Big Sky Power Rankings 9-9
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:59 pm
Roughly two weeks in to the season and everyone in the Big Sky is still sort of seeing what they got. One more week to go before the conference season begins for most so one more week to get some questions answered that haven't been yet. Here are this week's Big Sky power rankings (last week in parenthesis). For the most part, not much movement, but that may change. All are my opinion. All are open for discussion.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---Last week, beat Lindenwood, Mo (DII) at home 59-31, this week at Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley)---The defense has been a little suspect for the Eagles but the offense seems to be in gear. All that will be tested with a trip across the country this week.
2. UC-Davis (2)---Last week, won at San Diego (Pioneer) 38-35, this week Lehigh (Patriot) at home---After a strong showing at a tough Cal team, the Aggies hit the road and got a strong test from the defending Pioneer League champs. They come home for a game with the Patriot League.
3. Weber State (3)---Last week, beat Cal Poly at home 41-24, this week at Nevada (FBS Mtn West)---The Wildcats had a little bit more trouble against the Mustangs but thankfully found some offense and got the win. They play another game at the Mountain West this week.
4. Montana (4)---Last week, beat North Alabama (Big South) at home 61-17, this week at Oregon (FBS Pac-12)---The Grizzlies toyed with their opponent for a half, then woke up and socked it to them. Their reward is their money game, a challenge at Oregon.
5. Montana State (6)---Last week, beat SE Missouri (Ohio Valley) at home 38-17, this week at Western Illinois (Mo Valley)---The Bobcats came out of their halftime speech on fire and put their game away against a 2018 playoff team. They will venture into Missouri Valley territory this week.
6 Northern Arizona (5)---Last week, lost at Arizona (FBS Pac-12) 65-41, this week Western New Mexico (DII) at home---The Lumberjacks found an inhospitable foe in their instate brethren seeking to make a statement. They will try to return the favor against a DII opponent this week.
7. Idaho State (7)---Last week, beat Western Colorado (DII) at home 38-13, this week at Utah (FBS Pac-12)---The Bengals started slow in their season opener but regained their footing for a good win. They will now head south into Pac-12 country for a tough test.
8. Portland State (8)---Last week, beat Simon Fraser (DII) at home 70-7, this week at Boise State (FBS Mtn West)---The Vikings slept through most of the first quarter before waking up and doing what they should have done. They better not try that strategy this week or it could get ugly.
9. Sacramento State (11)---Last week lost at Arizona State (FBS Pac-12) 19-7, this week Northern Colorado at home---It was surprising to wake up and see the Hornets defense kept the team in the game Friday night. Two good showings give the team hope. They get the Bears this week in a nonconference tussle.
10. Cal Poly (9)---Last week, lost at Weber State 41-24, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Mustangs defense looked great the first week but did not play well the second week. The offense may need to outscore them. A good time to face a struggling Pac-12 team.
11. Idaho (10)---Last week, beat Central Washington (DII) 41-31, this week at Wyoming (FBS Mtn West)---Things are not coming easy for the Vandals since they stepped down from FBS. They got a win but could never breathe easy. Now they move on to the Mountain West area.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost at Washington State (FBS Pac-12) 59-17, this week at Sacramento State---After looking pretty good the first week, the Bears ran into a buzzsaw the second week where nothing went right. A Big Sky nonconference game may be what they need.
13. Southern Utah (13)---Last week lost at Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) 34-14, this week Stephen F Austin (Southland) at home---The Thunderbirds came back home from their trip through the Missouri Valley with a loss to show. They now welcome a struggling Southland team to town.
RECAP: 1-3 out front, 4-8 staying close, 9-10 just behind, 11-13 beginning to fade.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---Last week, beat Lindenwood, Mo (DII) at home 59-31, this week at Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley)---The defense has been a little suspect for the Eagles but the offense seems to be in gear. All that will be tested with a trip across the country this week.
2. UC-Davis (2)---Last week, won at San Diego (Pioneer) 38-35, this week Lehigh (Patriot) at home---After a strong showing at a tough Cal team, the Aggies hit the road and got a strong test from the defending Pioneer League champs. They come home for a game with the Patriot League.
3. Weber State (3)---Last week, beat Cal Poly at home 41-24, this week at Nevada (FBS Mtn West)---The Wildcats had a little bit more trouble against the Mustangs but thankfully found some offense and got the win. They play another game at the Mountain West this week.
4. Montana (4)---Last week, beat North Alabama (Big South) at home 61-17, this week at Oregon (FBS Pac-12)---The Grizzlies toyed with their opponent for a half, then woke up and socked it to them. Their reward is their money game, a challenge at Oregon.
5. Montana State (6)---Last week, beat SE Missouri (Ohio Valley) at home 38-17, this week at Western Illinois (Mo Valley)---The Bobcats came out of their halftime speech on fire and put their game away against a 2018 playoff team. They will venture into Missouri Valley territory this week.
6 Northern Arizona (5)---Last week, lost at Arizona (FBS Pac-12) 65-41, this week Western New Mexico (DII) at home---The Lumberjacks found an inhospitable foe in their instate brethren seeking to make a statement. They will try to return the favor against a DII opponent this week.
7. Idaho State (7)---Last week, beat Western Colorado (DII) at home 38-13, this week at Utah (FBS Pac-12)---The Bengals started slow in their season opener but regained their footing for a good win. They will now head south into Pac-12 country for a tough test.
8. Portland State (8)---Last week, beat Simon Fraser (DII) at home 70-7, this week at Boise State (FBS Mtn West)---The Vikings slept through most of the first quarter before waking up and doing what they should have done. They better not try that strategy this week or it could get ugly.
9. Sacramento State (11)---Last week lost at Arizona State (FBS Pac-12) 19-7, this week Northern Colorado at home---It was surprising to wake up and see the Hornets defense kept the team in the game Friday night. Two good showings give the team hope. They get the Bears this week in a nonconference tussle.
10. Cal Poly (9)---Last week, lost at Weber State 41-24, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Mustangs defense looked great the first week but did not play well the second week. The offense may need to outscore them. A good time to face a struggling Pac-12 team.
11. Idaho (10)---Last week, beat Central Washington (DII) 41-31, this week at Wyoming (FBS Mtn West)---Things are not coming easy for the Vandals since they stepped down from FBS. They got a win but could never breathe easy. Now they move on to the Mountain West area.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost at Washington State (FBS Pac-12) 59-17, this week at Sacramento State---After looking pretty good the first week, the Bears ran into a buzzsaw the second week where nothing went right. A Big Sky nonconference game may be what they need.
13. Southern Utah (13)---Last week lost at Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) 34-14, this week Stephen F Austin (Southland) at home---The Thunderbirds came back home from their trip through the Missouri Valley with a loss to show. They now welcome a struggling Southland team to town.
RECAP: 1-3 out front, 4-8 staying close, 9-10 just behind, 11-13 beginning to fade.