JALMOND
September 22nd, 2013, 08:43 PM
Because of the Cal Poly/Portland State game on Thursday, I had to get these rankings out today. Here are this week's power rankings for the Big Sky. Not much movement with three teams not playing last week, but there was some. This week is shown, last week is in parenthesis. As usual, all are my opinion only and open for discussion. Conference play starts this weekend even if some teams have played each other already. Games count now.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles took a breather from their murderous schedule, but it does continue this weekend. After two FBS games and a bye week, the Eagles head down south and play a familiar playoff foe, the Southland's best Sam Houston State. This schedule should definitely help them once they start the conference slate.
2. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies took a breather last weekend, playing host to a DII team, Oklahoma Panhandle State. Even if it didn't look like the blowout people were predicting, everyone on the team got to play and the Grizzlies got to try a bunch of things and still got a convincing win. This weekend finds them starting conference play on the road at Northern Arizona.
3. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs also took a well deserved breather last week, getting an off day after two straight FBS games. They get their conference season started on Thursday heading up north to Portland State in what is coach Walsh's first game in Portland since leaving the Vikings.
4. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats problems are pretty perplexing after losing their quarterback to injury. A person could justify a setback on offense but when the defense allows 50 points to Stephen F Austin, maybe the problems are deeper. They head out on the road this week to start conference play at North Dakota.
5. North Dakota (6)---The former Sioux also took last week off to prepare for the actual start of the conference season, even though they lost to Montana at home two weeks ago. They had a chance to regroup and will host Montana State this weekend.
6. Portland State (8)---The Vikings headed down to UC-Davis in a non-conference game last week and their high powered offense overpowered the Aggies strong defense. Whether that means the Vikings have turned a corner remains to be seen as they are on a short week this week, playing host to Cal Poly on Thursday for the actual conference opener.
7. Southern Utah (5)---The Thunderbirds faced off last week at Sacramento State, taking on a wounded Hornet team. However, they were the ones who came out scared but they still were able to squeak out a win in overtime. This weekend they head over to Northern Colorado.
8. Northern Arizona (7)---Rather strange happenings around the Lumberjacks. Running the ball has not really been an issue with their big back leading the charge there. However, there seems to be issues throwing the ball and they almost came up to bite them again against South Dakota. They need to find more offense soon as Montana is coming to town this weekend.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears took on Missouri Valley's own powerhouse team, Northern Iowa and stayed within shouting distance for the most part. Based on how they have played so far, will they get a win over decent competition or will they just come close. This week, they open conference play against Southern Utah.
10. Weber State (10)---The Wildcats were feeling good, heading down into Southland territory and playing McNeese State, especially after beating Stephen f Austin earlier. However, McNeese State is not Stephen F Austin, a fact that the Wildcats found out in a hurry. This weekend they bring in Sacramento State for the conference opener.
11. Sacramento State (13)---The Hornets, after their surprising overtime win over NAIA Southern Oregon, found themselves in another overtime game, this time against formidable foe Southern Utah. Unfortunately, they ended up on the losing end this time. Now, they head out on the road to Weber State this weekend.
12. Idaho State (11)---After looking good against two DII teams, the Bengals moved up to the big leagues and played the Pac-12's Washington team. After coming back as expected, the usual cannon fodder, they get ready to open their conference season at UC-Davis.
13. UC-Davis (12)---The Aggies calling card for the last few years, their defense, was completely shredded by the high powered offense of Portland State last week. They are also still looking for any resemblance of an offense somewhere. This weekend, they bring in Idaho State for the conference opener.
RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3-8 bunched together, 9-13 in the rear.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles took a breather from their murderous schedule, but it does continue this weekend. After two FBS games and a bye week, the Eagles head down south and play a familiar playoff foe, the Southland's best Sam Houston State. This schedule should definitely help them once they start the conference slate.
2. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies took a breather last weekend, playing host to a DII team, Oklahoma Panhandle State. Even if it didn't look like the blowout people were predicting, everyone on the team got to play and the Grizzlies got to try a bunch of things and still got a convincing win. This weekend finds them starting conference play on the road at Northern Arizona.
3. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs also took a well deserved breather last week, getting an off day after two straight FBS games. They get their conference season started on Thursday heading up north to Portland State in what is coach Walsh's first game in Portland since leaving the Vikings.
4. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats problems are pretty perplexing after losing their quarterback to injury. A person could justify a setback on offense but when the defense allows 50 points to Stephen F Austin, maybe the problems are deeper. They head out on the road this week to start conference play at North Dakota.
5. North Dakota (6)---The former Sioux also took last week off to prepare for the actual start of the conference season, even though they lost to Montana at home two weeks ago. They had a chance to regroup and will host Montana State this weekend.
6. Portland State (8)---The Vikings headed down to UC-Davis in a non-conference game last week and their high powered offense overpowered the Aggies strong defense. Whether that means the Vikings have turned a corner remains to be seen as they are on a short week this week, playing host to Cal Poly on Thursday for the actual conference opener.
7. Southern Utah (5)---The Thunderbirds faced off last week at Sacramento State, taking on a wounded Hornet team. However, they were the ones who came out scared but they still were able to squeak out a win in overtime. This weekend they head over to Northern Colorado.
8. Northern Arizona (7)---Rather strange happenings around the Lumberjacks. Running the ball has not really been an issue with their big back leading the charge there. However, there seems to be issues throwing the ball and they almost came up to bite them again against South Dakota. They need to find more offense soon as Montana is coming to town this weekend.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears took on Missouri Valley's own powerhouse team, Northern Iowa and stayed within shouting distance for the most part. Based on how they have played so far, will they get a win over decent competition or will they just come close. This week, they open conference play against Southern Utah.
10. Weber State (10)---The Wildcats were feeling good, heading down into Southland territory and playing McNeese State, especially after beating Stephen f Austin earlier. However, McNeese State is not Stephen F Austin, a fact that the Wildcats found out in a hurry. This weekend they bring in Sacramento State for the conference opener.
11. Sacramento State (13)---The Hornets, after their surprising overtime win over NAIA Southern Oregon, found themselves in another overtime game, this time against formidable foe Southern Utah. Unfortunately, they ended up on the losing end this time. Now, they head out on the road to Weber State this weekend.
12. Idaho State (11)---After looking good against two DII teams, the Bengals moved up to the big leagues and played the Pac-12's Washington team. After coming back as expected, the usual cannon fodder, they get ready to open their conference season at UC-Davis.
13. UC-Davis (12)---The Aggies calling card for the last few years, their defense, was completely shredded by the high powered offense of Portland State last week. They are also still looking for any resemblance of an offense somewhere. This weekend, they bring in Idaho State for the conference opener.
RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3-8 bunched together, 9-13 in the rear.