With Idaho's win over Montana State, what seemed rather obvious now has turned the conference on its head with only 3 games left for everyone. Entering November you have Montana, Montana State and Idaho with 1 loss each, then you have 4 other teams with 2 conference losses with the obvious (Sacramento State) and 3 upstarts (Idaho State, Portland State and Northern Arizona). Going to be interesting 3 game stretch for everyone. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Down the stretch they come!
1. Montana (2)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 40-0, this week Sacramento State at home---After a loss in the first conference game, the Grizzlies have been playing like gangbusters and dispatched one of the bottom dwellers last week. However, they enter a difficult stretch staring this weekend at home.
2. Montana State (1)---Last week lost at Idaho 24-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---High flying and feeling good, the Bobcats entered one of the more hostile environments in the conference (outside the state of Montana) and took one on the chin. They also have a tough finish, but they get this week's game at home.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week beat Montana State at home 24-21, this week at Northern Colorado---After a tough home loss, the Vandals took two weeks to construct a great gameplan and emerged victorious at home against the top team in the conference. They get a road game against the conference basement, outdoors and at elevation.
4. Sacramento State (4)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 51-16, this week at Montana---The Hornets say don't forget about us. They got a strong home win against a good team last week and now set their sights on getting back to the upper echelon of the conference. This week's top team stands in front of them.
5. Portland State (7)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 47-35, this week at UC Davis---It may be all for naught, but the Vikings still think they are alive for a playoff spot and will do whatever it takes to get there. Last week, they held the conference darling at bay and got a good win. This week, a tough road game.
6. Northern Arizona (9)---Last week beat UC Davis at home 38-21, this week at Montana State---The Lumberjacks don't want to be counted out and took on a fellow conference foe in what may have been an elimination game and stayed alive for now. They can make more noise, but they have a tough test ahead of them this week.
7. Eastern Washington (5)---Last week lost at Portland State 47-35, this week Cal Poly at home---A good season for the Eagles took a serious hit last weekend with a loss to their designated rivals. They can still put a capper on a good year but they cannot take anyone for granted. They should get a win this weekend, but are they up to it?
8. Idaho State (6)---Last week lost at Sacramento State 51-16, this week Weber State at home---After two great wins, the Bengals were harboring thoughts about a possible playoff berth. Now, after a devastating loss last week, they may start to play the string out. But, the game this week gives them a chance to beat their rival.
9. UC Davis (8)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 38-21, this week Portland State at home---The Aggies may still have a shot a the playoffs, but they need to run the table in order to get a possible berth. Last week stung but they are still alive. However, they need to get a home win this weekend, then the next, then the next.
10. Weber State (10)---Last week bye. this week at Idaho State---The Wildcats are one of the final conference teams to take a bye week and they really needed it, as the season has not gone anywhere like they wanted. They can still play spoiler and shake up the conference by taking out one of their rivals this weekend.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week bye, this week at Eastern Washington---The Mustangs took a week off after getting their first conference win. Hopefully, they will build on that. Their role of spoiler starts this weekend with a tough road conference game. Actually this close to the bottom, any game will be tough.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost at Montana 40-0, this week Idaho at home---The Bears started conference play looking good but no wins. They now are looking like they might have checked out, which may be good news for their next opponents. However, they could wake up at the most inopportune time.
RECAP: 1-3 out front, 4 just behind, 5-9 a step behind with 10 fading, then 11, then 12.