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So I am a couple days late with this. Things are getting so equal that it is tough to sort it all out. Eastern Washington has shown it can still win without Adams, but they truly are a different team. Montana State's high flying offense got slowed down by Weber State of all teams. The bottom of the conference may not be all that far behind the top. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Here they are, thanks for waiting.

1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles turned back a strong effort by Northern Colorado at the Inferno, getting the win and staying on top. This weekend they hit the road to Northern Arizona who is always strong at home.

2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats stayed ahead of Weber State the whole game, but did not get the offensive explosion we all have come to expect this season. Still, a win is a win. This weekend, they will take a bye.

3. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies let UC-Davis stay close for the first half, then pulled away in the second half at home last week. Keeping the wins coming, they head out on a road trip to Cal Poly this weekend for a tough game.

4. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs got over a hurdle of winning on the road, getting a good tough win last week at Sacramento State. They would really enjoy a good strong win at home this weekend as they entertain Montana.

5. Idaho State (5)---And the great season keeps rolling on for the Bengals as they avoided a letdown last week at home against Southern Utah. They may be on to something as they go to Northern Colorado this weekend.

6. Northern Arizona (6)---The Lumberjacks got the hard fought win last week at Portland State, learning how to win in the conference on the road. They do have the home field down, but it will be put to the test this weekend as Eastern Washington comes in.

7. Sacramento State (7)---The Hornets were hoping to make a statement in the conference last weekend but lost at home to Cal Poly. They now have an extra week to reassess where they are and what they have to do.

8. Southern Utah (8)---The Thunderbirds failed to get a statement win in their quest to derail the Idaho State express last weekend. Still hoping for a good win, they stay home this weekend and bring in North Dakota.

9. Northern Colorado (10)---Maybe not the outcome the Bears wanted last weekend at Eastern Washington, but they never lost sight of the Eagles. Eager to build on the momentum and hoping for a good win, they bring in Idaho State this weekend.

10. North Dakota (9)---Everyone else played in the conference but the No-Names stayed at home, preparing for the final run. This weekend gets the pride trip going with a trip to Southern Utah.

11. Portland State (11)---Once again, the Vikings had the lead, a chance to get a win at home against Northern Arizona, only to watch it go away at the end. Things are getting desperate as they hit the road this weekend at Weber State.

12. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats still have not got their first win, but they were able to at least slow the Montana State attack down on the road last weekend. That might be enough to carry over this weekend at home against Portland State.

13. UC-Davis (13)---The Aggies went in to Montana and stayed in the game, for the first half (similar to the Eastern Washington game). This weekend they stay home and try to learn to finish the games on the winning edge.

RECAP: 1-2 together, 3 alone, 4-5 separating themselves, 6-8 losing ground, 9-13 bringing up the rear.

Last week was the closest Montana has looked to EWU and MSU so far. If they played right now, I'm not sure UM wouldn't be favored with Adams out and MSU still playing every game close, IMO.

uofmman1122 wrote:Last week was the closest Montana has looked to EWU and MSU so far. If they played right now, I'm not sure UM wouldn't be favored with Adams out and MSU still playing every game close, IMO.

I think the Griz beat EWU if Adams is still out.

If he's back, the Griz have a decent chance but would be an underdog.

Right now I'd put MSU in the #1 spot. Quite frankly, EWU is a shell of the team that played SHSU, UW, and MSU. We only had 53 healthy players to suit up against SUU (roughly 20 players out). That said, I think the difference between 2011 and this year is that our depth is better and we are pretty effective in running the ball. Luckily, the O-Line is largely intact and we should be able to run pretty well against NAU, which will help out the D. Getting Forte back this weekend ahould help that out as well. Defense seems to be improving somewhat. The offense is clearly less threatening without VA, but if we can make it through these next couple of games I think we'll be ok

When was the last time ISU was considered a "good win"?

EWURanger wrote:Right now I'd put MSU in the #1 spot. Quite frankly, EWU is a shell of the team that played SHSU, UW, and MSU. We only had 53 healthy players to suit up against SUU (roughly 20 players out). That said, I think the difference between 2011 and this year is that our depth is better and we are pretty effective in running the ball. Luckily, the O-Line is largely intact and we should be able to run pretty well against NAU, which will help out the D. Getting Forte back this weekend ahould help that out as well. Defense seems to be improving somewhat. The offense is clearly less threatening without VA, but if we can make it through these next couple of games I think we'll be ok

Not trying to be a dick, but I'd read very little into an "improving defense" based on a game against SUU.

AZGrizFan wrote:

EWURanger wrote:Right now I'd put MSU in the #1 spot. Quite frankly, EWU is a shell of the team that played SHSU, UW, and MSU. We only had 53 healthy players to suit up against SUU (roughly 20 players out). That said, I think the difference between 2011 and this year is that our depth is better and we are pretty effective in running the ball. Luckily, the O-Line is largely intact and we should be able to run pretty well against NAU, which will help out the D. Getting Forte back this weekend ahould help that out as well. Defense seems to be improving somewhat. The offense is clearly less threatening without VA, but if we can make it through these next couple of games I think we'll be ok

Not trying to be a dick, but I'd read very little into an "improving defense" based on a game against SUU.

I am also not trying to be a dick, you can only suit up 53 players on road games.

SACCAT wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Not trying to be a dick, but I'd read very little into an "improving defense" based on a game against SUU.

I am also not trying to be a dick, you can only suit up 53 players on road games.

AZGrizFan wrote:

EWURanger wrote:Right now I'd put MSU in the #1 spot. Quite frankly, EWU is a shell of the team that played SHSU, UW, and MSU. We only had 53 healthy players to suit up against SUU (roughly 20 players out). That said, I think the difference between 2011 and this year is that our depth is better and we are pretty effective in running the ball. Luckily, the O-Line is largely intact and we should be able to run pretty well against NAU, which will help out the D. Getting Forte back this weekend ahould help that out as well. Defense seems to be improving somewhat. The offense is clearly less threatening without VA, but if we can make it through these next couple of games I think we'll be ok

Not trying to be a dick, but I'd read very little into an "improving defense" based on a game against SUU.

Davis...UNC....

Davis sans Manzabar and their new QB. Big difference.

And UNC, well...

Grizalltheway wrote:Davis sans Manzabar and their new QB. Big difference.

And UNC, well...

But still improvements. No?

Let me know when the Griz play against decent offense.

Grizalltheway wrote:Davis sans Manzabar and their new QB. Big difference.

And UNC, well...

Manzanarez played against EWU.

SACCAT wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Not trying to be a dick, but I'd read very little into an "improving defense" based on a game against SUU.

I am also not trying to be a dick, you can only suit up 53 players on road games.

Thought it was 58? Regardless, we had 20 players not available due to various reasons. This team is definitely working through some adversity that should make them stronger towards the end of the season.

Grizalltheway wrote:Davis sans Manzabar and their new QB. Big difference.

And UNC, well...

EWU had 7 sacks against UNC. They also had their starting QB, unlike when they played the Griz. We can play this game all day long...

EWURanger wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:Davis sans Manzabar and their new QB. Big difference.

And UNC, well...

EWU had 7 sacks against UNC. They also had their starting QB, unlike when they played the Griz. We can play this game all day long...

You're right, we could. But thankfully we get to settle it on the field in a couple of weeks.

kalm wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:Davis sans Manzabar and their new QB. Big difference.

And UNC, well...

But still improvements. No?

Let me know when the Griz play against decent offense.

Well, we saw how that worked out for the Griz. Their rushing defense is rated below the Cats and Eagles now. Now they get to to play some balanced offenses, who rush and pass very well. By the end of the season, they will be in the lower half of the BSC in defense.

The Griz already admitted their offense sucked, while they hung their hat on the defense. All that is left is, "we have the best special teams".

So the "self-annointed" Griz defense joined the 500 club for yards allowed. It isn't a bad group to be in when you have a powerful offense.