Big Sky Power Rankings 9-21
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:34 pm
Hard to believe, but at the end of the first quarter of each of their respective games last week, both Montana and Weber State found themselves down 14-7. Hope for the rest of the conference? Maybe. But in the end, both the Grizzlies and Wildcats showed why they are at the top. Slowly, this is becoming a two horse race, and for others to be included, the road will have to go through either Missoula or Ogden (or both). Here are this weeks power rankings. This week (last week). All are my opinion and all are open for discussion.
1. Montana (1)---The personal foul penalty may have helped, but it was Mariani's spectacular catch and speedy romp to the end zone that got the Griz started and never looked back as they put an end to Portland State's upset bid. After the tough 10 minutes, the Griz made it look easy the rest of the way. This week, they make the long trip to Flagstaff to take on Northern Arizona. Can the magic continue on the road?
2. Weber State (2)---The Wildcats gave some hope to what was on paper an outmanned Idaho State squad, spotting them the 14-7 lead. But after that, the Wildcats woke up and put the Bengals in their place rather convincingly. This week, a trip to Portland to face a fired up Portland State team. The last time the Wildcats went there, the game was a huge shootout. More reasonable this time?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week, the Eagles defense showed up, shutting out Northern Colorado, while their offense suffered through a very sluggish game. An ugly game, but a win is always good. This week they head down to Sacramento to face Sacramento State, a team that made the game ugly last year and upset the Eagles. Can the Eagles get this one back?
4. Northern Arizona (4)---Talk about a shootout. While the Jacks thought they had Southern Utah down, the Thunderbirds would storm right back. The Birds were poised for the upset, but the Jacks prevailed in the end of the offensive fireworks show. The Jacks needed it as this week Montana comes to town, still undefeated and still ferocious. Do the Jacks have what it takes to knock off the powerful Grizzlies?
5. Montana State (6)---A well deserved bye week and a chance to regroup after two bad showings. Still, though, the Bobcats thought they would be 1-1 at this point and that is where they are. Two weeks are enough to get up for the game this week at Northern Colorado, a strong team this year and who has given the Bobcats fits in years past. Have the Bobcats righted the ship?
6. Northern Colorado (5)---After a good showing against San Diego, the Bears headed to Eastern Washington brimming with confidence about a great conference year. Problem was, their offense got left behind in Greeley. The Bears defense held the potent Eagle offense as best as they could, but got no support from the offense. This week, they welcome Montana State to Greeley. Will the offense come to the game? Will it matter?
7. Portland State (7)---Things were going great for the Vikings against Montana. Then Mariani ran wild, the Vikings punter could not fall on the ball, the offense collapsed and soon the defense did, too. In the end, the Griz became the Griz we all know. Big questions all around, and not much time to dwell on them as Weber State comes to Portland this weekend. At least it is at home, if that makes a difference.
8. Sacramento State (8)---High expectations in the summer have given way to tempted optimism for the Hornets after two rather disappointing games. Searching for some offense, as well as a featured back, has taken more time that people thought. A bye week was a good breather. This week, the Hornets host Eastern Washington, a team they beat on the road last year. This year at home, can they get the win?
9. Idaho State (9)---Sometimes, playing with nothing to lose can bring unexpected dividends and, in a game that no one gave them much of a chance against Weber State, the Bengals found themselves up 14-7. Then, the hope faded, the Wildcats recovered, and the Bengals became the typical Bengals. Good thing is the rough three game stretch is over and the Bengals have DII Central Washington coming to town. Or is that a good thing?
1. Montana (1)---The personal foul penalty may have helped, but it was Mariani's spectacular catch and speedy romp to the end zone that got the Griz started and never looked back as they put an end to Portland State's upset bid. After the tough 10 minutes, the Griz made it look easy the rest of the way. This week, they make the long trip to Flagstaff to take on Northern Arizona. Can the magic continue on the road?
2. Weber State (2)---The Wildcats gave some hope to what was on paper an outmanned Idaho State squad, spotting them the 14-7 lead. But after that, the Wildcats woke up and put the Bengals in their place rather convincingly. This week, a trip to Portland to face a fired up Portland State team. The last time the Wildcats went there, the game was a huge shootout. More reasonable this time?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week, the Eagles defense showed up, shutting out Northern Colorado, while their offense suffered through a very sluggish game. An ugly game, but a win is always good. This week they head down to Sacramento to face Sacramento State, a team that made the game ugly last year and upset the Eagles. Can the Eagles get this one back?
4. Northern Arizona (4)---Talk about a shootout. While the Jacks thought they had Southern Utah down, the Thunderbirds would storm right back. The Birds were poised for the upset, but the Jacks prevailed in the end of the offensive fireworks show. The Jacks needed it as this week Montana comes to town, still undefeated and still ferocious. Do the Jacks have what it takes to knock off the powerful Grizzlies?
5. Montana State (6)---A well deserved bye week and a chance to regroup after two bad showings. Still, though, the Bobcats thought they would be 1-1 at this point and that is where they are. Two weeks are enough to get up for the game this week at Northern Colorado, a strong team this year and who has given the Bobcats fits in years past. Have the Bobcats righted the ship?
6. Northern Colorado (5)---After a good showing against San Diego, the Bears headed to Eastern Washington brimming with confidence about a great conference year. Problem was, their offense got left behind in Greeley. The Bears defense held the potent Eagle offense as best as they could, but got no support from the offense. This week, they welcome Montana State to Greeley. Will the offense come to the game? Will it matter?
7. Portland State (7)---Things were going great for the Vikings against Montana. Then Mariani ran wild, the Vikings punter could not fall on the ball, the offense collapsed and soon the defense did, too. In the end, the Griz became the Griz we all know. Big questions all around, and not much time to dwell on them as Weber State comes to Portland this weekend. At least it is at home, if that makes a difference.
8. Sacramento State (8)---High expectations in the summer have given way to tempted optimism for the Hornets after two rather disappointing games. Searching for some offense, as well as a featured back, has taken more time that people thought. A bye week was a good breather. This week, the Hornets host Eastern Washington, a team they beat on the road last year. This year at home, can they get the win?
9. Idaho State (9)---Sometimes, playing with nothing to lose can bring unexpected dividends and, in a game that no one gave them much of a chance against Weber State, the Bengals found themselves up 14-7. Then, the hope faded, the Wildcats recovered, and the Bengals became the typical Bengals. Good thing is the rough three game stretch is over and the Bengals have DII Central Washington coming to town. Or is that a good thing?
