JALMOND
October 23rd, 2012, 01:17 AM
One more week closer to the playoffs and in the Big Sky, the top 4 teams have shown to be the cream of the crop, not just in conference play but also nationally. Struggles may happen early on but by the end of the game, those top four will usually find a way to win. Here are this week's power rankings for the conference (last week's ranks). All are based on my opinions only so there should be some great discussions, especially as the season begins to wind down. Have at it.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---Suffering from a post-Montana State hangover, the Eagles found themselves in a dogfight last weekend with Sacramento State, but were able to eke out a win. The Eagles showed some weakness but still showed they were the better team. This weekend, they head on the road to Southern Utah.
2. Montana State (2)---After suffering their first loss at home to Eastern Washington, the Bobcats took last week off for rest and to regain focus for the stretch run. Whether they can recapture their swagger remains to be seen, but this weekend, they welcome North Dakota to their home.
3. Cal Poly (3)---Rather surprising the Mustangs found themselves down at the end of the third quarter at home to Portland State, but rallied in the fourth for an impressive win. A good test for them last week and it is followed with an equally good test this week as they go to Sacramento State.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---What is scary for Lumberjack fans is that this is usually the time for the swoon to start and last week at home, they struggled to find their offense against UC-Davis. But their defense shut down the Aggies and they were able to get a win. Now they must hit the road and head to Northern Colorado.
5. North Dakota (7)---The Dakotans pointed to last week's game with Montana as a good indicator as to where they are in relation to the season and, as the game went, the indications are that it is a good season with a win. But how good are they really? They have to head down the road this week to Montana State.
6. Sacramento State (5)---The Hornets gave Eastern Washington all they could handle on the road before finally succumbing to the Eagles. All indications are that this is a good season for the Hornets but just how good? This week they stay home and face Cal Poly.
7. Montana (8)---Funny how the Grizzlies have to be content with getting close to a win on the road at North Dakota. They got the lead late but could not hold on and did fall. Now they get a chance to refocus and start playing the unfamiliar role as spoiler, but first they get to entertain Idaho State.
8. Weber State (11)---The Wildcats have played almost everyone close so it should not have been a big surprise that they finally broke through the win column last week at Southern Utah, securing the idea of the best FCS team in Utah. Can they keep it going? Well, for one more week as they are off this week.
9. Southern Utah (6)---Good play by the Thunderbirds ends up leading to questionable play later on. A semi-rivalry game with instate (and winless) Weber State, yet the Thunderbirds could not get up for it. Can they still make some noise? Ummm, they have Eastern Washington at home this week.
10. Portland State (9)---The Vikings came off of their bye week ready for Cal Poly and looked poise for the win...for three quarters. Then the Mustangs shut the door on the Vikings. This week, though, they stay on the road, heading to UC-Davis.
11. UC-Davis (10)---The Aggies showed a return of that awesome defense at Northern Arizona that they hung their hats on at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, it also signalled a return to the stagnant offense. Which one will show up next week at home against Portland State?
12. Northern Colorado (12)---The Bears finally got a conference win, their first in two years, as they routed Idaho State at home last week. Great football played by the Bears, but then again, it was Idaho State. More eyes will be open if they could get a win over Northern Arizona, who is coming in to town this weekend.
13. Idaho State (13)---Another game of going through the motions for the Bengals as they had a good chance to get a conference win last week at Northern Colorado, yet they folded the tents in the second quarter. Hopefully they will be ready (if possible) this week as they head into the den of Montana.
RECAP---1-4 close together, 5-6 distancing themselves more from 7, 8-12 in a big mess, 13 out of it.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---Suffering from a post-Montana State hangover, the Eagles found themselves in a dogfight last weekend with Sacramento State, but were able to eke out a win. The Eagles showed some weakness but still showed they were the better team. This weekend, they head on the road to Southern Utah.
2. Montana State (2)---After suffering their first loss at home to Eastern Washington, the Bobcats took last week off for rest and to regain focus for the stretch run. Whether they can recapture their swagger remains to be seen, but this weekend, they welcome North Dakota to their home.
3. Cal Poly (3)---Rather surprising the Mustangs found themselves down at the end of the third quarter at home to Portland State, but rallied in the fourth for an impressive win. A good test for them last week and it is followed with an equally good test this week as they go to Sacramento State.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---What is scary for Lumberjack fans is that this is usually the time for the swoon to start and last week at home, they struggled to find their offense against UC-Davis. But their defense shut down the Aggies and they were able to get a win. Now they must hit the road and head to Northern Colorado.
5. North Dakota (7)---The Dakotans pointed to last week's game with Montana as a good indicator as to where they are in relation to the season and, as the game went, the indications are that it is a good season with a win. But how good are they really? They have to head down the road this week to Montana State.
6. Sacramento State (5)---The Hornets gave Eastern Washington all they could handle on the road before finally succumbing to the Eagles. All indications are that this is a good season for the Hornets but just how good? This week they stay home and face Cal Poly.
7. Montana (8)---Funny how the Grizzlies have to be content with getting close to a win on the road at North Dakota. They got the lead late but could not hold on and did fall. Now they get a chance to refocus and start playing the unfamiliar role as spoiler, but first they get to entertain Idaho State.
8. Weber State (11)---The Wildcats have played almost everyone close so it should not have been a big surprise that they finally broke through the win column last week at Southern Utah, securing the idea of the best FCS team in Utah. Can they keep it going? Well, for one more week as they are off this week.
9. Southern Utah (6)---Good play by the Thunderbirds ends up leading to questionable play later on. A semi-rivalry game with instate (and winless) Weber State, yet the Thunderbirds could not get up for it. Can they still make some noise? Ummm, they have Eastern Washington at home this week.
10. Portland State (9)---The Vikings came off of their bye week ready for Cal Poly and looked poise for the win...for three quarters. Then the Mustangs shut the door on the Vikings. This week, though, they stay on the road, heading to UC-Davis.
11. UC-Davis (10)---The Aggies showed a return of that awesome defense at Northern Arizona that they hung their hats on at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, it also signalled a return to the stagnant offense. Which one will show up next week at home against Portland State?
12. Northern Colorado (12)---The Bears finally got a conference win, their first in two years, as they routed Idaho State at home last week. Great football played by the Bears, but then again, it was Idaho State. More eyes will be open if they could get a win over Northern Arizona, who is coming in to town this weekend.
13. Idaho State (13)---Another game of going through the motions for the Bengals as they had a good chance to get a conference win last week at Northern Colorado, yet they folded the tents in the second quarter. Hopefully they will be ready (if possible) this week as they head into the den of Montana.
RECAP---1-4 close together, 5-6 distancing themselves more from 7, 8-12 in a big mess, 13 out of it.