Week 11 MVC Game Breakdowns
There are five games on this week’s Missouri Valley Football Conference agenda, with the week’s biggest game kind of serving as an appetizer to the looming matchup between Youngstown State and North Dakota State. There are a couple of other solid games on the agenda as well, so let’s take a look at the week to come:
#15 Montana at South Dakota, Saturday, 2:05
Last year Montana improved its series record to 10-6 overall when it ran for 315 yards in a 35-24 home win over South Dakota. The teams first met in 1915 but Montana has not played a game in Vermillion since 1974. Is it a coincidence this is the last time South Dakota beat Montana. South Dakota is 3-1 at home and Montana is 3-1 on the road. Some help, right? It has been almost 40 years since South Dakota scored a win and it won’t happen this year for two reasons. First, Montana QB Jordan Johnson has 24 touchdown passes and only one interception. Second, Montana has a plus-14 turnover margin. Look out for Montana to win this game.
Projected Score: Montana 30, South Dakota 17
Indiana State at #19 South Dakota State, Saturday, 3:00
One of the disappointing teams in the MVFC travels to Brookings for a matchup as Indiana State takes its 1-8 record and 0-5 MVFC mark into action. South Dakota State holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series, including a 24-10 win last year in Terre Haute. Indiana State has not won on the road yet this year, and a loss here would mean four straight seasons (2010-2013) with no road wins for the Sycamores. Sad to say for Indiana State, it looks like that will happen. Look for SDSU running back Zach Zenner to bring the team back from a bye week with a victory that will make the team 6-4.
Projected Score: South Dakota State 28, Indiana State 17
Missouri State at Southern Illinois, Saturday, 3:00
First place is definitely out of reach for both of these teams, but there is a spirited battle for third place going on between these schools and Illinois State. The Salukis lead the overall series 18-17 but are 9-1 against Missouri State in the past 10 games. Southern Illinois won 14-6 in Springfield a year ago. Missouri State has not won four league games in a row since 1996 and 1997. OLB Rique Bentley has two interceptions returned for touchdowns this season. SIU running back Malcolm Agnew averages 109.8 rushing yards per game in five wins and 34.3 yards per game in three losses. If Agnew gets off to a rough start, it will be a rough day for the Salukis. Look for Missouri State’s streak to continue.
Projected Score: Missouri State 34, Southern Illinois 21
Illinois State at #1 North Dakota State, Saturday, 3:30
North Dakota State leads this series 4-2, but this game has the makings of an interesting contest just the same. Last year the teams played on the final day of the regular season for the MVFC’s automatic qualifier and North Dakota State overcame a 20-14 deficit to beat Illinois State 38-20. Illinois State was 5-0 on the road a year ago and went 5-0 at home this year, but this game is under the dome in Fargo. The Bison’s return game had four touchdowns two weeks ago for the first time since 2000. With next week’s Youngstown State game so close, the Bison has to protect against a trap game taking place. North Dakota State should win, but it could be very interesting.
Projected Score: North Dakota State 38, Illinois State 35 (OT)
Youngstown State at Northern Iowa, Saturday, 5:00
How bad has it gotten for Northern Iowa? The Panthers lead the overall series 20-7, but Youngstown State won last year’s game 42-35 in Youngstown. This game is in Cedar Falls, however. Northern Iowa’s Max Busher has averaged over five tackles in the last four games, including 11.5 tackles in a 13-3 loss to Illinois State. Youngstown State’s offense has six players who have at least two touchdown catches, the first time since 1990 that has taken place. This game is going to be a tough one for Youngstown State, as Northern Iowa will definitely be up for it.
Projected Score: Youngstown State 31, Northern Iowa 28
