1. Jim Tressel likes to say that November's for contenders, so it's time to find out if Youngstown State is a contender.

The Penguins looked like one on Saturday, avenging two straight blowout losses to South Dakota State with a 30-27 win.

That win could be huge down the stretch, since the Jackrabbits were a playoff team the last two years (and could be again this year).

YSU coach Eric Wolford loves to talk about how he never pays attention to where YSU is ranked, but he obviously pays attention to where other teams are ranked — and hopes the playoff committee does, too.

"This is the third ranked team we've beat," he said. "Missouri State was ranked, Southern Illinois was ranked and South Dakota State was ranked."

Here's how the rest of YSU's schedule breaks down:

Nov. 1: Home against South Dakota (the league's worst team).

Nov. 8: At Illinois State (one of the two remaining unbeaten teams in the league).

Nov. 15: Home against Indiana State (one of the league's surprise teams).

Nov. 22: At North Dakota State (no explanation needed).

I think if the Penguins win both its home games and are competitive in the two road games, they're in. That will give them an 8-4 record, including 5-3 in the MVFC. Considering how dominant the MVFC has been in the FCS this season, there's no way they'll take fewer than three teams and I'd be surprised if they don't take four.

And if YSU wins three (or four) of those games, it's a lock.

2. Now. This is coming from the same guy who thought the Penguins had a playoff spot wrapped up last year when it was 8-1 entering the final three games.

But it wasn't just the three-game losing streak that cost them, it was the way they lost those games. By the end of the year, UNI, North Dakota State and South Dakota State were the three best teams in the league and the Penguins lost to all three and the final two were never in doubt. Those last games mean a lot to the playoff committee.

Just as the schedule helped them over the first two months, it doomed them in November. If those three losses had been more spread out, YSU probably would have been fine.

3. The biggest difference between this year's team and last year's is obvious. It's the defense.

"The defense is really better," radio play-by-play announcer Bob Hannon said. "Just so much better."

Last year's defense was pretty lousy, ranking last in the MVFC in yards allowed by about 60 yards. And the defensive line was the biggest problem, rarely getting pressure, which led to breakdowns in the back seven.

On Saturday against SDSU, the defense really only gave up one big play (a 56-yard reception by Jake Wieneke where cornerback Nate Dortch whiffed on a sideline tackle) and the defensive line was consistently disruptive, with DE Derek Rivers recording three sacks (he now has eight, the most of any player in the Wolford era) and DE Terrell Williams recording two.

"YSU now has two big-time pass rushers off the edge and they just haven't had that," Hannon said. "They gave up some plays and some yards, but other than that one big play, they really had to earn everything. They really had to drive the ball.

"They're just better organized on defense."

4. Here's how SDSU's scoring drives broke down:

11 plays, 69 yards, field goal.

13 plays, 57 yards, field goal.

Five plays, 72 yards, touchdown. (Wieneke had the 56-yard catch to start this drive.)

Eight plays, 66 yards, touchdown.15 plays, 75 yards, touchdown.

Other than the one drive with the big play, SDSU had to earn those points.

5. Andrew Williams caught six passes for a career-high 139 yards and there were times when it just looked too easy. He and Jelani Berassa are both 6-foot-4, but neither are possession receivers. Both guys can take the top off the defense.

"Our receivers are big-time," Hannon said. "And there's a lot of good things that happen when both backs are in the game."

Jody Webb caught a 22-yard touchdown in the second quarter when he went uncovered on a wheel route out of the backfield. Ruiz was in the backfield at the same time.

Hunter Wells' development is the story of the season so far, this team is loaded at the skill positions. Now that the offensive line is developing, this team could be even better in November.

6. YSU had its token special teams mistake when Joey Cejudo missed an extra point but the punt team (kicking and receiving) was outstanding on Saturday. And Cejudo had his best day as a punter, booming five for a 49.4 average. Not bad for a guy with a bad knee who thought he might have broken his foot earlier this week.

7. One thing that should be noted: YSU caught a break with QB Austin Sumner's injury (he's missed all but one game with a foot injury) and with WR Jason Schneider (the team's top receiver) missing Saturday's game with a bad knee.
Sometimes you need breaks like that.

8. Hannon found out about 20 minutes before the game that redshirt freshman QB Ricky Davis had moved up to second on the depth chart behind Wells, with Dante Nania moving to No. 3. Not sure why and that's not the type of question you ask after a game like Saturday's.

Might be interesting to see what the depth chart looks like on Tuesday.

9. After writing about SDSU's rowdy student section this week, I spent about 30 minutes down on the field before the game trying to catch some of the funniest stuff from Hobo Day.

Most of it was pretty standard college stuff — "Hey, tell your sister to come and pick up her [stuff]" — although I chuckled when they yelled at one of YSU's receivers, "Hey, you couldn't catch Ebola!"

WR Christian Bryan, who basically has a crew cut with a barely-visible mohawk, got a lot of "skinhead" stuff.

"I figured that's who they were talking to," Bryan said, when I asked him about it. "I was a little disappointed [with the fans] this year. It wasn't as good as I was expecting."

Freshman Connor McFadden got a lot of it, because he kicks barefoot and is really skinny, although he probably couldn't hear it from midfield. ("Your kicker's gonna blow away in the wind!" "He's not wearing a shoe!")

But the funniest part was when backup QB Tanner Garry was stretching Nania. I can't print most of what the fans said, but Garry started egging them on, doing things like rubbing Nania's leg.

Afterward, Garry (who does nothing but hold on extra points and field goals) stood outside the locker room and shouted at me, "Hey, do you need to talk to me now, or after I shower?"

Tanner Garry is a funny man.

10. South Dakota State just opened its new indoor facility and it is massive, much bigger than YSU's WATTS.

"Look at the size of that thing," Wolford said. "That's what you call gas and oil money."

They'll renovate the visitor side of the stadium as well as the open end zone next year, then do the home side before the 2016 season starts.

I'll tell you this -- no one is going to miss that press box. It is disgusting. Filled with flies. I had to show proof that I recently got a tetanus shot before I walked in.

I'll leave you with this: