1-AA PRS (Power Rating System) Poll #1

The first week of D1-A and D1-AA football has been completed. every Tuesday from now until the final game of the regular season, the polls will be released. As an add on to what I have done in the past, and on the heels of two major upsets by 1-AA clubs over 1-A schools, I am adding the 1-AA school poll to the weekly release. I am a college football junkie, so this should prove that. With that said, I present as an appetizer to the main course the 1-AA poll for week one.

1. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (1-0, 350 points)
Last Week: Defeated Ole Miss 49-48
This Week: Chattanooga (0-1)
I pick: JSU
The Gamecocks picked up the biggest win in their history this last weekend. They should have no problems keeping the party going against the Mocs at home this week.

2. North Dakota State Bison (1-0, 309 points)
Last Week: Defeated Kansas 6-3
This Week: @ Northern Iowa (0-0)
I pick: Northern Iowa
The Bison recorded their second win over a 1-A opponent last weekend. They may be in for a letdown game this week as they travel to face the Panthers in their season opener.

3. Southern Jaguars (1-0, 247 points)
Last Week: Defeated Delaware State 37-27
This Week: Arkansas-Monticello
I pick: Southern
The Jags come home to take on D2 UAM...they won't gain many points for this game, so expect a slide in the poll next week.

4. Jacksonville Dolphins (1-0, 245 points)
Last Week: Defeated Old Dominion 35-25
This Week: @ #5 Appalachian State
I pick: ASU
This is a huge test this week, but I don't think that the Dolphins will be able to keep pace with the Mountaineers. If the Dolphins win this one, it will be one of their biggest wins ever.

5T. Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-0, 243 points)
Last Week: Defeated Chattanooga 42-41
This Week: #4 Jacksonville
I pick: ASU
The Mountaineers are one powerful team, and Jacksonville is on the rise. Experience will rule the day, and I rarely bet against HC Jerry Moore in games like this.

5T. Georgia Southern Eagles (1-0, 243 points)
Last Week: Defeated Savannah State 48-3
This Week: @ Navy
I pick: Navy
The Eagles are coming back from mediocrity, but Navy is pissed off, and they will look to take it out on the Eagles in Annapolis. Look for GSU to get back to the top ten soon after falling next week.

7. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (1-0, 242 points)
Last Week: Defeated Drake 28-14
This Week: Villanova
I pick: Villanova
Lehigh is strong, but Villanova is the defending champ. Pay no attention to the Wildcats loss to Temple, Nova is one of the best teams that Lehigh will face.

8. Western Illinois Leathernecks (1-0, 240)
Last Week: Defeated Valparaiso 45-0
This Week: @ Purdue
I pick: Purdue
WIU should slip this week as well. I won't bet on a win on the road against the Big 10. Look for Western to claw their way back after this week's game.

9. James Madison Dukes (1-0, 239)
Last Week: Defeated Morehead State 48-7
This Week: @ Virginia Tech
I pick: Tech
Yet another team following up a big win with a guaranteed loss against a 1-A school. Not a shot this week, but again, JMU will be back.

10. Liberty Flames (1-0, 237)
Last Week: Defeated St. Francis (PA) 52-7
This Week: @ Ball State
I pick: Ball State, but an upset is possible
Mike Brown tossed 4 TD passes last week, and Ball State didn't exactly overwhelm SE Missouri. Liberty has a shot.

11. Sacred Heart Pioneers (1-0, 231)
Last Week: Defeated Marist 28-25
This Week: Robert Morris
I pick: Sacred Heart
The Pioneers have a chance to make a big early move with a win over the Colonials, who lost their opener. SHU had their rushing attack on track last week, but allowed Marist to storm back from a 28-7 deficit. Killer instinct...

12. Georgetown Hoyas (1-0, 230)
Last Week: Defeated Davidson 20-10
This Week: @ Lafayette
I pick: Lafayette
The Hoyas had a pretty easy time of it with Davidson, as they jumped up 14-0 early. This weekend brings the opener of Patriot League action, and Lafayette is a league power. Georgetown earned their way in last week, and a win would solidify their position.

13. Holy Cross Crusaders (1-0, 219)
Last Week: Defeated Howard 38-7
This Week: @ #22 UMass
I pick: UMass
This week brings a huge challenege against the Minutemen in Amhurst. The Crusaders dominated Howard at home last week, but UMass is on a different level. There would be no shame in losing this one on the road.

14. New Hampshire Wildcats (1-0, 213)
Last Week: Defeated Central Connecticut 33-3
This Week: @ Pittsburgh
I pick: Pitt
The Panthers will be plenty fired up to get back on the winning track this week after falling to Utah. There is no way that Pitt will follow that trip up with a loss in their home opener.

15. Alabama State Hornets (1-0, 212)
Last Week: Defeated Mississippi Valley State 34-6
This Week: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
I pick: Alabama State
The Hornets got a leg up in SWAC play by running past the Delta Devils last weekend. UAPB is coming off of a hard fought loss to UTEP. Momentum is on the side of ASU this weekend, and they could rise in the poll on the legs of a 2-0 start in conference play.

16. Bryant Bulldogs (1-0, 208)
Last Week: Defeated Fordham 44-30
This Week: St. Anselm
I pick: Bryant
Playing St.Anselm, a D2 school, will hurt the Bulldogs in the poll next week, but the win over the Rams was huge this week. Bryant is a team on the move in their 3rd season in D1-AA.

17. Albany Great Danes (1-0, 206)
Last Week: Defeated Maine 3-0
This Week: @ Stephen F. Austin
I pick: Albany
Albany played the defensive game of their lives in bad weather last week and handled the Black Bears on the road. They will need more offense this week, but a win is within reach against the Lumberjacks, who got pounded by Texas A&M.

18. Missouri State Bears (1-0, 203)
Last Week: Defeated Eastern Kentucky 31-9
This Week: @ Kansas State
I pick: Kansas State
Yet another team in the poll shooting themselves in the foot by scheduling. Hard to get into a groove when you plot a game like this during your season.

19. Dayton Flyers (1-0, 192)
Last Week: Defeated Robert Morris 28-14
This Week: @ #24 Duquesne
I pick: Dayton
This game should be a war. The Flyers handled Robert Morris, and Duquesne should be about the same kind of competition. QB Steve Valentino is a weapon for Dayton, as he passed for 211 yards and rushed for 106 yards against the Colonials last week.

20. Tennessee State Tigers (1-0, 190)
Last Week: Defeated Alabama A&M 27-14
This Week: Jackson State
I pick: TSU
The Tigers didn't do too much on offense last week, but their defense created plenty of opportunities for short scoring drives. They need to get their offense in order for this week, but should handle Jackson State at home. Rod Reed got his first win as HC last week.

21. McNeese State Cowboys (1-0, 183)
Last Week: Defeated Lamar 30-27
This Week: @ Missouri
I pick: Missouri
The Cowboys got a lucky win over upstart program Lamar last weekend. They won't be as fortunate this time around.

22T. Colgate Red Raiders (1-0, 181)
Last Week: Defeated Monmouth 30-29
This Week: @ Furman
I pick: Furman
A loss to Furman would technically be called an upset, but the SoCon is loaded with difficult teams to play, and Colgate doesn't do well that far from home. This will be Furman's opener, and Colgate was lucky to escape last week with a win.

22T. UMass Minutemen (1-0, 181)
Last Week: Defeated William & Mary 27-23
This Week: #13 Holy Cross
I pick: UMass
I have to go with the Minutemen at home, as they rarely lose at Amherst. UMass survived a war with William & Mary to win their 9th straigth season opener. Jonathon Hernandez is a load at TB for the Minutemen.
 
 24. Duquesne Dukes (1-0, 171)
Last Week: Defeated Bucknell 17-13
This Week: #19 Dayton
I pick: Dayton
This ought to be a fun game if your market will carry it on TV. These are two solid football programs, and they will fight a war on Saturday. The Dukes squeaked by Bucknell last weekend while Dayton handled their business a bit more emphatically, which is why I am giving the nod to the Flyers.


25. Prairie View A&M Panthers (1-0, 168)
Last Week: Defeated Texas Southern 16-14
This Week:  Southern Mississippi
This program was a joke for decades, and now they are becoming a power in the SWAC. What a difference 20 years can make. The Panthers won on D last wekend, as their offense never got on track. They will likely fall hard this week, and will look to rebound after that.

10 ON THE DOORSTEP
26. Montana (1-0, 76)
27. Southern Illinois (1-0, 63)
28. Bethune-Cookman (1-0, 60)
29. North Carolina Central (1-0, 59)
30. Northern Colorado (1-0, 54)
31. Indiana State (1-0, 50)
32. Morgan State (1-0, 49)
33. Northern Arizona (1-0, 48)
34T. VMI (1-0, 42)
34T. The Citadel (1-0, 42)