JALMOND
September 2nd, 2014, 12:59 AM
So after the first true week of football for the Big Sky, not many questions were answered, but that is a product when 10 of the 12 games played were against the FBS division. Still a lot of questions, and still the great big mess in the middle of the rankings. Maybe it will clear up this week or maybe not for another week or two. For now, here are this week's power rankings in the conference. As usual all are my opinions only and all are up for discussion, probably more now than before. This week (last week). Have at it.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---As expected, the Eagles had no problems turning back the NAIA's own Montana-Western. After getting wins over the FCS and a lower opponent, this weekend finds them in the Pac-12 at Washington.
2. Montana (2)---Last weekend, the Grizzlies found themselves in the midst of a lightning storm and up against an eager opponent in Wyoming, falling just short of a win. This weekend, they get to stay at home and entertain DII Central Washington.
3. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats went out to Arkansas State and played them tough for a half before winding up with a loss. Things may get easier this weekend as they stay home and face DII Black Hills State.
4. Sacramento State (8)---One of the few wins for the conference came by way of the Hornets who gave newcomer Incarnate Word quite a welcome to the FCS. They may experience their own type of welcome as they move up to play Pac-12 California.
5. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds stayed within shouting distance of FBS Nevada last weekend before finally ending with a loss. They stay in the FCS this time, but head out on the road to Southland power Southeastern Louisiana.
6. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjacks took their show on the road last week and fell to FBS San Diego State. They do get to stay in the FCS this weekend, heading out for a game at Southland newcomer Abilene Christian.
7. UC-Davis (4)---The Aggies started last week with a game at possible FBS playoff contender Stanford and paid a big price for it, not being able to do anything. Things get easier for them this weekend as they bring on DII Fort Lewis to town.
8. Cal Poly (5)---So the Mustangs did step up a level and played New Mexico State, but it was a game that they should have kept close. Now they have to head out to play Missouri Valley's powerhouse South Dakota State.
9. Portland State (9)---The Vikings tried to keep the conference's dominance over Pac-12 Oregon State, taking a halftime lead, yet ended up losing it with a disastrous third quarter. Things get easy this weekend as they bring in DII Western Oregon.
10. Idaho State (10)---The Bengals actually had some good moments against the Pac-12 Utah team. Now they head out once again to the FBS, this time taking on the Mountain West's Utah State team.
11. Weber State (11)---The Wildcats headed out to the Arizona desert to face Arizona State and, as expected, came out on the losing end. Up next, another adventure, this time at home as they face North Dakota State.
12. North Dakota (12)---The No-Names could not get anything going last week in their game at San Jose State. Hopefully things will be easier this time as they stay home and entertain the Northeast's Robert Morris team.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---Maybe the best thing for the Bears was that they did not play anyone this past weekend. The bad thing is that this weekend they hit the road with a trip to Vegas, Nevada-Las Vegas, that is.
RECAP: 1-2 still on top, 3-11 still bunched up, 12-13 bringing up the rear.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---As expected, the Eagles had no problems turning back the NAIA's own Montana-Western. After getting wins over the FCS and a lower opponent, this weekend finds them in the Pac-12 at Washington.
2. Montana (2)---Last weekend, the Grizzlies found themselves in the midst of a lightning storm and up against an eager opponent in Wyoming, falling just short of a win. This weekend, they get to stay at home and entertain DII Central Washington.
3. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats went out to Arkansas State and played them tough for a half before winding up with a loss. Things may get easier this weekend as they stay home and face DII Black Hills State.
4. Sacramento State (8)---One of the few wins for the conference came by way of the Hornets who gave newcomer Incarnate Word quite a welcome to the FCS. They may experience their own type of welcome as they move up to play Pac-12 California.
5. Southern Utah (6)---The Thunderbirds stayed within shouting distance of FBS Nevada last weekend before finally ending with a loss. They stay in the FCS this time, but head out on the road to Southland power Southeastern Louisiana.
6. Northern Arizona (7)---The Lumberjacks took their show on the road last week and fell to FBS San Diego State. They do get to stay in the FCS this weekend, heading out for a game at Southland newcomer Abilene Christian.
7. UC-Davis (4)---The Aggies started last week with a game at possible FBS playoff contender Stanford and paid a big price for it, not being able to do anything. Things get easier for them this weekend as they bring on DII Fort Lewis to town.
8. Cal Poly (5)---So the Mustangs did step up a level and played New Mexico State, but it was a game that they should have kept close. Now they have to head out to play Missouri Valley's powerhouse South Dakota State.
9. Portland State (9)---The Vikings tried to keep the conference's dominance over Pac-12 Oregon State, taking a halftime lead, yet ended up losing it with a disastrous third quarter. Things get easy this weekend as they bring in DII Western Oregon.
10. Idaho State (10)---The Bengals actually had some good moments against the Pac-12 Utah team. Now they head out once again to the FBS, this time taking on the Mountain West's Utah State team.
11. Weber State (11)---The Wildcats headed out to the Arizona desert to face Arizona State and, as expected, came out on the losing end. Up next, another adventure, this time at home as they face North Dakota State.
12. North Dakota (12)---The No-Names could not get anything going last week in their game at San Jose State. Hopefully things will be easier this time as they stay home and entertain the Northeast's Robert Morris team.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---Maybe the best thing for the Bears was that they did not play anyone this past weekend. The bad thing is that this weekend they hit the road with a trip to Vegas, Nevada-Las Vegas, that is.
RECAP: 1-2 still on top, 3-11 still bunched up, 12-13 bringing up the rear.