JALMOND
September 23rd, 2019, 09:10 PM
Finally, the non conference schedule is done (for most anyway) and the conference can now go about finding out who is the best team out there. Teams are beginning to peak and we are slowly seeing what most teams have. Big question off the bat is what is going on with EWU? Anyway, here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). As usual, all are my opinion only. On to the conference battles.
1. UC-Davis (1)---Last week, lost at North Dakota State (Mo Valley) 27-16, this week Montana at home---No shame for the Aggies in going on the road and putting up a great battle with the top dog. Better be no hangover as the Grizzlies would love to knock them off the throne.
2. Weber State (3)---Last week, bye, this week Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) at home---While most teams are starting their conference schedule, the Wildcats welcome a strong Mo Valley team to their turf, and also had two weeks to prepare for this game.
3. Montana (4)---Last week beat Monmouth (Big South) at home 47-27, this week at UC-Davis---The Grizzlies had a tougher than expected tussle with a top Big South team but still came through for the win. Starting conference play, they hit the road and hope to dash the Aggies hopes.
4. Montana State (5)---Last week beat Norfolk State (MEAC) at home 56-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Bobcats put away their MEAC opponent quickly and scored a good win. They open conference play at home and hope to gain a good win over the Lumberjacks.
5. Eastern Washington (2)---Last week, lost at Idaho 35-27, this week North Dakota (Independent) at home---What is going on with the Eagles? Granted the game was on the road but they have not looked like title contenders so far. Is it good that they are home this weekend?
6. Sacramento State (7)---Last week, lost at Fresno State (FBS Mtn West) 34-20, this week, bye---A closer than expected game awaited the Hornets last week as they made a second trip into the FBS. Still a loss but they looked impressive. A bye week may be the only thing to slow them up.
7. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Illinois State (Mo Valley) 40-27, this week at Montana State---It seems the Lumberjacks may be trying to outscore its defense which may be cumbersome at times. The offense will score but can the defense stop someone. They move on the road this week.
8. Idaho (10)---Last week, beat Eastern Washington at home 35-27, this week at Northern Colorado---The Vandals may be figuring this conference out in knocking off one of the heavies last week. Conference play finds them on the road but brimming with confidence.
9. Idaho State (8)---Last week, lost at Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) 13-6, this week Portland State at home---The Bengals' defense can keep them in the game, but they need to find some offense somewhere. They need to find it fast as conference play starts this week.
10. Portland State (9)---Last week, beat Eastern Oregon (NAIA) at home 59-9, this week at Idaho State---The Big Sky schedule finally forces the Vikings to play someone in FCS this weekend. After wins against lower division teams and losses to the FBS, that might be best.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week bye, this week at Southern Utah---The Mustangs took two weeks to prepare for conference play, taking a bye last week. They head out on the road to start, but are poised and ready, eager for a conference win.
12. Southern Utah (12)---Last week lost at South Dakota State (Mo Valley) 43-7, this week Cal Poly at home---Another rebuilding year for the Thunderbirds this year? They took one on the chin last week in Mo Valley country. They do get a good shot at home this weekend.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---Last week, lost to South Dakota (Mo Valley) at home 14-6, this week Idaho at home---In a game that no one really wanted to win, the Bear succeeded and took a home loss. They stay at home and welcome a rejuvenated Vandal team.
RECAP: 1-4 out front, 5 hanging on, 6-10 gaining, 11 holding, 12-13 fading.
1. UC-Davis (1)---Last week, lost at North Dakota State (Mo Valley) 27-16, this week Montana at home---No shame for the Aggies in going on the road and putting up a great battle with the top dog. Better be no hangover as the Grizzlies would love to knock them off the throne.
2. Weber State (3)---Last week, bye, this week Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) at home---While most teams are starting their conference schedule, the Wildcats welcome a strong Mo Valley team to their turf, and also had two weeks to prepare for this game.
3. Montana (4)---Last week beat Monmouth (Big South) at home 47-27, this week at UC-Davis---The Grizzlies had a tougher than expected tussle with a top Big South team but still came through for the win. Starting conference play, they hit the road and hope to dash the Aggies hopes.
4. Montana State (5)---Last week beat Norfolk State (MEAC) at home 56-21, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Bobcats put away their MEAC opponent quickly and scored a good win. They open conference play at home and hope to gain a good win over the Lumberjacks.
5. Eastern Washington (2)---Last week, lost at Idaho 35-27, this week North Dakota (Independent) at home---What is going on with the Eagles? Granted the game was on the road but they have not looked like title contenders so far. Is it good that they are home this weekend?
6. Sacramento State (7)---Last week, lost at Fresno State (FBS Mtn West) 34-20, this week, bye---A closer than expected game awaited the Hornets last week as they made a second trip into the FBS. Still a loss but they looked impressive. A bye week may be the only thing to slow them up.
7. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Illinois State (Mo Valley) 40-27, this week at Montana State---It seems the Lumberjacks may be trying to outscore its defense which may be cumbersome at times. The offense will score but can the defense stop someone. They move on the road this week.
8. Idaho (10)---Last week, beat Eastern Washington at home 35-27, this week at Northern Colorado---The Vandals may be figuring this conference out in knocking off one of the heavies last week. Conference play finds them on the road but brimming with confidence.
9. Idaho State (8)---Last week, lost at Northern Iowa (Mo Valley) 13-6, this week Portland State at home---The Bengals' defense can keep them in the game, but they need to find some offense somewhere. They need to find it fast as conference play starts this week.
10. Portland State (9)---Last week, beat Eastern Oregon (NAIA) at home 59-9, this week at Idaho State---The Big Sky schedule finally forces the Vikings to play someone in FCS this weekend. After wins against lower division teams and losses to the FBS, that might be best.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week bye, this week at Southern Utah---The Mustangs took two weeks to prepare for conference play, taking a bye last week. They head out on the road to start, but are poised and ready, eager for a conference win.
12. Southern Utah (12)---Last week lost at South Dakota State (Mo Valley) 43-7, this week Cal Poly at home---Another rebuilding year for the Thunderbirds this year? They took one on the chin last week in Mo Valley country. They do get a good shot at home this weekend.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---Last week, lost to South Dakota (Mo Valley) at home 14-6, this week Idaho at home---In a game that no one really wanted to win, the Bear succeeded and took a home loss. They stay at home and welcome a rejuvenated Vandal team.
RECAP: 1-4 out front, 5 hanging on, 6-10 gaining, 11 holding, 12-13 fading.