Week 7 Missouri Valley Game Breakdowns
Through six weeks of the regular season and two weeks of the MVFC schedule, the top two teams have been determined (North Dakota State and Youngstown State). Granted, you have to wait to see these two teams in action. There are three games that involve ranked teams versus ranked teams or honorable-mention squads, and those should be entertaining. Let’s take a look at the week’s action:
Indiana State at South Dakota, Saturday, 2:00
This is Indiana State’s first visit to Vermillion, South Dakota, after South Dakota’s visit to Terre Haute produced a 45-14 victory last season. Keep an eye on South Dakota QB Kevin Earl, who is making his second career start after a 159-yard outing a week ago. Indiana State’s passing offense averages 308 yards per game, and South Dakota’s defense limits opponents to 109 passing yards per game. The Coyotes should prevail in this game on the strength of home-field advantage and that vaunted pass defense.
Projected Score: South Dakota 33, Indiana State 14
Missouri State at #1 North Dakota State, Saturday, 2:00
North Dakota State’s victory over Northern Iowa cemented the reputation of the Bison as one of the top teams in the nation, even if it was only a 24-23 win. At 14 games North Dakota State has the longest FCS winning streak in the country and the second-longest in all of football (behind Ohio State). This is the fifth time Missouri State faces a top-ranked opponent, and North Dakota State’s winning streak should go to 15 games with this contest – or rather, no contest.
Projected Score: North Dakota State 47, Missouri State 10
#10 South Dakota State at Western Illinois, Saturday, 4:00
The last time South Dakota State lost to Western Illinois was when George W. Bush was still in the White House. Ever since that 29-26, four-overtime victory in 2007, the Jackrabbits have won five straight meetings including last year’s 31-10 win. RB Zach Zenner had 171 yards rushing and two touchdowns in that game. QB Austin Sumner threw for 276 yards in South Dakota State’s 27-24 loss to Southern Illinois last week, which marked the team’s third straight defeat. Western Illinois QB Trenton Norvell has nine TD passes as a freshman, tying a mark set by Paul Singer in 1985.
Projected Score: South Dakota State 31, Western Illinois 29
Southern Illinois at #7 Northern Iowa, Saturday, 5:00
The Salukis are the unlucky team to face one ticked-off Northern Iowa squad, which was two points away from being unbeaten and winning against North Dakota State. Senior LB Bryan Presume has 63 total tackles in six games this season, which is ranked fourth in the nation. Northern Iowa RB David Johnson rushed for 85 yards against North Dakota State, the longest running score by a UNI player in quite some time. Nortnern Iowa should improve to 5-1 overall and keep an FCS playoff berth well within its sights.
Projected Score: Northern Iowa 37, Southern Illinois 7
Illinois State at #15 Youngstown State, Saturday, 6:00
Youngstown State doesn’t face Northern Iowa and North Dakota State until back-to-back games in November, so until that time the Penguins have to build their reputation against teams like the Redbirds of Illinois State. Youngstown State last was 3-0 in MVFC play in 2006, the year it won a conference championship. QB Kurt Hess set two records for passing yardage (7,887) and total offense (8,457). Illinois State RB Marshaun Coprich had 124 yards against Western Illinois last week, but YSU’s defense should silence the Redbird running game somewhat.
Projected Score: Youngstown State 38, Illinois State 17
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
