Big Sky Predictions 10-20

[JALMOND]

Entering late October and this is where teams start moving, getting ready for the playoffs, therefore the games start getting more difficult, regardless of who plays who. Currently for the year I am at an embarassing 46-13 and need to start picking these games correct. Six games on the docket this weekend, with Montana State the odd one out. Here is my attempt at perfection (and I certainly need it).

ISU at UNC---The Bengals offense has not been the issue in their losses, it is their lame defense, as was the case last week against UC-Davis. The Bears could not keep up with Cal Poly on the road and still are looking for that first conference win in two years. Maybe they can get it now...UNC 32, ISU 27.

UM at UND---The Grizzlies season to forget gained momentum last week with a loss at home to Southern Utah. The Dakotans took on a strong Northern Arizona team and fell at home. Hard to imagine saying this, but the Grizzlies are not the Lumberjacks...UND 31, UM 20.

PSU at CP---After posting their fourth highest scoring output in school history, the Vikings took last week off to prepare for the Mustangs, who closed the door on Northern Colorado at home last week. Should be interesting with former Viking coach Walsh on the Mustangs sideline...CP 35, PSU 27.

Sac St at EWU---The Hornets seem to be a better team on the road than at home which makes this game interesting. The Eagles took care of business last week at Montana State, which may cause a bit of a hangover this week. The Eagles should still have enough to get this one...EWU 31, Sac St 27.

UCD at NAU---The Aggies offense has come alive now, but the defense has shown weakness in the win last week at Idaho State. The Lumberjacks went into the feisty Dakota Dome at North Dakota and came out victorious. Is this really a special season for the Lumberjacks?...NAU 35, UCD 21.

WSU at SUU---The Wildcats once again looked strong against a good Sacramento State team before falling on the road. The Thunderbirds were really impressive last week at Montana. The Wildcats would love getting their first win of the year against their instate brethren. But once again, settle for close...SUU 31, WSU 28.

[AZGrizFan]

I think you've got all the games right...but I don't think the CP/PSU game will be that close...nor do I think WSU will keep it that close at SUU.

[SuperHornet]

UNC (OT) - Would be a tie if those were still allowed.
UM
CP
Sac (OT) - Gotta go homer, but it will be VERY close, unless we pull our UNC/UND cape out of the closet.
NAU
WSU - Gut feeling that after so many weeks of being JUST there, the BBQs will FINALLY break through.

[LDopaPDX]

Northern Colorado over Idaho State 42-36... Idaho State's loss confirms them as the worst in the conference.
Montana over North Dakota 31-24... I've been picking the Griz a lot this year only to be disappointed.
Cal Poly over Portland State 49-31... PSU can score on Cal Poly, but they won't stop them.
Southern Utah over Weber State 36-28... This is a new rivalry game, so both teams will try to raise their game. At home, it's SUU in a squeaker.
NAU over UC Davis 27-17... Defenses will bend, not break for both, but NAU's continual pounding wears out Davis late in the game.
Eastern over Sac State 34-21... Eastern will move the ball better, and the defense should be fine, but there will be a point in this game where Sac gets momentum making it closer than it ought to be. I'm picking Eastern, but if you're looking for an upset special, I'd look to this one as Sac State has the potential to do it.

[JALMOND]

I have to say that two teams I will be paying attention to are Southern Utah and Eastern Washington. Both got two emotional wins last week in the state of Montana and both are playing two teams (Weber State and Sacramento State) that could make things interesting if they are still basking in the glory. I don't think there will be an upset in those two games, but I think it could be rather intriguing.

[uofmman1122]

If the Griz play a complete game, I think we can beat UND, and I think we can even blow them out.

We won't play a complete game, though.

And I think we'll find a new, interesting way to lose yet again.

I agree with pretty much all of JALMOND's picks.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Weber State @ Southern Utah (Although I dont expect Weber to win, anything can happen in a rivalry game.)

Idaho State @ Northern Colorado (Both teams are bad, edge goes to home team.)

Montana @ North Dakota (North Dakota wins in a very close game.)

Sacramento State @ Eastern Washington (Sacramento seems to play better on the road, Eastern looks like the class of the Big Sky(aside from Poly).)

UC Davis @ Northern Arizona (Aggies put up a big fight, but Jacks continue to roll on.)

Portland State @ Cal Poly (Mustangs roll to the easy victory)

[Cujo]

SUU
UNC
UND
EWU
NAU
CP

Home sweep this week

[Herky]

WSU @ SUU - Weber finally gets a W.
ISU @ UNC - UNC show's ISU's coach how to really push players around.
UM @ UND - Those who have no mascot handle the Griz.
Sac @ EWU - Homer pick.
Farm Extension @ NAU - Jacks take care of business in this one.
PSU @ Poly - Hey, it could happen.

[AZGrizFan]

SUU
UNC
UND
EWU
NAU
CP

Home sweep this week

That's what I predicted on BS Challenge...

[SDHornet]

ISU at UNC – 27-17. ISU is reeling with all the Kramer stuff. That coupled with travel to Greeley and it’s hard for me to not pick UNC. UNC should be able to play keep away as they should be able to run the ball and limit possessions for Yost and the Bengals.

UM at UND – 35-27. UND is coming off of a close loss at home and will do all they can to avenge last week. Should be an interesting one as UND has struggled on defense but UM has struggled throwing the ball. I think UND grinds one out at home.

PSU at CP – 38-28. Interesting matchup, pitsol vs triple option. I think there will be a lot of points in this one but CP will control the clock and win again.

Sac St at EWU – 31-28. Hands down the BSC Game of the Week. On paper this one should go to EWU, but I have to go with a homer pick here and enjoy the run we are on this season. Ironically all out wins over EWU have come in Cheney and we have played EWU close over the past couple of years. If the Hornet offense shows up this will be a close one, if not a blowout loss is more than possible.

cal davis at NAU – 35-24. Home field advantage at elevation will help the Jacks wear down the stingy cal davis defense on the back of Bauman. Could be a close one if the cal davis offense shows up.

WSU at SUU 35-20. WSU OLine is terrible and can’t give Hoke enough time to do anything. Couple that with SUU riding a wave of momentum at home and I think the T-Birds win this one.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

WSU 23 @ 27 SUU

ISU 35 @ 30 UNC

UM 38 @ 31 UND

SAC 20 @ 34 EWU

UCD 14 @ 28 NAU

PSU 17 @ 31 CP

[Grizalltheway]

WSU 23 @ 27 SUU

ISU 35 @ 30 UNC

UM 38 @ 31 UND

SAC 20 @ 34 EWU

UCD 14 @ 28 NAU

PSU 17 @ 31 CP

Atta boy! I knew someone would pick us eventually.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

WSU 23 @ 27 SUU

ISU 35 @ 30 UNC

UM 38 @ 31 UND

SAC 20 @ 34 EWU

UCD 14 @ 28 NAU

PSU 17 @ 31 CP

Atta boy! I knew someone would pick us eventually.

Griz usually defy convention. And EWU rushed for 290 against them, so what will the Griz do?

[Grizalltheway]

Atta boy! I knew someone would pick us eventually.

Griz usually defy convention. And EWU rushed for 290 against them, so what will the Griz do?

I don't know, it depends on whether or not our coaches can pull their heads all the way out of their asses.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Griz usually defy convention. And EWU rushed for 290 against them, so what will the Griz do?

I don't know, it depends on whether or not our coaches can pull their heads all the way out of their asses.

Or if UND's coaches will join them and stick their heads up their own asses. I like your chances.

[Grizalltheway]

I don't know, it depends on whether or not our coaches can pull their heads all the way out of their asses.

Or if UND's coaches will join them and stick their heads up their own asses. I like your chances.

I do too. Lot of doom and gloom over this one on eGriz, but I think we'll bounce back and pull it off. We seem to be playing much better on the road than at home this year, anyway.

[weberwildcat]

ISU vs UNC, game of the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I dont think Griz lose to UND.

[weberwildcat]

UNC (OT) - Would be a tie if those were still allowed.
UM
CP
Sac (OT) - Gotta go homer, but it will be VERY close, unless we pull our UNC/UND cape out of the closet.
NAU
WSU - Gut feeling that after so many weeks of being JUST there, the BBQs will FINALLY break through.

SUU offense will be VERY HARD to slow down. I think we can beat UNC and ISU but not sure about SUU...

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I have to say that two teams I will be paying attention to are Southern Utah and Eastern Washington. Both got two emotional wins last week in the state of Montana and both are playing two teams (Weber State and Sacramento State) that could make things interesting if they are still basking in the glory. I don't think there will be an upset in those two games, but I think it could be rather intriguing.

I understand the thinking, but considering Sac has the last ranked pass defense in the BSC, and the thumping we put on UND after squeaking by UM with MSU looming, I like our chances against Sac. While the Hornets are certainly good, I think they've benefited from a weak schedule so far. Now they face the cream of the conference, and it could get ugly.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

WSU 23 @ 27 SUU

ISU 35 @ 30 UNC

UM 38 @ 31 UND

SAC 20 @ 42 EWU

UCD 14 @ 28 NAU

PSU 17 @ 31 CP

Changed my score for the EWU/Sac game after realizing how bad the Hornet pass D is. nearly 400 yards more than any other team in the Sky, despite playing one of the easiest early schedules.

[AZGrizFan]

Or if UND's coaches will join them and stick their heads up their own asses. I like your chances.

I do too. Lot of doom and gloom over this one on eGriz, but I think we'll bounce back and pull it off. We seem to be playing much better on the road than at home this year, anyway.

I don't look at it as doom and gloom...more like realism. UND's strengths play right into UM's weaknesses (much like SUU)...and add in the 4-6 plays a game where we can't get out of our own way or the coaches forget what their jobs are and it doesn't paint a pretty picture.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I do too. Lot of doom and gloom over this one on eGriz, but I think we'll bounce back and pull it off. We seem to be playing much better on the road than at home this year, anyway.

I don't look at it as doom and gloom...more like realism. UND's strengths play right into UM's weaknesses (much like SUU)...and add in the 4-6 plays a game where we can't get out of our own way or the coaches forget what their jobs are and it doesn't paint a pretty picture.

Not really. UND is fairly balanced on offense. I'd say that UM's strength (running the ball and controlling the clock) play right into UND's weakness. The Nothings are giving up 230 on the ground per game, and little ol' EWU put up 290 on them.

[SDHornet]

Changed my score for the EWU/Sac game after realizing how bad the Hornet pass D is. nearly 400 yards more than any other team in the Sky, despite playing one of the easiest early schedules.

Which is why the Hornets need to blitz the bajeezus out of EWU. It worked in the 2nd half of the ISU game, it worked in the second half of the SUU game and it worked last week against Weber. Hell pretty much all of our wins have had a significant defensive adjustment at half time that worked out pretty well.

So long as DC Parker doesn’t go full retard and try and drop 6-7 into coverage I think the Hornets have a shot at slowing down Adams and the passing attack. The problem is Parker very may well try to use coverage the first half before making a change, and in this game it will be too late by then. Of course if Safron has a shitty day throwing the ball it won't matter how well the offense plays. This kid has been all over the map this season. Good one week, completely shitty the next...and unfortunately he is due for a shitty day as his last few weeks have been ok.

[AZGrizFan]

I don't look at it as doom and gloom...more like realism. UND's strengths play right into UM's weaknesses (much like SUU)...and add in the 4-6 plays a game where we can't get out of our own way or the coaches forget what their jobs are and it doesn't paint a pretty picture.

Not really. UND is fairly balanced on offense. I'd say that UM's strength (running the ball and controlling the clock) play right into UND's weakness. The Nothings are giving up 230 on the ground per game, and little ol' EWU put up 290 on them.

Don't get me wrong, I HOPE we haven't fallen so far that we're worse than UND...but losing to SUU, EWU and NAU in the same year already has Griz fans heads about ready to explode...nothing would surprise me at this point.