Big Sky Power Rankings 9-6
Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2026 12:44 pm
Congrats to Idaho State for getting the conference;s first FBS scalp after taking care of business at Pac-12's Utah State. Still, everyone seems to be chasing Montana State in this young season, and the Bobcats have a good chance at a scalp this weekend at Nevada. Not too many surprises this weekend, other than the Bengals' win. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Another non-conference slate this weekend including Montana's game with Utah Tech.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Butler (FCS Pioneer) at home 51-24, this week at Nevada (FBS Mountain West)---The Bobcats were never threatened in their home opener last week, racing out to a big halftime lead and never looking back. They move up a level this week with a game they could win.
2. Montana (2)---Last week beat Drake (FCS Pioneer) at home 45-10, this week Utah Tech at home---The Grizzlies had some small bouts of nervousness for their fans last week, but came out strong in the second half to pick up the expected win. They play a game this weekend against the conference newcomer.
3. Idaho State (4)---Last week won at Utah State (FBS Pac-12) 29-17, this week San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at home---The Bengals did what they needed last weekend in garnering a strong FBS win on the road. They stayed close and secured the win late. They get a foe from the Pioneer League this weekend.
4. UC Davis (3)---Last week won at San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 49-17, this week at Southern Methodist (FBS ACC)---The Aggies started slow again but came up big in the second quarter to run away with the game. They move up a level to the mighty ACC this weekend and catch their opponent on a short week.
5. Southern Utah (5)---Last week beat Weber State at home 47-42, this week at Colorado State (FBS Pac-12)---The Thunderbirds outlasted their conference brothers to the north and got a strong home win. They move up a level to the Pac-12 and play on of the heavy hitters on the road. This will be tough.
6. Cal Poly (7)---Last week beat Central Washington (DII) at home 24-17, this week at San Jose State (FBS Mountain West)---The Mustangs brought in a lesser foe last week, jumped out to a strong lead, and had to hold on in the 4th to get the win. Things don't get easier with a trip up to the FBS level.
7. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Arizona (FBS Big 12) 35-7, this week Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) at home---The Lumberjacks headed up a level and down to their in state brothers, and never really showed up for the game. They return home this weekend where a member of the Southland awaits.
8. Eastern Washington (10)---Last week beat Northern Iowa (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 34-24, this week at South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Eagles got a strong home win against the Missouri Valley last week in one of the best games in conference. They stay in the Missouri Valley, going on the road this weekend.
9. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at Southern Utah 47-42, this week at Colorado (FBS Big 12)---The Wildcats have shown they have an offense to respect, yet their defense hasn't risen up to the challenge. A tough non conference loss last week. This week, a move up to the Big 12 for a tough contest.
10. Idaho (8)---Last week lost at Utah (FBS Big 12) 66-14, this week Lamar (FCS Southland) at home---Simply put, the Vandals moved up a level in play, yet their play did not move up as well and they took a loss in their payday game. Time for their season opener as they bring in a tough team from the Southland.
11. Northern Colorado (11)--Last week lost to South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 38-23, this week at Wyoming (FBS Mountain West)---The Bears stayed in the game last week at home against a strong opponent, yet couldn't get the win. They head up a level with a short drive across the border.
12. Portland State (12)---Last week lost at San Diego State (FBS Pac-12) 53-20, this week North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home---The Vikings threw a scare early in their game last week, then reality struck and they could not keep up. They return to the FCS, bringing in a strong Missouri Valley team.
13. Utah Tech (13)---Last week lost at Brigham Young (FBS Big 12) 63-7, this week at Montana---Payday game can be tough as the Trailblazers found out last week, playing their tough cohorts from the metro area. Things won't get easier this week, with a tough game against a conference foe in a tough place to play.
RECAP: 1, then 2-4 in a pack behind, then 5-8 a step behind them, then 9-12 tagging along, with 13 losing ground.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Butler (FCS Pioneer) at home 51-24, this week at Nevada (FBS Mountain West)---The Bobcats were never threatened in their home opener last week, racing out to a big halftime lead and never looking back. They move up a level this week with a game they could win.
2. Montana (2)---Last week beat Drake (FCS Pioneer) at home 45-10, this week Utah Tech at home---The Grizzlies had some small bouts of nervousness for their fans last week, but came out strong in the second half to pick up the expected win. They play a game this weekend against the conference newcomer.
3. Idaho State (4)---Last week won at Utah State (FBS Pac-12) 29-17, this week San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at home---The Bengals did what they needed last weekend in garnering a strong FBS win on the road. They stayed close and secured the win late. They get a foe from the Pioneer League this weekend.
4. UC Davis (3)---Last week won at San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 49-17, this week at Southern Methodist (FBS ACC)---The Aggies started slow again but came up big in the second quarter to run away with the game. They move up a level to the mighty ACC this weekend and catch their opponent on a short week.
5. Southern Utah (5)---Last week beat Weber State at home 47-42, this week at Colorado State (FBS Pac-12)---The Thunderbirds outlasted their conference brothers to the north and got a strong home win. They move up a level to the Pac-12 and play on of the heavy hitters on the road. This will be tough.
6. Cal Poly (7)---Last week beat Central Washington (DII) at home 24-17, this week at San Jose State (FBS Mountain West)---The Mustangs brought in a lesser foe last week, jumped out to a strong lead, and had to hold on in the 4th to get the win. Things don't get easier with a trip up to the FBS level.
7. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Arizona (FBS Big 12) 35-7, this week Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) at home---The Lumberjacks headed up a level and down to their in state brothers, and never really showed up for the game. They return home this weekend where a member of the Southland awaits.
8. Eastern Washington (10)---Last week beat Northern Iowa (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 34-24, this week at South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Eagles got a strong home win against the Missouri Valley last week in one of the best games in conference. They stay in the Missouri Valley, going on the road this weekend.
9. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at Southern Utah 47-42, this week at Colorado (FBS Big 12)---The Wildcats have shown they have an offense to respect, yet their defense hasn't risen up to the challenge. A tough non conference loss last week. This week, a move up to the Big 12 for a tough contest.
10. Idaho (8)---Last week lost at Utah (FBS Big 12) 66-14, this week Lamar (FCS Southland) at home---Simply put, the Vandals moved up a level in play, yet their play did not move up as well and they took a loss in their payday game. Time for their season opener as they bring in a tough team from the Southland.
11. Northern Colorado (11)--Last week lost to South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 38-23, this week at Wyoming (FBS Mountain West)---The Bears stayed in the game last week at home against a strong opponent, yet couldn't get the win. They head up a level with a short drive across the border.
12. Portland State (12)---Last week lost at San Diego State (FBS Pac-12) 53-20, this week North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home---The Vikings threw a scare early in their game last week, then reality struck and they could not keep up. They return to the FCS, bringing in a strong Missouri Valley team.
13. Utah Tech (13)---Last week lost at Brigham Young (FBS Big 12) 63-7, this week at Montana---Payday game can be tough as the Trailblazers found out last week, playing their tough cohorts from the metro area. Things won't get easier this week, with a tough game against a conference foe in a tough place to play.
RECAP: 1, then 2-4 in a pack behind, then 5-8 a step behind them, then 9-12 tagging along, with 13 losing ground.