Big Sky Power Rankings 11-16

[JALMOND]

Heading in the final stretch, and still everything is a tossup in the Big Sky. Who's in the playoffs, who's out, who's the champ, who's not, who's staying, who's going, pheew!!! Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion, as usual.

1. Northern Arizona (2)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 49-35, this week at Southern Utah---If you are waiting for this team to swoon, you're going to be disappointed. Ever since mid October, the Lumberjacks have been on a tear with both sides of the ball playing some really good football. Here's hoping they can make it in the playoffs.

2. Portland State (3)---Last week beat Southern Utah at home 24-23, this week at Eastern Washington---The Vikings responded to their second defeat of the season with a strong win and put themselves as an almost lock for the playoffs. A loss could dampen their spirits and force them to wait and see, but a win puts them in the playoffs.

3. Southern Utah (1)---Last week lost at Portland State 24-23, this week Northern Arizona at home---So close. The Thunderbirds did not play it safe and instead went for the whole thing last weekend and came up just short. They may still be in, but they may still need a good win. Their last shot at it comes this weekend.

4. Montana (6)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 57-16, this week at Montana State---Just when it seemed the Grizzlies were given up for dead, they put themselves back in contention for a playoff spot. They even have a slight chance at getting the auto bid from the conference. They do need a win this weekend, however.

5. North Dakota (7)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 45-14, this week at Cal Poly---So now it seems the Dakotans have finally got their offense going to go with that stingy defense they've had all season. The question, is it a little too late. They still hope for a playoff berth but they need a win and a bunch of help.

6. Weber State (5)---Last week bye, this week Idaho State at home---The Wildcats sat last week out so while everyone else was getting themselves situated for the final push, they were getting healthy and rested for their rivalry game. Not much for them to play for except bragging rights and momentum to go into next year with.

7. Eastern Washington (4)---Last week lost at Montana 57-16, this week Portland State at home---The Eagles fine season came crashing down to earth about two weeks too soon and now they have to scramble if they are to have any hope for the playoffs. Mainly, they need a win this week in the worst way and then hope.

8. Montana State (10)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 44-20, this week Montana at home---Redeeming grace for the Bobcats last week to get a strong defensive performance to go with a strong offensive performance. Just playing for pride the last couple weeks, no doubt they had this game circled to get a win.

9. Cal Poly (9)---Last week won at UC-Davis 55-38, this week North Dakota at home---The Mustangs have had the unfortunate task of playing spoiler and they will continue this week. But they are also getting ready for next year and closing out this disappointing season with three straight wins would be frosting on the cake.

10. Northern Colorado (8)---Last week lost at North Dakota 45-14, this week Abilene Christian (Southland) at home---The Bears were hoping for a little better end to their conference season than the way that they played, but they still ended up with a pretty good one to build for next year. They have a non-conference tilt to finish the year and a win would look good, too.

11. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at Montana State 44-20, this week at Weber State---The season that was supposed to be a breakout year for the Bengals before it was lost to injuries is almost over. They still have the opportunity to beat a really good team and use that for momentum to restart next year. That is if they are still focused.

12. Sacramento State (12)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 49-35, this week UC-Davis at home---With the way the season has gone, the Hornets look forward to ending it on a good note, both from a rivalry standpoint to just getting it over. They do get a winnable game, even for their standards and they are playing at home.

13. UC-Davis (13)---Last week lost to Cal Poly at home 55-38, this week at Sacramento State---For most of the year, the Aggies defense kept them in games, just waiting for the offense to get something going. Last week, the defense could not stop anything and, while the offense came to life late, it was just a lost cause. A better chance this weekend.

RECAP: 1-3 at the top, 4 closing in, 5 trying to keep up, 6-7 losing ground, 8-9 fading, 10 stumbling, 11-13 out of it.

[AZGrizFan]

Question: Why SUU at #3? They don't have a single quality win on their schedule. Meanwhile, that team behind them beat NDSU, UND, EWU, and MSU this week (although that'll hardly qualify...)

[SACCAT]

Question: Why SUU at #3? They don't have a single quality win on their schedule. Meanwhile, that team behind them beat NDSU, UND, EWU, and MSU this week (although that'll hardly qualify...)

UM won't beat MSU.

[Grizalltheway]

Question: Why SUU at #3? They don't have a single quality win on their schedule. Meanwhile, that team behind them beat NDSU, UND, EWU, and MSU this week (although that'll hardly qualify...)

UM won't beat MSU.

[JALMOND]

Question: Why SUU at #3? They don't have a single quality win on their schedule. Meanwhile, that team behind them beat NDSU, UND, EWU, and MSU this week (although that'll hardly qualify...)

SUU has already beaten MSU.

[AZGrizFan]

Question: Why SUU at #3? They don't have a single quality win on their schedule. Meanwhile, that team behind them beat NDSU, UND, EWU, and MSU this week (although that'll hardly qualify...)

UM won't beat MSU.

You're right. It'll be more of an ass-raping.

[AZGrizFan]

Question: Why SUU at #3? They don't have a single quality win on their schedule. Meanwhile, that team behind them beat NDSU, UND, EWU, and MSU this week (although that'll hardly qualify...)

SUU has already beaten MSU.

As I said, that'll hardly qualify.

[SDHornet]

Good list J, I'd put us over ISU though.

[SACCAT]

UM won't beat MSU.

You're right. It'll be more of an ass-raping.

Well...It is the griz...I guess there has to be a rape in there somewhere.....I am just Mething with you, we will probably supply the roofies...you supply the ladder and the thieves.

[kalm]

You're right. It'll be more of an ass-raping.

Well...It is the griz...I guess there has to be a rape in there somewhere.....I am just Mething with you, we will probably supply the roofies...you supply the ladder and the thieves.

[Grizalltheway]

Dag gummit, Z...

[AZGrizFan]

Dag gummit, Z...

Oh, come ON. Talk about obvious.

Typical 'scat fan....zero originality.

[dbackjon]

You're right. It'll be more of an ass-raping.

Well...It is the griz...I guess there has to be a rape in there somewhere.....I am just Mething with you, we will probably supply the roofies...you supply the ladder and the thieves.

[SDHornet]

Well...It is the griz...I guess there has to be a rape in there somewhere.....I am just Mething with you, we will probably supply the roofies...you supply the ladder and the thieves.

Yeah, that one made my sides hurt.

[AZGrizFan]

Hoo yeah...it's hi-larious....real knee slapper, that one.