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Another week of games, and a couple more upsets. Seems like this is often the way it goes…a bunch of tough teams able to grind out wins against higher-ranked opponents.

First up though, let's take a look at conference standings, where teams are in relation to being set up for a playoff spot or if they're already out of the picture. I'll list the team, then overall record, conference record, and then each team's remaining 4 games of the regular season.

School Overall Conference Remaining 4 Games North Dakota State 7-0 4-0 UNI, @SDSU, USD, @ILSU South Dakota 6-1 3-1 SIU, @UNI, @NDSU, SDSU Illinois State 5-2 3-1 @YSU, WIU, @SDSU, NDSU Northern Iowa 4-3 3-1 @NDSU, USD, @MSU, INSU Western Illinois 5-2 2-2 SDSU, @ILSU, @INSU, SIU South Dakota State 5-2 2-2 @WIU, NDSU, ILSU, @USD Southern Illinois 4-3 2-2 @USD, MSU, YSU, @WIU Youngstown State 3-4 1-3 ILSU, @INSU, @SIU, MSU Missouri State 1-6 0-4 @INSU, @SIU, UNI, @YSU Indiana State 0-7 0-4 @MSU, YSU, WIU, @UNI

For reference, in recent history, I believe only one 8-DI-win MVFC team has been excluded from the playoffs (YSU in 2013, who went 8-4 in a 12-game season, but was tied with 3 other MVFC teams at 5-3 in the conference). In general, 7 DI wins will get MVFC teams at-large spots in the playoffs, and 6 DI wins is possible if the situation is right and the team gets a bit of help from other "bubble teams". It's happened twice so far, WIU in '15, and ILSU in '16, but it's by no means a forgone conclusion.

NDSU has reached 7 wins, which means that barring some complete collapse to finish the season, they're in the playoffs.

USD is still at 6 wins and likely need one more to be solidly in the playoffs. They do have a tough schedule ahead, but should be able to pick up at least one more win.

ILSU, SDSU, and WIU are all at 5-2 and are hoping for at least a 2-2 finish to the season to get their 7 wins. Based on how things look right now, WIU probably has the easiest route there, with a couple of winnable games and a couple of probably "coin flip" games. ILSU and SDSU both have to play NDSU, WIU, one other tough opponent (YSU for ILSU and USD for SDSU), and each other to finish out the season…so, one will pick up a win when they play each other, but it remains to be seen if they can get one more from the other 3.

SIU and UNI are 4-3 and they'll need to win 3/4 to finish with 7 wins. I could see SIU taking maybe one…two tops…but I don't think the Salukis will get there. UNI has been very strong the last couple of games. They'd need to beat MSU and INSU and snag one of the games at NDSU or home vs USD to do it. USD is the more likely of the two, but they'll both be tough games.

YSU is now 3-4 and desparately needs to start winning some games. Lots of close games against really tough teams, but at some point you just gotta win. With 4 games left, they pretty much need to win out to make the playoffs. It can be done, the majority of the rest of their schedule sits at the bottom of the conference standings, but they can't have any more slip-ups if they want to be playing after Thanksgiving.

MSU and INSU can't even reach 6 wins this season, so neither of them will be making the playoffs this year.

#9 Youngstown State at #28 Northern Iowa (Family Weekend)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final YSU 0 7 0 7 14 UNI 3 13 3 0 19

Quick Hits:

YSU – WR Damoun Patterson had 100 yds and 1 TD receiving

YSU – QB Nathan Mays threw for 175 yds and 1 TD but was sacked 8 times

YSU – LB Armand Dellovade led the team in