Big Sky Standings/Player Prediction Thread

[Mvemjsunpx]

• 1. Montana _____________7-1_____9-2_____ Montana's defense = good; other Big Sky defenses = Stitt
  2. Eastern Washington__7-1_____8-3_____ The QB(s) aren't as good, but the Eags should still be in the playoffs
  3. Idaho State __________6-2_____8-3_____ Beating UNLV could be very important for the Bengals' postseason hopes
  4. Montana State _______6-2_____8-3_____ Not a bad record for the worst defense in the league
  5. Cal Poly _____________6-2_____7-4_____ A late playoff surge is possible if the 'Stangs can survive their first-half gauntlet
  6. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____6-5_____ Will the 'Jacks still stick with Kyren Poe even if the (new) other guy is better?
  7. Portland State_______ 3-5_____4-7_____ Can Kieran McDonagh return to his 2013 form?
  8. North Dakota ________3-5_____4-7_____ UND has excellent run D, but that's not the biggest factor in the pass-happy Big Sky
  9. Weber State__________3-5_____3-8_____ Seven straight years without a desperately needed non-DI opponent…
  10.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ Ben Scott emerged as a good QB last year, but he doesn't have a ton of help
  11.Sacramento State ___ 2-6_____4-7 _____ Jody Sears was smart to sign a 3-year contract…
  12.Southern Utah _______1-7_____2-9_____ The T-Birds wasted a lot of defensive talent last year
  13.Northern Colorado___1-7_____3-8_____ The Bears were dumb to give Earnest Collins a 3-year extension…

[Mvemjsunpx]

• Best Rushing Offense - Cal Poly
  Worst Rushing Offense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Passing Offense - Eastern Washington
  Worst Passing Offense - North Dakota
  
  Best Overall Offense - Montana St.
  Worst Overall Offense - North Dakota
  
  Best Run Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Run Defense - Sacramento St.
  
  Best Pass Defense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Pass Defense - Montana St.
  
  Best Overall Defense - Montana
  Worst Overall Defense - Montana St.
  
  Best Special Teams - Montana St.
  Worst Special Teams - Cal Poly
  
  
  
  Best Quarterback - Dakota Prukop (MSU)
  Best Running Back - Xavier Finney (ISU)
  Best Wide Receiver - Cooper Kupp (EWU)
  Best Tight End - Josh Cook (ISU)
  Best WR/TE Corps - Eastern Washington
  Best Offensive Lineman - Clay DeBord (EWU)
  Best Offensive Line - Portland St.
  
  Best Defensive Lineman - James Cowser (SUU)
  Best Defensive Line - Montana
  Best Linebacker - Mario Jenkins (ISU)
  Best LB Corps - Montana
  Best Defensive Back - Marcus Alford (NAU)
  Best Secondary - Northern Arizona
  
  Best Kicker - Brad Cornish (SAC)
  Best Punter - Trevor Bolton (MSU)
  Best Ret. Specialist - Ellis Henderson (UMT)
  Best Return Teams - Montana

[AZGrizFan]

Bold prediction about Montana's D-Line...so who's Montana's league loss to, IYHO?

[Mvemjsunpx]

Bold prediction about Montana's D-Line...so who's Montana's league loss to, IYHO?

I'm not sure who else would get best D-Line. Only 3 Big Sky teams figure to be even decent on defense.

I have the Griz losing to ISU & Liberty.

[AZGrizFan]

Bold prediction about Montana's D-Line...so who's Montana's league loss to, IYHO?

I'm not sure who else would get best D-Line. Only 3 Big Sky teams figure to be even decent on defense.

I have the Griz losing to ISU & Liberty.

If they lose to ISU and Liberty, there's no WAY they're going 9-2. On the spectrum of potential losses, I'd say it goes something like this:

NDSU
EWU
Cal Poly
ISU
NAU
Liberty
MSU
UND
PSU
Weber
UC Davis

[Mvemjsunpx]

If they lose to ISU and Liberty, there's no WAY they're going 9-2. On the spectrum of potential losses, I'd say it goes something like this:

NDSU
EWU
Cal Poly
ISU
NAU
Liberty
MSU
UND
PSU
Weber
UC Davis

Except EWU, Cal Poly, and NAU are all home games. ISU & Liberty are not. I'm also not totally drinking the Kool-Aid on Cal Poly this year—they should be UM's "easiest" non-conference game.

[kalm]

If they lose to ISU and Liberty, there's no WAY they're going 9-2. On the spectrum of potential losses, I'd say it goes something like this:

NDSU
EWU
Cal Poly
ISU
NAU
Liberty
MSU
UND
PSU
Weber
UC Davis

Except EWU, Cal Poly, and NAU are all home games. ISU & Liberty are not. I'm also not drinking the Kool-Aid on Cal Poly this year—they should be UM's "easiest" non-conference game.

The Kool-Aid for a first year coach with a new system and losses at QB and all three levels of D must taste sweet!

[Mvemjsunpx]

Except EWU, Cal Poly, and NAU are all home games. ISU & Liberty are not. I'm also not drinking the Kool-Aid on Cal Poly this year—they should be UM's "easiest" non-conference game.

The Kool-Aid for a first year coach with a new system and losses at QB and all three levels of D must taste sweet!

All 3 levels of D?

[SDHornet]

I think our range is 3-7 wins. Your 4 win prediction falls in that so I'm not going to argue that. I will argue the worst rushing defense though. We return size, experience and depth on the interior of the DL and have stud Sankey backing them up. We will be unknown/unproven on the ends so that could be the weakness. I think that should be enough to keep us out of the worst rushing defense conversation.

If our OL gels and Kniffin can find a grove I think we get 5-6 wins and finish in the middle of the BSC as usual.

Also I think Hennie will have a shot at best return specialist and Sankey as best LB (if he stays healthy).

[SloStang]

I'm also not totally drinking the Kool-Aid on Cal Poly this year—they should be UM's "easiest" non-conference game.

Cal Poly's offense will be a top 5 FCS offense if they stay healthy. Cal Poly did not have a great D in 2014 and they lose two great LBs in Dzubnar and Ontko. That said they will be better and deeper on the D-line and secondary in 2014 and overall I think a better D. Cal Poly's biggest challenge in 2015 will be their schedule which is brutal. If the get through the first 6 games at 4-2 the Sky is the limit. Cal Poly won't be an easy out for any team on their schedule with the exception of Arizona State.

[SuperHornet]

All right. I'LL be the one to say it. The Sac prediction here is so bogus it's laughable. We are NOT going to beat just Davis and one other cupcake in league. The middle-to-upper reaches of SD's range is most likely. I see the POTENTIAL to go as high as 11-0 (even the UW game is by no means an auto-loss, though it's also nowhere near a gimme). Do we have to win conference to get you guys to believe that we're at least mid-range? SMH....

[Brock Landers]

The Kool-Aid for a first year coach

Addition by subtraction

[Vidav]

The Kool-Aid for a first year coach

Addition by subtraction

[GoAgs72]

SDHornet is a lot more realistic than SuperHornet. UC Davis Aggies will vary from maybe a low of three wins to at most six wins. I'm predicting a 5-6 record optimistically but I've been disappointed by the Aggies multiple times in the recent past.

[SDHornet]

SDHornet is a lot more realistic than SuperHornet. UC Davis Aggies will vary from maybe a low of three wins to at most six wins. I'm predicting a 5-6 record optimistically but I've been disappointed by the Aggies multiple times in the recent past.

It's not officially football season until SH predicts an 11-0 season for the Hornets...oh look, it's officially football season.

[kalm]

The Kool-Aid for a first year coach with a new system and losses at QB and all three levels of D must taste sweet!

All 3 levels of D?

My bad. Thought you lost a lb but that was Tripp and Coyle last year.

Still...

[Mvemjsunpx]

All 3 levels of D?

My bad. Thought you lost a lb but that was Tripp and Coyle last year.

Still...

Right. Also, keep in mind the Griz return several key players they didn't have last year.

[Mvemjsunpx]

I think our range is 3-7 wins. Your 4 win prediction falls in that so I'm not going to argue that. I will argue the worst rushing defense though. We return size, experience and depth on the interior of the DL and have stud Sankey backing them up. We will be unknown/unproven on the ends so that could be the weakness. I think that should be enough to keep us out of the worst rushing defense conversation.

If our OL gels and Kniffin can find a grove I think we get 5-6 wins and finish in the middle of the BSC as usual.

Also I think Hennie will have a shot at best return specialist and Sankey as best LB (if he stays healthy).

Sac's run defense was pretty bad last year (allowed 5.3 ypc) and they lost a bit of production in the front 7 (http://home.comcast.net/~keepersfootball/fcsstats.htm). Most of the Big Sky figures to have lousy run D, though. I thought "Worst Run Defense" was really a pick'em between Sac, Cal Poly, & MSU with a few other teams close "behind."

[Mvemjsunpx]

I'm also not totally drinking the Kool-Aid on Cal Poly this year—they should be UM's "easiest" non-conference game.

Cal Poly's offense will be a top 5 FCS offense if they stay healthy. Cal Poly did not have a great D in 2014 and they lose two great LBs in Dzubnar and Ontko. That said they will be better and deeper on the D-line and secondary in 2014 and overall I think a better D. Cal Poly's biggest challenge in 2015 will be their schedule which is brutal. If the get through the first 6 games at 4-2 the Sky is the limit. Cal Poly won't be an easy out for any team on their schedule with the exception of Arizona State.

I have Cal Poly's offense pretty much tied with MSU for best, but their D looks like it'll be quite weak (worse than last year) and the Mustang special teams look to be easily the worst in the conference.

They're pretty good, but not great.

[kalm]

My bad. Thought you lost a lb but that was Tripp and Coyle last year.

Still...

Right. Also, keep in mind the Griz return several key players they didn't have last year.

Who else besides Henderson?

[SDHornet]

I think our range is 3-7 wins. Your 4 win prediction falls in that so I'm not going to argue that. I will argue the worst rushing defense though. We return size, experience and depth on the interior of the DL and have stud Sankey backing them up. We will be unknown/unproven on the ends so that could be the weakness. I think that should be enough to keep us out of the worst rushing defense conversation.

If our OL gels and Kniffin can find a grove I think we get 5-6 wins and finish in the middle of the BSC as usual.

Also I think Hennie will have a shot at best return specialist and Sankey as best LB (if he stays healthy).

Sac's run defense was pretty bad last year (allowed 5.3 ypc) and they lost a bit of production in the front 7 (http://home.comcast.net/~keepersfootball/fcsstats.htm). Most of the Big Sky figures to have lousy run D, though. I thought "Worst Run Defense" was really a pick'em between Sac, Cal Poly, & MSU with a few other teams close "behind."

The point scoring system explains why it emphasized the DL departures for Sac as the bulk of DL tackles was by the departed starting DEs (69 of 185 recorded tackles, assisted tackles not included). We have 4 DTs returning that have a combined 27 starts and 66 appearances between them. When I think rushing defense, clogging up the interior comes to mind first and I think we are covered there. We will be very inexperienced at DE though so that may very well be a weakness. We'll see how it plays out.

[JALMOND]

• 7. Portland State_______ 3-5_____4-7_____ Can Kieran McDonagh return to his 2013 form?

You got some inside information that McDonough is going to be the QB? Word is that it is a 4 player race after spring ball between McDonough, Penn, Kraght, and Kuresa. From insider Scott Hood...

http://psuvikingtales.com/spring-cleaning-quarterbacks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Three conference wins is a stretch, I'm thinking we will be lucky to get two (North Dakota and Southern Utah) if that. Western Oregon will be a tough one this year as well. But, having an interim coach with delusions of grandeur will no doubt make for an interesting season, for sure. May not win a single game, but it will be interesting.

[AZGrizFan]

I'm also not totally drinking the Kool-Aid on Cal Poly this year—they should be UM's "easiest" non-conference game.

Cal Poly's offense will be a top 5 FCS offense if they stay healthy. Cal Poly did not have a great D in 2014 and they lose two great LBs in Dzubnar and Ontko. That said they will be better and deeper on the D-line and secondary in 2014 and overall I think a better D. Cal Poly's biggest challenge in 2015 will be their schedule which is brutal. If the get through the first 6 games at 4-2 the Sky is the limit. Cal Poly won't be an easy out for any team on their schedule with the exception of Arizona State.

NAU and CP rolled us last time out. I'm not looking at EITHER of them as an easy out until we put them back in their place.

[SloStang]

Cal Poly's offense will be a top 5 FCS offense if they stay healthy. Cal Poly did not have a great D in 2014 and they lose two great LBs in Dzubnar and Ontko. That said they will be better and deeper on the D-line and secondary in 2014 and overall I think a better D. Cal Poly's biggest challenge in 2015 will be their schedule which is brutal. If the get through the first 6 games at 4-2 the Sky is the limit. Cal Poly won't be an easy out for any team on their schedule with the exception of Arizona State.

I have Cal Poly's offense pretty much tied with MSU for best, but their D looks like it'll be quite weak (worse than last year) and the Mustang special teams look to be easily the worst in the conference.

They're pretty good, but not great.

Look at the stats from last season and Cal Poly was the 4th best D in both scoring and total defense. Only Montana, UND and NAU were better statistically. They will be a better D in 2015 because they will be much better and deeper along the d-line and secondary and they will be supported by a very talented and deep offensive unit.

As far as special teams go last year our kicker/punter was hurt in the first game and missed the season. We might not be great on special teams, but we will certainly be better in 2015 just for the fact that it will be hard to be worse.

[Mvemjsunpx]

• 7. Portland State_______ 3-5_____4-7_____ Can Kieran McDonagh return to his 2013 form?

You got some inside information that McDonough is going to be the QB? Word is that it is a 4 player race after spring ball between McDonough, Penn, Kraght, and Kuresa. From insider Scott Hood...

http://psuvikingtales.com/spring-cleaning-quarterbacks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Three conference wins is a stretch, I'm thinking we will be lucky to get two (North Dakota and Southern Utah) if that. Western Oregon will be a tough one this year as well. But, having an interim coach with delusions of grandeur will no doubt make for an interesting season, for sure. May not win a single game, but it will be interesting.

Portland State has more talent than a lot of teams—I think there's more variance to how they'll end up than most any other squad here.

I assumed McDonagh would be the starter since he has been the last two years. At any rate: if whoever the QB is can be as good as McDonagh was as a Sophomore, the Viking offense could be one of the best in the league. PSU's passing game was awful last year, though.