Big Sky Power Rankings 10-18

[JALMOND]

So what do you get when the top three teams all play on the road the same weekend. The late Benny Parsons summed it up best, "There's gonna be a huge wreck." The top three did struggle on the road but at the end, Montana State was the only one who stumbled. Both Montana and Eastern Washington were able to escape with late wins. As a result, more teams were bunched together, which makes Parsons' syaing even more meaningful this weekend. This week's power rankings. As usual, all are my opinion only and all are open for discussion. This week (last week). Good discussion, I can feel it.

1. Montana (2)---After the dust settled, the Grizzlies find themselves back on the top of the rankings, possibly by default. The Grizzlies were able to do just enough for a road win at Portland State, causing the Vikings pistol offense to cough up the ball 7 times, and recovered 4 of them. The offense finally came to life on a quick final drive for the winning field goal. This week, they return home for a game against Northern Arizona. They usually have the Jacks' number, but NAU comes in after totally shutting down Montana State. The Grizzlies will need to play better to get this one even at home.

2. Montana State (1)---Maybe a feeling of invincibility was beginning to creep into the minds of the Bobcats, because they left Bozeman brimming with confidence, only to leave Northern Arizona with their tails between their legs. Nothing will come easy in this conference, no matter what the record is and road games will especially be tough, no matter who it is. The Bobcats are still looking for four complete quarters of play, last week they didn't get one. This weekend, they are back home to play Northern Colorado, a game that looked awfully onesided last week, but now the Bobcats just want a win.

3. Eastern Washington (3)---Right now, the Eagles are probably thankful that Jones can still play. When he plays, the Eagles are great. When he doesn't, the Eagles are average. A game that should not have been that close, even on the road at Northern Colorado, Jones did a little bit of everything and the Eagles surely needed all of it. The Eagles have probably the best chance to win out, but last week opened a bit of doubt in that aspect. This week, they return home to face Sacramento State. Not the best chance to right the ship, but not the worse.

4. Northern Arizona (5)---Needing a big win to make a statement that they are still alive, the Jacks absolutely smoked Montana State, considered one of the better teams in the Big Sky. Even with the close loss on the road to Eastern Washington, the Jacks have climbed back into the picture with this win and also gave them confidence needed to show that late swoons may not happen this year. This week is a trip to Montana to face the mighty Grizzlies, but after that, the schedule is rather favorable. No swoon on the horizon?

5. Sacramento State (4)---While everyone was spinning out and debris all over, the Hornets took a bye, sat back and observed all that was happening. Two weeks removed from their big win against Northern Colorado, who gave Eastern Washington all they could handle, the Hornets find themselves hitting the road to that same Eastern Washington team that had the problems against Northern Colorado. That alone should provide some confidence for the Hornets, even if the game is on the road.

6. Portland State (7)---The Vikings lose and yet move a spot. After staying within striking distance of Montana last week and having a win go right through their grasp in the last seconds, the Vikings can feel pretty good about themselves. Still, moral victories is not what they want and, while they might have had a shot, they would have preferred the win. This week, they go on the road to Weber State, looking for that win to propel them for the last few games this year.

7. Weber State (6)---The good news was that the Wildcats beat Idaho State last week. The bad news was that the close road wins did not only affect the top teams, but was felt down at the bottom of the standings. The Wildcats were able to keep the pesky Idaho State team at bay but it was definitely not easy. The Wildcats had their hands full the whole game in a game that was not supposed to be close. What does it mean for the Wildcats this weekend as the upstart Portland State team comes calling.

8. Northern Colorado (8)---The win was right there for the Bears, right within their grasp. They had the lead on the mighty Eastern Washington team in the fourth quarter, Jones and all, and also had the ball. Yet, fate was once again cruel as Eastern Washington turned to Jones to save the day and the Bears fell again. So close, yet the same result. Things have to get easier, but maybe not this weekend as they head up to Montana State. They have beaten the Bobcats before, but things do not look too positive this weekend.

9. Idaho State (9)---Flying under the radar, no one really gave the Bengals much chance in any of their remaining games, let alone last week against Weber State. But, even in a loss, the Bengals served notice that they will not just lay down for anyone, especially at home. They were able to stay within striking distance against Weber State, they just were not able to get the elusive win. This week, they get the bye, hopefully to plan on getting a win and ruining other team's seasons.

Where they are now...UM, MSU and EWU nearly even, NAU in front of three others (Sac State, PSU and WSU) gaining on the leaders, UNC behind and ISU behind.

[SDHornet]

Well done J. I thought things would clear up as the season progressed, but apparently things will only get more jumbled. A Hornet "upset" this week in Cheney will only complicate matters more.

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

I have no idea how to gage the top 4 teams. If NAU plays like they did last week, watch out.

[dbackjon]

NAU still getting no respect. NAU has shown they aré in the top tier.

[uofmman1122]

I agree with Dback. Mine would probably look like this:

T1. EWU
T1. NAU
3. MSU
4. UM
5. Sac State
6. PSU
7. WSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

Even though MSU got clobbered, Montana looked abysmal on offense for almost the entire game. EWU didn't look near good enough to pull away, and NAU impressed me a lot.

[JALMOND]

I agree with Dback. Mine would probably look like this:

T1. EWU
T1. NAU
3. MSU
4. UM
5. Sac State
6. PSU
7. WSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

Even though MSU got clobbered, Montana looked abysmal on offense for almost the entire game. EWU didn't look near good enough to pull away, and NAU impressed me a lot.

NAU did look good against MSU, but they looked terrible the week before at EWU, who played without Jones in that game. I couldn't move NAU to the top because of that game. UM had the better game against a better opponent than EWU. Fun to speculate now, but I might have kept MSU at the top if they would have stayed at least close to NAU. As my last statement, UM, MSU and EWU are all pretty much the same, subject to change of course.

[Grizalltheway]

Well done J. I thought things would clear up as the season progressed, but apparently things will only get more jumbled. A Hornet "upset" this week in Cheney will only complicate matters more.

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

I have no idea how to gage the top 4 teams. If NAU plays like they did last week, watch out.

This Griz fan is definitely rooting for it.

[Grizalltheway]

I agree with Dback. Mine would probably look like this:

T1. EWU
T1. NAU
3. MSU
4. UM
5. Sac State
6. PSU
7. WSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

Even though MSU got clobbered, Montana looked abysmal on offense for almost the entire game. EWU didn't look near good enough to pull away, and NAU impressed me a lot.

No way EWU is #1.

[SuperHornet]

Once again a team with a bye gets the shaft.

1. Montana
2. Sac State
3. EWU
4. NAU
5. MSU
6. WSU
7. PSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

3.5 Cow Poly
5.5 Manure Pile

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I agree with Dback. Mine would probably look like this:

T1. EWU
T1. NAU
3. MSU
4. UM
5. Sac State
6. PSU
7. WSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

Even though MSU got clobbered, Montana looked abysmal on offense for almost the entire game. EWU didn't look near good enough to pull away, and NAU impressed me a lot.

No way EWU is #1.

Except that we've played the tougher schedule to date than Montana, and we own the head to head of course. Three of our next four are at home, where we're currently undefeated on the blood rug.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Well done J. I thought things would clear up as the season progressed, but apparently things will only get more jumbled. A Hornet "upset" this week in Cheney will only complicate matters more.

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

I have no idea how to gage the top 4 teams. If NAU plays like they did last week, watch out.

This Griz fan is definitely rooting for it.

I'll be again rooting for NAU to sweep the Montana schools.

[EWURanger]

I agree with Dback. Mine would probably look like this:

T1. EWU
T1. NAU
3. MSU
4. UM
5. Sac State
6. PSU
7. WSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

Even though MSU got clobbered, Montana looked abysmal on offense for almost the entire game. EWU didn't look near good enough to pull away, and NAU impressed me a lot.

No way EWU is #1.

If you go by records so far, actually, we are. Not saying that won't change, but that's how it stands at the moment.

But anyway, there is no clear-cut #1 at this point, and if there is, I'm not really sure you could make a case for Montana more than MSU, EWU, or even NAU.

[kalm]

T1 - MSU, UM, NAU, EWU

[weberwildcat]

Once again a team with a bye gets the shaft.

1. Montana
2. Sac State
3. EWU
4. NAU
5. MSU
6. WSU
7. PSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

3.5 Cow Poly
5.5 Manure Pile

Not that it matters but why would Davis be ahead of Weber? Davis couldn't even score a TD in Ogden this year. And Weber gives away lots of points this year just for fun to opponents. I don't think Davis would beat anyone besides ISU.

[weberwildcat]

1. MSU
1. EWU
3. NAU
4. Montana
5. Sac
6. PSU
7. WSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

NAU beating MSU that badly they are 3rd at worst but I don't see them winning out and have 2 very tough games in back to back weeks in UM and Sac.

EWU has to be #1 or tied for it because they basically need to beat Sac to win out.

Montana-I can't have UM in the top 2 until they have a win against a top 50 team this year just like how everyone waited for NAU to get a quality win.

Sac has ability but like UM no good wins. WSU at 7th in the big sky isn't looking so good now even though WSU was ranked at the time that Sac won. To technically Sac has a big win.

I'm hoping WSU ain't done yet. 2 more home games to finish Higgins' career as a Wildcat. PSU at home this week so we stay at #7 like Jalmond says unless we can beat his Viks. Weber has the toughest remaining schedule by far. Even getting a 4-7 season right now looks to be very difficult; getting a winning season looks impossible.

[native]

BSC Conference-only stats this week:

SCORING OFFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G
1. Sacramento State 4 19 6 16 2 0 0 152 38.0
2. Montana State 4 19 5 16 0 0 0 145 36.2
3. Montana 5 18 10 17 0 0 0 155 31.0
4. Portland State 3 12 2 10 1 0 0 90 30.0
5. Eastern Washington 5 18 3 17 0 0 0 134 26.8
6. Weber State 4 13 6 9 1 0 0 107 26.8
7. Northern Arizona 3 10 3 9 0 0 1 80 26.7
8. Northern Colorado 5 17 2 16 0 0 0 124 24.8
9. Idaho State 5 9 3 9 0 0 0 72 14.4

SCORING DEFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G
1. Northern Arizona 3 5 0 5 0 0 0 35 11.7
2. Portland State 3 8 5 7 0 0 0 70 23.3
3. Montana 5 14 7 12 0 0 0 117 23.4
4. Eastern Washington 5 16 4 15 0 0 0 123 24.6
5. Sacramento State 4 15 4 14 0 0 0 116 29.0
6. Weber State 4 15 5 14 0 0 0 119 29.8
7. Montana State 4 18 2 13 3 0 0 133 33.2
8. Idaho State 5 20 9 19 0 0 1 168 33.6
9. Northern Colorado 5 24 4 20 1 0 0 178 35.6

TOTAL OFFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
1. Portland State 3 840 489 207 1329 6.4 10 443.0
2. Weber State 4 640 1108 324 1748 5.4 13 437.0
3. Sacramento State 4 902 843 283 1745 6.2 17 436.2
4. Montana State 4 759 981 280 1740 6.2 18 435.0
5. Eastern Washington 5 782 1303 349 2085 6.0 15 417.0
6. Montana 5 694 1152 373 1846 4.9 17 369.2
7. Northern Arizona 3 311 787 249 1098 4.4 8 366.0
8. Northern Colorado 5 591 1057 366 1648 4.5 16 329.6
9. Idaho State 5 223 736 271 959 3.5 4 191.8

TOTAL DEFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
1. Northern Arizona 3 119 509 158 628 4.0 5 209.3
2. Montana 5 789 789 351 1578 4.5 9 315.6
3. Portland State 3 452 570 201 1022 5.1 8 340.7
4. Sacramento State 4 459 1087 267 1546 5.8 15 386.5
5. Northern Colorado 5 980 961 345 1941 5.6 19 388.2
6. Weber State 4 637 929 298 1566 5.3 13 391.5
7. Eastern Washington 5 658 1309 387 1967 5.1 13 393.4
8. Idaho State 5 918 1158 392 2076 5.3 19 415.2
9. Montana State 4 730 1144 303 1874 6.2 17 468.5

...

TURNOVER MARGIN G Fumb Int Total Fumb Int Total Margin Per/G
1. Northern Arizona 3 6 4 10 3 3 6 +4 1.33
2. Montana State 4 5 3 8 2 1 3 +5 1.25
3. Eastern Washington 5 5 11 16 6 7 13 +3 0.60
Northern Colorado 5 10 4 14 5 6 11 +3 0.60
5. Sacramento State 4 6 3 9 2 5 7 +2 0.50
6. Montana 5 8 8 16 11 6 17 -1 -0.20
7. Idaho State 5 4 5 9 4 8 12 -3 -0.60
8. Portland State 3 1 3 4 6 0 6 -2 -0.67
9. Weber State 4 1 2 3 7 7 14 -11 -2.75

[SDHornet]

Once again a team with a bye gets the shaft.

1. Montana
2. Sac State
3. EWU
4. NAU
5. MSU
6. WSU
7. PSU
8. UNC
9. ISU

3.5 Cow Poly
5.5 Manure Pile

Not that it matters but why would Davis be ahead of Weber? Davis couldn't even score a TD in Ogden this year. And Weber gives away lots of points this year just for fun to opponents. I don't think Davis would beat anyone besides ISU.

It’s best to ignore any rankings SH produces. cal-davis would be near the bottom. They would be below PSU and WSU, probably tied with UNC. No idea how CP would stack up. They beat UM but has losses to TX State and SUU.

[SuperHornet]

You guys are forgetting that the Manure Pile has an FBS win.

Admittedly, that FBS team is cr@p. But FBS DOES mean something around here, or so I've been led to believe.

[SouthDakotaGrizzly]

The Cats got two teams with Griz hangovers (EWU and Sac St.), now the Griz get a chance at their second straight team with a Cat hangover (although the Griz looked more hungover than the Vikings did last week). NAU has to be feeling good after whooping up on the Cats and you know that Souers REALLY wants to finally get a win against the Griz....if they could do it in Wa-Griz, all the better. As a Griz fan, I'm nervous about this game. Just like with the Cat game coming up, I'm extremely thankful it's in Missoula this year. If OverthRoper shows up, the Jacks win. If the Roper we saw against ISU or Sac St. shows up, the Griz win.

[Silenoz]

1) Montana
1) Montana State
1) Northern Arizona
1) Eastern Washington
5) Sac
5) Portland State
7) Weber
7) Idaho State
7) Northern Colorado

[weberwildcat]

You guys are forgetting that the Manure Pile has an FBS win.

Admittedly, that FBS team is cr@p. But FBS DOES mean something around here, or so I've been led to believe.

true. it was the week after they played weber. but san jose is the worst team in fbs. they got lucky to beat suu even.

[weberwildcat]

1) Montana
1) Montana State
1) Northern Arizona
1) Eastern Washington
5) Sac
5) Portland State
7) Weber
7) Idaho State
7) Northern Colorado

Now that is just messed up...

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

T1 - MSU, UM, NAU, EWU

I say as of right now: T2 - MSU, UM, NAU, EWU

No one wants it and it just doesn't look like we will know who will come out till the last games are played.

[Silenoz]

1) Montana
1) Montana State
1) Northern Arizona
1) Eastern Washington
5) Sac
5) Portland State
7) Weber
7) Idaho State
7) Northern Colorado

Now that is just messed up...

I coulda broke down the bottom three, but I figured why bother?

[SuperHornet]

There's no way in heck Weber is as bad as UNC or ISU. Especially ISU.

[webfan]

You're right about Weber. They had 6 TO's against UNC and 5 against ISU and still won them both. Don't count Weber State out just yet!