Griz Journal 'Sky Power' Ranking: Week 9

1. Montana -- (1st last week) Mathematically, at least, Bobby Hauck’s Griz need one win to clinch a tie for the Big Sky Crown. While the Vikings of Portland State seem to present matchup problems for the Grizzly defense, PSU’s offensive line will have to play its “game of the year” to pull it off. Care for a Blitzkrieg? Each of Montana’s next three foes has revealed some sort of glaring weakness the Grizzlies have exploited so efficiently. If there’s a catbird seat in the Big Sky this year, the Griz are the team about to claim it & settle comfortably in.
2 3, 4, Northern Arizona (2nd last week), Eastern Washington (3rd last week), Montana State (4th last week) Talking points from coaches and media analysts hold out slim playoff chances for each of these “pretenders.” Truth is, all three play each other this week and next week. Wave the postseason bye bye.
5. Weber State -- (6th last week) The Wildcats are the lone team besides the Griz that seems to get better each week. But with a 3-3, 3-5 record, all these Cats can do is spoil it for some other team.
6. Portland State -- (5th  last week) A team with a befuddling propensity for losing. The Vikings run & shoot offense got a kickstart last week from frosh quarterback Drew Hubel, and the Vikings appear to have the "passing-game" guns to score some points on the Griz. But can PSU’s porous defense hold the Griz under 45?
7. Sacramento State -- (7th last week) The 54th Causeway Classic pits two struggling programs -- the 1-7 Hornets against the 3-6 Aggies. Cal Davis will this year record its first losing football season in 38 years.
8. Idaho State -- (8th last week) The annual Border War pitting neighborhood foes with nearly identical losing records appears to favor the homestanding Wildcats.
9. Northern Colorado -- (9th last week) The Bears are not likely to get their second straight win in two seasons this weekend against the Eagles. But, who knows? Maybe next week.