JALMOND
August 21st, 2017, 09:55 PM
Hardly out of the middle of August and we are talking football already. Cal Poly and Portland State both get the jump on the rest of the conference, playing this weekend in what is typically called Week 0. It mainly forces all the pundits to get their forecasts out early. As usual, the Big Sky looks like a big sandwich, solid on top and solid on the bottom, and a hodgepodge of questions in the middle. Here are this week's initial power rankings. With it being the first one, I'm sure it will generate plenty of discussion.
1. North Dakota Fighting Hawks---Even with their NFL caliber cornerback, Harris, missing this season with an injury, the Fighting Hawks are still the most complete team in the conference. While others have questions up and down their rosters, the Fighting Hawks should be ready to go out the gate. This week, off.
2. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---With Cookus healthy and Butler back, the Lumberjack offense should be ready to fire on all cylinders. If they can get help from the defense, they should be able to shine, but the offense has the power to outscore other teams. This week, off.
3. Eastern Washington Eagles---The Eagles bring Gubrud back, but most of the receivers and almost all the coaching staff are new. But in the Big Sky, an experienced quarterback can take a team pretty far and the Eagles has a good one. This week, off.
4. Cal Poly Mustangs---The Mustangs come in with their workhorse running back, Prothroe, back to lead the triple threat offense, a different flavor in the pass-happy Big Sky. Questions elsewhere but they get an early jump on everyone else. This week, Colgate (Patriot) at home.
5. Weber State Wildcats---Defense is the name of the game, at least early on for the Wildcats. Defense has been their main calling card for a few years now. How soon the offense can get going will determine how successful the season will be. This week, off.
6. Montana State Bobcats---The Bobcats seek to build on the momentum generated from a successful ending to last season as their young quarterback, Murray, led them to a win at Montana. If Murray can keep it going, watch for the Bobcats to be near the top. This week, off.
7. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---Maybe a bit low for the Thunderbirds to start, as they do have some great possibilities on both sides of the ball. They could be the sleeper team, similar to 2015 when they won the conference title. This week, off.
8. Montana Grizzlies---The Grizzlies this low? They are going to have to rely on their defense to keep them within striking distance as they try to find a quarterback and some play makers. The sooner they can find some, the better. This week, off.
9. Northern Colorado Bears---The last few years have seen the Bears go from laughingstock to a formidable conference opponent. This year, many questions mainly on defense. They will need to find some answers there in order to stay near the top. This week, off.
10. Portland State Vikings---Some good pieces coming in for the Vikings, but in order to win in the conference, you need either a great quarterback or a strong defense and the Vikings have questions at both. This week, at BYU (FBS Independent).
11. UC-Davis Aggies---Needing to get some help in a hurry, the Aggies found a top-notch coach in Hawkins to lead them. However, questions abound everywhere. The sooner they are answered, the sooner Hawkins can start rebuilding. This week, off.
12. Sacramento State Hornets---Between graduation and defections, the Hornets had an interesting summer. What they have now is possibilities but extremely low on experience. Maybe some diamonds, but this may be a rebuilding year. This week, off.
13. Idaho State Bengals---There may be no other way to describe the Bengals situation other than calling it simply a mess. There is some talent, but it is spotty and as soon as help can arrive, the better. They still have a week, however. This week, off.
1. North Dakota Fighting Hawks---Even with their NFL caliber cornerback, Harris, missing this season with an injury, the Fighting Hawks are still the most complete team in the conference. While others have questions up and down their rosters, the Fighting Hawks should be ready to go out the gate. This week, off.
2. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---With Cookus healthy and Butler back, the Lumberjack offense should be ready to fire on all cylinders. If they can get help from the defense, they should be able to shine, but the offense has the power to outscore other teams. This week, off.
3. Eastern Washington Eagles---The Eagles bring Gubrud back, but most of the receivers and almost all the coaching staff are new. But in the Big Sky, an experienced quarterback can take a team pretty far and the Eagles has a good one. This week, off.
4. Cal Poly Mustangs---The Mustangs come in with their workhorse running back, Prothroe, back to lead the triple threat offense, a different flavor in the pass-happy Big Sky. Questions elsewhere but they get an early jump on everyone else. This week, Colgate (Patriot) at home.
5. Weber State Wildcats---Defense is the name of the game, at least early on for the Wildcats. Defense has been their main calling card for a few years now. How soon the offense can get going will determine how successful the season will be. This week, off.
6. Montana State Bobcats---The Bobcats seek to build on the momentum generated from a successful ending to last season as their young quarterback, Murray, led them to a win at Montana. If Murray can keep it going, watch for the Bobcats to be near the top. This week, off.
7. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---Maybe a bit low for the Thunderbirds to start, as they do have some great possibilities on both sides of the ball. They could be the sleeper team, similar to 2015 when they won the conference title. This week, off.
8. Montana Grizzlies---The Grizzlies this low? They are going to have to rely on their defense to keep them within striking distance as they try to find a quarterback and some play makers. The sooner they can find some, the better. This week, off.
9. Northern Colorado Bears---The last few years have seen the Bears go from laughingstock to a formidable conference opponent. This year, many questions mainly on defense. They will need to find some answers there in order to stay near the top. This week, off.
10. Portland State Vikings---Some good pieces coming in for the Vikings, but in order to win in the conference, you need either a great quarterback or a strong defense and the Vikings have questions at both. This week, at BYU (FBS Independent).
11. UC-Davis Aggies---Needing to get some help in a hurry, the Aggies found a top-notch coach in Hawkins to lead them. However, questions abound everywhere. The sooner they are answered, the sooner Hawkins can start rebuilding. This week, off.
12. Sacramento State Hornets---Between graduation and defections, the Hornets had an interesting summer. What they have now is possibilities but extremely low on experience. Maybe some diamonds, but this may be a rebuilding year. This week, off.
13. Idaho State Bengals---There may be no other way to describe the Bengals situation other than calling it simply a mess. There is some talent, but it is spotty and as soon as help can arrive, the better. They still have a week, however. This week, off.