(Pictured: USF's Max Mickey and MSU-Mankato's Tyler Henderson. Photo's from Jason Dannelly and Jon Klemme)

NSIC Power Rankings – 2015
Power Rankings are based on 2015 performance so far, while taking into consideration the level of the opposition.

#1 USF and MSU-Mankato (3-0)
Both teams edged past UMD, but were sluggish in their 2nd games of the season. USF’s offense looks to be the most explosive in the NSIC, averaging a league high 45ppg and 515ypg. The offensive line of the Cougars has yet to give up a sack this season. The quick strike offense of the Coo increases the number of possessions for USF but the unit is currently last in the league in time of possession.

Mankato is averaging 32ppg offensively, which is low for them. The passing game hasn’t clicked yet but they are tops in the league in rushing yards. The Mavericks defense has been stingy with a league best in yards per game at 224. The irresistible force will meet the immovable object in Week 10 this fall.

#3 UMD (1-2)
Ok, I know they are 1-2. They are probably 2 tipped balls away from being 3-0. The top 3 in this league once again are clear cut until someone else shows otherwise. Odd stat, UMD is leading the league in time of possession (and had the ball 40 minutes in their loss at USF), but the Bulldogs find themselves at 1-2.

With other SR3 conferences the GAC and the MIAA showing early signs of league parity (Pitt State, Henderson State, OBU all with losses so far) don’t assume the Bulldogs are out of the playoff picture with 2 losses. Not so fast my friend.

#4 MSU Moorhead (3-0)
They’ve beaten both Winona State and Augustana. Both Hodge and Carr have started games and QB for the Dragons and they haven’t missed a beat yet. Carr might be the best backup signal-caller in the league. The defense isn’t great, but they aren’t giving up 45ppg like last year either.

#5 Augustana (2-1)
Vikings battled hard with Moorhead, eventually falling 35-34 last Saturday. Trey Heid’s 4 interceptions in the loss matched his picks total for all of 2014. Despite that, the Vikings still have one of the more explosive offenses in the league.

#6 Upper Iowa (3-0)
If you would’ve told me the Peacocks would be 3-0 to start this year, after losing 99% of their offensive productivity, I’d say you were nuts. However, Dimitri Morales leads the conference in passing yards and the UIU-D is leading the league in scoring defense. Upper Iowa is also +6 in turnovers, best in the conference. That said, they’ve beaten 3 squads who have a cumulative record of 0-9. But, they’ve been blowing teams out and dominating. Let’s give the Peacocks some props though.

#7 Southwest Minnesota State (3-0)
Similar to UIU, I didn’t see the Mustangs getting out of the gate this fast. While the Peacocks have dominated their opponent, SMSU beat Minot by 1, BSU by 4, and SCSU by 1. Most impressive thing statistically about the Mustangs is they are keeping their opponents to an average of 23ppg, instead of the usual 40ppg of the past. The Mustangs are leading the conference in first downs with 27 per game.

#8 Winona State (2-1)
The Warriors might be better than this spot but they stumbled out of the gates at Moorhead and then looked lack-luster against Bemidji. I’m starting to get the impression that maybe the days of WSU being in the top teams conversation have come and gone.

#9 St. Cloud State (2-1)
When I watched SCSU up close a week ago at Augustana I thought the Huskies looked improved offensively in the passing game, but were giving the up the big play too often defensively. It would seem that while the Huskies are gaining better balance offensively, they lack explosive plays. Part of me thinks SCSU might be moved up the list a month from now, but at the moment it’s hard to have them any better than middle of the pack.

#10 Wayne State (2-1)
The Wildcats lose star signal-caller Zach Osborn to a broken hand in the first quarter of the Duluth game and suddenly it looks like their season is shot in the foot. Enter redshirt freshman Taylor Reedy. In his first start against Northern State the freshman goes 25-34 for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns, zero interceptions. Way to step up fella! Sophomore WR Marcel Dunson was his top target and went for 11 catches and 145 yards, 2 scores, on Saturday. The WSC-D leads the league in sacks as well. The Wildcats cannot be counted out.

#11 Concordia (1-2)
In my preseason preview I had the Golden Bears getting off to a better start. Saturday they had to rally to beat Minot State, which is a team they should be handling if they are the squad I thought they’d be in 2015. Starting QB Corey Cole has gotten injured again at the start of the year, but Ben Schramski has filled in admirably. That said, CSP is once again challenged in the passing game and will need more production offensively if they are going to survive a tough South Division schedule.

#12 Bemidji State (0-3)
I have the Beavers as the best of the 0-3 squads, seeing as they competed with Augie, lost late to SMSU, and came up 3 points short against Winona State. They could easily be 2-1.

#13 Northern State (0-3)
The Wolves defense has looked improved but they really miss the leadership and playmaking ability of 4 year starting QB Jared Jacobson. Redshirt Freshman Kyle Lavand has started to come along after 3 starts, but the 2015 season will likely be a work in progress for the young quarterback and the Wolves offense.

#14 Minot State (0-3)
MSU is winless but has been leading in the 2nd half of 2 of 3 games. The Beavers are on their 3rd quarterback this season, with Isaiah Weed getting the start this last Saturday against CSP. The Minot defense is slightly improved (29ppg), but the offense is near the bottom of the league at 13ppg.

#15 Mary and Crookston (0-3)
The Golden Eagles played a good half against USF a few weeks ago and looked like maybe they were turning the page. Then on Saturday they were limited to a field goal in Fayette. Not having their wideout playmaker Adam Connette didn’t help. UMC gave up 49ppg defensively last year. This season the Eagles are currently matching that same number.

Mary had the unfortunate task of facing both Sioux Falls and Mankato in the first 3 weeks. The Marauders are also on their 3rd quarterback, which is kinda rough after 3 games. Zach Roberson started the year as the team’s prolific signal-caller but he was hurt in the opener at USF and the squad really hasn’t picked up the pieces since.