All right, it's time for me to reveal this week's NSIC Power Rankings. Just so you know, last week's podcast will be up soon. It was recorded on Thursday but due to being busy, I wasn't able to upload it to YouTube.
At any rate, here are my rankings this week.
1. #1 UM-Duluth 3-0 (2-0 NSIC) (-)
LW - W @ Upper Iowa 62-13
TW - W vs. #18 Wayne State 42-10
NW - vs. Bemidji State (2-1)
Note - The Bulldogs moved to #1 in the nation for a reason. They are beating EVERYONE handily, even the really great teams. There were a lot of people that thought Wayne State could go into Duluth and walk away with an upset. Those thoughts were put to rest by the end of the first quarter as the Bulldogs jumped off to a 28-0 lead. Issac Odim continues his rushing tear as he rushed 15 times for 149 yards and 4 TDs. Those are still NSIC POW type numbers if it weren't for Josh Hanson's great week. This week, the Bulldogs host the the Beavers in what should be another big game.
2. #24 Augustana 3-0 (2-0 NSIC) (+2)
LW - W @ Bemidji State 10-0
TW - W vs. U-Mary 52-21
NW - vs. SW Minnesota State (2-1)
Note - Josh Hanson is coming off an incredible week of football. In the win against the University of Mary, Hanson was 31-of-45 passing for 405 yards and 5 TDs. Granted, the Marauders aren't a very good team anyway but it was still a nice win for the surging Vikings. Augustana hosts SW Minnesota State next week as the Vikings hope to get their season out to a 4-0 start.
3. St. Cloud State 3-0 (2-0 NSIC) (+2)
LW - W @ Concordia-St. Paul 35-10
TW - W vs. #17 Winona State 31-26
NW - vs. U-Mary (0-3)
Note - The Huskies are coming off a statement win against a solid Winona State football team. It was intriguing that the Huskies did most of their damage on the ground than through the air. The Huskies rushed for a season high 182 yards and QB Phillip Klaphake showed his versatility as he combined for 280 yards and 3 TDs through the air and on the ground. The Huskies have not had a cakewalk schedule as the Huskies opponents are 7-2 on the year and to come out 2-1 against that competition is really something special. The Huskies get their first easy game of the year as they host the University of Mary this week.
4. Winona State 2-1 (1-1 NSIC) (-1)
LW - W vs. MSU-Moorhead 58-3
TW - L @ St. Cloud State 31-26
NW - @ Upper Iowa (0-3)
Note - The Warriors suffered a tough loss against St. Cloud because they were in that football game down to the very end. In fact, WSU was even 2 feet from winning that game on a Hail Mary that was caught out-of-bounds. Even before that, WSU had the ball in the St. Cloud State red zone and couldn't tie the football game. Even though it wasn't a bad loss for WSU, it was certainly a bitter one considering they had several opportunities and they weren't able to capitalize on them. I am also wondering if there could be some QB controversy, as Aber looked inefficient, going 18-of-37 for 285 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and also a lost fumble on a snap. Granted, I don't see the Warriors benching him for Bradshaw yet, but a few more mediocre performances could give the freshman a chance to shine. He should see some playing time at least as the Warriors travel to Upper Iowa this week.
5. Wayne State 2-1 (1-1 NSIC) (-3)
LW - W vs. UM-Crookston 68-6
TW - L @ #2 UM-Duluth 42-10
NW - vs. Northern State (0-3)
Note - Uh-oh, don't look now but is it possible that Wayne State was just playing above their element the past two weeks? Actually, I'd say no. UM-Duluth has outscored their opponents 139-33, so a 42-10 loss to that same team should not come as a surprise. We thought the Wildcats would be more competitive than what they were, but it is understandable for them to lose this badly. Cyle Schultz was much less successful only going 10-of-15 passing for 99 yards, a TD and an INT before leaving the game early with an injury. The good news for Wayne State is they get a much easier home test this week when Northern State comes to town. It is possible that this could be a good week for Schultz to get a week's rest to make sure he's healthy for the upcoming game at SW Minnesota State.
6. #11 MSU-Mankato 3-0 (2-0 NSIC) (-)
LW - W @ Northern State 21-14
TW - W @ UM-Crookston 42-3
NW - vs. Concordia-St. Paul (2-1)
Note - After looking DREADFUL in the first two weeks, MSU-Mankato finally rebounded and came away with a 42-3 win against UM-Crookston. They did not look particularly great in the first half, as they went into halftime with only a 14-0 lead. However, they came out much better in the second half and shut the door on the Eagles. Normally, I'd say a 42-3 win is a pretty great win, however, the Mavericks consistency is still an issue. There is no way Crookston should've kept it a two-score game going into halftime. Will Brogan looked dreadful, throwing 3 interceptions...luckily for him, they were playing Crookston because good teams will make you pay for throwing three picks. All I will say is, the Mavericks better hope Pachan comes back with his A game this week against Concordia-St. Paul or else they could be looking at a potential upset.
7. Bemidji State 2-1 (1-1 NSIC) (-)
LW - L vs. #24 Augustana 10-0
TW - W @ SW Minnesota State 30-14
NW - @ #1 UM-Duluth
Note - Well, well, well...look whose offense decided to show up? The Beavers went into SW Minnesota State and with a potential upset looming, especially after being down 14-12 at halftime, they delivered a second-half knockout punch in a 30-14 victory. After generating only 97 yards of total offense the week before against Augustana, the offense improved, tallying 30 points on 401 yards of total offense. Despite getting the win, the Beavers have every night to be nervous as they go into Duluth to play the #1 team in the country...the same team that has not won a game this year by less than 25 points...against great competition...THAT IS SCARY!
8. Concordia-St. Paul 2-1 (1-1 NSIC) (+2)
LW - L vs. St. Cloud State 35-10
TW - W @ Northern State 27-17
NW - @ #11 MSU-Mankato
Note - Okay, I'll give some kudos to the Golden Bears. They went into a tough environment and came away with a 10 point win. They weren't great...they weren't flashy...but they got the job done. The Mavericks already proved that Aberdeen is not an easy place to go and come away with a W. The Golden Bears looked much better than they did against St. Cloud State. Charles Gilbert was downright unstoppable, catching 8 passes for 183 yards and 3 TDs. However, it doesn't get any easier. This week, the Golden Bears need to bring their A game as they'll need to try and pull out another road win, this time against the #11 ranked Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks in Mankato.
9. SW Minnesota State 2-1 (1-1 NSIC) (-1)
LW - W @ U-Mary 21-14
TW - L vs. Bemidji State 30-14
NW - @ #24 Augustana
Note - Remember what I said about the Mavericks last week? I said that it was too difficult to tell if their 2-0 start was the result of a weak schedule or excellent performance? Well, I think we found that out. If SMSU really is a top half team in the NSIC, they come away with a W against Bemidji State. They are obviously not, as they looked flat in that second half against the Beavers. This does not bode well for the Mustangs as they travel to Sioux Falls next week to take on a very hot Augustana football team.
10. Northern State 0-3 (0-2 NSIC) (-1)
LW - L vs. #11 MSU-Mankato 21-14
TW - L vs. Concordia-St. Paul 27-17
NW - @ Wayne State (2-1)
Note - This might be a funny thing to say, but the Wolves are BY FAR the best looking 0-3 team in the NSIC. Well, I had to say at least one positive thing about the Wolves because the rest of it is pretty negative. With Concordia-St. Paul coming to Aberdeen, this was their opportunity to get their first win on the board. Did they? Far from it, they lost AGAIN on their home field. They didn't play too poorly as they never trailed by more than 10 points but at the same time, whenever Northern State delivered, Concordia-St. Paul always had an answer. The unfortunate news for Northern State is that elusive first win will get harder to earn as they travel to Wayne State next week. An 0-4 start certainly seems inevitable.
11. MSU-Moorhead 1-2 (1-1 NSIC) (+2)
LW - L @ Winona State 58-3
TW - W vs. Upper Iowa 28-24
NW - @ UM-Crookston (0-3)
Note - This might sound hilarious, but there is a good possibility that MSU-Moorhead could be .500 by Saturday afternoon. Considering how bad they looked in their first two weeks, that might feel like an accomplishment...except their opponents were Upper Iowa and UM-Crookston. That's nothing to crow about. In fact, MSU-Moorhead was lucky to win against the Peacocks. Upper Iowa outgained MSU-M 486 to 283. The biggest difference in the game was 4 Peacock turnovers to only 1 by the Dragons as well as a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. Remember what we said about there being three phases to football? Well, the Dragons played much better in two aspects and that's why they won the game. We'll see if that continues as they travel to play UM-Crookston next week.
12. U-Mary 0-3 (0-2 NSIC) (-1)
LW - L vs. SW Minnesota State 21-14
TW - L @ #24 Augustana 52-21
NW - @ St. Cloud State (2-1)
Note - Boy, it has just been a brutal year for Jamal Lomax and the not-so-merry Marauders. Again, Lomax missed this week's game due to an injury and that did not help as Augustana rolled them. We really shouldn't be surprised, this Mary team is bad enough with Lomax, without him, they are just an afterthought. It just won't get any easier for the University of Mary as they travel to St. Cloud this weekend to take on a pumped-up St. Cloud State squad.
13. Upper Iowa 0-3 (0-2 NSIC) (-1)
LW - L vs. #1 UM-Duluth 62-13
TW - L @ MSU-Moorhead 28-24
NW - vs. Winona State (2-1)
Note - Upper Iowa must be the worst second-half team in the NSIC. So far in their three games this season, the Peacocks have been outscored 68-10 in the second half...and those 10 points came against a PATHETIC MSU-Moorhead defense. I don't know what it is about the Peacocks, but they just don't perform well in the second half. Turnovers and special teams miscues doomed them in a game where their offense outperformed Moorhead's almost 2-to-1. I'm sure the Peacocks will be glad to be home next week, but I don't think they'll be looking forward to seeing that their opponent is Winona State.
14. UM-Crookston 1-2 (0-2 NSIC) (-)
LW - L @ Wayne State 68-6
TW - L vs. #11 MSU-Mankato 42-3
NW - vs. MSU-Moorhead
Note - Well, I'll give some credit to the Eagles, they actually played okay against MSU-Mankato...for one half. Really, this Golden Eagles team is bad...really bad. I really don't know if they can win another game all season. Ironically, their three best chances are within the next three weeks. They host MSU-Moorhead this week, go to Mary and to Upper Iowa in the following weeks. I'd say this week is probably their best chance...but that's not saying much.
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