Looks like Montana State has got 'em right where they want 'em.

The Bobcats may not be considered the best team in the Big Sky Conference, but the straits their loss to previously winless Northern Colorado has put them in isn't necessarily a bad sign of things to come.

MSU has been to the FCS (formerly I-AA) playoffs three times in the past five seasons. Each time they lost to a team many considered they would bowl over.

In 2002, the Bobcats fell to Division II Central Washington and were at 2-4, in 2003, they lost to Northern Colorado, which just moved up to I-AA and eventually fell to 2-4 again, then last year they lost to Division II Chadron State and were 1-3 shortly after.

Each time MSU picked itself up off the mat and made it to the postseason. Instead of being upset about losing to UNC on Saturday, maybe MSU fans should've been relieved.

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Don't forget about UMass football. The Boston area is in a sports heaven of sorts with the Red Sox, Patriots, Boston College football and probably the Celtics all bringing big things to local scene.

But UMass is currently 7-1 in FCS play with its lone loss coming to No. 2 (BCS) ranked Boston College. The Minutemen fell by a 24-14 count, which is the second closest anyone has come to beating Eagles.

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There are two kinds of rivalries in sports, rivals of proximity and rivals of excellence.

Rivalries of proximity such Capital-Helena, Carroll-Montana Tech, Montana-Montana State are common and bring with them elements other than the game.

Rivalries of excellence such as Dallas-San Francisco (NFL) in the 90s, Boston-Los Angeles in 60s and 80s (NBA), and New York (AL)-Los Angeles (NL) in the 70s are rare and defined solely by the game, its personalities and their skills.

We appear to be on the cusp of a great rivalry of the latter description in the NFL between New England and Indianapolis. The two undefeated AFC teams prepare to face off this week with similarities and contrasts abounding.

The quarterbacks, Tom Brady (NE) and Peyton Manning (Indy), are unquestionably the best two in the NFL, but hard to separate from each other in terms of ability and accomplishment. Receivers Randy Moss and Marvin Harrison have differing reputations and styles, but are equally effective. The coaches seem like polar opposites with New England's Bill Belichick exuding a rough-tough veneer, while Dungy comes off pretty clean cut.

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The term "in space" has been used to describe a situation in football games recently. You hear announcers say, "He's a good tackler in space." But just what does that mean?

You can envision Dr. Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy pulling out from his left guard position to throw a block for his tailback Mr. Spock only to have Chewbacca break through from his outside linebacker spot and drop Spock like a sack of bad Kryptonite. But that's not it.

Tackling in space refers to a defenders ability to bring down a back or receiver in the open field. Lining up in space comes from the spread offense (not sure I even know what that is) where receivers are spread out in an attempt to get them the ball "in space."