Author: Kent Schmidt

Originally from LaMoure, North Dakota, Kent is a 1996 graduate of North Dakota State University. His prior writing experience is over 15 years having previously worked with D2football.com, I-AA.org, and College Sporting News before coming to College Sports Journal in 2016. His main focus is college football is the Missouri Valley Football Conference within the Division I FCS. And in 2017, he began also to look at the FBS Group of Five conferences of the American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt. Reach him at this email or click below:

College Sports Journal Sagarin High Major Men’s Basketball Top 25 – Preseason 2022-23

Below are the Top 25 High-Major rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the preseason of the 2022-2023 season. Gonzaga is the preseason pick for not just the High-Major rankings but were the top spot overall. The Bulldogs lost in the Sweet 16 round to Arkansas a year ago but were the top seed in […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin Mid-Major Men’s Basketball Top 25 – Preseason 2022-23

Below are the Top 25 Mid-Major rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the preseason of the 2022-2023 season. Furman is the preseason pick for the Mid-Major rankings after losing in the Southern Conference championship game to Chattanooga last year but finished with a 22-win season. Two WAC schools in New Mexico State and Grand […]

CSJ Sagarin 2022 NCAA FCS Playoff Projection-Oct. 31

Using the Sagarin rankings for this week of Oct. 23rd, the following would be the field of 24 teams for the 2022/23 Division I FCS Football Playoffs. South Dakota State would be the top seed using the rankings for this week, while Sacramento State would be the second seed. North Dakota State is the #3, […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Oct. 29

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 29th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. UCF stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Oct. 29

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 29th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. South Dakota State moves up a spot to the top position after […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 9

The big game in the Group of Five this week had to be the two teams that have represented the G5 the four of the past five seasons in the New Year’s Six Bowl games in Cincinnati playing at UCF. Cincinnati has been the representative the past two seasons and were even in the College […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 8 Review/Week 9 Preview

South Dakota State has taken a firm grip on the MVFC race following the Jackrabbits second straight road win in the state of North Dakota. SDSU defeated UND in Grand Forks this past week a week after also defeating North Dakota State in Fargo. The Jacks defeated the Fighting Hawks in somewhat of a similar […]

CSJ Sagarin 2022 NCAA FCS Playoff Projection-Oct. 23

Using the Sagarin rankings for this week of Oct. 23rd, the following would be the field of 24 teams for the 2022/23 Division I FCS Football Playoffs. Sacramento State right now would be the top seed, while South Dakota State would be the #2 seed. North Dakota State is the #3, while Weber State and […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Oct. 22

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 22nd, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. UCF stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Oct. 22

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 22nd, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. The biggest game in the Division I FCS was Sacramento State hosting […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 8

After Week 7 we had no remaining undefeated teams within the Group of Five. The number of one-loss teams in the G5 was as seven (AAC–Tulane, Cincinnati, UCF; Sun Belt–Coastal Carolina, James Madison, South Alabama, and Independent–Liberty). Of those seven one loss teams, all but Coastal Carolina was in action this past week. UCF, James […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 7 Review/Week 8 Preview

The MVFC race is starting to take shape as there are just two undefeated teams left in conference play after last weekend. South Dakota State and Southern Illinois are those two unblemished squads and both had impressive wins this past week. SDSU had the spotlight game not just within the MVFC ranks but nationally as […]

CSJ Sagarin 2022 NCAA FCS Playoff Projection-Oct. 16

Using the Sagarin rankings for this week of Oct. 15th, the following would be the field of 24 teams for the 2022/23 Division I FCS Football Playoffs. Sacramento State right now would be the top seed, while Big Sky Conference mate Weber State would be the #2 seed. South Dakota State is the #3, while […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 7

And then there were none! That is no Group of Five now after Week 7 remains undefeated. The two undefeated G5 teams coming into Week 7 were Coastal Carolina and James Madison, who both play in the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division. Both teams had fellow East Division foes this week with JMU traveling to […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Oct. 15

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 15th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. UCF stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Oct. 15

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 15th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. There is a new number one team after the top two ranked […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 6 Review/Week 7 Preview

The highlight game this week is something that has not happened ever before in the MVFC when the top two ranked teams meet in the regular season when #2 South Dakota State travels to #1 North Dakota State.

CSJ Sagarin 2022 NCAA FCS Playoff Projection-Oct. 9

Using the Sagarin rankings for this week, the following would be the field of 24 teams for the 2022/23 Division I FCS Football Playoffs. Montana right now would be the top seed, while defending champion North Dakota State would be the second seed using these rankings. Sacramento State is the #3, while South Dakota State […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Oct. 8

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 8th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. UCF moves to the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Oct. 8

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 8th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Montana moves up to the top spot in the ranking after having […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 6

We are starting to see the top teams in Group of Five rise to the top as we head closer to the mid-point of the season. Two schools remain undefeated and both are from the Sun Belt East Division in Coastal Carolina and James Madison. Both schools took care of their cross-West Division foes this […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 5 Review/Week 6 Preview

Five games again daunt the MVFC schedule this week with Western Illinois being the lone MVFC with a bye.

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Oct. 2

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 2nd, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Cincinnati stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Oct. 2

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending October 2nd, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. North Dakota State remains atop the ranking after Week 1 after its […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 5

We came into Week 5 with two Group of Five teams undefeated and those two squads were able to win this week to keep the two unscathed teams. Those two schools are both from the Sun Belt East Division in Coastal Carolina and FBS newcomer James Madison. James Madison had the easier time this week […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 4 Review/Week 5 Preview

Five games highlight the Week 5 schedule. Three MVFC squads will play their first conference game in Youngstown State, Indiana State, and Illinois State this week.

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Sept. 24

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 24th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Cincinnati stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Sept. 24

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 24th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. North Dakota State remains atop the ranking after Week 1 after its […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 4

Week Four had one of the biggest upsets yet in this college football season.  Middle Tennessee knocked off Top 25 ranked Miami (FL) 45-31 in Miami.  Blue Raider QB Chase Cunningham threw touchdown passes of 71, 69 and 98 yards while just completing 16 passes but those completions went for a whopping 408 yards. The […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 3 Review/Week 4 Preview

Wow, just when most were about to write off Southern Illinois as contender in the MVFC, the Salukis shocked the world with its upset at Big 10 Northwestern. SIU was coming off of two straight out-of-conference losses to start the season to UT Martin and Southeast Missouri State. So this upset was definitely not expected. […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Sept. 17

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 17th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Cincinnati stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Sept. 17

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 17th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. North Dakota State remains atop the ranking after Week 1 despite NDSU’s […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 2 Review/Week 3 Preview

The Missouri Valley Football Conference began its conference play this past week with North Dakota hosting Northern Iowa. Both teams were coming off of FBS losses in Week 1 so the winner here in Week 2 would stay in the race. UND QB Tommy Schuster passed for 275 yard and two touchdowns, while RB Tyler […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Sept. 10

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 10th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Cincinnati stays at the top position after […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Sept. 10

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 10th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. North Dakota State remains atop the ranking after Week 1 following NDSU’s […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 2

Week 2 has to be the week of the Sun Belt Conference for the Group of Five. Two Sun Belt teams defeated Top 10 AP ranked teams, while another beat a historically top school. All games were on the road. The two teams to beat the Top 25 squads were Marshall and Appalachian State. Marshall […]

CSJ 2022 Game Preview: UTSA at Army West Point

UTSA at Army West PointWhen: Saturday, September 10, 12:00 PM EDTWhere: Michie Stadium, West Point, N.Y.TV/Streaming: CBS Sports Network / CBS Sports Network Two teams that lost in Week 1 will try to get their first win in this game. Army lost on the road to Coastal Carolina 38-28, while UTSA lost at home to Houston 37-35 in three […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 1 Review/Week 2 Preview

The Missouri Valley slate for this week starts with the first conference game as Northern Iowa visits North Dakota–the earliest MVFC game since NDSU lost at Northern Iowa in 2010.

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Sept. 5

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 5th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Cincinnati moves up to the top position […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Sept. 5

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending September 5th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. North Dakota State remains atop the ranking after Week 1 following NDSU’s […]

College Sports Journal FBS Group of Five National Players of the Week-Sept. 5

Five players including Clayton Tune from Houston, Kurtis Rourke from Ohio, Tanner Mordecai, Bentlee Sanders from Nevada, and John Hoyland from Wyoming have been selected as the College Sports Journal All-Stars for the week ending Sept. 5, 2022 from the NCAA Division I FBS Group of Five schools. CLAYTON TUNE, HOUSTON, QB, SR, CARROLLTON, TEX. […]

Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 1

Wow, it was good to have a full week of football back. Week 0 did give us an appetizer last week but we got a full course dinner in Week 1. The big game in the Group of Five matched two Texas schools that feel they can win their respective conferences. Houston and UTSA met […]

Missouri Valley Football Conference 2022 Week 1 Preview

In Week 1, all 11 schools that make-up the MVFC will be in action in non-conference games.

2022 CSJ Pioneer Football League Football Preview

The Pioneer Football League will begin its 30th season of play this year. Davidson has captured the last two automatic qualifying spots for the league in the postseason. The Wildcats look to make it three in a row.

2022 CSJ Missouri Valley Football Conference Preview

The league will remain at 11 members for this year but will grow to 12 next season as Murray State, which joined the Missouri Valley Conference for its other sports this year but will play one last season in the Ohio Valley Conference for football this fall before joining the MVFC.

HIGHLIGHTS: CSJ FBS GROUP OF FIVE GAMES AND RECAP OF WEEK 0

Week 0 has become really the first week of college football. What used to be only a handful of games now has blossomed into many more. In fact in the FBS for this year’s Week 0, there were 11 games with eight of those games involving at least one Group of Five school. Week 0 […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FBS G5 Top 25 – Aug. 27

Here are the Top 25 FBS Group of Five (G5) rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending Aug. 27th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. Boise State remains at the top spot […]

College Sports Journal Sagarin FCS Top 25 – Aug. 27

Below are the Top 25 rankings based on the Sagarin rankings for the week ending August 27th, 2022. CSJ will show weekly rankings from the Sagarin rankings throughout the season and will have a final ranking after the national championship game in January. North Dakota State remains atop the ranking after Week 0 with South […]

CSJ 2022 Game Preview: Nevada at New Mexico State

Nevada at New Mexico StateWhen: Saturday, August 27, 10:00 PM EDTWhere: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, N.M.TV/Streaming: ESPN2 / Watch ESPN This last G5 vs. G5 game of Week 0 will match two new coaches for both Nevada and New Mexico State. Both teams will likely look much different than the teams from 2021. Jerry Kill takes over the […]

CSJ 2022 Game Preview: North Texas at UTEP

North Texas at Texas-El PasoWhen: Saturday, August 27, 9:00 PM EDTWhere: Sun Bowl, El Paso, Tex.TV/Streaming: Stadium / Watch Stadium The second G5 conference game follows another Conference USA match-up in Week 0 with two Texas schools battling in this one. This Texas rivalry will go away after this year as North Texas will move away from C-USA and […]