Big Sky Power Rankings 10-3

[JALMOND]

September is gone and now it is October and it is time for get serious. Most teams will be playing conference games only from now until the end of the season so each game is important. Teams in the basement look to play spoiler and teams at the top look to improve on their playoff possibilities. Here are this week's power rankings for the conference (last week's rankings in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Montana, Idaho and UC Davis are all taking this week off, but everyone else plays.

1. Montana (1)---Last week, won at Idaho State 28-20, this week bye---After steamrolling their opposition in their first four games, the Grizzlies showed how difficult it is to get a conference road win here with them playing the bottom tier and having to work (somewhat) for the win. But a win is a win and a win on the road is great. They take this week off to prepare to welcome the conference upstart in two weeks.

2. Weber State (2)---Last week bye, this week Eastern Washington at home---Undefeated and undeterred, the Wildcats have laid claim to being the second best football team in the state of Utah, and has a conference road win over a good opponent. With two weeks to prepare, the Wildcats have a tough test coming up this week with an Eastern Washington team looking to make a statement.

3. Sacramento State (3)---Last week, won at Cal Poly 49-21, this week Northern Colorado at home---A letdown? Surely you jest! The Hornets are for real this year after putting last week's game over in a hurry. Eager to stay at the top of the conference, they have another team from the lower depths of the conference. Tough games are coming up soon so they have to remain focused.

4. Montana State (4)---Last week, beat UC Davis at home 41-24, this week Idaho State at home---National television in Bozeman last week and it did not deter the Bobcats from coming up with an impressive home win, after ESPN finally turned the game on. This week looks like a gimme on paper, but the Bobcats have to keep their focus and not let anyone steal a game from them.

5. Idaho (6)---Last week, beat Northern Colorado at home 55-35, this week bye---The Vandals head into the bye week feeling pretty good about their situation. Good showings against Power 5 opponents in their money games, then looking very fine against their FCS opponents so far have people thinking good things about them this year. The question, however, are they for real?

6. UC Davis (5)---Last week, lost at Montana State 41-24, this week bye---By contrast from the Vandals' situation, the Aggies are probably looking forward to the week off. Close losses early on may have taken its toll on the psyche of the team and after getting a lead early on last week, the Aggies could not come through. The schedule gets a bit easier but is it too late?

7. Eastern Washington (7)---Last week, lost at Florida (FBS SEC) 52-17, this week at Weber State---Another money game against a strong Power 5 opponent and a tough lopsided defeat. Also, with it rescheduled to Sunday, the Eagles end up with a short week to get ready for what might be a must win in order to salvage the season. Where do they go from here?

8. Portland State (9)---Last week beat Northern Arizona at home 35-27, this week Lincoln (CA) (NAIA) at home---The Vikings got a convincing win in their home opener last week and get to stay at home this weekend, venturing out of conference this weekend by bringing in the traveling circus to their home field. On paper this should be an easy win, and it probably will be.

9. Northern Arizona (8)---Last week, lost at Portland State 35-27, this week Cal Poly at home---The good news so far this season for the Lumberjacks is that they have a road win against Sam Houston. But other than that, the season has been tough, with a home loss to an equitable conference opponent followed by a road loss to another equitable conference opponent. They need this game coming up.

10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week, lost at Idaho 55-35, this week at Sacramento State---The Bears season is slowing slipping away after falling apart in the second half of the game last week. Things are not looking to get any easier any time soon as the upper elite teams will come calling. The Bears can play spoiler, but that might be the best to hope for.

11. Idaho State (12)---Last week, lost to Montana at home 28-20, this week at Montana State---No one gave the Bengals any chance last week, but they gave the top team a mild scare, keeping the game close throughout, something that hadn't been done this year. That should give them a good feeling as they hit the road to possibly throw a scare in the other Montana team.

12. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Sacramento State at home 49-21, this week at Northern Arizona--- There will be games coming up for the Mustangs to get a win somehow. Last week was not one of them and the Mustangs were slow coming out of the game. This week may not be one of them either, going on the road to play an upset conference opponent.

RECAP: 1-4 at the top, 5-7 just behind them, 8-9 clinging to hope, 10-12 fading.

[VandalBasher]

UM, PSU and Sac St. round out October. The Vandals will have to run the table in November to have any hopes of having a winning season. Still possible.

[SuperHornet]

1. Sac State
2. BBQ
3. MT State
4. Montana
5. Idaho
6. EWU
7. Portland State
8. N. Colorado
9. NAU
10. Manure Pile
11. ID State
12. Cow Poly