Big Sky Conference Power Rankings: Week 2

With the rest of the college football world, the Big Sky Conference kicked off the season with plenty of intrigue and excitement.

While the first week of action didn’t see many surprising results around the conference, there were many highlights, including Eastern Washington’s win in the Kibbie Dome over Idaho, Montana’s statement in the run game against South Dakota, and North Dakota’s huge 66-0 shutout victory.

With only one week of games in the books, there isn’t much movement in this week’s rankings. However, there is a change at the top from the preseason conference rankings.

Without further ado, let’s get to it.

1. Eastern Washington Eagles

Preseason ranking: 2

Last week: Won 20-3 @ Idaho

This week: @ Washington State

No matter the opponent, winning a game against an FBS foe will get you recognized in the FCS world.  Not only did Eastern Washington beat Idaho, but the game was never really in question, and that’s why Eastern Washington makes the leap to #1 in this week’s Big Sky Power Rankings.  WR Brandon Kaufman made five catches for 148 yards for the Eagles.  Although Eastern Washington QB Kyle Padron only completed 13 of 33 passes, he still threw for 260 yards and a touchdown.

2. Montana State Bobcats

Preseason ranking: 1

Last week: Won 33-6 vs. Chadron State

This week: @ Drake

The Bobcats didn’t do anything too fancy in week one, but still had a solid performance that was enough to put away Chadron State in the first night game of Bobcat Stadium’s history.  Payton Award candidate QB Denarius McGhee passed for four touchdowns.  Additionally, RB Orenzo Davis, who made his return on the field after sitting out the 2011 season because of academics, rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown.

3. Montana Grizzlies

Preseason ranking: 3

Last week: Won 35-24 vs. South Dakota

This week: @ Appalachian State

After an off season full of turmoil, the Grizzlies came out with a solid performance against South Dakota.  Most notably, the Montana run game dominated with two 100+ yard rushers in Dan Moore (148 yards) and Peter Nguyen (102 yards).  QB Trent McKinney played a solid game in his first collegiate appearance going 26-of-32 for 214 yards and two touchdowns.  Additionally, the Grizzlies had an outstanding 34 first downs in the game.

4. Weber State Wildcats

Preseason Ranking: 4

Last week: Lost 37-10 @ Fresno State

This week: @ BYU

Although the Wildcats struggled against a decent FBS Fresno State team, Weber State QB Mike Hoke did complete 25 of 32 passes for 202 yards.  Next week, the Wildcats will take on a BYU team that put in a great performance against Mike Leach’s Washington State Cougars in week one.

5. Cal Poly Mustangs

Preseason Ranking: 7

Last week: Won 41-14 vs. San Diego

This week: Bye

For taking on and easily defeating another FCS opponent in San Diego, the Mustangs make a slight leap up in the power rankings to #5.  QB Andre Broadous led Cal Poly in more ways than one with 135 passing yards, 113 yards on the ground, and four total touchdowns.  RB Deonte Williams added another another 109 yards rushing for the Mustangs.

6. Portland State Vikings

Preseason ranking: 6

Last week: Won 38-20 vs. Carroll College

This week: @ North Dakota (non-conference)

NAIA Carroll College kept up with Portland State for most of the game, but ultimately the Vikings pulled away for the victory.  Viking RB D.J. Adams rushed for two touchdowns while QB Kieran McDonagh passed for two more.  Additionally, LB Jaycob Shoemaker had a 32-yard interception return late in the first quarter.

7. Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Preseason ranking: 5

Last week: Lost 34-3 @ Utah State

This week: @ California

Many expected Southern Utah to at least be competitive against Utah State, but the Aggies never left the game in doubt.  Utah State did an outstanding job putting pressure on and containing Payton Award candidate QB Brad Sorensen who only completed 12 of 31 passes for 153 yards.  Additionally, the Thunderbird defense gave up 581 total yards of offense to Utah State.

8. North Dakota

Preseason ranking: 8

Last week: Won 66-0 vs. South Dakota Mines

This week: vs. Portland State (non-conference)

In the Big Sky Conference “whooping of the week”, North Dakota put up a school record 653 yards of total offense along with 66 points.  RB Jake Miller rushed for 178 yards as quarterbacks Braden Hanson and Marcus Hendrickson split time behind center.  North Dakota limited the Division II Independent Hardrockers to only 142 yards of total offense.

9. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

Preseason ranking: 9

Last week: Lost 63-6 @ Arizona State

This week: @ UNLV

Arizona State simply dominated the Lumberjacks throughout the entire game.  To make matters worse, Northern Arizona lost both QB Cary Grossart and RB Zach Bauman due to injury in the second quarter.  The Lumberjacks gave up 554 total yards and three turnovers.

10. Idaho State Bengals

Preseason ranking: 10

Last week: Lost 49-21 @ Air Force

This week: vs. Black Hills State

Air Force put in a blowout performance against Idaho State, along with 484 yards rushing by the Falcons.  The Bengals did, however, put up yards in the passing game thanks to QB Kevin Yost with 355 along with two touchdowns.

Preseason ranking: 11

Last week: Won 41-3 vs. Azuza Pacific

This week: @ San Jose State

As expected, UC Davis overwhelmed Azuza Pacific on Saturday.  RB Marquis Nicholis led the Aggies with 79 yards rushing and Dalton Turay punched the ball in for two of UC Davis’s four rushing touchdowns.  QB Randy Wright went 13-of-19 for 166 yards and a touchdown.

12. Sacramento State Hornets

Preseason ranking: 12

Last week: Lost 49-19 @ New Mexico State

This week: @ Colorado

The Hornets trailed the entire game against the FBS Aggies on Thursday.  Hornet QB Garrett Safron threw two touchdown passes along with going 23-of-35 for 308 yards.  Sacramento State will hit the road again to play another FBS team in Colorado this upcoming week.

13. Northern Colorado Bears

Preseason ranking: 13

Last week: Lost 41-0 @ Utah

This week: vs. Colorado Mesa

As expected, Northern Colorado didn’t put up much of a fight against Utah only putting up 114 yards of offense and giving up 41 points.  A bright spot for the Bears, if any, was LB Clarence Bumpas who continued to lead the Northern Colorado defense with 10 tackles.  Fortunately, the Bears will have a decent opportunity next week for their first victory since November 13, 2010 over Portland State.