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This is the first in a series ranking the Big Sky players from the Billings Gazette's Cat-Griz Insider Blog:

TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS
1 - Michael Herrick, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Big, accurate and primed for a huge year.

2 - Cameron Higgins, Sr., Weber State
Comment: Threw 83 TDs in the last three seasons.

3 - Andrew Selle, Sr., Montana
Comment: Ready to prove last year was no fluke.

4 - Bo Levi Mitchell, Jr., Eastern Washington
Comment: All eyes are on the talented SMU transfer.

5 - Drew Hubel, Sr., Portland State
Comment: Back from injury; dangerous when healthy.

6 - Cody Kempt, Sr., Montana State
Comment: Has one more chance to prove his worth.

7 - McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Sacramento State
Comment: Solid as the starter at the end of last season.

8 - Justin Roper, Sr., Montana
Comment: The best backup in the league, maybe the FCS.

9 - Dylan Orms, Jr., Northern Colorado
Comment: Has shown flashes. Can he be a good starter?

10 - Russel Hill, Sr., Idaho State
Comment: Pocket passer needs tons of help in Pocatello.

Okay, the blood's in the water. Ready...set.....GO!!

I would probably put Selle above Higgins, based on consistency. Higgins looks like a first rounder one game, then absolutely horrid the next.

Bethel-Thompson could end the season higher, too.

Very good analysis. Here's what I have:

1. Herrick (NAU): Very accurate, gets the ball away quickly, tremendous defensive reads and eludes rush in the pocket.
2. Selle (UM): Perfect QB for Montana, doesn't make mistakes, will not turn the ball over, great game manager
3. Higgins (WSU): Has digressed since phenomonal soph year, good passer and good escapability, system QB
4. Mitchell (EWU): Big Sky debut, will be compared to Nichols until he proves himself, good stats at SMU
5. Kempt (MSU): Hard to tell in Bobcat system based on the run; another good game manager
6. Hubel (PSU): Was prolific in Glanville's "run & shoot", time will tell in new coach's scheme, pocket passer
7. Roper (UM): Why he transferred to UM, I'll never know, without an injury, he'll only back up Selle
8. Bethel-Thompson (SAC): Average thrower, average runner on an average team
9. Orums (NC): Good athlete at QB, will need to show he can deliver the ball on time when it counts
10. Hill (ISU): Plays "Target" on bad offensive team, make sure insurance is paid, long year for QB

BigSkyFootball wrote:Very good analysis. Here's what I have:

1. Herrick (NAU): Very accurate, gets the ball away quickly, tremendous defensive reads and eludes rush in the pocket.
2. Selle (UM): Perfect QB for Montana, doesn't make mistakes, will not turn the ball over, great game manager
3. Higgins (WSU): Has digressed since phenomonal soph year, good passer and good escapability, system QB
4. Mitchell (EWU): Big Sky debut, will be compared to Nichols until he proves himself, good stats at SMU
5. Kempt (MSU): Hard to tell in Bobcat system based on the run; another good game manager
6. Hubel (PSU): Was prolific in Glanville's "run & shoot", time will tell in new coach's scheme, pocket passer
7. Roper (UM): Why he transferred to UM, I'll never know, without an injury, he'll only back up Selle
8. Bethel-Thompson (SAC): Average thrower, average runner on an average team
9. Orums (NC): Good athlete at QB, will need to show he can deliver the ball on time when it counts
10. Hill (ISU): Plays "Target" on bad offensive team, make sure insurance is paid, long year for QB

I agree except for the average runner part, he's pretty slow and usually goes head to head with defensive guys rather than sliding. As far as accuracy goes, I'd put him a little higher than average.

Not really sure if Hubel will start this year. Sat out all of spring ball while the other QB's were learning the new system. Hubel is not really your prototype quarterback in this pistol offense as he is more of a run and shoot kind (good reads, good arm, but teammates call him "Big Bird" when it comes to his running ability). Both Kavanaugh and Engstrum had good spring practices but nothing to really wow the coaches so Hubel will probably be number 1 at the start of fall ball. It does seem that the ideal quarterback in this pistol offense is someone with Hubel's abilities and Kavanaugh's legs. Entering fall practice last year it was definite that Hubel would start, but this year I put it as "probably".

I don't really have any qualms with the ranking, but I think the only reason BLM is behind Higgins and Selle is because he hasn't played a game yet at this level (obviously). Pure conjecture here, but if they reranked them at the end of the season, I'd put my money on BLM finishing right behind Herrick.

I also think that with Montana's semi-new Air Bear attack, Selle is going to throw a lot more picks this year. Not as many as Higgins of course.

just wondering: why did Mitchell leave SMU? I didn't keep up with them at all, did Padron beat him out? or did he leave before that?

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:I also think that with Montana's semi-new Air Bear attack, Selle is going to throw a lot more picks this year. Not as many as Higgins of course.

That could very well be true, but I'd wager he'll also throw a lot more TDs. Maybe more than Higgins.

SouthDakotaGrizzly wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:I also think that with Montana's semi-new Air Bear attack, Selle is going to throw a lot more picks this year. Not as many as Higgins of course.

That could very well be true, but I'd wager he'll also throw a lot more TDs. Maybe more than Higgins.

I have no doubt about that. Ursus is all smug about this Air Bear attack under Plfu because he's worked it there before, but it's still a new scheme for the players, and especially Selle to learn. In some respects it's like having a transfer (like BLM) in that yeah, he has a fair amount of experience playing, but he still has to learn a new system, which comes with setbacks. Time will tell how big those setbacks are. I'm gonna go with 3 losses.

tampajag wrote:just wondering: why did Mitchell leave SMU? I didn't keep up with them at all, did Padron beat him out? or did he leave before that?

From what I understand he got injured (nothing serious), and once Padron came in, they started winning games, so BLM lost his starting job. He was also recruited out of HS by EWU and was very close to committing, but then June Jones left for Hawaii to SMU, Levi followed.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

SouthDakotaGrizzly wrote:
That could very well be true, but I'd wager he'll also throw a lot more TDs. Maybe more than Higgins.

I have no doubt about that. Ursus is all smug about this Air Bear attack under Plfu because he's worked it there before, but it's still a new scheme for the players, and especially Selle to learn. In some respects it's like having a transfer (like BLM) in that yeah, he has a fair amount of experience playing, but he still has to learn a new system, which comes with setbacks. Time will tell how big those setbacks are. I'm gonna go with 3 losses.

Dude do you have an idea of how bad learning a new system hurts UM traditionally? It doesn't. Does that mean we won't have a few growing pains...no. But you keep selling this shit like it is a huge factor when it has not been a huge factor in the past 25 years. I just can't figure out why you are putting so much stock in it when there is NOTHING to base it on. BTW, Pflu has a more seamless transition since he watched the talent and coached it all last year. I would imagine that his system will be somewhat a hybrid of what was done previously and what he is looking toward moving it to. Your reliance on conjecture as if it is nearly fact is what I don't get at all.

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
I have no doubt about that. Ursus is all smug about this Air Bear attack under Plfu because he's worked it there before, but it's still a new scheme for the players, and especially Selle to learn. In some respects it's like having a transfer (like BLM) in that yeah, he has a fair amount of experience playing, but he still has to learn a new system, which comes with setbacks. Time will tell how big those setbacks are. I'm gonna go with 3 losses.

Dude do you have an idea of how bad learning a new system hurts UM traditionally? It doesn't. Does that mean we won't have a few growing pains...no. But you keep selling this shit like it is a huge factor when it has not been a huge factor in the past 25 years. I just can't figure out why you are putting so much stock in it when there is NOTHING to base it on. BTW, Pflu has a more seamless transition since he watched the talent and coached it all last year. I would imagine that his system will be somewhat a hybrid of what was done previously and what he is looking toward moving it to. Your reliance on conjecture as if it is nearly fact is what I don't get at all.

Hook, line and sinker baby!

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote: Dude do you have an idea of how bad learning a new system hurts UM traditionally? It doesn't. Does that mean we won't have a few growing pains...no. But you keep selling this shit like it is a huge factor when it has not been a huge factor in the past 25 years. I just can't figure out why you are putting so much stock in it when there is NOTHING to base it on. BTW, Pflu has a more seamless transition since he watched the talent and coached it all last year. I would imagine that his system will be somewhat a hybrid of what was done previously and what he is looking toward moving it to. Your reliance on conjecture as if it is nearly fact is what I don't get at all.

Hook, line and sinker baby!

Sure. You really got me goin'. Of course if that is the angle you've been working then you have been working it for months to get that little of a reaction.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

tampajag wrote:just wondering: why did Mitchell leave SMU? I didn't keep up with them at all, did Padron beat him out? or did he leave before that?

From what I understand he got injured (nothing serious), and once Padron came in, they started winning games, so BLM lost his starting job. He was also recruited out of HS by EWU and was very close to committing, but then June Jones left for Hawaii to SMU, Levi followed.

thanks!

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
Hook, line and sinker baby!

Sure. You really got me goin'. Of course if that is the angle you've been working then you have been working it for months to get that little of a reaction.

I never really put a whole lot into it.

You're welcome.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote: Sure. You really got me goin'. Of course if that is the angle you've been working then you have been working it for months to get that little of a reaction.

I never really put a whole lot into it.

You're lying. I know you and anything beyond monosyllables is a chore.

You waited all that time for that?

You need better bait brother.

You're welcome.

am I

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:I know you

[youtube][/youtube] (no homo )

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote: You waited all that time for that?

I was never waiting.

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote: You need better bait brother.

How about this?

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:am I

Yes

You're ALL wrong....

1. Dom Carmazzi









2. Everyone Else

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote: You waited all that time for that?

I was never waiting.

Sure you were. It's either that, or you are flat silly based on experience. I'd stick with the bait & wait angle.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote: You need better bait brother.

How about this?

Looking up.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:am I

Yes

goodfayou.

SuperHornet wrote:You're ALL wrong....

1. Dom Carmazzi









2. Everyone Else

How bout we put some coin on that?

Dayum. It has nothing to do with FCS, but at this point, who gives a shit.

It'll end up the way SDG put it up, with Selle and Higgins switching, and BLM taking over Higgins.

So,

1. Herrick
2. Selle
3. Mitchell
4. Higgins
...
..
.

SouthDakotaGrizzly wrote:This is the first in a series ranking the Big Sky players from the Billings Gazette's Cat-Griz Insider Blog:

TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS
1 - Michael Herrick, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Big, accurate and primed for a huge year.

2 - Cameron Higgins, Sr., Weber State
Comment: Threw 83 TDs in the last three seasons.

3 - Andrew Selle, Sr., Montana
Comment: Ready to prove last year was no fluke.

4 - Bo Levi Mitchell, Jr., Eastern Washington
Comment: All eyes are on the talented SMU transfer.

5 - Drew Hubel, Sr., Portland State
Comment: Back from injury; dangerous when healthy.

6 - Cody Kempt, Sr., Montana State
Comment: Has one more chance to prove his worth.

7 - McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Sacramento State
Comment: Solid as the starter at the end of last season.

8 - Justin Roper, Sr., Montana
Comment: The best backup in the league, maybe the FCS.

9 - Dylan Orms, Jr., Northern Colorado
Comment: Has shown flashes. Can he be a good starter?

10 - Russel Hill, Sr., Idaho State
Comment: Pocket passer needs tons of help in Pocatello.

Okay, the blood's in the water. Ready...set.....GO!!

I'd switch Selle & Higgins.
I'd switch Hubel & Mitchell.
I'd move Hill all the way up to 6th. (between Mitchell & Kempt)

I have no clue about Orms.

I agree with most of the rankings, although I would move Hill up. He is a very good quarterback when he has the time and talent around him. I would also put Kempt in front of Hubel. Kempt is a little more consistent in his execution. The wild card in the scenario would be if McGee beat out Kempt this fall. Right now Kempt has the edge but McGee was pushing him pretty hard during the spring and the offense was responding to the young player.

bpcats wrote:I agree with most of the rankings, although I would move Hill up. He is a very good quarterback when he has the time and talent around him. I would also put Kempt in front of Hubel. Kempt is a little more consistent in his execution. The wild card in the scenario would be if McGee beat out Kempt this fall. Right now Kempt has the edge but McGee was pushing him pretty hard during the spring and the offense was responding to the young player.

Did Iddins graduate?

Having only seen Higgins once (first round against W&M) I was less than impressed. The Tribe D was tough on a lot of good QBs last year, but he did not hold up well at all.