Big Sky Power Rankings 9-9
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:42 pm
I think I'm OK this week as everyone plays on Saturday. Interesting week in the Big Sky. Montana State didn't get the big win at SMU but came pretty close. The big loss may be the Bobcats as well depending on how soon McGhee can come back. Here are this week's power rankings in the Big Sky (last week in parenthesis). As usual, all are my opinion only. Should be some great discussion.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles didn't skip a beat this weekend as they put away DII Western Oregon. No chance for a letdown after their big win at Oregon State the first week. This week, they return to the big boys as they head to Toledo. Can they beat the FBS again?
2. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies had the week off last week, getting healthy for a non-conference tilt against conference foe North Dakota. That seems strange, but the week off after their big win over Appalachian State should prove beneficial.
3. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats led SMU through most of the game before coming out on the losing end right at the end. The big loss happened at the end as well as McGhee was hurt on the last play. A new quarterback will come in as they host DII Colorado Mesa.
4. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds had no letdown after their big win at South Alabama, putting DII Fort Lewis away early. The question surrounding them is whether they are on of the elite in the conference. A tall order this week as they play surprising Pac-12 foe, Washington State.
5. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs came in to Fresno State hoping for a great showing and a possible win. They left with neither, although two late scores made the final look reasonable. This week, they stay with the big boys, moving over to Colorado State. Maybe a bit more manageable.
6. North Dakota (5)--The former Sioux showed some staying power as they tried to come back late against the Missouri Valley power South Dakota State, only to eventually fall at the end. This week, a date with Montana in what is considered a non-conference game.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjacks took last week off after their shutout loss at Arizona. They will kick off conference play this weekend, technically the first conference game of the year, as they head on the road to UC-Davis.
8. Portland State (11)---The Vikings gave the Pac-12's Cal team all they could handle before finally succumbing to the bigger opponent. Their effort in trying to get the conference's second win over the Pac-12 finally faded down the stretch. This week, a chance to return to winning as they host DII's Humboldt State.
9. Northern Colorado (8)---The Bears thought they scheduled easy in this year that they were to make noise in the conference. Then last week, they ran into a buzzsaw in CSU-Pueblo, putting a sizeable dent in their plans. Now they move up to play an improving Wyoming team.
10. Weber State (10)---After looking strong the first week at home against Stephen F Austin, the Wildcats ran into their bigger, stronger brethren from the Pac-12, Utah team, who put the pasting on them. They looked good, for half the first quarter. This week, they play their other big brother, Utah State.
11. Sacramento State (9)---Two games against the big teams, San Jose State and Arizona State, and the Hornet offense still has not scored a point. Where will the offense come from? A boost from the schedule has them playing NAIA's Southern Oregon this week, they should be able to get some points.
12. Idaho State (13)---Better stop and look, the Bengals are 1-0 after beating DII Dixie State in their first game this season. Don't know how long this good fortune will last. It should last a bit longer as they stay down in the lower divisions this week, welcoming DII Western State.
13. UC-Davis (12)---Rebuilding is painful and the Aggies are experiencing it firsthand. Other conference schools are putting up good performances against the FBS division, yet last week, they were shellacked by Nevada. This week, they start the conference slate at home against Northern Arizona.
RECAP: 1-3 pulling away, 4-7 fading a bit, 8-11 a ways behind, 12-13 bringing up the rear.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles didn't skip a beat this weekend as they put away DII Western Oregon. No chance for a letdown after their big win at Oregon State the first week. This week, they return to the big boys as they head to Toledo. Can they beat the FBS again?
2. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies had the week off last week, getting healthy for a non-conference tilt against conference foe North Dakota. That seems strange, but the week off after their big win over Appalachian State should prove beneficial.
3. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats led SMU through most of the game before coming out on the losing end right at the end. The big loss happened at the end as well as McGhee was hurt on the last play. A new quarterback will come in as they host DII Colorado Mesa.
4. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds had no letdown after their big win at South Alabama, putting DII Fort Lewis away early. The question surrounding them is whether they are on of the elite in the conference. A tall order this week as they play surprising Pac-12 foe, Washington State.
5. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs came in to Fresno State hoping for a great showing and a possible win. They left with neither, although two late scores made the final look reasonable. This week, they stay with the big boys, moving over to Colorado State. Maybe a bit more manageable.
6. North Dakota (5)--The former Sioux showed some staying power as they tried to come back late against the Missouri Valley power South Dakota State, only to eventually fall at the end. This week, a date with Montana in what is considered a non-conference game.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjacks took last week off after their shutout loss at Arizona. They will kick off conference play this weekend, technically the first conference game of the year, as they head on the road to UC-Davis.
8. Portland State (11)---The Vikings gave the Pac-12's Cal team all they could handle before finally succumbing to the bigger opponent. Their effort in trying to get the conference's second win over the Pac-12 finally faded down the stretch. This week, a chance to return to winning as they host DII's Humboldt State.
9. Northern Colorado (8)---The Bears thought they scheduled easy in this year that they were to make noise in the conference. Then last week, they ran into a buzzsaw in CSU-Pueblo, putting a sizeable dent in their plans. Now they move up to play an improving Wyoming team.
10. Weber State (10)---After looking strong the first week at home against Stephen F Austin, the Wildcats ran into their bigger, stronger brethren from the Pac-12, Utah team, who put the pasting on them. They looked good, for half the first quarter. This week, they play their other big brother, Utah State.
11. Sacramento State (9)---Two games against the big teams, San Jose State and Arizona State, and the Hornet offense still has not scored a point. Where will the offense come from? A boost from the schedule has them playing NAIA's Southern Oregon this week, they should be able to get some points.
12. Idaho State (13)---Better stop and look, the Bengals are 1-0 after beating DII Dixie State in their first game this season. Don't know how long this good fortune will last. It should last a bit longer as they stay down in the lower divisions this week, welcoming DII Western State.
13. UC-Davis (12)---Rebuilding is painful and the Aggies are experiencing it firsthand. Other conference schools are putting up good performances against the FBS division, yet last week, they were shellacked by Nevada. This week, they start the conference slate at home against Northern Arizona.
RECAP: 1-3 pulling away, 4-7 fading a bit, 8-11 a ways behind, 12-13 bringing up the rear.
