Big Sky Power Rankings 10-5

[JALMOND]

So everything is moving along, nothing is changing, all is going to plan and life is boring. Then this last week hits and everything is turned upside down. Montana State, showing almost no offense, gets the spark going on the road against Weber State, and dead and buried Northern Colorado threw a big scare on the road at Northern Arizona. Suddenly, things are not what they were. Here are this week's power rankings. All are totally my opinion and all are subject for discussion. This week (last week)

1. Montana (1)---The Grizzlies took the week off so they were able to take a front row to all the carnage going on. If there was an example of being helped by having a bye, the Grizzles showed that last week. This week, they get back to action, but still are out of conference, welcoming Cal Poly to Missoula. The Great West's Mustangs are looking forward to the opportunity to knock off the Grizzlies, will the Griz avoid the upset?

2. Eastern Washington (3)---With everything going on around them, the Eagles made quick work in disposing Idaho State last week. So far this year, the Eagles' opponents have not had much of a pulse, other than Cal, so a big question is how good are they? That should be cleared up in the next four weeks as the schedule gets extremely tough, starting this week at home against Weber State. Clearing up some things?

3. Montana State (5)---Those still wondering where the Bobcat offense is may still be wondering, but there is no question the defense has arrived. Preserving a victory at Weber State last week, the defense was able to get a successful goal line stand at the end. The defense is doing enough to make the offense win. Is there any reason to do otherwise? This week, Northern Arizona comes to town. This is a team that defenses have had difficulty shutting down, but that should not be too big an order for the Bobcat defense. Or will it?

4. Weber State (2)---After almost losing the game at Portland the week before, the Wildcats let Montana State hang around knowing that they can still get the win at the end. The problem is, they didn't, and now a promising season is hanging precariously, teetering on the brink of not being eligible for the playoffs. Early October is not when you realize you probably need to win the rest of your games, especially when you need to play Montana, Northern Arizona, Cal Poly, and this week's opponent, Eastern Washington. Have to start somewhere.

5. Northern Arizona (4)---Talk about inconsistent and you probably would be talking about the Jacks. A great showing against Pac-10 Arizona followed by an average showing against Southern Utah. A strong performance against Montana followed by last week's ho-hum game with banged up Northern Colorado. This week they are scheduled for a great game. This week, though, they have to go to Montana State.

6. Sacramento State (7)---To say the Hornets do not have any success at Portland State is an understatement, yet they came in and took it right to the Vikings in their victory. Pretty much everything the Hornets did came out right and made the Hornets feel better about their year. How much better? This week they get to go back home and face Idaho State. Another win and they are off to the races.

7. Northern Colorado (8)---Hard to believe but this Bears team was pretty much given up for dead after two offensive lackluster performances against both Eastern Washington and Montana State. Then they gave Northern Arizona all they could handle in Flagstaff before losing it in the end. Good things are floating again around this Bears team. Can they keep it going this week against struggling Portland State?

8. Portland State (6)---The Vikings closed out their tough September almost getting the win against Weber State. So they are ready to roll through the rest of the schedule to a successful season. Not too fast. The Vikings were clearly not ready last week and Sacramento State was able to do whatever they wanted and the Vikings got snapped back to reality awfully quick. Now they will try to get the season jump-started this week at Northern Colorado, a game that does not look as easy as it did before last week.

9. Idaho State (9)---Then there were the Bengals. While the bottom teams were making moves and the top teams were falling, the Bengals held up their end of the bargain by bowing out early against Eastern Washington. There are the haves and the have-nots, and then there are the Bengals. Can they just get a win? Maybe hope is on the horizon as they head to Sacramento State, a team they beat last year. Then again that was last year and the game was in Pocatello.

[putter]

Good rankings Jalmond. Next couple of weeks will shuffle this around even more.

[weberwildcat]

need to play Montana, Northern Arizona, Cal Poly, and this week's opponent, Eastern Washington. Have to start somewhere.

some seriously tough games ahead.

[kalm]

some seriously tough games ahead.

This going to be one hell of stretch run for all of the top teams:

Montana still has EWU, Weber, and MSU

EWU still has Weber, Montana, MSU, and NAU

MSU still has NAU, EWU, and Montana

NAU still has MSU, Weber, and EWU

Could definitely be a split title with a couple of losses, but if MSU, Montana, or EWU were to run the table, they could be looking at a seed.

[AZGrizFan]

This going to be one hell of stretch run for all of the top teams:

Montana still has EWU, Weber, and MSU

EWU still has Weber, Montana, MSU, and NAU

MSU still has NAU, EWU, and Montana

NAU still has MSU, Weber, and EWU

Could definitely be a split title with a couple of losses, but if MSU, Montana, or EWU were to run the table, they could be looking at a seed.

Meh. It's the Big Fluff. Everybody will win all of their games.

[putter]

This going to be one hell of stretch run for all of the top teams:

Montana still has EWU, Weber, and MSU

EWU still has Weber, Montana, MSU, and NAU

MSU still has NAU, EWU, and Montana

NAU still has MSU, Weber, and EWU

Could definitely be a split title with a couple of losses, but if MSU, Montana, or EWU were to run the table, they could be looking at a seed.

Meh. It's the Big Fluff. Everybody will win all of their games.

No, remember it is Montana and the eight dwarfs.....

[kalm]

Meh. It's the Big Fluff. Everybody will win all of their games.

No, remember it is Montana and the eight dwarfs.....

The eight dwarfs who keep on winning playoff road games (Weber last year) and picking off #1 seeds (EWU v. SIU '05 and McNeese '07)

[JALMOND]

This going to be one hell of stretch run for all of the top teams:

Montana still has EWU, Weber, and MSU

EWU still has Weber, Montana, MSU, and NAU

MSU still has NAU, EWU, and Montana

NAU still has MSU, Weber, and EWU

Could definitely be a split title with a couple of losses, but if MSU, Montana, or EWU were to run the table, they could be looking at a seed.

Don't forget that both Sac State and Northern Colorado now have some confidence after last week. Probably not enough for them to contend, but definitely enough to throw a wrench into someone's plans. Also Portland State is always tough at home and weird things sometimes happen at Idaho State. You don't finish a game and you might find yourself on the short end of a game you thought you had in the bag.

[cats2506]

This going to be one hell of stretch run for all of the top teams:

Montana still has EWU, Weber, and MSU

EWU still has Weber, Montana, MSU, and NAU

MSU still has NAU, EWU, and Montana

NAU still has MSU, Weber, and EWU

Could definitely be a split title with a couple of losses, but if MSU, Montana, or EWU were to run the table, they could be looking at a seed.

very true

Don't forget that both Sac State and Northern Colorado now have some confidence after last week. Probably not enough for them to contend, but definitely enough to throw a wrench into someone's plans. Also Portland State is always tough at home and weird things sometimes happen at Idaho State. You don't finish a game and you might find yourself on the short end of a game you thought you had in the bag.

[dbackjon]

No, remember it is Montana and the eight dwarfs.....

The eight dwarfs who keep on winning playoff road games (Weber last year) and picking off #1 seeds (EWU v. SIU '05 and McNeese '07)

NAU beat #1 McNeese on the road in 2003.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

No, remember it is Montana and the eight dwarfs.....

The eight dwarfs who keep on winning playoff road games (Weber last year) and picking off #1 seeds (EWU v. SIU '05 and McNeese '07)

I thought SIU was 2004, (we lost by a FG to national runner-up UNI first round 2005), and McNeese was a #2 seed in 2007.

[putter]

No, remember it is Montana and the eight dwarfs.....

The eight dwarfs who keep on winning playoff road games (Weber last year) and picking off #1 seeds (EWU v. SIU '05 and McNeese '07)

Now Kalm, don't bring up those "facts"! They just throw out the "Oh EWU, NAU or whomever just had one good year but that doesn't make a good conference" argument...

[AZGrizFan]

The eight dwarfs who keep on winning playoff road games (Weber last year) and picking off #1 seeds (EWU v. SIU '05 and McNeese '07)

Now Kalm, don't bring up those "facts"! They just throw out the "Oh EWU, NAU or whomever just had one good year but that doesn't make a good conference" argument...

Yet their teams have "one good year" andit's proof of how good their conference is".

[SuperHornet]

You guys are forgetting that the Griz are going down 24 Oct.

[EWURanger]

The eight dwarfs who keep on winning playoff road games (Weber last year) and picking off #1 seeds (EWU v. SIU '05 and McNeese '07)

I thought SIU was 2004, (we lost by a FG to national runner-up UNI first round 2005), and McNeese was a #2 seed in 2007.

SIU was '04. It was Meyer's Junior year.

[EWURanger]

So everything is moving along, nothing is changing, all is going to plan and life is boring. Then this last week hits and everything is turned upside down. Montana State, showing almost no offense, gets the spark going on the road against Weber State, and dead and buried Northern Colorado threw a big scare on the road at Northern Arizona. Suddenly, things are not what they were. Here are this week's power rankings. All are totally my opinion and all are subject for discussion. This week (last week)

1. Montana (1)---The Grizzlies took the week off so they were able to take a front row to all the carnage going on. If there was an example of being helped by having a bye, the Grizzles showed that last week. This week, they get back to action, but still are out of conference, welcoming Cal Poly to Missoula. The Great West's Mustangs are looking forward to the opportunity to knock off the Grizzlies, will the Griz avoid the upset?

2. Eastern Washington (3)---With everything going on around them, the Eagles made quick work in disposing Idaho State last week. So far this year, the Eagles' opponents have not had much of a pulse, other than Cal, so a big question is how good are they? That should be cleared up in the next four weeks as the schedule gets extremely tough, starting this week at home against Weber State. Clearing up some things?

3. Montana State (5)---Those still wondering where the Bobcat offense is may still be wondering, but there is no question the defense has arrived. Preserving a victory at Weber State last week, the defense was able to get a successful goal line stand at the end. The defense is doing enough to make the offense win. Is there any reason to do otherwise? This week, Northern Arizona comes to town. This is a team that defenses have had difficulty shutting down, but that should not be too big an order for the Bobcat defense. Or will it?

4. Weber State (2)---After almost losing the game at Portland the week before, the Wildcats let Montana State hang around knowing that they can still get the win at the end. The problem is, they didn't, and now a promising season is hanging precariously, teetering on the brink of not being eligible for the playoffs. Early October is not when you realize you probably need to win the rest of your games, especially when you need to play Montana, Northern Arizona, Cal Poly, and this week's opponent, Eastern Washington. Have to start somewhere.

5. Northern Arizona (4)---Talk about inconsistent and you probably would be talking about the Jacks. A great showing against Pac-10 Arizona followed by an average showing against Southern Utah. A strong performance against Montana followed by last week's ho-hum game with banged up Northern Colorado. This week they are scheduled for a great game. This week, though, they have to go to Montana State.

6. Sacramento State (7)---To say the Hornets do not have any success at Portland State is an understatement, yet they came in and took it right to the Vikings in their victory. Pretty much everything the Hornets did came out right and made the Hornets feel better about their year. How much better? This week they get to go back home and face Idaho State. Another win and they are off to the races.

7. Northern Colorado (8)---Hard to believe but this Bears team was pretty much given up for dead after two offensive lackluster performances against both Eastern Washington and Montana State. Then they gave Northern Arizona all they could handle in Flagstaff before losing it in the end. Good things are floating again around this Bears team. Can they keep it going this week against struggling Portland State?

8. Portland State (6)---The Vikings closed out their tough September almost getting the win against Weber State. So they are ready to roll through the rest of the schedule to a successful season. Not too fast. The Vikings were clearly not ready last week and Sacramento State was able to do whatever they wanted and the Vikings got snapped back to reality awfully quick. Now they will try to get the season jump-started this week at Northern Colorado, a game that does not look as easy as it did before last week.

9. Idaho State (9)---Then there were the Bengals. While the bottom teams were making moves and the top teams were falling, the Bengals held up their end of the bargain by bowing out early against Eastern Washington. There are the haves and the have-nots, and then there are the Bengals. Can they just get a win? Maybe hope is on the horizon as they head to Sacramento State, a team they beat last year. Then again that was last year and the game was in Pocatello.

I'll agree with your rankings, although I think the 2-4 spots are probably interchangeable at this point. I'm not sure anyone has really proven they are a solid #2 behind Montana.

I might also put PSU over UNC. Watching them put up 0 points against EWU just didn't do a lot to impress me.

[kalm]

My bad on the dates and leaving out the jacks. But thank you all for getting the point.