Big Sky Power Rankings 10-12

[JALMOND]

Columbus Day weekend is usually the halfway point of the college football season, and what a race we have in the Big Sky. The Big Bear (Montana) is still on top, as usual, but there are five teams with only one conference loss, including usual bottom feeder, Sacramento State. Granted the Hornets do not really have what could be a "wow" win, but there they are, running with the big boys. This week's power rankings in the Big Sky. All are solely my opinion and all are up for discussion. This week (last week)

1. Montana (1)---For all that goes on behind them, the Grizzlies are looking forward. They gave Great West's Cal Poly hope for three quarters, then shut the door on them. This week, they welcome Eastern Washington to the friendly confines of Wash-Griz. Then again, the Eagles seem to play them close in Missoula.

2. Weber State (4)---After struggling at home against Montana State a couple weeks ago, the Wildcats returned to the second spot after a gutsy road win at Eastern Washington. A total team effort to shut down the Eagles. Are they back on? This week, yes, but this weekend they face the upstart Sacramento State team at home. Montana State beat them at home, did the Wildcats learn their lesson?

3. Northern Arizona (5)---Is this the year for the Jacks? Their only conference loss is an overtime loss to Montana, after they got the win last week in the snow and cold at Montana State. A good, tough win for a team that plays their games indoors. This week, they do not have to worry about snow, but they might get rained on as they head to Portland State. Can they keep the train going?

4. Montana State (3)---The Bobcats were riding high after their win on the road at Weber State that they were feeling great about playing Northern Arizona in the snow. The problem for the Bobcats was that they were the ones sliding around, unable to contain the Jacks. This week, they take a break from the conference schedule and welcome the Great West's South Dakota. The Bobcats need the win to right the ship, will they get it?

5. Eastern Washington (2)---The Eagles were all set for their real test against one of the conference's big teams as they welcomed Weber State last week. Then the game began and problems arose for the Eagles. A total team meltdown starting three minutes from halftime proved their undoing. The Eagles still need a strong performance. They have an opportunity this week as they head to face Montana. The Eagles have had more success at Wash-Griz than pretty much anyone in the conference. Any magic left?

6. Sacramento State (6)---So forget that the Hornets do not really have a quality win to be included in the talk of the top teams. After doing what the best teams in the conference do, that is doing away with Idaho State, they have one conference loss and they have earned the right to be included, at least for this week. Will it continue? Remains to be seen as they head to Weber State this week.

7. Portland State (8)---The Vikings had struggled mightily on the road in the Glanville era, not getting a road win in two years. Then the cold and snow covered the Northern Colorado campus and things did not look too well for the Vikings. However, at the end, they were victorious. Back to business, and back to rain, as the Vikings will host Northern Arizona this week. Can they get a big win at home?

8. Northern Colorado (7)---After a good performance at Northern Arizona, the Bears were looking to build on it, in the snow against Portland State. However, the Bears could not hold on, and watched as victory slipped from their grasp. This week, they hope to find their offense as they head to play Idaho State. At least they do not have to worry about the weather.

9. Idaho State (9)---Easy to place the top team, and easy to place the bottom team. Last week, the Bengals lost to Sacramento State, leaving them still searching for their first win. Will they get it? This week, they welcome Northern Colorado, a team that, at times, has looked as inept as the Bengals. Is this the chance the Bengals have been waiting for.

[Proud Griz Man]

Surprised to hear about EWU's 2nd quarter meltdown. Don't know which EWU to expect this coming saturday Was not surprised to hear that Weber bounced back. NAU really appears to be playing much better. Sac State and Portland State and No Colorado are talented but erratic.

[CopperCat]

NAU is much better than people give them credit for. MSU is WORSE than previously thought, and Weber has incredible resiliency to get that win on the road in Cheney. In my mind, the BSC discussion right now involves UM obviously, with either Weber or EWU in a distant second. NAU isn't done yet, but they will have to create some fireworks to give themselves a shot at the postseason.

On a side note, MSU's offense is pathetic. We have no offensive diversity in our play calling. No screens at all, we never throw to the TE's, and our best WR never gets any touches. And the secondary has become soft, to say the least. If you want to know how to burn us downfield, just throw it over the middle. Works every time for at least 8 yards.

[Silenoz]

EWU, WSU, and MSU are all really hard to read at this point. Odds are good we lose one of those games.... anybody's guess which one it might be though

[Native]

EWU, WSU, and MSU are all really hard to read at this point. Odds are good we lose one of those games.... anybody's guess which one it might be though

If the Wildcat offense plays without so many mistakes and the "good" defense shows up, it could be Weber State to win in Missoula. This is what happened last week when WSU beat the odds in Cheney. Weber certainly won in Ogden last year and did not get blown out at WA GRIZ in the playoffs. Weber must win out the rest of their schedule to obtain 8 DI wins, but one more loss to UM might not knock them out of the playoff picture depending on who else wins and loses.

Eastern Washington has had past success at WA GRIZ. We will find out soon enough if they can beat the GRIZ, as the Eagles travel to Missoula this weekend. It will be interesting to see if they can bounce back from last week's loss at home to Weber. The jury is still out as to whether the Eagles will be eligible for post season play.

Montana State did not look too good in the loss at home to Northern Arizona. To get back on track, they will need to beat South Dakota this week, and then EWU the following week. The Eags could be a little down the week after traveling to Missoula and might be vulnerable.

NAU (3-2) has already lost to the Griz in OT but could win out the rest of their conference schedule to finish with eight DI wins and make it to the playoffs. The Lumberjacks must face Weber on the road the week after playing Mississippi State, and before entertaining Eastern Washington in the final game of the season.

[Walkon79]

I would flip-flop MSU and EWU right now, until our offense can show some consistency and prove they can finish drives!!

[JALMOND]

If the Wildcat offense plays without so many mistakes and the "good" defense shows up, it could be Weber State to win in Missoula. This is what happened last week when WSU beat the odds in Cheney. Weber certainly won in Ogden last year and did not get blown out at WA GRIZ in the playoffs. Weber must win out the rest of their schedule to obtain 8 DI wins, but one more loss to UM might not knock them out of the playoff picture depending on who else wins and loses.

Eastern Washington has had past success at WA GRIZ. We will find out soon enough if they can beat the GRIZ, as the Eagles travel to Missoula this weekend. It will be interesting to see if they can bounce back from last week's loss at home to Weber. The jury is still out as to whether the Eagles will be eligible for post season play.

Montana State did not look too good in the loss at home to Northern Arizona. To get back on track, they will need to beat South Dakota this week, and then EWU the following week. The Eags could be a little down the week after traveling to Missoula and might be vulnerable.

NAU (3-2) has already lost to the Griz in OT but could win out the rest of their conference schedule to finish with eight DI wins and make it to the playoffs. The Lumberjacks must face Weber on the road the week after playing Mississippi State, and before entertaining Eastern Washington in the final game of the season.

Jacks play Ole Miss late, not Mississippi State.

Don't look past the next two games for Weber before Halloween. Wildcats had problems at home with Northern Colorado last year, and Sacramento State could cause the same type of problems. Both games Weber should win, but they should have beaten Montana State at home and didn't. The Hornets have the ability to surprise this weekend. Whether they will remains to be seen. Weber plays like they did last week, Hornets will not have a chance. But if they play like they did against Portland State (or from what I hear, Montana State), the Hornets could catch them napping. Don't start thinking about Halloween yet.

[EdubAlum]

I'm willing to guess Idaho state goes the whole season without a victory, anyone else?

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I'm willing to guess Idaho state goes the whole season without a victory, anyone else?

As long as they loose on Nov 7th, I don't care what they do. xnodx:D

And nice run down as always Jalmond, I always like your analysis of the conference. xthumbsupx

[Native]

Jacks play Ole Miss late, not Mississippi State.

Don't look past the next two games for Weber before Halloween. Wildcats had problems at home with Northern Colorado last year, and Sacramento State could cause the same type of problems. Both games Weber should win, but they should have beaten Montana State at home and didn't. The Hornets have the ability to surprise this weekend. Whether they will remains to be seen. Weber plays like they did last week, Hornets will not have a chance. But if they play like they did against Portland State (or from what I hear, Montana State), the Hornets could catch them napping. Don't start thinking about Halloween yet.

Yup Ole Miss indeed. My post was a specific response to a specific thread, but you are right about not looking past any teams.

The Wildcats will have trouble any time Higgins turns over the ball more than once in a game, and they will most likely win any game in which we don't turn over the ball.

The following analysis is from a blogger named "SWeberCat02" on the Weber State fan forum:

"...Weber is 3-5 in its last 8 games, dating back to the last 3 games of 2008. In the three wins (@ Cal Poly, Idaho St, and @ Portland St), Higgins did not turn the ball over. In the five losses (E Wash, @ Montana, @ Wyoming, @ Colorado St, and Montana St), Higgins had 17 turnovers (4 against E Wash, 2 against Montana, 5 against Wyoming, 3 against Colorado St, and 3 against Montana St). Of these 17 turnovers, 15 were interceptions and 2 were fumbles. But Weber can usually survive 1 turnover by Higgins. If you look at all of last season and this season (19 games) Weber is 11-1 when Higgins has no more than 1 turnover, and 1-6 when he has 2 or more turnovers. The only exceptions to this was when Higgins had 4 turnovers (1 INT, 3 fumbles lost) in a 17-10 win vs. N Colorado, and had 1 turnover (1 fumble lost) in a 21-37 loss @ Utah...."

http://www.bigskyfans.com/wildcats/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=955&p=8162&hilit=turnover#p8162

[uofmman1122]

Yup Ole Miss indeed. My post was a specific response to a specific thread, but you are right about not looking past any teams.

The Wildcats will have trouble any time Higgins turns over the ball more than once in a game, and they will most likely win any game in which we don't turn over the ball.

The following analysis is from a blogger named "SWeberCat02" on the Weber State fan forum:

"...Weber is 3-5 in its last 8 games, dating back to the last 3 games of 2008. In the three wins (@ Cal Poly, Idaho St, and @ Portland St), Higgins did not turn the ball over. In the five losses (E Wash, @ Montana, @ Wyoming, @ Colorado St, and Montana St), Higgins had 17 turnovers (4 against E Wash, 2 against Montana, 5 against Wyoming, 3 against Colorado St, and 3 against Montana St). Of these 17 turnovers, 15 were interceptions and 2 were fumbles. But Weber can usually survive 1 turnover by Higgins. If you look at all of last season and this season (19 games) Weber is 11-1 when Higgins has no more than 1 turnover, and 1-6 when he has 2 or more turnovers. The only exceptions to this was when Higgins had 4 turnovers (1 INT, 3 fumbles lost) in a 17-10 win vs. N Colorado, and had 1 turnover (1 fumble lost) in a 21-37 loss @ Utah...."

http://www.bigskyfans.com/wildcats/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=955&p=8162&hilit=turnover#p8162Although, on the flip side of that, Montana proved last week that we're good enough to beat a really good team even when we make a ton of mistakes.

5 turnovers, yet we still won 35-23. xeekx

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Although, on the flip side of that, Montana proved last week that we're good enough to beat a really good team even when we make a ton of mistakes.

5 turnovers, yet we still won 35-23. xeekx

Maybe so, but we gotta clean that up, my heart can't take much more of it! xnodxxcoffeex

[Native]

Although, on the flip side of that, Montana proved last week that we're good enough to beat a really good team even when we make a ton of mistakes.

5 turnovers, yet we still won 35-23. xeekx

Yup. That fact could not escape notice. What is your take on Cal Poly? Are they the real deal this year?

[gbhmt]

Yup. That fact could not escape notice. What is your take on Cal Poly? Are they the real deal this year?

They really miss having a QB like Dally, but they're still very solid. I'd still put them over Davis for the top of GW. Much better defense than before though, that's a change for them.

[Native]

They really miss having a QB like Dally, but they're still very solid. I'd still put them over Davis for the top of GW. Much better defense than before though, that's a change for them.

As expected then. The offense is not as good as last year but the defense is better than 2008.