Eastern Washington just finds new ways to impress every Saturday. Last week, quarterback Eric Barriere threw for a whopping 600 yards and seven touchdowns passes, while adding another touchdown on the ground, in a 71-21 rout over Idaho. He’s putting up video game numbers every week and is the clear frontrunner for the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. As long as the Eagles keep putting up those types of scores, they’re going to be hard to beat. 

Meanwhile, the Villanova knocked off Albany 17-10, pushing their record to 5-1. The Wildcats have proven they can win any type of game, any type of way, with offense, defense, and/or special teams. Those are the types of teams that tend to make deep runs in the playoffs. Villanova would be gunning for its second Division I National Championship, its first coming in 2009.

Here’s how the FCS Power Poll looks heading into Week 8 … 

1. Sam Houston (5-0): The Bearcats got a much-needed by week after logging a lot of football miles coming off of the spring season. 

2. Eastern Washington (7-0): The 1999 St. Louis Rams … the 2015 Golden State Warriors … and this Eastern Washington team. It’s points on points on points and some of the most entertaining football in the country. 

3. Montana State (6-1): The Bobcats are a fundamentally sound team that beats you with defense, a strong running game and efficient passing attack. They do not beat themselves.

4. North Dakota State (6-0): Domination in the trenches will usually have the Bison on the plus side of the scoreboard. However, their passing game will need to get it into gear by the time the playoffs come around.

5. Villanova (5-1): The Wildcats continue to find ways to win and must avoid the upset-minded Rhode Island Rams this weekend.

6. Southern Illinois (6-1): The Cardiac Salukis definitely make things fun and interesting every Saturday. They can’t keep living that way, right?

7. South Dakota State (5-1): Jackrabbits are fighting two battles every weekend: the opponent and the war of attrition.

8. James Madison (5-1): Despite their loss two weeks ago to Villanova, the Dukes are still poised for a deep playoff run.

9. Southeastern Louisiana (5-1): If it wasn’t for Barriere, Lions QB Cole Kelley would be a lock to snatch up back-to-back Payton Awards. He’s been playing out of his mind this season.

10. UC Davis (6-1): The Aggies rebounded nicely from their slip-up against Idaho State, getting a decisive victory over Northern Colorado. They’ll need that type of focus the rest of the way, especially in the competitive Big Sky Conference.

11. UT-Martin (5-1): The Skyhawks keep climbing the rankings. Not to look ahead, but this team could potentially be 10-1 by the end of the season.  

12. Montana (4-2): The Grizzlies dropped another conference game, losing to Sacramento State 28-21. Montana can’t afford to lose another or they’ll be out of a playoff berth come November.

13. Incarnate Word (5-1): This team takes care of business on both sides of the ball, and there’s a huge game in two weeks against Southeastern Louisiana.

14. Jackson State (5-1): Over 53,000 spectators showed up for Homecoming last weekend. Coach Prime is building something special with this program.

15. East Tennessee State (6-1): A costly fumble inside the red zone ultimately doomed the Bucs against UT-Chattanooga. I don’t expect them to sleepwalk again against Furman.

16. South Dakota (5-2): The Coyotes are for real. They dominated Northern Iowa 34-21 and are building the right kind of momentum at this juncture of the season.

17. Rhode Island (5-1): The Rams took a loss last weekend, which knocked them down in the rankings. With the way the CAA is looking, playoff at-large bids are going to be highly competitive. There’s little margin for error now. 

18. Kennesaw State (5-1): The Owls are on a four-game winning streak after a shutout victory against North Carolina A&T. They turned the ball over three times and it still didn’t cost them any points. That tells you their defense is pretty darn good. 

19. Princeton (5-0): Shockingly, the Tigers defense gave up 42 points to Brown. They better hope that’s an anomaly and not a sign of things to come as they welcome in Harvard.

20. Missouri State (4-2): The Bears have a huge opportunity get a landmark win under coach Bobby Petrino, as they take on North Dakota State.

21. VMI (5-2): The Keydets beat the brakes off of Mercer 45-7. Can they keep that type of production going on both sides of the ball the rest of the way?

22. Harvard (5-0): Undefeated and undeterred, the Harvard Crimson head down to Princeton to battle for the Ivy League lead. Freshman WR Kaedyn Odermann is a legit star.

23. Eastern Kentucky (5-2): The Colonels are playing some of the best ball in the FCS. They’ve jumped into our rankings this week and look to make it a permanent home for the duration of the season.

24. Prairie View A&M (5-1): Coach Eric Dooley’s Panthers could be on upset alert against the Southern Jaguars. In fact, Prairie View A&M’s next three games will tell us a lot about this Panthers team.

25. Duquesne (4-1):  The Dukes are clear favorites in the Northeast Conference, they just have to stay consistent the rest of the way. The toughest test remaining is this weekend against Sacred Heart.

Just Missed the Cut: Sacramento State, Dartmouth, Fordham, Norfolk State

The Czar’s FCS NFL Draft Prospect of the Week

Tim Demorat, QB Fordham: Demorat has quietly put together a fantastic career up in the Bronx. He was the first true freshman QB to start for the Rams, and has since become a two-time All-Patriot League performer, winning Offensive Player of the Year this past spring season. This season, he has thrown 20 touchdown passes to only five INTs. From a scouting perspective, he is battle-tested, and has the ability to touch every level of the field in the passing game. Keep an eye on the senior signal-caller, as he should end up in a couple of postseason All-Star games come January.

The Czar’s Game of the Week

Harvard at Princeton: A battle of unbeaten teams takes the field in Ivy League play. This matchup is strength vs. strength between Harvard’s running game and Princeton’s front seven. Something has to give. I also look toward the Harvard secondary, which has been vulnerable at times against the pass, being tested against the Tigers’ dynamic passing offense. Look for a tug-o-war type battle for three quarters before we get a great finish in the end. Pick: Princeton 24, Harvard 21

The Czar’s Upset Pick of the Week

Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois: Tennessee State Head Coach Eddie George was able to get his first conference win last weekend against Tennessee Tech, putting them at 1-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Quietly, they are still in the mix for the conference title. The Tigers are finally getting consistent quarterback play with Geremy Hickbottom. Between their running game and stellar defensive play, Tennessee State may be peaking at the right time, which could spell danger for an Eastern Illinois team that struggles to score. Pick: Tennessee State 20, Eastern Illinois 9

The Czar’s SportsLine Lock of the Week

Bethune-Cookman at Jackson State: Jackson State has the best defense in the SWAC and its offense is starting to produce chunk plays. The major focus in this game will be the Tigers defense, which hasn’t allowed more than 17 points all season long. Will that trend continue against a pesky and scrappy Bethune-Cookman squad? You can find my pick for that game, along with all my Week 8 picks, on Sportsline.