Some near disasters among the games around the conference as the lower teams scared some of the upper tier teams, but the games ended up being about what was expected. Could it be that the conference top to bottom may be closer than it looks? Perhaps. This week finds half the teams are taking the week off so the schedule is relatively light. Here are this week's power rankings (last week is in parenthesis). Not much change from last week to this week and, with the light schedule, maybe not much change next week either. All are my opinion. Here they are.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Portland State at home 38-22, this week bye---After a relatively close first half at home, the Bobcats came out in the second half meaning business, and quickly put the game away. They are inching closer to the top of all the FCS and they will take a break this weekend to get healthy.
2. Idaho (2)---Last week won at Eastern Washington 44-36, this week at Cal Poly---The Vandals passed another tough showdown last week, getting a strong road win over the conference upstart. They are showing no signs of slowing down and have two impressive conference wins so far. They play this weekend on the road but it should be easy.
3. Sacramento State (3)---Last week beat Northern Arizona at home 31-30, this week bye---Flying high, the Hornets were expecting just a small speed bump before their week off. However, they had all they could handle and barely escaped with a home win last week. They will see if they can recapture some of the good mojo by taking this week off.
4. Eastern Washington (4)---Last week lost to Idaho at home 44-36, this week bye---This weekend was a good test for the Eagles who were feeling good after a strong start to the season. They played their rivals from just to the south tough and close and only succumbed in the final quarter. They have to feel pretty good as they head into the bye week.
5. UC Davis (5)---Last week won at Cal Poly 31-13, this week Montana at home---After a tough home loss to start conference play, the Aggies beat up on the conference patsy to get their first conference win. They look to make it two as they are playing this weekend at home against a dangerous Montana team. All eyes on this matchup.
6. Montana (6)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 28-20, this week at UC Davis---Another week and another game that the Grizzlies seemed to sleep through. Luckily they were playing one of the lower teams otherwise this could have been ugly. When will they wake up? They have a tough road game this weekend that they will need to be awake.
7. Weber State (7)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 28-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---It was hard to tell what was more shocking, the Wildcats down 21-7 with 7 minutes left, or the Wildcats ending up winning the game 28-21. You have to play the whole game and they never gave up. But, they have a tough one at home this weekend.
8. Northern Arizona (9)---Last week lost at Sacramento State 31-30, this week at Weber State---It seems like the Lumberjacks are doing well, yet on paper they only have one win. But last week's game was a close loss to one of the heavies in the conference so they have to feel good. They may be able to get a good road win this weekend maybe?
9. Portland State (8)---Last week lost at Montana State 38-22, this week bye---The Vikings played hard, played tough, yet still could not come up with a win over the top pick. They've looked somewhat impressive at times, yet they are about where people thought they would be. If they want to surprise, they will need to use this weekend to figure things out.
10. Idaho State (10)---Last week lost at Montana 28-20, this week bye---After last week, the Bengals have shown that they may not win many games, but don't count them out of any games either. They went toe to toe in a hostile environment last week played a tough game. They can use this off week to refocus and maybe surprise some people.
11. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 28-21, this week bye---The Bears had their first win in their grasp last weekend, so close they could feel it. But, they have to learn to play the whole game and, no matter the score, there is always a chance to lose it. They need to regroup this weekend on the off week.
12. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to UC Davis at home 31-13, this week Idaho at home---Everyone else were playing relatively close games last week but the Mustangs took their loss and ran with it. Two tough games to start and they don't get their off week this weekend like most of the conference. They do stay home, however, but they face a really good team.
RECAP: 1-2 edging out front, 3-4 holding on, 5-9 still mushy, 10-12 holding down the rear.