Big Sky Power Rankings 10-24

[JALMOND]

As we get close to the end of October, things are getting a bit clearer. Fresh off a week where the road teams won the majority of the games on a big slate, the better teams are separating themselves from the rest of the pack. This week, the picture should get more in focus as well as most of the better teams are at home and need to hold serve. Whether they do remains to be seen. Here are this week's power rankings (last week). As usual, all are my opinion only and all are open for discussion. Not anticipating much discussion, however.

1. Montana State (1)---Maybe not as pretty as it should have been, but the Bobcats got out of Northern Colorado with a win over the upset minded Bears. Not sure if the Bobcats have any claws left. This week, a chance to stop gnawing on their nails with a home game against the reeling Idaho State squad. They will need to be ready as the Bengals coach will have his team set.

2. Montana (2)---Finally, a strong second team is emerging in the form of the Grizzles, who withstood a strong challenge at Northern Arizona for the victory. They may not be pretty, but wins count and the Grizzlies are finding ways to earn a mark in the win column every week. This week they welcome a game Weber State team to their massive stadium. The Grizzlies have owned Weber State in Missoula. Will this year be any different?

3. Eastern Washington (3)---Given up virtually for dead, the Eagles have found a way to win with their backs against the wall, continuing what is becoming a magical season. Last week, they were dead against Sacramento State, yet found a way to send the game into overtime before winning it. This week, they return home to face Portland State, and a chance to continue their never say die ways.

4. Sacramento State (5)---The Hornets did everything right against Eastern Washington for almost the whole game, yet let up when they thought they had it won. No matter what the score is, to win in this conference a team has to play a complete game. Now they face a must win situation this weekend with Northern Arizona coming to town. A loss and their fine season is technically done.

5. Weber State (4)---Similar to Sacramento State, the Wildcats were up on Southern Utah, only to let up in the third quarter and could not recover. Similar to Sacramento State, they need to work on playing a complete game, something that should be obvious this late in the season. If they don't know now, they better learn in a hurry as they go into unfriendly territory this weekend with a game at Montana.

6. Portland State (6)---Last week, the Vikings played what essentially was a glorified scrimmage against DIII Willamette. Pretty much everyone played, including two managers and a trainer (I think). If this game gave them good film on everyone, maybe it was worth it. They need to get back to earth, however, as this weekend they go to Eastern Washington. This won't be as easy, not against the defending national champions.

7. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjacks found out that they could play with Montana, especially when the game was at their house. However, they could not quite get over the hump and finally succumbed to the Grizzlies at the end. So close, yet still a loss. This weekend, they hit the road and go to Sacramento State. Another chance to ruin another team's season.

8. Idaho State (8)---It is unclear exactly what is going on at Idaho State. Last week's performance at Brigham Young certainly did not clear anything up either as the game was pretty much over quickly. Maybe they were taking a look at some other players. Hopefully they will be ready this week as they return to conference action with a trip to Montana State. Oh, how Kramer would like to upset the Bobcats, but can it happen?

9. Northern Colorado (9)---So last weekend the Bears fell to Montana State. Expected yes as their losing ways continue. However, what is clear is that the Bears have improved every week and never let the Bobcats get comfortably ahead. Whether they can get a win this week at home against North Dakota remains to be seen but they are becoming a team you do not want to look past.

RECAP: 1, then 2, then 3, then 4-6 pretty much a dead heat, 7 on an island, then 8 with 9 making a run.

[mtgrizzly]

Great post as always JALMOND! I always enjoy reading your analysis. This year the conference championship is going to come down to the Brawl of the Wild on Nov 19 for all the marbles.

[SuperHornet]

This is the best one you've done all year, JALMOND, and that's saying something. Keep up the good work!

[WeberAlum02]

Can't really argue much with your rankings but I would maybe put Portland St ahead of both Sac and Weber.

1 MSU
2 UM
3 EWU
4 PSU
5 WSU
6 Sac
7 NAU
8 ISU
9 UNC

[EWURanger]

Looks good to me. Numbers 1 & 2 are pretty easy to discern, and then 3-6 are just a mess and anyone's guess really.

[SDHornet]

No arguments here. Great work J.