JALMOND
September 22nd, 2008, 10:10 PM
As we get close to the end of September, I have to say that there are still a lot of unknowns out there, even within the Big Sky conference. As teams close out the non-conference slate (very few FBS and DII games left) we can now try to see how the conference will play out. Weber State and Sacramento State got the conference underway last week with a thrilling game in Sacramento. If that is how the conference will be all year, we are all going to be thoroughly entertained, and the winner will have definitely earned it. Here is this week's power rankings...this week (last week);
1. Montana (1)---Making it interesting, huh Grizzlies? A thrilling come from behind win against UC-Davis at home keeps the Griz on top. This was to be a rebuilding year, yet the Griz are poised to enter conference play unbeaten. They just need a win this week against DII Central Washington. Hoping it is not as interesting of a game as...
2. Eastern Washington (2)---End of the third and the Eagles, having thrown two scares at teams from the Big 12, were tied with DII Western Washington. Only three scores in the fourth made this look like the blowout everyone thought it would be. Eagles reading too much press releases perhaps. This week conference play begins with Idaho State coming to town. You know what could happen if you snooze again?
3. Weber State (3)---To kick off conference slate, the Wildcats went to Sacramento where they had not won since 1998 and eeked out a win against the Hornets. Always great to get a win to start conference play, especially on the road. This week, a venture to FBS and in-state rival Utah, who's also been getting some recognition lately. Conditions ripe for an upset?
4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Jacks got just enough to edge Southern Utah on the road last week. A win is a win, no matter how you get them. This week a trip to Greeley to face a hurting Northern Colorado squad. Just remember, a win is a win, no matter how you get them, especially within conference on the road.
5. Montana State (6)---The only conference team that did not play this past week. Taking advantage of Sacramento State's loss to Weber State to move up one spot. This week, transitional team South Dakota comes to Bozeman looking for a statement. The Coyotes had a good showing earlier against Northern Iowa, can they throw a scare into the Bobcats?
6. Sacramento State (5)---Last week a hard-fought game with conference rival Weber State led to a loss. The Hornets were hoping for a win, especially at home, but could not pull it off. This week, the run and shoot from Portland State comes to Sacramento. Can the Hornets right the ship and get back on the winning track?
7. Northern Colorado (8)---A strong showing in a loss to Texas State moves the Bears up one notch. The game was there until the end. Heartbreaking loss for the Bears, yet positive play for a team on the upswing. This week, Northern Arizona comes to town. A win to start the conference schedule would be quite a statement for this Bears team.
8. Portland State (7)---Yes, the Vikings did step up to the FBS level last week and lost, but the FBS team was Washington State, one of the worst teams in FBS this year. Bad FBS team against a bad FCS team and the FCS team gets blown out. The Vikings will try to get healthy, mentally and physically before they go to Sacramento to play Sac State.
9. Idaho State (9)---The Bengals had twelve days to prepare for North Dakota playing at home and still found a way to lose the game. A futile effort in the fourth to try and get the win was lost. The good is that playing on Thursday gives them two extra days to prepare for the game at Eastern Washington this week. But will it really matter?
1. Montana (1)---Making it interesting, huh Grizzlies? A thrilling come from behind win against UC-Davis at home keeps the Griz on top. This was to be a rebuilding year, yet the Griz are poised to enter conference play unbeaten. They just need a win this week against DII Central Washington. Hoping it is not as interesting of a game as...
2. Eastern Washington (2)---End of the third and the Eagles, having thrown two scares at teams from the Big 12, were tied with DII Western Washington. Only three scores in the fourth made this look like the blowout everyone thought it would be. Eagles reading too much press releases perhaps. This week conference play begins with Idaho State coming to town. You know what could happen if you snooze again?
3. Weber State (3)---To kick off conference slate, the Wildcats went to Sacramento where they had not won since 1998 and eeked out a win against the Hornets. Always great to get a win to start conference play, especially on the road. This week, a venture to FBS and in-state rival Utah, who's also been getting some recognition lately. Conditions ripe for an upset?
4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Jacks got just enough to edge Southern Utah on the road last week. A win is a win, no matter how you get them. This week a trip to Greeley to face a hurting Northern Colorado squad. Just remember, a win is a win, no matter how you get them, especially within conference on the road.
5. Montana State (6)---The only conference team that did not play this past week. Taking advantage of Sacramento State's loss to Weber State to move up one spot. This week, transitional team South Dakota comes to Bozeman looking for a statement. The Coyotes had a good showing earlier against Northern Iowa, can they throw a scare into the Bobcats?
6. Sacramento State (5)---Last week a hard-fought game with conference rival Weber State led to a loss. The Hornets were hoping for a win, especially at home, but could not pull it off. This week, the run and shoot from Portland State comes to Sacramento. Can the Hornets right the ship and get back on the winning track?
7. Northern Colorado (8)---A strong showing in a loss to Texas State moves the Bears up one notch. The game was there until the end. Heartbreaking loss for the Bears, yet positive play for a team on the upswing. This week, Northern Arizona comes to town. A win to start the conference schedule would be quite a statement for this Bears team.
8. Portland State (7)---Yes, the Vikings did step up to the FBS level last week and lost, but the FBS team was Washington State, one of the worst teams in FBS this year. Bad FBS team against a bad FCS team and the FCS team gets blown out. The Vikings will try to get healthy, mentally and physically before they go to Sacramento to play Sac State.
9. Idaho State (9)---The Bengals had twelve days to prepare for North Dakota playing at home and still found a way to lose the game. A futile effort in the fourth to try and get the win was lost. The good is that playing on Thursday gives them two extra days to prepare for the game at Eastern Washington this week. But will it really matter?