FB: Southland Conference Power Rankings - Week 9

I know, we're late this week. Blame the boring results or something. Exactly zero surprises across a pretty unexceptional week in the Southland Conference has given us little room to move teams.

All the same, we owe you an update and we're delivering. With perhaps the marquee game of the rest of the season happening this week (both of them, actually), some must-watch college football in on the horizon.

And so, headed into the weekend, here's where everyone stands:

These are not standings, but rather, an indication of weekly momentum. Follow us all season as we reveal our weekly rankings each Tuesday. Be sure to sign up for a free account right here and join the conversation below.

1. Central Arkansas

2017 record: 6-1 (5-0) | Last week's rank: 1

Northwestern State delivered quite a scare to Sam Houston State a week ago. There was no such drama as they hosted the league's best team in Central Arkansas. A week after a scare of their own, courtesy of Stephen F. Austin, UCA quarterback Hayden Hildebrand threw for an efficient 306 yards on just 12 completions as part of a 500+ yard offensive day for the Bears.

The game of the year this weekend may be the only thing standing between UCA and a Southland Conference title. McNeese, who hasn't lost since their conference opener, is trying to create a dead-heat at the top.

2. Sam Houston State

2017 record: 6-1 (4-1) | Last week's rank: 2

After a few iffy weeks, the Bearkats' offense roared back to life in their demolishion of last place Lamar. It may not do a lot for those who are convinced that this version of Sam Houston State is a regression of their 2016 form, but there will be an opportunity to address that this weekend.

Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, the nation's defending Walter Payton award winner, suddenly looked like the best signal caller in the conference again. The second of the heavyweight games this weekend will see the Bearkats take on fellow one-loss Southeastern Louisiana. The winner is squarely in the title hunt.

Oh, and apologies to P.J. Hall. He played, contrary to what was featured right here a week ago.

3. McNeese

2017 record: 6-1 (4-1) | Last week's rank: 3

McNeese's defense is downright terrifying. They've given up a total of two touchdowns in the last month and just might be the most complete team in the entire league as the race hits the home stretch. The opening conference loss to Nicholls stings a little extra as McNeese has clearly been the better team since, but that can all be forgotten with a road upset (if you can even call it that) of Central Arkansas this weekend.

Controlling destiny is about as much as anyone can ask for by this point in the season. The Cowboys can continue to own theirs with a three or four-way tie (in the loss column) for the lead by Saturday night.

4. Southeastern Louisiana

2017 record: 5-3 (5-1) | Last week's rank: 5

All season, I have refused to admit the Lions are a top-tier team. I look more and more foolish every week as they pummel opponents with this crazy triple option offense. Look, they can't pass, they haven't played anyone at the top of this list since being blown out by UCA, and yet watching the methodical dismantling of ACU this week makes me pretty certain its time to start taking them seriously.

Southeastern over Sam Houston State is my upset pick of the week and (paired with a McNeese win over UCA) could see SELA in a tie for the lead by the end of the day. The Lions have benefited by the return of starting quarterback Lorenzo Lee Nunez and could be uniquely qualified to expose the shaky Kats defense.

5. Nicholls

2017 record: 5-2 (4-1) | Last week's rank: 4

They got a week off to get healthy and they face a bottom dweller in Incarnate Word this weekend. Life is still looking just fine for the Colonels, the last of the teams with a legitimate title shot. Joining the scores of one-loss teams, Nicholls State will get tested in the final two weeks with dates against SFA and SELA but should fly between now and then.

Still in the FCS Coaches Top 25 and just on the outside of the weekly STATS poll, Nicholls continues to be one of the feel-good stories of the year. As long as they take care of business the next two weeks, the Cinderella story will continue.

6. Stephen F. Austin

2017 record: 3-5 (3-3) | Last week's rank: 6

SFA overcame an ugly start to put a solid beating on Houston Baptist this past weekend. The Lumberjacks' rushing attack has never looked better this year and they'll need to rely on it down the stretch with somewhat of a patchwork offense on the field. Defense, though, has been spectacular over the last month for SFA and should keep them in most games.

What the Lumberjacks are missing this season is a good win. There have been plenty of close calls, but finishing has been a problem. They won't get a chance to pickup their first this weekend as they take on last-place Lamar, but it could definitely be a bad loss if they don't show up ready to play.

7. Northwestern State

2017 record: 1-6 (1-4) | Last week's rank: 7

The oh-so-close losses of the last few weeks finally came to an end in a blowout by top dog UCA this last weekend. Still the nation's best six-loss team, Northwestern State has an offense full of playmakers and an opportunity to play spoiler in the season's final month. Defensive competence, however, still elludes the Demons.

The good news is they could be in line for their second win of the season when they travel to Houston to take on the badly beaten and mostly disappointing Huskies. A goal of winning two or three of their final four is not unrealistic.

8. Abilene Christian

2017 record: 2-6 (2-4) | Last week's rank: 8

They seemed in line to be one of the surprise teams of the early season. Those days are quickly fading into a distant memory. The Wildcats remain improved and it would be hard to argue that their program isn't headed in the right direction, but it isn't unreasonable to expect more from this offense.

I'm almost able to give ACU a pass for the 51 points they gave up to SELA this past weekend - nobody has really been able to solve the Lions - and the Wildcats will get a week off to think about it. Northwestern State the next week is a good opportunity to get back in the win column and ending the season against Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas keeps the role of spoiler possible in Abilene.

9. Incarnate Word

2017 record: 1-6 (1-4) | Last week's rank: 9

Remember when Incarnate Word ran all over SFA and nearly beat them in their own home? We thought UIW might surprise us. Well, since then, it hasn't been pretty for Incarnate Word and their only victory has been at the expense of Lamar. Their final three conference games? Nicholls, Sam Houston State, Central Arkansas.

They have an oddly scheduled non-conference game against Prairie View A&M to end the season, but at least as far as SLC games are concerned, we can probably go ahead and chalk up the Cardinals as a 1-7 team.

10. Houston Baptist

2017 record: 1-6 (0-5) | Last week's rank: 10

I really wanted to believe in HBU this year. I'm actually sad to be so wrong on this one. Their offense, led by multiple injured quarterbacks, is a mess right now. Defensively, they can still be a force to be reckoned with - but that means exactly zero when points aren't being scored on the other end of the ball.

SFA's rushing attack came to life against that veteran defense this past Saturday in further discouraging signs for the reeling program. Games against Northwestern State and Lamar in the final weeks should represent a chance to make some kind of move before another season fizzles in Houston.

11. Lamar

2017 record: 1-6 (0-5) | Last week's rank: 11

Yep. They're still here. Lamar looks headed for a winless campaign both in the SLC and against any DI competition in this first season with the new coaching staff. They've been capable of putting up points in some contests but there's a defensive nightmare in Beaumont that hasn't allowed them to legitimately compete with anyone outside of Northwestern State and Incarnate Word.

They'll get SFA this weekend at home before contests against HBU, UCA, and McNeese. They're unlikely to leave this spot anytime soon.