Cat Central

Big Win Keeps MSU Number 2 In the Country

Posted: Nov 12, 2012 12:15 PM by Mark Freeman
Updated: Nov 12, 2012 12:21 PM

BOZEMAN - Montana State's (9-1) 65-30 blowout victory over Portland State this weekend kept the Cats sitting tight at number two in the country in The Sports Network's FCS Top 25 poll released today. The big news this weekend was also the overtime loss Northern Arizona (8-2) suffered at the hands of Southern Utah (5-6). According to the Big Sky Conference, this now opens up quite a few scenarios to determine the conference champion:

If MSU, Eastern Washington (8-2) and Cal Poly (8-2) tie at 7-1 in conference play, the automatic bid would go to Eastern Washington. All three teams would have played Sacramento State (6-4) in league games. Cal Poly would be eliminated because of a loss to the Hornets. MSU and EWU both beat Sac State, so the tiebreaker would revert to the head-to-head meeting between MSU and EWU, which the Eagles won.

If MSU, EWU and Northern Arizona tie at 7-1, the automatic bid would go to Montana State. All three teams would have played Southern Utah, and Montana State is the only one of the three to have a win over the Thunderbirds.

If EWU and Cal Poly tie at 7-1, EWU would get the automatic bid because of a head-to-head win over the Mustangs.

If MSU and Cal Poly tie at 7-1, MSU would get automatic win because of its win over Sacramento State.

If MSU and NAU tie at 7-1, MSU would get the automatic bid because of the Bobcats' win over
Southern Utah.

Quite a few scenarios to think about but that's all assuming one thing: Montana State can secure a victory over Montana this coming weekend in Misosula.

The entire Top 25 Poll is listed below (Bold indicates Big Sky Conference member):

1. North Dakota State Bison (9-1)
2. Montana State Bobcats (9-1)
3. Sam Houston State Bearkats (8-2)
4. Old Dominion Monarchs (9-1)
5. Eastern Washington Eagles (8-2)
6. Georgia Southern Eagles (8-2)
7. New Hampshire Wildcats (8-2)
8. Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-3)
9. Wofford Terriers (8-2)
10. Central Arkansas Bears (8-2)
11. Illinois State Redbirds (8-2)
12. Stony Brook Seawolves (9-2)
13. James Madison Dukes (7-3)
14. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (9-1)
15. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (8-2)
16. Villanova Wildcats (7-3)
17. Cal Poly Mustangs (8-2)
18. Indiana State Sycamores (7-3)
19. Towson Tigers (6-4)
20. Richmond Spiders (7-3)
21. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7-3)
22. Eastern Kentucky Colonels (8-3)
23. Tennessee State Tigers (8-2)
24. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (8-2)
25. Eastern Illinois Panthers (7-3)