Big Sky Power Rankings 10-21
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:26 pm
The days are getting colder, the leaves are turning colors and the conference is getting closer to the playoffs (well for some anyway). The games start to mean something more as the end of the season comes into view. Here are this week's power rankings (last week's in parenthesis). Not much movement as compared to last week. Still some great games coming.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---As expected, the Eagles had little trouble last week putting away Southern Utah at home. Staying on top has been relatively easy for the Eagles, but that is about to change as this weekend they head out on the road to play Montana. A great game as usual is expected.
2. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats are truly a different team now that their star quarterback is back under center. Without McGhee, they struggle against anyone, and with him, they can beat anyone. Last week it was on the road at Weber State. This week, they return home to face UC-Davis.
3. Montana (2)---Truly a magical season is in the works for the Grizzlies as they were able to pull a victory from defeat last weekend at home against Cal Poly. Good teams will find a way to win when they are not playing well and the Grizzlies were able to get the win. This week a bit tougher as they welcome Eastern Washington to their home.
4. Cal Poly (5)---The Mustangs gave Montana all they could handle and almost got a well-deserved road win. But to win there, they needed to play a complete game, not take the final seconds off. They need to shake it off as they have a equally strong Northern Arizona team coming to their home.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks put Idaho State away last week at home, needing an exceptional third quarter to get the win. Like their opponent this weekend, Cal Poly, they will need to play a complete game in order to get the win, especially heading on the road.
6. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets had the opportunity to pile it on North Dakota last weekend, like almost everyone else. They still can make a good season if they continue to play like that. Perhaps they are reaching their stride. This weekend however, they rest.
7. Southern Utah (7)---Last weekend, the Thunderbirds ran into a buzzsaw at Eastern Washington, but everyone has succumbed to Eastern Washington in the conference so far. The Thunderbirds defense is what is keeping them in games. They will need some offense. This week they entertain Idaho State.
8. Portland State (8)---The Vikings have had a penchant for killing themselves with mistakes at the most inopportune times. They took last week off to try to figure out how to stop those mistakes. Whether it worked or not remains to be seen as this weekend they get North Dakota at their house.
9. UC-Davis (10)---The Aggies continued their surprising season by getting by Northern Colorado last weekend. They are winning their games that they expect to win but are experiencing some difficulties with those teams that are clearly above them. This weekend they hit the road to play one of those superior teams in Montana State.
10. North Dakota (9)---This year was supposed to be a better year for the former Sioux than this. This past weekend they struggled against Sacramento State. They need a spark somewhere. Maybe this weekend as they head out to Portland State. Then again, maybe not.
11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals threw a scare into Northern Arizona before stumbling in the second half. Still, they have to feel pretty good about the season so far. They will need a good showing this weekend as they head out on the road again, playing offensively-challenged Southern Utah.
12. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats put up a good fight against Montana State at home, only to come out on the losing end once again. They got their only win early on and have not been able to get over the hump since then. They get a chance to figure out the rest of the season this week by taking the week off.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---The Bears promising season is officially down the tubes now, after losing at home to UC-Davis. Now they need to recover and get ready for the rest of the season, whatever that may bring. the get the weekend off to think about it.
RECAP: 1-3 out front, 4-5 close behind, 6 on an island, 7-10 running behind and 11-13 in the rear.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---As expected, the Eagles had little trouble last week putting away Southern Utah at home. Staying on top has been relatively easy for the Eagles, but that is about to change as this weekend they head out on the road to play Montana. A great game as usual is expected.
2. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats are truly a different team now that their star quarterback is back under center. Without McGhee, they struggle against anyone, and with him, they can beat anyone. Last week it was on the road at Weber State. This week, they return home to face UC-Davis.
3. Montana (2)---Truly a magical season is in the works for the Grizzlies as they were able to pull a victory from defeat last weekend at home against Cal Poly. Good teams will find a way to win when they are not playing well and the Grizzlies were able to get the win. This week a bit tougher as they welcome Eastern Washington to their home.
4. Cal Poly (5)---The Mustangs gave Montana all they could handle and almost got a well-deserved road win. But to win there, they needed to play a complete game, not take the final seconds off. They need to shake it off as they have a equally strong Northern Arizona team coming to their home.
5. Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks put Idaho State away last week at home, needing an exceptional third quarter to get the win. Like their opponent this weekend, Cal Poly, they will need to play a complete game in order to get the win, especially heading on the road.
6. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets had the opportunity to pile it on North Dakota last weekend, like almost everyone else. They still can make a good season if they continue to play like that. Perhaps they are reaching their stride. This weekend however, they rest.
7. Southern Utah (7)---Last weekend, the Thunderbirds ran into a buzzsaw at Eastern Washington, but everyone has succumbed to Eastern Washington in the conference so far. The Thunderbirds defense is what is keeping them in games. They will need some offense. This week they entertain Idaho State.
8. Portland State (8)---The Vikings have had a penchant for killing themselves with mistakes at the most inopportune times. They took last week off to try to figure out how to stop those mistakes. Whether it worked or not remains to be seen as this weekend they get North Dakota at their house.
9. UC-Davis (10)---The Aggies continued their surprising season by getting by Northern Colorado last weekend. They are winning their games that they expect to win but are experiencing some difficulties with those teams that are clearly above them. This weekend they hit the road to play one of those superior teams in Montana State.
10. North Dakota (9)---This year was supposed to be a better year for the former Sioux than this. This past weekend they struggled against Sacramento State. They need a spark somewhere. Maybe this weekend as they head out to Portland State. Then again, maybe not.
11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals threw a scare into Northern Arizona before stumbling in the second half. Still, they have to feel pretty good about the season so far. They will need a good showing this weekend as they head out on the road again, playing offensively-challenged Southern Utah.
12. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats put up a good fight against Montana State at home, only to come out on the losing end once again. They got their only win early on and have not been able to get over the hump since then. They get a chance to figure out the rest of the season this week by taking the week off.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---The Bears promising season is officially down the tubes now, after losing at home to UC-Davis. Now they need to recover and get ready for the rest of the season, whatever that may bring. the get the weekend off to think about it.
RECAP: 1-3 out front, 4-5 close behind, 6 on an island, 7-10 running behind and 11-13 in the rear.
