Big Sky Power Rankings 11-1

[JALMOND]

"And down the stretch they come". Three weeks to go and the top part of the conference is still a big mess. Usually there are one or two teams that seem to be the favorite when November starts, but this year, the Big Sky has six teams. This should set up a mad dash to the finish where games begin to count more and style points give way to "just win, baby". Here are this week's power rankings (last week's rankings in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Buckle up, it's going to be a crazy ride.

1. Montana State (1)---Last week bye, this week at Eastern Washington---The Bobcats took last week off from their impressive start to prepare for their final games and none are as big as the one this week. They hit the road for a tough battle with Eastern Washington in a game that, while may not decide things, will set the tone for the rest of the season.

2. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week bye, this week Montana State at home---The Eagles entered their bye weekend after a tough home loss to a resurgent Weber State team, but they also had an extra week to prepare for their home stretch. They get a home game this weekend against Montana State, and then a tough road game the following week at UC Davis. Eek!

3. Sacramento State (2)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 27-24, this week Cal Poly at home---The Hornets put their undefeated streak on the line on the road and did get a tough win against one of the bottom feeders. They get another bottom feeder this weekend, this time at their house. They've got a fairly smooth run to their rivalry game but they can't afford to stub their toe.

4. UC Davis (5)---Last week bye, this week at Northern Arizona---The Aggies took last week off as well to prepare for perhaps the roughest stretch run anyone has to face in the conference. This week's game should be the easiest, but they have one loss in a dome so far this year, and in this game, they also have to contend with altitude. Win it and things get really tough.

5. Weber State (6)---Last week won at Idaho State 40-17, this week Portland State at home---Just in time for the party, the Wildcats seem to be back in the thick of things. They didn't suffer a letdown after their big road win at Eastern Washington, but they got another road win indoors. They need to keep rolling along as they don't have much room for error.

6. Montana (4)---Last week beat Southern Utah at home 20-19, this week at Northern Colorado---What is going on with the Grizzlies? It looked like they were back on their winning ways at Idaho the previous week and then tried their best to give the game this past weekend to a lowly opponent. Perhaps they were looking ahead to Northern Colorado, but that doesn't make much sense.

7. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week won at Idaho 38-31, this week UC Davis at home---After looking pathetic the week before, the Lumberjacks put their things together and got a good road win last week. Harboring slim playoff hopes and needing a statement win, they get a chance at home this weekend for an impressive win, and another chance next week.

8. Portland State (9)---Last week, beat Cal Poly at home 42-21, this week at Weber State---A daunting task for the Vikings who also hold slim playoff hopes. After a win at home last week, they head out on the road for a tough game against one of the conference heavy hitters. Their stretch run is against all heavy hitters so they may have a shot if they win out.

9. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost to Sacramento State at home 27-24, this week Montana at home---Playing the role of spoiler in the conference, the Bears almost did just that last weekend, but Sacramento State flexed their muscle and the Bears ended up on the short end. They now entertain a reeling Montana squad and get them in the Bear's den.

10. Idaho (8)---Last week lost to Northern Arizona at home 38-31, this week Southern Utah at home---The Vandals came up on the short end of a game that they really needed last week. Their season slowly going away, they get a good shot at a win this weekend with the conference patsy coming to town. Good time as any to get a much deserved win.

11. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 40-17, this week at Brigham Young (FBS Independent)---Fresh off their tough home loss last week, the Bengals step out of conference play and move up to the FBS level with a date against Brigham Young. A win would definitely send shock waves through both the FBS and FCS, but the Bengals would want to avoid any injury/

12. Southern Utah (13)---Last week lost at Montana 20-19, this week at Idaho---One blocked field goal is what kept the Thunderbirds from springing a major upset at this point in conference play. One has to think that it resurrected hope that the Thunderbirds will get a conference win in their final season. If they play like they did last week, they may have a chance this weekend.

13. Cal Poly (12)---Last week lost at Portland State 42-21, this week at Sacramento State---My but that win the first game of the year seems so long ago. The Mustangs took another one on the chin last week and continue their search for that elusive conference win this season. If last weekend was tough, wait until they experience what this weekend will bring.

RECAP: 1-6 out front, 7-8 a ways behind, 9-10 fading, 11-13 off the pace

[Mvemjsunpx]

6. Montana (4)---Last week beat Southern Utah at home 20-19, this week at Northern Colorado---What is going on with the Grizzlies? It looked like they were back on their winning ways at Idaho the previous week and then tried their best to give the game this past weekend to a lowly opponent. Perhaps they were looking ahead to Northern Colorado, but that doesn't make much sense.

[SuperHornet]

Normally, I don't like knocking a team down following a bye or a win, but these probably just correct previous discrepancies. A good product overall as per usual, Jal.

For me, the big question revolves around the Conference Game of the Week this week: MSU at EWU. Does the winner take the top spot next week, or does Sac take it after beating Cal Poly simply because Sac will be the only team left with a perfect conference record (if EWU wins)? That's a good question to ponder. I think for most of us, MSU will take the top spot if they win, particularly if it's not in overtime. One could make a case for EWU having recovered from a temporary "swoon" should they win. I think about the only way most people would go for Sac, given that we're playing a bottom-feeder this week, would be a blowout...so long as we don't make it 106-0, in which case there would be a ton of righteous blowback, and rightly so. (I don't think Taylor would do that, anyway.)

[JALMOND]

Normally, I don't like knocking a team down following a bye or a win, but these probably just correct previous discrepancies. A good product overall as per usual, Jal.

For me, the big question revolves around the Conference Game of the Week this week: MSU at EWU. Does the winner take the top spot next week, or does Sac take it after beating Cal Poly simply because Sac will be the only team left with a perfect conference record (if EWU wins)? That's a good question to ponder. I think for most of us, MSU will take the top spot if they win, particularly if it's not in overtime. One could make a case for EWU having recovered from a temporary "swoon" should they win. I think about the only way most people would go for Sac, given that we're playing a bottom-feeder this week, would be a blowout...so long as we don't make it 106-0, in which case there would be a ton of righteous blowback, and rightly so. (I don't think Taylor would do that, anyway.)

It is just my opinion but my concern about the Hornets is that they have two close road wins to two bad teams (Idaho State and Northern Colorado) and a soft schedule. Also, their best win over Montana (so far) is looking pretty average. If they would have beaten the Bears by even a couple of touchdowns, I don't think I would have dropped them. Also, unless MSU/EWU is a blowout, I was probably going to put the loser at #2 anyway next week and the Hornets at #3. But we'll see how it all plays out next week.

[SDHornet]

Sac State wins but get moved behind a team that was on a bye. Mmkay.

[AZGrizFan]

New Rankings:

Griz
SUU
Idaho
Sac
UNC
NAU
Davis
Idaho State
Portland State
Weber
EWU
Cal Poly
MSU

[Mvemjsunpx]

New Rankings:

Griz
SUU
Idaho
Sac
UNC
NAU
Davis
Idaho State
Portland State
Weber
EWU
Cal Poly
MSU

Except Idaho just beat SUU.

No arguments otherwise.

[AZGrizFan]

New Rankings:

Griz
SUU
Idaho
Sac
UNC
NAU
Davis
Idaho State
Portland State
Weber
EWU
Cal Poly
MSU

Except Idaho just beat SUU.

No arguments otherwise.

Ah shit. OK. Swap those two. My bad.