance of producing the 21st state champion with Forreston and Lena-Winslow the top two ranked teams in the state. They are both 4-0 along with Aquin who had been impressive.

This year the three teams that left the NUIC are all in the running for a state championship. Polo and River Ridge in 8 man football. Polo 4-0 and RR 3-1 have not lost to another Illinois opponent.

And Warren in 11 man Division 7 football is 5-0 and the top-ranked team in the state ranking. Last year Blackhawk was the state champions and this year joined forces with Illinois school Warren to defend the title. Quarterback Ethan Williams of Warren has had a great season for the Coop.