Sorry for the lack of Mid Major Content, the 18S family grew by one more last Monday. Do not worry, the little one already has gotten the talk from me that we love Notre Dame first, then mid major football second. Without further ado, let’s dive into the new top ten.

Also Considered: Georgia Southern, UNLV, Miami (OH), Jacksonville State

Three And Out Takeaways

First Down: Top Teams Get Scares

As the title and the first takeaway noted, this week could have had even more shake-ups in the top ten if not for some big heroics. The game of the weekend was without question Memphis vs North Texas. Memphis had a 31-10 halftime lead in Denton, before the Mean Green made a push. Much like the week before against Tulane, North Texas brought the game down to the wire. The Mean Green completed the comeback by taking the lead with Ja’Mori Maclin’s second TD catch of the quarter. However, the Memphis offense, which finished with 600 total yards, struck one last time. Joseph Scales caught a potentially season saving TD from Seth Henigan to help Memphis escape with a 45-42 victory.

James Madison faced a brief scare from the officially feisty Old Dominion. The Dukes won 30-27 despite no offensive output in the fourth quarter. Tulane went back and forth against Rice in Houston before ultimately running out the final eight minutes to win 30-28. Finally, in one of the last games of the night, Fresno survived UNLV’s late push. The Rebels quite literally let the game slip through their fingertips in the 31-24 defeat. WR Senika McKie dropped a wide open TD with ten seconds left. The next play for UNLV was a coverage INT that sealed the game for the Bulldogs.

Second Down: SMU Asserts Itself

You know which team didn’t struggle this weekend? The SMU Mustangs. The computers have loved SMU this season and thought highly of their chances to do well in this version of the American. After two tough losses to Big 12 teams in Oklahoma and TCU, the Mustangs have been on fire offensively, scoring at least thirty points in their wins. This offensive performance took the cake. The Mustangs scored 55 first half points. 

While not all of these points came from the offense (one of the TDs was a pick six), this display of offensive attack must be taken into account as the Rhett Lashlee led team makes a trip to Memphis in a couple of weeks for a shot at Tulane. Considering the outbursts of offensive display both teams put on, it’s bound to be a fireworks spectacular.

Third Down: MAC Seems Set

A personal race to follow for myself is how the MAC would sort itself out this season. The answers to those questions may have been answered (although anything can still happen for this conference). Miami, despite losing starting QB Brett Gabbert during last week’s Toledo game, the RedHawks slowly crushed Kurtis Rouek and the hopeful Ohio team, winning 30-16. 

The RedHawk defense and rushing attack were the stars of this show, shutting out the Bobcats in the middle two quarters. Chuck Martin’s team can wrap up the MAC East with a win over Buffalo in a couple weeks and can look towards a potential rematch with Toledo in Detroit.

Week 10 Preview

MACTION!!!: Despite the important MAC game on last Saturday, most of the teams were on a bye week to start getting ready for some weekday football. There isn’t one particular matchup I want to highlight, but it’s perfect counter programming on Tuesday instead of the CFP Rankings Show.

Jacksonville St @ South Carolina: If not for James Madison in the Sun Belt, people would be paying attention much more to the job Rich Rod (yes THAT Rich Rod) is doing with the Jacksonville State squad. They take a trip to Columbia to play a feast or famine South Carolina team to see who can truly be called the ultimate Gamecocks.

Army @ Air Force: The second leg of the Commander’s in Chief Trophy takes place this upcoming weekend. I imagine that Air Force takes care of an Army that is struggling with their identity (hey Coach Monken I would advise against losing to UMass).

UTSA @ North Texas: The Roadrunners continue to be under the wire with their three losses, but they have still yet to lose in American play. Their old CUSA foes in Denton are still in the middle of their murderers’ row of opponents, so it will be interesting to see how much juice the Mean Green still have left.

James Madison @ Georgia St: With Georgia Southern knocking off the Panthers, this game seems much closer to a must win for the Panthers than it seemed a week ago. A loss here puts Georgia Southern firmly in position to represent the Sun Belt East in their Championship Game

Middle Tennessee @ New Mexico St: Quick, who would be in the CUSA Championship Game if the season ended today? I bet most of you guessed Liberty correctly, but you know who only has one loss in conference play? The Jerry Kill led New Mexico State Aggies. They have a showdown with Western Kentucky next week, but need to keep their heads focused on Middle Tennessee before that point.

Boise State @ Fresno St: Zombie Boise is coming back. We should have seen it coming. After knocking off Wyoming 32-9, the Broncos now have their biggest test to date going to Fresno. A loss by other team puts them at two conference losses and essentially out of the title picture.

That’s all I have for you all today! Hope you enjoy the Halloween and football activities this week!