Big Sky Power Rankings 9-29

[JALMOND]

What a first week of conference play in the Big Sky. If the first week is any indication of what the rest of the season is going to be, be prepared for a pretty messy and interesting season. You think you have it all figured out, then they start playing each other and it is a whole new ballgame. There were some teams that avoided the carnage and some that looked pretty bad. Any other adages or saying you want to add, feel free to do so. Meanwhile, here are my power rankings for this week (last week's rankings in parenthesis). As usual, these are my opinion only. I am sure everyone will have one this time around.

1, Montana State (1)---Last week won at Idaho State 37-17, this week Northern Colorado at home---All the various messes going on around them, and the Bobcats did what they were supposed to, in a place that typically is not kind to them. This week, they welcome one of the bottom feeders for their conference home opener.

2. Montana (3)---Last week won at Eastern Washington 52-49, this week Weber State at home---The Grizzlies were cruising along, seemingly on their way to a good win, then came the fourth quarter and it turned into a dogfight. But, they still head off the opponent and escaped with a win. Their conference home opener is next.

3. UC Davis (4)---Last week beat Idaho at home 28-26, this week at Portland State---Hang close then strike is what the Aggies did last week, getting an impressive home conference win over one of the heavies. Some anxious moments near the end, but they got it done. They head up the coast and try to continue their winning streak.

4. Idaho (2)---Last week lost at UC Davis 28-26, this week Northern Arizona at home---Just barely hanging on it the game, the Vandals let a road game slip through their fingers last week, coming up short at the end. They are heading back to their barn this weekend, bringing in one of the surprise teams in the conference so far.

5. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 34-16, this week at Idaho---With the win last week at home, the Lumberjacks put the rest of the conference on notice that they are, so far, a team to be reckoned with. They get another chance to show it this week, on the road against one of the favorites.

6. Sacramento State (5)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 34-16, this week bye---Eager to start moving up in the standings and the rankings, the Hornets took one on the chin on the road last week. Road conference wins are hard to get and the Hornets fell short. They get a week off to try to regain their swagger.

7. Weber State (6)---Last week lost to McNeese (FCS Southland) at home 28-26, this week at Montana---Not the way the Wildcats wanted to end their non-conference slate, but a loss at home is what they got. Still, 3 points is what separates them from being undefeated as they reenter conference play this weekend.

8. Idaho State (8)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 37-17, this week at Cal Poly---The Bengals got a tough loss to the top ranked team in the conference in their home building last week. Not a good showing considering their win the week before in their same cozy confines. This week, a trip down California way.

9. Eastern Washington (9)---Last week lost to Montana at home 52-49, this week bye---It's hard to tell what was more shocking for the Eagles. They scored 49 points against a strong Montana defense, yet still lost the game. They now get two weeks to try to find a defense to match up with that stong offense they have.

10. Portland State (11)---Last week lost at Chattanooga (FCS Southern) 45-30, this week UC Davis at home---The Vikings flew across the country to play a team searching for their offense, and being the good sports they are, they helped that team find their offense. They return home for conference play, searching for their defense.

11. Cal Poly (12)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 28-7, this week Idaho State at home---Not that anyone was really paying attention, but the Mustangs find themselves atop the conference standings with a good road conference win last weekend. It is tough to get a conference road win. This week, they welcome a conference upstart.

12. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost to Cal Poly at home 28-7, this week at Montana State---The Bears started conference play at home against on of the bottom feeders in the conference and still could not even keep the game close. They now have to go on the road and face one of the top teams in the conference.

RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3 on their heels, 4-6 just a step behind, 7 keeping up, 8-9 a ways out, 10-12 a step further out.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Montana ahead of Davis? The Griz have an FCS loss and Davis doesn't.