CSN West: Underrated Mustangs

It seems like deja vu. In my first year at CSN I felt that Cal Poly was left out of the playoffs for being on the West coast. Here is a column I wrote stating how I felt Cal Poly was robbed from a playoff spot that year. That bias I thought might go away this year as the Mustangs moved into the Big Sky Conference but it still seems to be happening. Cal Poly is only ranked #11 in the opinion polls despite being undefeated thus far in the season.

By Kent Schmidt
CSN West Columnist
College Sporting News

Why is Cal Poly ranked where they are?

This likely is the bias of media and coaches voting. It might be that no one even has seen the Mustangs play. Last week, the Mustangs played late in the evening east coast time—defeating Big Sky rival Portland State 37-25 to improve their record to 7-0.

Three voters in the media poll must have seen what Cal Poly has done in voting them #1 in the ballots but they are still ranked behind two new Big Sky rivals of Eastern Washington (ranked #1) and Montana State (ranked #4) who both have a loss.

Cal Poly ironically is one of just two undefeated FCS teams, joined by the team that I felt took their spot in the 2004 playoffs in Lehigh.

Cal Poly started the season unranked as well so it takes time for teams like this to climb the polls.

But Cal Poly can take pride that it holds the #4 spot in our latest CSN Gridiron Power Index.

What is on the Cal Poly resume thus far?

The Mustangs might have been brought down by the voters due to their schedule as within the Big Sky, Cal Poly does not play either Montana or Montana State.

The Mustangs own a victory over FBS Wyoming but really have no other signature wins as they have no wins over ranked FCS teams.

Who is left on the Mustangs schedule?

This will change, what voters might think of Cal Poly. The Mustangs play three of their last four games on the road including games at Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona.

Wins against these two and the other two games at Sacramento State this week and their final home game against Idaho State should cure the voter’s issues.

I for one think Cal Poly should be ranked higher but think we will not have the same problem as 2004 as the Mustangs will likely be in the playoffs where they can truly prove their ranking.

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CSN WEST GAME OF THE WEEK

Southern Illinois (5-3, 4-1 MVFC) @ North Dakota State (6-1, 3-1), 3:30 pm

The Salukis and Bison meet in Fargo this week in a suprising matchup of two teams atop of the Missouri Valley Football Conference standings.

Early on this season, it looked as if SIU would be as predicted down in the MVFC standings. The Salukis began the month of October with a 2-3 record, but have since reeled off three straight wins over Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Youngstown State.

SIU has used their defense and special teams for the three straight victories. The Salukis have blocked punts in three straight games. SIU is tied for first in the FCS with 13 fumble recoveries and tied for third in the FCS with 21 forced turnovers.

While SIU’s defense has been impressive, NDSU’s has been even better. The Bison responded after a disappointing home loss to Indiana State, limiting South Dakota to four first downs, 17 rushing yards, 59 passing yards and 76 yards of total offense in a 54-0 blowout last week.

Like last year when NDSU defeated SIU 9-3 in Carbondale, I think this year’s game will be a defensive struggle. I think NDSU will have just enough offense to win this game in Fargo.

North Dakota State 17 Southern Illinois 6