Big Sky Conference Power Rankings: Week 5
We’re heading into Week 6 of the 2018 football season and we’re starting to get some clarity and see the surprise teams showing up. Here’s where we have them ranked:
1. Eastern Washington (STATS FCS Poll: 5, Sagarin Rank: 88)
EWU came to Bozeman and handled Montana State 34-17. The Eagles didn’t play their cleanest game but it was enough to get it done against the Bobcats. They keep their top spot in the Big Sky. Eastern hosts Southern Utah this weekend.
2. UC Davis (STATS FCS Poll: 16, Sagarin Rank: 123)
UC Davis was on a bye week last week but moved up 3 spots in the STATS FCS poll. Davis goes on the road to face Northern Colorado this week in what should be an Aggie’s win.
3. Weber State (STATS FCS Poll: 6, Sagarin Rank: 114)
Weber State was also on a bye week last weekend and has a big road test coming up against Northern Arizona this weekend.
4. Montana (STATS FCS Poll: 14, Sagarin Rank: 119)
The Griz got their first road win of the season as they took down Cal Poly last weekend. Montana returns home to face a weak Portland State squad this weekend and should come out of this game 3-0 in conference play.
5. Idaho State (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 155)
Idaho State owns the biggest leap in our Power Rankings so far this year after taking down Northern Arizona 56-42 in Pocatello. Idaho State has two impressive wins after knocking off North Dakota the week before and is set for their renewed rivalry game this weekend against Idaho. Idaho State is favored at home in this game and looks to keep their hot streak going.
6. Montana State (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 160)
Montana State couldn’t keep up with Eastern Washington last weekend and shot themselves in the foot too many times to take advantage of an Eagles team that wasn’t firing on all cylinders. The offense never really got rolling and costly penalties added up to a 34-17 loss at home. MSU is on a bye this week and hopefully is getting their offense realigned to take on Idaho on October 13th.
7. Sacramento State (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 152)
Sacramento State was on a bye last weekend and will host Cal Poly in Sacramento this weekend. Sac State looked good against the Griz in their previous game and will look to climb the power rankings this weekend against the Poly triple option attack.
8. Northern Arizona (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 158)
No one knows what the hell happened to Case Cookus or when he’ll return. If you google “Case Cookus” the last news was that he was a game time decision about three weeks ago. If Case isn’t back, this NAU team isn’t as dangerous as in years past. A big loss to the surprising Idaho State Bengals will be on their minds when they host a strong Weber State squad this weekend.
9. Idaho (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 172)
Idaho was only able to put up 20 points on Portland State last weekend in their home win against the Vikings. Portland State has allowed a TON of points this year so it makes you wonder how weak the Vandals’ offense is. They stay at #9 due to the lack of success of the bottom 4 in this Power Ranking. A huge game looms this weekend against their new in-state rival Idaho State this weekend.
10. Cal Poly (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 187)
Cal Poly got run over by the Griz last weekend in San Luis Obispo and will have to try and recover with a tough road game in Sacramento this weekend. Sacramento State is favored by nearly two touchdowns so it’ll take everything Cal Poly has to pull this one off.
11. Northern Colorado (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 189)
I’d move the Bears down in the Power Rankings if the teams below them weren’t just as bad right now. The Bears lost at home to North Dakota last weekend and will host UC Davis this weekend. It never seems like anyone plays really well in Greeley so we’ll see if the Bears can keep this one respectable against a really good Aggies team.
12. Southern Utah (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 174)
You almost have to feel bad for Southern Utah. Their schedule has been so brutal and this weekend they have to go to Cheney and play the high flying Eastern Washington Eagles on that disaster of a red field. This probably won’t end well for SUU.
13. Portland State (STATS FCS Poll: NR, Sagarin Rank: 213)
Portland State held Idaho to 20 points last weekend in what has to be looked at as a moral victory for the Vikings. Maybe they’ll take some of that momentum and try to keep it somewhat respectable against the Griz in Missoula this weekend… but we don’t think that’ll happen.
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About the Author
Hot Take Nate Hot Take Nate now resides in Northern California but still calls Montana his home. It'll always be home.
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