Final Big Sky power rankings
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:10 pm
Well now that the regular season is over and the Big Sky placed three teams in the playoffs, here are the final rankings for the conference, as compiled by me. As usual, all are based on my opinion only. Some surprises, but I think the committee got the right representatives from the conference to move on in the playoffs.
1. Montana State Bobcats---After looking a bit shaky in the beginning, the Bobcats are now pretty strong after beating Montana in Missoula. They enter the playoffs as the #3 seed.
2. Eastern Washington Eagles---Right behind the Bobcats, the Eagles had a struggle against Portland State, but they seem to always struggle there. They come in to the playoffs as the #2 seed.
3. Cal Poly Mustangs---They had the toughest road to go at the end, having to win at Northern Arizona to get in to the playoffs. That should help them on the road in the playoffs.
4. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Once again, a late season swoon destroyed any hopes the Lumberjacks may have had in getting to the playoffs. Last week's home loss to Cal Poly did not help.
5. Sacramento State Hornets---An outside chance of going to the playoffs, the Hornets gave up any chance after losing to UC-Davis. Still overall a good season.
6. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---Their season ended earlier than the others but they got to pile on the Northern Arizona slide. Jeckyl and Hyde season as they showed they could beat anyone and anyone could beat them.
7. Northern Colorado Bears---Given up for dead (as usual), the Bears won their last three conference games to give some hope for next year. Perhaps not the conference doormat anymore.
8. Montana Grizzlies---Hard to imagine the defending conference champions would fall this far even with all the off field problems. No doubt they will bounce back quickly and put all this behind them.
9. North Dakota---After the way the season began, great things were imagined for the Dakotans. With a great season of parity in the conference, it was clear what would happen when they were not prepared (MSU, EWU). The late loss to Northern Colorado sealed their fate.
10. UC-Davis Aggies---Clawing and fighting, the Aggies beat their traditional rival, Sacramento State, not only putting a damper on the Hornets fine season, but sending out their long-time coach a winner in a sometimes trying season.
11. Weber State Wildcats---In the midst of their off season coaching turmoil, the Wildcats did remain competitive, even if it didn't show in the win column. Getting back on track should not be a problem.
12. Portland State Vikings---Their last game of the season, having Eastern Washington on the ropes but could not finish, was a great example of the Vikings season. Many chances for big wins, but in the end, too many miscues.
13. Idaho State Bengals---Running offense bad. Any type of defense bad. Special teams bad. Passing offense impressive but the Bengals were not going to win many game with just the passing offense. Other things needed to come together.
1. Montana State Bobcats---After looking a bit shaky in the beginning, the Bobcats are now pretty strong after beating Montana in Missoula. They enter the playoffs as the #3 seed.
2. Eastern Washington Eagles---Right behind the Bobcats, the Eagles had a struggle against Portland State, but they seem to always struggle there. They come in to the playoffs as the #2 seed.
3. Cal Poly Mustangs---They had the toughest road to go at the end, having to win at Northern Arizona to get in to the playoffs. That should help them on the road in the playoffs.
4. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Once again, a late season swoon destroyed any hopes the Lumberjacks may have had in getting to the playoffs. Last week's home loss to Cal Poly did not help.
5. Sacramento State Hornets---An outside chance of going to the playoffs, the Hornets gave up any chance after losing to UC-Davis. Still overall a good season.
6. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---Their season ended earlier than the others but they got to pile on the Northern Arizona slide. Jeckyl and Hyde season as they showed they could beat anyone and anyone could beat them.
7. Northern Colorado Bears---Given up for dead (as usual), the Bears won their last three conference games to give some hope for next year. Perhaps not the conference doormat anymore.
8. Montana Grizzlies---Hard to imagine the defending conference champions would fall this far even with all the off field problems. No doubt they will bounce back quickly and put all this behind them.
9. North Dakota---After the way the season began, great things were imagined for the Dakotans. With a great season of parity in the conference, it was clear what would happen when they were not prepared (MSU, EWU). The late loss to Northern Colorado sealed their fate.
10. UC-Davis Aggies---Clawing and fighting, the Aggies beat their traditional rival, Sacramento State, not only putting a damper on the Hornets fine season, but sending out their long-time coach a winner in a sometimes trying season.
11. Weber State Wildcats---In the midst of their off season coaching turmoil, the Wildcats did remain competitive, even if it didn't show in the win column. Getting back on track should not be a problem.
12. Portland State Vikings---Their last game of the season, having Eastern Washington on the ropes but could not finish, was a great example of the Vikings season. Many chances for big wins, but in the end, too many miscues.
13. Idaho State Bengals---Running offense bad. Any type of defense bad. Special teams bad. Passing offense impressive but the Bengals were not going to win many game with just the passing offense. Other things needed to come together.
My final regular season ratings: