JALMOND
October 28th, 2019, 09:28 PM
November is on the horizon and time is running out for teams still jockeying around, trying to make the playoffs. Still a lot to be decided in the conference as we get to the stretch run. Some great games still to play as well that will determine the Big Sky representatives in the playoffs. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion. Down the stretch we come!
1. Sacramento State (1)---Last week won at Cal Poly 38-14, this week Weber State at home---The Hornets came through a potential trap game as they now navigate through areas that no one thought they would be. They get a big home game and the inside track to the title.
2. Weber State (2)---Last week won at UC Davis 36-20, this week at Sacramento State---The Wildcats took care of business in their first causeway game. They get the second causeway game this week and once again they have to go on the road. This may be a bit tougher.
3. Montana (3)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 34-17, this week at Portland State---The Grizzlies held serve at home last week in dispatching a pesky Eagles team. They have to hit the road to face another tough test to stay in shouting range of the leaders.
4. Montana State (4)---Last week lost at North Dakota 16-12, this week Southern Utah at home---The Bobcats took a tough team on the road to the end but could not emerge with the win. This week's game should be easier but they cannot look past anyone now.
5. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week beat Portland State at home 31-29, this week at Eastern Washington---The Lumberjacks had a tough time closing out a game Viking team last week at home but still got the win. They have to go on the road now, facing an Eagle team playing for pride.
6. Eastern Washington (6)---Last week lost at Montana 34-17, this week Northern Arizona at home---What a difference a year made for the Eagles. Going from the national championship to being out of the playoff picture before November. Playing for pride now.
7. UC Davis (5)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 36-20, this week bye---A promising season this year for the Aggies came crashing down last week. They will regroup and refocus this week as they only have their pride to play for now.
8. Portland State (8)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 31-29, this week Montana at home---A big blow to the Vikings playoff chances with the shocking road loss last week. They will need to run the table for a chance, yet their final games are far from easy.
9. Idaho (9)---Last week bye, this week Cal Poly at home---Good at home, terrible on the road. It remains to be seen if the Vandals can change that record, although with their game this week at home, they may not mind keeping the status quo.
10. Southern Utah (12)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 59-34, this week at Montana State---A little too late for the Thunderbirds as they finally got a good complete game last week. They head out to Big Sky Country to see if they can continue it.
11. Idaho State (10)---Last week lost at Southern Utah 59-34, this week Northern Colorado at home---Something must be going on in the state of Idaho as the Bengals also look unbeatable at home, yet can't win on the road. Good thing one of the bottom feeders come to the dome.
12. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Sacramento State at home 38-14, this week at Idaho---Tough home loss for the Mustangs in what is becoming a tough season to bear. Now they have to hit the road and try to get a win somehow to salvage the season.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---Last week bye, this week at Idaho State---Anything left to play for the Bears? They had to regroup with the week off and now head on the road into hostile territory to try to get a road win.
RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3 chasing them, 4-8 trying to keep up, 9-12 fading fast, 13 off the pace
1. Sacramento State (1)---Last week won at Cal Poly 38-14, this week Weber State at home---The Hornets came through a potential trap game as they now navigate through areas that no one thought they would be. They get a big home game and the inside track to the title.
2. Weber State (2)---Last week won at UC Davis 36-20, this week at Sacramento State---The Wildcats took care of business in their first causeway game. They get the second causeway game this week and once again they have to go on the road. This may be a bit tougher.
3. Montana (3)---Last week beat Eastern Washington at home 34-17, this week at Portland State---The Grizzlies held serve at home last week in dispatching a pesky Eagles team. They have to hit the road to face another tough test to stay in shouting range of the leaders.
4. Montana State (4)---Last week lost at North Dakota 16-12, this week Southern Utah at home---The Bobcats took a tough team on the road to the end but could not emerge with the win. This week's game should be easier but they cannot look past anyone now.
5. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week beat Portland State at home 31-29, this week at Eastern Washington---The Lumberjacks had a tough time closing out a game Viking team last week at home but still got the win. They have to go on the road now, facing an Eagle team playing for pride.
6. Eastern Washington (6)---Last week lost at Montana 34-17, this week Northern Arizona at home---What a difference a year made for the Eagles. Going from the national championship to being out of the playoff picture before November. Playing for pride now.
7. UC Davis (5)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 36-20, this week bye---A promising season this year for the Aggies came crashing down last week. They will regroup and refocus this week as they only have their pride to play for now.
8. Portland State (8)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 31-29, this week Montana at home---A big blow to the Vikings playoff chances with the shocking road loss last week. They will need to run the table for a chance, yet their final games are far from easy.
9. Idaho (9)---Last week bye, this week Cal Poly at home---Good at home, terrible on the road. It remains to be seen if the Vandals can change that record, although with their game this week at home, they may not mind keeping the status quo.
10. Southern Utah (12)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 59-34, this week at Montana State---A little too late for the Thunderbirds as they finally got a good complete game last week. They head out to Big Sky Country to see if they can continue it.
11. Idaho State (10)---Last week lost at Southern Utah 59-34, this week Northern Colorado at home---Something must be going on in the state of Idaho as the Bengals also look unbeatable at home, yet can't win on the road. Good thing one of the bottom feeders come to the dome.
12. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Sacramento State at home 38-14, this week at Idaho---Tough home loss for the Mustangs in what is becoming a tough season to bear. Now they have to hit the road and try to get a win somehow to salvage the season.
13. Northern Colorado (13)---Last week bye, this week at Idaho State---Anything left to play for the Bears? They had to regroup with the week off and now head on the road into hostile territory to try to get a road win.
RECAP: 1-2 out front, 3 chasing them, 4-8 trying to keep up, 9-12 fading fast, 13 off the pace