Big Sky Power Rankings 9-22

[JALMOND]

The non-conference tuneups are complete for most of the Big Sky schools and conference play is set to start this weekend. The conference did play one conference game earlier and Weber State has enjoyed being alone on top for three weeks now, but others will soon join them. Weber State and Portland State will complete their non-conference slates this week, but for everyone else, the true season begins. Here are this week's power rankings (last week's in parenthesis). Everyone plays this weekend, including Cal Poly who sat out last week. All are my opinion only. Here we go.

1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Mercyhurst (FCS Northeast) at home 52-13, this week at Idaho State---The Bobcats took care of business early last week and then put it on auto pilot in the second half. They start their conference play on the road with a short jaunt down south against a strong Bengals team that won last week.

2. Idaho (2)---Last week won at Abilene Christian FCS United) 27-24, this week at UC Davis---The Vandals got the jump early last week, but found themselves in the middle of a battle at the end. But they were able to secure the win late. Now, the game of the week as they had out to northern California for a strong test.

3. Montana (3)---Last week beat Western Carolina (FCS Southern) at home 46-35, this week at Eastern Washington---After a relatively slow start at home again, the Grizzlies woke up in the second quarter to finally take care of business last week. They start conference play on the road against an Eagles team just as eager.

4. UC Davis (4)---Last week beat Utah Tech (FCS United) at home 32-14, this week Idaho at home---The outcome may have never been in doubt but there were some anxious moments for the Aggies in their home win last week. Perhaps a little bit of jitters or maybe looking forward to a strong home conference test this week.

5. Sacramento State (5)---Last week won at Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland) 34-0, this week at Northern Arizona---Sending notice to the conference in last week's game, the Hornets made the trip into deep Texas and dropped a shutout. They are ready to play and open conference play on the road against Northern Arizona.

6. Weber State (7)---Last week won at Northwestern State (FCS Southland) 39-0, this week McNeese (FCS Souhtland) at home---The Wildcats also had a strong statement game last week, going into Bayou country and emerging with a great shutout victory. They stay out of conference this weekend, welcoming another Southland opponent.

7. Northern Arizona (6)---Last week lost at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland) 38-14, this week Sacramento State at home---Even with the loss on the road to one of the Southland's top dogs, the Lumberjacks have shown they can make some noise, and they look forward to do that in conference play. They get one of the heavies this weekend.

8. Idaho State (11)---Last week beat Southern Utah (FCS United) at home 38-28, this week Montana State at home---Flying under the radar for the first few weeks, the Bengals got a good strong win in their final non-conference matchup. Riding the momentum of that performance, they welcome the conference top dog for a good game.

9. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week lost at Nevada (FBS Mountain West) 49-16, this week Montana at home---The Eagles non-conference play could best be described as not impressive, capped off by a tough game against the FBS in what they had hoped would be a win. Now, they start conference play, bringing in one of the heavies to town.

10. Northern Colorado (9)---Last week lost at Stephen F Austin (FCS Southland) 48-7, this week Cal Poly at home---Even with no wins to show for it, the Bears were looking competitive in their non-conference losses, but they just could not get anything going on the road last week. They start conference play against the conference basement.

11. Portland State (10)---Last week lost at Boise State (FBS Mountain West) 56-14, this week at Chattanooga (FCS Southern)---This season was going to be a rough one for the Vikings, but I don't think they thought it would be this rough. They played tough early last week, but got worn down. They play on the round in their final non-conference matchup.

12. Cal Poly (12)---Last week bye, this week at Northern Colorado---The Mustangs did get a win two weeks ago against a DII squad, and they are hoping to parlay that winning spirit into another one this week. They've had two weeks to prepare for the conference opener and it should be a winnable game for them. But it is on the road.

RECAP: 1-3 leading, 4-5 on their heels, 6-7 keeping up, 8-11 a ways behind, 12 bringing up the rear.

[uofmman1122]

I think this is the last week I'm going to let anyone slide who's putting MSU above Idaho based on their performances so far this year before I start asking them to explain how they can justify it, especially if they go to Davis and beat them. IMO, they clearly have the strongest resume of any FCS team right now.

[wapiti]

I think this is the last week I'm going to let anyone slide who's putting MSU above Idaho based on their performances so far this year before I start asking them to explain how they can justify it, especially if they go to Davis and beat them. IMO, they clearly have the strongest resume of any FCS team right now.

I have been ranking Idaho 1st.
Here is my poll for this week:

1: Idaho -- Nice Road win over a quality opponent.

2: MSU -- MSU easily got the win. I think Mercyhurst is better than the ranking that has been assigned to them. I thought they played better than Maine did against MSU.

3: UM -- Earned a nice win in Missoula. W. Carolina did put a scare into the Griz in the first half, but the Griz did what was necessary to earn the W

4: Sac State -- A virtual tie with UC Davis, but I gave the edge to Sac state based on the performance against a common opponent against TX Commerce

5: UC Davis -- Dispatched Utah Tech

6: Weber State -- Shutout Northwestern State on the road

7: NAU -- Lost on the road against a quality opponent

8: Idaho State -- Earned a good win over Southern Utah. ISU is primed to move up. Will they surprise the Bobcats this weekend?

9: Portland State -- Vikings have a tough schedule

10: EWU -- Since the opening game against Monmouth EWU has struggled.

11: NC -- After showing signs of improvement in the first 3 games the Bears get spanked by a poor SFA team on the road.

12: CP -- This week is a chance for a FCS and conference win against NC.

Tier 1: 1 - 3 NC Aspirations
Tier 2: 4-5 - Playoff aspirations
Tier 3: 6-8 Playoff Bubble aspirations
Tier 4: 9-11
Bringing up the rear: 12

[MSUBobcat]

I think this is the last week I'm going to let anyone slide who's putting MSU above Idaho based on their performances so far this year before I start asking them to explain how they can justify it, especially if they go to Davis and beat them. IMO, they clearly have the strongest resume of any FCS team right now.

I've had Idaho as the #1 since last week's ranking, and will very likely keep them there with a win @ Davis, but I don't think it's as cut and dried as you make it out to be. Idaho CLEARLY had a phenomenal performance against the Ducks. IMO, outside of Tommy giving up the 2 scoop and scores, MSU dominated in their FBS win over UNM (Massey #128) much more than Idaho did over Wyoming (Massey #120), with MSU outgaining UNM 567 to just 324 compared to Wyo outgaining Idaho 270-225 (winning a game with only 1 drive over 38 yards is WILD). MSU dominated Maine; Idaho dominated Albany, but that team is a far cry from the team that won in Moscow last year. MSU unfortunately had 2 patsies while Idaho held on a nice road win over ACU, but I'm still up in the air with ACU after needing a 54 yard game winning field goal over UNC. Granted it was at home, but SFA just thumped NoCo 48-7, so the Bears appear to be the same Bears as we've grown accustomed to seeing and not a new and improved Bears team.

Even if the Vandals beat Davis, I think it still depends on how the game goes. Davis beat SUU by just 3 (albeit on the road) so people were thinking SUU is a decent team. Then the T-birds went to Pocatello and got beat by what I had previously ranked as the #11 team in the Big Sky. This has me questioning if Davis isn't as good as I was thinking and the Bengals aren't as bad as I was thinking. The Aggies also just had the smallest margin of victory over UTU of any team this year, including NAU playing them on the road and still beating them by 28. Davis is literally hanging their hat on a 3pt road win over a team that even a cellar dweller beat by 2 scores. Due to this, if the Vandals need a game winning drive and win by 1, while MSU runs for 400 yards en route to a 31 point victory.... there's an argument to be made.

There may be more parity in the BSC (and FCS overall) than we've seen in quite a while.

[MSUBobcat]

My stab at it. Things are going to start sorting themselves out now that conference play is beginning (for everyone not Weber and Portland).

1. Idaho (1) - Good teams take a quality opponent's best punches and come out on top. As mentioned above, I'm not 100% sold on ACU just because of nearly scalping TTU, but as of now, they have 2 "good losses" so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
2. MSU (2) - What can be gleaned from playing a team in its first year moving up from DII, when they weren't particularly good at that level.
3. UM (3) - After stubbing their toe for a quarter (we bar hopped for a 50th birthday and the Griz bars were like a funeral home), the Griz got a nice win over a ranked-ish WCU.
4. Sac St (5) - Posted a big shutout victory on the road moves them up a spot.
5. UC Davis (4) - As mentioned in my post above, I'm less keen on their 3pt road victory over SUU after the Bengals beat them and they also played UTU closer than any team all year, and at home to boot, so they move down a spot.
6. Weber St (7) - Also pitched a big shutout victory on the road, but to a lesser opponent than Sac St played.
7. NAU (6) - Took one on the chin against a good UIW team, but I can't move any of the teams below them above them at this point.
8. Idaho St (11) - I have no idea what to expect from the Bungles this year. A decent fight against Oregon St, thumped a DII, didn't show up in Grand Forks, then held a 17 point lead for much of the game against a team that gave Davis all it could handle.
9. PSU (9) - In the ranking battle between PSU and EWU, PSU losing to ranked/ORV Boise St by 42 >> EWU losing to Nevada by 33. And they didn't lose to Drake.
10. EWU (8) - See above.
11. NoCo (10) - Rebounded from nearly beating ACU at home by getting destroy by SFA. This is the Bears team we all know and love....
12. Cal Poly (12) - Poly almost lost to BYE at home, therefore they retain the cellar.

1-2 still slightly out front. 3-5 still penciling in a playoff berth and possible deep run. 6-7.... maybe?? 8.... need more info. 9-12, pack it up.

[JALMOND]

I think this is the last week I'm going to let anyone slide who's putting MSU above Idaho based on their performances so far this year before I start asking them to explain how they can justify it, especially if they go to Davis and beat them. IMO, they clearly have the strongest resume of any FCS team right now.

For me, it's close (actually the top 3 are all close). However, I was not impressed with their win over Abilene Christian, a team that needed a 54-yard FG on the last play to beat Northern Colorado last week. Bobcats did what they were expected to do against Mercyhurst. I could not drop them down, especially after Idaho almost letting it all go. Idaho's performance just couldn't justify it, my opinion.

[technocat]

For me, it's close (actually the top 3 are all close). However, I was not impressed with their win over Abilene Christian, a team that needed a 54-yard FG on the last play to beat Northern Colorado last week. Bobcats did what they were expected to do against Mercyhurst. I could not drop them down, especially after Idaho almost letting it all go. Idaho's performance just couldn't justify it, my opinion.

I give Mercyhurst mad props for how they played. I watched the game against RMU and could tell they had some guys that could get things done. They're just definitely not there overall but have lots of potential. Played a heck of a lot better than Maine. While I'll put Idaho ahead of MSU for now, I think the last two games and all of the playing time MSU got for their backups will be huge this year. Last year we lost a couple starters and you could tell the backups were just not ready for primetime. This year looks like we finally have the depth to deal with that. Will be a great game in Bozeman come Oct 12th!

[mvemjsunpx]

For me, it's close (actually the top 3 are all close). However, I was not impressed with their win over Abilene Christian, a team that needed a 54-yard FG on the last play to beat Northern Colorado last week. Bobcats did what they were expected to do against Mercyhurst. I could not drop them down, especially after Idaho almost letting it all go. Idaho's performance just couldn't justify it, my opinion.

I would still keep MSU ahead of Idaho at this point, too, but ACU did take Texas Tech to overtime.