Week 7: Missouri Valley Conference Power Rankings

[guinzone]

I had a busy Monday so I just got to this now.

1. North Dakota State: Was not pretty, but their defense showed up in a big way on the road to beat SIU 9-3.
2. Northern Iowa: Was somewhat close in the 2nd half at 13-9, but opened it up a bit and won 23-9 over INSU.
3. Indiana State: Still think they are the 3rd best team in the league this year and if they lose just one more game, that being NDSU, they should have a good shot at the playoffs.
-DROP OFF-
4. Illinois State: Was close for much of the game before they blew it wide open late over Missouri State 38-13.
5. South Dakota State: Sumner looked damn good against the pathetic YSU defense. Huge win on the road in Youngstown 35-28.
6. Youngstown State: Defense is pitiful. Starting all freshmen at LB and CB is a recipe for disaster. Loss can be blamed on the YSU offense though. Blew countless scoring opportunities. Looks like 5-6 is possible this season.
7. Southern Illinois: Give them credit for their performance against NDSU... Should be the slight favorites over YSU this weekend.
-THE BOTTOM-
8. Western Illinois: BYE week. A win at INSU will be impressive.
9. Missouri State: Just bad this year.

[Strommer10]

I have thought all season that in order for NDSU to be the best in the conference, they have to beat the best. And until then, UNI is #1 in my mind. Especially after last weeks games.

[Darell1976]

I had a busy Monday so I just got to this now.

1. North Dakota State: Was not pretty, but their defense showed up in a big way on the road to beat SIU 9-3.
2. Northern Iowa: Was somewhat close in the 2nd half at 13-9, but opened it up a bit and won 23-9 over INSU.
3. Indiana State: Still think they are the 3rd best team in the league this year and if they lose just one more game, that being NDSU, they should have a good shot at the playoffs.
-DROP OFF-
4. Illinois State: Was close for much of the game before they blew it wide open late over Missouri State 38-13.
5. South Dakota State: Sumner looked damn good against the pathetic YSU defense. Huge win on the road in Youngstown 35-28.
6. Youngstown State: Defense is pitiful. Starting all freshmen at LB and CB is a recipe for disaster. Loss can be blamed on the YSU offense though. Blew countless scoring opportunities. Looks like 5-6 is possible this season.
7. Southern Illinois: Give them credit for their performance against NDSU... Should be the slight favorites over YSU this weekend.
-THE BOTTOM-
8. Western Illinois: BYE week. A win at INSU will be impressive.
9. Missouri State: Just bad this year.

What happened to Indiana State...this is one season to remember. Keep up the great work!!

[MSUBear42]

Clenz, PM me your address so I can go ahead and go shopping...

[SuperHornet]

I have thought all season that in order for NDSU to be the best in the conference, they have to beat the best. And until then, UNI is #1 in my mind. Especially after last weeks games.

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[AZGrizFan]

I have thought all season that in order for NDSU to be the best in the conference, they have to beat the best. And until then, UNI is #1 in my mind. Especially after last weeks games.

Agreed. And NDSU did nothing to endear themselves to voters on the fence this week with that less-than-stellar performance against SIU.

[lakesbison]

WTH is dipshit darrel posting in here? this MVFC, big time football.

I like the standings, keep it rolling

[SuperHornet]

The MVC is "bigtime football"?!?












The only team of note (long-term) in the MVC is UNI. Currently, NDSU is second to UNI. And, as a league, the CAA is light-years ahead of the MVC. An argument could also be made that, as a league, the Southern Conference is ALSO way ahead of the MVC.

[Strommer10]

The only team of note (long-term) in the MVC is UNI.

I disagree with this completely. Not only NDSU, but Ind St. have a talented enough team to make a run in the playoffs this year. I would be suprised to see 2 teams in the semis, but we could have 0 teams in the semis. The top 3 in the conference are talented and will make for more of a showing than last years teams did.

Guarantee UNI doesn't lose their first round game at home this year.

[SuperHornet]

The only team of note (long-term) in the MVC is UNI.

I disagree with this completely. Not only NDSU, but Ind St. have a talented enough team to make a run in the playoffs this year. I would be suprised to see 2 teams in the semis, but we could have 0 teams in the semis. The top 3 in the conference are talented and will make for more of a showing than last years teams did.

Guarantee UNI doesn't lose their first round game at home this year.

By long-term, I meant consistent performance over an extended period of time. NDSU hasn't proven that yet, though for THIS year they're one of the best teams in the country. My main point is that as a conference, the MVC is upper-middle-class, so to speak. Definitely a lot better than the Pioneer/SWAC/MEAC, but nowhere near CAA/Southern. Probably peer or close behind the Big Sky.

[Strommer10]

I disagree with this completely. Not only NDSU, but Ind St. have a talented enough team to make a run in the playoffs this year. I would be suprised to see 2 teams in the semis, but we could have 0 teams in the semis. The top 3 in the conference are talented and will make for more of a showing than last years teams did.

Guarantee UNI doesn't lose their first round game at home this year.

By long-term, I meant consistent performance over an extended period of time. NDSU hasn't proven that yet, though for THIS year they're one of the best teams in the country. My main point is that as a conference, the MVC is upper-middle-class, so to speak. Definitely a lot better than the Pioneer/SWAC/MEAC, but nowhere near CAA/Southern. Probably peer or close behind the Big Sky.

Ok I get what you're saying now. I agree that year in, and year out UNI is the consistantly there. NDSU has not proven anything long term yet, but the past two seasons are a good start. SIU used to be at the top consistantly, but have significantly dropped as of late. Ind St. is talented this year, but sustaining it long term (over many years) is very questionable.

And Yes CAA/SoCon are ahead of us, and i view the Big Sky on a fairly even level. With last year the BSC a little better, and this year the MVFC a little better.

[SuperHornet]

Good enough, Strommer. Keep in mind who I was responding to. As one of the "sane" NDSU fans, you know the extreme myopian problem lakes and JaBBer are.

[Darell1976]

WTH is dipshit darrel posting in here? this MVFC, big time football.

I like the standings, keep it rolling

Just to piss you off Lakes. I like how you post on every message board about UND. A man of many alias's...including Sioux Football Insider. Nice one.

[Strommer10]

Good enough, Strommer. Keep in mind who I was responding to. As one of the "sane" NDSU fans, you know the extreme myopian problem lakes and JaBBer are.

Totally understand SH

[joeybrownerhof]

"By long-term, I meant consistent performance over an extended period of time. NDSU hasn't proven that yet, "

?????

I am not a NDSU fan by any means but I believe their first year in FCS football was 2004-2005. Their final year results in a certain reputable poll is as follows:

YEAR FINAL RANKING
2004-05 17
2005-06 13
2006-07 2
2007-08 5
2008-09 25
2009-10 NR
2010-11 9
2011-12 4 (current rank)

8 years and 6(going on 7) years in the top 25 with more than likely four of those years in the top 10. Outside of Montana can the Big Sky name another team that has produced like that? Nope.

[clenz]

Since they moved to the MVFC NDSU has yet to finish over .500 in the conference and was 3-8 just two seasons ago.

Yes, NDSU beat up on the Great West Conference.....honestly not that impressive.

In 08 the only reason NDSU finished top 25 is because they started high in the poll. They weren't a top 25 team that year, but start in the top 25 and people don't like to drop you out.

09...3 wins....3.

10 - Was that final rank before or after playoffs? I can't imagine a 7-4 regular season team (who got the very last playoff spot) was the 9th ranked team in the nation.

11 - This year has looked good for them, but this is the first year since the joined a real conference that they have actually looked decent.

[clenz]

I'm confused guinzone....UNI, from the way you make it sound, wasn't impressive in their win over ISUb and that is the reason you didn't move them to 1.....yet ISUb is a top 20 team, and a team you say could make the playoffs.


NDSU struggled out their ass against the team you have 7th in the conference and you make it sound as though it was a big win.



Oh, let's add this....just so you know...about the UNI/ISU game. ISU's only TD came with 1 minute left in the half after UNI fumbled at their own 11 yard line trying to run the clock out. Then in the second half UNI had a pick 6 called back on a very bad defensive holding call (watched the replay 10 times and it was a terrible call).....those two plays right there is a 13 point swing and would have made the game 30-3

[joeybrownerhof]

Clenz- I just looked at another poll. The final GPI index for last year. They had NDSU at 10. Didn't they make it to the quarters?

Does it matter, other than home field or bye, on whether you are the first team or last team in the playoffs? I'm sure the Packers last year and EWU and Lehigh for that mater last year didn't think it was such a big deal.

I understand that they have not dominated the MVFC over the first three years but I think it is faulty to push aside the Great West like it is/was chopped liver. A current team 2-2 conference team from the BIg Sky lost this year to the last place team from the Great West. The same team has lost 3 of their last 4 to the same conference. NDSU played and defeated some supposed strong FCS/FBS programs during that time and their final season rankings/inex ratings reflect that. I am also not saying they are the be all end all of FCS. Rather I was just responding that it is not like they have had one, two, three or even four good years like the above poster was stating. They have performed well for 6 of 7 seasons and appears this year may make it 7 of 8.

No doubt UNI is the best program in the conference. Year in and year out UNI finds their way at the top. I respect your program and I am not trying to rub it in about Lehigh. I was just using them as an example.

[Strommer10]

"By long-term, I meant consistent performance over an extended period of time. NDSU hasn't proven that yet, "

?????

I am not a NDSU fan by any means but I believe their first year in FCS football was 2004-2005. Their final year results in a certain reputable poll is as follows:

YEAR FINAL RANKING
2004-05 17
2005-06 13
2006-07 2
2007-08 5
2008-09 25
2009-10 NR
2010-11 9
2011-12 4 (current rank)

8 years and 6(going on 7) years in the top 25 with more than likely four of those years in the top 10. Outside of Montana can the Big Sky name another team that has produced like that? Nope.

Most of those rankings were in transition. They are nice and all, but like Clenz said it was in the GWFC. We had a GREAT transition with plenty of key wins, but what matters is being a consistant contender for conference titles. Starting in 2010 we have done that, hopefully we continue this and don't have too many let down years.

[clenz]

Clenz- I just looked at another poll. The final GPI index for last year. They had NDSU at 10. Didn't they make it to the quarters?

I understand that they have not dominated the MVFC over the first three years but I think it is faulty to push aside the Great West like it is/was chopped liver. They played and defeated some supposed strong FCS/FBS programs during that time as well and their final season rankings/inex ratings reflect that. I am also not saying they are the be all end all of FCS. Rather I was just responding that it is not like they have had one, two, three or even four good years like the above poster was stating. They have performed well for 6 of 7 seasons and appears this year may make it 7 of 8.

One playoff appearance....ONE.


UNI has finished every season ranked in the top 25, except for 04 I believe, during the last decade, with a national title game appearance, a couple semi final apperances, and multiple quarter's. Only once or twice has SIU been out of the top 25 at the end of the season with some quarter finals, and I think a semi. YSU as much as I dog them has been deep in the playoffs recently,


Really outside of UNI and SIU there hasn't been zero teams in the MVFC worth bragging about since WKU left. YSU had a good run in 06....WIU won the conference in 02....

Since '01 the conference champs have been :
2001: Northern Iowa (6-1)
2002: Western Illinois & Western Kentucky (6-1)
2003: Northern Iowa & Southern Illinois (6-1)
2004: Southern Illinois (7-0)
2005: Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, & Youngstown State (5-2)
2006: Youngstown State (6-1)
2007: Northern Iowa (6-0)
2008: Southern Illinois & Northern Iowa (7-1)
2009: Southern Illinois (8-0)
2010: Northern Iowa (6-2)


Only one team, other than UNI or SIU, appears on that list that is still FCS...UNI and/or SIU have won outright/shared the conference title 8 of those 10 seasons. The Great West Conference has nothing on the MVFC. That's why that conference is dead after this year and never had a auto-bid. UNI, SIU, YSU, Montana, ASU, Montana State, etc... all would have run through the Great West as well. Heck, UNI hasn't lost to a Great West team since 1997 when Cal Poly got them. Prior to that it was....never in the D1 era. UND and USD have both gotten UNI, but not during the D1 years for both schools. UND got UNI in 06, but they were D2 at that point (still a very embarrassing loss). SIU is 3-0 against the GWC since 06 by a total score of 143-31.


Did NDSU look real good during their transition? Sure. But go back and look at their schedules from 06 and 07....the best team they played, by record, was 6-5 I believe. That was a Cal Poly or Cal Davis team. Any team with any semblance of talent should run wild over a schedule of teams that are .500 or worse.


Look what happened in 08 when NDSU finally joined a real conference. They were the unanimous pick to win the MVFC, had all kinds of hype/players back from that undefeated 07 team, started the season ranked #1/2...and missed the playoffs...I believe they beat only one team with a winning record that year in conference play.



Does the future look good for NDSU? Sure. To say they are a top level MVFC program is false though as they have not proven it...regardless was JBB or lakes want you to believe....

[joeybrownerhof]

DId you read my post? It appears that you think that I believe that NDSU has overtaken UNI as the conference champ. I never stated that. I respect the hell out of UNI and they have been and are the program to beat. Geez, I don't get it.

It is obviously clear in my posts that I am not a Bison cheerleader even close to the Lakes/JBB level. I never stated they were going to take over the MVFC. I was just merely responding to a previous post that they have been pretty darn consistent for their 8 years in FCS. I aslo made it clear that the Great West is not the MVFC but it is also not a bottom feeder conference. I have no idea how this got twisted into whether "ndsu is beter than uni or uni sucks" pissing contest.

Also, where did I dog the MVFC? My response asked the question about the BIG SKY.

[TheHerd]

There is no point in debating this until another five or so years go by....this is what NDSU's 4th year in the conference and 4th year eligible for the playoffs?? Not enough time has gone by to say whether or not they are consistently one of the best teams in the MVFC or FCS. A lot of posters say you haven't done nothing, only made the playoffs once......well $hit give us a little time to accumulate a MVFC and FCS resume. UNI is still top dog in the MVFC, until NDSU knocks them off in my opinion, but I do believe the Bison are going to be one of the two to three top teams in the MVFC year and year out. They haven't done that yet granted, but are beginning to show signs of it from late last year and carrying on into this year. NDSU has the things to be successful: 1) Great Fan Support 2) Money 3)Great Facilities and a winning tradition, so that is exactly why I believe we will be in the top of the MVFC most years and in the playoffs most years, but all this is still yet to be proven. Really hoping both UNI and NDSU are still undefeated in the conference come 10/29.....would make for an awesome game! I still give UNI the edge in that game as of right now....both teams have great defenses, but UNI is much more consistent on the offensive side of the ball.

[lakesbison]

NDSU ranked since day 1 of their D1 football excursion and aside from the 1 bad 3-8 year, they have been a force.

NDSU needs to run the table this year, win this title (LIKE THEY SHOULD OF LAST YEAR!) and then leave this rinky dink outfit and hit the FBS.

[Grizalltheway]

There is no point in debating this until another five or so years go by....this is what NDSU's 4th year in the conference and 4th year eligible for the playoffs?? Not enough time has gone by to say whether or not they are consistently one of the best teams in the MVFC or FCS. A lot of posters say you haven't done nothing, only made the playoffs once......well $hit give us a little time to accumulate a MVFC and FCS resume. UNI is still top dog in the MVFC, until NDSU knocks them off in my opinion, but I do believe the Bison are going to be one of the two to three top teams in the MVFC year and year out. They haven't done that yet granted, but are beginning to show signs of it from late last year and carrying on into this year. NDSU has the things to be successful: 1) Great Fan Support 2) Money 3)Great Facilities and a winning tradition, so that is exactly why I believe we will be in the top of the MVFC most years and in the playoffs most years, but all this is still yet to be proven. Really hoping both UNI and NDSU are still undefeated in the conference come 10/29.....would make for an awesome game! I still give UNI the edge in that game as of right now....both teams have great defenses, but UNI is much more consistent on the offensive side of the ball.

Here's an idea: why don't YOU, lakestard, and the other beefalo mouth-breathers wait until you build some sort of resume, instead of acting like you're God's gift to the subdivision-like you idiots have done since day 1. Christ.

[BisonBacker]

NDSU ranked since day 1 of their D1 football excursion and aside from the 1 bad 3-8 year, they have been a force.

NDSU needs to run the table this year, win this title (LIKE THEY SHOULD OF LAST YEAR!) and then leave this rinky dink outfit and hit the FBS.

Shut the FVCK up you raging idiot. In one post you have managed to diss the entire division that we are part of and will be part of for many years. And you wonder why people look at you as a laughing stock? Mod's ban this fool PLEASE!