JALMOND
September 13th, 2021, 10:09 PM
Things went pretty much according to form in the Big Sky last week as those near the top won and those near the bottom lost (except for Northern Colorado). As a result, not much changed in the power rankings from last week to this week. Other than trying to figure out where to put the Bears after their impressive win over Houston Baptist, things look to be about the same. Here are this week's power rankings (last week's ranking in parenthesis). All my opinion only.
1. Montana (1)---Last week beat Western Illinois (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 42-7, this week bye---After their impressive win over the #20 team in FBS, there was no letdown for the Grizzlies as they took it to a Missouri Valley foe at home. They get a week off to prepare for their conference slate in two weeks.
2. Eastern Washington (2)---Last week beat Central Washington (DII) at home 63-14, this week at Western Illinois (FCS Missouri Valley)---After their win over the FBS, the Eagles did not miss a step in dispatching their lower division foe. A journey to the heartland awaits them this week as they look to stay perfect so far.
3. UC Davis (3)---Last week wom at San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 53-7, this week Dixie State (FCS transitional) at home---After their impressive road win over the FBS, the Aggies took care of their non-scholly in state school to the south in short order. They finally get a home game this weekend as they welcome a transition team to their turf.
4. Weber State (4)---Last week beat Dixie State (FCS transitional) 41-3, this week James Madison (FCS CAA) at home---The shoe was on the other foot for the Wildcats last week, taking care of their transitional in state foe on the road after falling short against their big brothers of the Pac-12. This week, a good test against a tough FCS team from the East.
5. Montana State (5)---Last week beat Drake (FCS Pioneer) 45-7, this week San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at home---Feeling like they should have got the win over their FBS foe, the Bobcats took their frustrations out on a Pioneer League foe. For one more week, they will stay within the Pioneer League and welcome another team from that conference.
6. Sacramento State (6)---Last week lost to Northern Iowa (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 34-16, this week at California (FBS Pac-12)---The Hornets ran into a buzzsaw last week as they were taken down by a strong Missouri Valley squad. Things aren't getting any easier for them as they venture up to the Pac-12 level for a quick trip to the Bay Area.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week, lost at South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) 34-7, this week at Arizona (FBS Pac-12)---Nothing really went right for the Lumberjacks last week as they took one on the chin against the Missouri Valley. They also make a trip into Pac-12 country as they face off against their big brothers.
8. Idaho (8)---Last week lost at Indiana (FBS Big 10) 56-14, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Vandals were a game team, heading out to play the Big 10, but the outcome was definitely not one that they wanted. The make a return engagement to the FBS this week, heading to the Pac-12 this time for maybe a different result.
9. Cal Poly (9)---Last week lost at Fresno State (FBS Mtn West), this week South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home---The Mustangs were hoping to catch their big brothers looking ahead, but that was certainly not the case. They get their home opener this weekend, bringing in a team from the Missouri Valley for a good tilt.
10. Northern Colorado (13)---Last week won at Houston Baptist (FCS Southland) 45-13, this week Lamar (FCS Southland) at home---Impressive win for the Bears, not just because it was a win but going on the road and looking good doing it. Maybe it is a good sign. They will stay in the Southland this week, only this game is at home.
11. Portland State (10)---Last week lost at Washington State (FBS Pac-10) 44-24, this week Western Oregon (DII) at home---Heading into what is slowing becoming a dumpster fire, the Vikings could not slow down their Pac-10 opponent enough to be competitive. This week they get their home opener against a lower division foe.
12. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at Nevada (FBS Mtn West) 49-10, this week bye---Staying close for the first half, the Bengals finally stepped aside and let their bigger opponent run away with the win. Two opening losses does not bode well for their conference season. They are taking this week off to prepare for their first conference game.
13. Southern Utah (12)---Last week bye, this week Tarleton State (FCS transitional) at Arlington, TX---Stepping up to the FBS level was tough for the Thunderbirds, getting two defeats. This week they will play a neutral site game against what will soon be a conference rival when they enter the WAC. Will this be good for a win?
RECAP: 1-5 running away, 6-7 falling, 8-13 trying to keep up.
1. Montana (1)---Last week beat Western Illinois (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 42-7, this week bye---After their impressive win over the #20 team in FBS, there was no letdown for the Grizzlies as they took it to a Missouri Valley foe at home. They get a week off to prepare for their conference slate in two weeks.
2. Eastern Washington (2)---Last week beat Central Washington (DII) at home 63-14, this week at Western Illinois (FCS Missouri Valley)---After their win over the FBS, the Eagles did not miss a step in dispatching their lower division foe. A journey to the heartland awaits them this week as they look to stay perfect so far.
3. UC Davis (3)---Last week wom at San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 53-7, this week Dixie State (FCS transitional) at home---After their impressive road win over the FBS, the Aggies took care of their non-scholly in state school to the south in short order. They finally get a home game this weekend as they welcome a transition team to their turf.
4. Weber State (4)---Last week beat Dixie State (FCS transitional) 41-3, this week James Madison (FCS CAA) at home---The shoe was on the other foot for the Wildcats last week, taking care of their transitional in state foe on the road after falling short against their big brothers of the Pac-12. This week, a good test against a tough FCS team from the East.
5. Montana State (5)---Last week beat Drake (FCS Pioneer) 45-7, this week San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at home---Feeling like they should have got the win over their FBS foe, the Bobcats took their frustrations out on a Pioneer League foe. For one more week, they will stay within the Pioneer League and welcome another team from that conference.
6. Sacramento State (6)---Last week lost to Northern Iowa (FCS Missouri Valley) at home 34-16, this week at California (FBS Pac-12)---The Hornets ran into a buzzsaw last week as they were taken down by a strong Missouri Valley squad. Things aren't getting any easier for them as they venture up to the Pac-12 level for a quick trip to the Bay Area.
7. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week, lost at South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) 34-7, this week at Arizona (FBS Pac-12)---Nothing really went right for the Lumberjacks last week as they took one on the chin against the Missouri Valley. They also make a trip into Pac-12 country as they face off against their big brothers.
8. Idaho (8)---Last week lost at Indiana (FBS Big 10) 56-14, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Vandals were a game team, heading out to play the Big 10, but the outcome was definitely not one that they wanted. The make a return engagement to the FBS this week, heading to the Pac-12 this time for maybe a different result.
9. Cal Poly (9)---Last week lost at Fresno State (FBS Mtn West), this week South Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley) at home---The Mustangs were hoping to catch their big brothers looking ahead, but that was certainly not the case. They get their home opener this weekend, bringing in a team from the Missouri Valley for a good tilt.
10. Northern Colorado (13)---Last week won at Houston Baptist (FCS Southland) 45-13, this week Lamar (FCS Southland) at home---Impressive win for the Bears, not just because it was a win but going on the road and looking good doing it. Maybe it is a good sign. They will stay in the Southland this week, only this game is at home.
11. Portland State (10)---Last week lost at Washington State (FBS Pac-10) 44-24, this week Western Oregon (DII) at home---Heading into what is slowing becoming a dumpster fire, the Vikings could not slow down their Pac-10 opponent enough to be competitive. This week they get their home opener against a lower division foe.
12. Idaho State (11)---Last week lost at Nevada (FBS Mtn West) 49-10, this week bye---Staying close for the first half, the Bengals finally stepped aside and let their bigger opponent run away with the win. Two opening losses does not bode well for their conference season. They are taking this week off to prepare for their first conference game.
13. Southern Utah (12)---Last week bye, this week Tarleton State (FCS transitional) at Arlington, TX---Stepping up to the FBS level was tough for the Thunderbirds, getting two defeats. This week they will play a neutral site game against what will soon be a conference rival when they enter the WAC. Will this be good for a win?
RECAP: 1-5 running away, 6-7 falling, 8-13 trying to keep up.