Western Illinois is, simply, one of the worst Missouri Valley Football Conference teams compiled since NDSU joined the league in 2008. The Leathernecks are 0-8 and are the lowest rated Valley team in the Massey ratings (95th of 130 FCS teams) and the Sagarin ratings (206th of 261 Division I teams).
Seven games into the season and the script is still largely unwritten for the team that owns a 12-year FCS dynasty.
That's why Saturday's game against the Redbirds will be fascinating.