Big Sky Power Rankings 9/13
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:57 pm
A little bit different than Sagarin, but then they are nationally and I'm just a lonely clerical worker (really I am). Anyway, I've got a new number #1, expected in a way as the teams are pretty well bunched up at the beginning of the year so performances go a long way, as not much in the way of past performance. The outcomes were such that all the teams now sit at 1-1, most expected, some surprised. Here are this week's power rankings. As usual all are my opinion only (not influenced by Sagarin or any other national publications) and all are open for discussion. This week (last week).
1. Montana State (2)---Everyone now sits 1-1 in conference, but by all accounts, the Bobcats should be 2-0. They were poised for a big upset in beating a Pac-10 team in Washington State. (The Big Sky has not beaten the Pac-10 since 1996 when Montana won at Oregon State). However, the depth of the Pac-10 showed in the fourth quarter and the Bobcats took it on the chin barely. This week, Ash's former team, Drake, comes calling. Hopefully, the Bobcats have learned something in the years after Chadron State.
2. Montana (1)---Highly unusual that the Grizzlies do not find themselves in the top spot in these rankings. Most found the score of the Cal Poly game rather interesting to say the least, but most thought the Grizzlies would come back. Unfortunately, it did not happen and the Grizzlies lost their first game on the road. This week, a start to the conference season, and they have to go to Eastern Washington, a team primed with confidence now that the Grizzlies have shown they can be beat.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Coming off a good performance against FBS Nevada, the Eagles were primed for their conference opener with Montana. However, they had a game to be played in Seattle against DII Central Washington. With the score a bit perplexing, one has to wonder what happened to this Eagles team, or were they just looking forward to the home opener against the Grizzlies this weekend. Here's hoping it was just the latter.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Jacks took their act down into the desert to play the Pac-10's Arizona State, who snuffed fellow Big Sky team Portland State the week before, and, one could say, they had more success than the Vikings there. However, a loss is still a loss and it was pretty much expected. Questions are getting answered in a positive way and now is a time for assessment as the Jacks head in to a bye week this week before heading down to Idaho State in two weeks.
5. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets may have more questions than when they started the year (if that could be possible) but they did handle the DII Western Oregon squad that came down to Sacramento this past weekend. Unfortunately, the injury bug seems to have hit the Hornets in the same game as various players had numerous aches and pains after. Whomever is left to play remains to be seen as this week they welcome fellow Big Sky member Weber State to their home turf. A good test for where the Hornets will be, as long as the injuries sort themselves out properly.
6. Weber State (5)---This year's Wildcat game with Northern Colorado took 4 overtimes to finally decide the winner. Luckily, the Wildcats came out on top over a very game Northern Colorado team. These two seem to enjoy playing close games and this one was no exception. Things are getting answered and more will be answered this weekend as they head over to play Sacramento State. They snuffed out the Bears, can they do the same to a game Hornet team.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---Four overtimes is what it took at Weber State, but the Bears still found themselves on the short end. These two seem to relish in playing close games and this was as close as it could get. Unfortunately for the Bears, it ended up a loss. This week, a chance to get a start on the year as they welcome Idaho State to the cozy confines in Greeley. This can still be a great year, but it has to start here.
8. Portland State (9)---After their performance at Arizona State, not many gave the Vikings a chance at UC-Davis, a place where the Aggies lost only once all year last year. But the Vikings got an early jump in the game and afterward, were able to match UC-Davis point for point for the win. Obviously the Vikings showed they can be competitive against the FCS, however this week, they make a return trip to the Pac-10 as they play at Oregon. Could possibly get ugly.
9. Idaho State (8)---After winning their first game of the year, the Bengals headed down the road to face the FBS Utah State with ambitions of continuing their winning ways. However, they were soundly brought back to earth as Utah State controlled them from start to finish. Still, good things are happening this year and they possibly could have a great year. This week, they head out to Northern Colorado, hoping to resurrect their good winning ways in the conference matchup.
Where they are as of now...MSU at the top with UM close behind, EWU a bit further back, NAU, Sac State, WSU and UNC all pretty much bunched together, PSU and ISU close behind.
1. Montana State (2)---Everyone now sits 1-1 in conference, but by all accounts, the Bobcats should be 2-0. They were poised for a big upset in beating a Pac-10 team in Washington State. (The Big Sky has not beaten the Pac-10 since 1996 when Montana won at Oregon State). However, the depth of the Pac-10 showed in the fourth quarter and the Bobcats took it on the chin barely. This week, Ash's former team, Drake, comes calling. Hopefully, the Bobcats have learned something in the years after Chadron State.
2. Montana (1)---Highly unusual that the Grizzlies do not find themselves in the top spot in these rankings. Most found the score of the Cal Poly game rather interesting to say the least, but most thought the Grizzlies would come back. Unfortunately, it did not happen and the Grizzlies lost their first game on the road. This week, a start to the conference season, and they have to go to Eastern Washington, a team primed with confidence now that the Grizzlies have shown they can be beat.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Coming off a good performance against FBS Nevada, the Eagles were primed for their conference opener with Montana. However, they had a game to be played in Seattle against DII Central Washington. With the score a bit perplexing, one has to wonder what happened to this Eagles team, or were they just looking forward to the home opener against the Grizzlies this weekend. Here's hoping it was just the latter.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Jacks took their act down into the desert to play the Pac-10's Arizona State, who snuffed fellow Big Sky team Portland State the week before, and, one could say, they had more success than the Vikings there. However, a loss is still a loss and it was pretty much expected. Questions are getting answered in a positive way and now is a time for assessment as the Jacks head in to a bye week this week before heading down to Idaho State in two weeks.
5. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets may have more questions than when they started the year (if that could be possible) but they did handle the DII Western Oregon squad that came down to Sacramento this past weekend. Unfortunately, the injury bug seems to have hit the Hornets in the same game as various players had numerous aches and pains after. Whomever is left to play remains to be seen as this week they welcome fellow Big Sky member Weber State to their home turf. A good test for where the Hornets will be, as long as the injuries sort themselves out properly.
6. Weber State (5)---This year's Wildcat game with Northern Colorado took 4 overtimes to finally decide the winner. Luckily, the Wildcats came out on top over a very game Northern Colorado team. These two seem to enjoy playing close games and this one was no exception. Things are getting answered and more will be answered this weekend as they head over to play Sacramento State. They snuffed out the Bears, can they do the same to a game Hornet team.
7. Northern Colorado (7)---Four overtimes is what it took at Weber State, but the Bears still found themselves on the short end. These two seem to relish in playing close games and this was as close as it could get. Unfortunately for the Bears, it ended up a loss. This week, a chance to get a start on the year as they welcome Idaho State to the cozy confines in Greeley. This can still be a great year, but it has to start here.
8. Portland State (9)---After their performance at Arizona State, not many gave the Vikings a chance at UC-Davis, a place where the Aggies lost only once all year last year. But the Vikings got an early jump in the game and afterward, were able to match UC-Davis point for point for the win. Obviously the Vikings showed they can be competitive against the FCS, however this week, they make a return trip to the Pac-10 as they play at Oregon. Could possibly get ugly.
9. Idaho State (8)---After winning their first game of the year, the Bengals headed down the road to face the FBS Utah State with ambitions of continuing their winning ways. However, they were soundly brought back to earth as Utah State controlled them from start to finish. Still, good things are happening this year and they possibly could have a great year. This week, they head out to Northern Colorado, hoping to resurrect their good winning ways in the conference matchup.
Where they are as of now...MSU at the top with UM close behind, EWU a bit further back, NAU, Sac State, WSU and UNC all pretty much bunched together, PSU and ISU close behind.
