Final Big Sky Power Rankings 11-20

[JALMOND]

It was quite the season in the Big Sky. High expectations were in store for Eastern Washington and Sacramento State, especially after the opening weekend results. Montana made it back to the playoffs in somewhat of a surprising season and Portland State literally ran through the conference to the edge of the playoffs. Northern Colorado started very slow but picked up speed as the year went on, while Idaho State started fast but slowly died. Weber State and Northern Arizona suffered through various aches and pains through the year, but by the end they both playing some of the best football in the conference. The elite team (and probably the most consistent) was Montana State, fighting for a top spot nationally until the final game with the Grizzlies. Here are the final Big Sky power rankings. All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion.

1. Montana Grizzlies---The Grizzly faithful had waited all year for their new offense to catch up to that ferocious defense and after an early season loss at Sacramento State, there were some who thought they would never catch up. But, after an impressive performance against Idaho State, the offense improved every week to what was undoubtably their finest performance at Montana State. Now they head into the playoffs probably playing their finest football all year.

2. Montana State Bobcats---Clearly the top team in the conference all along until the last game of the year when they fell to the Montana steamroller at home. The Bobcats showed consistency on both sides all year. However, is there a shred of doubt creeping in? Great Bobcat teams in the past have fallen in the first round of the playoffs as recently as last year. However, they had played great football all year except for the last game. Maybe they got it out of their system.

3. Eastern Washington Eagles---After a disastrous start to the year that endedtheir hopes for returning to the playoffs and defending their national championship, the Eagles regrouped, got healthy, and won 6 of their last 7 ball games, clearly playing some of the better football in the conference at the end. However, they can't overcome the start and will be staying home for the playoffs.

4. Weber State Wildcats---This was going to be a rebuilding season for the Wildcats, but things looked terrible at the end of October. Then the Wildcats played out the string for their retiring coach and earned some hard fought wins against two of the better teams of late, Northern Arizona and Portland State, sending their coach off with something to be pleased about.

5. Portland State Vikings---The Vikings were an unknown heading into the year as they still had a bunch of Glanville recruits playing hard and playing for the team. Yet, they emerged as a surprise team in the conference that was still entertaining playoff thoughts up until the end. Even if they would have got the win in the last game, the playoffs would have been a long shot, but considering where they were just a couple years ago, the Vikings made big strides this year.

6. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Another unknown heading into the year, the Lumberjacks started off not too well. But, ironically, it was a home loss to Montana that set the season for them. Instead of past years where they would fold the tents and call it a season after the Grizzlies loss, the Lumberjacks regrouped, ended Sacramento State's dream playoff hopes, brought Northern Colorado back to earth, and earned some new life.

7. Sacramento State Hornets---After many futile years in the program, this was supposed to be the year the Hornets were to make some noise, and they did that early. A win in the opening weekend against the Pac-12 Oregon State and later on, the program's first win (convincingly) over Montana and the Hornets caught the attention of the conference and the nation. Then, they could not capitalize on being the hunted and they fell strongly back to earth.

8. Northern Colorado Bears---So the obvious, the Bears did not win any games this year. But each week showed much improvement and, with an ending conference schedule of Eastern Washington, Montana State, Northern Arizona and Portland State, the Bears showed they could possibly have won some of those early games. As it is, they came within a questionable penalty call in the Portland State game from getting a win in their last game.

9. Idaho State Bengals---After a somewhat good start to the year, the Bengals started to play some younger players in getting ready for next year. The way they ended the year, a blowout against Eastern Washington showed, in a way, how far they had fallen. But did they really fall or were they just getting ready for next year? Time will tell.

[grizzaholic]

Once again, Jalmond brings it.

Thanks for all that you do.

[Mike Johnson]

Will the next edition be for the "Great Big Western Sky" next year?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Once again, Jalmond brings it.

Thanks for all that you do.

You got that shit right.

Thank you Jalmond!











When your preseason rankings coming out?

[grizcountry420]

Thank you for your time and commitment Jalmond.. Great Job

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I can't complain about any of the power rankings you have put out Jalmond. Great job and keep up the good work.

[twister04]

Awesome job

[mlbowl]

Nice write up...thanks for all the time you invest every week.

[catbooster]

Thanks Jalmond. I look forward to these every week.

[SDHornet]

7. Sacramento State Hornets---After many futile years in the program, this was supposed to be the year the Hornets were to make some noise, and they did that early. A win in the opening weekend against the Pac-12 Oregon State and later on, the program's first win (convincingly) over Montana and the Hornets caught the attention of the conference and the nation. Then, they could not capitalize on being the hunted and they fell strongly back to earth.

More like the starting QB got hurt midseason and took the offense with him.

Great work all season J. These are always enjoyable.