Last week, I wanted to be slick and load the world-famous 5-Games report up using Monkey Joe’s wi-fi. Had it all typed out, ready to go. Get there, their wi-fi is down.
Had some good picks going too. Oh well…This is one of those weeks where one of two things will be evident: Either a lot of upsets, or not very many at all. The Report this week will appear as if I’m “picking on” two particular conferences, and I promise you I’m not, these games just jumped out at me, they just happen to be Big Sky & SWAC games. Anyways….enjoy:1. #3 Montana (4-0, 0-0) @ #38 Weber St (3-2, 1-0) – Strangely, this is the second time I’ve selected a #3 ranked team (NDSU was the other vs Y’town). First, California says it needs a $7 Billion bailout from the Feds, immediately the State of Montana jumped into the fray as they desperately need massive amounts of $$ to pay for UM’s second road game of the year. And, they have ANOTHER one next week @ Eastern Washington. Imagine: the Montana Grizzlies will have played 3 road games! Breadlines will be forming in Missoula soon...Now onto the game: WSU amazingly has an offense ranked in the Top 15, even though they’ve played 2 FBS squads. Their bread & butter is their aerial attack that garners 320 yds/game. Montana’s defensive weakness? Pass Defense. The Griz have won the last two meetings by a combined 11 points, both WSU teams weren’t very good. This is a classic “look-ahead” game for UM. Uh-oh.
2. #4 McNeese State (2-1) @ #23 South Dakota St (3-2) – In a strange twist of Mother Nature’s fate, this will be the Cowboys’s first FCS matchup of the season, and their first truly competitive game since Labor Day weekend at UNC-CH. It’s never good for football teams to essentially have an entire month off. SDSU has been playing some tough games against some tough teams (Youngstown, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois) without skipping September.
3. #36 Prairie View A&M (4-0, 2-0) @ #52 Grambling State (3-2, 2-0) –Remember the old adage: “There are lies, damned lies and statistics”? This game is Exhibit 1a: PVA&M statistically has the #1 ranked defense in the country. They should: PVA&M has played Morehouse, Texas College and Texas Southern. I guess the Saskatchewan Normal School was all booked up.
4. #49 Southern (2-2) @ Jackson State (1-3) – Southern struggled to beat a bad Alcorn State squad by 3 points last week. Jackson State is coming off a bye week after suffering 2 heartbreaking HBCU losses.
5. Sacramento State (3-2, 1-1) @ #24 Northern Arizona (3-1, 1-0) – Talk about efficiency, the Hornets have thrown only ONE interception in 5 games so far this season. Both teams run the ball well, both pass the ball well, both are winning the turnover margin so far. They’ve played fairly similar schedules. Just call it a hunch.
Others to watch:
• #14 Villanova (3-1) @ #32 William & Mary (2-1) — this one came thisclose to making the Top 5
• #6 Richmond (3-2) @ VMI (2-2) – interesting to see Sparky take on a ranked squad at home
• #31 Youngstown State (2-3) @ Southern Utah (2-3)
• #35 Georgia Southern @ Chattanooga – Boy oh boy oh boy! Don’t you know the Fightin’ Gnats remember last year’s game!
