JALMOND
September 1st, 2009, 01:57 AM
OK, here are the first round of the Big Sky Power Rankings. No real surprises. The conference as a whole has improved tremendously from last year. Anyway, the power rankings. All reflect my opinions and all are open for discussion. Here they are.
1. Montana Grizzlies---Even with having to replace the quarterback position this year, the Grizzlies are still the team to beat, helped by the fact that Weber State has to come to Missoula this year. A load of talent should keep the Grizzlies near the top. This week they welcome DII Western State to Missoula. An easy tuneup?
2. Weber State Wildcats---Maybe more talent returning that the Grizzlies, but having to go to Missoula does not help. Still, the Wildcats should stay near the top and ready to take over should the Grizzlies stumble. A daunting schedule will challenge the Wildcats but it is manageable. This week, a trip to FBS Wyoming, a game that the Wildcats could steal.
3. Eastern Washington Eagles---A ton of talent coming back, but the Eagles were hit with probation this year, which will keep them from the postseason if they qualify. How the returnees respond remains to be seen because on paper, this team is dangerous, capable of stealing a game here and there. This week, they welcome DII Western Oregon to Cheney. Should be a good start.
4. Montana State Bobcats---Like everyone else in the conference, a solid nucleus returning should bode well for the Bobcats. Likewise, a quarterback controversy was somewhat avoided. This is the year the Bobcat faithful hope to make some noise. Will it happen? This week, they head to Big 10 Michigan State. Maybe a bit too much, but maybe not.
5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Maybe not as much coming back as some others, but count the Jacks out and you'll find them right in the middle of the race at the end of the year. The Jacks have always gotten the most out of what they have and this year will be no exception. They will take this weekend off for more practice.
6. Sacramento State Hornets---High ranking for the perennial doormat of the conference, but the Hornets had a good year last year and hope to improve on it. High hopes were dashed when Hilliard went down, but the Hornets still have the talent to make some noise within the conference. This week finds them heading to Las Vegas to face the Mountain West team UNLV, a team similar to the Colorado State team the Hornets gave fits to last year. Can they get the game this year?
7. Northern Colorado Bears---A lot of talent returning, a lot of potential here. Yet improvement is always expected, especially when you only win one game all year. Still, this is the third year for the Bears in the conference and this year should be the year for them to make strides. They were close in most games last year and look to get some of those games this year. Unfortunately, this week finds them at Big 12 Kansas. Survival first, then the year can begin.
8. Portland State Vikings---This spring, the Vikings were like eveyone else in the conference, good returning core and poised to make a run this year. Then Mouse Davis retired and his replacement left for Edmonton. The fall created more questions than necessary at this point of the year. Compounded to this is that the Vikings play Oregon State, Montana and Weber State all before September is over. This week its Oregon State. Are the Vikings ready?
9. Idaho State Bengals---The good news, the Bengals are improved over last year. The bad news, so is the conference as a whole. Here's hoping that the Bengals are not as far behind as they were last year. The early schedule is not kind, having three road games at Arizona State, Oklahoma and Weber State. The Bengals need to be ready right from the start. This week, Arizona State. Oh, well, they have to start somewhere.
1. Montana Grizzlies---Even with having to replace the quarterback position this year, the Grizzlies are still the team to beat, helped by the fact that Weber State has to come to Missoula this year. A load of talent should keep the Grizzlies near the top. This week they welcome DII Western State to Missoula. An easy tuneup?
2. Weber State Wildcats---Maybe more talent returning that the Grizzlies, but having to go to Missoula does not help. Still, the Wildcats should stay near the top and ready to take over should the Grizzlies stumble. A daunting schedule will challenge the Wildcats but it is manageable. This week, a trip to FBS Wyoming, a game that the Wildcats could steal.
3. Eastern Washington Eagles---A ton of talent coming back, but the Eagles were hit with probation this year, which will keep them from the postseason if they qualify. How the returnees respond remains to be seen because on paper, this team is dangerous, capable of stealing a game here and there. This week, they welcome DII Western Oregon to Cheney. Should be a good start.
4. Montana State Bobcats---Like everyone else in the conference, a solid nucleus returning should bode well for the Bobcats. Likewise, a quarterback controversy was somewhat avoided. This is the year the Bobcat faithful hope to make some noise. Will it happen? This week, they head to Big 10 Michigan State. Maybe a bit too much, but maybe not.
5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Maybe not as much coming back as some others, but count the Jacks out and you'll find them right in the middle of the race at the end of the year. The Jacks have always gotten the most out of what they have and this year will be no exception. They will take this weekend off for more practice.
6. Sacramento State Hornets---High ranking for the perennial doormat of the conference, but the Hornets had a good year last year and hope to improve on it. High hopes were dashed when Hilliard went down, but the Hornets still have the talent to make some noise within the conference. This week finds them heading to Las Vegas to face the Mountain West team UNLV, a team similar to the Colorado State team the Hornets gave fits to last year. Can they get the game this year?
7. Northern Colorado Bears---A lot of talent returning, a lot of potential here. Yet improvement is always expected, especially when you only win one game all year. Still, this is the third year for the Bears in the conference and this year should be the year for them to make strides. They were close in most games last year and look to get some of those games this year. Unfortunately, this week finds them at Big 12 Kansas. Survival first, then the year can begin.
8. Portland State Vikings---This spring, the Vikings were like eveyone else in the conference, good returning core and poised to make a run this year. Then Mouse Davis retired and his replacement left for Edmonton. The fall created more questions than necessary at this point of the year. Compounded to this is that the Vikings play Oregon State, Montana and Weber State all before September is over. This week its Oregon State. Are the Vikings ready?
9. Idaho State Bengals---The good news, the Bengals are improved over last year. The bad news, so is the conference as a whole. Here's hoping that the Bengals are not as far behind as they were last year. The early schedule is not kind, having three road games at Arizona State, Oklahoma and Weber State. The Bengals need to be ready right from the start. This week, Arizona State. Oh, well, they have to start somewhere.