JALMOND
November 8th, 2021, 09:14 PM
Two weeks to go and we finally have someone who feels comfortable out front. Montana State headed into the fierce Eagle's nest and emerged with a great road win to remain undefeated in conference play. We also lost a playoff contender as Weber State took a loss at home to Portland State, who kept alive their slim chances for a playoff spot. Right now, however, five teams are pacing the field, eager to get through the final games and on to the playoffs, and five are probably all we are going to get. Here are this week's power rankings (last week's rankings in parentheses). All are my opinion only. Fasten your seatbelts, it is going to be a helluva ride to the end.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week, won at Eastern Washington 23-20, this week Idaho at home---The Bobcats put themselves in the driver's seat last week with a good road win against one of their formidable foes. They have a date with their fierce rivals in two weeks, but they cannot overlook a game Idaho squad that is coming to town. Take care of business first and then on to the big rivalry.
2. Sacramento State (3)---Last week, beat Cal Poly at home 41-9, this week Portland State at home---With the big game going on around them, the Hornets put away a lesser conference opponent. They may not have the stellar resume as compared to other teams, but they are still undefeated in conference play, taking care of business. They can't overlook this game coming up this weekend, though.
3. Eastern Washington (2)---Last week, lost to Montana State at home 23-20, this week at UC Davis---After a fantastic start, the once high flying Eagles now find themselves on a two-game losing streak. Granted those two losses have been close, but one should not be losing games this late in the year. They need to recover quickly as the schedule does not get easier for them.
4. UC Davis (4)---Last week, won at Northern Arizona 40-24, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Aggies got a nice road conference win last week, winning indoors this time. They are sitting with only one loss, but they do have a tough stretch in these next two game. Looking forward to their rivalry game and overlooking a wounded Eastern Washington team could prove disastrous.
5. Montana (6)---Last week, won at Northern Colorado 35-0, this week at Northern Arizona---Remember the Grizzlies? The team that looked out of sorts for the last four weeks? They got their star quarterback back last week and took out some frustration on a lesser conference opponent. The thinking is that they have righted the ship. They have a road game this week against a better opponent.
6. Portland State (8)---Last week, won at Weber State 30-18, this week at Sacramento State---Teams hope to be playing their best football in November and the Vikings seem to be. Maybe it will be all for naught, but they do have the schedule to be in consideration for a playoff spot if they win out. They won last week. This week is really tough. Next week is a tall order, but worry about this week.
7. Weber State (5)---Last week, lost to Portland State at home 30-18, this week at Southern Utah---After beating Eastern Washington, the Wildcats looked poised to make a run and get in the playoffs. They got past the first hurdle, but then stubbed their toe last week at home. They get the conference castoff this weekend, trying to get another win over them before they leave.
8. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week, lost to UC Davis at home 40-24, this week Montana at home---The loss last week slammed the door on any playoff aspirations the Lumberjacks may have had. They can play spoiler to an up and down Montana team that needs a win this week. With a good chance to get a win next week, the Lumberjacks would love to build momentum for next year.
9. Idaho (10)---Last week, beat Southern Utah at home 42-24, this week at Montana State---The Vandals said adios to the Thunderbirds last week, getting a win in the process. Things get tougher this week as they bring in another conference heavyweight into town. The Vandals are looking for something to hang their hat on this season, will a win this weekend be it?
10. Northern Colorado (9)---Last week, lost to Montana at home 35-0, this week bye---The Bears were willing to keep the Grizzlies reeling last week, but they never got anything going on both sides of the ball. A disappointing loss for the program, but they have had some good things come about this season. They have one more game, but this week they will take a bye.
11. Idaho State (11)---Last week, lost at Brigham Young (FBS Independent), 59-14, this week at Cal Poly---Instead of taking a bye last week, the Bengals stepped up a level to take on a nationally ranked FBS team and things did not go well. Still, two touchdowns is a good show by the offense. They hope they learned something as they get back to this level this weekend with a winnable game.
12. Southern Utah (12)---Last week, lost at Idaho 42-24, this week Weber State at home---The Thunderbirds' farewell tour in the conference comes to an end this weekend when they face off against their instate brethren. Eager to start anew in their new conference next season, they would still love getting a final conference win. Will that serve as any incentive this weekend or will they just take a loss?
13. Cal Poly (13)---Last week, lost at Sacramento State 41-9, this week Idaho State at home---A long losing streak greets the Mustangs as they close out this season in dreadful fashion. They were never really in the game last week, but this week they may have a good shot at getting a win. They bring in another bottom feeder to their house. Can they get this game?
RECAP: 1 pushing out front, 2-5 keeping up, 6-8 trying to hang in there, 9-13 lagging.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week, won at Eastern Washington 23-20, this week Idaho at home---The Bobcats put themselves in the driver's seat last week with a good road win against one of their formidable foes. They have a date with their fierce rivals in two weeks, but they cannot overlook a game Idaho squad that is coming to town. Take care of business first and then on to the big rivalry.
2. Sacramento State (3)---Last week, beat Cal Poly at home 41-9, this week Portland State at home---With the big game going on around them, the Hornets put away a lesser conference opponent. They may not have the stellar resume as compared to other teams, but they are still undefeated in conference play, taking care of business. They can't overlook this game coming up this weekend, though.
3. Eastern Washington (2)---Last week, lost to Montana State at home 23-20, this week at UC Davis---After a fantastic start, the once high flying Eagles now find themselves on a two-game losing streak. Granted those two losses have been close, but one should not be losing games this late in the year. They need to recover quickly as the schedule does not get easier for them.
4. UC Davis (4)---Last week, won at Northern Arizona 40-24, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Aggies got a nice road conference win last week, winning indoors this time. They are sitting with only one loss, but they do have a tough stretch in these next two game. Looking forward to their rivalry game and overlooking a wounded Eastern Washington team could prove disastrous.
5. Montana (6)---Last week, won at Northern Colorado 35-0, this week at Northern Arizona---Remember the Grizzlies? The team that looked out of sorts for the last four weeks? They got their star quarterback back last week and took out some frustration on a lesser conference opponent. The thinking is that they have righted the ship. They have a road game this week against a better opponent.
6. Portland State (8)---Last week, won at Weber State 30-18, this week at Sacramento State---Teams hope to be playing their best football in November and the Vikings seem to be. Maybe it will be all for naught, but they do have the schedule to be in consideration for a playoff spot if they win out. They won last week. This week is really tough. Next week is a tall order, but worry about this week.
7. Weber State (5)---Last week, lost to Portland State at home 30-18, this week at Southern Utah---After beating Eastern Washington, the Wildcats looked poised to make a run and get in the playoffs. They got past the first hurdle, but then stubbed their toe last week at home. They get the conference castoff this weekend, trying to get another win over them before they leave.
8. Northern Arizona (7)---Last week, lost to UC Davis at home 40-24, this week Montana at home---The loss last week slammed the door on any playoff aspirations the Lumberjacks may have had. They can play spoiler to an up and down Montana team that needs a win this week. With a good chance to get a win next week, the Lumberjacks would love to build momentum for next year.
9. Idaho (10)---Last week, beat Southern Utah at home 42-24, this week at Montana State---The Vandals said adios to the Thunderbirds last week, getting a win in the process. Things get tougher this week as they bring in another conference heavyweight into town. The Vandals are looking for something to hang their hat on this season, will a win this weekend be it?
10. Northern Colorado (9)---Last week, lost to Montana at home 35-0, this week bye---The Bears were willing to keep the Grizzlies reeling last week, but they never got anything going on both sides of the ball. A disappointing loss for the program, but they have had some good things come about this season. They have one more game, but this week they will take a bye.
11. Idaho State (11)---Last week, lost at Brigham Young (FBS Independent), 59-14, this week at Cal Poly---Instead of taking a bye last week, the Bengals stepped up a level to take on a nationally ranked FBS team and things did not go well. Still, two touchdowns is a good show by the offense. They hope they learned something as they get back to this level this weekend with a winnable game.
12. Southern Utah (12)---Last week, lost at Idaho 42-24, this week Weber State at home---The Thunderbirds' farewell tour in the conference comes to an end this weekend when they face off against their instate brethren. Eager to start anew in their new conference next season, they would still love getting a final conference win. Will that serve as any incentive this weekend or will they just take a loss?
13. Cal Poly (13)---Last week, lost at Sacramento State 41-9, this week Idaho State at home---A long losing streak greets the Mustangs as they close out this season in dreadful fashion. They were never really in the game last week, but this week they may have a good shot at getting a win. They bring in another bottom feeder to their house. Can they get this game?
RECAP: 1 pushing out front, 2-5 keeping up, 6-8 trying to hang in there, 9-13 lagging.