CSJ Big Sky Conference Power Rankings — Week 9

On By Kent Schmidt

1. (1) Northern Arizona (6-2 overall, 5-0 BSC)

Last week: Beat Sacramento State 37-17 at home

This week: at Montana

This is the time of the season in the past that the Lumberjacks have usually taken a plunge downward but this team seems to be getting stronger as the season goes on. In Coach Souers last season, he might just go out as a champion but this week’s road contest in Missoula will really tell us a lot.

2. (3) Southern Utah (6-2, 4-1)

Last week: Beat Northern Colorado 27-14 on the road

This week: vs. North Dakota

The Thunderbirds didn’t give us a complete blowout win last week against one of the bottom BSC teams but still a win is win. SUU should have no problems at home against an injury plagued UND.

3. (4) Weber State (6-2, 4-1)

Last week: Beat Montana 41-27 at home

This week: at Eastern Washington

The Wildcats put an impressive win last week at home against the traditionally strong Grizzlies. Now WSU must hit the road to face an Eagles’ squad coming off a bye—no easy task here.

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

Last week: Bye

This week: vs. Weber State

The bye really came at a good time for the Eagles in the hopes of finishing strong and possibly entering the playoffs. EWU has not been consistent all season—now is the time for this team to show that consistency.

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

Last week lost at Weber State 41-27,

This week vs. Northern Arizona

With a very weak non-conference schedule, Montana must win out (at least in my opinion) to get into the postseason. A win over front-runner NAU will certainly help the Grizzlies case.

6. (7) Montana State (4-4, 4-2)

Last week: Beat Idaho State 28-14 at home,

This week: vs. Kennesaw State

MSU came up big last week in its win over ISU. Probably at the beginning of the season this late non-conference game against Big South newcomer Kennesaw State was seen as an easy late season win but it couldn’t be further from the truth. KSU is leading the Big South and is itching for a key non-conference victory so this won’t be easy for the Bobcats.

7. (6) Sacramento State (4-4, 3-2)

Last week: Lost to Northern Arizona 37-17 on the road

This week: vs. Northern Colorado

The Hornets seemed ripe for the upset at NAU last week but the Lumberjacks were up to the task to take care of business at home. Sac State gets the Bears in what should be an easy victory this week at home.

8. (8) Idaho State (4-5, 2-4)

Last week: Lost to Montana State 28-14 on the road

This week: vs UC-Davis

All and all, the Bengals are exceeding expectations so far. ISU can get to the .500 mark with a win over the Aggies at home this week.

9. (10) North Dakota (3-6, 2-4)

Last week: Beat Portland State 48-21 on the road

This week: at Southern Utah

The Hawks looked impressive last week especially in the third quarter after trailing at the half. Now an even tougher opponent awaits UND this week.

10. (9) UC-Davis (4-4, 2-3)

Last week beat Cal Poly 31-28 at home

This week at Idaho State

The Aggies have proven one thing this year that they can compete with anyone in this league. The wins haven’t come in these games but this team looks like it is on the right track.

11. (11) orthern Colorado (11)—Last week lost to Southern Utah at home 27-14, this week at Sacramento State—One week the Bears offense looks great, but they can’t stop anyone. The next week the defense shuts down the opponent, yet the offense can’t get on track. Which team will show up this weekend.

12. (13) Cal Poly (0-8, 0-5)

Last week Lost to UC-Davis 31-28 on the road

This week: vs. Portland State at home

The Mustangs are improving and bodes well against the basement battle with the Vikings this week. Someone will come away with the first victory of the season.

13. (12) Portland State (0-8, 0-5)

Last week: Lost to North Dakota 48-21 at home

This week at Cal Poly

The Vikings are young but at this stage of the season this team really should be showing signs of coming to life but it seems they really going in the other direction. A road trip against another winless team this week will see if this team really wants to compete or if the pretty much mailed it in.

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