JALMOND
October 19th, 2010, 03:19 AM
Three top teams playing on the road was surely going to create chaos in the Big Sky. Still two of those teams got tough wins and only one truly fell, not that winning on the road is ever easy. In pondering over the rankings, I figured out no one was going to be pleased with the outcomes. That said, here are the power rankings for this week in the Big Sky. All are my opinions only and all are open for discussion. This week (last week). Here we go.
1. Montana (2)---Maybe it wasn't the prettiest game all year nor was it the prettiest last week. But still, the Grizzlies headed to play the rising team in Portland State on the road and escaped with a last second win. After starting the year 1-2, the Grizzlies have reeled off four straight wins, some good and some not so good, but wins nonetheless and at the end, that will be good enough. This week, the games get a little tough with Northern Arizona coming to town. Will the Griz freight train continue to roll, pretty or not?
2. Montana State (1)---All year, in the face of uncertainty in the Big Sky, the Bobcats seemed to be the one team invincible to the others, having wrenched that position that Montana held in years past. Then last week, they headed down to Northern Arizona and nothing went right for the Bobcats. Unlike the other top teams in the conference, there was no time for late game magic as the game was pretty much over quickly. Maybe there is time to get back on the winning track as Northern Colorado comes to town. They need to.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---For all the top tier teams playing on the road, very few thought the Eagles would have any trouble against Northern Colorado. Then the game started and the Eagles found themselves in a dogfight that they were not planning on. Just as before, when things looked bleak, the Eagles relied on Jones to get them home and once again he delivered. Where would they be without him and how much longer can they rely on him? This week, they welcome Sacramento State to their red turf. Need a win and will Jones play.
4. Northern Arizona (5)---Sure, last week the news around Flagstaff was that the Jacks were reeling from their loss at Eastern Washington and the new top dog, Montana State, was coming to town. Seemed times had changed. Yet at the end, the Jacks were on top and on top big. Instead of the usual swoon at this stage, this big win has the Jacks believing that this could be the year. The year for a conference championship, the year for a playoff run, the year they knock off Montana in Missoula. That is their next task.
5. Sacramento State (4)---While everyone else in the conference was taking it to everyone else, the Hornets sat back and enjoyed every minute of the outcomes, having the opportunity to take the weekend off and prepare for their stretch run in the conference. The bye helped them avoid any catastrophe out there last weekend. This weekend they head up to Eastern Washington, hoping to keep the momentum generated so far.
6. Portland State (7)---After the fiasco at the end of last season, it was a pleasant surprise the Vikings were ahead of Montana in the last few seconds of the game last week. Granted, it was still Montana and, even though the kick went through the uprights, the Vikings had to appreciate the effort. Moral victories aside as the Vikings wanted the win. They get an opportunity themselves on the road this weekend, heading down to Weber State. No moral victory, just need a win.
7. Weber State (6)---While the top three teams were somewhat expected to struggle on the road, no one thought the Wildcats would have any problem against Idaho State, even though they also, were on the road. However, they could not shake Idaho State during the game and were fortunate to get out with a win. Wildcat fans probably are waiting for a breakout game and were hoping this was going to be the game, but it never materialized. Now they have to look forward to this weekend at home when Portland State comes calling.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---All indications showed that, even though the Bears were playing Eastern Washington at home, there would really be not much of a game played, yet there were the Bears fighting to the end. However, it proved that it would not be enough as Eastern Washington escaped with a win. This was a game the Bears thought they had, yet they could not contain Jones. Now, they have to go on the road themselves and head out to Montana State. They have beaten Montana State before, but that was a totally different team.
9. Idaho State (9)---With all the good teams on the road and all the not so good teams at home last week, no one really gave the Bengals any shot, even against a Weber State game that has been inconsistent most of the season. Yet, good feelings for the Bengals as they were able to stay with Weber State most of the game. For all that has happened to the Bengals this year, they have made a statement with this game that they will be competitive at least at their house. This week, a bye to try to get the same intensity on the road.
Where they are...UM, MSU and EWU pretty much equal, NAU leading a group of three others (Sac State, PSU and WSU), UNC behind, and ISU behind.
1. Montana (2)---Maybe it wasn't the prettiest game all year nor was it the prettiest last week. But still, the Grizzlies headed to play the rising team in Portland State on the road and escaped with a last second win. After starting the year 1-2, the Grizzlies have reeled off four straight wins, some good and some not so good, but wins nonetheless and at the end, that will be good enough. This week, the games get a little tough with Northern Arizona coming to town. Will the Griz freight train continue to roll, pretty or not?
2. Montana State (1)---All year, in the face of uncertainty in the Big Sky, the Bobcats seemed to be the one team invincible to the others, having wrenched that position that Montana held in years past. Then last week, they headed down to Northern Arizona and nothing went right for the Bobcats. Unlike the other top teams in the conference, there was no time for late game magic as the game was pretty much over quickly. Maybe there is time to get back on the winning track as Northern Colorado comes to town. They need to.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---For all the top tier teams playing on the road, very few thought the Eagles would have any trouble against Northern Colorado. Then the game started and the Eagles found themselves in a dogfight that they were not planning on. Just as before, when things looked bleak, the Eagles relied on Jones to get them home and once again he delivered. Where would they be without him and how much longer can they rely on him? This week, they welcome Sacramento State to their red turf. Need a win and will Jones play.
4. Northern Arizona (5)---Sure, last week the news around Flagstaff was that the Jacks were reeling from their loss at Eastern Washington and the new top dog, Montana State, was coming to town. Seemed times had changed. Yet at the end, the Jacks were on top and on top big. Instead of the usual swoon at this stage, this big win has the Jacks believing that this could be the year. The year for a conference championship, the year for a playoff run, the year they knock off Montana in Missoula. That is their next task.
5. Sacramento State (4)---While everyone else in the conference was taking it to everyone else, the Hornets sat back and enjoyed every minute of the outcomes, having the opportunity to take the weekend off and prepare for their stretch run in the conference. The bye helped them avoid any catastrophe out there last weekend. This weekend they head up to Eastern Washington, hoping to keep the momentum generated so far.
6. Portland State (7)---After the fiasco at the end of last season, it was a pleasant surprise the Vikings were ahead of Montana in the last few seconds of the game last week. Granted, it was still Montana and, even though the kick went through the uprights, the Vikings had to appreciate the effort. Moral victories aside as the Vikings wanted the win. They get an opportunity themselves on the road this weekend, heading down to Weber State. No moral victory, just need a win.
7. Weber State (6)---While the top three teams were somewhat expected to struggle on the road, no one thought the Wildcats would have any problem against Idaho State, even though they also, were on the road. However, they could not shake Idaho State during the game and were fortunate to get out with a win. Wildcat fans probably are waiting for a breakout game and were hoping this was going to be the game, but it never materialized. Now they have to look forward to this weekend at home when Portland State comes calling.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---All indications showed that, even though the Bears were playing Eastern Washington at home, there would really be not much of a game played, yet there were the Bears fighting to the end. However, it proved that it would not be enough as Eastern Washington escaped with a win. This was a game the Bears thought they had, yet they could not contain Jones. Now, they have to go on the road themselves and head out to Montana State. They have beaten Montana State before, but that was a totally different team.
9. Idaho State (9)---With all the good teams on the road and all the not so good teams at home last week, no one really gave the Bengals any shot, even against a Weber State game that has been inconsistent most of the season. Yet, good feelings for the Bengals as they were able to stay with Weber State most of the game. For all that has happened to the Bengals this year, they have made a statement with this game that they will be competitive at least at their house. This week, a bye to try to get the same intensity on the road.
Where they are...UM, MSU and EWU pretty much equal, NAU leading a group of three others (Sac State, PSU and WSU), UNC behind, and ISU behind.