JALMOND
October 8th, 2014, 01:35 AM
Just when things seem to be getting close to normal, things hit the fan. Montana loses their quarterback, although it seems he may be back (great time for a bye). Eastern Washington loses their quarterback and things aren't as rosy. What this all means for the conference altogether remains to be seen but for now here are this week's conference power rankings (last week in parenthesis). Many surprises across the conference with the margins, but not really any upsets, other than Northern Colorado getting their first conference win in almost two years.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles were able to finally put aside the upstart Idaho State team, but it may have taken longer than needed. Now they have to head out on the road to Southern Utah without their number one quarterback.
2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats squeaked out a win last week on the road against a game Sacramento State team. Possessing quite the explosive offensive power, they return to the Causeway area and play at UC-Davis this weekend.
3. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies were able to sneak past North Dakota on the road last week after losing their star quarterback early on. A bye week comes to the Grizzlies this weekend, giving them a chance to heal.
4. Cal Poly (6)---The Mustangs outlasted Southern Utah last weekend at home in another slugfest. Things won't get easier for them as they hit the road once again, this time going to play at Weber State.
5. Idaho State (7)---The Bengals gave their best effort last weekend at Eastern Washington and almost came home with the upset. They jump back into a nonconference game at home this weekend, playing Simon Fraser.
6. Northern Arizona (4)---After closing out Cal Poly at home, the Lumberjacks ended up laying an egg last weekend at Northern Colorado, winning every statistical category except the score. They also take a break this weekend.
7. Sacramento State (8)---The Hornets gave Montana State all they could handle at home in quite the scoring contest before succumbing in defeat. Needing a win in the worst way, they go out to Northern Colorado this weekend.
8. Southern Utah (5)---The Thunderbirds fell just short of a win last weekend at Cal Poly, thus effectively ending their shot at the playoffs. Playing for pride, they host the explosive Eastern Washington team this weekend.
9. Portland State (12)---The Vikings kept UC-Davis at bay last weekend at home, finally breaking in to the win column. Feeling better, they hit the road across the conference footprint this weekend, playing at North Dakota.
10. Northern Colorado (13)---The Bears got some relief and a lot of luck last weekend in their home win against Northern Arizona. Seeking to build on the momentum, they welcome reeling Sacramento State this weekend.
11. North Dakota (11)---The No-Names almost squeaked out an upset at home last weekend against Montana, only to fall victim to a little Griz magic. Feeling better, however, they bring in Portland State this weekend for another conference matchup.
12. UC-Davis (9)---The Aggies, aside from a bit of a scare that they gave Portland State just after halftime, never really threatened and went home with a loss. They entertain Montana State at home this weekend.
13. Weber State (10)---Drawing the short straw last weekend as the odd team that didn't play, the Wildcats move into the basement. Two weeks to prepare for a home tilt against Cal Poly this weekend may vault them out, however.
RECAP: 1-2 together, 3 on an island, 4-13 a jumbled mess.
1. Eastern Washington (1)---The Eagles were able to finally put aside the upstart Idaho State team, but it may have taken longer than needed. Now they have to head out on the road to Southern Utah without their number one quarterback.
2. Montana State (2)---The Bobcats squeaked out a win last week on the road against a game Sacramento State team. Possessing quite the explosive offensive power, they return to the Causeway area and play at UC-Davis this weekend.
3. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies were able to sneak past North Dakota on the road last week after losing their star quarterback early on. A bye week comes to the Grizzlies this weekend, giving them a chance to heal.
4. Cal Poly (6)---The Mustangs outlasted Southern Utah last weekend at home in another slugfest. Things won't get easier for them as they hit the road once again, this time going to play at Weber State.
5. Idaho State (7)---The Bengals gave their best effort last weekend at Eastern Washington and almost came home with the upset. They jump back into a nonconference game at home this weekend, playing Simon Fraser.
6. Northern Arizona (4)---After closing out Cal Poly at home, the Lumberjacks ended up laying an egg last weekend at Northern Colorado, winning every statistical category except the score. They also take a break this weekend.
7. Sacramento State (8)---The Hornets gave Montana State all they could handle at home in quite the scoring contest before succumbing in defeat. Needing a win in the worst way, they go out to Northern Colorado this weekend.
8. Southern Utah (5)---The Thunderbirds fell just short of a win last weekend at Cal Poly, thus effectively ending their shot at the playoffs. Playing for pride, they host the explosive Eastern Washington team this weekend.
9. Portland State (12)---The Vikings kept UC-Davis at bay last weekend at home, finally breaking in to the win column. Feeling better, they hit the road across the conference footprint this weekend, playing at North Dakota.
10. Northern Colorado (13)---The Bears got some relief and a lot of luck last weekend in their home win against Northern Arizona. Seeking to build on the momentum, they welcome reeling Sacramento State this weekend.
11. North Dakota (11)---The No-Names almost squeaked out an upset at home last weekend against Montana, only to fall victim to a little Griz magic. Feeling better, however, they bring in Portland State this weekend for another conference matchup.
12. UC-Davis (9)---The Aggies, aside from a bit of a scare that they gave Portland State just after halftime, never really threatened and went home with a loss. They entertain Montana State at home this weekend.
13. Weber State (10)---Drawing the short straw last weekend as the odd team that didn't play, the Wildcats move into the basement. Two weeks to prepare for a home tilt against Cal Poly this weekend may vault them out, however.
RECAP: 1-2 together, 3 on an island, 4-13 a jumbled mess.