JALMOND
October 12th, 2010, 12:59 AM
Middle of October and finally some separation at the top in the Big Sky conference. Montana State woke up and put away Portland State, Montana took care of Idaho State from the start and Eastern Washington had enough to get past Northern Arizona. Things clearing up? Here are this week's power rankings. All are my opinion and all are open for discussion. This week (last week).
1. Montana State (1)---The Bobcats were eager to quickly dispatch Portland State and get on with the homecoming festivities in Bozeman. However, they found themselves down after taking the first quarter off. Still, they had enough time and energy to recover and make the score look respectable. This week, they face another tough test, going to Northern Arizona. A win and they could see the end of the journey.
2. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies have put their early troubles behind and are rolling, as evident by their big win over a pesky Idaho State team that caused the Grizzlies trouble last year. Roper has filled in nicely and the team has bought into Pflugrad's coaching style. As long as they stay focused, they could be on a roll by the end of the year. This week, a small pothole as they make the always tough trip to Portland State.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---The Eagles beat Northern Arizona at home last week, a game though that was far from easy, as Jones was in and out most of the game. However, the Eagles did just enough to send Northern Arizona packing, and the rest of their schedule is favorable for quite a run. This week they head down the road and face Northern Colorado. This should be an easy win, but if Jones is limited, anything is possible.
4. Sacramento State (5)---While the big 3 were making big strides in their games, the Hornets were doing what most great Big Sky teams did in the past, made short work out of Northern Colorado. The Hornets took the game by storm right out of the gate and never looked back, and what started as a magical season with strong possibilities still carried on. This week, a much needed bye to rest up and prepare for the last part of the season.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---The Jacks came into Eastern Washington on a mission to show that they belonged in the upper echelon of the conference this year. But they could not get anything going offensively and, while the defense kept them in the game, they could not find the points to win. Now they have a really tall order to fill to get back on track. This week, a good opportunity to bounce back as they welcome Montana State to town. A win and they are back in it.
6. Weber State (7)---The Wildcats took a breather and rested for their second half of the season. Higgins has looked sharp at times, but the Wildcats need others to step up. This weekend they head up the short road and face Idaho State. Hopefully a good win to foretell things to come.
7. Portland State (6)---For a moment, it looked like the Vikings were going to do the unthinkable and catch Montana State off guard, at their house in front of their homecoming fans. Then, someone lit a fire and the Vikings upset bid was all for naught, almost as quick as it happened. A good showing but not the time for moral victories. Things don't get any easier for the Vikings as they face Montana this weekend back home.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---A magical season with good things expected this year for the Bears came crashing down in a hurry last week against Sacramento State. This year was supposed to be the year the Bears make some noise in the conference, yet now the noise has been reduced to not much more than a whimper. The only thing left is to play spoiler and try to get some conference wins. This week, a good start as they welcome Eastern Washington to their home field.
9. Idaho State (9)---The success that the Bengals had in the second to last game last year against Montana, coming within a last second field goal of winning, was quickly put away this year. History clearly was not going to repeat itself and Montana was not going to let it happen. The Bengals have improved, it just has not shown in results. This week, they welcome Weber State to their barn. Can they ruin Weber State's chances?
Where they are---MSU, UM a bit behind, EWU a bit further behind, Sac State and NAU close together, WSU and PSU close together but a bit behind, UNC on an island and ISU bringing up the rear.
1. Montana State (1)---The Bobcats were eager to quickly dispatch Portland State and get on with the homecoming festivities in Bozeman. However, they found themselves down after taking the first quarter off. Still, they had enough time and energy to recover and make the score look respectable. This week, they face another tough test, going to Northern Arizona. A win and they could see the end of the journey.
2. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies have put their early troubles behind and are rolling, as evident by their big win over a pesky Idaho State team that caused the Grizzlies trouble last year. Roper has filled in nicely and the team has bought into Pflugrad's coaching style. As long as they stay focused, they could be on a roll by the end of the year. This week, a small pothole as they make the always tough trip to Portland State.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---The Eagles beat Northern Arizona at home last week, a game though that was far from easy, as Jones was in and out most of the game. However, the Eagles did just enough to send Northern Arizona packing, and the rest of their schedule is favorable for quite a run. This week they head down the road and face Northern Colorado. This should be an easy win, but if Jones is limited, anything is possible.
4. Sacramento State (5)---While the big 3 were making big strides in their games, the Hornets were doing what most great Big Sky teams did in the past, made short work out of Northern Colorado. The Hornets took the game by storm right out of the gate and never looked back, and what started as a magical season with strong possibilities still carried on. This week, a much needed bye to rest up and prepare for the last part of the season.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---The Jacks came into Eastern Washington on a mission to show that they belonged in the upper echelon of the conference this year. But they could not get anything going offensively and, while the defense kept them in the game, they could not find the points to win. Now they have a really tall order to fill to get back on track. This week, a good opportunity to bounce back as they welcome Montana State to town. A win and they are back in it.
6. Weber State (7)---The Wildcats took a breather and rested for their second half of the season. Higgins has looked sharp at times, but the Wildcats need others to step up. This weekend they head up the short road and face Idaho State. Hopefully a good win to foretell things to come.
7. Portland State (6)---For a moment, it looked like the Vikings were going to do the unthinkable and catch Montana State off guard, at their house in front of their homecoming fans. Then, someone lit a fire and the Vikings upset bid was all for naught, almost as quick as it happened. A good showing but not the time for moral victories. Things don't get any easier for the Vikings as they face Montana this weekend back home.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---A magical season with good things expected this year for the Bears came crashing down in a hurry last week against Sacramento State. This year was supposed to be the year the Bears make some noise in the conference, yet now the noise has been reduced to not much more than a whimper. The only thing left is to play spoiler and try to get some conference wins. This week, a good start as they welcome Eastern Washington to their home field.
9. Idaho State (9)---The success that the Bengals had in the second to last game last year against Montana, coming within a last second field goal of winning, was quickly put away this year. History clearly was not going to repeat itself and Montana was not going to let it happen. The Bengals have improved, it just has not shown in results. This week, they welcome Weber State to their barn. Can they ruin Weber State's chances?
Where they are---MSU, UM a bit behind, EWU a bit further behind, Sac State and NAU close together, WSU and PSU close together but a bit behind, UNC on an island and ISU bringing up the rear.