Big Sky Power Rankings 10-26

[JALMOND]

We may have some new blood close to the top of the conference, but just when people are ready to count out the Montana schools, they both seem to roar out with a vengeance. This is still being made into a strange season in the conference, Northern Colorado's near upset of Eastern Washington notwithstanding, but some familiar teams are rising. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion.

1. Southern Utah (2)---Last week won at UC-Davis 34-6, this week Cal Poly at home---The Thunderbirds are quietly taking care of their business with some impressive blowout wins over the weaker part of the conference. The question, are they for real? That, and many more, will get answered soon enough.

2. Portland State (3)---Last week won at Cal Poly 38-35, this week Montana at home---The Vikings magical season continues on with another improbable road win. They are still in the midst of a brutal schedule that doesn't look to be getting better any time soon.

3. Eastern Washington (1)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 43-41, this week Weber State at home---The Eagles thought they had the game won, then woke up soon enough to salvage the win on a last second field goal. Maybe they learned their lesson and will play a full game, no matter how far ahead they are.

4. Montana (7)---Last week beat North Dakota at home 42-16, this week at Portland State---Maybe now the Grizzlies are finally going to play some football, with their third quarterback in tow. Last week was a tuneup, this week is the true test.

5. Montana State (6)---Last week beat East Tennessee State (FCS Independent) at home 63-7, this week at North Dakota---The Bobcats finally got a pretty good performance out of their defense in the win last week. They really need it as they try to get their first road win in what should be a minor pothole in their schedule.

6. Northern Arizona (8)---Last week beat Weber State at home 52-36, this week Northern Colorado at home---The Lumberjacks had a good game working until a minor scare near the end. Still a win to get them back on track, but they get to face the upstarts this weekend.

7. Weber State (4)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 52-36, this week at Eastern Washington---Good feelings went by the wayside for the Wildcats last week as they put themselves in too deep a hole. They can't let that happen two weeks in a row as they try to salvage some playoff aspirations.

8. Cal Poly (5)---Last week lost to Portland State at home 38-35, this week at Southern Utah---The Mustangs' hope for the playoff vanished in a tough home loss last week. But they now get the chance to play spoiler and try to ruin the chances of other conference foes that they can.

9. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost at home to Eastern Washington 43-41, this week at Northern Arizona---Definitely not the most talented team in the conference, but the Bears showed a strong never quit attitude last week that can only strike fear in those that still have to play them. And just maybe get a win somewhere.

10. North Dakota (9)---Last week lost at Montana 52-16, this week Montana State at home---The Dakotans struck early last week but couldn't get much of anything else going. With the other Montana school coming to town, they need to regroup and return to their winning ways.

11. Sacramento State (13)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 38-13, this week bye---The Hornets woke up from their season long slumber to get a strong home win. They need this week off to heal up and get healthy for the final few games.

12. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at Sacramento State 38-13, this week bye---The Bengals are a team that is looking forward to having a week off just to get some people healthy and back on the field. What they had last week wasn't enough, they will need some more.

13. UC-Davis (12)---Last week lost to Southern Utah at home 34-6, this week bye---The Aggies are also happy with the off week to try to get healthy. Last week was an embarrassment and they hope to turn it around quickly.

RECAP: 1-3 on top, 4-6 gaining, 7-8 holding, 9-10 trying to keep up, 11-13 falling fast.

[SUUTbird]

I think I have Portland State ranked ahead of SUU but other than that good choices when it comes to your picks as usual. Looking over the conference this season and several teams it makes me very happy that we have a very good defense, here's to hoping we can shut down the Mustangs potent rushing attack.

[dbackjon]

PSU #1

NAU should be ahead of MSU

[Grizalltheway]

PSU #1

NAU should be ahead of MSU

Agreed. Their OOC schedule is downright laughable.

[SuperHornet]

PSU
EWU
UM
MSU
SUU
NAU
CP
WSU
Sac
UNC
UND
UCD
ISU

[Thundernuts]

I have to agree with T-Bird. I love that SUU is up near the top in the eyes of those who are more expert than me, but I feel like in order to deserve it they need to get through the rest of their schedule, in particular PSU and MSU. Until SUU beats someone tougher than Davis and Sac they aren't quite ready for the marquis position at the top.
But, Im just enjoying the fact that they are getting love, and doing well. Time to show how good they really are though and keep the streak going through the 2nd half of the season.

PSU
SUU
EWU
Mont.
MSU
NAU
Cal Poly
NC
Weber
ISU
Davis

And just for SH:
ITT TECH
Stevens-Heneger
U of Pheonix
Mountainland Applied Technology College

Sac. State

[AZGrizFan]

Not sure why, but I just feel confident that both PSU and SUU will collectively shit the bed before the season is over.

[Thundernuts]

Not sure why, but I just feel confident that both PSU and SUU will collectively **** the bed before the season is over.

Unfortunately, I cant dispute that. Im afraid the same thing will happen now that the real schedule begins.