JALMOND
October 29th, 2014, 01:57 AM
So the Big Sky had one of those "What the hell just happened" weekend last weekend where two strong teams, Eastern Washington and Montana both lost. Scary to say that the only thing that might have saved Montana State from the same, cruel fate was that the Bobcats had a bye last weekend. Now what was a two horse race to the top has now, this late in October, transformed into a six team race, with each one thinking they have what it takes to become conference champion. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only, and I have a feeling this week is going to be some great discussion. Have at it.
1. Montana State (2)---With all the casualties around them the Bobcats may have benefited the most by not playing. Sitting out the week has no doubt prepared them to head out on the road and play suddenly dangerous Cal Poly. Hoping they don't meet the same fate that Montana had...
2. Eastern Washington (1)---For some strange reason, the Eagles forgot to play the game last weekend at Northern Arizona to the finish and watched the Lumberjacks steal what was their win. Eager to shake off the shock of losing, the Eagles come home to face North Dakota.
3. Cal Poly (4)---What was the most shocking for the Mustangs was probably not that they beat Montana at home last weekend, but how they did it with relative ease. They let the Grizzlies hang around in the first half, then shut the door in the second half. They get another chance to shock this weekend as Montana State comes to town.
4. Idaho State (5)---Face it, this is not the Bengals of old. They went on the road to Northern Colorado and took care of the Bears the way a confident leading team would. They get to continue their magical season this weekend at Portland State.
5. Northern Arizona (6)---Hopelessly looking at a long way from victory, the Lumberjacks somehow willed their way to the win against Eastern Washington last week. Winning on the road has been their downfall so far and they go to Weber State this weekend.
6. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies headed out on the road last weekend to Cal Poly hoping for a good showing and a good win. However they got neither and it wasn't even much of a game after the third quarter. They head home this weekend and welcome Sacramento State.
7. Sacramento State (7)---Last week, the Hornets avoided all the carnage around them by taking the weekend off. They used it to prepare, for sure, for this weekend's game at suddenly vulnerable Montana. Can they rub salt in the Grizzlies' wound.
8. Southern Utah (8)---The Thunderbirds brought in North Dakota this weekend and made sure the upset bid would not hit them, putting away North Dakota. Their reward this weekend is the opportunity to take the weekend off.
9. Portland State (11)---The Vikings finally put together a complete game on the road at the expense of winless Weber State last weekend. Seeking to do it again against a more formidable opponent, they entertain Idaho State in their friendly stadium.
10. North Dakota (10)---The No-Names tried to get a road win last weekend at Southern Utah but fell short in the end. Things do not get any easier for them this weekend as they have to hit the road and play a very angry Eastern Washington team.
11. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears had an opportunity to stop Idaho State's surprising season last weekend at home, but failed (like so many teams before them). Things may be easier for them this weekend as they head on the road to play UC-Davis. OK, maybe that is not easier.
12. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats quest for their first win went away rather quickly last weekend at Portland State. Still hoping for their first win, they get world beaters Northern Arizona, who has looked beatable on the road this season.
13. UC-Davis (13)---Everyone else was getting in the action of pulling upsets and the Aggies pick a bad time for a week off. Still, it would mean a lot to get a win this weekend when Northern Colorado comes to town.
RECAP: 1-6 bunched up, 7-8 behind them, 9-13 behind.
1. Montana State (2)---With all the casualties around them the Bobcats may have benefited the most by not playing. Sitting out the week has no doubt prepared them to head out on the road and play suddenly dangerous Cal Poly. Hoping they don't meet the same fate that Montana had...
2. Eastern Washington (1)---For some strange reason, the Eagles forgot to play the game last weekend at Northern Arizona to the finish and watched the Lumberjacks steal what was their win. Eager to shake off the shock of losing, the Eagles come home to face North Dakota.
3. Cal Poly (4)---What was the most shocking for the Mustangs was probably not that they beat Montana at home last weekend, but how they did it with relative ease. They let the Grizzlies hang around in the first half, then shut the door in the second half. They get another chance to shock this weekend as Montana State comes to town.
4. Idaho State (5)---Face it, this is not the Bengals of old. They went on the road to Northern Colorado and took care of the Bears the way a confident leading team would. They get to continue their magical season this weekend at Portland State.
5. Northern Arizona (6)---Hopelessly looking at a long way from victory, the Lumberjacks somehow willed their way to the win against Eastern Washington last week. Winning on the road has been their downfall so far and they go to Weber State this weekend.
6. Montana (3)---The Grizzlies headed out on the road last weekend to Cal Poly hoping for a good showing and a good win. However they got neither and it wasn't even much of a game after the third quarter. They head home this weekend and welcome Sacramento State.
7. Sacramento State (7)---Last week, the Hornets avoided all the carnage around them by taking the weekend off. They used it to prepare, for sure, for this weekend's game at suddenly vulnerable Montana. Can they rub salt in the Grizzlies' wound.
8. Southern Utah (8)---The Thunderbirds brought in North Dakota this weekend and made sure the upset bid would not hit them, putting away North Dakota. Their reward this weekend is the opportunity to take the weekend off.
9. Portland State (11)---The Vikings finally put together a complete game on the road at the expense of winless Weber State last weekend. Seeking to do it again against a more formidable opponent, they entertain Idaho State in their friendly stadium.
10. North Dakota (10)---The No-Names tried to get a road win last weekend at Southern Utah but fell short in the end. Things do not get any easier for them this weekend as they have to hit the road and play a very angry Eastern Washington team.
11. Northern Colorado (9)---The Bears had an opportunity to stop Idaho State's surprising season last weekend at home, but failed (like so many teams before them). Things may be easier for them this weekend as they head on the road to play UC-Davis. OK, maybe that is not easier.
12. Weber State (12)---The Wildcats quest for their first win went away rather quickly last weekend at Portland State. Still hoping for their first win, they get world beaters Northern Arizona, who has looked beatable on the road this season.
13. UC-Davis (13)---Everyone else was getting in the action of pulling upsets and the Aggies pick a bad time for a week off. Still, it would mean a lot to get a win this weekend when Northern Colorado comes to town.
RECAP: 1-6 bunched up, 7-8 behind them, 9-13 behind.