IdaGriz01
Well-known member
Some very interesting results yesterday, including several results that could fuel some big changes in the next STATS poll. So, just for fun, here we go again.
Rank Guess, Team (Record), Current Rank
1. North Dakota State (3-0) [1]
2. South Dakota State (3-0) [2]
3. Tarleton State (5-0) [3]
4. Montana (3-0) [5]
5. Montana State (2-2) [4]
6. Rhode Island (4-0) [7]
7. Illinois State (3-1) [6]
8. UC Davis (2-1) [9]
9. Idaho (2-2) [8]
10. Lehigh (4-0) [10]
11. Tennessee Tech (3-0) [12]
12. Southern Illinois (3-1) [13]
13. Abilene Christian (2-2) [14]
14. South Dakota (2-2) [15]
15. Monmouth (3-1) [21]
16. NAU (3-1) [17]
17. North Dakota (2-2) [16]
18. Villanova (1-2) [11]
19. Jackson State (2-1) [20]
20. West Georgia (4-0) [22]
21. Sac State (2-2) [24]
22. Austin Peay (2-2) 18]
23. Lamar (2-1) [23]
24. Incarnate Word (1-3) [19]
25. Harvard (1-0) [NR] 54
New Hampshire (2-2) [25]
I’m going to start with something that seldom happens, but I think might this time around: The Griz could nudge ahead of the kitties this week. The pollsters must at least look at the box scores, and they’ll see two things. First, MSU did not score at all in the second half. Most will know that Mercyhurst is in only its second year in D-I … a 17-0 win at home by the Bobcats is distinctly unimpressive. On the other hand, the box score shows that the Griz led 49-7 at the end of the third quarter before ISU got some late garbage-time points.
If the pollsters are in a grumpy mood, I could see them slip Illinois State down a spot. Rhode Island (now 4-0) took care of business, while the Redbirds barely got into OT because of a missed PAT late. Otherwise, they lose to unranked North Alabama.
Next up, Idaho, with its close loss at San Jose State. If SJSU weren’t such a wretched FBS team, I’d say the Spuds might not drop at all. But the Spartans really are that bad, and most people know it. I’m guessing UI will go down one or two, but still remain in the top-10.
Then comes the real shocker: #21 Monmouth over #11 Villanova … by 18 points. And Craig Haley’s item about the game said it “really wasn’t as close as the final score.” I’m betting the pollsters will drop the Wildcat and boost the Hawks enough so Monmouth is ahead by at least one spot, if not more. With Villanova dropping so much, several teams below should nudge up at least one spot.
The next loss by a ranked team, Austin Peay at Abilene Christian, should be more straightforward. Losing to a higher-ranked team usually costs the loser three or four spots, which is what I think will happen in this case.
The next case is a bit different, however: NAU’s win over Incarnate Word. In my mind, UIW has been skating on thin ice all year. And that (1-3) record sticks out like a sore thumb. They could drop a lot, although they will probably stay in the top-25.
Last and least, New Hampshire should drop out of the top-25. Losing a game when you’re #25 pretty well guarantees it.
But who will replace them? The highest “Other Receiving Votes” in the last poll was (somehow) Presbyterian. They just obliterated an NAIA opponent and no way do I see them moving in. Next up is Mercer, and that could happen. But I don’t think it will. That’s partly because Haley’s post-games column gushed about the strong start for the Ivy League in their opening games. By rights, of course, Dartmouth, which beat New Hampshire, should take their place. Trouble is, the Big Green have not received any votes in the previous polls. Meanwhile, Harvard has been cruising along with votes, even without playing any games. I’m thinking the pollsters will move them into that 25th spot.
Rank Guess, Team (Record), Current Rank
1. North Dakota State (3-0) [1]
2. South Dakota State (3-0) [2]
3. Tarleton State (5-0) [3]
4. Montana (3-0) [5]
5. Montana State (2-2) [4]
6. Rhode Island (4-0) [7]
7. Illinois State (3-1) [6]
8. UC Davis (2-1) [9]
9. Idaho (2-2) [8]
10. Lehigh (4-0) [10]
11. Tennessee Tech (3-0) [12]
12. Southern Illinois (3-1) [13]
13. Abilene Christian (2-2) [14]
14. South Dakota (2-2) [15]
15. Monmouth (3-1) [21]
16. NAU (3-1) [17]
17. North Dakota (2-2) [16]
18. Villanova (1-2) [11]
19. Jackson State (2-1) [20]
20. West Georgia (4-0) [22]
21. Sac State (2-2) [24]
22. Austin Peay (2-2) 18]
23. Lamar (2-1) [23]
24. Incarnate Word (1-3) [19]
25. Harvard (1-0) [NR] 54
New Hampshire (2-2) [25]
I’m going to start with something that seldom happens, but I think might this time around: The Griz could nudge ahead of the kitties this week. The pollsters must at least look at the box scores, and they’ll see two things. First, MSU did not score at all in the second half. Most will know that Mercyhurst is in only its second year in D-I … a 17-0 win at home by the Bobcats is distinctly unimpressive. On the other hand, the box score shows that the Griz led 49-7 at the end of the third quarter before ISU got some late garbage-time points.
If the pollsters are in a grumpy mood, I could see them slip Illinois State down a spot. Rhode Island (now 4-0) took care of business, while the Redbirds barely got into OT because of a missed PAT late. Otherwise, they lose to unranked North Alabama.
Next up, Idaho, with its close loss at San Jose State. If SJSU weren’t such a wretched FBS team, I’d say the Spuds might not drop at all. But the Spartans really are that bad, and most people know it. I’m guessing UI will go down one or two, but still remain in the top-10.
Then comes the real shocker: #21 Monmouth over #11 Villanova … by 18 points. And Craig Haley’s item about the game said it “really wasn’t as close as the final score.” I’m betting the pollsters will drop the Wildcat and boost the Hawks enough so Monmouth is ahead by at least one spot, if not more. With Villanova dropping so much, several teams below should nudge up at least one spot.
The next loss by a ranked team, Austin Peay at Abilene Christian, should be more straightforward. Losing to a higher-ranked team usually costs the loser three or four spots, which is what I think will happen in this case.
The next case is a bit different, however: NAU’s win over Incarnate Word. In my mind, UIW has been skating on thin ice all year. And that (1-3) record sticks out like a sore thumb. They could drop a lot, although they will probably stay in the top-25.
Last and least, New Hampshire should drop out of the top-25. Losing a game when you’re #25 pretty well guarantees it.
But who will replace them? The highest “Other Receiving Votes” in the last poll was (somehow) Presbyterian. They just obliterated an NAIA opponent and no way do I see them moving in. Next up is Mercer, and that could happen. But I don’t think it will. That’s partly because Haley’s post-games column gushed about the strong start for the Ivy League in their opening games. By rights, of course, Dartmouth, which beat New Hampshire, should take their place. Trouble is, the Big Green have not received any votes in the previous polls. Meanwhile, Harvard has been cruising along with votes, even without playing any games. I’m thinking the pollsters will move them into that 25th spot.