JALMOND
November 3rd, 2024, 11:49 PM
"And down the stretch they come!!!" November is here and the conference has five clear frontrunners who are distancing themselves from the rest. While no one looks capable of stopping Montana State, the other four should be in line for a playoff berth. But some good matchups still on tap for the last three weeks so all five will definitely have earned it. Here are this week's power rankings (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Let November begin.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week won at Eastern Washington 42-28, this week Sacramento State at home---The Bobcats continue to push through their schedule, with last week getting a crucial road win. They come home this week, bringing in a desperate squad from the bottom of the standings. Their dominance should continue.
2. UC Davis (2)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 59-7, this week at Montana---The Aggies put their game away early last week with a convincing home win against a lower class opponent. They step up to the upper levels this weekend with a tough road game on the horizon. This may be a good statement game.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week bye, this week at Portland State---The Vandals earned their bye week after trudging through their schedule with various injuries. A good time to get healthy, they now go on the road to face off against their paper rivals. Road games in November are never easy and the Vandals can't afford to slip.
4. Montana (4)---Last week won at Cal Poly 42-7, this week UC Davis at home---The good news is the Grizzlies found their defense during the bye week, and have only allowed one touchdown in the last two games. However, the level of difficulty goes up this weekend, but they stay at home to face a top tier team. They are ready, though.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---Last week beat Weber State at home 27-6, this week at Cal Poly---The Lumberjacks are truly the surprise team in the conference and have clearly put themselves in position for a playoff berth and to be mentioned as a top tier team in the conference. A road game against a lower team better not sidetrack them.
6. Portland State (10)---Last week won at Sacramento State 58-38, this week Idaho at home---The Vikings probably scheduled themselves out of a playoff spot this year, but they felt confident about getting some surprises along the way. They got one on the road last week. They have another shot at one this week, but it will be tough.
7. Idaho State (8)---Last week bye, this week at Weber State---The Bengals took last week off after a strong overtime home win over a tough opponent with playoff aspirations, and went in to the bye week feeling good about themselves. They get one of the two teams sinking to the depths of the conference at home this week.
8. Weber State (7)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 27-6, this week Idaho State at home---The Wildcats came out lifeless after their bye last week and were out of the game before you could blink, and while their defense tried to keep them in the game, the offense could not get started. Playing for pride starts this week.
9. Eastern Washington (9)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 42-28, this week at Northern Colorado---The Eagles found out what most of the conference knows already. Fall behind to the top dog, then try to scramble to get back in it. It didn't work and they were the next victim. They should get a win this week.
10. Sacramento State (6)---Last week lost to Portland State at home 58-38, this week at Montana State---After while, you have to call it like it is. The Hornets played everyone close and just came up short until this game. But they haven't really played anyone. Two of the next three are against the top teams in the conference.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Montana at home 42-7, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Mustangs have had some good games and just a few not so good games. This game was a not so good game as they ran into a buzzsaw against a team trying to make a statement. Another tough game awaits them.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to UC Davis 59-7, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Bears have looked good on occasion as well, but last week against a top team was not a good game in any means. The level may drop a bit this weekend, but it will still be tough to get a win, even with the game at home.
RECAP: 1, then 2, then 3-5, big gap, then 6-10, with 11-12 bringing up the rear.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week won at Eastern Washington 42-28, this week Sacramento State at home---The Bobcats continue to push through their schedule, with last week getting a crucial road win. They come home this week, bringing in a desperate squad from the bottom of the standings. Their dominance should continue.
2. UC Davis (2)---Last week beat Northern Colorado at home 59-7, this week at Montana---The Aggies put their game away early last week with a convincing home win against a lower class opponent. They step up to the upper levels this weekend with a tough road game on the horizon. This may be a good statement game.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week bye, this week at Portland State---The Vandals earned their bye week after trudging through their schedule with various injuries. A good time to get healthy, they now go on the road to face off against their paper rivals. Road games in November are never easy and the Vandals can't afford to slip.
4. Montana (4)---Last week won at Cal Poly 42-7, this week UC Davis at home---The good news is the Grizzlies found their defense during the bye week, and have only allowed one touchdown in the last two games. However, the level of difficulty goes up this weekend, but they stay at home to face a top tier team. They are ready, though.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---Last week beat Weber State at home 27-6, this week at Cal Poly---The Lumberjacks are truly the surprise team in the conference and have clearly put themselves in position for a playoff berth and to be mentioned as a top tier team in the conference. A road game against a lower team better not sidetrack them.
6. Portland State (10)---Last week won at Sacramento State 58-38, this week Idaho at home---The Vikings probably scheduled themselves out of a playoff spot this year, but they felt confident about getting some surprises along the way. They got one on the road last week. They have another shot at one this week, but it will be tough.
7. Idaho State (8)---Last week bye, this week at Weber State---The Bengals took last week off after a strong overtime home win over a tough opponent with playoff aspirations, and went in to the bye week feeling good about themselves. They get one of the two teams sinking to the depths of the conference at home this week.
8. Weber State (7)---Last week lost at Northern Arizona 27-6, this week Idaho State at home---The Wildcats came out lifeless after their bye last week and were out of the game before you could blink, and while their defense tried to keep them in the game, the offense could not get started. Playing for pride starts this week.
9. Eastern Washington (9)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 42-28, this week at Northern Colorado---The Eagles found out what most of the conference knows already. Fall behind to the top dog, then try to scramble to get back in it. It didn't work and they were the next victim. They should get a win this week.
10. Sacramento State (6)---Last week lost to Portland State at home 58-38, this week at Montana State---After while, you have to call it like it is. The Hornets played everyone close and just came up short until this game. But they haven't really played anyone. Two of the next three are against the top teams in the conference.
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Montana at home 42-7, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Mustangs have had some good games and just a few not so good games. This game was a not so good game as they ran into a buzzsaw against a team trying to make a statement. Another tough game awaits them.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to UC Davis 59-7, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Bears have looked good on occasion as well, but last week against a top team was not a good game in any means. The level may drop a bit this weekend, but it will still be tough to get a win, even with the game at home.
RECAP: 1, then 2, then 3-5, big gap, then 6-10, with 11-12 bringing up the rear.