Well, at least I was right about their defense. I think.

My 'hands down' pick for the No. 1 team in the MIAA Top, Almosts, Not-Quites and the Basement - and the country - sure proved me wrong last week, as Pittsburg State apparently forgot that first downs were their friends on Family Day against Fort Hays.

I still love the Gorilla defense, who still (with a few asterisks, sure) hasn't allowed a score through four games, but to say there's a few problems in Pittsburg would be an understatement.

What can't be understated is the level that the real No. 1 team in the country, Northwest Missouri, is playing on. Another convincing victory leaves them as the only remaining undefeated in the conference and the clear choice at the top of this week's TANQB.

Who falls where under them, though, is a little harder to figure out. So let's get into this week's rankings.

THE TOP

TANQB Rank, D2Football.com Top 25 Ranking, Team, Record, (Last week's TANQB)

1. No. 1 Northwest Missouri 4-0 (2) - It's funny because it's true. A team that has "struggled" mightily at points in each and every game this year leads the league in scoring, total offense and total defense, among others. It was 'anybody's ballgame' through about 3 quarters last week in a contest where the Bearcats outgained UCO 616-169. It LOOKS like a couple of cupcakes lie ahead for Northwest before Pitt comes to town on Oct. 18.

2. Central Oklahoma 3-1 (3) - Based on this season's numbers, the Bronchos have played the league's toughest schedule, accounting for the only blemish on two 1-loss teams' records. The health of their skill players is a major concern going forward, but also allows for UCO to move up a position despite losing last week.

3. Fort Hays State 3-1 (4) - "The Tigers will drop as they get into the meat of their schedule," I wrote last week. Well, apparently I didn't realize how good the Tiger defense is. Their offense is worrisome, to say the least, but a better SOS than the 3-1 teams below them allows them to sneak into The Top.

THE ALMOSTS

4. No. 16 Pittsburg State 3-1 (1) - Their 3 wins are against teams with a total of 2 wins, and frankly, if it weren't for their top-notch defense, I'd have them a step lower. I've never been a fan of over evaluating "soft" schedules OR single-game results, but when the 2 collide like they did last week, it's easy to justify a fall from the top of The Top into The Almosts.

5. No. 21 Missouri Western 3-1 (5) - It hasn't always been easy, or pretty, but the Griffons continue to get it done as another team with major issues on the offensive side of the ball that is getting bailed out by its defense.

6. Central Missouri 2-2 (6) - The ups and downs of this team have rivaled those of the Kansas City Royals' 2014 regular season. Unfortunately for the Mules, there are not 162 games to figure themselves out.

THE NOT-QUITES

7. Emporia State 2-2 (8) - It's hard to move a team up a notch after being pushed to the brink by Northeastern State, who hadn't scored more than once all year, but I have to keep them ahead of Southern because of the head-to-head.

8. Missouri Southern 2-2 (10) - Two wins in a row finally get them out of The Basement, but the Lions haven't played well against the better competition they've seen so far.

9. Lindenwood 1-3 (7) - The 'other' Lions have failed to hit 10 points in 3 straight losses. Those 3 games have been against 3 of the better defenses in the league, so I'm interested to see what happens when they match-up with lesser Ds.

THE BASEMENT

10. Washburn 1-3 (9) - They're tied with Pitt State for the easiest schedule to date, and have looked bad in each and every game.

11. Northeastern State 0-4 (12) - I'm moving the Riverhawks ahead of Kearney because of a slightly tougher schedule and because they finally showed a burst of offense against Emporia.

12. Nebraksa-Kearney 0-4 (11) - The Lopers played UCM tough for the first half last week, but the final score means blowout losses in 3 of 4 games. Kearney hanging with Washburn ranks lower than NSU hanging with Emporia.

Sound off!!!

What do you think of my conference rankings? Which teams would you move up or down?

Leave me a comment below, get at me on Twitter @miAARONd2, hit me up on Facebook.com/apheintz or drop me a note at [email protected].