Big Sky Predictions 8-31

[JALMOND]

After the week 0 pick, I am at 1-0 and looking to carry forward my perfect streak. Everyone plays in week 1 including Montana State who was the lone participant in week 0. Two games on Thursday and the rest on Saturday. Here are my picks in the conference for this week's games and my attempt to remain perfect.

Thursday

Monmouth (FCS CAA) at EWU---The Eagles get a good test in their first game of the season, a home tilt against a team from the CAA. Will they make it back to the playoffs this year? This should be a good start for them...EWU 31, Monmouth 20.

SAC at San Jose State (FBS Mtn West)---The Hornets are hoping to stay in the playoff chase this year, and remain in contention for the conference crown, but it may be a tall order. The conference already got a good win over the Mtn West. Can they get another?...San Jose State 35, SAC 14.

Saturday

PSU at Washington State (FBS Pac-2)---The Vikings start off their extremely ambitious schedule with one of two games against the FBS. But, their most recent success started with a win at Washington State. Can they must up enough to do it again?...Washington State 31, PSU 14.

Lincoln, CA (NAIA Independent) at NAU---The Lumberjacks get to play against the walking doormat in close proximity to the conference. This should be a great opportunity to try new players and new plays, and still be able to start with a win...NAU 56, Lincoln, CA 7.

UCD at California (FBS ACC)---The Aggies have a strong team coming in, and they make the short trek to play their bigger brothers down the road, who may be a step behind. Do the Aggies have enough to spring an upset on their brethren?...California 28, UCD 21.

ISU at Oregon State (FBS Pac-2)---The Bengals get the opportunity play an upper division foe that had everything up and leave during the summer. Could the Bengals surprise the Pac-2 here and get a win. Are they that strong themselves?...Oregon State 38, ISU 10.

UNC at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland)---What do the Bears have coming back and is it enough to get a win over a strong quality FCS opponent on the road? Well, this is a return game from last year and the Bears didn't do much then...Incarnate Word 38, UNC 14

UI at Oregon (FBS Big 10)---The Vandals have a strong team and will go into this game thinking they can win it, even if it is against one of the top teams in all of FBS. And they do not look past any Big Sky teams either...Oregon 56, UI 14.

CP at San Diego (FCS Pioneer)---The Mustangs may be better than last year on paper but their opponent is as well. The Mustangs could still find themselves on the losing end of this game, even if they play well...San Diego 28, CP 14.

Missouri State (FCS Missouri Valley) at UM---The Grizzlies come storming in loaded on both sides of the ball. They just need to find someone who can steer the ship. Until that happens, their defense will keep them in games, just like last year...UM 31, Missouri State 7.

MSU at Utah Tech (FCS United)---Fresh from their week 0 victory, the Bobcats head back to the FCS ranks and go down the road to play a United foe. Will they be riding the momentum from an impressive FBS win last week and get this one as well?...MSU 35, Utah Tech 14.

WSU at Washington (FBS Big 10)---At least it is not Oregon. The Wildcats will still have their hands full, taking on a new team from the Big 10. Uncertainty and conference play starting next week may force them to treat this as a tryout for better things...Washington 42, WSU 10.

[SuperHornet]

I'll fully admit that I'm biased (and perhaps crazy) on many of these....

I'll accept your EWU prediction.

10/8 Sac State 49, San Jose State 3

Portland State 24, Wazzu 17

NAU 70, Stinkoln Lincoln (sorry/not sorry for borrowing our term for Stockton-Lincoln HS) 0

Cal 45, 17/18 Manure Pile 6

OR State 24, ID State 9

15/14 Incarnate Word 63, N. Colorado 10

FBS 3/3 Oregon 56, 7/7 Idalol 24

I'll stand with JAL's CP-U of SD score.

3/3 Montana 38, SW Missouri State 12

4/4 MT State 49, UT Tech 0

--/22 Weber State 28, Washington 27

[Mvemjsunpx]

Thursday

Monmouth 28-44 EWU — These two teams were similar last year, but the Hawks lost their Big 3 on offense

Sac State 38-41 San Johs State — This figures to be a shootout with SJSU running a new, high-octane offense and Sac rebuilding on D

Saturday

Portland St. 24-52 Abandoned Cougs — In 2015, the Viks upset Wazzu in Bruce Barnum's first game as (interim) head coach… I don't see history repeating

Cal Poly 27-17 San Dileggomyeggo — 3 of Cal Poly's 7 wins in the 2020s have come against the Toreros

UC Davis 17-34 UC Berkeley — The Aggies should be good, but Cal just doesn't lose to FCS teams

Idaho 14-56 Oregano — The Ducks love to kick the piss out of their lower-division brethren

Idaho St. 9-45 Abandoned Beavers — The Bengals begin what figures to be their 41st. straight season without a playoff berth

Weber 10-38 Warshington — The Huskies lost a lot from their national runner-up squad, but I doubt they lost enough to have trouble with Weber

Lincoln (CA) 14-49 NAU — Brian Wright makes his coaching debut in a game that won't give us—or probably him—much info about his team

Misery St. 20-37 Montana — The Bears threw the ball really well last year, but they weren't good at much else

Montana St. 45-14 Utah Tech — Whoever Tommy Mellott's backup is now will likely get some experience in this one

NololColol 13-35 UIW — One of those classic "probably won't be a blowout, but won't be in doubt either" kind of games

[JALMOND]

After the week 0 pick, I am at 1-0 and looking to carry forward my perfect streak. Everyone plays in week 1 including Montana State who was the lone participant in week 0. Two games on Thursday and the rest on Saturday. Here are my picks in the conference for this week's games and my attempt to remain perfect.

Thursday

Monmouth (FCS CAA) at EWU---The Eagles get a good test in their first game of the season, a home tilt against a team from the CAA. Will they make it back to the playoffs this year? This should be a good start for them...EWU 31, Monmouth 20.

SAC at San Jose State (FBS Mtn West)---The Hornets are hoping to stay in the playoff chase this year, and remain in contention for the conference crown, but it may be a tall order. The conference already got a good win over the Mtn West. Can they get another?...San Jose State 35, SAC 14.

Saturday

PSU at Washington State (FBS Pac-2)---The Vikings start off their extremely ambitious schedule with one of two games against the FBS. But, their most recent success started with a win at Washington State. Can they must up enough to do it again?...Washington State 31, PSU 14.

Lincoln, CA (NAIA Independent) at NAU---The Lumberjacks get to play against the walking doormat in close proximity to the conference. This should be a great opportunity to try new players and new plays, and still be able to start with a win...NAU 56, Lincoln, CA 7.

UCD at California (FBS ACC)---The Aggies have a strong team coming in, and they make the short trek to play their bigger brothers down the road, who may be a step behind. Do the Aggies have enough to spring an upset on their brethren?...California 28, UCD 21.

ISU at Oregon State (FBS Pac-2)---The Bengals get the opportunity play an upper division foe that had everything up and leave during the summer. Could the Bengals surprise the Pac-2 here and get a win. Are they that strong themselves?...Oregon State 38, ISU 10.

UNC at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland)---What do the Bears have coming back and is it enough to get a win over a strong quality FCS opponent on the road? Well, this is a return game from last year and the Bears didn't do much then...Incarnate Word 38, UNC 14

UI at Oregon (FBS Big 10)---The Vandals have a strong team and will go into this game thinking they can win it, even if it is against one of the top teams in all of FBS. And they do not look past any Big Sky teams either...Oregon 56, UI 14.

CP at San Diego (FCS Pioneer)---The Mustangs may be better than last year on paper but their opponent is as well. The Mustangs could still find themselves on the losing end of this game, even if they play well...San Diego 28, CP 14.

Missouri State (FCS Missouri Valley) at UM---The Grizzlies come storming in loaded on both sides of the ball. They just need to find someone who can steer the ship. Until that happens, their defense will keep them in games, just like last year...UM 31, Missouri State 7.

MSU at Utah Tech (FCS United)---Fresh from their week 0 victory, the Bobcats head back to the FCS ranks and go down the road to play a United foe. Will they be riding the momentum from an impressive FBS win last week and get this one as well?...MSU 35, Utah Tech 14.

WSU at Washington (FBS Big 10)---At least it is not Oregon. The Wildcats will still have their hands full, taking on a new team from the Big 10. Uncertainty and conference play starting next week may force them to treat this as a tryout for better things...Washington 42, WSU 10.

What do you know, I got the all right. 13-0 to start the year.

[SuperHornet]

Great job, JAL.

I wanted to cry when I saw our second half implosion....

[SDHornet]

Would have missed the Sac State and CP games had I got my picks up on time.