Facing off against new challenger this week in five WCHA series

For two weeks now, I have been asking for the brave, the fearless, the bold to pick against me as I predict college hockey games involving WCHA teams. This week, 10 of the 12 teams are in action -- Alaska Anchorage and Michigan Tech have byes -- and nobody plays out of the conference for the first time.

So it's a big week in terms of teams possibly moving up or down in the WCHA standings. And it's also a big week for Peter Simons, a local sports blogger who calls himself "a huge MN sports homer."

His blog is called Minnesotasportsbypete's blog. Mine is Goal Gophers as you know. We disagree on four of 10games. I went out on the limb a bit on Bemidji State. Pete picked Wisconsin to win a game at Maroosh. I picked a Gophers sweep. Maybe I am the homer.

Wisconsin @ Minnesota

Peter: Minnesota is coming off a nice sweep at CC and the O has been very good. D seems to be getting better and Kent Patterson has been very solid in goal. Wisconsin is coming off a home sweep against Michigan Tech and its only losses are to Denver and Boston U. MN is 3-3 at home so far this year and the Badgers will be a step up from CC. It will be two hard fought games, thank goodness I got FSN back so I can watch. ... Split

Roman: The Badgers lost seven of their top eight scorers from last season and three top defensemen left early for the pros. This is not the same team as last season's NCAA runners-up. Gophers are feeling good about themselves. Loss of Zach Budish (knee) is a big blow but offense is clicking. If U can stop out of penalty box and goaltending is solid, Gophers could extend three-game winning streak. ... Gophers sweep

Denver and CC

Roman: Sellouts are expected in both arenas. This is a big rivalry series in Colorado for the Gold Pan Trophy now held by DU. The Pioneers rely a lot on young players like goalie Sam Brittain and forward Jason Zucker, both freshmen, and sophomore forward Drew Shore. Zucker and Shore both have five goals. CC looked out of sync vs. Gophers but DU will bring out Tigers' best. ... Split

Minnesota State Mankato @ Nebraska-Omaha

Peter: Mankato has been playing some teams tough but the schedule has been favorable so far. This will be where the reality will set in. UNO has played well on the road against the Gophers and Michigan. ... UNO sweep

Roman: Still can't get the black horde out of my mind. UNO, in their new black road uniforms, came to Mariucci and dominated the Gophers in a Mavs' sweep in their first WCHA series. Impressive. Now UNO has its first home WCHA series. Should be sky high. MSU fooled me last weekend, going to Alaska Anchorage and coming home with three points but this is a tougher challenge. ... UNO sweep

Bemidji State @ St. Cloud State

Roman: Who made up the Beavers schedule? Their first three foes: North Dakota, UMD and SCSU are the top three teams in the preseason WCHA polls. BSU lost 3-2 in OT to the 'Dogs last weekend and played them to a 1-1 tie. St. Cloud State split with Quinnipiac. Who is playing better? .... Beavers sweep ON ROAD

Minnesota Duluth @ North Dakota

Peter: UMD is just one of those pain in the backside teams that finds ways to beat you. They did get thumped pretty good by UND last year but this is a new year and UMD is legit. UND has been pretty inconsistent so far this year as well. ... Split

Roman: Wish I could be in two places at once, at the Ralph and Mariucci. UMD (6-0-2) has the nation's longest unbeaten streak after escaping Bemidji with three points. Beavers slowed down 'Dogs top line, so will Sioux. North Dakota won four of five meetings last season. ... Sioux sweep.