JALMOND
November 17th, 2009, 12:44 AM
Interesting time right now in the Big Sky. Three teams are done, just so happens those three teams are at the bottom. Two others are finished with their conference slate, they just have one more game left, both involving Great West opponents. That leaves us with two games involving four teams in important conference matchups. That said, here are this week's Big Sky power rankings. This week (last week). All are my opinion and all are open for discussion.
1. Montana (1)---After a near embarrassing loss to lowly Idaho State, the Grizzlies got back winning the way they should by destroying Northern Colorado last week. All is pretty much set in their quest for a conference title and the automatic playoff spot, but they would really like to go out with a win down the road at Montana State. Can they get it?
2. Weber State (2)---Last week, the Wildcats put an end to Northern Arizona's hopes for the playoffs, defeating the Jacks in a raging snowstorm. The win also kept the Wildcats own slim playoff hopes alive for an at large bid. No more conference games on the schedule, but the Wildcats welcome the Great West's Cal Poly, a team they faced in the first round of the playoffs last year. Can they get the win and place their fate in the hands of the committee?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---The Eagles have been playing like they are possessed after receiving word that their postseason ban has been lifted. Last week's helpless victim was the Great West's own Southern Utah team. This week, the Eagles hope their good fortune continues with a trip to Northern Arizona, a team now playing for pride after having their bubble burst last week. The Eagles need a win, but sometimes the toughest win is against someone who only has pride to play for.
4. Montana State (5)---The Bobcats are playing their best football at the best time, the end of the season. Last week, they knocked off the conference upstarts, Sacramento State, and continued their quest towards the playoffs. The only way they can make it is to look good for the committee. One final piece that would clinch that, to Bobcat fans, would be a win over their instate rival, Montana. They get that win and they are in. But will they? And, will it be enough?
5. Northern Arizona (4)---Any chance the Jacks had to continue on to the playoffs disappeared on the cold, snowy field at Weber State last week. Just like last year, a start to a promising year ended with a fatal swoon that cost them the playoffs. They still have one more chance to end the year on top and wreck Eastern Washington's year with a win at home. Will they come out and play or is the year truly over?
6. Sacramento State (6)---Gaining strength towards the end had the Hornets thinking what if. They were hoping for a chance to knock down Montana State like they did against Northern Arizona. Unfortunately, they could not seal the deal and headed home losers. Done with the conference slate, the Hornets end the year with a chance to knock off the Great West champs UC-Davis. Rivals of the Aggies, the Hornets would take great pride in claiming a win.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---What a way to end the season with a loss at Montana. Expected and expected place in the conference. The Bears season is now done and, with no playoffs in their picture, they can only look forward to next year.
8. Idaho State (9)---Hey, look, the Bengals got a victory at home over Portland State in their last game of the year. Just like last year when they got their first win in their last game against Sacramento State. The win, coupled with their performance against Montana was just enough to move them completely out of the cellar. Who would've thought that was possible just a couple weeks ago?
9. Portland State (8)---They played with a lot of heart, and the performance was far from their worst, yet the Vikings were unable to avoid being Idaho State's only victim of the year. Now, no more games and no more chances, other than looking forward to next year.
1. Montana (1)---After a near embarrassing loss to lowly Idaho State, the Grizzlies got back winning the way they should by destroying Northern Colorado last week. All is pretty much set in their quest for a conference title and the automatic playoff spot, but they would really like to go out with a win down the road at Montana State. Can they get it?
2. Weber State (2)---Last week, the Wildcats put an end to Northern Arizona's hopes for the playoffs, defeating the Jacks in a raging snowstorm. The win also kept the Wildcats own slim playoff hopes alive for an at large bid. No more conference games on the schedule, but the Wildcats welcome the Great West's Cal Poly, a team they faced in the first round of the playoffs last year. Can they get the win and place their fate in the hands of the committee?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---The Eagles have been playing like they are possessed after receiving word that their postseason ban has been lifted. Last week's helpless victim was the Great West's own Southern Utah team. This week, the Eagles hope their good fortune continues with a trip to Northern Arizona, a team now playing for pride after having their bubble burst last week. The Eagles need a win, but sometimes the toughest win is against someone who only has pride to play for.
4. Montana State (5)---The Bobcats are playing their best football at the best time, the end of the season. Last week, they knocked off the conference upstarts, Sacramento State, and continued their quest towards the playoffs. The only way they can make it is to look good for the committee. One final piece that would clinch that, to Bobcat fans, would be a win over their instate rival, Montana. They get that win and they are in. But will they? And, will it be enough?
5. Northern Arizona (4)---Any chance the Jacks had to continue on to the playoffs disappeared on the cold, snowy field at Weber State last week. Just like last year, a start to a promising year ended with a fatal swoon that cost them the playoffs. They still have one more chance to end the year on top and wreck Eastern Washington's year with a win at home. Will they come out and play or is the year truly over?
6. Sacramento State (6)---Gaining strength towards the end had the Hornets thinking what if. They were hoping for a chance to knock down Montana State like they did against Northern Arizona. Unfortunately, they could not seal the deal and headed home losers. Done with the conference slate, the Hornets end the year with a chance to knock off the Great West champs UC-Davis. Rivals of the Aggies, the Hornets would take great pride in claiming a win.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---What a way to end the season with a loss at Montana. Expected and expected place in the conference. The Bears season is now done and, with no playoffs in their picture, they can only look forward to next year.
8. Idaho State (9)---Hey, look, the Bengals got a victory at home over Portland State in their last game of the year. Just like last year when they got their first win in their last game against Sacramento State. The win, coupled with their performance against Montana was just enough to move them completely out of the cellar. Who would've thought that was possible just a couple weeks ago?
9. Portland State (8)---They played with a lot of heart, and the performance was far from their worst, yet the Vikings were unable to avoid being Idaho State's only victim of the year. Now, no more games and no more chances, other than looking forward to next year.