JALMOND
September 23rd, 2014, 12:08 AM
True to my word, you all get these first this week. Some great non-conference games last week involving the Big Sky teams. It helped to clear up some things and helped to muddle up some others. Conference play starts up this weekend so now things will get much clearer. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings (last week in parenthesis). This should create much discussion this time. Have at it.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---This season, the mantra surrounding the Eagles team must be to never give up as they were able to come from behind at Montana State and steal one. This weekend they continue on the road as they go out to UC-Davis.
2. Montana State (3)---As mentioned, the Bobcats had the Eagles on the ropes and down for the count. Yet, instead of heading in to overtime, the Bobcats found themselves on the short end. They get a possible trap game this weekend as North Dakota comes to town.
3. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies ran into a really strong team last week on the road at national champions North Dakota State. They were, however, able to stay close until the end. They stay home this weekend as Northern Colorado comes to their home den.
4. Sacramento State (4)---The Hornets took care of business as they should, jumping on Menlo College early and not letting up. They may be able to accomplish the same thing this weekend as they head out to Idaho State.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---The Lumberjacks took one on the chin last weekend at the hands of the Missouri Valley's South Dakota team. They will need to shake it off really soon as this weekend they entertain Cal Poly.
6. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds stepped up a level last week and headed out to Fresno State where they made a game of it for the first half, before the wheels came off. This weekend, they open with Weber State at home.
7. Cal Poly (9)---To say the Mustangs offense exploded last week against Portland State would be a serious understatement as they could do no wrong. Hopefully the performance will jumpstart the season as they go out to Northern Arizona.
8. Weber State (7)---The Wildcats headed out to play the Southland's Stephen F Austin squad and came back on the losing end. However each nonconference game has been relatively close which bodes well for the season, which starts this weekend at Southern Utah.
9. UC-Davis (8)---The Aggies had a bye week last week to get relatively healthy. This weekend they start conference play by welcoming the high-flying Eastern Washington team.
10. North Dakota (13)---The No-Names picked up a win again last week, beating the CAA's own Stony Brook at home. Feeling good so far this season, they get to start the year at a strong Montana State team.
11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals also had last week off to rest up and heal in order to get ready for conference play. They start this weekend, hosting Sacramento State.
12. Portland State (10)---Surprisingly, the Vikings looked inept last week at Cal Poly, a situation that does not bode well for conference play this year. Luckily, they have a bye week before their conference season starts.
13. Northern Colorado (12)---The Bears headed out to Missouri Valley's powerhouse team, Northern Iowa and could not get anything going. Hopefully, some good practice for this week as they head out to play powerhouse Montana on the road.
RECAP: 1-3 bunched at the top, 4-13 bunched at the bottom.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---This season, the mantra surrounding the Eagles team must be to never give up as they were able to come from behind at Montana State and steal one. This weekend they continue on the road as they go out to UC-Davis.
2. Montana State (3)---As mentioned, the Bobcats had the Eagles on the ropes and down for the count. Yet, instead of heading in to overtime, the Bobcats found themselves on the short end. They get a possible trap game this weekend as North Dakota comes to town.
3. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies ran into a really strong team last week on the road at national champions North Dakota State. They were, however, able to stay close until the end. They stay home this weekend as Northern Colorado comes to their home den.
4. Sacramento State (4)---The Hornets took care of business as they should, jumping on Menlo College early and not letting up. They may be able to accomplish the same thing this weekend as they head out to Idaho State.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---The Lumberjacks took one on the chin last weekend at the hands of the Missouri Valley's South Dakota team. They will need to shake it off really soon as this weekend they entertain Cal Poly.
6. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds stepped up a level last week and headed out to Fresno State where they made a game of it for the first half, before the wheels came off. This weekend, they open with Weber State at home.
7. Cal Poly (9)---To say the Mustangs offense exploded last week against Portland State would be a serious understatement as they could do no wrong. Hopefully the performance will jumpstart the season as they go out to Northern Arizona.
8. Weber State (7)---The Wildcats headed out to play the Southland's Stephen F Austin squad and came back on the losing end. However each nonconference game has been relatively close which bodes well for the season, which starts this weekend at Southern Utah.
9. UC-Davis (8)---The Aggies had a bye week last week to get relatively healthy. This weekend they start conference play by welcoming the high-flying Eastern Washington team.
10. North Dakota (13)---The No-Names picked up a win again last week, beating the CAA's own Stony Brook at home. Feeling good so far this season, they get to start the year at a strong Montana State team.
11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals also had last week off to rest up and heal in order to get ready for conference play. They start this weekend, hosting Sacramento State.
12. Portland State (10)---Surprisingly, the Vikings looked inept last week at Cal Poly, a situation that does not bode well for conference play this year. Luckily, they have a bye week before their conference season starts.
13. Northern Colorado (12)---The Bears headed out to Missouri Valley's powerhouse team, Northern Iowa and could not get anything going. Hopefully, some good practice for this week as they head out to play powerhouse Montana on the road.
RECAP: 1-3 bunched at the top, 4-13 bunched at the bottom.