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Wow! It seems like every year the Big Sky has a week that can be summed up as "What the hell just happened". With Eastern Washington and Montana both losing, one has to wonder that the only thing that kept Montana State safe was the bye week. Surely messed up the power rankings. Now, almost anyone can claim that they have a shot at the title. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). This should be fun...

1. Montana State (2)---Maybe by default, but the Bobcats gained the most by Eastern Washington losing in the final seconds to Northern Arizona. The bye may have come at a good time, but they have to avoid an upset themselves this weekend, hitting the road at Cal Poly.

2. Eastern Washington (1)---The road win was there for the Eagles. Yet, like the rest of us, they stood there and watched Northern Arizona steal the game. The Eagles need to wake up this weekend as they return home to face North Dakota.

3. Cal Poly (4)---The Mustangs gave Montana a dose of their own medicine last weekend, letting the Grizzlies hang around in the first half, then blowing the doors off of them in the second half. A mild upset, the Mustangs have a chance for something bigger, playing Montana State at home this weekend.

4. Idaho State (5)---While the big hitters were falling, the Bengals continued their surprising season, rolling through Northern Colorado last weekend. Things are looking good so far and they have a great chance at continuing this weekend as they pass through Portland State.

5. Northern Arizona (6)---Third string quarterback, who cares. No timeouts, ha. Needing a touchdown, no problem. The Lumberjacks had Eastern Washington right where they wanted them and stole a win last weekend. Hoping some of that magic continues, they go on the road to Weber State.

6. Montana (3)---So what happened here? The Grizzlies were able to stay with Cal Poly for the first half, only to see the Mustangs turn on the jets and race out to victory. They need to get things rolling like before and they have Sacramento State coming to town this weekend.

7. Sacramento State (7)---The Hornets avoided the upset bug by taking the weekend off last week. Eager to get back in the swing of things and make some of their own noise, this weekend they head out to Montana.

8. Southern Utah (8)---Trying to spoil someone's season, last week would have been right up the Thunderbirds alley, but instead of a top conference dog, they took care of North Dakota at home. This weekend, they take the bye.

9. Portland State (11)---The Vikings finally put together a complete game last weekend on the road at Weber State and got a road win. Feeling good now, they return home where they bring in upstart Idaho State this weekend.

10. North Dakota (10)---The No-Names hit the road last week and got a rude awakening at Southern Utah. Things won't get any easier this weekend as they stay out on the road and play an angry Eastern Washington team.

11. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears felt good heading in to their home game against Idaho State until the game began and they fell quickly. Wanting to get any type of win, this weekend finds them on the road at UC-Davis.

12. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats had a good chance at getting their first win last weekend with a reeling Portland State team in town. They could not break through and wound up short. This weekend, they get Northern Arizona.

13. UC-Davis (13)---The Aggies took a break last weekend from the football slate. This weekend, they stay at home and bring in Northern Colorado. Things haven't been easy for them and this weekend may not be either.

RECAP: 1-6 pretty close, 7-8 falling, 9-13 in back.

I would put NAU ahead of Poly.

dbackjon wrote:I would put NAU ahead of Poly.

Of course you would.

AZGrizFan wrote:

dbackjon wrote:I would put NAU ahead of Poly.

Of course you would.

That loss to South Dakota is probably holding them back.

Going to be an interesting finish

Robsnotes4u wrote:Going to be an interesting finish

Every team has an Achilles heel....or in the Griz case, an Achilles offensive line.

AZGrizFan wrote:

dbackjon wrote:I would put NAU ahead of Poly.

Of course you would.

Head-to-head

dbackjon wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Of course you would.

Head-to-head

Then Northern Colorado should be ahead of NAU.

dbackjon wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Of course you would.

Head-to-head

Right...head to head NAU along with Big Sky Officials (see clowns) beat Cal Poly. It appears Jalmond may have seen the game

dbackjon wrote:I would put NAU ahead of Poly.

While I'm not sure I'd go quite THAT far, I WOULD put NAU ahead of ISU. And there would be a moderate-sized gap in between NAU and ISU....

Actually, I'd go:

4. NAU
5. Montana
6. ISU
7. Sac
8. PSU
9. SUU
10. UND
11. UNC
12. BBQ
13. Manure Pile

CPAlum wrote:

dbackjon wrote:

Head-to-head

Right...head to head NAU along with Big Sky Officials (see clowns) beat Cal Poly. It appears Jalmond may have seen the game

I didn't see the whole game (just highlights) and I do think if they played at NAU again, the Jacks may have a slight edge (Jacks only won by 3 at home). But if they played at Poly or on a neutral field, right now I'd take the Mustangs. Jacks have struggled on the road and Poly looked good at Sacramento State (better than they looked at Weber). I do think that anyone could make a case for any team in the top 5 or 6 to take the title.

NAU should be the lowest of the 6 one-loss teams for two reasons:

1) They haven't proven they can be any good away from the Skydome.
2) Though they beat CP, they lost to two weaker teams Montana beat (NoCo & SoDak).

Mvemjsunpx wrote:NAU should be the lowest of the 6 one-loss teams for two reasons:

1) They haven't proven they can be any good away from the Skydome.
2) Though they beat CP, they lost to two weaker teams Montana beat (NoCo & SoDak).

Teams can't improve?

SuperHornet wrote: While I'm not sure I'd go quite THAT far, I WOULD put NAU ahead of ISU. And there would be a moderate-sized gap in between NAU and ISU....

You must be kidding. NAU lost to UNC, who just got got manhandled by ISU.

Mvemjsunpx wrote:NAU should be the lowest of the 6 one-loss teams for two reasons:

1) They haven't proven they can be any good away from the Skydome.
2) Though they beat CP, they lost to two weaker teams Montana beat (NoCo & SoDak).

And they beat Poly who killed Montana

kalm wrote:

Mvemjsunpx wrote:NAU should be the lowest of the 6 one-loss teams for two reasons:

1) They haven't proven they can be any good away from the Skydome.
2) Though they beat CP, they lost to two weaker teams Montana beat (NoCo & SoDak).

Teams can't improve?

Are they improved? I mean, they've played a little better with Cartwright, but I'm not sure about his health status.

And they still look weak on the road. Two bad losses and a narrow win over lousy PSU.

Mvemjsunpx wrote: And they still look weak on the road. Two bad losses and a narrow win over lousy PSU.

Yet NAU is in the same exact spot as the UM, ISU and Cal Poly with 4 games to go.

It's no stretch to say the Griz are a whole different team at home than on the road...just like NAU. All kinds of similarities between the two teams.

I listened to the coaches show on the radio tonight and didn't hear any specifics regarding Cartwright's injury last weekend. Safe to say he'll be starting or Perry will. It seems Poe isn't in the equation at the moment.

Dbackjon - Did you make it up for the EWU game last weekend? Crowd wasn't as good as parent's weekend but they brought some noise when needed. This team is frustrating but fun to watch.

Whatever happens, it's been an exciting season and my pre-season expectations have been exceeded.

Go Jacks!

AZGrizFan wrote:
Then Northern Colorado should be ahead of NAU.

mtjack wrote: It's no stretch to say the Griz are a whole different team at home than on the road...just like NAU. All kinds of similarities between the two teams.

Uh, the Griz didn't lose to any bad teams on the road. They lost to Wyoming, NDSU, and a surging CP.

I listened to the coaches show on the radio tonight and didn't hear any specifics regarding Cartwright's injury last weekend. Safe to say he'll be starting or Perry will. It seems Poe isn't in the equation at the moment.

Is Poe hurt? Seems odd that the coaches would stick with him way too long & against all logic, then suddenly send him to the doghouse of no return.

kalm wrote:

Mvemjsunpx wrote:NAU should be the lowest of the 6 one-loss teams for two reasons:

1) They haven't proven they can be any good away from the Skydome.
2) Though they beat CP, they lost to two weaker teams Montana beat (NoCo & SoDak).

Teams can't improve?

Cal Poly has. I do not think they would have beat Montana the first two weeks of the season. I think we also give NAU a better game now, especially if it were in SLO. Cal Poly was only one play from beating NAU 5 weeks ago. Had they held on they would be 6-2 (5-0 in the Big Sky). I know, would of, should of, could of.....

SloStang wrote:

kalm wrote:
Teams can't improve?

Cal Poly has. I do not think they would have beat Montana the first two weeks of the season. I think we also give NAU a better game now, especially if it were in SLO. Cal Poly was only one play from beating NAU 5 weeks ago. Had they held on they would be 6-2 (5-0 in the Big Sky). I know, would of, should of, could of.....

Agreed and that was my point. Both NAU had to replace productive players and bad early season losses before gaining their sea legs.

Montana, MSU, and EWU have seemingly regressed a little for various reasons.

My general feeling about the top 6 Big Sky Teams..

Montana State (same) ..they've been good enough to be #1. They don't seem to have gotten better or worse as the season has progressed and although they have won close games with lesser competition they have done what it takes to win...that counts.

Cal Poly (much better)....folks will say I'm a homer...I am. Cal Poly is not the team they were at the beginning of the season. If anyone (Poly fan or not) has watched them they know how much better this team is than they were on Sept 1st. The offense is a good as it has been since 2008 and the defense has gotten better every week. If you haven't seem Chris Brown at QB .....you won't understand

ISU (better)........MAny have no respect for this team right now. They have some suspect wins and have yet to beat a real contender but only historical bias allows anyone to say this isnt a top 5 team in the BSC

Montana (same)...like ISU in reverse, getting help from history. Montana is a good team but not a great team. The defense is possibly best in the BSC today but the offense just isn't what it has been historically. (side note: MSU fans who claim that the Bobcats are now statistically better against the run are missing the fact that Montana just played Poly....lets see how MSU does against Poly's run and how statistics look on Nov 2nd.)

EWU (worse)....With VA they are #1 or #2 in the BSC. I have no doubt in my mind. That guy is the engine in that offense. Without him they can lose to anyone in the top 6.

NAU (same)....Yes they beat EWU by a whisper and some incredibly timely and helpful officiating allowed them to sneak past Poly both at home. They lost to UNC and USD on the road. That is what separates the great teams from the good teams...They are just good enough at home but not even good enough to beat the bottom of the BSC on the road

CPAlum wrote:My general feeling about the top 6 Big Sky Teams..

Montana State (same) ..they've been good enough to be #1. They don't seem to have gotten better or worse as the season has progressed and although they have won close games with lesser competition they have done what it takes to win...that counts.

Cal Poly (much better)....folks will say I'm a homer...I am. Cal Poly is not the team they were at the beginning of the season. If anyone (Poly fan or not) has watched them they know how much better this team is than they were on Sept 1st. The offense is a good as it has been since 2008 and the defense has gotten better every week. If you haven't seem Chris Brown at QB .....you won't understand

ISU (better)........MAny have no respect for this team right now. They have some suspect wins and have yet to beat a real contender but only historical bias allows anyone to say this isnt a top 5 team in the BSC

Montana (same)...like ISU in reverse, getting help from history. Montana is a good team but not a great team. The defense is possibly best in the BSC today but the offense just isn't what it has been historically. (side note: MSU fans who claim that the Bobcats are now statistically better against the run are missing the fact that Montana just played Poly....lets see how MSU does against Poly's run and how statistics look on Nov 2nd.)

EWU (worse)....With VA they are #1 or #2 in the BSC. I have no doubt in my mind. That guy is the engine in that offense. Without him they can lose to anyone in the top 6.

NAU (same)....Yes they beat EWU by a whisper and some incredibly timely and helpful officiating allowed them to sneak past Poly both at home. They lost to UNC and USD on the road. That is what separates the great teams from the good teams...They are just good enough at home but not even good enough to beat the bottom of the BSC on the road

Unfortunately, I'll be seeing him in my nightmares for quite some time.

On a related note, it's pretty unreal how much talent there is at the QB position in the conference this year.

At this point I don't think I can seriously put Weber ahead of anybody including UC-Davis. But then again debating the bottom 4 spots is sorta like debating which animals turds smell the worst.

CPAlum wrote:Cal Poly (much better)....The offense is a good as it has been since 2008 and the defense has gotten better every week. If you haven't seem Chris Brown at QB .....you won't understand

CP, how much longer before Poly starts playing the song "Run It!" by, ummm, Chris Brown at every game?