The last time Albion took the field, it was vs. Wabash in the snow. For Albion's next game, only the weather will be different. Albion athletics photo

It’s go time!

Labor Day is near and that means more than just a long weekend to football fans. Forget what the calendar says – Labor Day weekend signifies the end of summer and the start of fall. While that may be sad for some, I welcome the cooler weather and, of course, the first football games that count.

Delving into the schedules for teams from the MIAA, NCAC, OAC and PAC, I’ve picked out 10 that really stand out. Most have conference championship implications, but others are just interesting – at least on paper.

So, if you’re ready for some football (I know I am), here are some games to watch in the Great Lakes Region this season:

No. 14 Wabash at Albion on Sept. 3: This is a rematch of the opening round of the Division III playoffs. Don Morel makes his Little Giants head coaching debut with 16 starters back to help ease the transition. The Britons had a high-powered offense last season, but can it get going this year?

Washington & Jefferson at No. 11 Thomas More on Sept. 17: Perennially near the top of the PAC standings, these two teams square off in a big one to open conference play. The Saints start the year on the road at Franklin and at Bridgewater and return home to greet the Presidents, who are at home for their first two games. This will be a key game in the PAC championship race.

No. 14 Wabash at Wittenberg on Sept. 24: The Little Giants beat the Tigers, 42-14, en route to the NCAC title a year ago. The 14 points were the most Wabash allowed in conference play. Meanwhile, Wittenberg would love to pull the upset at home in its second conference game.

No. 1 Mount Union at No. 22 Ohio Northern on Oct. 1: The Purple Raiders encounter a road test for the second week in a row. Mount Union won last year’s meeting 51-7. The Polar Bears have made a steady climb up the OAC standings the past four years (4-5, 5-4, 6-3, 7-2). Can they keep it going?

No. 11 Thomas More at Westminster on Oct. 1: The Saints close a formidable first half of their schedule against the Titans, who quickly shot up the PAC standings last year and finished second. If Thomas More gets past Washington & Jefferson and Carnegie Mellon to open PAC play this year, the trip to Westminster could be a huge one. Playing at home is an edge for the Titans, but have they closed the talent gap on the Saints?

Adrian at Albion on Oct. 1: Albion looks to defend its MIAA championship and faces a big test against Adrian. The Britons won last year’s matchup, 30-25, and are playing at home this season, which is a negative for the Bulldogs, who were the MIAA preseason favorites.

John Carroll at No. 22 Ohio Northern on Oct. 15: While many believe Mount Union will cruise to an OAC championship as usual, this matchup could very well determine second place. It did last year as the Polar Bears posted a 30-27 win, thanks to a TD on a fourth-and-20 play. This game should be close again.

Case Western Reserve at Westminster on Nov. 5: If the Titans upset Thomas More, this could be for the conference championship. The Spartans nearly stunned Thomas More last year, but fell in a 36-32 thriller. In the PAC’s rotating schedule, Case Western Reserve does not play either Washington & Jefferson or Thomas More this season, so the talented and experienced Spartans could be undefeated at this point. The same goes for the Titans, but they have to get past W&J and Thomas More first.

DePauw at No. 14 Wabash on Nov. 12: The regular season finale for both squads could determine the conference champion in the annual Monon Bell Classic. The squads have met 122 times and the Little Giants own a 60-53-9 edge. Since the Monon Bell was introduced to the rivalry in 1932, Wabash has a 41-37-6 advantage. The Little Giants posted a 45-17 win last season and have triumphed in the last seven meetings.

Carnegie Mellon at Case Western Reserve on Nov. 12: The teams meet for the annual Academic Bowl. Last year, the Tartans outlasted the Spartans for a 52-42 home win. It was the sixth triumph in a series of seven victories to close the year for Carnegie Mellon, which is a PAC sleeper team. Could this clash have more than a friendly rivalry on the line when these squads meet to close the regular season? It’s possible.