The MVFC Playoff Race Is Getting Uncomfortable
#4 Youngstown State (8-2, 6-1) 63, Murray State (1-9, 0-6) 35
If you liked points, this was the game for you. Beau Brungard went a long way toward solidifying his second Walter Payton Award as he padded his stat sheet with an absurd 454 total yards and 4 passing TDs. However, Murray State put on a fireworks show of its own with 536 yards of offense.
For Youngstown State, the defensive performance must be concerning heading into the playoffs. They had been gradually improving, but then they turned around this week and delivered that performance against the 101st-ranked offense in the country. With the struggles Youngstown State had on the defensive side of the ball to start the season, they need to reinforce the cracks in the armor in rather short order.
#2 South Dakota State (8-2, 5-1) 41, Northern Iowa (4-5, 3-3) 15
This was a last gasp for the Panthers to try to find a way to make the playoffs, and the Jackrabbits solidly slammed the door shut. The Jackrabbits played a complete game, dominating all three phases.
RB tandem Josiah Johnson and James Basigner continued to show why they are considered one of, if not the best, two-headed attacks in the country, combining for 216 yards and 3 scores, with each hitting the century mark. The Jackrabbit front seven was again dominant, holding UNI to 74 rushing yards and 2.4 yards per carry.
UNI really struggled to get anything going outside of the two-minute drill at the end of the first half. After Jaxon Dailey got stuffed on 4th-and-2 while down 17-7 to start the second half, you could just feel the dam break.
This was a statement game from UND, and at the same time, it has to have you wondering what, if anything, Illinois State has left in the tank in its desperation to make the playoffs.
The game was tied at 14 after the first quarter while both teams were feeling each other out, and then UND broke it open with 28 unanswered points in the second and third quarters.
As impressive as the points explosion from the UND offense was, shoutout to Jerry Kaminski for tossing 5 TDs, I really thought this was the best defensive game they played all year.
They held Illinois State to 38 net rushing yards and a 1.3 yards-per-carry average, forced checkdowns and rallied to the football in the passing game, holding Illinois State to 5.6 yards per attempt.
Braden Mohr, the conference leader in sacks, added 1.5 more to his total. If this is the defense UND can play the rest of the year, no one is going to want to see the Fighting Hawks.
Southern Illinois (5-5, 3-3) 37, Indiana State (2-8, 0-6) 20
Really good showing from Southern Illinois in this one. They were in control the whole way, largely due to the effort of their defense, which had 3 takeaways, and their own offense protecting the football.
The SIU offense was not as effective as you would have liked to see against a team like Indiana State, but like I said, when you take the ball away 3 times, you do not have to do anything crazy. Ibrahim Sanogo once again got after the QB with 1.5 sacks, and Sebastian Vargas added a pick to bring his conference-leading season total to 4.
Week 11 Preview
Saturday | 12 PM EST | ESPN+
Youngstown State comes in looking for a win to secure a likely top-four seed for the playoffs, and Illinois State comes in knowing they need at least one more win for the playoffs and that they only have two opportunities left to do so.
If Youngstown State's defense plays like it did last week, this one could end up being interesting. However, even then, I am not sure Illinois State will have the firepower to go score for score with a motivated Beau Brungard.
Murray State (1-9, 0-6) at Indiana State (2-8, 0-6)
Saturday | 1 PM EST | ESPN+
There are no ties in college football. One of these teams is getting a conference win this week. Neither of these teams has obviously had the season it would have liked, but here is an opportunity for them to build some momentum heading into next season.
Matchup-wise, I think Indiana State has the better roster, and its offense is top 50 in total yards. They have moved the ball well this year, but unforced errors have continued to get in their own way.
That could open the door for Murray State to make something happen. They have been overmatched but disciplined for most of the season.
Northern Iowa (4-5, 3-3) at #7 South Dakota (7-3, 4-2)
Saturday | 1 PM CST | ESPN+ / Midco
Northern Iowa comes in knowing that it will not make the postseason, and South Dakota comes in off a bye after a beatdown against its archrival and looking to protect playoff positioning.
USD has been seemingly impossible to stop at home this year, and its vertical passing attack should be able to take advantage of UNI's secondary.
There is a reason they play the game between the white lines, but truthfully, I don't see this one being close.
#2 South Dakota State (8-2, 5-1) at Southern Illinois (5-5, 3-3)
For the second week in a row, a highly rated South Dakota State team goes on the road to play a team fighting for its playoff life.
I do think SIU is a good bit better than UNI, even if they played them close a few weeks ago. SIU has been playing some solid defense this year, and Ibrahim Sanogo, as we have talked about, can be a game-wrecker.
They will have to try to keep SDSU behind the sticks, which is easier said than done. If they don't, the Jacks will take 4-6 yards per carry and just churn out the game.
On the flip side, their offense has been clunky this year, and they are playing the top defensive unit in the country.
If SIU wants this one, they will have to try to find one or two splash plays. Otherwise, the Jacks will continue to do what they do and control the lines of scrimmage and the football.
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