Big Sky Power Rankings 9-1
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2025 10:09 am
Not many surprises therefore not much change after the first week of football in the Big Sky Conference. Some tough matchups in the first week and, while the conference did well, there were not any major shocking outcomes that happened. There are some good matchups coming up this week as teams are still learning what they have. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Here we go again!
1. Montana (1)---Last week, bye. This week Central Washington (DII) at home---While most Big Sky teams started the season last week with some rather stout matchups, the Grizzlies decided to wait it out and start this week. And while most teams have some good games this week, the Grizzlies are bringing in a DII foe at home. Should be an easy win, but will it give an idea of where they are at?
2. Montana State (2)---Last week, lost at Oregon (FBS Big 10) 59-13, this week South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley) at home---It would have been great if the Bobcats could have done similar to that Idaho did last year and hang with one of the top programs in the country, but that didn't happen. They come home now for a better test as one of the top programs in all of FCS is coming to town.
3. Northern Arizona (3)---Last week, lost at Arizona State (FBS Big 12) 38-19, this week Utah Tech (FCS United) at home---The Lumberjacks may not have thrown a scare into one of the top FBS programs in the country, they did manage to stay within striking distance most of the way. This week's game at home should be much easier and give them an idea of where they are at.
4. Idaho (4)---Last week lost at Washington State (FBS Pac-12) 13-10, this week St. Thomas (FCS Pioneer) at home---After the Vandal offense tried to break through for three quarters, they finally did in the fourth and almost stole the game from their bigger neighbors. They get an easier foe this weekend, bringing in a good team from the Pioneer League for a game at home.
5. Sacramento State (5)---Last week lost at South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley) 20-3, this week at Nevada (FBS Mtn West)---A good showing against one of the premier teams in the FCS on the road has to have the Hornets thinking positive thoughts heading into the second week. They may also have a shot this week, even though they are playing up a level on it is on the road, but against an average FBS team.
6. UC Davis (6)---Last week won at Utah Tech (FCS United) 31-24, this week at Washington (FBS Big 10)---The Aggies looked great in their Week 0 game that didn't count, but that changed in this past game where they needed to rally to get a hard fought win. The road can be tough but not that tough. They move up a level and back on the road this week with a tough game against the Big 10.
7. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) 31-21, this week at Boise State (FBS Mtn West)---The Eagles headed into Texas last week and gave one of the top FCS teams quite a battle last weekend before finally succumbing to a defeat. They move up a level on a short week, facing the FBS darling that didn't look too goo themselves. Can the Eagles get a win here?
8. Idaho State (7)---Last week lost at Southern Utah (FCS United) 46-24, this week at New Mexico (FBS Mtn West)---The Bengals looked well in facing the FBS in Week 0, yet they looked terrible when they returned to the FCS last week. They need to get back to playing well in the FCS. This week, however, marks a return for them to the FBS and the Mountain West where they hope to recapture some of their glory.
9. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at James Madison (FBS Sun Belt) 45-10, this week at Arizona (FBS Big 12)--The Wildcats took a tough one in a game against the Sun Belt last weekend that was pretty much expected. Things don't get much easier for them as they face the Big 12 this time on the road. A tougher conference and a tougher opponent could spell at least the same results for them.
10. Cal Poly (10)---Last week won at San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 41-17, this week at Utah (FBS Big 12)---In their quest this year of becoming relevant again in the conference, the Mustangs looked like a true Big Sky Conference team as they whipped up on the Pioneer League. They probably may not have the same outcome this weekend as they move up a level, but then most Big Sky teams would not either.
11. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week beat Chadron State (DII) at home 17-3, this week at Colorado State (FBS Mtn West)---The Bears started off the game looking like a strong FCS team against a DII opponent, but then they didn't look too great after that. Still, a win is a win and for them, that is an achievement. Something they probably won't get this weekend, playing up a level at their bigger neighbors.
12. Portland State (11)---Last week lost at Brigham Young (FBS Big 12) 69-0. This week at North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley)---Things are becoming painfully clear for the Vikings. They have no offense and no defense. They can't score and they can't stop anyone from scoring. They are rebuilding but they are terrible. And going on the road, facing a team that feels like they got robbed of a scalp won't help matters.
RECAP: 1-6 in a bunch at the top, 7-10 within shouting distance. 11 distancing itself from 12.
1. Montana (1)---Last week, bye. This week Central Washington (DII) at home---While most Big Sky teams started the season last week with some rather stout matchups, the Grizzlies decided to wait it out and start this week. And while most teams have some good games this week, the Grizzlies are bringing in a DII foe at home. Should be an easy win, but will it give an idea of where they are at?
2. Montana State (2)---Last week, lost at Oregon (FBS Big 10) 59-13, this week South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley) at home---It would have been great if the Bobcats could have done similar to that Idaho did last year and hang with one of the top programs in the country, but that didn't happen. They come home now for a better test as one of the top programs in all of FCS is coming to town.
3. Northern Arizona (3)---Last week, lost at Arizona State (FBS Big 12) 38-19, this week Utah Tech (FCS United) at home---The Lumberjacks may not have thrown a scare into one of the top FBS programs in the country, they did manage to stay within striking distance most of the way. This week's game at home should be much easier and give them an idea of where they are at.
4. Idaho (4)---Last week lost at Washington State (FBS Pac-12) 13-10, this week St. Thomas (FCS Pioneer) at home---After the Vandal offense tried to break through for three quarters, they finally did in the fourth and almost stole the game from their bigger neighbors. They get an easier foe this weekend, bringing in a good team from the Pioneer League for a game at home.
5. Sacramento State (5)---Last week lost at South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley) 20-3, this week at Nevada (FBS Mtn West)---A good showing against one of the premier teams in the FCS on the road has to have the Hornets thinking positive thoughts heading into the second week. They may also have a shot this week, even though they are playing up a level on it is on the road, but against an average FBS team.
6. UC Davis (6)---Last week won at Utah Tech (FCS United) 31-24, this week at Washington (FBS Big 10)---The Aggies looked great in their Week 0 game that didn't count, but that changed in this past game where they needed to rally to get a hard fought win. The road can be tough but not that tough. They move up a level and back on the road this week with a tough game against the Big 10.
7. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) 31-21, this week at Boise State (FBS Mtn West)---The Eagles headed into Texas last week and gave one of the top FCS teams quite a battle last weekend before finally succumbing to a defeat. They move up a level on a short week, facing the FBS darling that didn't look too goo themselves. Can the Eagles get a win here?
8. Idaho State (7)---Last week lost at Southern Utah (FCS United) 46-24, this week at New Mexico (FBS Mtn West)---The Bengals looked well in facing the FBS in Week 0, yet they looked terrible when they returned to the FCS last week. They need to get back to playing well in the FCS. This week, however, marks a return for them to the FBS and the Mountain West where they hope to recapture some of their glory.
9. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at James Madison (FBS Sun Belt) 45-10, this week at Arizona (FBS Big 12)--The Wildcats took a tough one in a game against the Sun Belt last weekend that was pretty much expected. Things don't get much easier for them as they face the Big 12 this time on the road. A tougher conference and a tougher opponent could spell at least the same results for them.
10. Cal Poly (10)---Last week won at San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 41-17, this week at Utah (FBS Big 12)---In their quest this year of becoming relevant again in the conference, the Mustangs looked like a true Big Sky Conference team as they whipped up on the Pioneer League. They probably may not have the same outcome this weekend as they move up a level, but then most Big Sky teams would not either.
11. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week beat Chadron State (DII) at home 17-3, this week at Colorado State (FBS Mtn West)---The Bears started off the game looking like a strong FCS team against a DII opponent, but then they didn't look too great after that. Still, a win is a win and for them, that is an achievement. Something they probably won't get this weekend, playing up a level at their bigger neighbors.
12. Portland State (11)---Last week lost at Brigham Young (FBS Big 12) 69-0. This week at North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley)---Things are becoming painfully clear for the Vikings. They have no offense and no defense. They can't score and they can't stop anyone from scoring. They are rebuilding but they are terrible. And going on the road, facing a team that feels like they got robbed of a scalp won't help matters.
RECAP: 1-6 in a bunch at the top, 7-10 within shouting distance. 11 distancing itself from 12.