Our SGI power rankings are a balance of level and achievement for our combined FCs, DII, and NAIA Rankings. At the beginning of the season ranking Grand View #1 followed by Morningside was an acknowledgement of their national title ambitions and the fact that Grand View is the defending National Champions in NAIA.
In the last 7 years in NAIA, at least one of Morningside, Northwestern College, and Grandview have played in the NAIA title game (with Iowa teams Morningside winning the title in 18, 19, and 21, Northwestern in 22, and Grandview in 24)
We had a lot of big changes to factor in like Joe Woodley moving from Grandview to Drake, and Phil Substack taking the head coaching job at Graceland when fall camp opened.
1. Grand View (4-0) NAIA– The Vikings get the nod as the top team in this week’s rankings as they improved to 4-0 after a 63-3 thumping over fellow Iowa NAIA school, Saint Ambrose. Jackson Waring tallied 314 yards and 5 TDs in addition to 46 rushing yards and a rushing score as well. Their defense is averaging just under 13 points per game in addition to their high-powered offense that averages just under 41 points per game. They’ve got a big rivalry game this Saturday on the road against the undefeated William Penn Statesmen. They look like a potential National Title football team again this fall – Preseason Rank #1
2. Drake (1-2) FCS– This one might ruffle some feathers, but I am firm with this one. Yes, the Bulldogs are 1-2 and were idle this past weekend, but if you check the schedule and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a non-FBS team that had harder back-to-back games (at FCS #2 South Dakota State and at #18 South Dakota where they were competitive) than Drake. Luckily for Coach Woodley’s team, their toughest competition is behind them, and they can focus on Pioneer League play. They open conference play with Valparaiso this Saturday in Des Moines. Drake looks like a contender to win the Non-Scholarship FCS Pioneer League for the third year in a row this fall. Preseason Rank #3
3. Morningside (3-1) NAIA – After suffering a heartbreaker to open the season, the Mustangs are on a three-game winning streak after a 41-31 road triumph against Hastings. Just like the old commercials, Zach “Chevy” Chevalier and Morningside’s offense are “like a rock” tough, averaging 47 points per contest. He led the charge against Hastings with a stat line of 33-45, 381 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs. They’ve got some things they’d probably like to clean up defensively (allowing 30.75 points per game), but there’s a lot to love about this program. It’s homecoming this weekend against Waldorf. Morningside looks like they are contender once again for the National Title. Preseason Rank #2
4. Upper Iowa (3-1) DII – Speaking of teams on three-game winning streaks, Iowa’s favorite Division II program is on one of their own! The Peacocks protected Harms- Eischeid Stadium last Saturday in Fayette with a 31-10 homecoming victory against GLVC foe Lincoln University of Missouri. This team suffered an opening night loss at SGI #2 Drake where they took some lumps, but you couldn’t tell the way Jason Hoskins’ team has looked the last three games. They’ve got an almost seven-hour bus ride to Rolla, Missouri this weekend for another conference game against Missouri S&T. Preseason #5
5. Dordt (3-0) NAIA– In one of the biggest games in program history, Dordt stunned Northwestern for the first time ever in football. Things could’ve gone sideways for the Defenders after Jordan Carter picked off Noah Strickfaden and took it 53 yards to the crib to make it a 17-0 advantage in favor of Northwestern. But a tip of the cap to Strickfaden, who showed a lot of guts and poise, as he engineered two touchdown drives, including the game-winning pass to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn graduate Connor Dodd with just 13 seconds on the clock. Can they stay hot against Briar Cliff this week? Dordt looks like they might be on a playoff run this fall. Preseason #6.
6. William Penn (5-0) NAIA– I feel a little weird putting the unbeaten Statesmen at 7th, but this state is just so tough. Destynd Loring is electric, as he averages 168 all-purpose yards per game and has found the end zone 14 times. If Marc Benavidez can lead Willy P to a victory over the defending NAIA National Champion Grand View Vikings, JD will be on the phone with Chris McIntosh and telling him his Badgers need to make Benavidez an offer he can’t refuse to coach Wisconsin. The Statemen are off to their best start in decades this fall. Preseason#9
7. Briar Cliff (4-1) NAIA – Preseason #8 – Since being handled by Morningside to the tune of 58-17, The Cliff has responded with three straight victories. They disposed of Dakota Wesleyan 21-7 over the weekend and before that they toppled Mount Marty, who was receiving votes in the NAIA rankings. They get the nod at the seventh spot thanks to the win over Mount Marty whereas our number eight team is there because…
8. Northwestern (2-2) NAIA – …they fell to Mount Marty on September 13. Thus far, Northwestern’s beat who they’re supposed to beat but have suffered a pair of losses to similar competition in Mount Marty and now Dordt in heartbreaking fashion. How will the Raiders respond? Can they find a breakthrough with the passing game that’s struggled thus far. It’s homecoming this weekend in Orange City as they host Hastings, who put up a valiant effort against SGI #3 Morningside this past weekend. Preseason #4
9. Clarke (1-4) NAIA – The Pride secure the ninth spot in the SGI power rankings due in large to their 37-30 road victory over Graceland. Clarke controlled the game through and entered the fourth quarter up 37-15 before the Yellow Jackets tried to mount a comeback. The Pride have a chance to get another win this weekend as they take on a Peru State team that just got smacked around by NAIA #3 Benedictine 70-30. Preseason #9
10. Graceland (2-2) NAIA– The Yellow Jackets falling to Clarke was a bit of a surprise in the eyes of the SGI squad, especially with the game being in Lamoni. Yes, Graceland’s starting quarterback CJ Brooks was injured in the second quarter, but they must take better care of the football if they’re going to beat anyone in the Heart of America. Four turnovers and 3-15 on third down is a recipe for disaster for any ball club at any level. Homecoming against Culver-Stockton, a team that has given up 48 points per game in back-to-back losses, can be a get-right game for Graceland if they stay focused. Preseason #7
11. St. Ambrose (1-4) NAIA– Life comes at you fast. One week, you’re an 82-5 hammer and the next you’re a 63-3 nail. The Bees ran out of sting against #1 Grand View as the Vikings pummeled them 63-3 on Saturday. St. Ambrose mustered just 138 yards of total offense for a whopping 2.2 yards per play. Defensively, they allowed almost 600 yards to Grand View, who racked up 10.3 yards per play. A loss like that can really send a season into a spiral. Can the Bees get a road victory against 2-2 Missouri Valley? Preseason #11
12. Waldorf (0-5) NAIA – It has been a struggle for the Warriors this season, who were just shutout for the fourth time in five games after a 54-0 defeat against Nebraska-based Concordia. The Warriors have moved into one of the most difficult NAIA Conferences. They transitioned from junior college level to NAIA in 2003 and then a big conference jump to the GPAC a few years ago, which has been difficult. This team really struggles in all facets of the game, but they’re also young too. Let’s hope this team can build some momentum in the coming weeks and find themselves a win for the first time since 2023. Preseason #12
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