FB: Southland Conference Power Rankings - Week 4

Finally, the head-to-heads have started. Before this past weekend, only an opening weekend battle between McNeese and Nicholls gave us a glimpse of the Southland Conference picture beyond the non-conference and FBS inspired maulings.

But now, the real season is underway. We saw overachievers and early surprises from top to bottom and you can bet our Power Rankings have reflected the changes.

As the second weekend of interleague play begins, let's have a look at 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.

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1. Sam Houston State

2017 record: 2-0 | Last week's rank: 1

The Bearkats enjoyed a week off but will be immediately thrown into the fire with a visit from arguably the hottest team of the bunch in Nicholls State. Doubters be damned (me), Nicholls has looked like maybe the most complete team in the entire conference through three weeks. The Colonels made easy work of Prairie View A&M just a week after the Bearkats had a little bit of trouble grounding the Panthers' offense.

This, their first game of the SLC season, may very well be the best opportunity to take out the favorites. Well, this week or next. The Bearkats won't get long to enjoy this one if they can eek out a victory as they'll travel to Conway, Arkansas next. A tough stretch for the best team (so far) in the SLC, for sure.

2. Central Arkansas

2017 record: 2-1 | Last week's rank: 2

Central Arkansas absolutely demolished Southeastern Louisiana with the most convincing conference victory of the weekend. The Bears effectively shut down SELA's already shaky passing attack, allowing just six completions for a total of 84 yards. On the other side of the ball, Hayden Hildebrand continues to be a model of consistency, throwing for 259 yards and a score to pair with his team's over 200 rushing yards.

If my claim that Nicholls is the most complete team in the early portion of the season is wrong, it'll probably be Central Arkansas that takes that honor. For this week, though, they'll be resting up for their heavyweight showdown with Sam Houston State next weekend. A week off they've very much earned so far this season.

3. Nicholls

2017 record: 2-1 | Last week's rank: 3

This is the week we finally find out if Nicholls is really a conference contender or just early season fool's gold. The Colonels will travel across state lines to take on the conference favorite in Huntsville, Texas and the result will tell us plenty about both teams.

A week after bringing Texas A&M to the brink, Nicholls easily dispatched Prairie View A&M with suffocating defense and an unusually balanced offensive attack. The Colonels quick rise in the Southland over the last two years continues to be the story of the year and a win this weekend would solidify it as one of the great program stories of the decade.

4. Abilene Christian

2017 record: 1-2 | Last week's rank: 7

Our big mover this week finally had an opportunity to play an equal level of competition. ACU opened their brand new on-campus stadium this past weekend against last week's fourth place team, Houston Baptist.

Well, you beat fourth place, you take fourth place. The Wildcats put on a defensive clinic, owning the Huskies' veteran offense and limiting them to just barely over 100 total yards for the game. It was a defensive slugfest, but hardly a close one as ACU pulled away to win 24-3 behind a quietly effective day by quarterback Dallas Sealey and a four-headed rushing attack.

They'll get another test at home this weekend as Stephen F. Austin looks to turn dramatics into momentum by handing ACU their first loss in their new digs. Right now, though, the Wildcats appear to be one of the early season surprises.

5. McNeese

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

It might not have been pretty, but McNeese picked up a quality win against a co-favorite of the SWAC in Alcorn State. James Tabary overcame a fourth quarter interception to lead his team to a go-ahead touchdown with 26 seconds on the clock in an impressive come-from-behind victory on the road.

We haven't seen the Cowboys play a league foe since opening the season with their Thursday loss to Nicholls. That game, one that McNeese mostly dominated, continues to look more and more impressive as Nicholls turns heads around the conference. They'll get a test this weekend from Houston Baptist, fresh off an embarrassing defeat in Abilene, as they hope to get their promising season back on track.

6. Houston Baptist

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

The falloff from the top five to here seems pretty steep in the early portion of the season. HBU was wrecked in Abilene, unable to get almost any offensive production, as ACU christened their new stadium with an emphatic defensive statement.

That shouldn't totally take away from what HBU's defense has done this season, though. They're an effective and experienced unit that is capable of upsetting a top team this season and competent enough to float in the middle until then. I'm not totally ready to jump off the Huskies' bandwagon, but this past weekend did expose some deep flaws.

7. Southeastern Louisiana

2017 record: 0-3 | Last week's rank: 6

Since an impressive showing in the opening weekend against LA-Lafayette, it's been all downhill for Southeastern. The inability to get any competent contribution from the passing game is seriously bogging down the potential of this group that could otherwise sport a somewhat scary defensive unit.

Central Arkansas dominated their matchup last weekend from start to finish and SELA would be far lower on this list if anyone below them had put together any kind of notable performances themselves. They'll have an opportunity this weekend to finally get into the win column as they host an upstart Lamar program at home.

8. Stephen F. Austin

2017 record: 1-2 | Last week's rank: 8

There was nothing really encouraging about SFA's first victory of the year as they were outgained (and mostly outplayed) by the team picked dead-last in the conference this past weekend. Incarnate Word overcame a fast 21-0 SFA start to rattle off 31 straight points before SFA recovered in time to tie the game and win on a dramatic walk-off pick six.

It doesn't change the fact that SFA never should have been in a position where a comeback was required. We may find out that UIW isn't the basement dweller we think they are, but for right now, it isn't a good look for the Lumberjacks. Nevertheless, they won and most others on this end of the list didn't. If they can find some more magic this weekend in Abilene, they may get a legitimate boost that doesn't depend on the incompetence around them.

9. Northwestern State

2017 record: 1-2 | Last week's rank: 10

The Demons did something they haven't since the year was 2015: they won a league game. In fact, it was their first win against a DI opponent of any kind since two seasons ago.

Through three weeks, Northwestern State has looked surprisingly competent and while their win may say more about Lamar than it does their own ability, it is an encouraging sign for a team without high outside expectations. J.D. Almond hasn't exactly been lighting anyone up, but the Demons were carried by an impressive day by running backs Chris Jones and Jared West.

If they can find a way to make their passing attack and defensive front to follow suit, NSU could have a downright decent football team in 2017.

10. Lamar

2017 record: 1-2 | Last week's rank: 8

They put up a worthy fight, but Lamar is still searching for their first DI win under new head coach Mike Schultz. The Cardinals put up some nice offensive numbers against Northwestern State but it will be hard to beat anyone if they can't get a handle on a rush defense that was absolutely shredded by the Demons this past weekend.

They get to play a reeling Southeastern team still searching for their first win this weekend and it will provide another realistic opportunity of getting Lamar over the hump. Of course, with SELA's incredible rushing numbers, it could be another long day on the road for the Cards.

11. Incarnate Word

2017 record: 0-3 | Last week's rank: 11

Give Incarnate Word credit for the incredible fight they put up in Nacogdoches. For the majority of the game, they dominated Stephen F. Austin on the road. Unfortunately, a 21-0 hole and a late 16-0 (including the pick-six seen around the world) was too much for the Cardinals to overcome.

They discovered their running back in transfer Derrick Mitchell who put on a show and might be single handily enough to bring them from the depths of this list in future weeks. They'll get a week off to think about it before they host Abilene Christian in a battle of former DII foes on the 30th.