Big Sky Power Rankings 9-27

[JALMOND]

With all that was pretty much a given last week in the conference, about all that was decided is that Montana State has a pretty good football team. For the rest, a lot more questions remain to be answered, as we start a new month of football action. Actually, for as good as the Bobcats have looked, they still have some questions remaining as well. But it still looks different with the other Montana team on top for a change. This week's Big Sky conference power rankings. This week (last week). Some things cleared up, some still need to be decided.

1. Montana State (1)---Opening up their conference slate in a season that they can sense will be a good one, the Bobcats wanted to make a statement and excise some old demons against Eastern Washington, a team the Bobcats hadn't beaten in eight years. For a season to be great, this fact needed to be rectified and it was in a hurry. Now it is off to Sacramento State, another team that is hoping for great things this year. The Bobcats better not have an EWU hangover.

2. Montana (3)---Reeling a bit from two straight losses, the Grizzlies were able to come back home and get a win over Sacramento State. Naysayers will not be pleased but for how this Grizzly team started, a little home cooking is always good. Hard to determine if this showed that Sacramento State is good or if there is still work to do in Griz-land. They soon will find out as this week, they go back on the road to Northern Colorado. Home cooking is good, but great teams win on the road, too.

3. Eastern Washington (2)---After a big win over Montana, the Eagles had aspirations of a great season, especially going to play Montana State, a team they had beaten eight straight times. However, football can be a cruel game and the Eagles lost control of this game quickly. Taiwan Jones is a beast, but even he can only carry this team so far. The Eagles need others to step up. This week, they are back on the road as they face Weber State. Time for others to take the load off of Jones.

4. Northern Arizona (5)---Flying a little bit under the radar with other marquee games going on in the conference, the Jacks were snuffing out any hopes Idaho State might have this season. Beginning the season strong has never been an issue for the Jacks and this year seems more of the same. This week, they step out of conference and also out of their friendly confines with a short trip to Southern Utah. Might be considered a trap game, but still should be a good indicator of this Jacks team.

5. Sacramento State (4)---The more things change (Montana State vs Eastern Washington), the more they stay the same (Hornets vs Montana). The Hornets came into Montana having never won there, but full of confidence that this could be their year. They never backed down, but came up a bit short at the end. Hopefully it gives the Hornets good things to build on. A good game at Montana is great, but an upset of Montana State would be better, especially with Montana State coming to the Hornet nest.

6. Weber State (6)---After playing two early conference games, the Wildcats stepped out of conference to play future conference member UC-Davis. After some early anxious moments, the Wildcats finally rose to the challenge and put the opponent away. Did they learn enough? This weekend they have Eastern Washington coming to town. The Wildcats are catching them after a tough loss, can they get a great win?

7. Portland State (8)---Last week, the Vikings dealt with a bye, but still saw the team they beat on the road, UC-Davis, give Weber State all they could handle at home. That in itself should give this team some confidence, more so than they shellacking they received at Oregon the week before. 1-2 isn't all great, but it is better than 0-3 that was possible, opening up with three straight road games. This week, the home opener and conference opener as they play Idaho State. Can they get this first game?

8. Northern Colorado (7)---Everyone else in conference were beginning to get ready for conference play and FCS play, yet the Bears headed to Big 10 country and faced Michigan State. Consequently, this game was over in a hurry, as the Big 10 team was far and away the more superior team. Still, the Bears were able to try new things and get indications of what to do as they get ready to entertain Montana at home this weekend. The Battle of the Bears and the Grizzlies are hurting, can the other Bears pull an upset?

9. Idaho State (9)---Good things. Promising things. Yet once again, it seems all this has gone out the window for the Bengals. They had a great opportunity at home in their game against Northern Arizona, yet the Bengals looked woefully pitiful. Now is not the time to take a step backward when you are trying to gain some credibility in the conference. This week another chance, but on the road as they head to Portland State, a team that might be just as woefully pitiful.

As they are...MSU out in front; UM and EWU really close; NAU, Sac State, and WSU pretty much bunched together; PSU and UNC a bit behind and ISU bringing up the rear.

[frinq]

Jalmond, I admire your ability to zigzag between teams. Great open field running. But really, to suggest that PSU might be "pitiful" is a bit much. Somehow we managed to easily beat Davis between being smothered by the Pac-10. Not bad for a new coach-new system-new recruit team. Fact is, we don't kow much about this team; ISU is our first Big Sky opponent. Let's wait and see how they do. Maybe they'll play a "pitiful" game. But more likely, they'll win by at least 2 TDs. Mark my words.

[SDHornet]

Good work as always J, although I would keep EWU above UM for at least this week and maybe longer depending on how they respond in their upcoming games.

And I agree with frinq, PSU took it to cal-davis where WSU struggled and didn't overtake them until late in the game. I still think PSU can finish with 3 wins (just make sure one of them isn't in Sac ).

Here is my rankings:

• 1) MSU - they are in the driver's seat
  2) EWU - could drop depending on how they respond in the following weeks
  3) UM - squeaked by Sac State, they still look sloppy and need to clean up some things.
  4) Sac State - Obviously a little (maybe a lot) of homerism but we haven't looked shabby at all thus far.
  5) NAU - still unproven in my eyes. They definitely can move up this list in the coming weeks.
  6) WSU - they had a weak showing at home against a weak OOC opponent. Higgins hasn't looked crisp since BC.
  7) PSU - I haven't seen them play but their offensive scheme is sure to give teams trouble.
  8) UNC - still trying to get over the hump. They have potential to make some noise.
  9) ISU - no offense to speak of, possibly won't win another game this season.

[JALMOND]

Jalmond, I admire your ability to zigzag between teams. Great open field running. But really, to suggest that PSU might be "pitiful" is a bit much. Somehow we managed to easily beat Davis between being smothered by the Pac-10. Not bad for a new coach-new system-new recruit team. Fact is, we don't kow much about this team; ISU is our first Big Sky opponent. Let's wait and see how they do. Maybe they'll play a "pitiful" game. But more likely, they'll win by at least 2 TDs. Mark my words.

I am encouraged by our game against Davis, especially after their game at Weber. However, we were the only team to lose to ISU last year and have lost 2 of the last three games to the Bengals (I know we have a new coach, but the old one was beating EWU during that same stretch). Let me just say ISU has made us look "ordinary" in years past.

FWIW---the Davis game has actually given me great confidence, more than I had at the beginning of the year. We should beat ISU by at least 2 TDs. Still, Kavanaugh scares the hell out of me.

[free7694]

How does PSU pass UNC after a week in which the Viks had a bye and the Bears played a Top 25 FBS team?

[SDHornet]

How does PSU pass UNC after a week in which the Viks had a bye and the Bears played a Top 25 FBS team?

Both teams have 1 D1 win. cal-davis (as bad as they are this year) >>> ISU.
A loss to a Big 10 team won't move your team up.

[free7694]

How does PSU pass UNC after a week in which the Viks had a bye and the Bears played a Top 25 FBS team?

Both teams have 1 D1 win. cal-davis (as bad as they are this year) >>> ISU.
A loss to a Big 10 team won't move your team up.

I wasn't asking about UNC moving up. I was asking why we moved down. If your reasoning is the same as JALMOND's, PSU should have passed UNC last week.

[SDHornet]

Both teams have 1 D1 win. cal-davis (as bad as they are this year) >>> ISU.
A loss to a Big 10 team won't move your team up.

I wasn't asking about UNC moving up. I was asking why we moved down. If your reasoning is the same as JALMOND's, PSU should have passed UNC last week.

I see where you are coming from. I guess we will know by comparing the scores against ISU after this week.

[kalm]

Yep, pretty important week. Weber, EWU, and Sac will all be on playoff life support with a loss, but a Sac State win keeps the conference race wide open. I'd comment on NAU but it doesn't seem like they've started their season yet .

[FWJack]

I would say at this point in the season EWU would still need to be ranked ahead of UM. I believe they both have the same record, but EWU holds the head to head. Also both of UM's losses are to FCS foes where as one of EWU's L's is Nevada and the other is to the current BSC #1. They may very well end up falling back behind UM or even some others, but at this point its too early to say that. Good work though, I like these power rankings.

[cats2506]

1. MSU
2. UM
3. NAU
4. EWU
5. UNC
6. SAC
7. WSU
8. PSU
9. ISU

3-7 are anybody's guess at this point

[dbackjon]

Not sure how anyone can rank Montana above EWU at this point.

EWU BEAT MONTANA.

As far as NAU - who knows. This weekend will be a good test.

[Grizalltheway]

Not sure how anyone can rank Montana above EWU at this point.

EWU BEAT MONTANA.

As far as NAU - who knows. This weekend will be a good test.

Well, it is a weekly ranking, and we certainly looked more impressive than EWU this week (albeit not by much).

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Not sure how anyone can rank Montana above EWU at this point.

EWU BEAT MONTANA.

As far as NAU - who knows. This weekend will be a good test.

Well, it is a weekly ranking, and we certainly looked more impressive than EWU this week (albeit not by much).

The word impressive shouldn't be used to describe either team's performance this last weekend.

[AZGrizFan]

Not sure how anyone can rank Montana above EWU at this point.

EWU BEAT MONTANA.

As far as NAU - who knows. This weekend will be a good test.

And then scored 7 against MSU. And then lost their best player for God knows how long.

[NAU_Alum10]

NAU will gladly fly under the radar while everyone else is punching each other in the face. Oct 9 – 23 will be the stretch that will determine how our season will go (EWU, MSU, UM back to back to back).

[AZGrizFan]

NAU will gladly fly under the radar while everyone else is punching each other in the face. Oct 9 – 23 will be the stretch that will determine how our season will go (EWU, MSU, UM back to back to back).

And you'll more than likely go 0-3 and be done.

[NAU_Alum10]

NAU will gladly fly under the radar while everyone else is punching each other in the face. Oct 9 – 23 will be the stretch that will determine how our season will go (EWU, MSU, UM back to back to back).

And you'll more than likely go 0-3 and be done.

Last seasons scores again these 3
13 point win over – MSU
7 point loss in OT – UM
4 point loss- EWU

NAU has arguably the best QB in the conference (if not the country FCS) we got Cody Dowd a 5th yr senior coming back from injury last season ( a preseason big sky 1st team selection) and have Matt Estrada head hunting in the secondary. 12 guys have starting experience on the D front 7 so we have depth there. I truly believe we have a team this season that should be taken seriously this season.

AZGrizFan – you guys have your own problems…… 2 fcs losses already and a weak showing against Sac St a team you didn’t give too much credit. Last I remember you guys barely got us last year in OT by a questionable non TD call so your arrogance is just laughable. The griz program is awesome I give you that but this season im finding it hard for you to have so much confidence.

[EWURanger]

Last I remember you guys barely got us last year in OT by a questionable non TD call so your arrogance is just laughable.

Get used to it.

NAU has as good a chance as any for a share of the title this year.

[cats2506]

NAU has as good a chance as any for a share of the title this year.

Thats my thoughts too, they just haven't played anybody YET.

[AZGrizFan]

Last seasons scores again these 3
13 point win over – MSU
7 point loss in OT – UM
4 point loss- EWU

Last I remember you guys barely got us last year in OT by a questionable non TD call so your arrogance is just laughable. The griz program is awesome I give you that but this season im finding it hard for you to have so much confidence.

Nice to know you're counting moral victories now. I'm guessing you won't beat MSU by 13....you won't even SCORE 13. The Griz game is in Missoula this year, and EWU should have TJ back by the 9th....

I'm not overly confident...that's why I said "more than likely".

But, as 89Hen has so ably pointed out, NAU has tanked it 5 years in a ROW when they got to the meat of their schedule...until they MAKE people believers, we'll be doubters.

[NAU_Alum10]

thanks for understanding my point guys, not saying were gonna win anything. we might lose all three, but to say flat out were gonna lose all three game especially the way the season is tunring out is the problem. the coference looks very conpetetive this seaon and should be fun to watch unfold.

[AZGrizFan]

NAU has as good a chance as any for a share of the title this year.

Thats my thoughts too, they just haven't played anybody YET.

I project that in 6 weeks, NAU will be 4-5.

[NAU_Alum10]

Last seasons scores again these 3
13 point win over – MSU
7 point loss in OT – UM
4 point loss- EWU

Last I remember you guys barely got us last year in OT by a questionable non TD call so your arrogance is just laughable. The griz program is awesome I give you that but this season im finding it hard for you to have so much confidence.

Nice to know you're counting moral victories now. I'm guessing you won't beat MSU by 13....you won't even SCORE 13. The Griz game is in Missoula this year, and EWU should have TJ back by the 9th....

I'm not overly confident...that's why I said "more than likely".

not pointing out moral victories just making a point that the games were close and to say that NAU is gonna lose all three "probably" is counting your eggs before theyre laid.

But, as 89Hen has so ably pointed out, NAU has tanked it 5 years in a ROW when they got to the meat of their schedule...until they MAKE people believers, we'll be doubters.

[NAU_Alum10]

Nice to know you're counting moral victories now. I'm guessing you won't beat MSU by 13....you won't even SCORE 13. The Griz game is in Missoula this year, and EWU should have TJ back by the 9th....

I'm not overly confident...that's why I said "more than likely".

But, as 89Hen has so ably pointed out, NAU has tanked it 5 years in a ROW when they got to the meat of their schedule...until they MAKE people believers, we'll be doubters.

not pointing out moral victories just making a point that the games were close and to say that NAU is gonna lose all three "probably" is counting your eggs before theyre laid.

dont know what happened on the last post it put my words in AZ's quote sorry.