It's a relatively quiet start to the South Independent Rugby Conference schedule this weekend, as there's only one game on the slate - the rest of the teams in the South And North divisions start next week.

But it's a big game, nonetheless. MIddle Tennessee State, which won the SIRC North with a 7-1 record in 2014-15, visits Kennesaw State, which finished second in the SIRC North with a 6-2 record. And, of course, the team that handed MTSU's only loss of the regular season? KSU.

"Every time we play them it's a dadgummed nailbiter," said MTSU Head Coach Jody Hensley. "They give us fits every time we play them. This is a huge game for us."

MTSU returns most of their starters, although some have been moved to new positions. Josh Pentecost leads from the front, as always, and is supported by flankers Mason Hubbard and Marcus Leuluai, both in solid form, while in the backs Stephen Wyatt has nailed down the flyhalf position, and Matt Belew could be a force at either center or fullback.

MTSU has one preseason fixture under their belt, having played a local club team.

"We won, but we didn't look good doing it," growled Hensley. "But we'd had just three practices before that game. I think we're in better shape now."