JALMOND
November 7th, 2022, 11:46 PM
Things are beginning to get clear in the conference race now. It is hard to imagine that there is only two weeks left in the season but for a few, the season should go on a bit longer. Things are looking good for the Big Sky that they will be well represented in the playoffs. But some good games left, but some potential stumbling blocks as well for the frontrunners. Here are this week's power rankings for the conference (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. But the end is coming quick.
1. Sacramento State (2)---Last week won at Weber State 33-30, this week at Portland State---A long season so far but the Hornets finally get to claim the top spot after going through a murderous stretch undefeated. As long as they stay focused, they should be able to make some noise in the playoffs. But they can't afford to look past this Friday tilt on the road.
2. Montana State (1)---Last week won at Northern Arizona 41-38, this week at Cal Poly---The Bobcats were supposed to be just playing out the string and not expecting a battle until the Brawl. But last week showed that even the leaders cannot take the bottom dwellers for granted. Hopefully last week got their attention and they are not looking past this week's road game.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 48-16, this week UC Davis at home---The Vandals made quick work of one of their rivals last week and secured themselves as a top team in the conference. However, they do have one more tough foe coming to their barn this weekend. One more test before a relatively easy breather to close out the conference season.
4. UC Davis (5)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 43-3, this week at Idaho---After a tough start to the season, the Aggies took advantage of some cupcake wins lately. However, things are about to change as, just like the start to the season, the finish is just as daunting. But if they win out, they should get some serious consideration for the playoffs.
5. Weber State (4)---Last week lost to Sacramento State at home 33-30, this week Idaho State at home---In what may turn out to be a must win last week, the Wildcats took one on the chin at home against the top team. They do have a relatively easy closeout to the season, but they cannot afford to look past anyone if they want to get in the playoffs.
6. Montana (6)---Last week beat Cal Poly at home 57-0, this week Eastern Washington at home---After a tough stretch of games that has left the Grizzlies season teetering, they get some easier opponents, both last week and this week, before closing out in their Brawl. Still, they can't afford to look past the game this week. Take care of business.
7. Portland State (7)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 35-21, this week Sacramento State at home---With the playoffs out of reach, the Vikings are taking advantage of some lesser opponents to get some good wins and experience for next year. They have one more chance to wreck the conference's playoff picture with a Friday game.
8. Northern Arizona (9)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 41-38, this week at Northern Colorado---The Lumberjacks could have easily folded up their tents last week after falling behind big in the first quarter. Yet they fought hard and actually had a chance to take one of the heavyweights to overtime. This week, an easier opponent but on the road.
9. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at Idaho 48-16, this week at Montana---The Eagles disappointing season continues after another home loss. This new role of spoiler is something they are not accustomed to and they are not even succeeding at that. They have another chance to blow up one of the heavies this weekend, if they are up to it.
10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost at Portland State 35-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---After yet another demoralizing loss, the Bears can still regroup and get wins in their last two games. Both are against struggling teams so it is possible. They get this week's game at home so it may be their best chance for a win.
11. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at UC Davis 43-3, this week at Weber State---Nothing seems to be going right for the Bengals now. They just can't seem to be competitive and every game seems to be against a far superior team. That doesn't change with this week's game on the road, and it really won't change with next week's game either.
12. Cal Poly (12)---Last week lost at Montana 57-0, this week Montana State at home---It is tough to see what the motivation is for the Mustangs as the season comes to a close. They played a team that was struggling and they played like they didn't want to be there. They get another heavy this week at their house, if that even makes a difference.
RECAP: 1-3 running together, 4-6 trying to keep up, 7 far back, 8-10 fading, 11-12 stopped.
1. Sacramento State (2)---Last week won at Weber State 33-30, this week at Portland State---A long season so far but the Hornets finally get to claim the top spot after going through a murderous stretch undefeated. As long as they stay focused, they should be able to make some noise in the playoffs. But they can't afford to look past this Friday tilt on the road.
2. Montana State (1)---Last week won at Northern Arizona 41-38, this week at Cal Poly---The Bobcats were supposed to be just playing out the string and not expecting a battle until the Brawl. But last week showed that even the leaders cannot take the bottom dwellers for granted. Hopefully last week got their attention and they are not looking past this week's road game.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 48-16, this week UC Davis at home---The Vandals made quick work of one of their rivals last week and secured themselves as a top team in the conference. However, they do have one more tough foe coming to their barn this weekend. One more test before a relatively easy breather to close out the conference season.
4. UC Davis (5)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 43-3, this week at Idaho---After a tough start to the season, the Aggies took advantage of some cupcake wins lately. However, things are about to change as, just like the start to the season, the finish is just as daunting. But if they win out, they should get some serious consideration for the playoffs.
5. Weber State (4)---Last week lost to Sacramento State at home 33-30, this week Idaho State at home---In what may turn out to be a must win last week, the Wildcats took one on the chin at home against the top team. They do have a relatively easy closeout to the season, but they cannot afford to look past anyone if they want to get in the playoffs.
6. Montana (6)---Last week beat Cal Poly at home 57-0, this week Eastern Washington at home---After a tough stretch of games that has left the Grizzlies season teetering, they get some easier opponents, both last week and this week, before closing out in their Brawl. Still, they can't afford to look past the game this week. Take care of business.
7. Portland State (7)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 35-21, this week Sacramento State at home---With the playoffs out of reach, the Vikings are taking advantage of some lesser opponents to get some good wins and experience for next year. They have one more chance to wreck the conference's playoff picture with a Friday game.
8. Northern Arizona (9)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 41-38, this week at Northern Colorado---The Lumberjacks could have easily folded up their tents last week after falling behind big in the first quarter. Yet they fought hard and actually had a chance to take one of the heavyweights to overtime. This week, an easier opponent but on the road.
9. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at Idaho 48-16, this week at Montana---The Eagles disappointing season continues after another home loss. This new role of spoiler is something they are not accustomed to and they are not even succeeding at that. They have another chance to blow up one of the heavies this weekend, if they are up to it.
10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost at Portland State 35-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---After yet another demoralizing loss, the Bears can still regroup and get wins in their last two games. Both are against struggling teams so it is possible. They get this week's game at home so it may be their best chance for a win.
11. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at UC Davis 43-3, this week at Weber State---Nothing seems to be going right for the Bengals now. They just can't seem to be competitive and every game seems to be against a far superior team. That doesn't change with this week's game on the road, and it really won't change with next week's game either.
12. Cal Poly (12)---Last week lost at Montana 57-0, this week Montana State at home---It is tough to see what the motivation is for the Mustangs as the season comes to a close. They played a team that was struggling and they played like they didn't want to be there. They get another heavy this week at their house, if that even makes a difference.
RECAP: 1-3 running together, 4-6 trying to keep up, 7 far back, 8-10 fading, 11-12 stopped.