College football top 25: Eastern Washington, Villanova surge in CBS Sports FCS Power Rankings

Jap Washington simply finds new methods to impress each Saturday. Final week, quarterback Eric Barriere threw for a whopping 600 yards and 7 touchdowns passes, whereas including one other landing on the bottom, in a 71-21 rout over Idaho. He is placing up online game numbers each week and is the clear frontrunner for the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equal to the Heisman Trophy. So long as the Eagles preserve placing up these kinds of scores, they’ll be exhausting to beat. 

In the meantime, the Villanova knocked off Albany 17-10, pushing their file to 5-1. The Wildcats have confirmed they’ll win any sort of recreation, any sort of means, with offense, protection, and/or particular groups. These are the kinds of groups that are inclined to make deep runs within the playoffs. Villanova could be gunning for its second Division I Nationwide Championship, its first coming in 2009.

This is how the FCS Energy Ballot appears heading into Week 8 … 

1. Sam Houston (5-0): The Bearcats obtained a much-needed by week after logging lots of soccer miles coming off of the spring season. 

2. Jap Washington (7-0): The 1999 St. Louis Rams … the 2015 Golden State Warriors … and this Jap Washington staff. It is factors on factors on factors and among the most entertaining soccer within the nation. 

3. Montana State (6-1): The Bobcats are a basically sound staff that beats you with protection, a robust working recreation and environment friendly passing assault. They don’t beat themselves.

4. North Dakota State (6-0): Domination within the trenches will often have the Bison on the plus aspect of the scoreboard. Nevertheless, their passing recreation might want to get it into gear by the point the playoffs come round.

5. Villanova (5-1): The Wildcats proceed to search out methods to win and should keep away from the upset-minded Rhode Island Rams this weekend.

6. Southern Illinois (6-1): The Cardiac Salukis undoubtedly make issues enjoyable and fascinating each Saturday. They cannot preserve residing that means, proper?

7. South Dakota State (5-1): Jackrabbits are combating two battles each weekend: the opponent and the warfare of attrition.

8. James Madison (5-1): Regardless of their loss two weeks in the past to Villanova, the Dukes are nonetheless poised for a deep playoff run.

9. Southeastern Louisiana (5-1): If it wasn’t for Barriere, Lions QB Cole Kelley could be a lock to grab up back-to-back Payton Awards. He is been enjoying out of his thoughts this season.

10. UC Davis (6-1): The Aggies rebounded properly from their slip-up in opposition to Idaho State, getting a decisive victory over Northern Colorado. They’re going to want that sort of focus the remainder of the way in which, particularly within the aggressive Large Sky Convention.

11. UT-Martin (5-1): The Skyhawks preserve climbing the rankings. To not look forward, however this staff might doubtlessly be 10-1 by the top of the season.  

12. Montana (4-2): The Grizzlies dropped one other convention recreation, dropping to Sacramento State 28-21. Montana cannot afford to lose one other or they’re going to be out of a playoff berth come November.

13. Incarnate Phrase (5-1): This staff takes care of enterprise on each side of the ball, and there is a enormous recreation in two weeks in opposition to Southeastern Louisiana.

14. Jackson State (5-1): Over 53,000 spectators confirmed up for Homecoming final weekend. Coach Prime is constructing one thing particular with this program.

15. East Tennessee State (6-1): A expensive fumble contained in the crimson zone in the end doomed the Bucs in opposition to UT-Chattanooga. I do not count on them to sleepwalk once more in opposition to Furman.

16. South Dakota (5-2): The Coyotes are for actual. They dominated Northern Iowa 34-21 and are constructing the proper of momentum at this juncture of the season.

17. Rhode Island (5-1): The Rams took a loss final weekend, which knocked them down within the rankings. With the way in which the CAA is wanting, playoff at-large bids are going to be extremely aggressive. There’s little margin for error now. 

18. Kennesaw State (5-1): The Owls are on a four-game profitable streak after a shutout victory in opposition to North Carolina A&T. They turned the ball over 3 times and it nonetheless did not value them any factors. That tells you their protection is fairly darn good. 

19. Princeton (5-0): Shockingly, the Tigers protection gave up 42 factors to Brown. They higher hope that is an anomaly and never an indication of issues to return as they welcome in Harvard.

20. Missouri State (4-2): The Bears have an enormous alternative get a landmark win underneath coach Bobby Petrino, as they tackle North Dakota State.

21. VMI (5-2): The Keydets beat the brakes off of Mercer 45-7. Can they preserve that sort of manufacturing happening each side of the ball the remainder of the way in which?

22. Harvard (5-0): Undefeated and undeterred, the Harvard Crimson head right down to Princeton to battle for the Ivy League lead. Freshman WR Kaedyn Odermann is a legit star.

23. Jap Kentucky (5-2): The Colonels are enjoying among the greatest ball within the FCS. They’ve jumped into our rankings this week and look to make it a everlasting house in the course of the season.

24. Prairie View A&M (5-1): Coach Eric Dooley’s Panthers may very well be on upset alert in opposition to the Southern Jaguars. Actually, Prairie View A&M’s subsequent three video games will inform us lots about this Panthers staff.

25. Duquesne (4-1):  The Dukes are clear favorites within the Northeast Convention, they simply have to remain constant the remainder of the way in which. The hardest take a look at remaining is that this weekend in opposition to Sacred Coronary heart.

Simply Missed the Minimize: Sacramento State, Dartmouth, Fordham, Norfolk State

The Czar’s FCS NFL Draft Prospect of the Week

Tim Demorat, QB Fordham: Demorat has quietly put collectively a incredible profession up within the Bronx. He was the primary true freshman QB to begin for the Rams, and has since grow to be a two-time All-Patriot League performer, profitable Offensive Participant of the 12 months this previous spring season. This season, he has thrown 20 landing passes to solely 5 INTs. From a scouting perspective, he’s battle-tested, and has the flexibility to the touch each stage of the sphere within the passing recreation. Keep watch over the senior signal-caller, as he ought to find yourself in a few postseason All-Star video games come January.

The Czar’s Sport of the Week

Harvard at Princeton: A battle of unbeaten groups takes the sphere in Ivy League play. This matchup is power vs. power between Harvard’s working recreation and Princeton’s entrance seven. One thing has to provide. I additionally look towards the Harvard secondary, which has been weak at occasions in opposition to the move, being examined in opposition to the Tigers’ dynamic passing offense. Search for a tug-o-war sort battle for 3 quarters earlier than we get an important end in the long run. Decide: Princeton 24, Harvard 21

The Czar’s Upset Decide of the Week

Tennessee State at Jap Illinois: Tennessee State Head Coach Eddie George was in a position to get his first convention win final weekend in opposition to Tennessee Tech, placing them at 1-1 within the Ohio Valley Convention. Quietly, they’re nonetheless within the combine for the convention title. The Tigers are lastly getting constant quarterback play with Geremy Hickbottom. Between their working recreation and stellar defensive play, Tennessee State could also be peaking on the proper time, which might spell hazard for an Jap Illinois staff that struggles to attain. Decide: Tennessee State 20, Jap Illinois 9

The Czar’s SportsLine Lock of the Week

Bethune-Cookman at Jackson State: Jackson State has the very best protection within the SWAC and its offense is beginning to produce chunk performs. The most important focus on this recreation would be the Tigers protection, which hasn’t allowed greater than 17 factors all season lengthy. Will that development proceed in opposition to a pesky and scrappy Bethune-Cookman squad? You can find my pick for that game, along with all my Week 8 picks, on Sportsline.