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Big changes across the nation on Saturday and the Big Sky was not totally immune to them. Consequently, a lot of movement among the teams and a lot of shuffling around. This may be a sign of things to come as we approach the halfway point to the season. Here are this week's power rankings for the Big Sky conference (last week). All are based on my opinions and, with all the movement, should stimulate great discussion.

1. Eastern Washington (2)---The battle for the top spot last week went to the Eagles, who bettered Montana State on the road. Clearly playing the best football right now, the Eagles need to avoid a letdown as they head home to face a strong Sacramento State team.

2. Montana State (1)---Last week, in the game to decide the top team in the conference at this point in the season, the Bobcat magic could not overcome the fourth quarter deficit this time, falling to Eastern Washington. Now they need to recover quickly and a week off will help.

3. Cal Poly (3)---While the top two teams were battling each other, the Mustangs were putting away Northern Colorado at home. Still lurking in the shadow of those two teams, the Mustangs continue their march, staying at home this week to play Portland State.

4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks also continued their march to the top, and respectability, as they dispatched North Dakota on the road last week. Just right outside being included in the talk of being on top, they play at home this weekend against UC-Davis.

5. Sacramento State (7)---Last week, the Hornets struggled against a pesky Weber State team before finally emerging victorious on their home turf. Still looking good away from home, they get to meet up with Eastern Washington up there this weekend.

6. Southern Utah (8)---Still kind of baffling and rather unsure of how they did it, but the Thunderbirds went into Montana and got the win there last week. Wanting some consistency this weekend, they play their new instate conference rival Weber State.

7. North Dakota (6)---With a good chance to show they belong at the top of the conference, the Dakotans succumbed at home to Northern Arizona last week. Chances are dwindling but this weekend, they get reeling Montana in their dome.

8. Montana (5)---The Grizzlies had a chance to jumpstart their season last week, only to see the door close in a home loss to Southern Utah. Whether they have anything left will show as this weekend they head out to the loud dome at North Dakota.

9. Portland State (10)---The Vikings took the weekend off last week to heal and watch the carnage around the conference. This weekend they go on the road to face their former coach at Cal Poly. A good win is what they need to start the second half on a positive note.

10. UC-Davis (9)---The Aggies had a good defense early on and had no offense. Now what is showing is that the Aggies have a good offense and no defense as they outlasted Idaho State last week. They will need that defense this weekend as they head out to Northern Arizona.

11. Weber State (12)---True that the Wildcats are still searching for their first win of the year, but they looked ready for it last week at Sacramento State. They just could not get on top. This week brings another good chance as they welcome new conference instate school Southern Utah.

12. Northern Colorado (11)---The Bears took one step backwards last week as they couldn't slow down Cal Poly on the road. Still looking for that conference win, they host equally struggling Idaho State. Maybe the best shot they will have at a win.

13. Idaho State (13)---The Bengals showed some heart last week as they went toe to toe with UC-Davis at home last week. Maybe they can keep it going and get a conference win this weekend as they go on the road to reeling Northern Colorado.

RECAP: 1-4 grouped together, 5-8 together but a bit behind the leaders, 9-10 back a bit, 11-13 bringing up the rear.

Well done J. No arguments here.

Sounds about right, though I AM scratching my head at the idea of PSU jumping the Manure Pile on a bye, while UCD won. That point, however, is quite minor compared to the rest of it. I echo SD's thoughts.

SuperHornet wrote:Sounds about right, though I AM scratching my head at the idea of PSU jumping the Manure Pile on a bye, while UCD won. That point, however, is quite minor compared to the rest of it. I echo SD's thoughts.

I was actually anticipating this question. Moving idle Portland State up on a bye week could be seen as a bit of homerism. I still have Davis and PSU pretty equal. I was helped by the fact that both teams played Idaho State in the last two weeks, and while PSU easily beat the Bengals, the Aggies struggled a little bit (not too much, but a bit more than the Vikings). Objectively, I was more impressed with the Vikings win over Idaho State than the Aggies win, but like I said, both are pretty equal right now.