Big Sky Power Rankings 10-7

[JALMOND]

It is still early but it looks like the race for the Big Sky conference title is coming down to four teams (and no, UC Davis and Eastern Washington are not included). Still a lot of football left to play of course until Thanksgiving weekend and the start of the playoffs. Still a lot left to decide. Here are this week's Big Sky conference power rankings (last week's ranking in parenthesis). All are my opinion as usual. Is it truly a four team race or will there be more surprises?

1. Montana (1)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 59-20, this week bye---It took about one quarter for the Grizzlies to get going last week but when they did, the Bengals did not know what hit them. They get an extra week to prepare for Sacramento State.

2. Weber State (2)---Last week won at Idaho 41-35, this week Southern Utah at home---The score looked closer than it was last week but the Wildcats kept the Vandals at arms length from the start. They now get their in-state brethren from the south at home.

3. Montana State (3)---Last week won at Cal Poly in overtime 34-28, this week Sacramento State at home---The Bobcats had it pretty tough on the road last week, having to go to overtime to eke out a win. They return home this week to face a strong Sacramento State team.

4. Sacramento State (6)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 48-27, this week at Montana State---Are the Hornets for real? Last week they took down a conference heavy at home, looking very impressive. Now they have an interesting stretch coming up. A good test.

5. UC Davis (4)---Last week lost at North Dakota 38-36, this week Cal Poly at home---The Aggies have not seemed to be the same team since they lost at North Dakota State. Last week's loss was a major blow to their playoff hopes. Another loss this week could speak doom.

6. Northern Arizona (8)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 41-23, this week bye---Speaking of starting slowly, the Lumberjacks found themselves down at halftime last week, but they rallied for a much needed win. They get an off week this week.

7. Eastern Washington (5)---Last week lost at Sacramento State 48-27, this week Northern Colorado at home---To say the season has not gone as expected for the Eagles would be an understatement. They lost for the first time at Sacramento State. Now they should win this week, but will they?

8. Cal Poly (9)---Last week lost to Montana State at home in overtime 34-28, this week at UC Davis---The Mustangs have been staying competitive in games so far, taking one of the conference heavies to overtime last week. They get a reeling UC Davis squad this week. Can they get the win?

9. Idaho State (7)---Last week lost at Montana 59-20, this week North Dakota at home---The Bengals looked really good last week at Montana for one quarter, then wilted away after that. Their defense needs to get back up to speed this weekend for them to have any shot.

10. Idaho (10)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 41-35, this week at Portland State---The Vandals defense had a rough go last week in trying to stop a tough Weber State team. They will need the defense to show up this weekend for a shot at a win.

11. Portland State (12)---Last week beat Southern Utah at home 52-31, this week Idaho at home---The Vikings broke through and got a conference win last week in their friendly confines in the Portland suburbs. The trick for them is to sustain it and another strong opponent comes to town.

12. Northern Colorado (11)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 41-23, this week at Eastern Washington---Surprisingly, the Bears hung with Northern Arizona for the first half and kept things interesting, but still lost. Another trip on the road to the reeling Eastern Washington team.

13. Southern Utah (13)---Last week lost at Portland State 52-31, this week at Weber State---The Thunderbirds let their best shot at a conference win fall by the wayside last week. Now they can only hope for a surprise somewhere as a tough stretch of games loom for them.

RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3-4 just behind them, 5-9 a ways back, 10-12 falling, 13 off the pace.

[AZGrizFan]

Sac gets exposed this weekend. Book it. Their entire season is a travesty, a sham, and a mockery. It’s a traveshamockery.

[SACCAT]

Sac gets exposed this weekend. Book it. Their entire season is a travesty, a sham, and a mockery. It’s a traveshamockery.

[SuperHornet]

1. BBQ
2. Griz
3. Sac
4. NAU
5. EWU
6. Kitties
7. Cow Poly
8. PSU
9. ISU
10. Idalol
11. Manure Pile
12. UNC
13. SUU

[SDHornet]

Good run down J. Not sure I can disagree with any of it at this point. Another huge game for us in Bozeman this week.

[89Hen]

So in all seriousness, what happened in Cheney? Pre-season #1 to looking like they could miss the playoffs.

[Silenoz]

So in all seriousness, what happened in Cheney? Pre-season #1 to looking like they could miss the playoffs.

I don't watch them play, but I'm confident in saying that a great amount of EWU's success through the years has been their pass game "system," which has been in place for eons. I don't know if this is a blip, or if the coaching turnover is started to take it's toll, but it sounds like some serious issues have started to rear up that have affected its ability to be the well-oiled machines it's been for so long. Really it's amazing they've been able to keep things rolling for as long as they have.

Their defense also sucks, but I feel like that is a fairly regular thing with them.

Also Sac is good.

[Silenoz]

Good run down J. Not sure I can disagree with any of it at this point. Another huge game for us in Bozeman this week.

You should definitely go to like 5 overtimes, and both get really tired.

[AZGrizFan]

So in all seriousness, what happened in Cheney? Pre-season #1 to looking like they could miss the playoffs.

Their D (which was already suspect) has been decimated by injuries.