After all this, it is time for the conference power rankings. All are my opinion only and all are open for discussion. This week, (last week). I'll say right now, not much change.1. Montana State (1)---After everyone left at halftime and after Sacramento State came back, the Bobcats refused to wilt in the heat and held off the Hornets in overtime. Hard fought and close was expected, but really no one had expected a game such as that. Good teams overcome adversity, especially on the road and the Bobcats showed that they were able to still win. This week, they welcome Portland State to their home confines. Home sweet home.
2. Montana (2)---In a game that was truly going to show who wanted it more (typical when you put two bears together), the Grizzlies headed on the road and took care of the upstart Northern Colorado team. Many may have thought that the Grizzlies could be upset, but they put away any notion of that early. Have they turned a corner? Is it time for the true Grizzly team to emerge? Possibly, but we might not know even this week. Idaho State comes to town and the game should not even be close. But we all thought that last year, didn't we?
3. Eastern Washington (3)---No indication in their first few games that the Eagles were anything without Jones and word quickly spread that Jones was not going to play in their game at Weber State. But the rest of the team stood up and took advantage of some costly Weber State mistakes and got an elusive win on the road. A situation that Mitchell showed just what he can do? Maybe, but they need the good fortune to continue as Northern Arizona comes calling. At least now, if Jones can't go, the Eagles know that all is not lost (might even be better).
4. Northern Arizona (4)---In between conference road games, the Jacks took on Great West foe Southern Utah in what many thought was a trap game. It nearly was, too, until the Jacks were able to rally and escape with a hard fought victory. Clearly a bit more of a fight than expected, but a win on the road is always good. This week, a return to conference play with a trip to Eastern Washington. Back to business.
5. Sacramento State (5)---Down a bunch at halftime, where most teams would fold up and start planning for the next week, the Hornets came out on a mission against Montana State, even taking a short lead by the end of the third quarter. Yet all that energy meant that nothing was left for overtime and the Hornets came out on the short end. Still a gallant effort, but they most likely wanted the win. This week, a chance for redemption as they stay home to face Northern Colorado.
6. Portland State (7)---After a lopsided loss to Pac-10 Oregon, the Vikings came in with probably the most questions of anyone as they welcomed Idaho State to their home. However many questions were answered as they totally took apart the Idaho State team. This success early has the Vikings thinking this may be a good year for them. This week, they head down the road to face a strong Montana State team. In playing at the FCS level, the Vikings have appeared sharp, but then again, they really have not faced a team quite the caliber of the one this weekend.
7. Weber State (6)---With all going on around them, the Wildcats had a chance to stay relevant as they welcomed another struggling team, Eastern Washington, to their home field. They kept moving the ball around, yet could not score, something that is extremely important in the game of football. Before they realized, they were on the short end and Eastern Washington was walking off victorious. What to do next? This week, they get a bye, a week off to regroup.
8. Northern Colorado (8)---For all going on in the conference, the Bears have one thing right, in a year that Montana seems down, make sure you take care of business, especially on your own field. Unfortunately for the Bears, Montana woke up and sent them down with a hard loss. One thing to say something, it is another thing to do it and the Bears could not get the win in this case. This weekend, a trip to Sacramento State, a team that is surely angry with what happened in their game. Can the Bears regain focus and get the win?
9. Idaho State (9)---For all that changes within the conference, there is usually one thing that remains the same. The Bengals will be in the basement. Last weekend a trip to fellow basement dweller Portland State was supposed to be at least close, but the Bengals quickly fell behind and could not keep up, managing only 3 points against a defense that allowed 69 the week before. Will things get better? Probably not this weekend as they head on the road again, but this time to Montana, a team looking to make a statement.
Where they are now...MSU alone, UM alone, EWU alone, NAU and Sac State bunched with PSU surprising close behind and WSU not all that far off, UNC a bit further off and then ISU far behind.
Should only be done when your program needs the cash pay-out. Any other year, one FBS is enough.