Two more weeks and it seems like we finally have a clear cut team out in front. Not EWU, not any of the Montana teams, but the surprising Southern Utah squad. Parity is running rampant in the conference this year, yet the Thunderbrds have shot down every conference foe they've faced, most of them not even being a game in the final quarter. Here are this week's power rankings (last week ranking in parenthesis). All are my opinion only and all open for discussion.
1. Southern Utah (2)---Last week won at Montana State 34-23, this week at Portland State---Some still may think the Thunderbirds have not played anyone and granted their toughest conference test may come this weekend, but they have come to play in every one of their conference games this season. Others have some strange losses, but the Thunderbirds are perfect.
2. Northern Arizona (4)---Last week won at Eastern Washington 52-30, this week Sacramento State at home---Expecting the Lumberjacks to do their famous late season swoon? Not so fast. They have picked a great time to play their best football of the year. Their offense is clicking and their defense is rising in the games as well.
3. Portland State (1)---Last week lost at Northern Colorado 35-32, this week Southern Utah at home---The Vikings have had a great season, but their losses are just as surprising as their earlier wins were. They have shown a habit to play to the level of their opponent and that doesn't work too well when you are the favorite.
4. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week lost to Northern Arizona at home 52-30, this week at Montana---The Eagles were to take charge of the conference this year, even without their talented quarterback. However, things are more difficult than they thought and now have two tough games to end the year on. Scary but, can they make the playoffs?
5. Weber State (5)---Last week beat UC-Davis at home 23-3, this week bye---Have the Wildcats exceeded their expectations this season or are they lamenting what could have been? They drew the short straw this weekend and will stay home while everyone else is playing, but they will have two weeks to prepare for their rivalry game.
6. Montana (6)---Last week won at Idaho State 33-27, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Grizzlies were desperate for something good to happen this season and they finally got it, in a bizarre end of the game touchdown return. They still have slim hopes for the playoffs and something like that could shoot them towards the playoffs.
7. North Dakota (7)---Last week bye, this week Northern Colorado at home---The Dakotans took last week off and had a front row seat to all the bizarre and baffling games in the conference. Still harboring playoff hopes, they have a relatively easy schedule to end the season. Whether their resume is strong enough will be interesting, however.
8. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week beat Portland State at home 35-32, this week at North Dakota---Talking about strange, the Bears continue their strange and odd season and could have quite a good year if they finish strong. Their last conference game is this weekend and they play out of conference next weekend.
9. Cal Poly (9)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 36-14, this week at UC-Davis---The Mustangs continue their march through the other California teams with little resistance . Not much else to play for other than getting ready for next year and ponder about what could have been, especially after starting so well.
10. Montana State (8)---Last week lost to Southern Utah at home 34-32, this week at Idaho State---The Bobcats promising season has now crumbled down to rubble and while the beleaguered defense showed up in spurts, the offense struggled to get anything going last weekend. A couple tough games left, but games that are easy to get up for, but they are playing for pride now.
11. Idaho State (12)---Last week lost to Montana at home 33-27, this week Montana State at home---The Bengals hopes for the playoffs may be over but that didn't stop them from playing last week, or quite possibly playing this week. Their season may be wrecked, but they want to try to take down as many others as they can.
12. Sacramento State (11)---Last week lost at Cal Poly 36-14, this week at Northern Arizona---The Hornets are still trying to find a heartbeat after such a drastic come to earth season this year. The bright spots are few and they terrible games are many, and this weekend does not seem to be any better. But, they could surprise, could they?
13. UC-Davis (13)---Last week lost at Weber State 23-3, this week Cal Poly at home---The Aggies, too, have been on life support for most of the season, with a non existent offense not finding any rhythm to go will a somewhat OK defense. They are playing out the string and will finish by playing against the other two California teams.
RECAP: 1 clear, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5-8 trying to hang in there, 9-11 falling, 12-13 lagging behind.