More movement again this week as a convincing win from the Salukis has propelled them ahead of UND and USD after their lack luster performances. Things are super narrow at the top as the Jacks continue to win while not always looking their sharpest, and the Bison continue to roll along. The season is picking up steam and Valley play is right around the corner. This is our last full week of out of conference games. Let’s dig in!
10. Murray State (0-3, 0-0) (0.777 conf wins)
Last week: Lost 21-37 At Georgia State (1-2)
Actually a fairly respectable showing for the Racers in this one. They actually won the turnover battle to help them keep it so, but ultimately were just out matched in this one. I thought their offense specifically looked fair, and WR Lucas Desjardins had a nice game pulling down 7 receptions for 75 yards and a score. I think the Racer offense is quietly shaping up as one you do have to respect as we head to conference play. The question remains if their D will show up.
This Week: (+30.77, 1.68%) At Jacksonville State (FBS) (1-2), Sat 6 PM, ESPN+
FBS game number 2 on their schedule awaits the Racers. It is once again a former respectable FCS program in the form of Jacksonville State. The Cocks have been up and down since moving up, but have never been much more than mid to slightly above average C-USA team. Despite what the computers say, I think the game this week goes in a similar fashion. I think the Racers maybe hang around for a while even if they are never a serious threat.
9. Indiana State (2-1, 0-0) (1.467)
Last Week: Lost 0-73 At #19 (FBS) Indiana (3-0)
There is not a lot to say about this one. The Sycamores played their ranked FBS instate rival and got absolutely thrashed. Elijah Owens did not play after getting injured in their big win against Eastern Illinois, but for now I am not going to read too much into that as this is not exactly the type of game you would hurry back for. Burn the tape and get ready for the Griz, Trees.
This Week: (+23.11, 4.82%) At #5 Montana (2-0), Sat 2 PM, ESPN+
The Trees return the back half of a home and home from way back in 2022 as they head to Wa-Griz to play a Top 5 Montana Grizzlies team. Montana is coming off a big top 15 win against North Dakota. Montana QB Keli’i Ah Yat despite being attempted to be forced into the starting role for almost 3 years, finally looked the part the back half of last week, and I’ll be curious to see if he can build any momentum against an Indiana State defense that has not impressed. If Elijah Owens is able to play this week, I think they can at least keep it respectable, but this will be a tall order for the Sycamores.
8. Northern Iowa (2-1, 0-0) (2.786)
Last Week: Won 17-14 Vs Eastern Washington (0-3)
It wasn’t the prettiest. It wasn’t the toughest opponent. But it was a good culture building win for “Coach Step” and it keeps the Panthers undefeated against the FCS. Eastern Washington missed a FG that would have sent the game to overtime with just change left on the clock, but it was still a positive for the Panthers to get the breaks put on to force the attempt. The UNI offense moved the ball very well with QB Matthew Schecklman leading the way to the tune of 23/24 for 359 yds 1 TD and an INT. A couple of red zone turnovers prevented the Panthers from winning this one handily.
This Week: (-3.27, 60.54%) At Utah Tech (0-3), 7 PM Sat, ESPN+
The Panthers wound out conference play with a road trip to play Utah Tech. The Trailblazers are 0-3 but have competed in all of their games. This will be a good final test for the Panthers, I think. This is a game they should win, but it won’t be handed to them. This should be a good spring board for them into conference play.
7. RV Youngstown State (2-1, 0-0) (3.528)
Last Week: Lost 24-41 At (FBS) Michigan State (3-0)
I thought Youngstown competed really well in this game, and Dallas and his son Hudson were boots on the ground reporting (Hudson was on a recruiting visit to Michigan State). Dallas said he was very impressed with Youngstown’s lines on both sides of the ball and how they hung with Michigan State for the better part of 3 quarters. Although the Penguin ground game still seems to struggle at times outside of Brungard QB runs and scrambles the passing game finally picked up this week. Brungard threw for 242 yards and 2 TDs finding Max Tomczak 7 times for 78 yards. The Youngstown defense needs to continue to grow to truly make this a playoff competitive team, but I think this game was overall a very positive showing.
This Week: *GAME OF THE WEEK* (-1.02, 54.50%) Vs Towson (2-1) 5 PM, Sat FloFootball
I slightly picked this as the game of the week over one coming up below. Reason being, the computers think this will be close, Towson has been a respectable program for a while, and this is our last chance to get a look at Youngstown against an equal opponent before conference play starts. I’m really curious what Youngstown will look like here. Can they get their ground game going without having to give Brungard 15+ carries? Can their defense click for a game to play forward to back? Can Brungard prove his accuracy from last week is sustained over the first few weeks? These are the things I’ll be looking to tap into on Saturday night.
6. #6 Illinois State (2-1, 0-0) (3.802)
Last Week: Won 42-30 Vs Eastern Illinois (1-2)
The Redbird offense had a big day as they scored 42 points behind a big day from Tommy Rittenhouse and a RB committee lead by Wenkers Wright. Wright has looked good this year while Mason King has struggled to find a foothold coming back from injury. The Redbirds raced out to a 28-10 leas entering the final frame, but their defense let up and gave up over 400 passing yards by the time it was said and done. The Redbirds continue to look like they will have one of the top offenses in the country, but if their defense does not start to produce it will prevent them from being a truly top team.
This Week: (-26.93, 97.30 %) Vs North Alabama (1-2), 12 PM Sat, ESPN+/Varsity Sports Network
Illinois State ends its non-conference slate against North Alabama. A team out of the UAC who is a recent D2 move up. They have had been fairly successful, however, they have stumbled out of the block to start this year. I do not see that changing on Saturday. I think Illinois State has their way with the Lions in front of a friendly crowd in Normal.
5. (-1) #22 South Dakota (1-2, 0-0) (4.412)
Last Week: Won 24-17 (OT) Vs Northern Colorado (0-3)
To be completely blunt, this was a horrible game both teams deserved to lose. USD was one dimensional, and beyond that L.J. Phillips was the only one who had any efficacy running the ball in that one dimension. It does, however, bear giving some roses to Phillips’ performance. Any time you rush for over 300 yards and 2 TDs it is impressive regardless of the opponent. However, elsewhere Aidan Bouman and the Yote secondary continue to struggle. Luckily for them Northern Colorado mustered 3 points on 3 separate 1st and goals from the 1 including the one as time expired where UNC chose to send it to OT. The Yote front 7 does get some credit for tightening up in those situations, but if you watched it you know the UNC play calling and execution in those sequences was equal parts bad if not the main contributing factor. Overall, despite how bad the last 2 weeks have been for the Yotes 4 of their next 5 games are extremely winnable. They do that and this performance at least will just be forgotten about as an out of conference win as they enter the playoff conversation again to close out the year.
This week: (-20.78, 93.47%) Vs Drake (1-1), 1 PM Sat, ESPN+/MidcoSN
A Yote team that is still struggling to find its identity squaring off against a Drake team that gave #2 South Dakota State a bigger fight than they bargained for does make for a slightly compelling headline. But at the end of the day I don’t see this being overly close. I don’t know that as this Yote team looks at the moment they are capable of blowing anyone out, but last week will have taken a large physical toll on Drake. Even if it is close at points I don’t think this one is ever truly in question.
4. (-1) #13 North Dakota (1-2, 0-0) (4.726)
Last Week: Lost 23-24 At #5 Montana (2-0)
The Hawks had a rare road win in Washington-Grizzly stadium in their palms and they let it slip missing a PAT, giving up 10 unanswered 4th quarter points after having a 9 point lead, and having their late comeback drive stall at midfield. The UND offense continues to be somewhat eclectic and clunky even if it is getting the job done. Jerry Kaminsky threw for 258 yards and 3 TDs, but he needed 40 drop backs to get there. He was also once again their leading rusher, and I don’t know how sustainable that is long term, although the back field at least put up just over 120 yards on 29 carries amongst 4 backs in what was probably their best joint performance on the year. A WR also finally led them in receiving yards! I thought their Defense played well enough to win the game highlighted by Antonio Bluiett picking off Ah Yat twice. They just couldn’t get enough offensive support when it mattered in the 4th quarter. The Hawks had this one, and whether it is for seeding or the bubble they are probably going to want this one back come playoff committee meeting time.
This Week: (-20.14, 83.25%), Vs Valparaiso (1-2), 3PM Sat, ESPN+/MidcoSN
Good get right opportunity for UND against a bad Pioneer League team as they round out their non-conference slate. I think with the trajectory this team looks like it is on this is a game where they should look sharp and dominate end to end.
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3. (+2) #9 Southern Illinois (2-1, 0-0) (4.747)
Last Week: Won 37-10 At UT Martin (0-3)
SIU impressed last week against a respectable UT Martin tema despite their record. DJ Williams is really starting to hit his stride and had a big day amassing just over 340 total yards and 4 total TDs. He does need to look to clean up the 2 picks. Defensively the Salukis also played well holding UT Martin under 300 total yards. This was a good momentum building game for them as the season really ramps up for them.
This Week: (-2.64, 61.07%) At RV SEMO (1-2) War for the Wheel, 6 PM Sat, ESPN+
It is one of the top rivalries in all of college football in my opinion. This game is the quintessential throw out the records game as recent history would tell you, it almost always comes down to the last drive. SEMO is reeling a little after a lackluster performance against NDSU, but they will be up for this one. I definitely will have my attention turned to this one.
2. #1 North Dakota State (3-0, 0-0) (6.840)
Last Week: Won 41-14 Vs RV SEMO (1-2)
The Bison opened their home slate against SEMO and gave their fans a lot to cheer about. Cole Payton has certainly looked every bit the prototypical Bison QB to start the year, and their defense has been formidable and then some. They’ll look to head to their bye and start their prep for their Valley schedule.
This Week: Bye
1. #2 South Dakota State (3-0, 0-0) (6.865)
Last Week: Won 37-21 Vs Drake (1-1)
This one never really felt in question, but it was also a little gross. Sloppy tackling and continued inefficiencies in situational football on offense made this one closer than it should have been. Not to take anything away from Drake, they came to play and played well. The Jacks will have plenty to work on as they head to improvement week, but are sitting in a great spot at 3-0 with 2 ranked wins.
This week: Bye
Go Jacks!
Alex
