The upper echelon of the conference is slowly emerging and as expected, five schools are making their case to be included in the top spots of the conference, and conference play hasn't even started yet for most. This is truly shaping up to be one of the wildest years in football in the conference in a long time. Here are this week's power rankings for the conference (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. One more week of non-conference action then it is on to conference play.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week, bye, this week Mercyhurst (FCS Northeast) at home---Having scheduled a game during week 0, the Bobcats needed to have an open date before conference play and so they chose the week before entertaining a school from the Northeast conference. Should be an easy tuneup before conference play.
2. Idaho (2)---Last week beat Albany (FCS CAA) at home 41-13, this week at Abilene Christian (FCS United)---The Vandals avenged a playoff loss last year with a resounding win over Albany this year. They go back on the road this week, but facing an FCS opponent this week. Still, it won't be easy getting another win.
3. Montana (3)---Last week beat Morehead State (FCS Pioneer) 59-2, this week Western Carolina (FCS Southern) at home---The Grizzlies finally flexed their muscles last week and got the conference's first win in three tries over the non-scholly Pioneer League. Things get a bit tougher this weekend but hopefully they have turned the corner.
4. UC Davis (4)---Last week won at Southern Utah (FCS United) 24-21, this week Utah Tech (FCS United) at home---In a very entertaining game last week, the Aggies held on to get a strong road win and took a step forward to the top. This week, they return home but bring in another United conference foe for a big test.
5. Sacramento State (5)---Last week beat Nicholls (FCS Southland) at home 34-7, this week at Texas A&M Commerce (FCS Southland)---The conference showed its toughness in that the Hornets got a good strong win at home, yet could not take advantage of it in the rankings. They go on the road but stay in the Southland this weekend.
6. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week won at Utah Tech (FCS United) 45-17, this week at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland)---The Lumberjacks have been steadily climbing the rankings, getting a strong road win over one of their rivals this past weekend. Their reward is making a trip to play one of the top Southland teams this time.
7. Weber State (6)---Last week lost at Lamar (FCS Southland) 17-16, this week at Northwestern State (FCS Southland)---The Wildcats took one on the chin last weekend in a close loss deep in the heart of the Southland conference. They stay on the road and in the Southland this weekend for another game against maybe an easier opponent.
8. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at SE Louisiana (FCS Southland) 28-24, this week at Nevada (FBS Mountain West)---The Eagles woes continued for another week as they had their chances to get a road win but could not capitalize in the end. This week does not get easier as they must play at the FBS level on the road.
9. Northern Colorado (11)---Last week lost to Abilene Christian (FCS United) at home 24-22, this week at Stephen F Austin (FCS Southland)---The Bears have played some tough teams and played them tough. Last week, they thought they had a win only to lose at the end. They go on the road this week to face one of the heavies from the Southland.
10. Portland State (9)---Last week's home game against South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) cancelled, this week at Boise State (FBS Mountain West)---The Vikings fight last week involved a case of whooping cough which cost them the opportunity to play the scheduled game. The week is not better as they face a strong road test with the FBS.
11. Idaho State (10)---Last week lost at North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) 52-14, this week Southern Utah (FCS United) at home---No one expected the Bengals to go into hostile territory last week and somehow get a win, but few thought they would be put away so early. They come back home, but face a strong test with a team from the United conference.
12. Cal Poly (12)---Last week beat Western Oregon (DII) at home 31-14, this week bye---Hats off to the Mustangs for their first win of the season, even if they had to reach down into the lower divisions to get it. Still, there were some nervous moments in the game. They will take this week off and prepare for conference play.
RECAP: 1-3 out front, 4-5 trying to keep up, 6 emerging from the next pack, 7 just behind, 8-11 falling off, 12 fading.