With only afew weeks to go, you can start to see how the playoff bids should start to shke out. I will break these rankings down tomorrow (Tuesday) in relationship to how I see the brackets getting filled out. Here are the rankings.
1. Jacksonville State (8-0, 1892)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #1, Idle
Points Gained: 0
This Week: at Eastern Kentucky
The Gamecocks held onto the number 1 spot despite not playing as they had a rather large point lead. Now it gets serious. This week should be a breeze, but EKU has been playing better lately.
I Pick: JSU
2. Appalachian State (8-0, 1853)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #2, Defeated Furman 37-26
Points Gained: 248
This Week: at Georgia Southern
ASU made a charge last week, and with a huge win, could overtake the top spot this week if JSU should even stumble a little. GSU will be tough on the road, so I don't see a change next week.
I Pick: ASU
3. Bethune Cookman (8-0, 1789)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #4, Defeated North Carolina A&T 67-17
Points Gained: 267
This Week: at #33 Hampton
The Wildcats are just getting better every week and the Pirates are in full retreat lately. A huge game for both, but the Wildcats are the hot hand.
I Pick: Bethune-Cookman
4. Southeast Missouri State (8-1, 1707)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #3, Defeated UT-Martin 24-17
Points Gained: 181
This Week: Southwest Baptist
Blame bad scheduling, but the Redhawks will take a hit for playing a D2 team and it comes at the wrong time.
I Pick: SE Missouri
5. Jacksonville (8-1, 1672)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #6, Defeated Morehead State 61-17
Points Gained: 305
This Week: at Butler
JU leads the nation in scoring and total offense. Josh MacGregor is coming off of a 7 TD day. No way Butler can keep up.
I Pick: Jacksonville
6. Dayton (8-1, 1518)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #9, Defeated Davidson 37-13
Points Gained: 261
This Week: Drake
This may be a very difficult game for the Flyers, but they are still favored. It's a crying shame that they don't play Jacksonville this season in PFL play.
I Pick: Dayton
7. Wofford (7-1, 1508)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #7, Defeated Citadel 35-0
Points Gained: 235
This Week: at Samford
This game is a trap. The Terriers have to stay focused, as they are the last credible threat to Appalachian State in the SoCon.
I Pick: Wofford
8. Grambling (7-1, 1500)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #10, Defeated UA-Pine Bluff 35-25
Points Gained: 245
This Week: Concordia (AL)
Another instance of bad scheduling. This will be a win, but the lack of ppints could push the Tigers out of the top 10.
I Pick: Grambling
9. Robert Morris (7-1, 1434)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #12, Defeated Duquesne 34-11
Points Gained: 207
This Week: #22 Central Connecticut State
This is the NEC championship game, as the winner takes all. We will have our first playoff entrant named this Saturday when this game ends.
I Pick: Robert Morris
10. William & Mary (6-2, 1262)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #8, Lost to North Carolina 21-17
Points Lost: 0
This Week: at #24 New Hampshire
The Tribe had the FBS Tar Heels on the ropes until the 4th quarter. This week may be a huge battle on the road to visit the strengthoning Wildcats. Could be trouble.
I Pick: UPSET ALERT!!! UNH
11. Villanova (6-2, 1248)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #13, Defeated Richmond 28-7
Points Gained: 199
This Week: at Rhode Island
The Wildcats should stay alive against the rebuilding Rams. It's a must win on the road.
I Pick: Villanova
12. Delaware (7-1, 1246)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #11, Idle
Points Gained: 0
This Week: Towson
The Hens get an easy one at home this week. No problems on the horizon for now.
I Pick: Delaware
13. Eastern Washington (7-2, 1213)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #17, Defeated Portland State 50-17
Points Gained: 283
This Week: Idle
Tough break to be taking a week off after the Eagles have been rocketing upwards in the rankings. EWU is still in charge in the Big Sky right now, but they will be needing some help, and they need to win when they pick up next week for the final 2 games.
14. Liberty (6-2, 1207)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #16, Defeated Presbyterian 34-24
Points Gained: 244
This Week: Gardner-Webb
The Flames are still in must win status, and the Bulldogs should be a beatable team at home. The Flames have to shake Stony Brook in the standings.
I Pick: Liberty
15. Montana State (7-2, 1196)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #15, Defeated Idaho State 23-20 (OT)
Points Gained: 226
This Week: Weber State
The Bobcats got a major Halloween scare from Idaho State last weekend, and Weber State is fresh off of a win over Montana. If the Bobcats are not at their best this week, Weber State could pull an upset. Be on guard.
I Pick: Montana State
16. Stephen F. Austin (6-2, 1189)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #5, Lost to Texas State 27-24
Points Lost: -229
This Week: at Nicholls State
The Lumberjacks went from being one of the best teams in the nation to needing to win just to stay alive in their own conference. This week should be easy, but the Jacks were supposed to protect a 24-0 lead going int the 4th last week as well.
I Pick: SFA
17. Pennsylvania (6-1, 1182)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #14, Defeated Brown 24-7
Points Gained: 191
This Week: at Princeton
Should be an easy week for the Quakers, as they control their fate in the Ivy League race.
I Pick: Penn
18. Western Illinois (6-3, 1024)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #22, Defeated Illinois State 65-38
Points Gained: 242
This Week: Idle
The Leathernecks have been in and out of the playoff picture several times this season, and are still on the bubble as far as I'm concerned. This bye week is not convenient, and WIU must win the last two games, or get Northern Iowa to lose.
19. South Carolina State (6-2, 976)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #24, Defeated Delaware State 38-21
Points Gained: 255
This Week: Howard
The Bulldogs are clinging to life right now. This week should help the pulse get stronger.
I Pick: SC State
20. Lehigh (6-2, 920)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #26, Defeated Colgate 44-14
Points Gained: 274
This Week: at Holy Cross
The Crusaders have not lost at home this season, but Lehigh will try to change all of that. Lehigh looks to win the Patriot title and hit the pllayoffs peaking.
I Pick: Lehigh
21. Southern Utah (5-4, 854)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #32, Defeated UC-Davis 55-24
Points Gained: 286
This Week: Dixie State
Again, bad scheduling. This game late in the season actually really hurts the TBirds, as they will gain very few points, and it will cause a slide in the PRS.
I Pick: SUU
22. Central Connecitcut State (6-2, 803)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #23, Defeated Wagner 38-20
Points Gained: 206
This Week: at #9 Robert Morris
Nobody is close to these two teams in the NEC, so this is it. If the Blue Devils pull off a road upset, it will be for all of the marbles. Biggest game for the Blue Devils in years.
I Pick: Robert Morris
23. Texas Southern (5-3, 802)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #31, Defeated Mississippi Valley State 38-7
Points Gained: 229
This Week: at Southern
TSU is on a very nice run right now. They have to keep winning to have a shot, but the last SWAC team to accept a tournament bid was Jackson State in 1997.
I Pick: TSU
24. New Hampshire (5-3, 788)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #21, Idle
Points Gained: 0
This Week: #10 William & Mary
UNH can take advantage of a Tribe team that may still be reeling from how close they were to beating North Carolina last weekend. Look for the surging Cats to keep surgin at home.
I Pick: UPSET ALERT!!! UNH
25. Cal Poly (6-3, 742)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #34, Defeated St. Francis 41-33
Points Gained: 199
This Week: at South Dakota
The Mustangs must win to keep pace with SUU. It is possible for Cal Poly to pass SUU in the eyes of the playoff people with a win this week.
I Pick: Cal Poly
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
26. North Dakota State (5-3, 728)
27. Jackson State (6-2, 716)
28. Chattanooga (5-3, 700)
29T. Montana (6-3, 691)
29T. Harvard (5-2, 691)
31. Northern Iowa (5-3, 688)
32. Florida A&M (5-3, 679)
33. Hampton (5-3, 669)
34. UMass (5-3, 641)
35. Yale (5-2, 628)
Dropped Out: Georgia Southern, Sam Houston State, Colgate, Furman, Prairie View, Northern Arizona
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