JALMOND
November 3rd, 2009, 12:36 AM
Ok, so we are finally getting some clarity in the conference, at least at the top, and at the bottom. The middle is still a muddled mess. We still have three weeks to sort it all out, though. It does not leave us with much time, and with only seven teams playing this weekend, not many games left. This week's power rankings in the conference. All reflect my own opinion and all are open for discussion. This week (last week)
1. Montana (1)---Another team thinks they have what it takes to knock the Grizzlies off their perch and another team falls. This week, Weber State came in thinking they had what it takes to be the big dog, yet they forgot to play the game. In the end, the Grizzlies, as usual. This weekend, they head down the road to Idaho State. Another team poised to take the Grizzlies down a notch? Maybe a good try, anyway.
2. Weber State (2)---It says a lot for the Wildcats to stay at number two, especially how they did not show up last week at Montana. After talking about the game for most of the year, the game arrived and the Wildcats did not. Now they find themselves needing to win out in order to try (emphasize "try") to get an at large berth in the playoffs. Can they do it? They got one week to think about it first.
3. Eastern Washington (4)---How do you stop a three game losing streak to your opponent? Jump on them early and often. That is just what the Eagles did in their game last weekend against Portland State. Playing in Seattle had the same effect for the Eagles as playing in Cheney, and the Eagles had no problems. Now with a new lease on the playoffs after the NCAA removed the ban, the Eagles are poised to make it. However, they get to take a week off, planning their attack.
4. Northern Arizona (3)---Feeling great about themselves, the Jacks headed to Sacramento State brimming with confidence that they could make a good showing in the playoffs. However, the Hornets brought them cruelly down to earth. Ironically, this is about where the Jacks began their swoon last year. Is this just a blip or the start of swoon number two? This week, they head to SEC country and Herrick's old school, Mississippi. Not looking too good.
5. Montana State (5)---With all the big games going on, the Bobcats were finding their offense against Idaho State, something that most Big Sky teams are doing. Was it just the idea of playing the Bengals or have the Bobcats finally arrived on the scene? This weekend they head to Portland State, where it looks like they will have the better offense, something that may have seemed unheard of just two weeks ago.
6. Sacramento State (6)---Needing a big win to show they had arrived on the scene, the Hornets finally got it last week while they entertained Northern Arizona. Maybe this is just a sign of good things to come. Can they claw back into the upper tier of the conference race? This week, they head to Northern Colorado to try to continue this good time. Better not stumble now.
7. Northern Colorado (8)---Sometimes struggling to get a win, it is good to play someone that the Bears have had success against, especially at home. Last week's opponent, South Dakota, had not won at Greeley since 1988, a streak that still continues on, thanks to the Bears win. This week, they welcome conference upstart Sacramento State. Can they continue this nice winning feeling?
8. Portland State (7)---Have the Vikings given up? Last week against Eastern Washington, they had the weird halftime point total of 4 (2 safeties) and once again the offense was non existent. Trouble was the defense gave up several big plays, too. This week, Montana State comes to town. We will know soon if the Vikings have thrown in the towel.
9. Idaho State (9)---This will go quick. Last week the Bengals went to Montana State, and once again they left on the short end. Still, nothing even really to write about. Will it get any better? This week, Montana comes to town. Maybe a little more excitement, as playing the Grizzlies will do that. But, in the end, well, we'll just hold off until it happens.
1. Montana (1)---Another team thinks they have what it takes to knock the Grizzlies off their perch and another team falls. This week, Weber State came in thinking they had what it takes to be the big dog, yet they forgot to play the game. In the end, the Grizzlies, as usual. This weekend, they head down the road to Idaho State. Another team poised to take the Grizzlies down a notch? Maybe a good try, anyway.
2. Weber State (2)---It says a lot for the Wildcats to stay at number two, especially how they did not show up last week at Montana. After talking about the game for most of the year, the game arrived and the Wildcats did not. Now they find themselves needing to win out in order to try (emphasize "try") to get an at large berth in the playoffs. Can they do it? They got one week to think about it first.
3. Eastern Washington (4)---How do you stop a three game losing streak to your opponent? Jump on them early and often. That is just what the Eagles did in their game last weekend against Portland State. Playing in Seattle had the same effect for the Eagles as playing in Cheney, and the Eagles had no problems. Now with a new lease on the playoffs after the NCAA removed the ban, the Eagles are poised to make it. However, they get to take a week off, planning their attack.
4. Northern Arizona (3)---Feeling great about themselves, the Jacks headed to Sacramento State brimming with confidence that they could make a good showing in the playoffs. However, the Hornets brought them cruelly down to earth. Ironically, this is about where the Jacks began their swoon last year. Is this just a blip or the start of swoon number two? This week, they head to SEC country and Herrick's old school, Mississippi. Not looking too good.
5. Montana State (5)---With all the big games going on, the Bobcats were finding their offense against Idaho State, something that most Big Sky teams are doing. Was it just the idea of playing the Bengals or have the Bobcats finally arrived on the scene? This weekend they head to Portland State, where it looks like they will have the better offense, something that may have seemed unheard of just two weeks ago.
6. Sacramento State (6)---Needing a big win to show they had arrived on the scene, the Hornets finally got it last week while they entertained Northern Arizona. Maybe this is just a sign of good things to come. Can they claw back into the upper tier of the conference race? This week, they head to Northern Colorado to try to continue this good time. Better not stumble now.
7. Northern Colorado (8)---Sometimes struggling to get a win, it is good to play someone that the Bears have had success against, especially at home. Last week's opponent, South Dakota, had not won at Greeley since 1988, a streak that still continues on, thanks to the Bears win. This week, they welcome conference upstart Sacramento State. Can they continue this nice winning feeling?
8. Portland State (7)---Have the Vikings given up? Last week against Eastern Washington, they had the weird halftime point total of 4 (2 safeties) and once again the offense was non existent. Trouble was the defense gave up several big plays, too. This week, Montana State comes to town. We will know soon if the Vikings have thrown in the towel.
9. Idaho State (9)---This will go quick. Last week the Bengals went to Montana State, and once again they left on the short end. Still, nothing even really to write about. Will it get any better? This week, Montana comes to town. Maybe a little more excitement, as playing the Grizzlies will do that. But, in the end, well, we'll just hold off until it happens.