JALMOND
November 16th, 2021, 12:41 AM
One more week to go and the conference still has two teams that are undefeated in conference play. Points to anyone who that we would still have two undefeateds at this point, and bonus points if you thought those two teams would be Montana State and Sacramento State. But, as crazy as that may seem, this week is usually the craziest of all as it is Rivalry Week and you can bet that Montana and UC Davis would love to ruin the Bobcats and Hornets successful season. Here are this week's power rankings (last week's in parentheses). All are my opinion only.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Idaho at home 20-13, this week at Montana---The Bobcats almost got caught looking too far ahead and not taking a Vandal team seriously. But, they found a way to prevail and head out on the road to meet their rivals with their undefeated season still intact. But they need one more victory.
2. Sacramento State (2)---Last week beat Portland State at home 49-20, this week at UC Davis---The Hornets got caught looking ahead and found themselves down in the second quarter last week. But they regained their focus and emerged with their undefeated season intact as well. They, too, have to go on the road for their rivalry game.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week won at UC Davis 38-20, this week at Portland State---The Eagles finally got back on the winning side of things with a tough road win last week, a game that they needed as they did not want to face their rivals in the midst of a losing streak, especially when they also have to go on the road for it.
4. Montana (5)---Last week won at Northern Arizona 30-3, this week Montana State at home---The Grizzlies seem to be peaking at the right time with some excellent road wins in the last two weeks. Feeling good about themselves, they get their rival at their place this week with a chance to end the Bobcats undefeated season.
5. UC Davis (4)---Last week lost to Eastern Washington at home 38-20, this week Sacramento State at home---The Aggies suffered a tough home loss to quality conference opponent last week. They were looking pretty (still are actually) but another loss could hurt them in the playoff seeding. They certainly need a good win this week.
6. Weber State (7)---Last week won at Southern Utah 62-0, this week Northern Colorado at home---Last week the Wildcats took out weeks of frustration on their instate brothers to the south and sent them scurrying out of the conference with a painful pasting. Eager to build for next year, they bring in a bottom feeder for their final game.
7. Portland State (6)---Last week lost at Sacramento State 49-20, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Vikings slim playoff hopes came crashing down to earth last week with a tough road loss. However, they do get their chance at the high flying Eagles team for a shot to give them one for loss before the playoffs.
8. Idaho (9)---Last week lost at Montana State 20-13, this week at Idaho State---Think the Vandals were going to mail it in against an undefeated opponent and prepare for their rivalry game, think again. The Vandals gave all they had on the field in their loss last week. If anything, though, it gave them confidence heading into their rivalry game.
9. Northern Arizona (8)---Last week lost to Montana at home 30-3, this week at Cal Poly---After their perplexing loss at home last week one has to wonder if the Lumberjacks have mailed this season in. They did have a formidable opponent in town but they played like they never showed up. They should win this week if they are still breathing.
10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week bye, this week at Weber State---The Bears got an extra week this late in the season to prepare to hit the road to face a strong, mad opponent coming off a big win. They would like a win to build on next season but this one may be a tall task, but it is certainly one they are up for.
11. Cal Poly (13)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 32-29, this week Northern Arizona at home---That win in the first week seemed so long ago so the Mustangs went out and got another win at home this past weekend. Building momentum for next season, they finish up with possibly another shot at yet another win at home.
12. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at Cal Poly 32-29, this week Idaho at home---The Bengals must have got caught looking ahead to their rivalry game and overlooked a game Mustangs squad hungry for their first conference win. They better refocus because, even though their rivalry game is at home, it will be anything but easy.
13. Southern Utah (12)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 62-0, next game in their own conference---The Thunderbirds spent this season running to the door in the conference with everyone beating them up along the way. Hopefully their new digs in their new conference (with a new coach) will be better, but for now, good-bye.
RECAP: 1-5 dashing to the finish, 6-8 a ways away, 9-10 off the pace, 11-12 fading fast, 13 stalled.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Idaho at home 20-13, this week at Montana---The Bobcats almost got caught looking too far ahead and not taking a Vandal team seriously. But, they found a way to prevail and head out on the road to meet their rivals with their undefeated season still intact. But they need one more victory.
2. Sacramento State (2)---Last week beat Portland State at home 49-20, this week at UC Davis---The Hornets got caught looking ahead and found themselves down in the second quarter last week. But they regained their focus and emerged with their undefeated season intact as well. They, too, have to go on the road for their rivalry game.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week won at UC Davis 38-20, this week at Portland State---The Eagles finally got back on the winning side of things with a tough road win last week, a game that they needed as they did not want to face their rivals in the midst of a losing streak, especially when they also have to go on the road for it.
4. Montana (5)---Last week won at Northern Arizona 30-3, this week Montana State at home---The Grizzlies seem to be peaking at the right time with some excellent road wins in the last two weeks. Feeling good about themselves, they get their rival at their place this week with a chance to end the Bobcats undefeated season.
5. UC Davis (4)---Last week lost to Eastern Washington at home 38-20, this week Sacramento State at home---The Aggies suffered a tough home loss to quality conference opponent last week. They were looking pretty (still are actually) but another loss could hurt them in the playoff seeding. They certainly need a good win this week.
6. Weber State (7)---Last week won at Southern Utah 62-0, this week Northern Colorado at home---Last week the Wildcats took out weeks of frustration on their instate brothers to the south and sent them scurrying out of the conference with a painful pasting. Eager to build for next year, they bring in a bottom feeder for their final game.
7. Portland State (6)---Last week lost at Sacramento State 49-20, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Vikings slim playoff hopes came crashing down to earth last week with a tough road loss. However, they do get their chance at the high flying Eagles team for a shot to give them one for loss before the playoffs.
8. Idaho (9)---Last week lost at Montana State 20-13, this week at Idaho State---Think the Vandals were going to mail it in against an undefeated opponent and prepare for their rivalry game, think again. The Vandals gave all they had on the field in their loss last week. If anything, though, it gave them confidence heading into their rivalry game.
9. Northern Arizona (8)---Last week lost to Montana at home 30-3, this week at Cal Poly---After their perplexing loss at home last week one has to wonder if the Lumberjacks have mailed this season in. They did have a formidable opponent in town but they played like they never showed up. They should win this week if they are still breathing.
10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week bye, this week at Weber State---The Bears got an extra week this late in the season to prepare to hit the road to face a strong, mad opponent coming off a big win. They would like a win to build on next season but this one may be a tall task, but it is certainly one they are up for.
11. Cal Poly (13)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 32-29, this week Northern Arizona at home---That win in the first week seemed so long ago so the Mustangs went out and got another win at home this past weekend. Building momentum for next season, they finish up with possibly another shot at yet another win at home.
12. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at Cal Poly 32-29, this week Idaho at home---The Bengals must have got caught looking ahead to their rivalry game and overlooked a game Mustangs squad hungry for their first conference win. They better refocus because, even though their rivalry game is at home, it will be anything but easy.
13. Southern Utah (12)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 62-0, next game in their own conference---The Thunderbirds spent this season running to the door in the conference with everyone beating them up along the way. Hopefully their new digs in their new conference (with a new coach) will be better, but for now, good-bye.
RECAP: 1-5 dashing to the finish, 6-8 a ways away, 9-10 off the pace, 11-12 fading fast, 13 stalled.