We had two FCS-over-FBS victories last weekend. Southern Utah knocked off UTEP 27-24 in overtime. Huge shoutout to Thunderbirds coach DeLane Fitzgerald, who has done such an awesome job with this program now in Year 3 in Cedar City. Southern Utah has gotten better each season under his guidance and finally gets a landmark victory on his résumé this season. A big game this week vs. UC Davis could push it into the top 25 next week.
We probably should have seen the other upset coming as Idaho knocked off Wyoming 17-13. This is a continuation of what we saw from the Vandals in their Week 1 matchup vs. Oregon. The Vandals are more than stout at the point of attack and do a great job of not beating themselves. This is also nothing new for Jason Eck's squad. In 2023, they knocked off Nevada and had Cal on the ropes as well.
It sets up an early showdown Saturday in the FCS with a bevy of top-25 matchups across the slate:
- No. 17 Albany at No. 4 Idaho
- No. 10 William & Mary at No. 24 Wofford
- No. 23 Mercer at No. 15 Chattanooga
- No. 13 Incarnate Word at No. 9 Southern Illinois
It should make for a tremendous shakeup in next week's FCS Power Rankings for sure. Here's how the teams shake out following Week 2.
FCS Power Rankings
| Team | Rank | Record | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Montana State | 3-0 | After an impressive start to the season, the Bobcats have a bye this week. Afterwards, they ease back into the flow of the season with a game vs FCS newcomer Mercyhurst. |
 | 2. South Dakota State | 1-1 | The Jackrabbits were able to create some separation in a back and forth affair with Incarnate Word. A big reason why: going 10 of 13 on third down. That's how you get the job done. |
 | 3. North Dakota State | 1-1 | NDSU took its frustration out on Tennessee State last weekend with a 52-3 thumping. Once again, Cam Miller looked good, scoring four touchdowns en route to the victory. |
 | 4. Idaho | 1-1 | The Vandals' 17-13 upset over Wyoming proved their close loss to Oregon the week before wasn't a fluke. Coach Jason Eck is doing a hell of a job. |
 | 5. Villanova | 2-0 | Between a consistently stout defense and stellar play from QB Connor Watkins, the Wildcats have to be feeling good about their chances this weekend vs Towson. |
 | 6. South Dakota | 1-1 | The Coyotes were down 20-13 heading into the fourth quarter vs. Wisconsin before losing 27-13. The biggest takeaway from that game was how good South Dakota looked in the trenches vs. the Badgers. |
 | 7. Sacramento State | 0-2 | Well, the Hornets have completed the Mountain West portion of the schedule and finally face their first FCS opponent of the season this weekend vs. Nicholls. |
 | 8. Central Arkansas | 1-1 | We've talked about Bears RB ShunDerrick Powell before as one of the most explosive talents in the FCS. It was his 126-yard, three-score effort that helped UCA knock off Lindenwood. |
 | 9. Southern Illinois | 1-1 | It was a good combination of offensive balance that gave the Salukis the edge on the road at Austin Peay. They just have to cut down on the penalties as they move forward. |
 | 10. William & Mary | 1-1 | The Tribe never really were in the game vs. Coastal Carolina. The schedule doesn't let up, either, with a big matchup this week against a surging Wofford squad. |
 | 11. North Dakota | 1-1 | What a finish for the Fighting Hawks at home vs. Montana, pulling off the upset. It was a great team win; UND outplayed the Griz in all three facets of the game. |
 | 12. Montana | 1-1 | The Griz flirted with a loss in Week 1 vs. Missouri State and couldn't get anything going consistently on offense against North Dakota. They have to find a way to create more explosives in the passing game. |
 | 13. Incarnate Word | 1-1 | Last week vs. South Dakota State was a 'where we stand' game. What it told me is that the Cardinals still have to find the balance within the run game if they want to make a deep postseason run in December. |
 | 14. Florida A&M | 2-1 | I know the Rattler faithful hoped for a reincarnation of FAMU's 1979 upset vs. Miami, but that was a different game, team and situation than last Saturday. |
 | 15. Chattanooga | 0-2 | An upset-minded Mocs team had Georgia State on the ropes before succumbing to the Panthers. Huge game this week in conference vs. Mercer. |
 | 16. Lafayette | 1-1 | I was the color analyst for the Leopards' thrilling victory over Monmouth last weekend. WR Elijah Steward put on a show, finishing with 244 yards receiving on 15 receptions, including the game-winning touchdown. Bravo, young man! |
 | 17. Albany | 1-1 | The Great Danes have to quickly shake off last week's loss to West Virginia and get ready to take on No. 4 Idaho at the Kibbie Dome. |
 | 18. Tarleton State | 2-1 | The Texans' three-game road trip comes to an end this Saturday vs. North Alabama. Keep an eye on this Tarleton team. They could be this year's surprise playoff contender. |
 | 19. Elon | 1-1 | Elon proved what we saw along the lines of scrimmage vs. Duke was in fact true. The Phoenix dominated North Carolina Central in that aspect en route to a convincing 41-19 victory. |
 | 20. UC Davis | 1-1 | The Aggies bounced back with a 36-22 win over Texas A&M Commerce and have to get ready for a Southern Utah team that is fresh off of an FBS upset against UTEP last week. |
 | 21. Southeast Missouri State | 2-1 | Tightening up the defense will be the RedHawks' focus during the bye week; they face Southern Illinois on the other side of it. |
 | 22. Northern Iowa | 2-0 | Quietly, the Panthers are undefeated and playing great complementary football. Huge step up in weight class this week vs. Nebraska, though. |
 | 23. Mercer | 2-0 | Mercer has a chance to get a leg up in the SoCon this week if it knocks off Chattanooga. This Bears program has become a solid one over the last four seasons. |
 | 24. Wofford | 2-0 | The Terriers have been another surprising story so far this season in the SoCon. Their defense has been excellent, but they'll need a major game from their offense if they are going to pull off the upset against William & Mary this week. |
 | 25. Lamar | 1-1 | Maybe the Cardinals got lax vs. Mississippi Valley State, because they slid past the Delta Devils 28-14. Big-time matchup upcoming vs. Weber State at home. |
