Miller's Power Rankings: Week #1

Youngstown State's RB Jamaine Cook stiff arms Pittsburgh DB
Lafayette Pitt in Youngstown State's 31-17 trashing of the Panthers
(Photo: PittsburghSportingNews.com)

#1 Youngstown State (1-0)

Can't argue with Youngstown State being #1. A powerful performance against FBS Pittsburgh was a great start for the Penguins. Next up: Valparaiso.

#2 North Dakota State (1-0)

Very strong performance against Robert Morris. This week will be more of a test for North Dakota State as they travel to Colorado State. 

#3 Illinois State (1-0)

Much like North Dakota State, Illinois State demolished a weaker FCS opponent. This week Illinois State will travel to Ypsilanti to take on lowly MAC member, Eastern Michigan.

#4 Western Illinois (1-0)

Western Illinois is barely hanging on to the #4 spot merely because they got a win. Next week they should get another win (Indianapolis) but they'll drop below Indiana State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, and maybe South Dakota with the strength of schedule penalties for playing non-scholarship and sub-D1 opponents.

#5 Indiana State (0-1)

Indiana State played well against Indiana. However their defense needed to step up just a little more to pull off the upset. Regardless, Shakir Bell ran for 192 yards on a Big Ten team. He is a serious contender for the Walter Payton Award. 

#6 Northern Iowa (0-1)

Northern Iowa played well against a Big Ten opponent as well. However, they will need to figure out their run offense to make a move to beat Iowa in a couple weeks. 

#7 South Dakota State (0-1)

South Dakota State managed to hang with Kansas until the fourth quarter. The Jackrabbits pulled within a touchdown but the defense wore out and Kansas took control. SDSU will travel to Louisiana and battle it out with Southland member SE Louisiana. 

#8 South Dakota (0-1)

The Coyotes are going to need to come together on defense; giving up 568 yards of offense is just unacceptable. Despite their poor defensive performance they led Montana 24-16 in the 3rd quarter. They can't count on being in that position in most games. The Coyotes have Colgate at home this week. 

#9 Missouri State (0-1)

I thought Missouri State was on upset alert, then they gave up 35 points in the fourth quarter. Next week they travel to Louisville. 

#10 Southern Illinois (0-1)

Southern Illinois by far had the worst performance in the MVFC in the past week. With all the talent they have on their team they should not give up 49 points. This week Southern Illinois will see if they can do better against MAC opponent Miami (OH).