Big Sky Power Rankings 11-4

[JALMOND]

Last week could be described in most circles as the week the little guys rose up and took notice. Even though things went pretty much the way they were supposed to, there really was not an easy game in the bunch. This week two teams are off (NAU and UCD) and Montana is playing a non conference game on the road (South Dakota). The rest are playing in conference. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis).

1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles headed out on the road to Idaho State and, while the game was closer than expected, they did manage to get the win. Now they can turn their attention to the game that matters now, a home date with Montana State. Should be a good one.

2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats struck early against Northern Colorado and turned their attention to their game this week at Eastern Washington. Only Northern Colorado did not think the game was over and made it interesting at the end, with the Bobcats needing a late touchdown to salvage the win. Things will be much different this weekend.

3. Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks are not showing, as of now anyway, that they are going to take their customary late season swoon, having kept North Dakota at bay last weekend. Not quite a blowout but given how the last few seasons have gone, they will take it. They will also take this weekend off to prepare for the stretch.

4. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies thought they had shook away from Sacramento State last week, only to see the Hornets recover in the fourth quarter to force overtime. However, the Grizzlies then took care of business and escaped with a win. They will take a break from conference play and venture out to play the Missouri Valley's South Dakota team.

5. Sacramento State (6)---The Hornets made a nice rally late in their home game against Montana to force overtime, then they just came up short. A tough pill to swallow for sure but they have to get back up as they go on the road this weekend to play a tough Cal Poly team. Do they have enough to win out the rest of the year?

6. Cal Poly (5)---In their new role as spoiler, the Mustangs hit the road last week and downed UC-Davis. Still smarting from their earlier loss to Yale, the Mustangs hope to put the final nail this weekend in Sacramento State's season and dream about what could have been.

7. Southern Utah (7)---As the lower teams were experiencing a revival of sorts against the better teams, the Thunderbirds took the week off to prepare for the stretch run. This weekend, they hit the road to face reeling Weber State.

8. Portland State (8)---The Vikings rediscovered their offense last weekend in their home win against Weber State. Whether that can get them back to how they were playing at the beginning of the year remains to be seen, but this weekend they play at Idaho State, a place that has not been too kind for the Vikings in recent years.

9. UC-Davis (9)---The Aggies put on a gallant effort last week against Cal Poly, only to fall short at the end. Still, this season has been better than anyone could have expected for the Aggies who were thought to be in a rebuilding year. This weekend, they rest and get ready to close it out well.

10. North Dakota (10)---The former Sioux put up a fight against Northern Arizona last week before stepping out of the way late in the game. Still, the makings of a disappointing season is underway. This week they have a good chance to get another win as they play Northern Colorado.

11. Idaho State (11)---Sure the Bengals came up on the short end last weekend against Eastern Washington but they clearly did not roll over and die, playing them tough through three quarters of the game. This weekend they welcome Portland State to their home, where they have had some success against in recent times.

12. Northern Colorado (13)---The Bears did not give up against Montana State, even after giving up two quick touchdowns, and actually had the Bobcats down in the fourth quarter, before finally succumbing at the end. This performance has to make them feel good heading into this week's game at struggling North Dakota.

13. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats struggled to get anything going against an equally struggling Portland State team. Their season long swoon after a win over Stephen F Austin has been rather disappointing. This weekend, they stay home and face their brothers from the south in Southern Utah. They'll give it their best, will it be enough?

RECAP: 1-2 together in front, 3-4 gaining, 5-6 closing, 7-10 holding, 11-13 in the rear.

[SuperHornet]

Final nail? I wasn't aware we were still even mathematically alive for anything....

[CPAlum]

....and not that I'm saying it will happen but if Cal Poly was to win out they'd get to 7 wins and be 6-2 in the BSC. Not likely to happen but a bit beyond just a spoiler....right?

[dbackjon]

Final nail? I wasn't aware we were still even mathematically alive for anything....

You only had one conference loss prior - if you had won out, you would have been in the playoffs. Moot point now.

[dbackjon]

And Finally!

[AZGrizFan]

And Finally!

NAU did nothing to pass Montana. We put away a team that was 3-1 in conference ON THE ROAD, while NAU struggled to put away a doormat AT HOME.

JALMOND got it wrong and I've lost all respect for him as a poster.

[dbackjon]

And Finally!

NAU did nothing to pass Montana. We put away a team that was 3-1 in conference ON THE ROAD, while NAU struggled to put away a doormat AT HOME.

JALMOND got it wrong and I've lost all respect for him as a poster.

NAU struggled? LOL





















(and I see what you did there)

[SloStang]

And Finally!

NAU did nothing to pass Montana. We put away a team that was 3-1 in conference ON THE ROAD, while NAU struggled to put away a doormat AT HOME.

JALMOND got it wrong and I've lost all respect for him as a poster.

Someone has a short memory. NAU beat Montana. What has Montana done since to show they are better than the team that beat them?

[SloStang]

The bigger question is what did Sac State do this past weekend to pass Cal Poly? They lost in OT at HOME to Montana. Cal Poly lost in OT to Montana on the road and we all know that Missoula is one of the tougher places to win. Cal Poly won on the road this week and a Sac State lost at home. Go figure. I guess it will be settled Saturday.

[AZGrizFan]

NAU did nothing to pass Montana. We put away a team that was 3-1 in conference ON THE ROAD, while NAU struggled to put away a doormat AT HOME.

JALMOND got it wrong and I've lost all respect for him as a poster.

NAU struggled? LOL

(and I see what you did there)

Hey, you gave up 27 to NORTH DAKOTA. Their SEASON HIGH is 28. You struggled. Deep down, you know it's true and you're already worried about that patented NAU late-season swoon....

[AZGrizFan]

NAU did nothing to pass Montana. We put away a team that was 3-1 in conference ON THE ROAD, while NAU struggled to put away a doormat AT HOME.

JALMOND got it wrong and I've lost all respect for him as a poster.

Someone has a short memory. NAU beat Montana. What has Montana done since to show they are better than the team that beat them?

Montana beat themselves.

[SloStang]

Someone has a short memory. NAU beat Montana. What has Montana done since to show they are better than the team that beat them?

Montana beat themselves.

I know how you feel. Kind like of how Cal Poly beat themselves in Missoula.

[SuperHornet]

Final nail? I wasn't aware we were still even mathematically alive for anything....

You only had one conference loss prior - if you had won out, you would have been in the playoffs. Moot point now.

I was a bit more pessimistic than that. I had us winning out, finishing second, and taking the snub....

[dbackjon]

NAU struggled? LOL

(and I see what you did there)

Hey, you gave up 27 to NORTH DAKOTA. Their SEASON HIGH is 28. You struggled. Deep down, you know it's true and you're already worried about that patented NAU late-season swoon....

And we scored 48... Point?

[AZGrizFan]

Montana beat themselves.

I know how you feel. Kind like of how Cal Poly beat themselves in Missoula.

Kind of, yes.

[putter]

AZ channeling his inner ALPHA