Week 6 is here as this season is flying by and we’ve had our first week fo MVFC conference play. Illinois State, Southern Illinois, Youngstown State, and Murray State all dropped a game to no longer control their fate for the conference title while the teams that beat them surged. The Jacks for now are still looking to be the class of the Valley, but the other 3 Dakota territory programs along with Missouri State?? Are looking to make some dark horse runs. Let’s get into the breakdowns!

 

11. Murray State (1-3, 0-1) (1.060 conf wins)

Last week: Loss 72-35 At #7 North Dakota (4-1, 1-0)

 

You wouldn’t know it by looking at the final by the Racers kept up with the Fighting Hawks for the early portion of this one. It was 24-21 Hawks almost halfway through the 2nd quarter when Murray State’s KaVan Reed put a punt on the turf and UND punched it in 4 plays later to completely turn the tide and start the rout. If your a Racers fan you have to appreciate the fight early on, but this just showed what we already knew that the Racers are going to take some lumps in conference play this year.

 

This Week: (+22.47, 4.44%) Vs #4 South Dakota (3-1, 1-0), 2 PM Sat, ESPN+

 

See South Dakota for preview.

10. Indiana State (1-3, 0-0) (1.343)

Last Week: Loss 27-24 Vs Houston Christian (2-3)

 

The Sycamores spotted the Huskies 17 before they decided to show up, and when you’re as bad as Indiana State is, that is an insurmountable lead. The trees tried to put together a comeback late, but it was just that late. Houston Christian only mustered 3 point in the final 31 minutes of the game, but that was enough for them to walk out with a win. This one is probably going to smart for Indiana State, this was supposed to be their second and only remaining sure win on their schedule and they gave it away.

 

This Week: (+14.63, 14.82%) At Youngstown State (1-4, 0-1), 1 PM Sat, ESPN+

 

See Youngstown State.

 

9. (-1) Youngstown State (1-4, 0-1) (2.738)

Last Week: 38-31 Loss at Missouri State

 

In what somewhat shockingly was the only competitive game of the inter-Valley contests this weekend the Penguins came up on the short end down in Springfield. While the Penguin offense finally got clicking, ripping off 424 total yards, they unfortunately gave the ball away twice which was obviously critical in a game where the game winning TD was scored with 50 seconds and change left. Defensively it was a poor showing as the Penguins gave up 464 total yards to the tune of 9.5/play, and most concerningly 139 yards and 7.9/play on the ground to a Missouri State team that has struggled to run the ball.

 

This Week: (-14.63, 85.18%) Vs Indiana State (1-3, 0-0)

 

The Penguins coming off of a tough loss will host the Sycamores in their MVFC opener. This is the last game YSU is favored to win convincingly on their schedule, and because of that a must have if the Penguins are going to continue to build a culture under Doug Phillips. Indiana State for their part in this one needs to show some fight. If they are going to turn around their current state of the program they are going to need to play well in these kinds of games where the traditional powers are down.

8. (+1) Northern Iowa (2-2, 0-0) (2.791)

Last Week: Bye

 

This Week: (+19.40, 7.10%) Vs #1 South Dakota State (3-1, 0-0), 4 PM Sat, MVFCTV/ESPN3/ESPN+

 

See South Dakota State for preview.

 

7. (-2) #19 Southern Illinois (2-3, 0-1) (3.769)

Last Week:Lost 42-13 At #4 South Dakota (3-1, 1-0)

 

This was a very poor showing by the Salukis. Yes DJ Williams is out, honestly Tristan Simmons has been serviceable. The defense has some key guys out, that still was a very disappointing performance on their end. Not to take away from the Yotes, but this was not a typical performance we’d expect to see from a Saluki defense. Lots of big plays given up and poor tackling from a group that normally makes you earn every yard is not a good sign. However, neither of these were my biggest concern. The biggest issue was the offensive line play. Once again, nothing to take from the Yotes we’ll get there in their write up, but SIU could not do anything offensively. They could do nothing offensively, because they had zero opportunity to do so because they were completely overwhelmed. If they don’t fix that, their year is going to run away from them in a hurry.

 

This Week: (-4.60, 65.20%) Vs #18 Illinois State (3-2, 0-1), 6 PM Sat, ESPN+:

 

See Illinois State.

6. #18 Illinois State (3-2, 0-1) (3.777)

Last Week: Lost 42-10 Vs #2 North Dakota State (4-1, 1-0)

 

This was a tough showing for the Redbirds. It was a 7 point game at halftime, but it never really felt that close. The Redbirds were overwhelmed by one of the top teams in the country and nothing really went their way Saturday.They could not run the ball offensively, and even though Tommy Rittenhouse played well they only had hom drop back about 13 times. Defensively nothing really went the Redbirds way.

 

This Week: (+4.60, 34.80%) At #19 Southern Illinois, Sat 6 PM, ESPN+

 

This is a very sneakily intriguing game on the slate this week. This is a huge game for both teams. A win for Southern Illinois has them back to 0.500 and 2 ranked wins on the year whereas, a loss would leave them at 2-4 with a fair number of tough games left on their season. 

 

A win for Illinois State would have them sitting at 4-2 with a ranked win and no remaining ranked teams on their schedule outside of UND. On that point a loss leaves them 0.500 halfway through the year with only one more shot at a ranked team and severely at risk of ending the year on the bubble again. 

 

Ultimately this game will come down to who responds. Both teams are fairly beat up and coming off of embarrassing losses. One of them will answer the bell and set themselves up for a run to the playoffs and the loser will have their season on a life raft. It’s cliche but this is a huge tipping point for both teams. I think Illinois State is more complete and ready to do so but time will tell.

 

5. (+2) Missouri State (3-2, 1-0) (4.508)

Last Week: Win 38-31 Vs Youngstown State (1-4, 0-1)

 

This one was a shootout in every sense of the word, almost 900 yards of combined offense and almost 80 combined points. I don’t know that I’m all the way on the Bear bandwagon after this one as Youngstown looks pretty poor this year, and the Bear have yet to show much defense outside of Lindenwood. However, their offense looks legit and is getting more balanced as the year goes on. This just may be a strong final showing in the MVFC for the Bears after all.

 

This week: Bye

 

4. #7 North Dakota (4-1, 1-0) (5.045)

Last Week: Won 72-35 Vs Murray State (1-4, 0-1)

 

UND probably let Murray State hang around too long into the mid 2nd quarter, but they eventually turned this one the way it was expected to go. The offense looked more balanced than it has, and the defense played well enough after the momentum changed. The most concerning thing for UND coming down the road here into the home stretch is their slow starts. They will not be able to replicate that against the competition they have down the home stretch here.

 

This Week: *GAME OF THE WEEK* (+12.31, 20.22%) At #2 North Dakota State (4-1, 1-0), 2:30 PM Sat, ABC (ND Only)/ESPN+

 

See North Dakota Sate.

 

3. #4 South Dakota (3-1, 1-0) (5.632)

Last Week: Win Vs #19 Southern Illinois (2-3, 0-1)

 

This was a fantastic game by the Yotes. Their front 7 absolutely engulfed the Saluki offensive line and severely limited their offense. On the Yotes offense their big play ability finally showed up and in a big way seemingly scoring at will. This was a dismantling of a ranked team allowing the Yotes to formally announce that last year was not a fluke and that they are going to solidly be in contention for a playoff seed again.

 

This Week: (-22.47, 95.56%) At Murray State (1-4, 0-1)

 

This is actually a bit of an interesting one, but not for the reasons one might think. On paper this should be a shellacking, however, the Yotes have a bad habit of playing down to their competition on the road. This would be another big sign that they have taken the next step if they come out and take care of business. 

 

On the Racers side, it’s cliché but they just have to keep improving. This is a new coaching staff trying to instill their culture. Keep improving and keep getting buy-in from your fans and players. Especially in front of the home crowd.

2. #2 North Dakota State (4-1, 1-0) (6.572)

Last Week: Won 42-10 At #19 Illinois State (3-2, 0-1)

 

This was a dominant win for the Bison. Their offense, including Cam Miller, was once again fantastic. They were seemingly able to do whatever they wanted on that side of the ball. Defensively this was also the most complete they have looked. The Bison are peaking and it’s at the right time as they come off one ranked opponent into 3 more.

 

This Week: (-12.31, 79.78%) *GAME OF THE WEEK*  Vs #7 North Dakota (4-1, 1-0), Sat 2:30PM, ABC(ND Only)/ESPN+

 

As an outsider the nickel game had lost some luster, but for the second year in a row it feels massive. This go round it is a top 10 showdown and back in the FargoDome. We have two teams playing very well, but both showing some flaws that the other could exploit. If UND wins it will be because they started hot and were able to capitalize on the mistakes of the Bison defense. If the Bison win it will be that they also came out early but in their case completely stifling the Hawks. The first quarter of this game will be huge and I think whoever captures the early momentum will have very good odds.

 

1. #1 South Dakota State (3-1, 0-0) (6.833)

Last Week: Bye

 

This week: (-19.40, 92.90%), 4 PM Sat, MVFCTV/ESPN3/ESPN+

 

The Jacks and Panthers are both coming off of a bye. What wrinkles will they have to throw in? I think both teams want to have their offense look more insync than they have. The answer will be can the UNI find some defense to slow what the Jacks are trying to do, as I think that SDSU defense will answer the bell as they always do.

 

Go Jacks!

 

Alex