2. New Madrid County Central (7-2) ... Hammered Kennett 64-7 -- it was 52-0 at halftime -- for its sixth straight victory. Last week: 3.

3. Sikeston (5-4) ... The Bulldogs shock Poplar Bluff 34-28 with a 53-yard interception return by C.J. Council on the last play of the game. Sikeston nabs at least .500 season after winning just two last year. Last week: 4.

4. Poplar Bluff (4-5) ... See above. Last week: 2.

5 (tie). Hayti (7-1) ... The Indians put away Chaffee in the second half on Friday and take on St. Vincent for the Class 1 District 1 title on Thursday. Last week: 5 (tie).

5 (tie). Perryville (3-6) ... The Pirates are in the Class 3 playoffs with wins against Kennett and Dexter in the last two weeks. Tall task at New Madrid County Central in the District 1 championship game. Last week: 5 (tie).

Honorable mention

East Prairie (6-3) ... Trailed at halftime against Caruthersville and needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to nab a 22-15 win. Last week: Honorable mention.

St. Vincent (6-3) The Indians have won five straight games and sealed up a Class 1 playoff berth. Hosts Hayti on Thursday night. Last week: Honorable mention.

Explanation of the rankings

Record obviously isn't everything. Strength of schedule means a lot, as we saw this season from Kennett's 6-0 run through class 1 and 2 teams before a 45-7 loss to Sikeston, a 31-12 loss to a Perryville team that had one win and a 64-7 loss to New Madrid County.

So, the ratings are compiled by analyzing what team would beat which team the way teams are playing now.

Jackson, at 4-5, has no losses to area teams. The Indians have beaten Poplar Bluff, which has beaten New Madrid County Central back in Week 1; and they've beaten Sikeston.

The losses (with Massey state rankings): Riverview, 5-4 in the Suburban North and No. 31 in the state; Gateway Tech, 3-4; Hazelwood Central, 7-2 and No. 16 in the state; Farmington, 7-2 and No. 43; and Eureka, 8-1 and No. 15 in the state.

Hayti's lone loss was one point to Class 3 Kennett, and the Indians have no wins against teams above Class 2.

East Prairie's losses have been to Hayti, six points to Kennett and eight points to Fredicktown. Their wins have been against winless Grandview, Class 1 Chaffee (4-5), Class 2 Charleston (1-8), Class 1 Portageville (0-9), Class 2 Caruthersville (2-7).

Here's how Massey Ratings (used in the BCS formula) runs down the top teams in SEMO, using strength of schedule as a key component:

1. Jackson (Rating: 0.71)

2. Poplar Bluff (0.07)

3. New Madrid County Central (0.06)

4. Sikeston (-0.10)

5. Hayti (-0.50)

6. Cape Central (-0.50)

7. Perryville (-0.53)

8. Kennett (-0.78)

9. East Prairie (-0.83)

10. Dexter (-0.84)

11. St. Vincent (-0.87)

So, who merits a No. 1 rating over Jackson?