JALMOND
October 16th, 2007, 12:06 AM
OK so here we are in Week 7 and in the Big Sky we have Montana at the top and the rest rather scrambled. Maybe the east is right in their usual assessment of the conference (Montana and the rest). At least EWU squeezed into most polls, giving the conference three representatives in the top 25. With all that, here are this week's power rankings in the Big Sky. As before, all are just my opinion and all are open for discussion (I know I'll get some flack so have at it)...
1. Montana (1)---Much discussion as to if Montana is #1 in the polls, but no denying it within the conference. A scrappy win by the Griz in their first road game of the year at Sacramento State keeps them undefeated for the season as well as in conference. It sure hasn't been pretty, but the Griz are finding ways to win. This week, back to Missoula for a tassle with Northern Colorado. Griz should win by 50. Ok maybe 40. How about 30? Possibly 20? Go for 10?
2. Montana State (2)---A loss on the road to EWU brought the Cats back to the pack. Hard to find a positive within the confines of the game as EWU had their way with the Cats. This week, MSU welcomes that pesky Sacramento State team to Bozeman. Can the Cats locate that offense again?
3. Eastern Washington (5)---Someone had to make a move from the pack in the middle of the conference and the Eagles made a statement with their win over MSU. With confidence from their hard fought clash with Montana, EWU played a whole game in shutting down MSU's offense. This week, odd rotation means they will play out of conference and travel to FBS Brigham Young. Good luck Eagles.
4. Northern Arizona (3)---My gosh, the Jacks have the offense going now. 45 points in each of their last two games. Now the defense needs to catch up and the Jacks will be a force. Last week it was Idaho State at home. This week, that potent offense meets Weber State's awesome defense. Something's gotta give.
5. Portland State (4)---The bye week gone, the Vikings are eager to get back to conference play. Having a chance to heal some people up, the Vikings emerged with no trouble off the field. Whether Glanville and Davis made the trip to San Jose to see Hawaii play is also a mystery. One thing for sure, this week will find them in Pocatello to play Idaho State. Back to the conference.
6. Weber State (6)---Unscathed, unscarred, unfazed, the Wildcats arrived back in Ogden after their win at Northern Colorado. Don't look but the Wildcats offense is doing just enough to compliment that defense and the result are wins now. This week, the Wildcats welcome Northern Arizona's wild offense to Ogden. Can the defense stop that offense?
7. Sacramento State (7)---A game effort against the mighty Griz again came up short. The Hornet offense outplayed the Griz, but to win, you need to score and the Hornets could not do that. This week, a game on the road against a mean Montana State team. Snow and cold and up against a strong defense once again. Deja vu with Weber a few weeks ago?
8. Idaho State (8)---A shootout never materialized for the Bengals as NAU went up and down the field and ISU could not match them. Another long season has them eyeing the role of spoiler already. First opponent for the spoilers, Portland State brings the run and shoot to Pocatello. A win will end any chance PSU would have for the playoffs this year. Good opportunity for a spoiler.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---In the end, a good performance by the Bears defense, yet they too could not get any offense going against that Weber State defense. After the last two weeks you would hope it could get better. On the horizon for the Bears, this week at Montana followed by the next two against MSU and EWU. Oh my!
Yeah, I know. MSU #2 and EWU #3. Two things, MSU has only one conference loss and EWU won the game at home. A neutral site or a game played in Bozeman could possibly be different. For now, I have #1 a ways in front, 2-4 pretty even, with #5 a little bit further down and #6 a bit further than that. Sacramento State is dangerous, but with only one conference win, cannot really move them higher than where they are right now (#7).
1. Montana (1)---Much discussion as to if Montana is #1 in the polls, but no denying it within the conference. A scrappy win by the Griz in their first road game of the year at Sacramento State keeps them undefeated for the season as well as in conference. It sure hasn't been pretty, but the Griz are finding ways to win. This week, back to Missoula for a tassle with Northern Colorado. Griz should win by 50. Ok maybe 40. How about 30? Possibly 20? Go for 10?
2. Montana State (2)---A loss on the road to EWU brought the Cats back to the pack. Hard to find a positive within the confines of the game as EWU had their way with the Cats. This week, MSU welcomes that pesky Sacramento State team to Bozeman. Can the Cats locate that offense again?
3. Eastern Washington (5)---Someone had to make a move from the pack in the middle of the conference and the Eagles made a statement with their win over MSU. With confidence from their hard fought clash with Montana, EWU played a whole game in shutting down MSU's offense. This week, odd rotation means they will play out of conference and travel to FBS Brigham Young. Good luck Eagles.
4. Northern Arizona (3)---My gosh, the Jacks have the offense going now. 45 points in each of their last two games. Now the defense needs to catch up and the Jacks will be a force. Last week it was Idaho State at home. This week, that potent offense meets Weber State's awesome defense. Something's gotta give.
5. Portland State (4)---The bye week gone, the Vikings are eager to get back to conference play. Having a chance to heal some people up, the Vikings emerged with no trouble off the field. Whether Glanville and Davis made the trip to San Jose to see Hawaii play is also a mystery. One thing for sure, this week will find them in Pocatello to play Idaho State. Back to the conference.
6. Weber State (6)---Unscathed, unscarred, unfazed, the Wildcats arrived back in Ogden after their win at Northern Colorado. Don't look but the Wildcats offense is doing just enough to compliment that defense and the result are wins now. This week, the Wildcats welcome Northern Arizona's wild offense to Ogden. Can the defense stop that offense?
7. Sacramento State (7)---A game effort against the mighty Griz again came up short. The Hornet offense outplayed the Griz, but to win, you need to score and the Hornets could not do that. This week, a game on the road against a mean Montana State team. Snow and cold and up against a strong defense once again. Deja vu with Weber a few weeks ago?
8. Idaho State (8)---A shootout never materialized for the Bengals as NAU went up and down the field and ISU could not match them. Another long season has them eyeing the role of spoiler already. First opponent for the spoilers, Portland State brings the run and shoot to Pocatello. A win will end any chance PSU would have for the playoffs this year. Good opportunity for a spoiler.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---In the end, a good performance by the Bears defense, yet they too could not get any offense going against that Weber State defense. After the last two weeks you would hope it could get better. On the horizon for the Bears, this week at Montana followed by the next two against MSU and EWU. Oh my!
Yeah, I know. MSU #2 and EWU #3. Two things, MSU has only one conference loss and EWU won the game at home. A neutral site or a game played in Bozeman could possibly be different. For now, I have #1 a ways in front, 2-4 pretty even, with #5 a little bit further down and #6 a bit further than that. Sacramento State is dangerous, but with only one conference win, cannot really move them higher than where they are right now (#7).