JALMOND
November 18th, 2024, 01:09 AM
Rivalry week. The final regular season set of games this weekend. For a 12-member conference such as the Big Sky, 5 teams may represent the conference in the playoffs. Montana State, UC Davis and Idaho were all most likely in before last week. Montana is most likely in after their win last week. Northern Arizona now may just need a win this week and they are in, depending on the committee. Here are this week's power rankings heading into the final week. Last week's ranking is in parenthesis. All are my opinion only. Good luck to everyone this weekend.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week won at UC Davis 30-28, this week Montana at home---The Bobcats finally had a close call last week, but it really should not have been that close. A big lead entering the fourth quarter evaporated and they had to hold on for dear life. Preparing for the playoffs, they have the Brawl at their house.
2. UC Davis (2)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 30-28, this week at Sacramento State---The Aggies just fell a little bit too far behind to the top team lat week and a gallant comeback effort fell just short. A good prep game for the playoffs, like this one coming up where they face their struggling rivals on the road.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week beat Weber State at home 31-24, this week at Idaho State---The Vandals eked out another win last week against a lowly opponent, but it was not without some anxious moments. They may need to work out some kinks that have come to light. They go to their rival's place this weekend for a tough one.
4. Montana (4)---Last week beat Portland State at home 28-17, this week at Montana State---It was not pretty, but the Grizzlies did what they needed to do in getting the win last weekend. Feeling pretty secure now about their playoff chances, they can go have fun in their rivalry game, being played in hostile territory.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 44-3, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Lumberjacks put away any notion about a trap game last weekend with a resounding win on the road. They may need some additional help, but they first need to get this win this weekend, and then hope.
6. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 77-42, this week at Northern Arizona---The Eagles were able to take a season's worth of frustration out on a worthy opponent at home last week. Refreshed and relaxed, they look to derail the fairy tale season this week's opponent is hoping for.
7. Portland State (7)---Last week lost at Montana 28-17, this week Northern Colorado at home---The Vikings went into one of the more hostile venues in the conference and fell just short, which has been the mantra of the season. The game this week, against one of the lowly conference foes, is the first time they are favored.
8. Idaho State (6)---Last week lost at Eastern Washington 77-42, this week Idaho at home---Hopes for a good season this year took a slight turn for the worse for the Bengals as they could not stop anything last week and came out on the big short end. They can feel good this weekend, getting a win over their rivals.
9. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at Idaho 31-24, this week Cal Poly at home---The Wildcats may be having a dismal season, but they have not given up as evidence by their close loss on the road last week. Winning the last game can create good feelings going into next year and they hope to get a win this weekend.
10. Cal Poly (11)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 26-23, this week at Weber State---Catching a team when they are slumping proved beneficial for the Mustangs last week as they were able to secure another conference win. They head out on the road to face another slumping team this weekend.
11. Sacramento State (10)---Last week lost at Cal Poly 26-23, this week UC Davis at home---Once the conference season began, the Hornets nosedived right into the ground and never recovered. They lost last week to one of the perennial doormats of the conference. This week, they have their rivals. A win would feel good.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Northern Arizona at home 44-3, this week at Portland State---Nothing went right for the Bears last week on either side of the ball and the lopsided loss was the outcome. Unfortunately, there is still one more game to play, a road game on the other end of the conference footprint.
RECAP: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 6-8 in a bunch aways behind. 9 alone. 10-11 behind them, then 12.
1. Montana State (1)---Last week won at UC Davis 30-28, this week Montana at home---The Bobcats finally had a close call last week, but it really should not have been that close. A big lead entering the fourth quarter evaporated and they had to hold on for dear life. Preparing for the playoffs, they have the Brawl at their house.
2. UC Davis (2)---Last week lost to Montana State at home 30-28, this week at Sacramento State---The Aggies just fell a little bit too far behind to the top team lat week and a gallant comeback effort fell just short. A good prep game for the playoffs, like this one coming up where they face their struggling rivals on the road.
3. Idaho (3)---Last week beat Weber State at home 31-24, this week at Idaho State---The Vandals eked out another win last week against a lowly opponent, but it was not without some anxious moments. They may need to work out some kinks that have come to light. They go to their rival's place this weekend for a tough one.
4. Montana (4)---Last week beat Portland State at home 28-17, this week at Montana State---It was not pretty, but the Grizzlies did what they needed to do in getting the win last weekend. Feeling pretty secure now about their playoff chances, they can go have fun in their rivalry game, being played in hostile territory.
5. Northern Arizona (5)---Last week won at Northern Colorado 44-3, this week Eastern Washington at home---The Lumberjacks put away any notion about a trap game last weekend with a resounding win on the road. They may need some additional help, but they first need to get this win this weekend, and then hope.
6. Eastern Washington (8)---Last week beat Idaho State at home 77-42, this week at Northern Arizona---The Eagles were able to take a season's worth of frustration out on a worthy opponent at home last week. Refreshed and relaxed, they look to derail the fairy tale season this week's opponent is hoping for.
7. Portland State (7)---Last week lost at Montana 28-17, this week Northern Colorado at home---The Vikings went into one of the more hostile venues in the conference and fell just short, which has been the mantra of the season. The game this week, against one of the lowly conference foes, is the first time they are favored.
8. Idaho State (6)---Last week lost at Eastern Washington 77-42, this week Idaho at home---Hopes for a good season this year took a slight turn for the worse for the Bengals as they could not stop anything last week and came out on the big short end. They can feel good this weekend, getting a win over their rivals.
9. Weber State (9)---Last week lost at Idaho 31-24, this week Cal Poly at home---The Wildcats may be having a dismal season, but they have not given up as evidence by their close loss on the road last week. Winning the last game can create good feelings going into next year and they hope to get a win this weekend.
10. Cal Poly (11)---Last week beat Sacramento State at home 26-23, this week at Weber State---Catching a team when they are slumping proved beneficial for the Mustangs last week as they were able to secure another conference win. They head out on the road to face another slumping team this weekend.
11. Sacramento State (10)---Last week lost at Cal Poly 26-23, this week UC Davis at home---Once the conference season began, the Hornets nosedived right into the ground and never recovered. They lost last week to one of the perennial doormats of the conference. This week, they have their rivals. A win would feel good.
12. Northern Colorado (12)---Last week lost to Northern Arizona at home 44-3, this week at Portland State---Nothing went right for the Bears last week on either side of the ball and the lopsided loss was the outcome. Unfortunately, there is still one more game to play, a road game on the other end of the conference footprint.
RECAP: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 6-8 in a bunch aways behind. 9 alone. 10-11 behind them, then 12.