JALMOND
September 8th, 2009, 01:45 AM
So the first week is in the books and we learned...basically nothing. The conference teams playing DII won and those playing FBS lost (and NAU did neither). This week should provide some excitement. Here are the new power rankings. This week (last week). All are my opinion and all open for discussion.
1. Montana (1)---The Griz got a win over DII Western State, but the game left many people, including some of the Griz faithful, not satisfied. A top tier FCS team playing a marginal DII team at home left some thinking that the margin should have been greater. Still, a win is a win. This week finds the Griz on the road against a good UC-Davis team, a team that gave the Griz fits in Missoula last year.
2. Weber State (2)---The Wildcats went into Wyoming last week fully expecting to come out with a win. What they didn't realize was that a good defense can usually shut down a good offense and the Cowboys took advantage of Wildcat mistakes. Still the Wildcats kept it close and this week, another upset possibility as they head to Colorado State. Can they do it?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---The Eagles held off a pesky Western Oregon bunch and took the victory. Whether they are playing for pride and not the playoffs remains to be seen, and how good they are also remains to be seen. They let the Wolves hang around until the fourth quarter, and now they head to Pac-10 opponent, California. How good are they?
4. Montana State (4)---More questions than answers for the Bobcats. Granted they knew last week's game at Michigan State was going to be tough, but no one really thought the Bobcat defense would give up 44 points, or that the offense would stall at 3 points. This week, a chance to answer some questions as they welcome DII Dixie State to Bozeman.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---As some teams took on DII and won, and some teams faced FBS and lost, the Jacks took advantage of the week off and got ready for their opener this week at Arizona. Poised for an upset or just trying to get through it, one thing is the Jacks will us the week off and will be ready.
6. Sacramento State (6)---Good things anticipated for the Hornets going into the year, and then they run into a buzzsaw in UNLV. Thinking they could stay with the Rebels, the Hornets laid an egg and the game got ugly in a hurry. This week, they go back on the road to Cal Poly, a fellow FCS team, but just as difficult. Can they find a way to get the win?
7. Northern Colorado (7)---All indications were that the Bears were in for a dogfight against Kansas, a team looking to make a statement themselves. Unfortunately for the Bears, the game was not even close. This week, they have a chance to redeem themselves as they welcome FCS non-scholly San Diego. Before they think it will be easy, keep in mind that they lost to the Torreros a couple years back. History repeats itself?
8. Portland State (8)---A lot of questions answered and a lot of good things happened for the Vikings in their game against Oregon State, but the Vikings still found themselves on the short end of the scoreboard. The speed of Oregon State was on display and the Vikings ended up the scapegoats. This week a little easier competition as they host NAIA Southern Oregon.
9. Idaho State (9)---This year, the Bengals were hoping to show that they were as improved as anyone. But what was on display was the same old Bengals as they were blown away by the Pac-10 Arizona State. This week, things do not get any better as the Bengals head to Oklahoma. Well, maybe better as Heisman winner Bradford will not play.
No changes, which happens when the games go as planned. Next week, changes are imminent, no doubt.
1. Montana (1)---The Griz got a win over DII Western State, but the game left many people, including some of the Griz faithful, not satisfied. A top tier FCS team playing a marginal DII team at home left some thinking that the margin should have been greater. Still, a win is a win. This week finds the Griz on the road against a good UC-Davis team, a team that gave the Griz fits in Missoula last year.
2. Weber State (2)---The Wildcats went into Wyoming last week fully expecting to come out with a win. What they didn't realize was that a good defense can usually shut down a good offense and the Cowboys took advantage of Wildcat mistakes. Still the Wildcats kept it close and this week, another upset possibility as they head to Colorado State. Can they do it?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---The Eagles held off a pesky Western Oregon bunch and took the victory. Whether they are playing for pride and not the playoffs remains to be seen, and how good they are also remains to be seen. They let the Wolves hang around until the fourth quarter, and now they head to Pac-10 opponent, California. How good are they?
4. Montana State (4)---More questions than answers for the Bobcats. Granted they knew last week's game at Michigan State was going to be tough, but no one really thought the Bobcat defense would give up 44 points, or that the offense would stall at 3 points. This week, a chance to answer some questions as they welcome DII Dixie State to Bozeman.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---As some teams took on DII and won, and some teams faced FBS and lost, the Jacks took advantage of the week off and got ready for their opener this week at Arizona. Poised for an upset or just trying to get through it, one thing is the Jacks will us the week off and will be ready.
6. Sacramento State (6)---Good things anticipated for the Hornets going into the year, and then they run into a buzzsaw in UNLV. Thinking they could stay with the Rebels, the Hornets laid an egg and the game got ugly in a hurry. This week, they go back on the road to Cal Poly, a fellow FCS team, but just as difficult. Can they find a way to get the win?
7. Northern Colorado (7)---All indications were that the Bears were in for a dogfight against Kansas, a team looking to make a statement themselves. Unfortunately for the Bears, the game was not even close. This week, they have a chance to redeem themselves as they welcome FCS non-scholly San Diego. Before they think it will be easy, keep in mind that they lost to the Torreros a couple years back. History repeats itself?
8. Portland State (8)---A lot of questions answered and a lot of good things happened for the Vikings in their game against Oregon State, but the Vikings still found themselves on the short end of the scoreboard. The speed of Oregon State was on display and the Vikings ended up the scapegoats. This week a little easier competition as they host NAIA Southern Oregon.
9. Idaho State (9)---This year, the Bengals were hoping to show that they were as improved as anyone. But what was on display was the same old Bengals as they were blown away by the Pac-10 Arizona State. This week, things do not get any better as the Bengals head to Oklahoma. Well, maybe better as Heisman winner Bradford will not play.
No changes, which happens when the games go as planned. Next week, changes are imminent, no doubt.