JALMOND
November 11th, 2024, 12:42 AM
One more week left and then it is rivalry week in the conference, and there seems to be a clear order to the conference race that is emerging. Really no surprises from this last weekend, and the order pretty much stayed the same. The only question seems to be will the conference get 5 teams into the playoffs. There are still some good matchups coming this week, one involving the two clear top teams, and some may try to ruin it for others. Here are this week's power rankings for the Big Sky (last week in parenthesis). All are my opinion only. Hard to believe only two weeks left.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 49-7, this week at UC Davis---No matter who the Bobcats face off against, they just keep rolling along as if no one can beat them. Big win at home last week, big rivalry game coming up, but a big game awaits them before that. No time to look ahead.
2. UC Davis (2)---Last week won at Montana 30-14, this week Montana State at home---After a loss opening week to their big FBS brothers down the freeway, the Aggies have also appeared unbeatable in FCS play. A game in a hostile place to play a conference game, no problem. A game against the top team in the conference?
3. Idaho (3)---Last week won at Portland State 39-30, this week Weber State at home---The Vandals have got through their difficult stretch (on paper at least) and a playoff berth should be in their grasp. But playing a good team this week that is in some kind of a letdown could be trouble. It shouldn't be much however.
4. Montana (4)---Last week lost to UC Davis at home 30-14, this week Portland State at home---The Grizzlies are trying to secure at least one more win to feel good about a playoff spot, but they just fell short last week. A lessor team on paper is coming this weekend and the Grizzlies want this one instead of waiting for their rivals.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---Last week won at Cal Poly 31-14, this week at Northern Colorado---Being the number 5 team in a tough conference should garner a playoff berth in itself, but the Lumberjacks may find themselves on the outside. Their schedule down the stretch is not tough so they can only win and hope.
6. Idaho State (7)---Last week won at Weber State 43-35, this week at Eastern Washington---The Bengals broke through last week and earned a tough road win against an opponent that has had their number for awhile. Before a game against their instate rivals, they have a road game against one of their equals.
7. Portland State (6)---Last week lost to Idaho at home 39-30, this week at Montana---Playing the toughest schedule in the country has not deterred the Vikings resolve to scare almost everyone they play. They stayed with one of the conference's top teams last week. They move on the road this weekend for another tough test.
8. Eastern Washington (9)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 43-15, this week Idaho State at home---The Eagles have recovered nicely after some disappointing losses early one. They put a beating on one of the lowly teams in the conference last week. This week find them at home against a team similar to them.
9. Weber State (8)---Last week lost to Idaho State at home 43-35, this week at Idaho---Somewhere after their win over Montana, the Wildcats went sideways with their season and their promising season has slipped away. Last week a team they have a strong edge over beat them at their place. This week a trip to one of the top teams.
10. Sacramento State (10)---Last week lost at Montana State 49-7, this week at Cal Poly---The cupboard was not left bare by the previous coaching staff, but the Hornets have struggled once the conference season started. A pounding by the top team did not help. They still have their rivals coming up, but first an easy tuneup?
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Northern Arizona 31-14 at home, this week Sacramento State at home---The Mustangs do not have many wins but they have not rolled over to many foes. They are a game squad, a shown by their matchup last week against the conference darling. They are licking their chops with a struggling team coming in.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Eastern Washington at home 43-15, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Bears lost a tough one at home last week. They are just playing out the string, hoping to get experience for next year. They have two games left, that starts with a tough home game this weekend.
RECAP: 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5, then 6-8 aways back, 9-10 falling fast, 11-12 bringing up the rear.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 49-7, this week at UC Davis---No matter who the Bobcats face off against, they just keep rolling along as if no one can beat them. Big win at home last week, big rivalry game coming up, but a big game awaits them before that. No time to look ahead.
2. UC Davis (2)---Last week won at Montana 30-14, this week Montana State at home---After a loss opening week to their big FBS brothers down the freeway, the Aggies have also appeared unbeatable in FCS play. A game in a hostile place to play a conference game, no problem. A game against the top team in the conference?
3. Idaho (3)---Last week won at Portland State 39-30, this week Weber State at home---The Vandals have got through their difficult stretch (on paper at least) and a playoff berth should be in their grasp. But playing a good team this week that is in some kind of a letdown could be trouble. It shouldn't be much however.
4. Montana (4)---Last week lost to UC Davis at home 30-14, this week Portland State at home---The Grizzlies are trying to secure at least one more win to feel good about a playoff spot, but they just fell short last week. A lessor team on paper is coming this weekend and the Grizzlies want this one instead of waiting for their rivals.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---Last week won at Cal Poly 31-14, this week at Northern Colorado---Being the number 5 team in a tough conference should garner a playoff berth in itself, but the Lumberjacks may find themselves on the outside. Their schedule down the stretch is not tough so they can only win and hope.
6. Idaho State (7)---Last week won at Weber State 43-35, this week at Eastern Washington---The Bengals broke through last week and earned a tough road win against an opponent that has had their number for awhile. Before a game against their instate rivals, they have a road game against one of their equals.
7. Portland State (6)---Last week lost to Idaho at home 39-30, this week at Montana---Playing the toughest schedule in the country has not deterred the Vikings resolve to scare almost everyone they play. They stayed with one of the conference's top teams last week. They move on the road this weekend for another tough test.
8. Eastern Washington (9)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 43-15, this week Idaho State at home---The Eagles have recovered nicely after some disappointing losses early one. They put a beating on one of the lowly teams in the conference last week. This week find them at home against a team similar to them.
9. Weber State (8)---Last week lost to Idaho State at home 43-35, this week at Idaho---Somewhere after their win over Montana, the Wildcats went sideways with their season and their promising season has slipped away. Last week a team they have a strong edge over beat them at their place. This week a trip to one of the top teams.
10. Sacramento State (10)---Last week lost at Montana State 49-7, this week at Cal Poly---The cupboard was not left bare by the previous coaching staff, but the Hornets have struggled once the conference season started. A pounding by the top team did not help. They still have their rivals coming up, but first an easy tuneup?
11. Cal Poly (11)---Last week lost to Northern Arizona 31-14 at home, this week Sacramento State at home---The Mustangs do not have many wins but they have not rolled over to many foes. They are a game squad, a shown by their matchup last week against the conference darling. They are licking their chops with a struggling team coming in.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Eastern Washington at home 43-15, this week Northern Arizona at home---The Bears lost a tough one at home last week. They are just playing out the string, hoping to get experience for next year. They have two games left, that starts with a tough home game this weekend.
RECAP: 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5, then 6-8 aways back, 9-10 falling fast, 11-12 bringing up the rear.