Big Sky Power Rankings 10-3
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:16 pm
This week should be interesting and should generate some good discussion. Right now in the Big Sky, there is clearly one top team (Montana State) and one bottom team (Northern Colorado). The insides of the conference is basically sloppy joe mix, in that you could mix it all together and something different comes out every time. Call it parity or whatever, but it has become quite entertaining and unpredictable every week. Here are this week's power rankings for the Big Sky. This week (last week). All of course are my opinions only and all are open for discussion. Here they are.
1. Montana State (1)---Clearly the top team so far this year has been the Bobcats. Returning from a win at Eastern Washington to take care of the upstart Sacramento State team solidified their hold on the top spot. They are clearly the team to beat. This week, the Bobcats travel to Portland State in what could be just a formality in disposing of the other conference undefeated team. Should be, that is.
2. Montana (4)---Quite a jump for the Grizzlies after a resounding win at home against Northern Colorado. A win was expected, the margin was good, but it took a strong third quarter to seal the game. This week, the Grizzlies head to Idaho State in search of their first road win of the season. The Grizzlies have shown to be invincible at home, but they need to show they can win away from Missoula.
3. Eastern Washington (5)---Just when they were given up for dead, the Eagles soared to a victory last week over Weber State. Running the table is quite a daunting task, but the Eagles have no choice and last week was the first of many games left to win. This week, they take their battered and bruised team in to their next challenge, on the road at Northern Arizona. When does it get easy?
4. Weber State (2)---Cruising right along, the Wildcats felt good heading into Eastern Washington last week. Good, until the end of the game which found the Wildcats on the short end of the score. Surprising to say the least. Hopefully it showed that no game is easy, especially those games on the road (something I thought the Wildcats knew given their success on the road so far). This week, they get more time to figure it out as they have a bye.
5. Sacramento State (3)---The Hornets did not back down from the top team, Montana State, but they still left Bozeman on the short end of the score. Obviously, the Hornets need to display some consistency overall or this magical season will go by the wayside. This week, they are back on the road at Northern Colorado, needing a good road win to feel better.
6. Portland State (6)---Good things finally happened for the Vikings in a place where good things rarely happen at Idaho State. They got their first win in Pocatello since 1999. They also got their first road win since beating Northern Colorado in 2009. Their reward is they get to face the strong Montana State team this week. The only good thing is that the game is at home. They seem to do better there.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---Surprising times in the conference last week and the Lumberjacks took the week off, meaning they will have had two weeks to get over their home win over Idaho State and prepare to host the defending champions, Eastern Washington. Both teams need a win, the good thing for the Lumberjacks is they play at home in the dome and the altitude.
8. Idaho State (8)---This was supposed to be the game where the Bengals turn a corner, facing Portland State at home where they hadn't lost to the Vikings since 1999. However, they could not keep pace with the Vikings running game and lost. Many good things happened, but there still is a lot of work left to do. This week, they stay home and welcome the mighty Montana squad.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---The good thing was the Bears played Montana fairly close...for a half. Then, they failed to adjust and got totally blitzed by the Grizzlies to break open the game. It was a long shot for the Bears to actually win so the rout was expected. This week, they head back home and entertain Sacramento State. A good opportunity to ruin the Hornets dream season.
Recap---1 alone, 2-6 fairly close with 2 a step ahead of 6 and the other 3 falling in line, 7 alone, then 8, then 9 lagging behind.
1. Montana State (1)---Clearly the top team so far this year has been the Bobcats. Returning from a win at Eastern Washington to take care of the upstart Sacramento State team solidified their hold on the top spot. They are clearly the team to beat. This week, the Bobcats travel to Portland State in what could be just a formality in disposing of the other conference undefeated team. Should be, that is.
2. Montana (4)---Quite a jump for the Grizzlies after a resounding win at home against Northern Colorado. A win was expected, the margin was good, but it took a strong third quarter to seal the game. This week, the Grizzlies head to Idaho State in search of their first road win of the season. The Grizzlies have shown to be invincible at home, but they need to show they can win away from Missoula.
3. Eastern Washington (5)---Just when they were given up for dead, the Eagles soared to a victory last week over Weber State. Running the table is quite a daunting task, but the Eagles have no choice and last week was the first of many games left to win. This week, they take their battered and bruised team in to their next challenge, on the road at Northern Arizona. When does it get easy?
4. Weber State (2)---Cruising right along, the Wildcats felt good heading into Eastern Washington last week. Good, until the end of the game which found the Wildcats on the short end of the score. Surprising to say the least. Hopefully it showed that no game is easy, especially those games on the road (something I thought the Wildcats knew given their success on the road so far). This week, they get more time to figure it out as they have a bye.
5. Sacramento State (3)---The Hornets did not back down from the top team, Montana State, but they still left Bozeman on the short end of the score. Obviously, the Hornets need to display some consistency overall or this magical season will go by the wayside. This week, they are back on the road at Northern Colorado, needing a good road win to feel better.
6. Portland State (6)---Good things finally happened for the Vikings in a place where good things rarely happen at Idaho State. They got their first win in Pocatello since 1999. They also got their first road win since beating Northern Colorado in 2009. Their reward is they get to face the strong Montana State team this week. The only good thing is that the game is at home. They seem to do better there.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---Surprising times in the conference last week and the Lumberjacks took the week off, meaning they will have had two weeks to get over their home win over Idaho State and prepare to host the defending champions, Eastern Washington. Both teams need a win, the good thing for the Lumberjacks is they play at home in the dome and the altitude.
8. Idaho State (8)---This was supposed to be the game where the Bengals turn a corner, facing Portland State at home where they hadn't lost to the Vikings since 1999. However, they could not keep pace with the Vikings running game and lost. Many good things happened, but there still is a lot of work left to do. This week, they stay home and welcome the mighty Montana squad.
9. Northern Colorado (9)---The good thing was the Bears played Montana fairly close...for a half. Then, they failed to adjust and got totally blitzed by the Grizzlies to break open the game. It was a long shot for the Bears to actually win so the rout was expected. This week, they head back home and entertain Sacramento State. A good opportunity to ruin the Hornets dream season.
Recap---1 alone, 2-6 fairly close with 2 a step ahead of 6 and the other 3 falling in line, 7 alone, then 8, then 9 lagging behind.
