Very Early Big Sky predictions

[Wildcat Ryan]

IMHO, you might be over estimating Weber and North Dakota and understating Idaho State. Bengals should beat SUU at home with a much improved special teams game, which cost them at least 2 games last year.

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Originally I had the Bungles beating the Thunderchickens, but something in my gut told me that SUU could steal that one, so I went with them, but I could see ISU beating SUU, but after that I don't see many other wins on Idaho State's schedule, ISU could beat Weber, but with Weber bringing back about 90% of their starters I honesty think Weber has a chance to be something special, the only bad thing is our QB situation, we will still have the same QB we had last year, strange thing is that even with the horrible QB we had we were a missed field goal away from a win in Cheney and a possible playoff berth. Our schedule is a bit more favorable this year with our tougher opponents being at home. Right now I'm going with a gut feeling for each team, and right now my gut is telling me Weber is good enough for at least 7 wins, while Idaho State is good for at most 4, but will most likely end up with 3 or 2. Idaho State won two games last year, and one of them was a real head scratcher, while giving up an average of 41 points in your losses and losing by an average of 21 points in those losses. btw those numbers do not include the 52 and 72 point beatdowns your FBS foes gave you last season.

North Dakota is where they are at because;
A. They will be pretty good next year and...
B. They have a very very very favorable schedule, hardest games are @ MSU and home to NAU. they could lose both but that would still only put them at 3 losses in my book

[kalm]

Crazy good to not go 3-8?

Going back to Baldwin's first stint as OC at Eastern in 2004 and his one year as HC at CWU in 2007 he has been a part of one season worse than 6-5 (2006).

This year's schedule is tough, but only 2 are expected losses with UNI, NAU, PSU, UM, and Poly being toss ups.

The defense will be improved and perhaps decent with a ton of returning talent. Safety being the biggest question mark.

On offense you have a passer who lead the nation in several categories through mid-October of last year (against a tough schedule) before a wind storm and platooning situation late in the season grounded him. He might get beat out by one of two equally talented underclass men. QB talent is not a concern.

You have the best receiving corps in FCS all back including Shaq Hill who's absence last year took away our deep threat.

The question marks are OL and RB. We had an senior lead line in 2015 but not enough explosiveness at RB to make them shine. OL coach Aaron Best has a knack for reloading at those positions so if the line creates some holes and we re-establish some balance and threat of big gains a la Quincy Forte, the offense will look like 2012-2014 again.

I think 7-4. 5-6 with an injury bug and underperformance. 9-2 if we get some breaks and can pick off at least 2 of the first 4.

All right let me rephrase, "Eastern Washington is going to be hard-pressed to not go 3-8"

I'll take the over for a G. You in?

[Wildcat Ryan]

All right let me rephrase, "Eastern Washington is going to be hard-pressed to not go 3-8"

I'll take the over for a G. You in?

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a G?


But I'll take the Eagles at 4-7 like I predicted if you think they will finish higher.

I'm actually gonna visit this page again at the end of the year to see how well or poor I did.

[Jjoey52]

Have to disagree. Bengals lost 2 games at least to poor special teams play, Kramer was coaching them, the Montana game really sticks out. They were going to kick a chip shot fg and win in OT, but had it blocked for 6.
Since Then he has hired a coach foe special teams. This alone will bring at least another win or 2.

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[Wildcat Ryan]

Have to disagree. Bengals lost 2 games at least to poor special teams play, Kramer was coaching them, the Montana game really sticks out. They were going to kick a chip shot fg and win in OT, but had it blocked for 6.
Since Then he has hired a coach foe special teams. This alone will bring at least another win or 2.

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I remember seeing the highlight of that play, and I'm still not convinced that the Montana player wasn't down before he tossed the ball into the air, but oh well it is what it is.

Im not saying ISU is untalented, I am saying however that the teams ISU is playing are more talented, I don't see the Bengals being able to pull of any road wins @ NAU, PSU, EWU or Montana. and to get to that 4-5 win mark, ISU would have to win all games at home, but While I think ISU is better than Sac State in Pocatello, and a 50/50 team to SUU in Pocatello. I do think North Dakota and Weber are better overall teams. Doesn't mean ISU can't beat them in Pocatello, I just don't think they will.

Everything in my predictions is moot because it all depends on what happens on the field come the start of the season, they are just "my best effort at being unbiased view" on how I see the Big Sky unfolding, I can see Weber losing at home to Portland State in a 50/50 game, but gave Weber the nod due to being at home and having a pretty good defense. I can also see them losing @ SUU, but because of what Weber has done in the offseason with recruiting and what they have coming back (almost everything) and what SUU has lost over the offseason I went with Weber.

And from what I have read online, the only real game that the special teams for ISU blew was the Montana game, from the other games' summaries, it was ISU's bad defense.

We'll just have to see what happens

[Jjoey52]

Be glad when it starts.

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[SuperHornet]

No way, Ryan. You're normally one of the most level-headed guys here, but I think you're way off the deep end here.

EWU (10-1; 7-0)
@ Wazzu - W
@ NDSU - L
UNI - W
@ NAU - W
Manure Pile - W
UNC - W
@ MSU - W
UM - W
@ Cow Poly - W
Idaho State - W
@ PSU - W

Sac State (7-4; 4-4) (I'm guessing that the UND game is that stupid OOC game.)

Western OR - W
@ Fresneck - L
@ Weber State - W
@ Idaho State - W
MSU - L
UND - W
@ UM - L
@ UNC - W
Cow Poly - L
PSU - W
@ Manure Pile - W

[Wildcat Ryan]

No way, Ryan. You're normally one of the most level-headed guys here, but I think you're way off the deep end here.

EWU (10-1; 7-0)
@ Wazzu - W
@ NDSU - L
UNI - W
@ NAU - W
Manure Pile - W
UNC - W
@ MSU - W
UM - W
@ Cow Poly - W
Idaho State - W
@ PSU - W

Sac State (7-4; 4-4) (I'm guessing that the UND game is that stupid OOC game.)

Western OR - W
@ Fresneck - L
@ Weber State - W
@ Idaho State - W
MSU - L
UND - W
@ UM - L
@ UNC - W
Cow Poly - L
PSU - W
@ Manure Pile - W

While Eastern Washington is fully capable of finishing really good this year, maybe not 10-1 good but good, I don't see it happening, Like I said before I am going to come back to this page at the end of the season to see how I did.

Sacramento State finished 2-9 last year and 1-7 in Big Sky play, lone conf win was a home game against the Bengals, but now that game is in Pokeytato, edge ISU. + I saw nothing from what Sac had coming back to tell me they were going to win in Ogden, or Pokeytato (though maybe your best shot) or home to the Hawks, or @ UNC (who won in Sac last year) or Portland State at home, or @ Davis (who has beaten Sac 5 of the last 6 times). So unless Sac does some mondo improving over the offseason, a 1-10 season and 0-8 in conference is staring them in the face.

Weber is your third OOC game this year, Weber and Sac have not played a conference game vs each other since 2013 and aren't slated to till 2018, but with Idalol joining in 2018, the conference schedules for 18 and 19 are pretty much shot.

[ewueagle2010]

EWU going 10-1 would be a surprise to me. If they do, mark them down for a National Championship too. I think 8-3 is more realistic. That schedule is just absolutely brutal. I think they likely lose the first two @ Wazzu and NDSU, and then one more later in the year like @ Cal Poly or possibly at home to Montana.

[AZGrizFan]

Have to disagree. Bengals lost 2 games at least to poor special teams play, Kramer was coaching them, the Montana game really sticks out. They were going to kick a chip shot fg and win in OT, but had it blocked for 6.
Since Then he has hired a coach foe special teams. This alone will bring at least another win or 2.

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Kick wasn't blocked.

[Grizalltheway]

Have to disagree. Bengals lost 2 games at least to poor special teams play, Kramer was coaching them, the Montana game really sticks out. They were going to kick a chip shot fg and win in OT, but had it blocked for 6.
Since Then he has hired a coach foe special teams. This alone will bring at least another win or 2.

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Kick wasn't blocked.

Well, can you really blame Bungle fans for trying to completely wipe that game from their hard drives?

[Jjoey52]

All i know us they were going to win and screwed up the fg and Griz took it in.

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[Grizalltheway]

All i know us they were going to win and screwed up the fg and Griz took it in.

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Here's a little refresher for ya.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2jCdVj1ewY[/youtube]

[SuperHornet]

EWU going 10-1 would be a surprise to me. If they do, mark them down for a National Championship too. I think 8-3 is more realistic. That schedule is just absolutely brutal. I think they likely lose the first two @ Wazzu and NDSU, and then one more later in the year like @ Cal Poly or possibly at home to Montana.

I don't trust Wazzu to have the goods to beat EWU/UM in football any time soon. MSU likely blows that one in the last minute. Everyone else probably falls short, though PSU and perhaps Cow Poly have decent upset bids....

[Wildcat Ryan]

All i know us they were going to win and screwed up the fg and Griz took it in.

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Here's a little refresher for ya.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2jCdVj1ewY[/youtube]

That's almost exactly what happened in the Weber/UM game, UM gets the ball first, then fumbles, 2nd team gets the recovery and lines up to kick game winner. Difference was Weber's snap and kick were perfect.

in case you missed it Go ahead and skip to the 6:36 minute

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoe-GoWgT0g[/youtube]

[ewueagle2010]

EWU going 10-1 would be a surprise to me. If they do, mark them down for a National Championship too. I think 8-3 is more realistic. That schedule is just absolutely brutal. I think they likely lose the first two @ Wazzu and NDSU, and then one more later in the year like @ Cal Poly or possibly at home to Montana.

I don't trust Wazzu to have the goods to beat EWU/UM in football any time soon. MSU likely blows that one in the last minute. Everyone else probably falls short, though PSU and perhaps Cow Poly have decent upset bids....

Wazza could crap the bed this year after overachieving last season, but I think them losing to PSU to start last season will be in the back of their heads. Plus, no matter how bad they might be, they will put up points and I'm not sure EWU's D will be good enough to stop them from putting up 40-50 points. With the possible early season growing pains of the offense, I think EWU is somewhere in the 30 points range. Hope I'm wrong...

[AZGrizFan]

I don't trust Wazzu to have the goods to beat EWU/UM in football any time soon. MSU likely blows that one in the last minute. Everyone else probably falls short, though PSU and perhaps Cow Poly have decent upset bids....

Wazza could crap the bed this year after overachieving last season, but I think them losing to PSU to start last season will be in the back of their heads. Plus, no matter how bad they might be, they will put up points and I'm not sure EWU's D will be good enough to stop them from putting up 40-50 points. With the possible early season growing pains of the offense, I think EWU is somewhere in the 30 points range. Hope I'm wrong...

If EWU is going to go 8-3 this year, they're gonna have to run the table after their first three games.

[SDHornet]

No way, Ryan. You're normally one of the most level-headed guys here, but I think you're way off the deep end here.

EWU (10-1; 7-0)
@ Wazzu - W
@ NDSU - L
UNI - W
@ NAU - W
Manure Pile - W
UNC - W
@ MSU - W
UM - W
@ Cow Poly - W
Idaho State - W
@ PSU - W

Sac State (7-4; 4-4) (I'm guessing that the UND game is that stupid OOC game.)

Western OR - W
@ Fresneck - L
@ Weber State - W
@ Idaho State - W
MSU - L
UND - W
@ UM - L
@ UNC - W
Cow Poly - L
PSU - W
@ Manure Pile - W

While Eastern Washington is fully capable of finishing really good this year, maybe not 10-1 good but good, I don't see it happening, Like I said before I am going to come back to this page at the end of the season to see how I did.

Sacramento State finished 2-9 last year and 1-7 in Big Sky play, lone conf win was a home game against the Bengals, but now that game is in Pokeytato, edge ISU. + I saw nothing from what Sac had coming back to tell me they were going to win in Ogden, or Pokeytato (though maybe your best shot) or home to the Hawks, or @ UNC (who won in Sac last year) or Portland State at home, or @ Davis (who has beaten Sac 5 of the last 6 times). So unless Sac does some mondo improving over the offseason, a 1-10 season and 0-8 in conference is staring them in the face.

Weber is your third OOC game this year, Weber and Sac have not played a conference game vs each other since 2013 and aren't slated to till 2018, but with Idalol joining in 2018, the conference schedules for 18 and 19 are pretty much shot.

Ryan, SH confused his predictions. He actually meant 10-1 for Sac and 7-4 for EWU.

[kalm]

Wazza could crap the bed this year after overachieving last season, but I think them losing to PSU to start last season will be in the back of their heads. Plus, no matter how bad they might be, they will put up points and I'm not sure EWU's D will be good enough to stop them from putting up 40-50 points. With the possible early season growing pains of the offense, I think EWU is somewhere in the 30 points range. Hope I'm wrong...

If EWU is going to go 8-3 this year, they're gonna have to run the table after their first three games.

The UNI game is a toss up at worst. I see 7-4 with a shot at 9-2 if we the o-line and rb's excell.

[Wildcat Ryan]

If EWU is going to go 8-3 this year, they're gonna have to run the table after their first three games.

The UNI game is a toss up at worst. I see 7-4 with a shot at 9-2 if we the o-line and rb's excell.

I gave UNI the edge due to a better defense, but there is a good chance that it could be a high scoring affair, but yeah the UNI game is definitely a 50/50 game.

[Brock Landers]

Lose to NAU and Cal Poly? We never... wait. Dammit.

[Brock Landers]

Here's a little refresher for ya.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2jCdVj1ewY[/youtube]

That's almost exactly what happened in the Weber/UM game, UM gets the ball first, then fumbles, 2nd team gets the recovery and lines up to kick game winner. Difference was Weber's snap and kick were perfect.

in case you missed it Go ahead and skip to the 6:36 minute

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoe-GoWgT0g[/youtube]

I'm embarrassed for us

[Thundernuts]

Hate to break it to you, but even with SUU losing 4 nfl caliber players, the Mildcats aren't going to beat my birds this year either.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Hate to break it to you, but even with SUU losing 4 nfl caliber players, the Mildcats aren't going to beat my birds this year either.

You lost your coach, too. Don't forget that.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Hate to break it to you, but even with SUU losing 4 nfl caliber players, the Mildcats aren't going to beat my birds this year either.

It was the hardest game on Weber's schedule to predict, so I took Weber since Weber returns 18 starters, the #1 overall defense, and since SUU lost a lot of talent and their head coach. Plus I think Weber will be out for blood after this last season's embarrassment.

Wanna do an avatar bet?