Big Sky Power Rankings 9-22

[JALMOND]

Now that the non-conference schedule is over for most of the Big Sky teams, we all can concentrate on the conference slate and who will represent the conference in the playoffs (and how many). Also, many of the unanswered questions surrounding the teams will soon be answered. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings (last week in parenthesis). As usual, all are my opinion only and should make for some good discussion.

1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles used some magic to escape from Montana State with a win last weekend. Hopefully they did not use all their magic this early. This weekend they hit the road again with a game at UC-Davis.

2. Montana State (3)---So close but no win best describes the Bobcats loss last weekend to Eastern Washington. They put up a great fight but could not win it. This weekend, they bring in North Dakota.

3. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies threw a scare in to the defending national champs North Dakota State only to fall in the second half. They return home this weekend, playing the other Bears team, Northern Colorado.

4. Sacramento State (4)---The Hornets actually did what great teams do against the inferior ones, jumping on Menlo College early and not letting up. Things will get tougher, especially this weekend as they go to Idaho State.

5. Northern Arizona (5)---The Lumberjacks took one on the short end last week as they returned as the losers from South Dakota. Perplexing loss but a chance to get the conference slate going with a game at home against Cal Poly.

6. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds played FBS Fresno State close for most of the first half, then lost focus and the game in the second half. They begin conference play this weekend at home against Weber State.

7. Cal Poly (9)---The Mustangs finally woke up from their season starting slumber with a resounding performance at home against Portland State. Hopefully things will continue in the good with a game at Northern Arizona.

8. Weber State (7)---The Wildcats could not get over the hump last weekend at Stephen F Austin, but their games have all been close. They hope for close wins this weekend as they start the season at Southern Utah.

9. UC-Davis (8)---The Aggies took last weekend off from their busy season to get healthy and able to play. They start the conference season by welcoming the strong Eastern Washington team to their home field.

10. North Dakota (13)---North Dakota brought in the CAA's own Stony Brook team and dispatched them back home with a strong defensive win. They are winning which does look good. If they can keep it up at Montana State, that would be something.

11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals also took last week off for rest and relaxation to prepare for the conference season. They start at home this weekend against Sacramento State.

12. Portland State (10)---The Vikings incredibly stumbled last week at Cal Poly, losing big on the road. They will need to find their good performance soon. They do get this weekend off to try to regroup.

13. Northern Colorado (12)---The Bears hit the road last weekend, taking a loss at Missouri Valley's Northern Iowa team. Things definitely don't get any better for them starting the season as they go back on the road at Montana.

RECAP: 1-3 in a group, 4-13 in another group.

[SDHornet]

Thanks for your efforts on this J. Aside from the 2 at the top, I think all the rest are a guess at best at this point.

[EWURanger]

1-2 in a group, 3-4 in a group (I'd have Sac as the #3), and the rest is just a mess at this point.

[uofmman1122]

No way Montana should be above Weber State.

In fact, I'd have them about 7th.

We're obviously terrible this year.

[Mvemjsunpx]

No way Montana should be above Weber State.

In fact, I'd have them about 7th.

We're obviously terrible this year.

0-4 is the new 4-0…

[Robsnotes4u]

Now that the non-conference schedule is over for most of the Big Sky teams, we all can concentrate on the conference slate and who will represent the conference in the playoffs (and how many). Also, many of the unanswered questions surrounding the teams will soon be answered. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings (last week in parenthesis). As usual, all are my opinion only and should make for some good discussion.

1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles used some magic to escape from Montana State with a win last weekend. Hopefully they did not use all their magic this early. This weekend they hit the road again with a game at UC-Davis.

2. Montana State (3)---So close but no win best describes the Bobcats loss last weekend to Eastern Washington. They put up a great fight but could not win it. This weekend, they bring in North Dakota.

3. Montana (2)---The Grizzlies threw a scare in to the defending national champs North Dakota State only to fall in the second half. They return home this weekend, playing the other Bears team, Northern Colorado.

4. Sacramento State (4)---The Hornets actually did what great teams do against the inferior ones, jumping on Menlo College early and not letting up. Things will get tougher, especially this weekend as they go to Idaho State.

5. Northern Arizona (5)---The Lumberjacks took one on the short end last week as they returned as the losers from South Dakota. Perplexing loss but a chance to get the conference slate going with a game at home against Cal Poly.

6. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds played FBS Fresno State close for most of the first half, then lost focus and the game in the second half. They begin conference play this weekend at home against Weber State.

7. Cal Poly (9)---The Mustangs finally woke up from their season starting slumber with a resounding performance at home against Portland State. Hopefully things will continue in the good with a game at Northern Arizona.

8. Weber State (7)---The Wildcats could not get over the hump last weekend at Stephen F Austin, but their games have all been close. They hope for close wins this weekend as they start the season at Southern Utah.

9. UC-Davis (8)---The Aggies took last weekend off from their busy season to get healthy and able to play. They start the conference season by welcoming the strong Eastern Washington team to their home field.

10. North Dakota (13)---North Dakota brought in the CAA's own Stony Brook team and dispatched them back home with a strong defensive win. They are winning which does look good. If they can keep it up at Montana State, that would be something.

11. Idaho State (11)---The Bengals also took last week off for rest and relaxation to prepare for the conference season. They start at home this weekend against Sacramento State.

12. Portland State (10)---The Vikings incredibly stumbled last week at Cal Poly, losing big on the road. They will need to find their good performance soon. They do get this weekend off to try to regroup.

13. Northern Colorado (12)---The Bears hit the road last weekend, taking a loss at Missouri Valley's Northern Iowa team. Things definitely don't get any better for them starting the season as they go back on the road at Montana.

RECAP: 1-3 in a group, 4-13 in another group.

Thanks for the work. Couple of weeks of BSC play should clear up some things. Not much for common opponents yet

[SDHornet]

1-2 in a group, 3-4 in a group (I'd have Sac as the #3), and the rest is just a mess at this point.

I wouldn't go that far. We have a very soft schedule. Not sure how much of a "power" one can be with wins over a transitioning FCS, a weak WSU, and a poor D2/NAIA team.

[Grizalltheway]

1-2 in a group, 3-4 in a group (I'd have Sac as the #3), and the rest is just a mess at this point.

Oh good lord.

[uofmman1122]

1-2 in a group, 3-4 in a group (I'd have Sac as the #3), and the rest is just a mess at this point.

I wouldn't go that far. We have a very soft schedule. Not sure how much of a "power" one can be with wins over a transitioning FCS, a weak WSU, and a poor D2/NAIA team.

You obviously can't handle FACTS.

Did I just FACT-splain you too hard?

You're all part of my social experiment to see how FACT-haters react to cold hard FACTS.

[AZGrizFan]

I wouldn't go that far. We have a very soft schedule. Not sure how much of a "power" one can be with wins over a transitioning FCS, a weak WSU, and a poor D2/NAIA team.

You obviously can't handle FACTS.

Did I just FACT-splain you too hard?

You're all part of my social experiment to see how FACT-haters react to cold hard FACTS.

[Wildcat Ryan]

No way Montana should be above Weber State.

In fact, I'd have them about 7th.

We're obviously terrible this year.

[ajwildcat]

No way Montana should be above Weber State.

In fact, I'd have them about 7th.

We're obviously terrible this year.

Ugh Ryan, clearly they are joking.

[Grizalltheway]

Ugh Ryan, clearly they are joking.

He clearly hasn't been reading rob's posts lately. Lucky him.

[ajwildcat]

Ugh Ryan, clearly they are joking.

He clearly hasn't been reading rob's posts lately. Lucky him.

Good point!

[AZGrizFan]

Ugh Ryan, clearly they are joking.

He clearly hasn't been reading rob's posts lately. Lucky him.

Or...or...or.....he doesn't understand FACTS either!!! He was just PWNED in a psych experiment!!!

[Wildcat Ryan]

He clearly hasn't been reading rob's posts lately. Lucky him.

Or...or...or.....he doesn't understand FACTS either!!! He was just PWNED in a psych experiment!!!

Cant it be both?

[SDHornet]

You obviously can't handle FACTS.

Did I just FACT-splain you too hard?

You're all part of my social experiment to see how FACT-haters react to cold hard FACTS.

He got me there.

[ming01]

1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana
3. Montana St
4. Northern Arizona
5. Cal Poly
6. Sacramento State
7. Southern Utah
8. Idaho State
9. North Dakota
10. Weber State
11. UC-Davis
12. Northern Colorado
13. Portland State

[EWURanger]

1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Sac State
4. Montana
5. Cal Poly
6. Northern Arizona
7. UC Davis
8. Idaho State
9. North Dakota
10. Weber State
11. Southern Utah
12. Portland State
13. Northern Colorado

[AZGrizFan]

Or...or...or.....he doesn't understand FACTS either!!! He was just PWNED in a psych experiment!!!

Cant it be both?

Given the innocence of the general Weber fan, probably.

[SuperHornet]

Idaho State will be harder than Menlo?

Perhaps, but not by much. Sac wins BIG. In fact, I'm STILL seeing 9-3 (future losses to the Montanas) with decisive wins over all others save for CP, which will be more of a close win. But contrary to my fellow Hornet fans, I'm seeing the weak opening schedule as justification for us being the rare 9-3 playoff snub. We'll be seen as not having "played anybody."

[Sapper]

ISU after playing Utah, Utah State and Chadron State strength of schedule #10
#2 running back in the conference
#3 QB for passing yards a game
#3 QB for most passing TDs (3 games)
#6 best scoring offense
#3 offense for yds per game at 431.7

Scored 14 points on Utah's 1st team defense. With 147 yds rushing.
Scored 20 points against Utah State that had their starting D in the entire game.
Against Chadron ISU was cruising; ISU had some second stringers in including the #2 QB as Arias was out. ISU made some dumb correctable mistakes that allowed Chadron back in the game.

Sac State played
Incarnate Word, Cal, Weber and Menlo #176 for strength of schedule

#12 rusher (QB)
#6 QB for passing
#2 QB for passing tds (4 games)
#2 best scoring offense
#4 offense for yds per game 426.5

Sac State did not score until Cal was up by 45 I don’t think the starting D was in.
I think Sac State is going to have a tougher game than people might think.

[biobengal]

Idaho State will be harder than Menlo?

Perhaps, but not by much. Sac wins BIG.

Not sure how serious you are..... but I'm curious, what "thought process" did you use to arrive at this conclusion?

ISU is no Sac or Southern Oregon, but they have improved in 2014.

[kalm]

ISU after playing Utah, Utah State and Chadron State strength of schedule #10
#2 running back in the conference
#3 QB for passing yards a game
#3 QB for most passing TDs (3 games)
#6 best scoring offense
#3 offense for yds per game at 431.7

Scored 14 points on Utah's 1st team defense. With 147 yds rushing.
Scored 20 points against Utah State that had their starting D in the entire game.
Against Chadron ISU was cruising; ISU had some second stringers in including the #2 QB as Arias was out. ISU made some dumb correctable mistakes that allowed Chadron back in the game.

Sac State played
Incarnate Word, Cal, Weber and Menlo #176 for strength of schedule

#12 rusher (QB)
#6 QB for passing
#2 QB for passing tds (4 games)
#2 best scoring offense
#4 offense for yds per game 426.5

Sac State did not score until Cal was up by 45 I don’t think the starting D was in.
I think Sac State is going to have a tougher game than people might think.

I think ISU is much improved. Nice to see they're giving Kramer a chance to overcome the APR mess and build it.

[SDHornet]

Sac State did not score until Cal was up by 45 I don’t think the starting D was in.
I think Sac State is going to have a tougher game than people might think.

They were. They had their starters in until late in the 3rd qtr, mainly because we scored before halftime and got an early turnover early in the 3rd qtr and had a little momentum.

Regardless ISU is no pushover. If the Hornets don't show up and take care of business then ISU will win.

Also SH is "our" (he is really a Griz fan) super homer. Best to take what he says with a grain of salt.