Big Sky Power Rankings 11-16
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:54 am
As we get closer to putting a wrap on the season (three teams have done so already) things are getting clearer. Montana will be the conference champion regardless of how they finish, but there is still a logjam and much speculation as to if the conference will get any other representation in the playoffs. Here are this week's power rankings for the Big Sky. All are my opinion and all are open for discussion. This week (last week).
1. Montana (1)---Still on top, still rolling. The Grizzlies are gearing down for the playoffs after dismantling Northern Colorado, which clinched the conference title outright. There is still a little unfinished business for the Grizzlies, though, before they can think about the playoffs. This week, they head on down the road to their instate rivals, Montana State, who will be hungry for a chance to knock them off. Are the Grizzlies satisfied, or do they want more?
2. Weber State (2)---The Wildcats kept their feeble playoff hopes alive, dispatching Northern Arizona in the snow and cold last week. The feeling is that the Wildcats need some national help to appease the committee, but first they need another win. The conference slate complete, the Wildcats turn to the Great West's Cal Poly, a team the Wildcats beat in the first round of the playoffs last year. Will the winning ways continue or will the season come to a crashing halt.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---While most conference members were completing the string and then playing out of conference, the Eagles were doing it backwards. Needing to keep winning in order to maintain their playoff chances, the Eagles got a win on the road against Great West member Southern Utah. Now that they are eligible, they are hoping to please the committee enough to get invited. They need one more road win before they can go before the committee, and that is at Northern Arizona. The Jacks' hopes were dashed last week and would love to knock off the Eagles. Will they let it happen?
4. Montana State (5)---Quietly, but surely, the Bobcats have been creeping up in the playoff picture. Sending the conference upstart, Sacramento State, home packing was one thing, but it kept the Bobcats in the playoff picture. This week, a great opportunity to make a major splash for the committee as they host their instate rivals, Montana. Some think a win and they are automatically in, but the committee sometimes does funny things.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---Good things rolling along for the Jacks, and then, just like last year, they hit a bump in the road and could not recover. Last week, their playoff chances were ended at snowy Weber State and a once promising season has now been reduced to a bunch of what ifs. They can still go out on a positive note, and the satisfaction of ruining someone else's season, by beating Eastern Washington this week. Are they still playing or are they done?
6. Sacramento State (6)---A surprising season still going on but last week, the Hornets were knocked off by a charging Montana State squad. Still, that could not put a damper on anything that they have accomplished this year. Now with the conference schedule complete, the Hornets can focus on playing for pride and playing for keeps as they host their inter-conference rival, UC-Davis. To close the year on a win would be good and to get the win over their rival would be a great way to move on.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---Good things happening for the Bears at the end of the year came crashing down last week at Montana. Then again, Montana has crashed the party on many teams and the Bears did give them a tussle for much of the first half. Now, with the season complete, the Bears have a lot to look forward to next year. But, their season is done.
8. Idaho State (9)---Who would have thought the Bengals could have escaped the conference cellar, especially after the way the season began. Yet they clawed their way to a win over Portland State and combined with their performance the week before against Montana, they were able to get out of the basement the last game of the year. Good feelings heading to next year.
9. Portland State (8)---The Vikings did fight hard to avoid being Idaho State's first victim, but in the end they found themselves on the short end. A sad ending to a very disappointing year. Unfortunately, their performance has saddled them with the spot in the basement and with no more games left to play, probably will keep them there.
1. Montana (1)---Still on top, still rolling. The Grizzlies are gearing down for the playoffs after dismantling Northern Colorado, which clinched the conference title outright. There is still a little unfinished business for the Grizzlies, though, before they can think about the playoffs. This week, they head on down the road to their instate rivals, Montana State, who will be hungry for a chance to knock them off. Are the Grizzlies satisfied, or do they want more?
2. Weber State (2)---The Wildcats kept their feeble playoff hopes alive, dispatching Northern Arizona in the snow and cold last week. The feeling is that the Wildcats need some national help to appease the committee, but first they need another win. The conference slate complete, the Wildcats turn to the Great West's Cal Poly, a team the Wildcats beat in the first round of the playoffs last year. Will the winning ways continue or will the season come to a crashing halt.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---While most conference members were completing the string and then playing out of conference, the Eagles were doing it backwards. Needing to keep winning in order to maintain their playoff chances, the Eagles got a win on the road against Great West member Southern Utah. Now that they are eligible, they are hoping to please the committee enough to get invited. They need one more road win before they can go before the committee, and that is at Northern Arizona. The Jacks' hopes were dashed last week and would love to knock off the Eagles. Will they let it happen?
4. Montana State (5)---Quietly, but surely, the Bobcats have been creeping up in the playoff picture. Sending the conference upstart, Sacramento State, home packing was one thing, but it kept the Bobcats in the playoff picture. This week, a great opportunity to make a major splash for the committee as they host their instate rivals, Montana. Some think a win and they are automatically in, but the committee sometimes does funny things.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---Good things rolling along for the Jacks, and then, just like last year, they hit a bump in the road and could not recover. Last week, their playoff chances were ended at snowy Weber State and a once promising season has now been reduced to a bunch of what ifs. They can still go out on a positive note, and the satisfaction of ruining someone else's season, by beating Eastern Washington this week. Are they still playing or are they done?
6. Sacramento State (6)---A surprising season still going on but last week, the Hornets were knocked off by a charging Montana State squad. Still, that could not put a damper on anything that they have accomplished this year. Now with the conference schedule complete, the Hornets can focus on playing for pride and playing for keeps as they host their inter-conference rival, UC-Davis. To close the year on a win would be good and to get the win over their rival would be a great way to move on.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---Good things happening for the Bears at the end of the year came crashing down last week at Montana. Then again, Montana has crashed the party on many teams and the Bears did give them a tussle for much of the first half. Now, with the season complete, the Bears have a lot to look forward to next year. But, their season is done.
8. Idaho State (9)---Who would have thought the Bengals could have escaped the conference cellar, especially after the way the season began. Yet they clawed their way to a win over Portland State and combined with their performance the week before against Montana, they were able to get out of the basement the last game of the year. Good feelings heading to next year.
9. Portland State (8)---The Vikings did fight hard to avoid being Idaho State's first victim, but in the end they found themselves on the short end. A sad ending to a very disappointing year. Unfortunately, their performance has saddled them with the spot in the basement and with no more games left to play, probably will keep them there.