JALMOND
November 6th, 2018, 12:57 AM
Now comes the nitty-gritty time and four teams in the Big Sky are starting to pull away. One would think all four teams would make the playoffs but strange things happen when you leave your fate in the hands of the committee. As for the autobid, there are still two important games left on the schedule that may determine it (one this week and one the next week). This is about to get interesting. Here are this week's power rankings (last week's rank in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Down the stretch they come.
1. UC Davis (1)---Last week beat Northern Arizona at home 42-20, this week at Eastern Washington---Can anything slow down this potent Aggie attack? Just when you think you have them dead, you end up with a big case of blew-by-you. The only question, can they win on the red turf.
2. Idaho State (2)---Last week won at Portland State 48-45, this week at Cal Poly---The Bengals offense put on a huge show last weekend and came out with a tough conference road win. They go back on the road again this week, trying not to lose a step before their big game next week.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 48-13, this week UC Davis at home---One slight hiccup earlier and one major injury to the quarterback, but the Eagles seem to be back on track in their winning ways. Big test of the season for them this week, but a positive is that they are home.
4. Weber State (4)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 26-14, this week at Southern Utah---Maybe not the blowout that people thought but the Wildcats just take care of business and a win is a win. They can't be looking forward to their big game next week, otherwise they may not get a win.
5. Montana State (5)---Last week beat Cal Poly at home 49-42, this week Northern Colorado at home---The Bobcats made a slight change in offensive coordinators and it resulted in quite a few points scored. Good thing as they needed almost all of them. They'll need a good win this weekend.
6. Idaho (7)---Last week, beat North Dakota at home 31-27, this week Montana at home---Heading in to their big tilt against Montana, the Vandals got a huge win on their home field last week. Can lighting strike twice in two weeks? It would certainly brighten a dismal first FCS season.
7. Portland State (6)---Last week lost to Idaho State at home 48-45, this week at North Dakota---The Vikings relish the opportunity to play spoiler and almost came up with another impressive win. They'll take that spoiler role to North Dakota and try again for a good win.
8. Montana (9)---Last week won at Southern Utah 57-14, this week at Idaho---Where did this come from? The game last week reinforces the belief that one should never sleep on the Grizzlies. They, too, are hoping lighting can strike twice in two weeks. Only thing is lighting will strike someone.
9. Cal Poly (8)---Last week lost at Montana State 49-42, this week Idaho State at home---The Mustangs staged a furious rally late to get the game close but could not get the win. Still, a good season compared to last year and a chance to get a big upset at home this weekend.
10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost to Eastern Washington at home 48-13, this week at Montana State---A tough loss at home for the Bears last week against a good, tough opponent. A win this week, their last of the year, would set them up pretty for next year.
11. Northern Arizona (11)---Last week lost at UC Davis, this week at Sacramento State---Odd quirk in the schedule has the Lumberjacks returning to the Causeway this weekend as well. The opponent may be a bit easier than last week but it will still be a tough one.
12. Southern Utah (12)---Last week, lost to Montana at home 57-14, this week Weber State at home---For a team noted in past years for their strong defense, the game last week may have been a wakeup call. They can still play the role of spoiler as they welcome their rival to their house.
13. Sacramento State (13)---Last week lost at Weber State 26-14, this week Northern Arizona at home---After coming close on the road last week to a good Weber State team, the Hornets get a depleted Northern Arizona team to come in. This may be their best chance for a win in awhile.
RECAP: 1-4 pulling away, 5-9 aways back, 10-13 bringing up the rear
1. UC Davis (1)---Last week beat Northern Arizona at home 42-20, this week at Eastern Washington---Can anything slow down this potent Aggie attack? Just when you think you have them dead, you end up with a big case of blew-by-you. The only question, can they win on the red turf.
2. Idaho State (2)---Last week won at Portland State 48-45, this week at Cal Poly---The Bengals offense put on a huge show last weekend and came out with a tough conference road win. They go back on the road again this week, trying not to lose a step before their big game next week.
3. Eastern Washington (3)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 48-13, this week UC Davis at home---One slight hiccup earlier and one major injury to the quarterback, but the Eagles seem to be back on track in their winning ways. Big test of the season for them this week, but a positive is that they are home.
4. Weber State (4)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 26-14, this week at Southern Utah---Maybe not the blowout that people thought but the Wildcats just take care of business and a win is a win. They can't be looking forward to their big game next week, otherwise they may not get a win.
5. Montana State (5)---Last week beat Cal Poly at home 49-42, this week Northern Colorado at home---The Bobcats made a slight change in offensive coordinators and it resulted in quite a few points scored. Good thing as they needed almost all of them. They'll need a good win this weekend.
6. Idaho (7)---Last week, beat North Dakota at home 31-27, this week Montana at home---Heading in to their big tilt against Montana, the Vandals got a huge win on their home field last week. Can lighting strike twice in two weeks? It would certainly brighten a dismal first FCS season.
7. Portland State (6)---Last week lost to Idaho State at home 48-45, this week at North Dakota---The Vikings relish the opportunity to play spoiler and almost came up with another impressive win. They'll take that spoiler role to North Dakota and try again for a good win.
8. Montana (9)---Last week won at Southern Utah 57-14, this week at Idaho---Where did this come from? The game last week reinforces the belief that one should never sleep on the Grizzlies. They, too, are hoping lighting can strike twice in two weeks. Only thing is lighting will strike someone.
9. Cal Poly (8)---Last week lost at Montana State 49-42, this week Idaho State at home---The Mustangs staged a furious rally late to get the game close but could not get the win. Still, a good season compared to last year and a chance to get a big upset at home this weekend.
10. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost to Eastern Washington at home 48-13, this week at Montana State---A tough loss at home for the Bears last week against a good, tough opponent. A win this week, their last of the year, would set them up pretty for next year.
11. Northern Arizona (11)---Last week lost at UC Davis, this week at Sacramento State---Odd quirk in the schedule has the Lumberjacks returning to the Causeway this weekend as well. The opponent may be a bit easier than last week but it will still be a tough one.
12. Southern Utah (12)---Last week, lost to Montana at home 57-14, this week Weber State at home---For a team noted in past years for their strong defense, the game last week may have been a wakeup call. They can still play the role of spoiler as they welcome their rival to their house.
13. Sacramento State (13)---Last week lost at Weber State 26-14, this week Northern Arizona at home---After coming close on the road last week to a good Weber State team, the Hornets get a depleted Northern Arizona team to come in. This may be their best chance for a win in awhile.
RECAP: 1-4 pulling away, 5-9 aways back, 10-13 bringing up the rear