JALMOND
October 29th, 2007, 08:49 PM
So we had some separation last week and we are beginning to see somewhat of a clearer picture (well maybe a little clearer). Last week was an odd week as Northern Colorado got the home team's only victory, the Griz asserted their dominance in the conference, and Portland State scored 68 points in regulation and lost to Weber State. With all that in mind, here are this week's power rankings (last week's rank). All are my opinion and all are open for discussion...
1. Montana (1)--In probably their toughest game all year, on the road against Northern Arizona, the Griz escaped with the victory and kept thier undefeated season alive. Clearly head and shoulders above the rest, the postseason should find the Griz as the conference champs. This week, Portland State brings the high power run and shoot offense to Missoula. Can the Griz blow it up?
2. Eastern Washington (3)--While the rest of the conference was creating all the fireworks, the Eagles got a quiet victory on the road against Sacramento State. Any road victory is a good one this late in the season, especially with EWU trying to keep pace with the Griz. This week, they welcome Northern Colorado to Cheney for homecoming. Will the results bring cheers from the Eagle faithful?
3. Northern Arizona (4)--A hard fought loss to Montana at home leaves the Jacks with no shot at achieving the seven DI wins and an at-large spot in the playoffs, leaving them with a slight chance for the title, but they need to win and get some help along the way. They can help themselves this weekend as they travel to Bozeman to face Montana State. Can they recover and resume their quest?
4. Montana State (2)--The Cats offense did not show up in time to save a victory at lowly Northern Colorado, leaving a lot of people scratching their heads about them. This was a big blow to any playoff chances the Cats might have been entertaining. Now the road does not get any easier with Northern Arizona coming to town. Was last week just an abomination, or was it a sign of things to come?
5. Weber State (5)---Two questions after the Wildcats wild victory at Portland State last week, 1) Where did that offense come from, and 2) What happened to that vaunted defense? Still a road win is always a good win, but the Wildcats needed every bit of the 73 points they scored. Idaho State comes to town this weekend. Will it be a return to normalcy?
6. Idaho State (6)---A nonconference home loss to Cal Poly left the Bengals feeling dejected. The momentum achieved with the win over Portland State lasted just one quarter and it was a return to how the season has gone. Speaking of returning, the Bengals return to conference play with a trip just down the road to Weber State. Can they salvage their season?
7. Portland State (7)---The Vikings score 68 points in a regulation length game and lose. Obviously the run and shoot was clicking but at what cost to the defense. Even back in the days when the conference was crazy, there really was not any games like this one. This week, the Vikings go to Montana where they have not won since entering the Big Sky. Do they have another crazy game up their sleeves?
8. Sacramento State (8)---What to say. The Hornets played a strong conference foe, Eastern Washington, close, yet still came up short in the end. This week, the Hornets draw the odd team card and play UC-Davis in their annual Causway series. Emotions will be running high, can the Hornets get a win for themselves and the conference?
9. Northern Colorado (9)---A home win by the Bears over Montana State has allowed them to rejoin the rest of the conference. The first conference win and a good win over a quality opponent. The big gap between UNC and the rest of the conference has been significantly narrowed, but they still find themselves on the outside. This week, a trip to another quality opponent, Eastern Washington. Can the Bears keep it going?
A little clarity as to where the teams are, Montana comfortably in front, a loss but not a "bad" loss should keep them there (not saying that they are going to lose). MSU's loss to UNC has pretty much put EWU and NAU as a close 2-3, with the Cats a distant 4. WSU and ISU a close 5-6, PSU at 7 pretty much by themselves and Sac State and UNC a close 8-9.
1. Montana (1)--In probably their toughest game all year, on the road against Northern Arizona, the Griz escaped with the victory and kept thier undefeated season alive. Clearly head and shoulders above the rest, the postseason should find the Griz as the conference champs. This week, Portland State brings the high power run and shoot offense to Missoula. Can the Griz blow it up?
2. Eastern Washington (3)--While the rest of the conference was creating all the fireworks, the Eagles got a quiet victory on the road against Sacramento State. Any road victory is a good one this late in the season, especially with EWU trying to keep pace with the Griz. This week, they welcome Northern Colorado to Cheney for homecoming. Will the results bring cheers from the Eagle faithful?
3. Northern Arizona (4)--A hard fought loss to Montana at home leaves the Jacks with no shot at achieving the seven DI wins and an at-large spot in the playoffs, leaving them with a slight chance for the title, but they need to win and get some help along the way. They can help themselves this weekend as they travel to Bozeman to face Montana State. Can they recover and resume their quest?
4. Montana State (2)--The Cats offense did not show up in time to save a victory at lowly Northern Colorado, leaving a lot of people scratching their heads about them. This was a big blow to any playoff chances the Cats might have been entertaining. Now the road does not get any easier with Northern Arizona coming to town. Was last week just an abomination, or was it a sign of things to come?
5. Weber State (5)---Two questions after the Wildcats wild victory at Portland State last week, 1) Where did that offense come from, and 2) What happened to that vaunted defense? Still a road win is always a good win, but the Wildcats needed every bit of the 73 points they scored. Idaho State comes to town this weekend. Will it be a return to normalcy?
6. Idaho State (6)---A nonconference home loss to Cal Poly left the Bengals feeling dejected. The momentum achieved with the win over Portland State lasted just one quarter and it was a return to how the season has gone. Speaking of returning, the Bengals return to conference play with a trip just down the road to Weber State. Can they salvage their season?
7. Portland State (7)---The Vikings score 68 points in a regulation length game and lose. Obviously the run and shoot was clicking but at what cost to the defense. Even back in the days when the conference was crazy, there really was not any games like this one. This week, the Vikings go to Montana where they have not won since entering the Big Sky. Do they have another crazy game up their sleeves?
8. Sacramento State (8)---What to say. The Hornets played a strong conference foe, Eastern Washington, close, yet still came up short in the end. This week, the Hornets draw the odd team card and play UC-Davis in their annual Causway series. Emotions will be running high, can the Hornets get a win for themselves and the conference?
9. Northern Colorado (9)---A home win by the Bears over Montana State has allowed them to rejoin the rest of the conference. The first conference win and a good win over a quality opponent. The big gap between UNC and the rest of the conference has been significantly narrowed, but they still find themselves on the outside. This week, a trip to another quality opponent, Eastern Washington. Can the Bears keep it going?
A little clarity as to where the teams are, Montana comfortably in front, a loss but not a "bad" loss should keep them there (not saying that they are going to lose). MSU's loss to UNC has pretty much put EWU and NAU as a close 2-3, with the Cats a distant 4. WSU and ISU a close 5-6, PSU at 7 pretty much by themselves and Sac State and UNC a close 8-9.