Big Sky Power Rankings 10-22
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:45 pm
More of an entertaining weekend last week in the Big Sky as Southern Utah's state of Montana hangover was bigger than Eastern Washington's state of Montana hangover and thus gave the last winless conference team, Weber State, their first win of the year. Here are this week's power rankings (last week rank in parenthesis). As usual, all are my opinion only and all are open for discussion. Here they are.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles woke up just in time to close the door last week on Sacramento State. They are finding out that being the top bird in the conference is a tough bill. This week, more birds as they head down to Southern Utah.
2. Montana State (2)---A bye week was a welcome relief for the Bobcats after falling at home to Eastern Washington in that epic struggle. Now is the time to get refocused as they welcome strong North Dakota to their house.
3. Cal Poly (3)---The Mustangs struggled a bit against Portland State at home, but that pounding style paid off in the fourth quarter for their win. Now that they have a great season brewing, they need to prevent a trap game this weekend at Sacramento State.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks gave a glimpse that this year is different than the others as, when the offense is not clicking, the defense will still come up big for the win. Not the shootout some predicted but they did just enough at home against UC-Davis. This weekend is a trip to Northern Colorado.
5. North Dakota (7)---In a game the Dakotans had circled as a pivitual game, they watched Montana come back to take a lead, then snatched control of the game late for the win. Still time for them to make some noise but this weekend finds them at Montana State.
6. Sacramento State (5)---The Hornets gave a strong performance last week at Eastern Washington only to finally give it up at the end. They could also make some noise but time is running out. This weekend, they are at home against Cal Poly.
7. Montana (8)---The Grizzlies showed that they can still make things interesting and that they are still the team everyone wants to beat, but last week at North Dakota, they could not hold the lead late. The Grizzlies are getting desperate for a win, and they have Idaho State coming into town.
8. Weber State (11)---Given how the Wildcats had played for the most part this year, they had been close but could not break through. Then they got a great performance last week at Southern Utah. Now they take the week off to bask in their glory.
9. Southern Utah (6)---What is going on with the Thunderbirds this year? Good performances are then followed with head scratchers as last week's loss at home to previously winless Weber State can attest to. Things don't get any better this weekend as they host Eastern Washington.
10. Portland State (9)---The Vikings followed up their bye week by getting pounded by Cal Poly's offensive attack. They were able to stay with the Mustangs for three quarters, then didn't have the strenght to continue. This weekend they are back on the road at UC-Davis.
11. UC-Davis (10)---Last week marked a return to that great Aggie defense as they did all they could to stay in the game at Northern Arizona. It also marked a return to the offense disappearing. More consistency is needed as Portland State comes calling.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---It was a long time coming but last week the Bears got their first conference win in two years with a strong performance against lowly Idaho State. Hopefully they won't have to wait as long for the next one, but this weekend Northern Arizona arrives.
13. Idaho State (13)---Another game, another loss for the Bengals, this time a lackluster game against basement-mate Northern Colorado. Have they already mailed in the season. Things are not rosy on the horizon either as this week, they fact that mean Montana team.
RECAP: 1-4 still close, 5-6 putting some distance over 7, 8-12 crowded together, and 13 off the pace.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles woke up just in time to close the door last week on Sacramento State. They are finding out that being the top bird in the conference is a tough bill. This week, more birds as they head down to Southern Utah.
2. Montana State (2)---A bye week was a welcome relief for the Bobcats after falling at home to Eastern Washington in that epic struggle. Now is the time to get refocused as they welcome strong North Dakota to their house.
3. Cal Poly (3)---The Mustangs struggled a bit against Portland State at home, but that pounding style paid off in the fourth quarter for their win. Now that they have a great season brewing, they need to prevent a trap game this weekend at Sacramento State.
4. Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks gave a glimpse that this year is different than the others as, when the offense is not clicking, the defense will still come up big for the win. Not the shootout some predicted but they did just enough at home against UC-Davis. This weekend is a trip to Northern Colorado.
5. North Dakota (7)---In a game the Dakotans had circled as a pivitual game, they watched Montana come back to take a lead, then snatched control of the game late for the win. Still time for them to make some noise but this weekend finds them at Montana State.
6. Sacramento State (5)---The Hornets gave a strong performance last week at Eastern Washington only to finally give it up at the end. They could also make some noise but time is running out. This weekend, they are at home against Cal Poly.
7. Montana (8)---The Grizzlies showed that they can still make things interesting and that they are still the team everyone wants to beat, but last week at North Dakota, they could not hold the lead late. The Grizzlies are getting desperate for a win, and they have Idaho State coming into town.
8. Weber State (11)---Given how the Wildcats had played for the most part this year, they had been close but could not break through. Then they got a great performance last week at Southern Utah. Now they take the week off to bask in their glory.
9. Southern Utah (6)---What is going on with the Thunderbirds this year? Good performances are then followed with head scratchers as last week's loss at home to previously winless Weber State can attest to. Things don't get any better this weekend as they host Eastern Washington.
10. Portland State (9)---The Vikings followed up their bye week by getting pounded by Cal Poly's offensive attack. They were able to stay with the Mustangs for three quarters, then didn't have the strenght to continue. This weekend they are back on the road at UC-Davis.
11. UC-Davis (10)---Last week marked a return to that great Aggie defense as they did all they could to stay in the game at Northern Arizona. It also marked a return to the offense disappearing. More consistency is needed as Portland State comes calling.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---It was a long time coming but last week the Bears got their first conference win in two years with a strong performance against lowly Idaho State. Hopefully they won't have to wait as long for the next one, but this weekend Northern Arizona arrives.
13. Idaho State (13)---Another game, another loss for the Bengals, this time a lackluster game against basement-mate Northern Colorado. Have they already mailed in the season. Things are not rosy on the horizon either as this week, they fact that mean Montana team.
RECAP: 1-4 still close, 5-6 putting some distance over 7, 8-12 crowded together, and 13 off the pace.
Keep reaching. 
