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Another weekend of Valley action, another weekend of upsets. You honestly just cannot predict what is going to happen in this league. I went 3-2 last week with my only good pick being Southern Illinois over Youngstown. This week there is only 1 game I feel safe that I'll pick correctly.

South Dakota @ #15 Indiana State
This would be the game I feel safe picking. After NDSU's beat down of a bad South Dakota team I expect an Indiana State home victory in this one.

Western Illinois @ Missouri State
I want to pick Western Illinois in this one, but Missouri State has some momentum built up so I'll pick the Bears.

#17 Illinois State @ Northern Iowa
I think Northern Iowa realized they're not making the playoffs, but they can ruin other people's season. I'll take them at home over Illinois State.

Co-Game of the Week

#22 Youngstown State @ South Dakota State
Might as well flip a coin on this one. The game has big playoff implications for both teams. I picked SDSU last week and they failed miserably, so I guess I'll take Youngstown winning on the road. (Partly because I want an SDSU loss, partly because I think they are more desperate for a win at this point)

Co-Game of the Week

Southern Illinois @ #3 North Dakota State
I will never pick against the Bison at home, but unfortunately our only 2 losses in the past 2 seasons have occurred at home. I won't be shocked to see Southern Illinois, who is fighting for a playoff spot, come in and take one from the Bison. NDSU lost due to Indiana State's defense and Southern Illinois might have the second best D in the Valley behind NDSU. Last year NDSU won 9-3. All that being said, after our wake up call 2 weeks ago, and the 54-0 beat down on USD last week, I'll take the Bison at home.

Might want to reconsider that YSU@SDSU pick, its Hobo Day in Brookings, and last weeks loss I personally felt was inevietable, being as I think UNI could suit up a pop warner team in the UNIDome and still beat the Jacks. Plus I look for the Jacks to be particularly upset coming into this game with their playoff dreams on the line.

Thumper 76 wrote:Might want to reconsider that YSU@SDSU pick, its Hobo Day in Brookings, and last weeks loss I personally felt was inevietable, being as I think UNI could suit up a pop warner team in the UNIDome and still beat the Jacks. Plus I look for the Jacks to be particularly upset coming into this game with their playoff dreams on the line.

I have no doubt SDSU is more than capable of winning, but Youngstown is desperate for a win. I think it will be a good game either way.

BisoNation wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:Might want to reconsider that YSU@SDSU pick, its Hobo Day in Brookings, and last weeks loss I personally felt was inevietable, being as I think UNI could suit up a pop warner team in the UNIDome and still beat the Jacks. Plus I look for the Jacks to be particularly upset coming into this game with their playoff dreams on the line.

I have no doubt SDSU is more than capable of winning, but Youngstown is desperate for a win. I think it will be a good game either way.

Youngstown has never, and I repeat, never beat SDSU in conference play. The last time they beat SDSU was in Youngstown while SDSU was in the Great West. It's at home and during Hobo Days.

Benne wrote:

BisoNation wrote:
I have no doubt SDSU is more than capable of winning, but Youngstown is desperate for a win. I think it will be a good game either way.

Youngstown has never, and I repeat, never beat SDSU in conference play. The last time they beat SDSU was in Youngstown while SDSU was in the Great West. It's at home and during Hobo Days.

So? Indiana State had never beaten the Bison. It was at home, in the toughest place to play in the Valley. There's a first for everything. You guys act like I'm insane for thinking they even have a chance. Missouri State just beat Illinois State, it's the MVFC, anything can happen.

BisoNation wrote:

Benne wrote:
Youngstown has never, and I repeat, never beat SDSU in conference play. The last time they beat SDSU was in Youngstown while SDSU was in the Great West. It's at home and during Hobo Days.

So? Indiana State had never beaten the Bison. It was at home, in the toughest place to play in the Valley. There's a first for everything. You guys act like I'm insane for thinking they even have a chance. Missouri State just beat Illinois State, it's the MVFC, anything can happen.

I don't think you're insane at all. I just don't see Youngstown coming to Brookings and winning. Could happen and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, but it's a tall order. Much like SDSU headed to UNI to win during a down year (down first half) at UNI.

Benne wrote:

BisoNation wrote:
So? Indiana State had never beaten the Bison. It was at home, in the toughest place to play in the Valley. There's a first for everything. You guys act like I'm insane for thinking they even have a chance. Missouri State just beat Illinois State, it's the MVFC, anything can happen.

I don't think you're insane at all. I just don't see Youngstown coming to Brookings and winning. Could happen and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, but it's a tall order. Much like SDSU headed to UNI to win during a down year (down first half) at UNI.

I gotcha. I don't know if Youngstown was that badly exposed by the Bison or what, but the Youngstown team that beat Pitt and the Youngstown team that came to Fargo are very different. I'm assuming they will be able to get back on track at some point, but SDSU won't be easy to do that against.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Dakota Marker game in Fargo being for the Vallley Championship so I'm not totally against an SDSU win

The UNI game was Youngstown's superbowl. After that, they've done nothing but lose.

INSU

SW MO St

UNI

Mr. Popper

NDSU (a rout)

I really don't f$%kin no anymore.

South Dakota
Because it doesn't make any sense

Missouri State
Bears in a groove?

Northern Iowa
Again why shouldn't UNI win out for the rest of the season?



South Dakota State
Anger, Hobo Day, etc.....

Southern Illinois
What happened after the last time NDSU whupped on someone's ass? Big L

BisoNation wrote:

Benne wrote:
Youngstown has never, and I repeat, never beat SDSU in conference play. The last time they beat SDSU was in Youngstown while SDSU was in the Great West. It's at home and during Hobo Days.

So? Indiana State had never beaten the Bison. It was at home, in the toughest place to play in the Valley. There's a first for everything. You guys act like I'm insane for thinking they even have a chance. Missouri State just beat Illinois State, it's the MVFC, anything can happen.

Oh I definitely think that YSU can beat the Jacks, was more just throwing out my reasoning is all.

Theee Catrabbit wrote:I really don't f$%kin no anymore.

South Dakota
Because it doesn't make any sense

Missouri State
Bears in a groove?

Northern Iowa
Again why shouldn't UNI win out for the rest of the season?



South Dakota State
Anger, Hobo Day, etc.....

Southern Illinois
What happened after the last time NDSU whupped on someone's ass? Big L

If you get that South Dakota pick right...

I really hope we learned from our last let down, I don't think it's going to happen again, but I also didn't think it would happen last time. To quote you, it doesn't make any sense

Article in the Fargo paper about the playoff situation the Valley is facing. I really hope the Valley gets 3 in, a 7 win Valley team is more impressive than an 8 win team from most other conferences. It'd just be a shame to see this conference, #1 in the GPI, where teams beat each other up every week, and everyone except Western Ill has to go through the defending National Champion, to not get 3 teams into a 20 team playoff field.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id ... up/Sports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BisoNation wrote:Article in the Fargo paper about the playoff situation the Valley is facing. I really hope the Valley gets 3 in, a 7 win Valley team is more impressive than an 8 win team from most other conferences. It'd just be a shame to see this conference, #1 in the GPI, where teams beat each other up every week, and everyone except Western Ill has to go through the defending National Champion, to not get 3 teams into a 20 team playoff field.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id ... up/Sports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lone Star Conference???

Benne wrote:

BisoNation wrote:
So? Indiana State had never beaten the Bison. It was at home, in the toughest place to play in the Valley. There's a first for everything. You guys act like I'm insane for thinking they even have a chance. Missouri State just beat Illinois State, it's the MVFC, anything can happen.

I don't think you're insane at all. I just don't see Youngstown coming to Brookings and winning. Could happen and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, but it's a tall order. Much like SDSU headed to UNI to win during a down year (down first half) at UNI.

youngstown has struggled lately but can sdsu keep up with them in a possible shootout. sdsu has not impressed me yet other than their win vs isub, who is playing much better now since then and last week they got embarrassed by uni. i think ysu will win

BisoNation wrote:Article in the Fargo paper about the playoff situation the Valley is facing. I really hope the Valley gets 3 in, a 7 win Valley team is more impressive than an 8 win team from most other conferences. It'd just be a shame to see this conference, #1 in the GPI, where teams beat each other up every week, and everyone except Western Ill has to go through the defending National Champion, to not get 3 teams into a 20 team playoff field.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id ... up/Sports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Only 3? I saw one website (CSN) recently say we could get as many as 5.

skinny_uncle wrote:

BisoNation wrote:Article in the Fargo paper about the playoff situation the Valley is facing. I really hope the Valley gets 3 in, a 7 win Valley team is more impressive than an 8 win team from most other conferences. It'd just be a shame to see this conference, #1 in the GPI, where teams beat each other up every week, and everyone except Western Ill has to go through the defending National Champion, to not get 3 teams into a 20 team playoff field.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id ... up/Sports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Only 3? I saw one website (CSN) recently say we could get as many as 5.

Current projection has us only getting 2 in. Time will tell I guess...need some 7 win teams though first.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id ... up/Sports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't understand why SDSU doesn't update their field. Probably because that mess gives them an advantage with their D and run game.

players these days are pu**ies that can't handle playing on real grass. Or mud, or frozen dirt, depending on what the weather conditions are.

If, as some purists argue, "real football" is only played outdoors, then it is also only played on natural surfaces.

JayJ79 wrote:players these days are pu**ies that can't handle playing on real grass. Or mud, or frozen dirt, depending on what the weather conditions are.

If, as some purists argue, "real football" is only played outdoors, then it is also only played on natural surfaces.

Um, playing on turf is much more physical than playing on grass. Having played on both the speed of the game picks up, the ground is harder, and turf burn becomes a factor.

I love when people say real football is played outdoors. As a player I enjoyed our games inside the dome much more than on our outdoor field. Both situations, indoor or outdoor, can create home field advantage. My personal preference will be inside the dome because that's how I grew up watching football, and that's where I enjoyed to play the most. And no matter indoor or outdoor, I'll take nice field turf over grass.

Double post

Cap'n Cat wrote:
SIU 48, Prairie Poopers 6

Just thought I would post my prediction for Cappy's pick and get it out of the way.

Indy St
Miss St
UNI
SDSU
NDSU

BisoNation wrote:

skinny_uncle wrote: Only 3? I saw one website (CSN) recently say we could get as many as 5.

Current projection has us only getting 2 in. Time will tell I guess...need some 7 win teams though first.

With half the league already having 5 wins or more and 3-4 games to go, there should be several 7 win teams by season's end. The question will be whether 7-4 in the best league in the country will be good enough for a bid.

Indiana State
Missouri State
UNI
SDSU
NDSU

WIU 3
MO St 28

Half