Another eventful week has come and gone. Goodbye to the Salukis and Panthers as far as title hopes this year. The Yotes no longer control their own destiny, and once again just like everyone predicted the meeting between the Bison and Missouri State Bears looms large to determine who will win the Valley this year. 

Clinch: None

Elimination:

ISUb: Loss and (NDSU or Missouri St) Win (89.09%)

YSU: Loss or NDSU win (99.56%)

UND: Loss or NDSU win (98.89%)

ISUr: Loss or NDSU win (99.31%)

11. Murray State (1-7, 0-5) (0.192 conf wins)

Last week: Loss 59-6 Vs #1 North Dakota State (8-1, 5-0)

 

Murray State continues to take some lumps as they try to build their program. Although they had 300 some odd yards of offense it came at only 4.1 yd/play. The highlight was back to back blocked punts however against the Bison reserves. That does show the Racers keep fighting and are willing to do so until the end.

 

This Week: (+39.99, <0.01%) At #1 South Dakota State (6-2, 3-1), 2PM Sat, Midco/ESPN+

 

See SDSU for preview.

10. (-1) Northern Iowa (2-6, 0-4) (1.584)

Last Week: Lost 49-42 Vs Missouri State (6-2, 4-0)

 

Although UNI’s defense did very little defensively, the Prairie Raid was finally on full display last week with very little defense played in the game as a whole. The money downs and lack of success there was the downfall for the Panthers here. 4/10 on 3rd and ⅔ on 4th just wasn’t good enough to get it done in this one.

 

This Week: (+30.42, 1.23%) At #1 North Dakota State (8-1, 5-0), 2:30 PM Sat, ESPN+/ABC (ND Only)

 

See NDSU.

 

9. (-1) Southern Illinois (2-6, 0-4) (1.723)

Last Week: 20-17 Loss At Indiana State (3-5, 2-2)

 

A bad week to punctuate a lousy year for SIU. The Salukis went up 17-0 into the half and did not score again. 3 turnovers and 2 turnover on downs is how their 5 series after their scores went. A total 0 for 3 on 4th downs for the game with the injuries SIU has on offense that will end your chances in a hurry.

 

This Week: (+12.96, 22.59%) At Missouri State (6-2, 4-0), 2 PM Sat, ESPN+/MC22

 

See Missouri State.

8. (+2) Indiana State  (3-5, 2-2) (2.563)

Last Week: 20-17 Win Vs Southern Illinois (2-6, 0-4)

 

Really good and gritty win by Indiana State. They came back from down 17 at the half to rally and really played well and closed out the game in the second half. Although they were sloppy at times, the Sycamores showed a ton of heart and grit to steal a victory in this one. The Salukis beat the Trees in almost every important statistical category, but the Tree still found a way.

 

This Week: (+16.69, 10.68%) Vs #15 North Dakota (5-3, 2-2), 12 PM Sat, ESPN+

 

See UND.

 

7. Youngstown State (3-6, 2-3) (3.396)

Last Week: Won 41-40 (OT) Vs #15 North Dakota (5-3, 2-2)

 

The Hobo Day beating the penguins suffered seems to have awoken them a bit. The Penguins played a close one against USD the week prior, and they not only found a way to win against a then top 10 team last week, but they actually statistically performed them everywhere except for losing 2 turnovers and still pulled this one out! Beau Brungard was pretty unimpressive through the air, but he and Tyshon King were both a pain to contain on the ground. King showing out really for one of the first times all year as he’s been expected to.

 

This Week: *GAME OF THE WEEK* (+6.07, 35.35%) At #21 Illinois State (5-3, 2-2), 2 PM Sat, ESPN+/Marquee Sports

 

See Illinois State for preview.

6. (-1)  #15 North Dakota (5-3, 2-2) (4.056)

Last Week: Lost 41-40 (OT), At Youngstown State (3-6, 2-3)

 

The UND on the road thing really is starting to have some legs to it. This was actually one of Simon Romfo’s better performances of the year along with Bo Belquist, but the UND rushing attach on the other hand had very pedestrian numbers for the day. The biggest problem was UND getting gashed in the run game left and right. You aren’t going to win many football games giving up 334 rushing yards. I think Bubba going for 2 and the win was ultimately the right call but throwing a fade with your wildcat QB who doubles as your TE is definitely a choice.

 

This week: (-16.69, 89.32%) At Indiana State (3-5, 2-2), 12 PM Sat, ESPN+

 

If there was a game for UND to kill the UND on the road narrative it would be this week, however, we just saw what Indiana State did. Realistically if UND doesn’t handle business here we have several different discussions to have about this team and who they actually are. However, maybe Indiana State stays hot and this is another game that if they win could really help rebuild that program.

 

5. (+1) #21 Illinois State (5-3, 2-2) (4.378)

Last Week: Bye

 

This Week: *GAME OF THE WEEK* (-6.07, 35.35%), Vs Youngstown State (3-6, 2-3), 2 PM Sat, ESPN+/Marquee Sports

 

This is kind of an odd pick for a game of the week, but I really think that there are some interesting story lines in this one. You have an Illinois State team with decent playoff aspirations, but can probably only lose to UND to make it in, and a Youngstown team who is playing hot. Illinois State should win this game, and need to. However, Youngstown is starting to build some momentum to close out the year and could play spoiler.

 

 

 

4. Missouri State (6-2, 4-0) (5.980)

Last Week: Won 49-42 At Northern Iowa (2-6, 0-4)

 

Missouri State’s defense went back on a milk carton again. They found a way to win this one and their offense looked as explosive as ever so they get props for that, but the bears are going to need to find some defense before those massive challenges ahead to end their season.

 

This Week: (-12.96, 77.41%) At Southern Illinois (2-6, 0-4), 2 PM Sat, ESPN+/MC22

 

This should be as good a game as any for the Missouri State defense to find a groove as the battered Saluki offense has not reached over 21 points since week 3. It’ll be very interesting to see how Nick Hill responds and if he can get his Saluki squad up to play a good team with really nothing left in their season.

 

3. #5 South Dakota (6-2, 4-1) (6.022)

Last Week: Lost 20-17 (OT) At #3 South Dakota State (6-2, 3-1)

 

The Yotes showed a ton of heart and grit and proved they are a national title contender this year. The Yotes made some really nice adjustments in the second half, but just couldn’t close it out. They then got bullied in OT. This is definitely a moral victory if you believe in such things, but ultimately the Yotes will have to wait for another day (playoffs maybe?) for another shot to win in the Dana.

 

This Week: Bye

2. #3 South Dakota State (6-2, 3-1) (6.597)

Last Week: Won 20-17 (OT) Vs #5 South Dakota (6-2, 4-1)

 

This was a great team win by the Jacks. I still think we are struggling to adjust a little offensively in the 2nd half, but we shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. A big win in a rivalry game against a top 5 opponent is something to celebrate.

 

This Week: Vs Murray State (1-7, 0-5), 2 PM Sat, Midco/ESPN+

 

After the meat grinder the Jacks will get a little bit of a reprieve Saturday against a Murray State team that is looking to rebuild itself.

1. #1 North Dakota State (8-1, 4-0) (7.508)

Last Week: Won 59-6 At Murray State (1-7, 0-5)

 

The Bison did not have a second down in the 1st quarter in this one. That tells you about all you need to know.

 

This week: (-30.42, 98.76%), Vs Northern Iowa (2-6, 0-4), 2:30 PM Sat, ESPN+/ABC (ND Only)

 

I know this is a bit of a rivalry, but this is once again a week where the Bison should roll.UNI does not get its defense back on track this week.

 

Go Jacks!

 

Alex