IdaGriz01
Well-known member
With five ranked-vs-ranked matchups scheduled, we knew we would have that many ranked teams losing. What we got was seven, the other two losing to unranked opponents. I think the most interesting story will be what the pollsters do with South Dakota State, which has now lost three in a row. The fact that they lost by only a TD, on the road, will likely count in their favor.
Rank Guess, Team (Record), [Current Rank]
#1 NDSU (10-0) [1]
#2 Montana (10-0) [2]
#3 Montana State (8-2) ]3]
#4 Lehigh (10-0) [4]
#5 Tennessee Tech (10-0) [5]
#6. Tarleton State (9-1) [6]
#7 Harvard (8-0) [9]
#8 Villanova (7-2) [10]
#9 UC Davis (7-2) [11]
#10 Mercer (8-1) [12]
#11 Rhode Island (8-2) [14]
#12 SDSU (7-3) [8]
#13 Illinois State (7-3) [16]
#14 Monmouth (8-2) [7]
#15 Stephen F. Austin (8-2) [17]
#16 North Dakota (6-4) [13]
#17 Abilene Christian (6-4) [18]
#18 SIU (6-4) [15]
#19 Lamar (8-2) [20]
#20 SE Louisiana (7-3) [19]
#21 Youngstown State (6-4) [21]
#22 South Dakota (7-4) [22]
#23 Jackson State (7-2) [23]
#24 New Hampshire (6-4) [NR]
#25 Northern Arizona (6-4) [NR]
Western Carolina (6-4) [24]
Presbyterian (8-2) [25]
A minor (as far as I’m concerned) point is whether or not MSU might swap places with UM. After all, the kitties had an easy time, running up the score, while the Griz won by less than a TD. So it could happen, but I don’t think it will. The Griz were nearly 50 votes ahead of MSU in the last poll, so that should provide enough cushion.
That brings us first to Monmouth, which lost decisively, at home, to unranked New Hampshire. It also looks really bad that the Hawks did not score at all in the 2nd half. About the only factor that might slightly mitigate the disaster is that UNH started the year ranked and has been receiving votes in recent polls. Thus, the Hawks did not lose to a total dud. Even so, I expect the pollsters will hammer Monmouth pretty hard.
Next up is South Dakota State, which lost on the road to a ranked opponent. Normally, that would not be too bad. However, it is their third lost in a row and I think the pollsters might hit them a little harder than they might otherwise: I’m guessing maybe five or six spots. Out of the top-10, but still not too bad.
The next two losses were also in the Missouri Valley: UND and SIU both lost to ranked MVFC opponents. That normally leads to only a minor drop. However, in each case the losers’ record goes to (6-4), so that could hurt a little. I’m thinking in the ballpark of three spots or so.
Southeast Louisiana also lost to a ranked opponent in a pickum’ matchup. And the difference was only 2 points. I’m thinking the Lions and the Cardinals will just switch positions.
Because they are already right at the bottom, the final two losers – Western Carolina and Presbyterian – will almost certainly drop out of the top-25. The Catamounts should still get some votes, since they lost to a higher-ranked team. Not sure what the Blue Hose will see after losing to Davidson. That was only the Wildcats’ second win this season … and their other win was over a very bad (2-7) D-III program.
Those two dropping out opens up spots for replacements. The top “Other” vote-getter in the last poll was Northern Arizona, which thoroughly pummeled Northern Colorado. I’m reasonably sure the pollsters will move them back into the top-25. For the other, I’m going to go out on a limb a bit. New Hampshire was well down the “Other” list in the last poll. Even so, I see a good chance that the pollsters will reward them for their decisive win at #7 Monmouth.
Rank Guess, Team (Record), [Current Rank]
#1 NDSU (10-0) [1]
#2 Montana (10-0) [2]
#3 Montana State (8-2) ]3]
#4 Lehigh (10-0) [4]
#5 Tennessee Tech (10-0) [5]
#6. Tarleton State (9-1) [6]
#7 Harvard (8-0) [9]
#8 Villanova (7-2) [10]
#9 UC Davis (7-2) [11]
#10 Mercer (8-1) [12]
#11 Rhode Island (8-2) [14]
#12 SDSU (7-3) [8]
#13 Illinois State (7-3) [16]
#14 Monmouth (8-2) [7]
#15 Stephen F. Austin (8-2) [17]
#16 North Dakota (6-4) [13]
#17 Abilene Christian (6-4) [18]
#18 SIU (6-4) [15]
#19 Lamar (8-2) [20]
#20 SE Louisiana (7-3) [19]
#21 Youngstown State (6-4) [21]
#22 South Dakota (7-4) [22]
#23 Jackson State (7-2) [23]
#24 New Hampshire (6-4) [NR]
#25 Northern Arizona (6-4) [NR]
Western Carolina (6-4) [24]
Presbyterian (8-2) [25]
A minor (as far as I’m concerned) point is whether or not MSU might swap places with UM. After all, the kitties had an easy time, running up the score, while the Griz won by less than a TD. So it could happen, but I don’t think it will. The Griz were nearly 50 votes ahead of MSU in the last poll, so that should provide enough cushion.
That brings us first to Monmouth, which lost decisively, at home, to unranked New Hampshire. It also looks really bad that the Hawks did not score at all in the 2nd half. About the only factor that might slightly mitigate the disaster is that UNH started the year ranked and has been receiving votes in recent polls. Thus, the Hawks did not lose to a total dud. Even so, I expect the pollsters will hammer Monmouth pretty hard.
Next up is South Dakota State, which lost on the road to a ranked opponent. Normally, that would not be too bad. However, it is their third lost in a row and I think the pollsters might hit them a little harder than they might otherwise: I’m guessing maybe five or six spots. Out of the top-10, but still not too bad.
The next two losses were also in the Missouri Valley: UND and SIU both lost to ranked MVFC opponents. That normally leads to only a minor drop. However, in each case the losers’ record goes to (6-4), so that could hurt a little. I’m thinking in the ballpark of three spots or so.
Southeast Louisiana also lost to a ranked opponent in a pickum’ matchup. And the difference was only 2 points. I’m thinking the Lions and the Cardinals will just switch positions.
Because they are already right at the bottom, the final two losers – Western Carolina and Presbyterian – will almost certainly drop out of the top-25. The Catamounts should still get some votes, since they lost to a higher-ranked team. Not sure what the Blue Hose will see after losing to Davidson. That was only the Wildcats’ second win this season … and their other win was over a very bad (2-7) D-III program.
Those two dropping out opens up spots for replacements. The top “Other” vote-getter in the last poll was Northern Arizona, which thoroughly pummeled Northern Colorado. I’m reasonably sure the pollsters will move them back into the top-25. For the other, I’m going to go out on a limb a bit. New Hampshire was well down the “Other” list in the last poll. Even so, I see a good chance that the pollsters will reward them for their decisive win at #7 Monmouth.
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