Big Sky Power Rankings 10-27
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:35 pm
Now it is the end of October and the jostling has begun. Teams are gearing up for the playoffs and those in the Big Sky are no different from others across the country. Both Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona got impressive conference road wins that showed they are ready for a push. How about the rest. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion as usual.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles had perhaps their biggest game since their opening day win at Oregon State, downing the fierce Montana team. They may be looking ahead at another big game against Montana State coming up, but first they hit the road and play an eager Idaho State team. Should be easy, but will it?
2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats took care of feisty UC-Davis at home to keep tabs on the runner up position. They, too, are looking forward to that matchup soon at Eastern Washington, but first they have to make the trip to Northern Colorado. Like the Eagles, it should be easy, but will it?
3. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies started to play last week against Eastern Washington a bit too late, trying to dig out of a pretty big hole. They did make things interesting, but in the end, the deficit proved too big. This week, they head out to upstart Sacramento State.
4. Northern Arizona (5)---The Lumberjacks showed that they can get a big road win, edging out Cal Poly on the road last week. Their schedule should start to get a bit easier starting this weekend at home against struggling North Dakota. They've had a penchant for fading down the stretch, but with the remaining schedule, this may not be the old Lumberjacks.
5. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs hope for the playoffs took a serious hit at home last week in a close loss to Northern Arizona. They will need to start winning and get some help. It starts this weekend out on the road at the eager UC-Davis team. Do they still have something left?
6. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets took a much deserved week off last week to gear up for the stretch run and a chance to continue this good season so far. They need to come out this week and make a statement so the rest of the conference takes notice. They have the opponent coming into town in the mighty Montana squad.
7. Southern Utah (7)---The Thunderbirds once again relied on their defense to hold Idaho State down so their offense can score just enough for the win. Sooner or later they are going to have to find where their offense went. They have this week off to find it.
8. Portland State (8)---Similar to Southern Utah, the Vikings offense seems to have gone away. The difference is that their offense was pretty potent early in the season. They needed two short fields to just nip North Dakota at the end. They will need some form of offense this week when Weber State comes to town.
9. UC-Davis (9)---The Aggies put up a gallant effort last week at Montana State before finally coming up short in the end. This season has been not one of rebuilding, but of gaining confidence for next year. This week, they have the opportunity to put the final nail in Cal Poly's season, entertaining them at home.
10. North Dakota (10)---The former Sioux had the game in hand last week at Portland State, but could not close it out. With the season pretty much done now, they can still spoil it for quite a few teams. This week they head out to Northern Arizona, who has history of fading against weaker teams. Could it happen here?
11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals kept things close last week but could not crack through the Southern Utah defense. This week they get their shot at Eastern Washington at home. Certainly they would like to show the Eagles just who's boss in Pocatello.
12. Weber State (12)---Last week the Wildcats rested and refocused themselves on winning the close games and not keep coming up short. This weekend they try this new philosophy on the road at Portland State. Possibly a Damian Lillard sighting happening?
13. Northern Colorado (13)---This was to be a breakthrough season for the Bears, now it is a season to forget. They took last week to regroup and finish positively. This weekend they stay home and play the mighty Montana State team. Do they have enough for an upset, or will they settle for close.
RECAP: 1-2 edging out front, 3-4 just behind, 5-6 fading a bit, 7-10 falling, 11-13 out.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles had perhaps their biggest game since their opening day win at Oregon State, downing the fierce Montana team. They may be looking ahead at another big game against Montana State coming up, but first they hit the road and play an eager Idaho State team. Should be easy, but will it?
2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats took care of feisty UC-Davis at home to keep tabs on the runner up position. They, too, are looking forward to that matchup soon at Eastern Washington, but first they have to make the trip to Northern Colorado. Like the Eagles, it should be easy, but will it?
3. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies started to play last week against Eastern Washington a bit too late, trying to dig out of a pretty big hole. They did make things interesting, but in the end, the deficit proved too big. This week, they head out to upstart Sacramento State.
4. Northern Arizona (5)---The Lumberjacks showed that they can get a big road win, edging out Cal Poly on the road last week. Their schedule should start to get a bit easier starting this weekend at home against struggling North Dakota. They've had a penchant for fading down the stretch, but with the remaining schedule, this may not be the old Lumberjacks.
5. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs hope for the playoffs took a serious hit at home last week in a close loss to Northern Arizona. They will need to start winning and get some help. It starts this weekend out on the road at the eager UC-Davis team. Do they still have something left?
6. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets took a much deserved week off last week to gear up for the stretch run and a chance to continue this good season so far. They need to come out this week and make a statement so the rest of the conference takes notice. They have the opponent coming into town in the mighty Montana squad.
7. Southern Utah (7)---The Thunderbirds once again relied on their defense to hold Idaho State down so their offense can score just enough for the win. Sooner or later they are going to have to find where their offense went. They have this week off to find it.
8. Portland State (8)---Similar to Southern Utah, the Vikings offense seems to have gone away. The difference is that their offense was pretty potent early in the season. They needed two short fields to just nip North Dakota at the end. They will need some form of offense this week when Weber State comes to town.
9. UC-Davis (9)---The Aggies put up a gallant effort last week at Montana State before finally coming up short in the end. This season has been not one of rebuilding, but of gaining confidence for next year. This week, they have the opportunity to put the final nail in Cal Poly's season, entertaining them at home.
10. North Dakota (10)---The former Sioux had the game in hand last week at Portland State, but could not close it out. With the season pretty much done now, they can still spoil it for quite a few teams. This week they head out to Northern Arizona, who has history of fading against weaker teams. Could it happen here?
11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals kept things close last week but could not crack through the Southern Utah defense. This week they get their shot at Eastern Washington at home. Certainly they would like to show the Eagles just who's boss in Pocatello.
12. Weber State (12)---Last week the Wildcats rested and refocused themselves on winning the close games and not keep coming up short. This weekend they try this new philosophy on the road at Portland State. Possibly a Damian Lillard sighting happening?
13. Northern Colorado (13)---This was to be a breakthrough season for the Bears, now it is a season to forget. They took last week to regroup and finish positively. This weekend they stay home and play the mighty Montana State team. Do they have enough for an upset, or will they settle for close.
RECAP: 1-2 edging out front, 3-4 just behind, 5-6 fading a bit, 7-10 falling, 11-13 out.
