Almost forgot this week's rankings. Big weekend coming up as finally all questions will be answered (we hope). Rivalry weekend is upon us and it gets started on Friday with Eastern Washington and Portland State. Here are this week's power rankings in the conference (last week in parenthesis). As usual, all are my opinion only. This is it.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles made it through their bye week unscathed and get to finish their conference season this weekend on the road in the Dam Cup at Portland State. Probably just a good tuneup before their playoffs begin.
2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats put away a strong test last weekend at home against Idaho State. This weekend, another strong test in their annual Brawl of the Wild on the road at Montana.
3. Idaho State (3)---The Bengals gave Montana State all they could handle on the road and came up short. There is still some hope for the Bengals as they head in to their rivalry game this weekend at home against Weber State.
4. Montana (5)---The Grizzlies were able to put together a good road win last week as they overcame Southern Utah. Now a slight chance for the playoffs await them as they bring the Brawl of the Wild to their home turf against Montana State.
5. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs' strong season took a big hit last weekend as they lost at home to fledgling UC-Davis. Now they have to hope that somehow a strong win this weekend at San Diego will be enough to make the playoffs.
6. Northern Arizona (6)---The Lumberjacks playoff hopes also took a sharp dive downward as they could not get a road win at North Dakota. They return home this weekend, entertaining their rivals Southern Utah.
7. Sacramento State (7)---The Hornets overcame a third quarter deficit at home against Portland State last weekend and got a strong win. Playing for pride and bragging rights, this weekend they head to UC-Davis in the Causeway Classic.
8. Southern Utah (8)---Once again the Thunderbirds were close to ruining a strong competitor's season, falling at home last week to Montana. They get a chance to put the final nail in Northern Arizona's coffin this weekend on the road.
9. Weber State (11)---The Wildcats love this winning thing. Fresh off of their first win of the year, they did it again last weekend at home, turning back Northern Colorado. Now they have the confidence and idea to pull off a major upset, beating Idaho State on the road.
10. North Dakota (12)---Just when the No-Names were being given up for dead, they suddenly were brought back to life with a home win against Northern Arizona. They have chance to end the season on a high note by winning on the road at Northern Colorado.
11. UC-Davis (13)---After the Aggies beat Cal Poly on the road last week, the only thing to wonder was where has that type of effort been all year. Now they have a chance to go out as winners this weekend, bringing the Causeway Classic to their field and playing Sacramento State.
12. Portland State (10)---Again, and again, and again. The Vikings had the lead on Sacramento State entering the fourth quarter only to again lose the game. They don't get a reprieve this weekend as they host the Dam Cup and Eastern Washington.
13. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears could not break through on the road last weekend at Weber State and came back with a loss. They get a chance to go out winners this weekend, with North Dakota coming to town.
RECAP: 1-2 at the top, 3 just behind, 4-5 hanging on, 6 falling, 7-11 a ways behind, 12-13 bringing up the rear.