JALMOND
November 6th, 2023, 09:56 PM
Only two weeks of conference play and the race is finally coming in to view. Three teams at the top and one clinging (and one other that is barely breathing). These final two weeks will decide it. There are still some intriguing matchups this weekend before the final rivalry weekend. Here are this week's power rankings (last week is in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Quite the race.
1. Montana (1)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 34-7, this week at Portland State---Out of the three top teams, the Grizzlies had what could have been the toughest, yet they made short order and put any fears of a loss to rest with a strong second half. Their rival awaits, but first a trip to the west coast.
2. Montana State (2)---Last week beat Northern Arizona at home 45-21, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Bobcats put any fears of a letdown after their first conference loss to rest early and the game was never in doubt. Their conference home finale awaits them this weekend, then off to the fierce rivalry game.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 27-13, this week at Weber State---After getting a closer than expected win on the road last week (at this point any win is a good win), the Vandals have probably the easiest route of the Big 3, but this opponent this weekend can be dangerous and it is on the road again.
4. Sacramento State (4)---Last week lost at Montana 34-7, this week Cal Poly at home ---The Hornets were cruising along, feeling pretty good about themselves, then they ran into a buzzsaw last week. Did it shake up their confidence perhaps? It should be an easy, feel good game this weekend then off to the rivalry game.
5. UC Davis (9)---Last week beat Portland State at home 37-23, this week at Idaho State---Knowing they would have to win out to have any shot at an invitation to the playoffs, the Aggies went out and got a good statement home win last week. They still need to continue winning. This week the conference upstart, next week their rival.
6. Portland State (5)---Last week lost at UC Davis 37-23, this week Montana at home---The Vikings slim hopes for a chance at the playoffs were dashed down in California. Now, nothing to play for but for pride (and actually they were probably playing for pride for awhile), the top team in the conference comes calling.
7. Eastern Washington (7)---Last week beat Cal Poly at home 48-13, this week at Montana State---The Eagles played at home and had an unusual event in that they allowed 3 safeties in one game. Luckily, they were playing one of the conference doormats. They won't be so fortunate this weekend as they play one of the top teams.
8. Weber State (10)---Last week won at Idaho State 33-21, this week Idaho at home---The season going sideways in a hurry, but the Wildcats know they have their brethren just up the road coming for a visit to make things feel right. Playing for pride as well, but they got one of the heavies coming into town this weekend.
9. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Montana State 45-21, this week Northern Colorado at home---Good things and bad things have been going on for the Lumberjacks. Last week, a trip to one of the conference heavies did not go so well. This week, they come home and face one of the teams from the basement.
10. Idaho State (8)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 33-21, this week UC Davis at home---The Bengals had the makings of a great season to use as a stepping stone for possibly even better things next year. But they could not get past their rivals from the south. Now what seemed to be great may end up being average.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost at Eastern Washington 48-13, this week at Sacramento State---What a weird game for the Mustangs last week. Their defense stepped up and recorded 3 safeties in the game, but their offense could only get one touchdown.. Now they head up north for a tough game against a better foe.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Idaho at home 27-13, this week at Northern Arizona---The Bears seem to be playing better, staying within arm's reach of one of the better teams in the conference. They still have no wins, but they have two chances to get a win. This week is on the road and next week is at home.
RECAP: 1-3 out front with 4 right behind, 5-10 in a pack behind and fading, 11-12 dropping back.
1. Montana (1)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 34-7, this week at Portland State---Out of the three top teams, the Grizzlies had what could have been the toughest, yet they made short order and put any fears of a loss to rest with a strong second half. Their rival awaits, but first a trip to the west coast.
2. Montana State (2)---Last week beat Northern Arizona at home 45-21, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Bobcats put any fears of a letdown after their first conference loss to rest early and the game was never in doubt. Their conference home finale awaits them this weekend, then off to the fierce rivalry game.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 27-13, this week at Weber State---After getting a closer than expected win on the road last week (at this point any win is a good win), the Vandals have probably the easiest route of the Big 3, but this opponent this weekend can be dangerous and it is on the road again.
4. Sacramento State (4)---Last week lost at Montana 34-7, this week Cal Poly at home ---The Hornets were cruising along, feeling pretty good about themselves, then they ran into a buzzsaw last week. Did it shake up their confidence perhaps? It should be an easy, feel good game this weekend then off to the rivalry game.
5. UC Davis (9)---Last week beat Portland State at home 37-23, this week at Idaho State---Knowing they would have to win out to have any shot at an invitation to the playoffs, the Aggies went out and got a good statement home win last week. They still need to continue winning. This week the conference upstart, next week their rival.
6. Portland State (5)---Last week lost at UC Davis 37-23, this week Montana at home---The Vikings slim hopes for a chance at the playoffs were dashed down in California. Now, nothing to play for but for pride (and actually they were probably playing for pride for awhile), the top team in the conference comes calling.
7. Eastern Washington (7)---Last week beat Cal Poly at home 48-13, this week at Montana State---The Eagles played at home and had an unusual event in that they allowed 3 safeties in one game. Luckily, they were playing one of the conference doormats. They won't be so fortunate this weekend as they play one of the top teams.
8. Weber State (10)---Last week won at Idaho State 33-21, this week Idaho at home---The season going sideways in a hurry, but the Wildcats know they have their brethren just up the road coming for a visit to make things feel right. Playing for pride as well, but they got one of the heavies coming into town this weekend.
9. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Montana State 45-21, this week Northern Colorado at home---Good things and bad things have been going on for the Lumberjacks. Last week, a trip to one of the conference heavies did not go so well. This week, they come home and face one of the teams from the basement.
10. Idaho State (8)---Last week lost to Weber State at home 33-21, this week UC Davis at home---The Bengals had the makings of a great season to use as a stepping stone for possibly even better things next year. But they could not get past their rivals from the south. Now what seemed to be great may end up being average.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost at Eastern Washington 48-13, this week at Sacramento State---What a weird game for the Mustangs last week. Their defense stepped up and recorded 3 safeties in the game, but their offense could only get one touchdown.. Now they head up north for a tough game against a better foe.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Idaho at home 27-13, this week at Northern Arizona---The Bears seem to be playing better, staying within arm's reach of one of the better teams in the conference. They still have no wins, but they have two chances to get a win. This week is on the road and next week is at home.
RECAP: 1-3 out front with 4 right behind, 5-10 in a pack behind and fading, 11-12 dropping back.