CSJ Missouri Valley Football Conference Power Rankings — Week 5

The Missouri Valley Football Conference still has three undefeated team. And the rest of the FCS ranks has six. That right there shows the power of this conference. We shall see if the three teams (NDSU, IL State, and South Dakota) can keep their undefeated marks as none play each other this week.

But that total could have been four. That one undefeated team in SDSU lost last week to Youngstown State in the week’s game of the week.

There is little movement in the rankings this week. Again, last week’s ranking is in parenthesis. At some point though as we get into conference play where we will see some top ranked teams losing to the bottom teams. Could this be the week?

1. (1) North Dakota State – 4-0 (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Missouri State 38-11 at home

This Week: at Indiana State

The Bison have the two worst teams in the MVFC to start the conference season. The true tests should come next week when NDSU travels to Youngstown.

2. (3) Youngstown State – 3-1 (1-0)

Last Week: Beat South Dakota State 19-7 at home

This Week: at South Dakota

YSU dominated SDSU’s top offense last week. Now, it gets the other Rushmore state school on the road.

3. South Dakota – 4-0 (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Western Illinois 38-33 on the road

This Week: vs. Youngstown State

USD raced out to a very comfortable lead but gave up 27 unanswered points against the Leathernecks but still won against the previously undefeated Leathernecks on the road. The Coyotes biggest test of the season comes this weekend at home against Youngstown State.

4. (2) South Dakota State – 3-1 (0-1)

Last Week: Lost to Youngstown State 19-7 on the road

This Week: vs. Southern Illinois

SDSU looks to bounce back this week after its high powered offense produced just a single touchdown last week. The Jacks should have no problem with that but their defense needs to stop the high powered offense of the Salukis too.

5. (6) Illinois State – 4-0 (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Indiana State 24-13 at home

This Week: at Northern Arizona

Quarterback Jake Kolbe threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns while leading ISU to a 4-0 start in its win over Indiana State. The Redbirds play the league’s last out-of-conference game this week at the Big Sky’s Lumberjacks.

6. (5) Western Illinois – 3-1 (0-1)

Last Week: Lost to South Dakota 38-33 at home

This Week: at Northern Iowa

The Leathernecks offense just ran out of time for the comeback against USD last week. Now, WIU will look to avoid an 0-2 conference start as they travel to Northern Iowa this week.

7. (7) Northern Iowa – 2-2 (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Southern Illinois 24-17 on the road

This Week: vs. Western Illinois

UNI was impressive in its league opener at SIU. Now a much tougher test comes from homecoming in the Leathernecks. We will see if the Panthers have cured its defensive wows truly this week with the high powered offense of WIU coming to town.

8. (8) Southern Illinois – 2-2 (0-1)

Last Week: Lost to Northern Iowa 24-17 at home

This Week: at South Dakota State

It gets tougher for the Salukis this week. After nearly winning winning against UNI last week now SIU must travel to the hungry Jackrabbits. The SIU defense better be ready.

9. (9) Missouri State – 1-4 (0-2)

Last Week: Lost to North Dakota State 38-11 on the road

This Week: Bye

The Bears get the league’s only bye this week. The bye will help to decide if Peyton Huslig or J.T. Granatol will be be the quarterback next week at Western Illinois.

10. (10) Indiana State – 0-4 (0-1)

Last Week: Lost to Illinois State 24-13 on the road

This Week: vs. North Dakota State

The Sycamores opened conference play with a close loss against the Redbirds last week. Now, Indiana State faces another undefeated team in the Bison this week. Not a good way to try to get a team’s first win.