Big Sky Power Rankings 10-12

[JALMOND]

OK, so who really wants to win this conference title. Its the easiest route to making it in to the playoffs. It has an AQ attached to it. Anyone? Come on. The committee is not going to take 8-9 teams from the conference. Someone is going to be left out, someone is going to have their feelings hurt. So, here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion as usual and all open for discussion.

1. Eastern Washington (1)---last week beat Cal Poly at home 42-41, this week at Idaho State---For someone who should be the clear cut favorite, the Eagles sure make things interesting. They have done enough to keep them at the top, but is that only because no one wants to be?

2. Southern Utah (6)---last week bye, this week Sacramento State at home---Yes, the Thunderbirds did not play anyone last week and their schedule up to this point has been suspect. But they have shown a strong offense to go with a stingy defense. What more do they need?

3. Portland State (8)---last week won at North Texas (C-USA) 66-7, this week Montana State at home---The Vikings recovered nicely from their first loss with a resounding win over another FBS team. However, the rest of the conference season will surely test them.

4. Montana State (7)---last week beat Sacramento State at home 35-13, this week at Portland State---Again the Bobcats looked like world beaters at home in shutting down a lesser opponent. But the road has not been kind to the Bobcats and they have to play a formidable foe this time.

5. Cal Poly (5)---last week lost at Eastern Washington 42-41, this week bye---Once again, close. Close but not quite there. The Mustangs need to start getting some wins because close but no cigar will not help them at the end of the year. Their backs are to the wall now.

6. Weber State (9)---last week won at Montana 24-21, this week North Dakota at home---The Wildcats bounced back nicely from getting shelled the week before, and got a win in front of a highly hostile crowd. This week will be a true test to see if they are for real or not.

7. Montana (2)---last week lost to Weber State at home 24-21, this week bye---If anyone needed an off week this week it was the Grizzlies who are really banged up and hurting after falling at home. The season is slowing coming to an end and it would be surprising if the Grizzlies are not there.

8. North Dakota (4)---last week lost to Idaho State at home 37-31, this week at Weber State---The Dakotans feel good story took a big hit as they unfortunately jump started Idaho State's season last week. They now need to get a win to get back on track.

9. Northern Arizona (3)---last week lost at UC-Davis 38-24, this week bye---The Lumberjacks also took a big hit as well, falling on the road to a previously winless team, UC-Davis. Heading down the stretch and needing to make up ground now, they get a week off to recover.

10. UC-Davis (10)---last week beat Northern Arizona at home 38-24, this week at Northern Colorado---The Aggies finally got their first win last week, hopefully a sign of good things to come. They have to hit the road this weekend but may still be able to get win #2.

11. Idaho State (12)---last week won at North Dakota 37-31, this week Eastern Washington---The Bengals showed that they still have plenty of life in them and are eager to embrace the spoiler role as the season winds down. They may not be the pushover people thought.

12. Northern Colorado (11)---last week bye, this week UC-Davis at home---The Bears took the week off to relish in their first conference win of the season. They get back in the swing of things this weekend with a home date and a good chance at their second conference win.

13. Sacramento State (13)---last week lost at Montana State 35-13, this week at Southern Utah---The Hornets dismal season continues on with a loss last week. And quite possibly another loss on the horizon this weekend. Where will it end?

RECAP: 1-9 together, 10 off the pace, 11 trailing, 12 a bit behind, 13 falling.

[GoAgs72]

I would move Portland State to number 2. I'm glad we don't play them this year.

[Grizalltheway]

Still time for the Griz to turn things around and make a run at least a share of the conference title, but damn, they're going to have to look a lot better than they did on Saturday (and get healthy, of course).

[SuperHornet]

I know last week you had a rather large group, but some of your move-ups (save for PSU, that is) and some of your move-downs seem a bit drastic at this point, particularly UM and ESPECIALLY SUU.

I wish I could rip you on your last-place wonder, but, alas, you're exactly right on that one.

[SDHornet]

13. Sacramento State (13)---last week lost at Montana State 35-13, this week at Southern Utah---The Hornets dismal season continues on with a loss last week. And quite possibly another loss on the horizon this weekend. Where will it end?

We're down to our 4th string QB (a true frosh), and lost RB Robinson as well (he was on pace for about 1k yards rushing). I don't think we will win another game this season.

[Brock Landers]

Still time for the Griz to turn things around and make a run at least a share of the conference title, but damn, they're going to have to look a lot better than they did on Saturday (and get healthy, of course).

Well we have been getting better each week...

[JALMOND]

I know last week you had a rather large group, but some of your move-ups (save for PSU, that is) and some of your move-downs seem a bit drastic at this point, particularly UM and ESPECIALLY SUU.

I wish I could rip you on your last-place wonder, but, alas, you're exactly right on that one.

Usually mid-October there are two or maybe three teams that emerge as clearly the teams to beat. This year, all nine teams in front have flaws and no one really has come out and showed they are the team to beat. In years past, I would move teams one or maybe two spots based on performance, but this season where there is still eight, nine, or maybe ten teams that can beat anyone in conference, there are going to be big moves every weekend. It does eventually sort itself out, but this season is taking longer than usual.

[EWURanger]

The top 5 look about right to me. I think I'd move PSU to #2, or honestly maybe even the top spot based on their resume. Even though Eastern's two losses came at Oregon and a 3 point loss against UNI on the road, we aren't beating the teams we should be convincingly. I suppose that could change this weekend.

[SUUTbird]

Personally even I am kind of surprised that you think were the #2 team in the conference right now. Granted we did destroy Weber State however our defense played lights out and we have a solid offensive showing as well. I'm still concerned about our offense however, and hopefully we will continue to see improvement on that side of the ball which has seem to be the case so far this season. If I were to rank the top 4 teams:

-EWU
-PSU
-MSU
-SUU

And then I would leave the rest of the teams where you have them currently.

[Wildcat Ryan]

1. Eastern Washington
2. Portland State
3. Montana State
4. Southern Utah
5. North Dakota
6. Cal Poly
7. Weber State
8. Montana
9. Northern Arizona
10. Idaho State
11. UC Davis
12. Northern Colorado
13. Sacramento State