Eastern Washington and Montana played in a Week 5 epic that literally came down to the final play of the game. The Eagles knocked off the Grizzlies 34-28, scoring in bunches against a defense that previously had not allowed more than seven points in a game. Quarterback Eric Barriere continues to make a strong case for the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.
And while the loss knocks Montana from the unbeaten ranks, it doesn’t fall that far in my latest Top 25. This is still one of the teams to beat in the FCS.
With a few teams falling out of the Top 25 completely, a handful of previously unranked teams have earned their debut appearance. Let’s find out who those teams are as we take a look at my Top 25 ahead of Week 6 in the FCS.
1. Sam Houston (4-0): QB Keegan Shoemaker will have to drive the bus once again as the Bearkats will be without star signal-caller Eric Schmid.
2. South Dakota State (4-0): This is one of the most complete teams I’ve seen in quite some time from this program. The Jackrabbits are legitimately strong in all three phases of the game.
3. James Madison (4-0): JMU has been camped out here at No. 3 virtually all season, and they may have the top freshman in the country in WR Antwane Wells Jr.
4. North Dakota State (4-0): The Bison won a massive rivalry game 16-10 over North Dakota last weekend, but questions still lurk about their passing game.
5. Montana State (4-1): The Bobcats have steamrolled opponents since their two-point loss to Wyoming in the opener. They look like the best team in the Big Sky Conference.
6. Eastern Washington (5-0): We know the Eagles can score quickly, but last week we saw them get some stops defensively. If that trend continues, look out.
7. UC Davis (5-0): With the way the Aggies are playing, they could be 9-0 by the time they meet up with Eastern Washington on Nov. 13.
8. Southern Illinois (4-1): The Salukis have a huge game this week against South Dakota State, a team SIU split results with during the FCS Spring season.
9. Montana (3-1): You could make a legitimate argument that the Grizzlies would have beaten Eastern Washington if QB Cameron Humphrey hadn’t been knocked out of the game on the final drive. But make no mistake about it, this is still a very strong team.
10. East Tennessee State (5-0): Head Coach Randy Sanders and his Bucs squad are undefeated and coming off of their first win over Wofford since 1998.
11. Missouri State (3-1): Missouri State has made a steady climb up my rankings since the preseason, proving to be a legitimate contender in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
12. Villanova (3-1): The Wildcats have a big matchup this week against JMU. The good news is that they are coming off of a bye week, giving them extra time to prepare for the Dukes.
13. Northern Iowa (3-1): Slow and steady wins the race. That mantra aptly describes the Northern Iowa Panthers, which just keep trucking along. A statement game is coming up this week against NDSU.
14. Southeastern Louisiana (3-1): SLU definitely makes every game intriguing and entertaining. There will be no shortage of both as they face in-state rival and Southland Conference foe Nicholls State.
15. North Dakota (2-2): Despite a tough loss to NDSU last weekend, I feel the Fighting Hawks are still one of the top 15 teams in the subdivision. Can they work themselves back into the Top 10? We’ll see.
16. Rhode Island (4-0): Listen, the Rhode Island Rams can write a book called “Finding Ways to Win.” That’s exactly what Head Coach Jim Fleming’s squad has done all season long.
17. UT-Martin (3-1): The Skyhawks were blessed with a bye week after their upset over Jacksonville State two weeks ago. That break should help avoid a potential trap game against Murray State.
18. Incarnate Word (4-1): I’ll say it: QB Cameron Ward is the best QB in the FCS. This dude is a future NFL draft pick. He’s been outstanding for the Cardinals.
19. Kennesaw State (3-1): Kennesaw State did the honors of knocking Jacksonville State out of the Top 25 with its impressive and dominating 31-6 victory. This is the type of team you don’t want to face as the season rolls along.
20. Delaware (3-1): Sticking with QB Nolan Henderson for a good stretch of the season will allow us to learn a lot about this Blue Hens team from here on out.
21. Jackson State (3-1): A lot has changed since the Jackson State Tigers lost to Alabama A&M 52-43 back in the spring, mainly on the defensive side of the ball. That Tigers defense, athletically speaking, may be one of the best in the FCS.
22. Princeton (3-0): After shutting out Lehigh and Stetson, the Tigers’ defense allowed seven points against Columbia. What a letdown. Cancel the program. All jokes aside, this team is special.
23. Prairie View A&M (4-1): Remember Jawon “Puma” Pass? The former Louisville QB is now balling down at Prairie View A&M. The Panthers look like legit contenders in the SWAC.
24. Mercer (3-1): Mercer has knocked off both Furman and Samford, two long-time titans in the SoCon. The Bears appear to be bonafide challengers to ETSU this season. Now, can they handle success?
25. Duquesne (3-1): The Dukes get it done with a strong run game and defense. Running back Garrett Owens, the former Mercyhurst transfer from the Division II ranks, has been superb.
Just Missed the Cut: Harvard, Dartmouth, William & Mary, Monmouth, Yale
The Czar’s Game of the Week
Southern Illinois at South Dakota State: These two teams played twice during the FCS spring season, with SDSU winning both games. But it was their latter matchup, in which the score was 31-26, that gives the Salukis confidence they can go toe-to-toe with the Jackrabbits. They’ll need to make one or two more plays in order to get the win.
South Dakota State made light work of Dixie State and left the game with the most important parts of the team still intact. The real focus was on this matchup. The offense is getting unexpectedly strong play from QB Chris Olodokun, and he has provided excellent balance to the offense.
South Dakota State’s defense is amongst the best in the FCS, and they’ll do a great job of slowing down the Salukis enough in this matchup. Pick: South Dakota State 30, Southern Illinois 13.
The Czar’s Upset Pick of the Week
Southeastern Louisiana at Nicholls: These two teams are the football equivalent of Kid Icarus. Both love to fly close to the sun, so to speak, making every game either exciting or nerve wracking, depending on your affiliation. While Southeastern Louisiana has the reigning Walter Payton Award winner in QB Cole Kelley, Nicholls QB Lindsey Scott Jr. is the best and most exciting player in this game. He’s a dual-threat catalyst, capable of throwing for 400 yards and rushing for 100 more in any game. Look for this score to smash the 71.5 point total.
I’m expecting a seriously high-scoring affair down in Thibodaux, Louisiana, with Nicholls making a case to appear in my Week 7 Power Poll next week. Pick: Nicholls 61, SLU 60
The Czar’s SportsLine Lock of the Week
Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado: Riding the high of a win over a top-five opponent can set a team up for a letdown the following week. Can Northern Colorado catch Eastern Washington reading their own press clippings? Check out my pick plus every Week 6 pick on SportsLine.
