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Halfway through and we should be able to clear up some things. Things are emerging, however slow, and yet, some are still muddled. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All my opinion only and all open for discussion. Here it goes.

1. Eastern Washington (1)---No star quarterback, no problem as the Eagles continued to roll on, winning the game at Southern Utah last weekend. Things should continue to motor on as this weekend they bring in Northern Colorado to their massive red turf.

2. Montana State (2)---Speaking of motoring, the same can be said about the Bobcats, to the tune of hanging 77 points on UC-Davis at their place. The Bobcats have answered one preseason question, quarterback, with authority. This weekend, they bring in always tough Weber State.

3. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies took a bye after coming home from North Dakota with a close win. They get back in the swing of conference play this weekend as they stay home and welcome hapless UC-Davis.

4. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs took care of Weber State last weekend on the road . Whether they are deserving of this high ranking may be open to debate but things may clear up this weekend as they go to Sacramento State.

5. Idaho State (5)---Stepping out of the conference race and playing DII Simon Fraser last weekend, the Bengals did what was expected of a really good Big Sky team in steamrolling the DII. They get back in to the conference this weekend, entertaining Southern Utah.

6. Northern Arizona (6)---The Lumberjacks also took last weekend off after their strange loss the week before at Northern Colorado. Needing to win on the road regardless of the opponent, this weekend they head out to Portland State.

7. Sacramento State (7)---The Hornets hit the road last weekend and took care of business at Northern Colorado. They get a chance to make a statement of sorts this weekend as they return home and play Cal Poly.

8. Southern Utah (8)---The Thunderbirds blew a golden chance to unsettle the conference race last weekend with their home loss to Eastern Washington. Still trying to ruin someone's great season, this weekend they head out to Idaho State.

9. North Dakota (11)---After two agonizing losses, the No-Names put together a great second half last week and beat Portland State at home. Now that they know how to win, they get a rest before continuing their conference season.

10. Northern Colorado (10)---This still may be a rebuilding season for the Bears, but they are playing competitively. They did fall at home last weekend to Sacramento State, but things are coming together. But, they go to Eastern Washington this weekend.

11. Portland State (9)---The Vikings had North Dakota down and almost put away last weekend on the road, then let the game slip away. Eager to put that game behind them, they bring in Northern Arizona this weekend.

12. Weber State (13)---The Wildcats fell at home last weekend in a close one to Cal Poly. Still looking for that elusive first win, this weekend they go on the road to the always tough Montana State stadium. Maybe they keep looking.

13. UC-Davis (12)---Wow, so such for that vaunted Aggie defense. They brought in Montana State last weekend and the defense did not show up. The defense better show up this weekend as they have to play at the always tough Montana place.

RECAP: 1-2 together, 3 on an island, 4-8 getting separation over 9-13.

Given the problems MSU had with Sac (albeit in a win), a team that most now have ranked 7th or lower, one could make an argument that EWU has significant breathing room between themselves and MSU. Heck, one might even make an argument for UM in between. Not any farther down, though. MSU is light-years better than Cow Poly. Despite what they did to Sac, I'm still not sold on ISU being as high as 5, but it's hard to argue anyone else as NAU is still liable to have their nearly-annual late-season swoon. The only other team one could argue as better than ISU is the team that ISU demolished (Sac), but so far the coaching has been so inconsistent as to make that assessment nearly laughable. The league is a crazy jumble this year, I guess....

SuperHornet wrote:Given the problems MSU had with Sac (albeit in a win), a team that most now have ranked 7th or lower, one could make an argument that EWU has significant breathing room between themselves and MSU. Heck, one might even make an argument for UM in between. Not any farther down, though. MSU is light-years better than Cow Poly. Despite what they did to Sac, I'm still not sold on ISU being as high as 5, but it's hard to argue anyone else as NAU is still liable to have their nearly-annual late-season swoon. The only other team one could argue as better than ISU is the team that ISU demolished (Sac), but so far the coaching has been so inconsistent as to make that assessment nearly laughable. The league is a crazy jumble this year, I guess....

So you consider moving (3)UM over (2)MSU because MSU struggled with (7)SAC, yet UM struggled with (9) UND

I forgot about that.

SuperHornet wrote:I forgot about that.

that was obvious, which is why I pointed it out

SuperHornet wrote: NAU is still liable to have their nearly-annual late-season swoon. ....

NAU's swoon came early this year. 5 of the first 7 games on the road doesn't seem to be helping things.

Other than maybe UC Davis and Weber State, I have faith that any of the other teams can beat a conference opponent. EWU's and MSU's defense is suspect. U of M's offense is suspect. Every team has an exploitable weakness.

Should be an entertaining ride the rest of the way.

Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
Idaho State
Cal Poly
Northern Arizona
Portland State
Sacramento State
North Dakota
Northern Colorado
Southern Utah
UC Davis
Weber State

mtjack wrote:

SuperHornet wrote: NAU is still liable to have their nearly-annual late-season swoon. ....

NAU's swoon came early this year. 5 of the first 7 games on the road doesn't seem to be helping things.

Other than maybe UC Davis and Weber State, I have faith that any of the other teams can beat a conference opponent. EWU's and MSU's defense is suspect. U of M's offense is suspect. Every team has an exploitable weakness.

Should be an entertaining ride the rest of the way.

I doubt it'll work that way for the 'Jacks. Their final month is the easiest part of their schedule.

J we won, we are suppose to drop a spot or two because of that.

SDHornet wrote:J we won, we are suppose to drop a spot or two because of that.

I guarantee that, if Southern Utah would have won, you would have fallen a spot.