Big Sky Predictions 9-14
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:11 pm
Through the first two weeks I am at 21-3 for the year. Not too bad, but this week's slate includes many games that could be considered tossups, so the picks are becoming tough. Some excellent and intriguing matchups for the Big Sky, both this week and next before conference play begins. I could end up anywhere from being perfect again, to missing all of them. Montana State is taking advantage of playing on Week 0 and is sitting this week out but everyone else is playing. Here are this week's predictions for the Big Sky.
ISU at North Dakota---The Bengals have been improving, and have looked impressive playing an FBS team (Oregon State) and a lower division team (Western Oregon). They now play a team at their own level on the road. The team that took care of mighty Montana last weekend...North Dakota 31, ISU 10.
Morehead State at UM---Consistency is what plagued the Grizzlies last weekend as the offense was humming and the defense was stopping in the first half. But it all came crashing down in the second half. They return home this week against the Pioneer League, who hasn't lost yet to the Big Sky...UM 21, Morehead State 3.
Albany at UI---The Vandals have shown an ability to play with the FBS, playing a top team tough and getting a win in the other one. Their home opener and a return to the FCS this weekend, against a former playoff participant from a year ago. The Vandals should get this one at home...UI 24, Albany 7.
Abilene Christian at UNC---The Bears are showing signs of improvement so far this year, and welcomes a team from the United Conference to their home turf. It will be tough to get a win, even at home, in this game, but the Bears should at least keep it fairly respectable. But, in the end...Abilene Christian 31, UNC 21.
WSU at Lamar---The Wildcats took care of business last week in the fourth quarter to close out a hard fought conference home win. They head down into the Southland country against a tough opponent who had a shot at getting a win against the FBS in the first week. This is a tough one to decide...WSU 27, Lamar 24.
EWU at SE Louisiana---The Eagles were humbled in a big way last week, giving the conference their second loss to the Pioneer League in as many games. They now have to go on the road in the middle of Bayou country and try to recover, and see if their defense will show up, like usual...SE Louisiana 35, EWU 21.
UCD at Southern Utah---The Aggies are hitting the road after dispatching a Southland conference foe last week. They enter the United conference and a team that earned a win over the FBS last week. This is a good test and would be a good win for the Aggies if they can return victorious...Southern Utah 24, UCD 20.
Western Oregon at CP---The Mustangs have not got off to a great start this year. Suffering through a loss the first week may have been surprising, but the loss last week to the FBS was pretty much expected. They need any type of win and they are bringing in a lower division foe this week...CP 28, Western Oregon 14.
NAU at Utah Tech---Hey! Have you heard about the Lumberjacks this year so far. No one expected them to get a win last week and they didn't, but they certainly put up a great fight. They are riding some good momentum and want to use some of that this weekend on the road in a return to the FCS---NAU 28, Utah Tech 14.
South Dakota at PSU---No patsies this year for the Vikings as they get to see firsthand what a top 10 team in the FCS looks like. This game against one of the top teams in FCS is the first of many for them. They may even surprise a few people and eke out a win. But in this one? Not likely...South Dakota 38, PSU 17.
Nicholls at SAC---The Hornets welcome a formidable foe to their cozy confines this weekend in another tough game for the conference. The Hornets have two FBS losses but played tough and looked good. Their opponent has done pretty much the same. Something has got to give in this...SAC 28, Nicholls 20.
ISU at North Dakota---The Bengals have been improving, and have looked impressive playing an FBS team (Oregon State) and a lower division team (Western Oregon). They now play a team at their own level on the road. The team that took care of mighty Montana last weekend...North Dakota 31, ISU 10.
Morehead State at UM---Consistency is what plagued the Grizzlies last weekend as the offense was humming and the defense was stopping in the first half. But it all came crashing down in the second half. They return home this week against the Pioneer League, who hasn't lost yet to the Big Sky...UM 21, Morehead State 3.
Albany at UI---The Vandals have shown an ability to play with the FBS, playing a top team tough and getting a win in the other one. Their home opener and a return to the FCS this weekend, against a former playoff participant from a year ago. The Vandals should get this one at home...UI 24, Albany 7.
Abilene Christian at UNC---The Bears are showing signs of improvement so far this year, and welcomes a team from the United Conference to their home turf. It will be tough to get a win, even at home, in this game, but the Bears should at least keep it fairly respectable. But, in the end...Abilene Christian 31, UNC 21.
WSU at Lamar---The Wildcats took care of business last week in the fourth quarter to close out a hard fought conference home win. They head down into the Southland country against a tough opponent who had a shot at getting a win against the FBS in the first week. This is a tough one to decide...WSU 27, Lamar 24.
EWU at SE Louisiana---The Eagles were humbled in a big way last week, giving the conference their second loss to the Pioneer League in as many games. They now have to go on the road in the middle of Bayou country and try to recover, and see if their defense will show up, like usual...SE Louisiana 35, EWU 21.
UCD at Southern Utah---The Aggies are hitting the road after dispatching a Southland conference foe last week. They enter the United conference and a team that earned a win over the FBS last week. This is a good test and would be a good win for the Aggies if they can return victorious...Southern Utah 24, UCD 20.
Western Oregon at CP---The Mustangs have not got off to a great start this year. Suffering through a loss the first week may have been surprising, but the loss last week to the FBS was pretty much expected. They need any type of win and they are bringing in a lower division foe this week...CP 28, Western Oregon 14.
NAU at Utah Tech---Hey! Have you heard about the Lumberjacks this year so far. No one expected them to get a win last week and they didn't, but they certainly put up a great fight. They are riding some good momentum and want to use some of that this weekend on the road in a return to the FCS---NAU 28, Utah Tech 14.
South Dakota at PSU---No patsies this year for the Vikings as they get to see firsthand what a top 10 team in the FCS looks like. This game against one of the top teams in FCS is the first of many for them. They may even surprise a few people and eke out a win. But in this one? Not likely...South Dakota 38, PSU 17.
Nicholls at SAC---The Hornets welcome a formidable foe to their cozy confines this weekend in another tough game for the conference. The Hornets have two FBS losses but played tough and looked good. Their opponent has done pretty much the same. Something has got to give in this...SAC 28, Nicholls 20.
