Big Sky Power Rankings 8-31

[JALMOND]

OK, so finally football is starting. Time for the first Big Sky power rankings of the year. A lot of thought and a lot of research (OK maybe I lied), but it was still relatively easy. Here they are. All are my opinion and all are open for discussion. Have at them...

1. Montana Grizzlies---Even with having to find a replacement at the helm, the Grizzlies have a wealth of talent coming back. Good opportunity for the returning national runners-up. It all starts this weekend with a game against DII Western State of Colorado. Maybe a glorified tuneup, but then again Central Washington was supposed to be that last year. Still have to play the game.

2. Weber State Wildcats---Maybe more coming back than the Grizzlies, but having to play at Missoula this year does not help. Still, all the firepower should keep the Wildcats at or near the top all year. It all starts this weekend at FBS Wyoming. A winnable game and one the Wildcats would like to have.

3. Eastern Washington Eagles---A bunch of talent coming back as well but probation will keep the Eagles home (more than likely) for the playoffs this year, even if they do qualify. How the team as a whole responds to probation remains to be seen. Still, the Eagles are dangerous and should not be taken lightly. This week, DII Western Oregon heads to Cheney. First of many?

4. Montana State Bobcats---This is the year the Bobcat faithful have waited for, since Ash took over the program. The Bobcats have turned around off the field and now must turn it around on the field. Looking to improve again from last year, the season begins with a trip to Big 10 country and Michigan State. A good showing will prove that this year could be special in Bozeman.

5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Having to replace a bunch of personnel usually does not bode well, particularly when the conference as a whole has improved. Yet, you think the Jacks will fall and they are right in the middle of the race, up to the end of the year. The Jacks will take the first weekend off, getting another extra week of practice before officially starting the year.

6. Sacramento State Hornets---Last year was a step in the right direction for the Hornets, a team that has not had too much success in the conference. The only thing is more is expected from this team this year. High hopes were dashed when Hilliard went down, but there is still talent to surprise. Opening week finds the Hornets taking on FBS UNLV, a team similar to Colorado State last year. The Hornets came close at Fort Collins last year, can they seal the deal in Vegas this year?

7. Northern Colorado Bears---The Bears have been making baby strides since moving into the conference from DII. Still, all the effort has only translated into one win each year. Like most teams in the conference, the Bears are much improved from last year and hope to break through this year. This week finds the Bears, though, in survival mode as they head to play Big 12 foe Kansas. Keep it close and the Bears could surprise.

8. Portland State Vikings---This spring, the Vikings were like everyone else in the conference, improved and looking forward to a great year. Then Mouse Davis retired, the new offensive coordinator abruptly left for Edmonton, and Glanville started talking about emphasizing the run this year. All this, and a rough September (Vikings play Oregon State, Montana and Weber State all in the month) have thrown many questions into the mix. It all starts this weekend against Oregon State. Are the Vikings ready?

9. Idaho State Bengals---Its beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Bengals are also much improved from last year. The main problem is, so is everyone else. Still, for what they have returning, the Bengals should be in most games this year. Will it translate into wins? Remains to be seen, but this weekend finds them taking on Pac-10 Arizona State. Definitely won't be easy.

[weberwildcat]

If the big sky only won one game i'd take ISU over ASU!! that would be hilarious!

[AZGrizFan]

If the big sky only won one game i'd take ISU over ASU!! that would be hilarious!

ASU calls off the dogs at halftime, up 45-0. Much like they did against NAU last year, up 31-0 at half, and NAU claimed it was a "close" game because of the final score.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Looks about right. The real test will be how we do against Cal. I'd like to see us put up at least 3 scores, and hold them under 50pts.

[JALMOND]

Looks about right. The real test will be how we do against Cal. I'd like to see us put up at least 3 scores, and hold them under 50pts.

You'll hold them to under 50. In 2007, Cal played their starters the whole first half and scored 42 on us, then we held the second and third teams scoreless in the second half. They won't try to run up the score.

[Mike Johnson]

Maybe a glorified tuneup, but then again Central Washington was supposed to be that last year. Still have to play the game.

Central Washington was a very good Division II team last year--went to the third round in the playoffs. Western State last year and apparently this year, is pathetic. I wouldn't think Western State would come close to doing what Central Washington did last year.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Maybe a glorified tuneup, but then again Central Washington was supposed to be that last year. Still have to play the game.

Central Washington was a very good Division II team last year--went to the third round in the playoffs. Western State last year and apparently this year, is pathetic. I wouldn't think Western State would come close to doing what Central Washington did last year.

Not a chance

[AZGrizFan]

Central Washington was a very good Division II team last year--went to the third round in the playoffs. Western State last year and apparently this year, is pathetic. I wouldn't think Western State would come close to doing what Central Washington did last year.

Not a chance

Western State won't come close to doing what Fort Lewis has done against the Griz.

[JALMOND]

Maybe a glorified tuneup, but then again Central Washington was supposed to be that last year. Still have to play the game.

Central Washington was a very good Division II team last year--went to the third round in the playoffs. Western State last year and apparently this year, is pathetic. I wouldn't think Western State would come close to doing what Central Washington did last year.

The game still needs to be played. No one thought Central Washington could hang with the Griz at Wash-Griz, much like no one thinks Western State can hang with the Griz this year. A few years back, it was considered absurb that Montana State could even play Chadron State after knocking off mighty Colorado. The game still needs to be played.