JALMOND
September 21st, 2010, 01:13 AM
Things are getting a bit clearer now in the Big Sky, maybe not how people thought, though. Taiwan Jones is a beast, Sacramento State is fighting for respect, and Montana is fighting to stay alive. Maybe things will get more clear after this week, or they could get all muddled again. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings. All are my opinions only and all are open for discussion. This week (last week). Things are getting interesting...
1. Montana State (1)---It is not amazing that the Bobcats are on top, but it is somewhat amazing they have been able to stay there. Still, including this past week's win against Drake, the Bobcats are only a Washington State late field goal away from being 3-0. In this topsy-turvy conference, that is saying a lot. This week, they welcome Eastern Washington to Bozeman. A game that could show who is the true top team, and it does not involve Montana.
2. Eastern Washington (3)---Coming in to this season, the Eagles knew they had something special in Taiwan Jones, but they were hoping to complement him with other offensive weapons. While that has not happened, Jones has been more than willing to carry the Eagles attack, as Montana found out last weekend. So far, it has been enough. This week, the Eagles face what may be a bigger game (as it has played out so far) than last week as they head down the road to Montana State.
3. Montana (2)---Hard to believe that the Grizzlies are this far down from their usual perch on top. Yet last week's close loss on the road at Eastern Washington has the Grizzlies thinking they are not the top dog anymore (at least for now). Is there serious soul searching going on in Missoula? This week, a chance to resume winning as they welcome Sacramento State. However, this is not the Sacramento State of old and the Grizzlies may have their hands full trying to right the ship.
4. Sacramento State (5)---It is one thing to talk the talk, but there comes a time when you have to walk the walk, so to say. Hornet fans are hoping this is going to be a good year, but they had to clear a strong hurdle last week when they beat Weber State. Now will people listen to how good they are? This week, another tough game as they go to Montana to face the wounded Grizzlies. Another win and people will definitely talk.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---With all going on in the conference last weekend, the Jacks were sitting on the sofa, taking it all in. After winning over a DII, and losing against the Pac-10, the Jacks took a week off before they head to Idaho State and start their conference season. Hopefully start the season with a win and answers to some questions.
6. Weber State (6)---After dispatching with upstart Northern Colorado, the Wildcats headed down the road to face another upstart in Sacramento State. Unfortunately, the results were different and the Wildcats came home on the short end. It does not really show that the Wildcats are down, but shows the balance in the conference this season. This week, a step out of conference as they welcome UC-Davis.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---A great opportunity to show that this year will be different for the Bears as they followed a heartbreaking loss against Weber State with a win at home over Idaho State. Where before they may have folded, they did show the resiliency to bounce back. This week, another chance to bounce back, sort of, as they head on the road to Big 10's Michigan State. Hoping for a good showing at least.
8. Portland State (8)---Any hope for the Vikings to possibly shock the world and keep up with Oregon quickly went away and they were left with the memories of playing. A good experience but not a good game. This week, the Vikings take a week off and get ready for more competitive games, those in conference.
9. Idaho State (9)---The Bengals were hoping a return to FCS competition would benefit them greatly after two fairly good showings to start the year. However, the game against Northern Colorado showed that the Bears still have a ways left to go. This week, another shot at a conference foe as they welcome Northern Arizona, and another shot at winning, but it won't be easy.
1. Montana State (1)---It is not amazing that the Bobcats are on top, but it is somewhat amazing they have been able to stay there. Still, including this past week's win against Drake, the Bobcats are only a Washington State late field goal away from being 3-0. In this topsy-turvy conference, that is saying a lot. This week, they welcome Eastern Washington to Bozeman. A game that could show who is the true top team, and it does not involve Montana.
2. Eastern Washington (3)---Coming in to this season, the Eagles knew they had something special in Taiwan Jones, but they were hoping to complement him with other offensive weapons. While that has not happened, Jones has been more than willing to carry the Eagles attack, as Montana found out last weekend. So far, it has been enough. This week, the Eagles face what may be a bigger game (as it has played out so far) than last week as they head down the road to Montana State.
3. Montana (2)---Hard to believe that the Grizzlies are this far down from their usual perch on top. Yet last week's close loss on the road at Eastern Washington has the Grizzlies thinking they are not the top dog anymore (at least for now). Is there serious soul searching going on in Missoula? This week, a chance to resume winning as they welcome Sacramento State. However, this is not the Sacramento State of old and the Grizzlies may have their hands full trying to right the ship.
4. Sacramento State (5)---It is one thing to talk the talk, but there comes a time when you have to walk the walk, so to say. Hornet fans are hoping this is going to be a good year, but they had to clear a strong hurdle last week when they beat Weber State. Now will people listen to how good they are? This week, another tough game as they go to Montana to face the wounded Grizzlies. Another win and people will definitely talk.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---With all going on in the conference last weekend, the Jacks were sitting on the sofa, taking it all in. After winning over a DII, and losing against the Pac-10, the Jacks took a week off before they head to Idaho State and start their conference season. Hopefully start the season with a win and answers to some questions.
6. Weber State (6)---After dispatching with upstart Northern Colorado, the Wildcats headed down the road to face another upstart in Sacramento State. Unfortunately, the results were different and the Wildcats came home on the short end. It does not really show that the Wildcats are down, but shows the balance in the conference this season. This week, a step out of conference as they welcome UC-Davis.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---A great opportunity to show that this year will be different for the Bears as they followed a heartbreaking loss against Weber State with a win at home over Idaho State. Where before they may have folded, they did show the resiliency to bounce back. This week, another chance to bounce back, sort of, as they head on the road to Big 10's Michigan State. Hoping for a good showing at least.
8. Portland State (8)---Any hope for the Vikings to possibly shock the world and keep up with Oregon quickly went away and they were left with the memories of playing. A good experience but not a good game. This week, the Vikings take a week off and get ready for more competitive games, those in conference.
9. Idaho State (9)---The Bengals were hoping a return to FCS competition would benefit them greatly after two fairly good showings to start the year. However, the game against Northern Colorado showed that the Bears still have a ways left to go. This week, another shot at a conference foe as they welcome Northern Arizona, and another shot at winning, but it won't be easy.