Big Sky Power Rankings 9-21

[JALMOND]

Pretty sad weekend for the conference last week as no one won any games against non conference opponents. Some weren't even close and some seemed closer than they were. The best plan of action was to either play a conference foe (EWU, WSU, SUU) or don't play at all (PSU). But what fun would that be. Here are this week's power rankings in the Big Sky (last week's rankings in parenthesis). All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion.

1. Eastern Washington (4)---last week, beat Montana State at home 55-50, this week at Sacramento State---If you have the capabilities to consistently outscore your opponent as the Eagles seem to be able to, what do you need a defense for? Oh, yeah, there was that Northern Iowa game.

2. Portland State (6)---last week, BYE, this week Western Oregon (DII) at home---The Vikings have become this year's darlings in the conference. They passed the test of playing as the underdog, now they get to try to do it as the favorite. Will they have the same success?

3. Montana State (3)---last week, lost at Eastern Washington 55-50, this week Cal Poly at home---The Bobcats were supposed to have some defense this year, although Eastern Washington has turned great defenses into mush. The Bobcats will need some defense this weekend to stay in it.

4. Cal Poly (1)---last week, lost to Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) 34-20, this week, at Montana State---The Mustangs wanted a better showing at home, coming off of a hard fought win at Montana, but it would have been great if they had shown up. Recapturing magic in the state of Montana is going to be tough.

5. Montana (2)---last week, lost to Liberty (Big South) 31-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Grizzlies made the long trek cross country only to fall in the end. Now that a disappointing non conference slate is done, including a non conference loss at home to conference foe Cal Poly, the Grizzlies hope to recover.

6. Northern Arizona (5)---last week, lost to Arizona (Pac-12) 77-13, this week at Montana---Given the success the conference has shown this season against the Pac-12, the Lumberjacks should have been able to stay somewhat close. They now get to head out to start the conference in a tough place to play.

7. North Dakota (7)---last week, lost at North Dakota State (Mo Valley) 34-9, this week UC-Davis at home---A relatively good showing for the Dakotans last week against the defending champions, but they no doubt wanted more. They do get to start conference play this weekend at home.

8. Weber State (11)---last week, beat Sacramento State at home 32-14, this week at Northern Colorado---In the midst of how bad the conference looked was the play of the Wildcats, who's offense is slowing beginning to complement their defense, and thus becoming a good team. They may not have muhc trouble this weekend.

9. Southern Utah (9)---last week, beat Northern Colorado 30-3, this weekend Brevard (DII) at home---The Thunderbirds also are finding their offense to be as good as their defense has shown. They will be able to give their offense plenty of opportunities this weekend as they bring in a DII team from North Carolina.

10. Idaho State (8)---last week, lost at Boise State (Mountain West) 52-0, this week at Nevada-Las Vegas (Mountain West)---Last weekend, the Bengals did not get anything from either side of the ball in playing up a level. Things may not be so well for them this week as they stay in the Mountain West.

11. Sacramento State (10)---last week, lost at Weber State 32-14, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Hornets have not been able to find their suddenly departed offense for the last two games. They will need to find it and soon or else they won't be able to keep up this weekend.

12. UC-Davis (12)---last week, lost at Hawaii (Mountain West) 47-27, this week at North Dakota---The Aggies looked great last week in the first half, but lost it all in the second half. They will hope to play a complete game similar to how they played in the first half and burn their second half effort.

13. Northern Colorado (13)---last week, lost at Southern Utah 30-3, this week Weber State at home---The Bears may have been feeling good after their 2-0 start, but that became a quick memory. They will hope to recapture some of that luck at home this weekend, or at least be competitive in the conference.

RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3-5 just behind, 6 alone, 7-9 behind 6, 10-12 falling, 13 off

[Cujo]

I think Cal Poly dropped too hard, should be #2 or #3 at worst

[SuperHornet]

I had huge complaints last week. Not so much this week. Pretty much spot on, save for jumping PSU so far on a bye week, as impressive as they have been. Perhaps an acknowledgement that they COULD have been placed that high last week?

[SDHornet]

Good job J, thanks for doing these. No arguments here. Pretty crappy week for the BSC.