CSJ Missouri Valley Football Conference Power Rankings — Week 7

On By Kent Schmidt
The game of the week in the MVFC lived up to the billing this past week as NDSU beat Youngstown in overtime, 27-24, see below for the game winning field goal.

Elsewhere, UNI surprised SDSU as did SIU over Illinois State. Both WIU and USD continued to roll with lopsided victories over the leagues bottom two teams.

Here are my rankings this week with the NDSU-WIU game getting top billing this week.

1. (1) North Dakota State – 6-0 (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Youngstown State 27-24 (OT) on the road

This Week: vs. Western Illinois

Quarterback Easton Stick is playing at a championship level and is really carrying and leading this team on offense. After two road wins, the Bison will be back at home against road savvy WIU.

2. (2) South Dakota – 6-0 (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Indiana State 56-7 at home

This Week: at Illinois State

USD defeated Indiana State 56-7 last weekend in an easy win. The ‘Yotes will now take their momentum to Illinois State–a team that really needs a win.

3. (3) Western Illinois – 5-1 (2-1)

Last Week: Beat Missouri State 49-30 at home

This Week: at North Dakota State

The Leathernecks struggled with Missouri State early in the game but put the Bears away in the second half in their 49-30 win. This isn’t the first game to have that trend for WIU. That likely isn’t a good practice when facing NDSU though.

4. (4) Youngstown State – 3-3 (1-2)

Last Week: Lost to North Dakota State 27-24 (OT) at home

This Week: at Northern Iowa

The Penguins have lost three games by a combined 13 points with two losses coming in overtime. YSU now gets a tough road trip to UNI–never an easy place to win for a visitor.

5. (7) Northern Iowa – 3-3 (2-1)

Last Week: Beat South Dakota State 38-18 on the road

This Week: vs. Youngstown State

UNI’s season has been up and down–like most in recent memory. But a win this week at home will set the Panthers in good position within the conference standings.

6. (4) South Dakota State – 4-2 (1-2)

Last Week: Lost to Northern Iowa 38-18 at home

This Week: at Missouri State

SDSU will have a chance to score plenty against Missouri State this weekend and get things righted. The ‘Jacks looked very lackluster in their hobo day performance against UNI last week.

7.(6) Illinois State – 4-2 (2-1)

Last Week: Lost to Southern Illinois 42-7 on the road

This Week: vs. South Dakota

Illinois State’s defense has really been an issue in the last two games. The Redbirds have given up 78 points, 771 yards passing and eight passing touchdowns over that time. The offense hasn’t been much better as it has thrown six interceptions over the last two games as well. The Redbirds host USD this weekend. Can IL State right the ship this week?

8. (8) Southern Illinois – 3-3 (1-2)

Last Week: Beat Illinois State 42-7 at home

This Week: at Indiana State

The Salukis took out some frustration against Illinois State in a 42-7 victory last weekend and this team is really on the rise. A win at IN State this week will undoubtedly leap SIU up in the power rankings.

9. (9) Missouri State – 1-5 (0-3)

Last Week: Lost to Western Illinois 49-30 on the road

This Week: vs. South Dakota State

The Bears had a 21-7 lead on WIU at one point before getting outscored 42-9 the rest of the way. Now MSU gets SDSU but luckily at home.

10. (10) Indiana State – 0-6 (0-3)

Last Week: Lost to South Dakota 56-7 on the road

This Week: vs. Indiana State

The Sycamores are definitely a notch below the rest of the MVFC. I have to be honest that I don’t see a win really coming this year for this team.

 

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