Big Sky Power Rankings 9-16
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:18 pm
I had some problems getting this in last night but it seems to be working now. It is rather surprising to see the two remaining undefeated teams left in the conference. Not too surprising, I guess, that one is Montana who has shown that they are eager to put last season behind them. But also at the top and currently undefeated, although probably not for long is (you'll never guess it) Idaho State, who is a perfect 2-0 against DII opponents. The rest make up the meat of the conference with good wins and strong losses, for the most part. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only and all up for discussion.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---For awhile it looked like lightning may strike twice for the Eagles in their quest for another win over the FBS until Toledo woke up and put the game away late. Still a strong showing in their difficult schedule. This week, a much welcomed break before getting back to the slate.
2. Montana (2)---In what was a statement game for the rest of the conference, the Grizzlies went in to North Dakota and got the jump on the former Sioux right from the start. Clearly, they are anxious to move past last year's debacle. This weekend, they welcome DII's Panhandle State to Wash-Griz stadium.
3. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats hoped that, even with their star quarterback on the shelf for a bit, they could still hold their own against DII Colorado Mesa. They did get the win, although it was more the defense that rose to the occasion. They will need more play from their quarterback this weekend as they head down to the Southland and play Stephen F Austin.
4. Cal Poly (5)---After playing a tough FBS team in Fresno State, the Mustangs thought they were getting a break this past weekend, playing at Colorado State. They did play the Rams tough, hanging around for the better part of three quarters, but still came out on the short end of the stick. This weekend they have off.
5. Southern Utah (4)---The Thunderbirds had the misfortune of catching the Pac-12's Washington State after a big Cougar win over Southern Cal. They still were able to stay close through much of the game. This weekend, they go on the road to face reeling Sacramento State.
6. North Dakota (6)---The former Sioux were eager to show the conference that they were ready to make some noise this year as they got ready to play Montana at their own house. Maybe they were a little too eager as they were shut down completely by the Grizzlies. At least they get this weekend to get over it.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjack offense has scored 7 points so far this season and literally needed their defense to secure a win over UC-Davis last week, getting two interceptions late in the game. A game this weekend against South Dakota should be easy pickings, but it will be far from that if the Lumberjacks can't find their offense.
8. Portland State (8)---After a fairly good showing against California, the Vikings continued their good fortune feasting on DII, this time Humboldt State. The offense seems to really be clicking while the defense is holding its own. They will need it this weekend as they head down to UC-Davis.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears tried to fit a schedule to make some noise this season. Schedule two patsies and then FBS weakling Wyoming and head into the FBS undefeated. However, they slipped against CSU-Pueblo and Wyoming is not the weak link this season. They will try to get back to winning this weekend as they entertain Missouri Valley's powerhouse Northern Iowa.
10. Weber State (10)---After getting an impressive win against Stephen F Austin, the Wildcats stumbled big time against both Utah and Utah State. Even with the big losses, they can still dwell on their win over their FCS opponent. This weekend they return to the Southland, heading on down the road to McNeese State.
11. Idaho State (12)---Currently the Bengals sit at 2-0 which is pretty remarkable until one sees that they got those two wins over DII competition. The Bengals have shown they can beat the lower division, this weekend they head up to the Pac-12 and play at Washington. Welcome to the big time.
12. UC-Davis (13)---The Aggies had their game last week against Northern Arizona pretty much won. Their defense played a great game and the win was right there. Then their offense let it slip away with two interceptions late in the game. They will definitely need their offense to show up this weekend as they face that powerful offense from Portland State.
13. Sacramento State (11)---The good news was that the Hornets found their offense last week against the NAIA's Southern Oregon. The bad news was that their defense never showed up which created an awesome shootout in a game that was not even supposed to be close. They will need to get their act together on both sides of the ball as they welcome Southern Utah to their home.
RECAP: 1-2 pulling away, 3-5 behind, 6-8 on their heels, and 9-13 bringing up the rear.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---For awhile it looked like lightning may strike twice for the Eagles in their quest for another win over the FBS until Toledo woke up and put the game away late. Still a strong showing in their difficult schedule. This week, a much welcomed break before getting back to the slate.
2. Montana (2)---In what was a statement game for the rest of the conference, the Grizzlies went in to North Dakota and got the jump on the former Sioux right from the start. Clearly, they are anxious to move past last year's debacle. This weekend, they welcome DII's Panhandle State to Wash-Griz stadium.
3. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats hoped that, even with their star quarterback on the shelf for a bit, they could still hold their own against DII Colorado Mesa. They did get the win, although it was more the defense that rose to the occasion. They will need more play from their quarterback this weekend as they head down to the Southland and play Stephen F Austin.
4. Cal Poly (5)---After playing a tough FBS team in Fresno State, the Mustangs thought they were getting a break this past weekend, playing at Colorado State. They did play the Rams tough, hanging around for the better part of three quarters, but still came out on the short end of the stick. This weekend they have off.
5. Southern Utah (4)---The Thunderbirds had the misfortune of catching the Pac-12's Washington State after a big Cougar win over Southern Cal. They still were able to stay close through much of the game. This weekend, they go on the road to face reeling Sacramento State.
6. North Dakota (6)---The former Sioux were eager to show the conference that they were ready to make some noise this year as they got ready to play Montana at their own house. Maybe they were a little too eager as they were shut down completely by the Grizzlies. At least they get this weekend to get over it.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjack offense has scored 7 points so far this season and literally needed their defense to secure a win over UC-Davis last week, getting two interceptions late in the game. A game this weekend against South Dakota should be easy pickings, but it will be far from that if the Lumberjacks can't find their offense.
8. Portland State (8)---After a fairly good showing against California, the Vikings continued their good fortune feasting on DII, this time Humboldt State. The offense seems to really be clicking while the defense is holding its own. They will need it this weekend as they head down to UC-Davis.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears tried to fit a schedule to make some noise this season. Schedule two patsies and then FBS weakling Wyoming and head into the FBS undefeated. However, they slipped against CSU-Pueblo and Wyoming is not the weak link this season. They will try to get back to winning this weekend as they entertain Missouri Valley's powerhouse Northern Iowa.
10. Weber State (10)---After getting an impressive win against Stephen F Austin, the Wildcats stumbled big time against both Utah and Utah State. Even with the big losses, they can still dwell on their win over their FCS opponent. This weekend they return to the Southland, heading on down the road to McNeese State.
11. Idaho State (12)---Currently the Bengals sit at 2-0 which is pretty remarkable until one sees that they got those two wins over DII competition. The Bengals have shown they can beat the lower division, this weekend they head up to the Pac-12 and play at Washington. Welcome to the big time.
12. UC-Davis (13)---The Aggies had their game last week against Northern Arizona pretty much won. Their defense played a great game and the win was right there. Then their offense let it slip away with two interceptions late in the game. They will definitely need their offense to show up this weekend as they face that powerful offense from Portland State.
13. Sacramento State (11)---The good news was that the Hornets found their offense last week against the NAIA's Southern Oregon. The bad news was that their defense never showed up which created an awesome shootout in a game that was not even supposed to be close. They will need to get their act together on both sides of the ball as they welcome Southern Utah to their home.
RECAP: 1-2 pulling away, 3-5 behind, 6-8 on their heels, and 9-13 bringing up the rear.
