Two upsets in the top 12, an epic clash in the lower half of the poll, and other than that a whole bunch of what you’d expect. Details after this brief clicky.
CENTRAL:
Bowie State, 31-14 winners over Benedict, and Winston-Salem State, who completely destroyed Virginia Union by a 67-16 margin, moved to the top of the pack in the CIAA both in terms of overall record and conference record. Shaw lost 31-27 to FCS Delaware State, dropping the pre-season #25 to 0-2, but it’s a moral victory at least. Don’t write them off yet. Elizabeth City got off the deck with a 49-7 thrashing of Livingstone; unfortunately, it only counted as a conference game for the losers, and ECSU is still 0-1 in the league. Johnson C. Smith lost a tough non-conference contest, falling 38-35 in overtime at Brevard.
This week: 1300 ET: LIVINGSTONE (0-1, 0-2) at BOWIE STATE (1-0, 2-0) 1600 ET: VIRGINIA STATE (0-0, 1-1) at JOHNSON C. SMITH (0-0, 1-1) 1700 ET: SHAW (0-0, 0-2) at Benedict (0-2) 1800 ET: WINSTON-SALEM STATE (1-0, 2-0) at CHOWAN (0-0, 1-1) 1800 ET: ELIZABETH CITY STATE (0-1, 1-2) at FAYETTEVILLE STATE (0-0, 0-2) 1800 ET: VIRGINIA UNION (0-0, 2-1) at LINCOLN (PA) (0-1, 0-2) IDLE: SAINT AUGUSTINE'S (0-1, 1-2)
If anything this week qualifies as a big showdown, I guess it would be WSSU-Chowan, but after what happened last week I’m not sure anyone’s going to beat Winston-Salem this year in-conference. Virginia Union isn’t exactly a kindergarten team. Shaw’s got a chance to start righting the ship. JC Smith should handle Virginia State, and Union will avenge last week’s disaster by punishing Lincoln. Bowie should handle Livingstone with little effort. ECSU/FSU? Got me, buddy.
GREAT AMERICAN:
Great week for the Great American, as they went unbeaten in conference play. With the exception of Arkansas-Monticello’s 41-0 romp over Texas College of the NAIA, every game (OOC or conference) was within two touchdowns, making for a fairly exciting slate of football.
This week: THURSDAY: 2000 ET: Shepherd Tech (0-1; n/a) at HARDING (1-1, 1-1) SATURDAY: 1700 ET: NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE (0-2) at South Dakota (1-1; FCS) 1900 ET: Delta State (2-1) at ARKANSAS TECH (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: Northeastern State (1-2) at EAST CENTRAL (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE (0-1, 1-1) at HENDERSON STATE (1-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE (0-0, 1-0) at SOUTHERN ARKANSAS (1-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: Friends (KS) (1-0; NAIA) at SOUTHERN NAZARENE (2-0) 2000 ET: ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO (1-0, 2-0) at OUACHITA BAPTIST (1-0, 1-0)
I don’t even know what Harding is doing Thursday, other than having a scrimmage. I’m not even sure that game really counts, and I’m not being sarcastic. NWOK and Arkansas Tech are going to lose their non-con tilts, while Southern Nazarene should be okay this week. East Central, I’m not so sure about. In the Arkansas-Oklahoma conference games, go with the Arkie schools. Arkansas-Monticello/Ouachita, the remaining game, will set the tone for the next few weeks. I’m leaning UAM here.
GREAT LAKES IAC:
Well, hello. Hillsdale, pre-season #25 but unranked after an opening week loss, turns around and upends perennial power #4 Grand Valley State 34-31. #17 Wayne State (MI) routed Tiffin 55-0, and unranked Michigan Tech earned their way into the lower reaches of the poll with a 41-10 win over Lake Erie. Northern Michigan required two overtimes to get past Findlay, 30-23, while Ashland gasped to a 39-36 win over Indianapolis which required four overtimes to settle.
This week: 1200 ET: TIFFIN (0-1, 0-2) at FINDLAY (0-1, 0-2) 1200 ET: #22 MICHIGAN TECH (1-0, 2-0) at #14 WAYNE STATE (MI) (1-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: NORTHWOOD (MI) (0-1, 1-1) at NORTHERN MICHIGAN (1-0, 2-0) 1800 ET: #15 GRAND VALLEY STATE (0-1, 1-1) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: ASHLAND (1-0, 1-1) at HILLSDALE (1-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: OHIO DOMINICAN (1-0, 2-0) at FERRIS STATE (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: SAGINAW VALLEY STATE (1-0, 1-0) at LAKE ERIE (0-1, 1-1)
MTU at Wayne is the marquee game this week. I’ll give the edge to WSU on the basis of home field and being slightly better anyway. GVSU should bounce back against UIndy, and you can probably expect wins from Hillsdale, Northern Michigan, ODU, and Saginaw. I’ll go ahead and call Findlay over Tiffin, too.
GREAT LAKES FOOTBALL:
The only thing the GLFC accomplished this week was to prove nobody here is going to do anything noteworthy. Missouri S&T’s 41-0 drubbing at home by Midwestern State settled that. Urbana did pick up a 31-17 win over Charleston (WV), but that was essentially a pillow fight anyway.
This week: 1400 ET: Siena Heights (1-0; NAIA) at KENTUCKY WESLEYAN (0-0, 0-2) 1400 ET: URBANA (0-0, 1-1) at William Jewell (1-1) 1900 ET: MISSOURI S&T (0-0, 1-1) at Drake (1-1; FCS) 1900 ET: SAINT JOSEPH'S (IN) (0-0, 0-2) at Lindenwood (2-0)
The only reasonable shot for a win here is Kentucky Wesleyan, mostly because Siena Heights is a newish program. But 0-4 would not surprise at all.
GREAT NORTHWEST:
Humboldt and Western Oregon seized the early advantage with, respectively a 38-36 nailbiter over Central Washington and a 35-28 win over Simon Fraser. Incoming member Azusa Pacific recovered from a heartbreaking loss to FCS San Diego by pummeling D-III La Verne 65-14.
This week: 1600 ET: CENTRAL WASHINGTON (0-1, 0-2) at WESTERN OREGON (1-0, 1-1) 2000 ET: SIMON FRASER (0-1, 1-1) at DIXIE STATE (0-0, 0-2) 2100 ET: Whittier (0-0; D-III) at AZUSA PACIFIC (1-1) IDLE: HUMBOLDT STATE (1-0, 2-0)
Western should win, Azusa will win, and if pressed I’ll go with Fraser over Dixie.
GULF SOUTH:
A perfect week for the Gulf Coast, which was most critical for #11 Delta State. The Fighting Okra had been looking a bit vulnerable, but a 27-7 win over Fort Valley State rights the ship. #5 North Alabama handled Glenville State 48-21, and #14 Valdosta State notched a 24-17 win over Newberry. West Alabama even got on the right side of the ledger with a 42-35 defeat of Tarleton State.
This week: THURSDAY 1900 ET: Miles (1-1) at WEST GEORGIA (0-0, 0-1) SATURDAY 1700 ET: #4 NORTH ALABAMA (0-0, 2-0) at #3 Abilene Christian (1-0) 1900 ET: #10 DELTA STATE (0-0, 2-1) at Arkansas Tech (1-1) 1900 ET: #14 VALDOSTA STATE (0-0, 2-0) at Albany State (2-0) 2000 ET: Central State (OH) (0-2) at WEST ALABAMA (0-0, 1-1)
GAME. OF. THE. WEEK.: #4 North Alabama pays a visit to #3 Abilene Christian. It’s a tough call, but I’m going to go with the mild upset here and take UNA on the road. And then we have #14 Valdosta visiting #6 Albany State in a game that’s just a ferocious local rivalry with the ugly hint of racism behind it. Valdosta’s been shaky enough in their wins that I’ll go with Albany. The other three non-conference games should all be wins for the GSC.
LONE STAR:
#3 Abilene Christian was idle, while #6 TAMU-Kingsville came up on the right side of a fairly unimpressive 19-7 win over Minot State. Incarnate Word pulled into a tie for the conference lead, winning 41-28 over Eastern New Mexico.
This week: 1300 ET: MIDWESTERN STATE (0-0, 1-0) at TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE (0-0, 0-1) 1500 ET: Central Oklahoma (0-2) at ANGELO STATE (0-0, 2-0) 1700 ET: #4 North Alabama (2-0) at #3 ABILENE CHRISTIAN (1-0, 1-0) 1900 ET: TARLETON STATE (0-1, 0-2) at Texas State (0-2; FCS) 2000 ET: EASTERN NEW MEXICO (0-1, 0-2) at Oklahoma Panhandle State (0-2) 2000 ET: INCARNATE WORD (1-0, 1-1) at Lamar (1-1; FCS) 2100 ET: WEST TEXAS A&M (0-0, 0-1) at #5 TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE (0-0, 2-0)
UNA/Abilene, we’ve covered. Tarleton and Incarnate Word should fall to FCS teams, while ENMU and Angelo should come away with wins. In conference action, look for Midwestern and Kingsville to come out on top.
MID-AMERICA:
It’s still to early to say “Pittsburg State is back”, but after a 38-14 win over Emporia State, the 25th-ranked Gorillas may very well be. #2 Northwest Missouri State strangled Sioux Falls 52-17, while #15 Washburn romped over Lincoln 66-26. All news was not good; #12 Central Missouri fell to Missouri Western 23-6, and Fort Hays is now in dire straits after a 36-31 loss to Truman State, of all teams.
This week: 1200 ET: Langston (2-0; NAIA) at MISSOURI WESTERN (1-1, 1-1) 1400 ET: #24 CENTRAL MISSOURI (1-1, 1-1) at EMPORIA STATE (0-2, 0-2) 1500 ET: CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (0-2) at Angelo State (2-0) 1500 ET: #2 NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE (1-0, 2-0) at LINCOLN (MO) (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: Saint Joseph's (IN) (0-2) at LINDENWOOD (2-0) 1900 ET: #13 WASHBURN (1-0, 2-0) at MISSOURI SOUTHERN (0-1, 0-1) 1900 ET: NORTHEASTERN STATE (1-2) at East Central (1-1) 2000 ET: SOUTHWEST BAPTIST (1-1) at FORT HAYS STATE (1-1, 1-1) 2000 ET: #19 PITTSBURG STATE (2-0, 2-0) at TRUMAN STATE (1-1, 1-1)
All four ranked teams are on the road in-conference; all four should hold serve and win anyway. Missouri Western, Lindenwood, and Fort Hays should also pick up victories; Central Oklahoma and NE Oklahoma, not so much.
NORTHEAST TEN:
A 50-14 win over Saint Augustine’s served to push New Haven into the top 25. Assumption scored a 28-21 overtime win over Seton Hill, while Pace defeated Stonehill 23-20 also in overtime. The Pace-Stonehill game was not a conference game; the two teams will meet again later in the year to fulfill that obligation.
This week: FRIDAY: 1900 ET: BENTLEY (0-0, 1-1) at STONEHILL (0-0, 1-1) SATURDAY: 1200 ET: ASSUMPTION (0-0, 1-1) at AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL (0-0, 1-1) 1300 ET: PACE (0-0, 1-1) at MERRIMACK (0-0, 1-1) 1300 ET: SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE (0-0, 1-1) at SAINT ANSELM (0-0, 0-1) 1900 ET: #23 NEW HAVEN (0-0, 2-0) at William & Mary (1-1; FCS)
Look, it’s the mythical ranked NE-10 team. New Haven’s going to get trucked Saturday. In conference play, things are tight, but I’ll go with Bentley, American International, Merrimack, and Southern Connecticut. I will probably miss on half of them.
NORTHERN SUN:
#1 Minnesota-Duluth kept the top spot on the strength of a 49-22 thumping of Upper Iowa, while #10 Saint Cloud State cemented their position as the NSIC’s second-in-command with a 41-13 win over Concordia-Saint Paul. The tribulations of #16 Augustana continue, however, losing 30-27 in overtime to Bemidji State and falling out of the top 25.
This week: 1335 ET: MINOT STATE (0-3) at Montana State (1-1; FCS) 1400 ET: MINNESOTA-CROOKSTON (0-1, 1-1) at MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO (1-0, 1-1) 1400 ET: MINNESOTA STATE-MOORHEAD (0-1, 1-1) at UPPER IOWA (0-1, 1-1) 1530 ET: AUGUSTANA (SD) (0-1, 0-2) at MARY (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE (1-0, 1-1) at BEMIDJI STATE (1-0, 2-0) 1900 ET: NORTHERN STATE (0-1, 1-1) at CONCORDIA-SAINT PAUL (0-1, 1-1) 1900 ET: #1 MINNESOTA-DULUTH (1-0, 2-0) at WAYNE STATE (NE) (1-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: #9 SAINT CLOUD STATE (1-0, 2-0) at WINONA STATE (1-0, 1-1) 2000 ET: SIOUX FALLS (0-2) at McNeese State (0-1; FCS)
Only two ranked teams? Oddness. Duluth and Saint Cloud should be okay this week, and expect wins from Mankato and Bemidji. I would say Augustana should beat Mary, but Augustana’s having a rough go and Mary looks well improved… I’ll still go with Augie, but won’t be surprised if they fall to 0-3. The remaining conference games are too fuzzy to call, but the two incoming members are going to get blown out by FCS teams.
PENNSYLVANIA:
#9 Bloomsburg kept rolling, notching a 45-10 win over Clarion, while #22 California (PA) recovered from last week’s stumble to roll over C.W. Post 41-13. In the nation’s weightiest game last weekend, #19 Kutztown, perhaps angry after having been mocked by Paul Finebaum show last week due to the antics of a Kutztown graduate calling on behalf of Penn State, knocked off #18 Mercyhurst 35-28.
This week: THURSDAY: 2000 ET: #8 BLOOMSBURG (0-0, 2-0) at INDIANA (PA) (0-0, 1-0) SATURDAY: 1200 ET: LONG ISLAND-C.W. POST (0-0, 0-2) at #25 MERCYHURST (0-0, 1-1) 1200 ET: MILLERSVILLE (0-0, 1-1) at GANNON (0-0, 0-2) 1300 ET: CHEYNEY (0-0, 1-1) at EDINBORO (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: CLARION (0-0, 0-2) at SHIPPENSBURG (0-0, 1-1) 1300 ET: SLIPPERY ROCK (0-0, 2-0) at WEST CHESTER (0-0, 0-2) 1805 ET: #21 CALIFORNIA (PA) (0-0, 1-1) at EAST STROUDSBURG (0-0, 1-1) 1805 ET: LOCK HAVEN (0-0, 0-1) at #16 KUTZTOWN (0-0, 2-0)
Thankfully for Mercyhurst, they should recover and win this week, and California and Kutztown are in good shape as well. Bloomsburg, on the other hand… the question is whether Indiana is “back” or not. I guess we’ll see Thursday night. Your other winners for the week include Millersville, Edinboro, Shippensburg, and Slippery Rock.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN:
None of the RMAC’s ranked teams even broke a sweat this weekend. #13 Nebraska-Kearney steamrolled future MIAA conference-mate Northeastern State 65-10, #21 CSU-Pueblo crushed Northwestern Oklahoma State 41-0, and #24 Colorado Mines cruised past South Dakota Tech 55-7. Colorado Mesa, 52-30 winners over Dixie State (partially due to three interceptions returned for scores), remained unbeaten as well, as did Adams State, who knocked off Black Hills State 35-14.
This week: 1400 ET: #11 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY (0-0, 2-0) at COLORADO MESA (0-0, 1-1) 1400 ET: NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS (0-0, 2-0) at #20 COLORADO MINES (0-0, 2-0) 1500 ET: CHADRON STATE (0-0, 0-2) at WESTERN STATE (0-0, 0-2) 1500 ET: WESTERN NEW MEXICO (0-0, 1-1) at FORT LEWIS (0-0, 1-1) 2000 ET: BLACK HILLS STATE (0-3) at South Dakota Tech (0-3) 2100 ET: #18 COLORADO STATE-PUEBLO (0-0, 2-0) at ADAMS STATE (0-0, 2-0)
Two of the RMAC’s five unbeatens are going to disappear Saturday. I don’t think you can go wrong picking the ranked squads to win, but this is crucible week. The remaining three games, on the other hand, are pillow fights. Chadron will probably win; I don’t know about the other two games.
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
#20 Carson-Newman is the only SAC team remaining in the top 25 after a 56-7 spanking of Fayetteville State. #23 Wingate, now reeling at 0-2, fell from the poll following a 49-28 loss to #7 Albany State. The only team in the conference to win this week other than Carson-Newman was Brevard, 38-35 overtime winners over Johnson C. Smith.
This week: 1400 ET: MARS HILL (0-0, 1-1) at BREVARD (0-0, 1-1) 1400 ET: WINGATE (0-0, 0-2) at North Carolina-Pembroke (2-0) 1900 ET: #17 CARSON-NEWMAN (0-0, 2-0) at LENOIR-RHYNE (0-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: NEWBERRY (0-0, 0-2) at CATAWBA (0-0, 0-2) 1900 ET: TUSCULUM (0-0, 1-1) at North Greenville (1-1)
Lenoir-Rhyne’s a good team, but Carson-Newman’s been dominant, so go with it. Also take Brevard (who lost a close one against a good team last week), and Catawba’s just been so bad that I have to go with Newberry. Wingate’s got to beat Pembroke, or their season’s in the trash heap, and I expect Tusculum to hang on for a win.
SOUTHERN IAC:
As just mentioned, #7 Albany State held serve against Wingate. Kentucky State remains unblemished after a 43-27 win over Lincoln (PA).
This week: THURSDAY: 1900 ET: MILES (0-0, 1-1) at West Georgia (0-1) SATURDAY: 1500 ET: Point (0-3; n/a) at LANE (0-0, 1-1) 1700 ET: Shaw (0-2) at BENEDICT (0-0, 0-2) 1800 ET: FORT VALLEY STATE (0-0, 0-2) at CLARK ATLANTA (0-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: Valdosta State (2-0) at #6 ALBANY STATE (0-0, 2-0) 1900 ET: STILLMAN (0-0, 1-1) at KENTUCKY STATE (0-0, 2-0) 1900 ET: Edward Waters (1-1; NAIA) at MOREHOUSE (0-0, 1-1) 1900 ET: TUSKEGEE (0-0, 0-1) at Alabama A&M (0-2; FCS)
Aside from games already mentioned, we’ve got Lane playing what is currently a club team, and I’m not sure whether it really counts. They’ll win, though. Tuskegee is probably going to lose, though they occasionally win these FCS play-ups. Morehouse will win, and I expect Fort Valley to bounce back with a victory. Kentucky State, who should beat Stillman, is the wild-card this week; I just don’t know whether they’re good enough to be playing frontrunner, but we’ll see Saturday.
WEST VIRGINIA:
#8 Shepherd swatted Saint Joseph’s (IN) aside 45-7, while Fairmont State remained unbeaten with a 45-14 win over the NAIA’s West Virginia Tech. West Virginia Wesleyan also moved to 2-0, dispatching Bentley 28-23.
This week: 1200 ET: GLENVILLE STATE (0-0, 0-2) at FAIRMONT STATE (0-0, 2-0) 1200 ET: SETON HILL (0-0, 0-2) at #7 SHEPHERD (0-0, 2-0) 1200 ET: WEST LIBERTY STATE (0-0, 0-2) at WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN (0-0, 2-0) 1300 ET: CONCORD (0-0, 0-2) at CHARLESTON (WV) (0-0, 0-2) IDLE: WEST VIRGINIA STATE (0-0, 0-2)
Picking this week’s slate? Mostly easy. Fairmont, Shepherd, and Wesleyan. There, done. Oh… that other game. Well, both teams look bad, so flip a coin.
INDEPENDENTS:
UNC-Pembroke leads the independent charge, remaining perfect after a 49-38 tussle with Chowan. McMurry, who was absolutely humiliated last week by FCS team Stephen F. Austin, turned around and beat another FCS team in a 24-21 win over Texas-San Antonio. Notre Dame (OH) took down Walsh of the NAIA 20-17 in overtime, but none of the other independents pocketed a win last weekend.
This week: 1300 ET: NOTRE DAME (OH) (1-1) at Marian (IN) (3-0; NAIA) 1400 ET: Wingate (0-2) at NORTH CAROLINA-PEMBROKE (2-0) 1400 ET: Urbana (1-1) at WILLIAM JEWELL (1-1) 1900 ET: McMURRY (1-1) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (1-0; D-III) 1900 ET: Tusculum (1-1) at NORTH GREENVILLE (1-1) 2000 ET: CENTRAL STATE (OH) (0-2) at West Alabama (1-1) 2000 ET: Eastern New Mexico (0-2) at OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE (0-2) 2000 ET: Black Hills State (0-3) at SOUTH DAKOTA TECH (0-3)
As for the two games left unmentioned thus far, Notre Dame will probably lose. McMurry… if this were still a strictly D-III game, I wouldn’t even give them a chance. The presence of some scholarship players, however, might be enough to make a game of it. But UMBH hasn’t lost to these guys in quite awhile.