CSJ Big Sky Conference Power Rankings — Week 8

On By Kent Schmidt

The Big Sky Conference is down to just one undefeated team in conference play in Northern Arizona as its other undefeated team in Eastern Washington fell at Southern Utah. Montana seems also poised to be in the running too.

The last four weeks of the regular season should be fun to see how this league plays out.

Here are this week’s power rankings with last week’s ranking in parenthesis.

 

  1. (1) Northern Arizona (5-2 overall, 4-0 BSC)

Last week: Beat UC-Davis 45-31 at home

This week: vs. Sacramento State

The Lumberjacks have faded in recent years but that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. NAU gets Sac State at home in its push for a Big Sky title.

2. (3) Montana (5-2, 3-1)

Last week: Bye

This week: at Weber State

The Grizzlies seem to be embracing their freshman signal caller but a tough road test in Ogden this week will really tell us where this team is.

3. (7) Southern Utah (5-2, 3-1)

Last week: Beat Eastern Washington 46-28 at home,

This week: at Northern Colorado

In search of respect, the normally hot and cold Thunderbirds have been on fire lately, knocking down two conference heavyweights in the last two weeks. Could this week be a possible trap game?

4. (4) Weber State (5-2, 3-1)

Last week: Beat Cal Poly 17-3 on the road

This week: vs. Montana at home

The Wildcats righted the ship last week with a very good defensive game at Cal Poly. Playing Montana this week at home should tell us if this team is really ready to contend for the league title.

5. (2) Eastern Washington (5-3, 4-1)

Last week: Lost to Southern Utah 46-28 on the road

This week: Bye

The Eagles were riding a nice five game winning streak but that came to an end in the trip last week to Cedar City. EWU hopes to use this week’s bye to right the ship.

6. (6) Sacramento State (4-3, 3-1)

Last week: Beat North Dakota 34-27 on the road

This week: at Northern Arizona

The Hornets won at a very tough place to play in Grand Forks last week. Another indoor game at NAU will prove to be even tougher.

  1. (5) Montana State (3-4, 3-2)

Last week Beat Northern Colorado 27-24 on the road

This week: vs. Idaho State

The Bobcats eked out a road victory against the Bears. Now MSU gets a home game against Idaho State to try to keep the slim playoff hopes in tack.

8. (10) Idaho State (4-4, 2-3)

Last week: Beat Portland State 59-30 at home

This week: at Montana State

The Bengals have been good at home inside their dome. The road, however, has been a different story. Can that course be changed this week with a trip to Bozeman?

9. (8) UC Davis (3-4, 1-3)

Last week lost at Northern Arizona 45-31

This week: vs. Cal Poly

The Aggies have been able to compete against the lower teams but when the upper echelon teams are the schedule this team can’t quite compete yet. A lower team this week at home should get this team to the .500 mark.

10. (9) North Dakota (2-6, 1-4)

Last week: Lost to Sacramento State 34-27 at home

This week: at Portland State

The Hawks depth has been exposed this year with all the injuries. A road trip at winless PSU just might give UND a little momentum in trying to finish the season strong.

11. (11) Northern Colorado (2-4, 1-3)

Last week lost to Montana State 27-24 at home

This week: vs. Southern Utah

The Bears pretty much let a victory get away last week against MSU. Now an even tough opponent comes to Greeley in SUU.

12. (12) Portland State (0-7, 0-4)

Last week lost to Idaho State 59-30 on the road

This week: vs. North Dakota

The Vikings have looked good this season at times but can’t seem to pull it together for a full game. Can they do it this week against UND and get win number one?

13. (13) Cal Poly (0-7, 0-4)

Last week: Lost to Weber State 17-3 at home

This week: at UC Davis

Being winless was not the plan to this point for the Mustangs. The defense has played well but the offense has not been is normal self. Maybe the rivalry game against UC Davis can get this team its first win.

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