Big Sky Power Rankings 11-1

[JALMOND]

Finally after a couple weeks where the top 3 teams in the Big Sky Conference were toying with lesser opponents, there was a team that played like they wanted to win the championship, a team that still was not sure, and a team that laid an egg. Also, sadly, we saw the possible beginning of the usual NAU slide at the end of the year. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Here are this week's power rankings in the Big Sky. All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion. Quite a bit of movement so this should be interesting.

1. Eastern Washington (3)---Within the course of the last few weeks of waiting for one of the so-called big three in the conference to play like they actually want the title, the Eagles went down the road to Portland State and finally played like champions in all aspects of the game. One of the best performances by one team within the conference all year, the Eagles were dominate throughout. Now they have a bye week to enjoy the idea of beating Idaho State and gain at least a share of the title. They deserve it.

2. Montana State (2)---Just like the previous week, the Bobcats played a lesser opponent, in this case Idaho State, and let them hang around. In this case, they needed overtime to put away the Bengals in a game that really should not have been close, even on the road. Once what was arguably considered the most dominate team in the conference, the Bobcats seem to be content to try to slide into the playoffs. They better wake up and soon. This week, they welcome Weber State to Bozeman. They better not think they can sleepwalk through that game.

3. Montana (1)---With what was going on with the top three teams, it was pretty much a given that someone was going to finally mess up. The Grizzlies came into Weber State, a place that was not too friendly for them in 2008 and just like then, this year was not friendly at all for the Grizzlies as they left on the losing end. This loss hurts and now the Grizzlies need help just to get a share of the title. They have two weeks to think about it as they also have a bye this week. Maybe a good time to regroup.

4. Sacramento State (5)---The Hornets season can be described as coming up just short. Then they headed down to the high flying Northern Arizona team, thinking that they would be "just close". However, in a good way, this idea was put to rest in a hurry as the Hornets totally dismantled the Jacks and headed home with an impressive road victory. A good chance to close the year on an impressive run. This week, they stay at home and face a fading Portland State team. Will they use this win as a springboard, or will they revert back to "just close".

5. Weber State (6)---The Wildcats knew it. They would tell anyone who would listen. They knew what had happened to Montana the last time they came into their house. The only problem was that no one really listened, so they went out and proved it. The Wildcats can still be a player in deciding who wins the conference title and, if they play like they did against Montana, they could have a decent shot. This weekend they head up to Montana State. Another chance for them to be world beaters.

6. Northern Arizona (4)---There were the Jacks, flying high, thinking the toughest part of the season was past and smooth sailing from here on out. No chance for a swoon like the last couple years. But then, if one wants to say the word "curse", so be it. Four games left and that is when the Jacks start losing. This time, it starts with a lopsided loss at home to Sacramento State where the Jacks were totally outplayed. Will it end before the season ends? They get a shot at it this weekend, but they have to go on the road to Northern Colorado to do it.

7. Idaho State (9)---The Bengals were there, on the verge of pulling another big upset at home, just like last year. This time they had Montana State on the ropes and, after the Bobcats missed a last second field goal and the game entered overtime, the Bengals felt that they could do it. Then the Bobcats ended up pulling out the win. What do the Bengals get for this strong effort? While the Bobcats celebrated, the Bengals get to go to SEC land and play Georgia. How's that for a consolation prize?

8. Portland State (7)---Up until this weekend, the Vikings were playing competitive, showing improvement in the new offense every week and gaining admirers. Then they welcomed Eastern Washington to the cozy confines of Hillsboro Stadium and proceeded to lay down for the Eagles. The Eagles seemed one step ahead of the Vikings all night, showing the big difference between a strong program and a program that is behind. Have the Vikings mailed in the season? They need to wake up as they head down the road to face a Sacramento State team that has new life now. The Vikings good season going down the tubes?

9. Northern Colorado (8)---With all the excitement in the conference, it was easy to overlook the Bears and their tussle with former DII rival South Dakota. That was probably fortunate for them as no one paid attention to the beating they took. The Bears had high hopes for this season, but do not have much to show for it at this moment. They do welcome reeling Northern Arizona this weekend. Is this a good time for the Bears to get a win?

As of now...EWU out front, MSU close behind, UM, Sac State, and WSU bunched together, NAU on an island, ISU, PSU and UNC bunched at the rear.

[cats2506]

excellent read as always Jalmond, gonna be interesting seeing you do this for a 14 team league

[JALMOND]

excellent read as always Jalmond, gonna be interesting seeing you do this for a 14 team league

The wife might divorce me. She's already getting pretty cranky.

[SuperHornet]

Initially, Cal Poly will be the best of the newbies. I foresee SUU and the UXDs as bunched together to start. UCD is Tail-End Charlie among the newbies, as I see it.

As to how they filter in with the rest of us, well, given JALMOND's current power rankings, I'm thinking something like CP between Montana and Sac, SUU between Sac and Weber, UND between Weber and NAU, USD between NAU and ISU, and UCD between PSU and UNC.

[frinq]

Hey, Jalmond, you might have mentioned that PSU played that whole game with its 2nd string QB, a man who can throw and that's all. A useless runner. And that's with a Pistol offense! A commentator who talks about the game without mentioning that has got to be...well, let's say a little vapid.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Great job, Jalmond. I thought you might put MSU at 1 and EWU at 2... glad you see it like I do. Only difference I have would be Montana at 5, with Sac at 3 and Weber at 4. I think the latter two are playing much better football right now, despite their conference standings. The rest is pretty spot on, IMO.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

excellent read as always Jalmond, gonna be interesting seeing you do this for a 14 team league

The wife might divorce me. She's already getting pretty cranky.

Ya, that happens, seems to be kind of cyclical

Nice run down as always Jalmond.

[SDHornet]

Solid work J. No complaints here.

[JALMOND]

Hey, Jalmond, you might have mentioned that PSU played that whole game with its 2nd string QB, a man who can throw and that's all. A useless runner. And that's with a Pistol offense! A commentator who talks about the game without mentioning that has got to be...well, let's say a little vapid.

Howland is a much better runner than even a healthy Hubel (a.k.a. Big Bird). As I've said before, I would have liked to see what Howland could do in the pistol as he's been the backup all year. Actually, I am still trying to figure out the pistol offense, but I don't think you're supposed to throw the ball 55 times. We didn't do that against Arizona State and we got beat almost as bad.

If we are going back to the run and shoot, we might as well throw in the towel on the season.

[JALMOND]

Hey, Jalmond, you might have mentioned that PSU played that whole game with its 2nd string QB, a man who can throw and that's all. A useless runner. And that's with a Pistol offense! A commentator who talks about the game without mentioning that has got to be...well, let's say a little vapid.

Besides, that is not how we lost. We could have had that Kapernik kid from Nevada running the show and we still would not have been able to top the 50 that our defense gave up. Right now our version of the pistol is not designed to score that many points. We need help from the defense to hold teams to a respectable amount.

[weberwildcat]

5. Weber State (6)---The Wildcats knew it. They would tell anyone who would listen. They knew what had happened to Montana the last time they came into their house. The only problem was that no one really listened, so they went out and proved it. The Wildcats can still be a player in deciding who wins the conference title and, if they play like they did against Montana, they could have a decent shot. This weekend they head up to Montana State. Another chance for them to be world beaters.

[BigSkyFootball]

Montana without Andrew Selle and NAU without Michael Herrick for two games is the reason for the demise of these programs. Both were Walter Payton Award Watch List nominees. Herrick has returned, but still injured, and Selle is out for the season

[Screamin_Eagle174]

This should get interesting. How long until Alpha shows up?

[Grizalltheway]

Montana without Andrew Selle and NAU without Michael Herrick for two games is the reason for the demise of these programs. Both were Walter Payton Award Watch List nominees. Herrick has returned, but still injured, and Selle is out for the season

Yeah,um, Selle didn't exactly play like a Payton candidate before he went down.

[weberwildcat]

Montana without Andrew Selle and NAU without Michael Herrick for two games is the reason for the demise of these programs. Both were Walter Payton Award Watch List nominees. Herrick has returned, but still injured, and Selle is out for the season

UM was the only game this year herrick didn't play in, no?

[kalm]

Montana without Andrew Selle and NAU without Michael Herrick for two games is the reason for the demise of these programs. Both were Walter Payton Award Watch List nominees. Herrick has returned, but still injured, and Selle is out for the season

True, but then again EWU's Payton candidate has missed 2 1/2 games.

[SACCAT]

Montana without Andrew Selle and NAU without Michael Herrick for two games is the reason for the demise of these programs. Both were Walter Payton Award Watch List nominees. Herrick has returned, but still injured, and Selle is out for the season

Yeah,um, Selle didn't exactly play like a Payton candidate before he went down.

I thought they were going to bench Selle before the injury. I could be wrong.

[weberwildcat]

Montana without Andrew Selle and NAU without Michael Herrick for two games is the reason for the demise of these programs. Both were Walter Payton Award Watch List nominees. Herrick has returned, but still injured, and Selle is out for the season

True, but then again EWU's Payton candidate has missed 2 1/2 games.

I believe he only didn't play against Weber, no?

[native]

Weber is #2 in the BSC power rankings and will prove it in Bozeman this weekend!

[Grizalltheway]

Weber is #2 in the BSC power rankings and will prove it in Bozeman this weekend!

I certainly hope so.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

True, but then again EWU's Payton candidate has missed 2 1/2 games.

I believe he only didn't play against Weber, no?

It's actually only the equivalent of two games. He missed all of the Weber game, didn't play for almost all of the second half of the MSU and NAU games because of injury. I guess if you count him only playing one snap in the second half of the PSU game it's two and a half, but that wasn't because of injury.

[big_meowski]

great write up, and pretty spot on. it does appear that EWU is starting to seperate themselves at the moment. the game in bozeman this weekend is HUGE; basically a playoff game for the cats, who seem to be playing at the level of their opponents lately(makes me feel better that WSU is not pathetic).

as i look ahead to next year, this conferece has some scary teams. with the exception of maybe 2 teams, every team has some exceptional talent capable of making waves in BSC play. this was not so 3-4 years ago. sac st and PSU are definitely headed in the right direction.