JALMOND
September 28th, 2010, 12:37 AM
Ok, taking stock of what we know after this past weekend's football games. Pretty much we know Montana State has a good football team. Beyond that, anything goes. How good is Montana? How good is EWU? How good is anyone in this conference. Only two teams won games on the road in the whole month (NAU beat Idaho State and PSU beat UC-Davis), although EWU has a win on a neutral field and there have been some close misses. That said, here are this week's power rankings. This week (last week). Have fun.
1. Montana State (1)---With all going on, the Bobcats took care of business and got a long awaited win over Eastern Washington, a win made even more satisfying after EWU had beaten Montana the previous week. The Bobcats have this season underway in a positive way and hope to improve each week. This week, hopeful improvement as they head on the road to Sacramento State and face the upstart Hornets. Can they keep the good feeling going?
2. Montana (3)---With the ship reeling after two straight road losses, the Grizzlies welcomed a return home and faced Sacramento State, a team that had not beaten the Grizzlies in Missoula ever. Just what the doctor ordered, a little home cooking and the Grizzlies got back on the winning track. Have they turned a corner? A great opportunity to keep it going as they head down the road to Northern Colorado, a team the Grizzlies have owned since they entered the Big Sky. Then again, only two road teams have won so far this year.
3. Eastern Washington (2)---What a tale of two weekends. The Eagles were coming off of a great home win over Montana and feeling invincible as they headed to Montana State, a team they had beaten eight straight years. However, the Eagles were shown how one-dimensional they are and eight years of success over Montana State went away in a hurry. How good is this Eagles team? We'll soon find out as this week, they go back on the road to face Weber State. If anyone needs a road win, they do.
4. Northern Arizona (5)---While everyone else was preoccupied with Montana State and Eastern Washington, or Montana and Sacramento State, the Jacks were quietly but soundly putting away Idaho State on the road. Quietly, this Jacks team is slowly emerging as a possible contender. Late season swoons are popular with this team but for now, they are looking good. This weekend, they step out of conference and head down the short road to Southern Utah. Can they avoid a loss in this possible trap game?
5. Sacramento State (4)---Hoping for a great year, the Hornets knew the path would lead through Montana, a place they had not won since joining the Big Sky. But with Montana showing a bit of mortality, the Hornets were hoping for a win finally. There they were at the end, close but not quite on top. Time to throw in the towel? Hardly. This week another big game, but this time it is at home against Montana State. Another opportunity to take down the giant.
6. Weber State (6)---After playing two early conference games, the Wildcats stepped out of conference to play UC-Davis, a team that was expected to offer up little resistance, especially after they had lost to Portland State. However, the Wildcats had to fight tooth and nail for the win, but a win nonetheless. This week, they welcome Eastern Washington to their house, a team reeling from a big disappointment. Is the time right to get back on top?
7. Portland State (8)---Usually a bye is a time to regroup and get ready for the next slate of games. For the Vikings, the bye brought a sense of encouragement as the team they beat on the road, UC-Davis, gave fellow Big Sky member Weber State all they could handle before succumbing in defeat. But it will all be for naught if they cannot get the wins. This week brings a return to action and a return to the FCS as they face Idaho State. Easy pickings maybe (or maybe not).
8. Northern Colorado (7)---As most conference teams were starting conference play, the Bears headed into Big 10 country and played Michigan State in a money game. Any hopes for an upset quickly faded away as the Big 10 team proved to be far superior. Time for things to get easier? How about a visit from Montana, a team who has had the Bears number since joining the Big Sky. These games have not been close, will this year be the year?
9. Idaho State (9)---This season began with such great promise for the Bengals. However, this past weekend while at home, Northern Arizona delivered a cruel blow to the hopes of the Bengals. Probably a good thing not many people were paying attention. This week, they head up to Portland State, a team they were able to get their only win last year. That game was in Pocatello, can they expect the same thing in Portland?
As it is...MSU clearly in front, UM and EWU close together, NAU, Sac State, and WSU all bunched a bit behind, PSU and UNC not too far behind and ISU bringing the rear.
1. Montana State (1)---With all going on, the Bobcats took care of business and got a long awaited win over Eastern Washington, a win made even more satisfying after EWU had beaten Montana the previous week. The Bobcats have this season underway in a positive way and hope to improve each week. This week, hopeful improvement as they head on the road to Sacramento State and face the upstart Hornets. Can they keep the good feeling going?
2. Montana (3)---With the ship reeling after two straight road losses, the Grizzlies welcomed a return home and faced Sacramento State, a team that had not beaten the Grizzlies in Missoula ever. Just what the doctor ordered, a little home cooking and the Grizzlies got back on the winning track. Have they turned a corner? A great opportunity to keep it going as they head down the road to Northern Colorado, a team the Grizzlies have owned since they entered the Big Sky. Then again, only two road teams have won so far this year.
3. Eastern Washington (2)---What a tale of two weekends. The Eagles were coming off of a great home win over Montana and feeling invincible as they headed to Montana State, a team they had beaten eight straight years. However, the Eagles were shown how one-dimensional they are and eight years of success over Montana State went away in a hurry. How good is this Eagles team? We'll soon find out as this week, they go back on the road to face Weber State. If anyone needs a road win, they do.
4. Northern Arizona (5)---While everyone else was preoccupied with Montana State and Eastern Washington, or Montana and Sacramento State, the Jacks were quietly but soundly putting away Idaho State on the road. Quietly, this Jacks team is slowly emerging as a possible contender. Late season swoons are popular with this team but for now, they are looking good. This weekend, they step out of conference and head down the short road to Southern Utah. Can they avoid a loss in this possible trap game?
5. Sacramento State (4)---Hoping for a great year, the Hornets knew the path would lead through Montana, a place they had not won since joining the Big Sky. But with Montana showing a bit of mortality, the Hornets were hoping for a win finally. There they were at the end, close but not quite on top. Time to throw in the towel? Hardly. This week another big game, but this time it is at home against Montana State. Another opportunity to take down the giant.
6. Weber State (6)---After playing two early conference games, the Wildcats stepped out of conference to play UC-Davis, a team that was expected to offer up little resistance, especially after they had lost to Portland State. However, the Wildcats had to fight tooth and nail for the win, but a win nonetheless. This week, they welcome Eastern Washington to their house, a team reeling from a big disappointment. Is the time right to get back on top?
7. Portland State (8)---Usually a bye is a time to regroup and get ready for the next slate of games. For the Vikings, the bye brought a sense of encouragement as the team they beat on the road, UC-Davis, gave fellow Big Sky member Weber State all they could handle before succumbing in defeat. But it will all be for naught if they cannot get the wins. This week brings a return to action and a return to the FCS as they face Idaho State. Easy pickings maybe (or maybe not).
8. Northern Colorado (7)---As most conference teams were starting conference play, the Bears headed into Big 10 country and played Michigan State in a money game. Any hopes for an upset quickly faded away as the Big 10 team proved to be far superior. Time for things to get easier? How about a visit from Montana, a team who has had the Bears number since joining the Big Sky. These games have not been close, will this year be the year?
9. Idaho State (9)---This season began with such great promise for the Bengals. However, this past weekend while at home, Northern Arizona delivered a cruel blow to the hopes of the Bengals. Probably a good thing not many people were paying attention. This week, they head up to Portland State, a team they were able to get their only win last year. That game was in Pocatello, can they expect the same thing in Portland?
As it is...MSU clearly in front, UM and EWU close together, NAU, Sac State, and WSU all bunched a bit behind, PSU and UNC not too far behind and ISU bringing the rear.