Big Sky Power Rankings 10-25
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:28 am
My apologies for not getting this out on Monday...
After the dust cleared in the Big Sky last week, nothing unexpected happened. Yes, there were moments out there adn the conference was on the verge of the "big wreck" that I talked about last week. But in the end, with the big three playing at home, the home teams all emerged with wins and the road teams all came home wondering what happened. The road teams came close, some closer than expected, but what is the saying about close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, and this game is football. Not much change in these power rankings for the week, so here they are. This week (last week). All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion.
1. Montana (1)---The Grizzlies knew that , even though they've had Northern Arizona's number the last few seasons and this game was in their house, the game was not going to be easy. Still, many thought the Grizzly magic in their house would carry them through. They just did not realize that it would take a last second drive for the win. This week, they hit the road again, going down to the bi-annual tilt at Weber State. Last time in Ogden was not too kind for the Grizzlies, will this be any different?
2. Montana State (2)---What has happened with the Bobcats? Just a couple weeks ago, they were clearly the top team in the conference and some Bobcat fans had visions of not only the conference title, but a possible national championship appearance. Then they faced Northern Colorado, a team that seems to always give them fits, and sure enough, the Bobcats had to come back in the fourth quarter to get the win. Are things right in Bozeman? This week, they head to Idaho State in what should be a "feel good" game, but will it be?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---An interesting fact in the games the Eagles have played since Sacramento State joined the Big Sky is that the Eagles have never lost when the game is on the road, but the Hornets have beaten the Eagles in Cheney (twice). It was widely speculated that this game, as it was in Cheney, was going to be close and it did live up to its hype, as the Eagles escaped with the win. Still, the Eagles' tough part of their schedule was early, this is the part that should be easy, yet games against Northern Colorado and Sacramento State have shown the opposite. This week, they hit the road and play at Portland State. Easy? Maybe not.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---Forget the fact that the Jacks had never won at Montana in a long time. They came into the massive stadium and stuck it to Montana for the full game and in the end, came close to getting the win. But still, close in football only means you lost. The Jacks came in hoping for the win and put themselves in a position to win, yet Montana's magic at the end was too much. This week, the Jacks head back home to face the upstart Sacramento State team. This game will not be easy, either.
5. Sacramento State (5)---Granted, the Hornets did not go up and play Eastern Washington with the hopes of having a good showing and heading home. Confidence was brimming as they faced the Eagles and confidence showed for most of the game. This may explain why this game was a difficult loss for the Hornets. This was a game they thought they could get and vault up the standings. This week still gives them a chance to cause chaos in the upper division as they head on the road to Northern Arizona.
6. Weber State (7)---With the big three playing at home up north, it was easy to overlook the Wildcats playing in a driving rainstorm the whole game against Portland State. These two teams played each other in what is beginning to resemble a typical clash between them, exciting and high scoring. The Wildcats thought the game was in the bag as they watched the comedy of the Vikings line up for a 65 yard FG as time ran out, then felt their hearts stop when the kick actually had a chance. Only when the ball fell two yards short could a sense of relief engulf the Wildcats. This week, not much easier but it is still Montana at home. More good crowd experience.
7. Portland State (6)---The Vikings headed down to Weber State last week thinking that they needed to stop with the turnovers to have a chance at winning the game. The Vikings were up by two scores only to see Higgins steal the game away. However, the Vikings did their best at stealing the game back as a 65 yard field goal try on the last play fell just short. Still, what it did was seal the fact that there will not be any chance at the playoffs this year. Still, this was to be a improving year and the Vikings can play spoiler as they welcome Eastern Washington out in Hillsboro.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---No one really gave the Bears a chance on the road against Montana State, even though the games played since the Bears joined the Big Sky have been close and competitive. But there were the Bears with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter. However, Montana State was able close out the deal and send the Bears home with another loss. This week, the Bears venture out of conference to play former DII rival, South Dakota on the road again. Another win would equal their win total from last year.
9. Idaho State (9)---While the lower division teams hit the road and gave the upper teams fits all day, the Bengals were taking the week off. Not as much excitement in that regard at Bengal Nation, and no excitement in having only one win and that was against the NAIA. However, having two weeks to prepare for Montana State and a chance to play them in the dome is always a good thing. Weird things happen in the barn and, after last week, nothing can change that.
Where they are...pretty much the same as last week. UM, MSU and EWU all bunched together, NAU, Sac State and WSU not that far behind, PSU a bit further out, UNC a bit behind PSU and ISU in the last spot.
After the dust cleared in the Big Sky last week, nothing unexpected happened. Yes, there were moments out there adn the conference was on the verge of the "big wreck" that I talked about last week. But in the end, with the big three playing at home, the home teams all emerged with wins and the road teams all came home wondering what happened. The road teams came close, some closer than expected, but what is the saying about close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, and this game is football. Not much change in these power rankings for the week, so here they are. This week (last week). All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion.
1. Montana (1)---The Grizzlies knew that , even though they've had Northern Arizona's number the last few seasons and this game was in their house, the game was not going to be easy. Still, many thought the Grizzly magic in their house would carry them through. They just did not realize that it would take a last second drive for the win. This week, they hit the road again, going down to the bi-annual tilt at Weber State. Last time in Ogden was not too kind for the Grizzlies, will this be any different?
2. Montana State (2)---What has happened with the Bobcats? Just a couple weeks ago, they were clearly the top team in the conference and some Bobcat fans had visions of not only the conference title, but a possible national championship appearance. Then they faced Northern Colorado, a team that seems to always give them fits, and sure enough, the Bobcats had to come back in the fourth quarter to get the win. Are things right in Bozeman? This week, they head to Idaho State in what should be a "feel good" game, but will it be?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---An interesting fact in the games the Eagles have played since Sacramento State joined the Big Sky is that the Eagles have never lost when the game is on the road, but the Hornets have beaten the Eagles in Cheney (twice). It was widely speculated that this game, as it was in Cheney, was going to be close and it did live up to its hype, as the Eagles escaped with the win. Still, the Eagles' tough part of their schedule was early, this is the part that should be easy, yet games against Northern Colorado and Sacramento State have shown the opposite. This week, they hit the road and play at Portland State. Easy? Maybe not.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---Forget the fact that the Jacks had never won at Montana in a long time. They came into the massive stadium and stuck it to Montana for the full game and in the end, came close to getting the win. But still, close in football only means you lost. The Jacks came in hoping for the win and put themselves in a position to win, yet Montana's magic at the end was too much. This week, the Jacks head back home to face the upstart Sacramento State team. This game will not be easy, either.
5. Sacramento State (5)---Granted, the Hornets did not go up and play Eastern Washington with the hopes of having a good showing and heading home. Confidence was brimming as they faced the Eagles and confidence showed for most of the game. This may explain why this game was a difficult loss for the Hornets. This was a game they thought they could get and vault up the standings. This week still gives them a chance to cause chaos in the upper division as they head on the road to Northern Arizona.
6. Weber State (7)---With the big three playing at home up north, it was easy to overlook the Wildcats playing in a driving rainstorm the whole game against Portland State. These two teams played each other in what is beginning to resemble a typical clash between them, exciting and high scoring. The Wildcats thought the game was in the bag as they watched the comedy of the Vikings line up for a 65 yard FG as time ran out, then felt their hearts stop when the kick actually had a chance. Only when the ball fell two yards short could a sense of relief engulf the Wildcats. This week, not much easier but it is still Montana at home. More good crowd experience.
7. Portland State (6)---The Vikings headed down to Weber State last week thinking that they needed to stop with the turnovers to have a chance at winning the game. The Vikings were up by two scores only to see Higgins steal the game away. However, the Vikings did their best at stealing the game back as a 65 yard field goal try on the last play fell just short. Still, what it did was seal the fact that there will not be any chance at the playoffs this year. Still, this was to be a improving year and the Vikings can play spoiler as they welcome Eastern Washington out in Hillsboro.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---No one really gave the Bears a chance on the road against Montana State, even though the games played since the Bears joined the Big Sky have been close and competitive. But there were the Bears with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter. However, Montana State was able close out the deal and send the Bears home with another loss. This week, the Bears venture out of conference to play former DII rival, South Dakota on the road again. Another win would equal their win total from last year.
9. Idaho State (9)---While the lower division teams hit the road and gave the upper teams fits all day, the Bengals were taking the week off. Not as much excitement in that regard at Bengal Nation, and no excitement in having only one win and that was against the NAIA. However, having two weeks to prepare for Montana State and a chance to play them in the dome is always a good thing. Weird things happen in the barn and, after last week, nothing can change that.
Where they are...pretty much the same as last week. UM, MSU and EWU all bunched together, NAU, Sac State and WSU not that far behind, PSU a bit further out, UNC a bit behind PSU and ISU in the last spot.
