After a Week 1 quick break due to sickness and holidays, the Mid Major Top Ten has returned! We had some weird results over the past two Saturdays and we are going to dive into the most important ones below. Before we do that, let’s take a look at the updated Top Ten.
Also Considered: Troy, Marshall, South Alabama, San Diego State
Three And Out Takeaways
First Down: Mid Majors Are Missing Their Signature Win
It’s not to say we have no pretty good wins, or either wins over Power 5 teams, but there seems to be lacking a true seismic victory. Toledo was a miracle throw away from winning in Champaign. Troy hung around Kansas State for a bit, but fell off. Tulane, minus Michael Pratt, struggled in the second half against Ole Miss. Then we look at the Week 1 wins of Texas St and Fresno St. They followed up their losses with a tough loss on the road and needing overtime to beat an (admittedly good) FCS team. There are some interesting games the rest of the way, but this might be the first year since there has been coverage of the Mid Majors for the site where there is no signature upset.
Second Down: The NCAA Did James Madison Dirty
So, the closest thing we may have is the game the Dukes pulled off on Saturday. This game really is not an upset by any means. JMU was the better team last year and they showed their grit and determination to compete at the FBS levels. It’s why that it continues to be silly that the NCAA has the rule for teams moving up a level that they cannot compete for any postseason play. The Dukes felt that burn last year when they were not allowed to play in the Sun Belt Championship Game, and now they seem to have set themselves up to be yet again on the outside looking in. For New Years Six purposes, that opens up the door to honestly any team at this point. Toledo and Western Kentucky probably need to go 11-1 and get chaos from other conferences, but the path is still there. Along with the Sun Belt, a bunch of AAC and Mountain West teams are in contention. It could be a fun race to watch this season.
Third Down: Is Boise Still The Team to Beat Out West?
Notable by their absence in this top ten is Boise State. After getting blown out against an elite Washington team, the Broncos struggled with former Mid Major UCF on the blue turf. Not only that, Taylen Green struggled and Maddux Madsen led the final offensive drive that gave the Broncos the lead back with less than two minutes to play. Then UCF drained the clock and ran down the field to hit a game winning field goal to put Boise at 0-2. This is sounding eerily familiar to Boise fans as this slow start put them off the radar last year. The benefit of the doubt was not given on this site to them last year, and we are going to learn our lesson this year. Wyoming, Fresno, and Air Force all are looming down the line, but Boise has bigger tests in front of them. Memphis in two weeks then traveling to San Diego State. Say what you want about the Aztecs on offense, but their defense should be able to figure out the current version of Boise’s offense.
Week 3 Preview
A reminder that these previews are three sentences or fewer. While thought to be a weaker slate on paper Week 3 offers some potential surprises.
Navy @ Memphis: Tigers playing under the radar football. Navy not quite a competent team to test Memphis, but getting closer.
Army @ UTSA: Frank Harris struggled vs Texas St. He might be hurt? The Roadrunners need his A game for weeknight against Army.
Utah State @ Air Force: First true look for the Falcons. Interested to see if they blow out Aggies.
Georgia Southern @ Wisconsin: Clay Helton DGT. He has a chance for another signature win in Madison. Maybe a sleeper Sun Belt team?
Iowa State @ Ohio: Out of the games on here, most confident in upset win. Rourke back fully for the Bobcats. Fun trip back to MAC Country for Campbell.
San Diego State @ Oregon St: Could be Sloppy game. Confident in future Pac-2 Champion Oregon State.
Western Kentucky @ Ohio State: Just in case you wanted to scout Ohio State’s defense. It’s the best offense the Buckeyes will face going into South Bend.
South Alabama @ Oklahoma St.: A down Okie State team giving South Alabama a chance for biggest win for the program.
James Madison @ Troy: First premier conference tilt. Interesting bounce back spot for Troy and post letdown for JMU.
San Jose State @ Toledo: True test outside of conference to see if the Rockets are more consistent under Candle.
Wyoming @ Texas: What if I told you this was the last game on Longhorn Network? Imagine the extra hilarity if the unthinkable happened.
Fresno State @ Arizona St: Bulldogs have more skill than Sun Devils at this point. After last week though, have to pay more attention to see which team shows up.
Are three FCS wins over G5 teams out of eighty games more than usual? Does that presage trouble for Buffalo and Northern Illinois in the MAC? FCS Idaho, who plays Cal, is a story of recovery if not redemption. Nevada may end up among the bottom teams in the MW, but a twenty-seven point win?
Wash St and Oregon St seeking judicial review of PAC board membership criteria for decision-making on PAC assets could affect G5 teams, specifically the MTN West, next year. If Board membership per PAC bylaws is limited to schools who have not announced they are leaving the conference, the PAC2 only will decide on how to distribute $42 million plus. Could the MTN West conference become a P5 conference? That would be a P5 conference based on geography. The annual PAC-MW games may be curtailed soon with realignment and possible subsequent revenue decrease for the MW.
Hawaii has no chance against Oregon this weekend, but this is a feel-good story.
Rice’s win over B12 Houston led by JT Daniels and Luke McCaffery was a bit of a surprise though maybe not a signature win.
Clarifications: FCS eighty games are to G5 and P5 teams in total. If not clear, the PAC2 might admit the MW to a new PAC conference with sole decision-making powers and control of the conference membership decisions. Boise, Fresno State,Wyoming, Air Force, San Diego State, etc in the new PAC?