After a second round of non-conference contests for everyone, the conference got their second scalp of the season when Montana State took care of Nevada while most everyone was asleep. Not that it was very surprising as the Bobcats have looked to be one of the top teams, if not the top team, in the nation. For now, it seems like everyone is gunning for second place. But once conference games resume, that could change. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week won at Nevada (FBS Mountain West) 20-7, this week Central Connecticut State (FCS Northeast) at home---The Bobcats continue to roll through the FCS and even taking down some FBS members. Can anything slow them up? They bring in a team this week from the East.
2. Montana (2)---Last week beat Utah Tech at home 35-14, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Grizzlies again rolled a lesser opponent at home this past weekend, giving the Trailblazers another welcome. Things get tough, though, as they step up a level to the Pac-12 and on the road.
3. Idaho State (3)---Last week beat San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at home 59-17, this week bye---The Bengals continue to roll past anyone that may get in front of them. They don't care if it is FCS or FBS. No one has been able to touch them. They will take this week off and get ready for the conference slate.
4. UC Davis (4)---Last week lost at Southern Methodist (FBS ACC) 56-10, this week Stetson (FCS Pioneer) at home---Even though the Aggies caught one of the top 25 teams in FBS on a short week, they were made short order of and came away with a loss. They return home this week, bringing in an Pioneer squad from Florida.
5. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week beat Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) at home 38-28, this week at Utah Tech---The Lumberjacks welcomed a member of the Southland conference to their friendly dome and quickly got the win. They play non conference this week against a conference member on the road.
6. Southern Utah (5)--Last week lost at Colorado State (FBS Pac-12) 58-24, this week at St. Thomas (FCS Pioneer)---The Thunderbirds pretty much did not show up in the first half against an upper level opponent on the road and took a big loss. They will try to right the ship this week, going on the road to the Pioneer.
7. Cal Poly (6)---Last week lost at San Jose State (FBS Mountain West) 30-20, this week San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at home---The Mustangs played up a level, heading to the Bay Area and stayed relatively close but could not get over the hump. They return home this weekend and welcome a member of the Pioneer.
8. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) 41-23, this week at Washington (FBS Big 10)---The Eagles fell behind big on the road against a strong Missouri Valley team and could not recover. They stay in state this week, playing their big brothers to the West.
9. Idaho (10)---Last week lost to Lamar (FCS Southland) at home 23-17, this week Abilene Christian (FCS United) at home---The Vandals are still trying to get their season started properly. They thought they had a good chance last week. They bring in a strong member of the United conference this week.
10. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at Colorado (FBS Big 12) 52-21, this week Northwestern State (FCS Southland) at home---The Wildcats took the money from their payday game and pretty much left soon after, not really putting up a fight. They return home this weekend, bringing in a team from the Southland.
11. Northern Colorado (11)---Last week lost at Wyoming (FBS Mountain West) 21-13, this week Northeastern State (DII) at home---Things looked really good for the Bears, playing up a level just across the border. Then reality set in and they had to settle for almost. They come back home and play a DII team this weekend.
12. Portland State (12)---Last week lost to North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 47-23, this week at Oregon (FBS Big 10)---The season so far for the Vikings has been too many drives with zero points. It came to bite them last week, playing a top team from the Missouri Valley. Now they play one of the big boys.
13. Utah Tech (13)---Last week lost at Montana 35-14, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Trailblazers took their welcome to the conference tour to one of the toughest places to play and looked better, but still lost. They continue their welcoming tour this week at home, with the Lumberjacks coming to town.
RECAP: 1, then 2-4 behind, 5-10 in a pack a few steps behind, 11-12 falling, 13 bringing up the rear.