Newberry game will make Midwestern better

Cheers for Midwestern, which today is playing Newberry, a good Division II team. The No. 21 Indians - Newberry still is the Indians, which Midwestern used to be before going down the politically correct path - played No. 1 Valdosta tough in a 14-9 loss and should give MSU coach Bill Maskill a better idea about his team. Midwestern didn't overpower its first two opponents, winning by a combined 11 points. Scheduling Newberry is a signal that Midwestern wants to step it up, much like Abilene Christian did by going to - and winning at - No. 3 Northwest Missouri State. Tarleton has played Football Championship Subdivision opponents and last year, West Texas A&M kicked it off in 2007 against No. 8 South Dakota. The win launched WT into its best season ever. Playing good teams makes good teams better. Which is why the LSC South has four teams among D-II's top 27.