Big Sky Power Rankings 9-4

[JALMOND]

There were some questions within the conference heading into the first weekend and it is unclear if those questions have been answered. Some interesting matchups await the conference teams going into Week 2, with 5 schools playing up to the FBS Mountain West level and 3 others venturing into Missouri Valley territory. Here are this week's Big Sky conference power rankings (last week's rankings in parenthesis). All are just my opinion and all are open for discussion. All games coming up are on Saturday. Here we go.

1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Utah Tech (FCS United) at home 63-20, this week at South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley---Playing at home, the Bobcats took care of business last week, jumping on their opponent early and letting a bunch of players play. A strong task awaits them this week with a return FCS semifinal matchup from last year. This should be a great game.

2. Idaho (2)---Last week won at Lamar (FCS Southland) 42-17, this week at Nevada (FBS Mountain West)---A good team will do well on the road regardless of their opponent and the Vandals headed deep into the Southland and came home victorious. Can they take another step forward and get a win over the FBS this weekend? A strong possibility of that happening.

3. UC Davis (4)---Last week won at Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland) 48-10, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Aggies were another conference school to emerge victorious from the Texas Gulf Coast last week. Their reward this week a short trip up the west coast, moving up a level to play one of the big boys of the Pac-12. As good as they looked, a win may not be doable.

4. Sacramento State (5)---Last week won at Nicholls (FCS Southland) 38-24, this week Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland) at home---The Hornets also came home last weekend from Bayou country with a victory under their belts, They will try to make it two in a row over the Southland this week, this time they get to play at their house. They should get this one as well.

5. Montana (3)---Last week beat Butler (FCS Pioneer) at home 35-20, this week at Utah Tech (FCS United)---The Grizzlies may have started the year feeling a little more confident than they should have, having a Pioneer team create some anxious moments. This week they go on the road for what should be an easy win. But after last week, nothing will be easy.

6. Weber State (6)---Last week beat Central Washington (DII) at home 35-10, this week at Northern Iowa (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Wildcats did what they should have done in dispatching a lower division foe and giving a bunch of players some playing time. They move on to the Missouri Valley land this weekend and what has been a strong opponent at a tough place to play.

7. Eastern Washington (7)---Last week lost to North Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley) at Minneapolis, MN 35-10, this week at Fresno State (FBS Mountain West)---Hats off to the Eagles as they took on one of the heavy hitters in all of FCS at a neutral site last weekend. This week's game may be similar to the way last week's game went where even a good showing won't overcome a good opponent.

8. Northern Arizona (9)---Last week lost at Arizona (FBS Pac-12) 38-3, this week at North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Lumberjacks took a strong blow on the chin last week against their bigger brothers to the south. They will need to recover this week as they hit the road for a tough game against a familiar opponent. Was last week just a difference in levels or will this week be more of the same.

9. Cal Poly (11)---Last week beat San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 27-10, this week at San Jose State (FBS Mountain West)---Not much was expected this year for the Mustangs but they went out and got a good home win over a Pioneer league opponent, and looked good doing it. However, they could be brought back to reality this week as they move up to play the Mountain West.

10. Idaho State (12)---Last week lost at San Diego State (FBS Mountain West) 36-28, this week at Utah State (FBS Mountain West)---Last weekend saw the Bengals play up a level and while the game was not really in doubt, they hung around the whole game and kept their opponent from feeling comfortable. They stay in the Mountain West this weekend and another chance to hang around.

11. Portland State (8)---Last week lost at Oregon (FBS Pac-12) 81-7, this week at Wyoming (FBS Mountain West)---Things were going to be tough last week for the Vikings, playing up a level against a team with championship aspirations, but giving up 81 points is a tough pill to swallow. To top that off, their next opponent is coming off their biggest win in years.

12. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost at Abilene Christian (FCS Southland) 31-11, this week Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) at home---Starting the year off with new faces on the team was going to be tough, but going on the road and playing a good opponent proved too much to overcome. This week the Bears stay at home, but an exceptional team comes calling this time.

RECAP: 1-6 bunched up at the top, then 7, then 8-12 in a bunch behind.

[wapiti]

1. Montana State - Did what they needed to do

2. Idaho - Did what they needed to do

3. UC Davis - Did what they needed to do

4. Sacramento State - Did what they needed to do

5. Weber State - I expected a larger margin of victory, but did what they needed to do

6. Montana - Struggled against a cupcake

7. Eastern Washington - Did better than I expected against NDSU

8. Northern Arizona - Did not fair well against Arizona

9. Cal Poly - Dispatched San Diego, on the verge of jumping NAU

10. Idaho State - Did better than expected against SDSU

11. Portland State - Ouch!!!

12. Northern Colorado - Got whupped by a fellow FCS team

RECAP: 1-3 at the top, 4-6 half step behind 7-9 Middle of the pack then 8-12 in a bunch behind.

[SeattleCat]

There were some questions within the conference heading into the first weekend and it is unclear if those questions have been answered. Some interesting matchups await the conference teams going into Week 2, with 5 schools playing up to the FBS Mountain West level and 3 others venturing into Missouri Valley territory. Here are this week's Big Sky conference power rankings (last week's rankings in parenthesis). All are just my opinion and all are open for discussion. All games coming up are on Saturday. Here we go.

1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Utah Tech (FCS United) at home 63-20, this week at South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley---Playing at home, the Bobcats took care of business last week, jumping on their opponent early and letting a bunch of players play. A strong task awaits them this week with a return FCS semifinal matchup from last year. This should be a great game.

2. Idaho (2)---Last week won at Lamar (FCS Southland) 42-17, this week at Nevada (FBS Mountain West)---A good team will do well on the road regardless of their opponent and the Vandals headed deep into the Southland and came home victorious. Can they take another step forward and get a win over the FBS this weekend? A strong possibility of that happening.

3. UC Davis (4)---Last week won at Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland) 48-10, this week at Oregon State (FBS Pac-12)---The Aggies were another conference school to emerge victorious from the Texas Gulf Coast last week. Their reward this week a short trip up the west coast, moving up a level to play one of the big boys of the Pac-12. As good as they looked, a win may not be doable.

4. Sacramento State (5)---Last week won at Nicholls (FCS Southland) 38-24, this week Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland) at home---The Hornets also came home last weekend from Bayou country with a victory under their belts, They will try to make it two in a row over the Southland this week, this time they get to play at their house. They should get this one as well.

5. Montana (3)---Last week beat Butler (FCS Pioneer) at home 35-20, this week at Utah Tech (FCS United)---The Grizzlies may have started the year feeling a little more confident than they should have, having a Pioneer team create some anxious moments. This week they go on the road for what should be an easy win. But after last week, nothing will be easy.

6. Weber State (6)---Last week beat Central Washington (DII) at home 35-10, this week at Northern Iowa (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Wildcats did what they should have done in dispatching a lower division foe and giving a bunch of players some playing time. They move on to the Missouri Valley land this weekend and what has been a strong opponent at a tough place to play.

7. Eastern Washington (7)---Last week lost to North Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley) at Minneapolis, MN 35-10, this week at Fresno State (FBS Mountain West)---Hats off to the Eagles as they took on one of the heavy hitters in all of FCS at a neutral site last weekend. This week's game may be similar to the way last week's game went where even a good showing won't overcome a good opponent.

8. Northern Arizona (9)---Last week lost at Arizona (FBS Pac-12) 38-3, this week at North Dakota (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Lumberjacks took a strong blow on the chin last week against their bigger brothers to the south. They will need to recover this week as they hit the road for a tough game against a familiar opponent. Was last week just a difference in levels or will this week be more of the same.

9. Cal Poly (11)---Last week beat San Diego (FCS Pioneer) 27-10, this week at San Jose State (FBS Mountain West)---Not much was expected this year for the Mustangs but they went out and got a good home win over a Pioneer league opponent, and looked good doing it. However, they could be brought back to reality this week as they move up to play the Mountain West.

10. Idaho State (12)---Last week lost at San Diego State (FBS Mountain West) 36-28, this week at Utah State (FBS Mountain West)---Last weekend saw the Bengals play up a level and while the game was not really in doubt, they hung around the whole game and kept their opponent from feeling comfortable. They stay in the Mountain West this weekend and another chance to hang around.

11. Portland State (8)---Last week lost at Oregon (FBS Pac-12) 81-7, this week at Wyoming (FBS Mountain West)---Things were going to be tough last week for the Vikings, playing up a level against a team with championship aspirations, but giving up 81 points is a tough pill to swallow. To top that off, their next opponent is coming off their biggest win in years.

12. Northern Colorado (10)---Last week lost at Abilene Christian (FCS Southland) 31-11, this week Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) at home---Starting the year off with new faces on the team was going to be tough, but going on the road and playing a good opponent proved too much to overcome. This week the Bears stay at home, but an exceptional team comes calling this time.

RECAP: 1-6 bunched up at the top, then 7, then 8-12 in a bunch behind.

I'd say spot on, the only thing I MIGHT change would be flopping Montana and Weber, Montana's performance against a non-sholly school was... disappointing. I think Central Wa might be better than Butler but time will tell Weebs and the griz seem to be very close right now.

[MSUBobcat]

1. Montana State (1) - MSU easily dispatched UTU, leaning primarily on freshman Scottre Humphrey in the running game both in terms of carries and yards, but everyone got in on the action en route to 421 yards rushing on just 53 carries.
2. Idaho (2) - The Vandals went to the south and put a hurt on Lamar before giving up a couple late TD's.
3. UC-Davis (3) - The 2nd of 3 Big Sky teams to play in SLC, the Aggies also had no trouble putting away their foe. Like last week, I think Idaho and Davis are very close and may be 2a and 2b, but I left them in the original order of preseason gut feeling.
4. Sac State (4) - The last of the Big Sky-SLC challenge resulted in another big win (gave up a long TD in garbage time to make it a bit closer than it was. Nicholls had been held to 112 yards passing and 97 yards rushing prior to the 84 yard TD pass with under 2 to play.
5. Weber (6) - The first shake-up of my rankings, I think Weber's performance against a D-II school was better than the Griz performance against a non-scholly. The lack of offense (306 total yards) is concerning, but they still racked up 35 points.
6. Montana (5) - Playing Butler to a one score game until half way thru the 4th quarter can't be how the Griz fanbase pictured this game going. Not having Robbie in the secondary making 643 tackles must be why Butler was able to
7. EWU (7) - Gets a little tougher in the bottom half. EWU did okay against the mighty Bizuns. 266 yards through the air is respectable, but the run D from last year is still around, allowing NDSU to amass 337 yards on just 39 carries.
8. ISU-o (12) - The Bungles get the biggest jump after staying within 1 score thru 3 quarters and also pulling within 1 score in garbage time against the SDSU team that beat them by 31 last year. Was this a flash in the pan or do they have something cooking? 322 yards gained thru the air, but gave up 304 on the ground to SDSU.
9. NAU (9) - The Jacks got smoked by P5 Arizona. It appears they couldn't get much going on offense (264 total yards) and the Wildcats had their way thru the air and on the ground.
10. Cal Poly (11) - Cal Poly took care of business against non-scholly San Diego that has some troubles. I don't know what to glean from this game.
11. Portland State (8) - Got absolutely dump trucked. Do they owe the Ducks money?? They took their day out on the Vikes.
12. NoCo (10) - The Bears amassed 190 total yards and gave up almost 500. ACU had a decent year last year, but that's a big difference. Having not watched the game, I would expect a larger point spread based on the box score.

1-4 now looking like playoff contenders, 5-6 jury is still out, 7-8 maaaaaybe some improvement, 9-12 might be a long year.

[Karl Havoc]

Some quick thoughts:


I think UC Davis will end up as the #2 team in the conference this year.
Montana State vs SDSU is the obvious game of the week, but I think Weber vs UNI is the most interesting game this week in terms of learning about the pecking order of the Big Sky. Weber did not look very impressive last week. Between losing Jay Hill and all the turnover at QB/WR/RB I was concerned about the Cats heading into the year. This week will tell us a lot. Utah will blow Weber out next week so this game is vital for playoff hopes as the D2 win does not help.
Butler has a very good QB so I’m not shocked they put up some points but the offensive performance from Montana is concerning. They have some time to figure things out though.

[uofmman1122]

Central Washington is better than Butler?

I've heard everything now lmao

[MSUBobcat]

Central Washington is better than Butler?

I've heard everything now lmao

He said "might be"... Butler was 5-3 against the Pioneer League last year (2 wins vs NAIA I believe they are) and lost to champ Davidson 31-0 (Davidson lost 41-0 @ Richmond in the first round). Let's not act like it's completely out of the question that CWU is better than Butler.

[SeattleCat]

He said "might be"... Butler was 5-3 against the Pioneer League last year (2 wins vs NAIA I believe they are) and lost to champ Davidson 31-0 (Davidson lost 41-0 @ Richmond in the first round). Let's not act like it's completely out of the question that CWU is better than Butler.
Central Washington also offers scholarships.

[uofmman1122]

He said "might be"... Butler was 5-3 against the Pioneer League last year (2 wins vs NAIA I believe they are) and lost to champ Davidson 31-0 (Davidson lost 41-0 @ Richmond in the first round). Let's not act like it's completely out of the question that CWU is better than Butler.
CWU went 6-4 in D2 last year and didn't make the playoffs. I'm not suggesting Butler is SDSU, or anything, but they have the conference MVP and Payton watch-lister in Bushka, who would probably one of the better QBs in the Big Sky.

We definitely should have beaten them by a lot more than we did, but I think you guys are huffing your own Griz-hating farts a little too hard, here. lol

[THE DANIMAL]

CWU went 6-4 in D2 last year and didn't make the playoffs. I'm not suggesting Butler is SDSU, or anything, but they have the conference MVP and Payton watch-lister in Bushka, who would probably one of the better QBs in the Big Sky.

We definitely should have beaten them by a lot more than we did, but I think you guys are huffing your own Griz-hating farts a little too hard, here. lol

Haha that gave me a good laugh this morning.

[THE DANIMAL]

1. Montana St.
2. UC Davis
3. Idaho
4. Montana
4. Sac St.
4. Weber St.
7. EWU
8. NAU
9. Cal Poly
10. ISU
11. PSU
12. Northern Colorado

[Utgrizfan]

Central Washington also offers scholarships.

We get it you hate the Griz, outside that nothing else remotely made any sense

[SeattleCat]

We get it you hate the Griz, outside that nothing else remotely made any sense

Just the facts man. Yes, I dislike the griz... I dislike their arrogant fans more. But I'd rather see a strong griz team than a weak one, and I will even cheer for the griz in the playoffs unless they're playing the Cats. I will always cheer for the Montana kids.