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Two weeks of nonconference action and now six teams will start conference play this week. While the nonconference tilts are always exciting, they create a big mess trying to figure out where the teams are. That said, here are the power rankings for the Big Sky this week. I did not take the easy way this week, there are changes to some teams. All are solely my opinion and all are up for discussion. This week (last week).

1. Montana (1)---So last week the Griz get a hard fought win on the road at UC-Davis, a place that slowly is becoming a very difficult place for visitors to win at. A win is always good, better than a close loss any day. This week, the Griz start conference play at the friendly confines of Wash-Griz as they host Portland State. Time for the real season to begin.

2. Weber State (2)---After last week, the Wildcats showed that they are compeitive against the Mountain West, at least the bottom tier of the Mountain West. After hanging with both Wyoming (the week before) and Colorado State (last week), the Wildcats start conference play this weekend by welcoming Idaho State to Ogden, still looking for their first win of the year.

3. Eastern Washington (3)---After getting an easy win against DII, last week the Eagles went to face Pac-10 opponent California and came out of the game on the losing end. Hard to say just where this team is as things have basically gone as expected. This week, they open at home against a game Northern Colorado squad. Can they get the year off to a good start?

4. Northern Arizona (4)---The first game of the year can be tricky, yet the Jacks kept their game with Pac-10 Arizona interesting throughout most of the game. A lot of new faces, yet Herrick showed an early understanding of the offense, while the defense did their best to keep Arizona at bay. This week, a little easier (perhaps) as they play their home opener against Southern Utah. Maybe not too easy.

5. Northern Colorado (7)---Sometimes it is difficult to say an early season game can tell how a season will go, but the Bears had one of those games last week against San Diego. After the Torreros beat them in Greeley a couple years back, this was the first test for this team hoping to make some noise in the conference this year, and they got the win. Can they build on it as they head to Eastern Washington this week?

6. Montana State (4)---It is difficult to say where the Bobcats should be as they are 1-1 where most people would have them at this point. Yet top Big Sky teams are not struggling to beat Dixie State, as the Bobcats were this past week. An ugly performance coming on the heels of another ugly game against Big 10 Michigan State. One was expected, one was not. This weekend, the Bobcats get a well deserved break to get ready for conference play.

7. Portland State (8)---1-1, yet there are good things coming from the Vikings camp. Encouraging signs from the Oregon State game, yet a small step back in the Southern Oregon game. But the mistakes are small and the Vikings are eager to get on with conference play. Be careful what you wish for as the Vikings head into Montana this week.

8. Sacramento State (6)---Losing Hilliard is looming as a bigger loss than imagined for the Hornets. Big expectations have gone by the wayside after last week's loss to Cal Poly. Struggles on offense combined with a weak defense have left some scratching their heads about this Hornet team. This week, a much needed rest to recover and try to start the conference year on a good note.

9. Idaho State (9)---The good news last week for the Bengals was that Bradford did not play for Okahoma. The bad news was that it didn't matter who quarterbacked the Sooners, they could still pick apart the Bengal defense. More bad news? This week they head down the road to Ogden to face Weber State and Higgins, who is not Bradford, but may be better than the Sooner's backup.

Looks about right, Jalmond, although at this point I would be tempted to put Weber #1 over Montana, but that will all work itself out - which is the beauty of a conference where all the members actually play each other.

I'd put Montana 2nd....possibly third.

AZGrizFan wrote:I'd put Montana 2nd....possibly third.

Sandbagging, AZ?!?? Weber has not won a single game.

my ranking for this week is as follows: (OMO)

1. montana- did not play well last week but showed they know how to come from behind
2. weber st.- would be first if they could win no reward from me for playing fbs teams and losing
3. ewu - a lot of talent but i think a team in limbo waiting to find out about the playoff good news - their
a hard team beat, bad news this team might fold!
4. unc - team won when many had them losing to san diego (not me) however can move down just as
fast
5. psu - played better than montana state
6. msu - well they have two weeks good luck
7. nau - win and they move up
8. sac st - better than isu
9. isu - someday the disco ball will be hot

Good to see a new Montana guy. Welcome to the board Paw.

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:Good to see a new Montana guy. Welcome to the board Paw.

Yes welcome

dbackjon wrote:Looks about right, Jalmond, although at this point I would be tempted to put Weber #1 over Montana, but that will all work itself out - which is the beauty of a conference where all the members actually play each other.

I was considering co-#1's but I thought that would be the easy way out. Let me just say that Weber and Montana are REALLY close right now. Granted, it would have looked strange for an 0-2 team to be #1, especially when the flagship school is 2-0 and ranked higher in most polls.

dbackjon wrote:

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:Good to see a new Montana guy. Welcome to the board Paw.

Yes welcome

And good post, by the way!

JALMOND wrote:

dbackjon wrote:Looks about right, Jalmond, although at this point I would be tempted to put Weber #1 over Montana, but that will all work itself out - which is the beauty of a conference where all the members actually play each other.

I was considering co-#1's but I thought that would be the easy way out. Let me just say that Weber and Montana are REALLY close right now. Granted, it would have looked strange for an 0-2 team to be #1, especially when the flagship school is 2-0 and ranked higher in most polls.

Not given the way the two teams have played.

[quote="JALMOND"]Two weeks of nonconference action and now six teams will start conference play this week. While the nonconference tilts are always exciting, they create a big mess trying to figure out where the teams are. That said, here are the power rankings for the Big Sky this week. I did not take the easy way this week, there are changes to some teams. All are solely my opinion and all are up for discussion. This week (last week).

1. Montana (1)---So last week the Griz get a hard fought win on the road at UC-Davis, a place that slowly is becoming a very difficult place for visitors to win at. A win is always good, better than a close loss any day. This week, the Griz start conference play at the friendly confines of Wash-Griz as they host Portland State. Time for the real season to begin.

2. Weber State (2)---After last week, the Wildcats showed that they are compeitive against the Mountain West, at least the bottom tier of the Mountain West. After hanging with both Wyoming (the week before) and Colorado State (last week), the Wildcats start conference play this weekend by welcoming Idaho State to Ogden, still looking for their first win of the year.

3. Eastern Washington (3)---After getting an easy win against DII, last week the Eagles went to face Pac-10 opponent California and came out of the game on the losing end. Hard to say just where this team is as things have basically gone as expected. This week, they open at home against a game Northern Colorado squad. Can they get the year off to a good start?

4. Northern Arizona (4)---The first game of the year can be tricky, yet the Jacks kept their game with Pac-10 Arizona interesting throughout most of the game. A lot of new faces, yet Herrick showed an early understanding of the offense, while the defense did their best to keep Arizona at bay. This week, a little easier (perhaps) as they play their home opener against Southern Utah. Maybe not too easy.

5. Northern Colorado (7)---Sometimes it is difficult to say an early season game can tell how a season will go, but the Bears had one of those games last week against San Diego. After the Torreros beat them in Greeley a couple years back, this was the first test for this team hoping to make some noise in the conference this year, and they got the win. Can they build on it as they head to Eastern Washington this week?

6. Montana State (4)---It is difficult to say where the Bobcats should be as they are 1-1 where most people would have them at this point. Yet top Big Sky teams are not struggling to beat Dixie State, as the Bobcats were this past week. An ugly performance coming on the heels of another ugly game against Big 10 Michigan State. One was expected, one was not. This weekend, the Bobcats get a well deserved break to get ready for conference play.

7. Portland State (8)---1-1, yet there are good things coming from the Vikings camp. Encouraging signs from the Oregon State game, yet a small step back in the Southern Oregon game. But the mistakes are small and the Vikings are eager to get on with conference play. Be careful what you wish for as the Vikings head into Montana this week.

8. Sacramento State (6)---Losing Hilliard is looming as a bigger loss than imagined for the Hornets. Big expectations have gone by the wayside after last week's loss to Cal Poly. Struggles on offense combined with a weak defense have left some scratching their heads about this Hornet team. This week, a much needed rest to recover and try to start the conference year on a good note.

9. Idaho State (9)---The good news last week for the Bengals was that Bradford did not play for Okahoma. The bad news was that it didn't matter who quarterbacked the Sooners, they could still pick apart the Bengal defense. More bad news? This week they head down the road to Ogden to face Weber State and Higgins, who is not Bradford, but may be better than the Sooner's backup.[/quote]



keep the power rankings going each week...

the paw wrote:my ranking for this week is as follows: (OMO)

1. montana- did not play well last week but showed they know how to come from behind
2. weber st.- would be first if they could win no reward from me for playing fbs teams and losing
3. ewu - a lot of talent but i think a team in limbo waiting to find out about the playoff good news - their
a hard team beat, bad news this team might fold!
4. ncu - team won when many had them losing to san diego (not me) however can move down just as
fast
5. psu - played better than montana state
6. msu - well they have two weeks good luck
7. nau - win and they move up
8. sac st - better than isu
9. isu - someday the disco ball will be hot

Hey stick around here, regardless of what I say.

Pretty darn good analysis there paw!

Wedgebuster wrote:

the paw wrote:my ranking for this week is as follows: (OMO)

1. montana- did not play well last week but showed they know how to come from behind
2. weber st.- would be first if they could win no reward from me for playing fbs teams and losing
3. ewu - a lot of talent but i think a team in limbo waiting to find out about the playoff good news - their
a hard team beat, bad news this team might fold!
4. ncu - team won when many had them losing to san diego (not me) however can move down just as
fast
5. psu - played better than montana state
6. msu - well they have two weeks good luck
7. nau - win and they move up
8. sac st - better than isu
9. isu - someday the disco ball will be hot

Hey stick around here, regardless of what I say.

Pretty darn good analysis there paw!

Oh Wedge you kill me brother. In the above sentence, knowing you, I can still read it clearly in two different lights.
1. "I want you to stick around, but I am lying when I say that."
2. "I want you to stick around in spite of the fact that I am sure to offend you with my abrasive personality."

The Griz started out slow last season and they still made it to the NCAA Championship game, Im sure they will figure out thier "issues" and become the Montana team we all know and hate

Although in my opinion at this moment, I would put Weber at #1 Weber looks great right now despite starting 0-2.

Wildcat Ryan wrote:The Griz started out slow last season and they still made it to the NCAA Championship game, Im sure they will figure out thier "issues" and become the Montana team we all know and hate

Although in my opinion at this moment, I would put Weber at #1 Weber looks great right now despite starting 0-2.

I'm sure the griz will come around, but I had WSU ahead of the griz in the AGS poll yesterday even with a 0-2 start. I saw both of the griz games and they have some things to figure out to be a power, like most teams the first couple games. The next 2-3 weeks should start giving an indication of how teams will fare this year.

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:

Wedgebuster wrote:
Hey stick around here, regardless of what I say.

Pretty darn good analysis there paw!

Oh Wedge you kill me brother. In the above sentence, knowing you, I can still read it clearly in two different lights.
1. "I want you to stick around, but I am lying when I say that."
2. "I want you to stick around in spite of the fact that I am sure to offend you with my abrasive personality."

0 from column 1., full monte on column 2.

I know this is pure myopianism, but here goes:

1. Sac
2. Griz
3. Weber
4. PSU
5. EWU
6. NAU
7. MSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

I'll throw in my two cents:

Conference Championship Contenders

1. Weber State - Colorado State is a good team. There are quite a few teams in the Mountain West that won't do as well against the Rams as Weber did.

2. Montana - Uninspiring wins over Western State and UC-Davis, but wins nontheless.

Teams That Have Exceeded Expectations

3. Eastern Washington - They've only played Western Oregon and Cal, so it's tough to get a read on them, but the talent is there.

4. Northern Arizona - Hanging with a Pac-10 team is no small feat, well, unless it's Washington State.

5. Northern Colorado - Even this optimistic Bears fan didn't expect a 19-point win over San Diego. And it could've been worse.

6. Portland State - Played a respectable game at Oregon State and took care of Southern Oregon as expected.

Teams That Have Disappointed

7. Montana State - Bobcat fans aren't happy about the close win over Dixie State, and Michigan State losing to Central Michigan doesn't help their cause.

8. Sacramento State - Neither loss has been close, but Cal Poly probably should've been.

The Bottom Feeder

9. Idaho State - I know Oklahoma and Arizona State are good teams, but 81 total yards in two games is just embarrassing.

Thouhgts and feedback are appreciated.

free7694 wrote:I'll throw in my two cents:

Conference Championship Contenders

1. Weber State - Colorado State is a good team. There are quite a few teams in the Mountain West that won't do as well against the Rams as Weber did.

2. Montana - Uninspiring wins over Western State and UC-Davis, but wins nontheless.

Teams That Have Disappointed

7. Montana State - Bobcat fans aren't happy about the close win over Dixie State, and Michigan State losing to Central Michigan doesn't help their cause.

8. Sacramento State - Neither loss has been close, but Cal Poly probably should've been.

While I get your system, without actually RANKING the teams I'd put Montana squarely under the "Teams That Have Disappointed" category.

AZGrizFan wrote:

free7694 wrote:I'll throw in my two cents:

Conference Championship Contenders

1. Weber State - Colorado State is a good team. There are quite a few teams in the Mountain West that won't do as well against the Rams as Weber did.

2. Montana - Uninspiring wins over Western State and UC-Davis, but wins nontheless.

Teams That Have Disappointed

7. Montana State - Bobcat fans aren't happy about the close win over Dixie State, and Michigan State losing to Central Michigan doesn't help their cause.

8. Sacramento State - Neither loss has been close, but Cal Poly probably should've been.

While I get your system, without actually RANKING the teams I'd put Montana squarely under the "Teams That Have Disappointed" category.

AND Weber! A loss is a loss.

free7694 wrote:I'll throw in my two cents:

Conference Championship Contenders

1. Weber State - Colorado State is a good team. There are quite a few teams in the Mountain West that won't do as well against the Rams as Weber did.

2. Montana - Uninspiring wins over Western State and UC-Davis, but wins nontheless.

Teams That Have Exceeded Expectations

3. Eastern Washington - They've only played Western Oregon and Cal, so it's tough to get a read on them, but the talent is there.

4. Northern Arizona - Hanging with a Pac-10 team is no small feat, well, unless it's Washington State.

5. Northern Colorado - Even this optimistic Bears fan didn't expect a 19-point win over San Diego. And it could've been worse.

6. Portland State - Played a respectable game at Oregon State and took care of Southern Oregon as expected.

Teams That Have Disappointed

7. Montana State - Bobcat fans aren't happy about the close win over Dixie State, and Michigan State losing to Central Michigan doesn't help their cause.

8. Sacramento State - Neither loss has been close, but Cal Poly probably should've been.

The Bottom Feeder

9. Idaho State - I know Oklahoma and Arizona State are good teams, but 81 total yards in two games is just embarrassing.

Thouhgts and feedback are appreciated.

Nice job man, I like the analysis on this. Keep it up and don't pay any attention to what AZGriz says. As Griz fans go he is much like those spoiled rich girls on TV that are disappointed with the extavagant birthday party their daddy threw them for their 18th birthday.

On top of that the shortness of his memory is as immeasurable as his dick.