2017 Big Sky Predictions

[Wildcat Ryan]

Here is my 2nd attempt at Predicting how the upcoming Big Sky season will pan out. I believe I did relatively well in my first attempt despite over and underestimating a few teams. Well here it goes.

Cal Poly Mustangs - 6-5, 5-3
Colgate- W
@ San Jose State- L
@ Northern Iowa- L
Northern Arizona- L
@ Idaho State- W
@ Southern Utah- L
Weber State- W
@ UC Davis- W
Portland State- W
Sacramento State- W
@ Northern Colorado- L

Eastern Washington Eagles - 9-2, 7-1
@ Texas Tech- L
North Dakota State- W
@ Fordham- W
@ Montana- W
Sacramento State- W
@ UC Davis- W
Montana State- W
@ Southern Utah- W
Weber State- W
@ North Dakota- L
Portland State- W

Idaho State Bengals - 2-9, 1-7
Western State- W
@ Utah State- L
@ Nevada- L
@ Northern Colorado- L
Cal Poly- L
Montana- L
@ Sacramento State- L
Portland State- L
@ Montana State- L
UC Davis- W
@ Weber State- L

Montana Grizzlies - 7-4, 5-3
Valparaiso- W
@ Washington- L
Savannah State- W
Eastern Washington- L
@ Portland State- W
@ Idaho State- W
UND- W
@ Weber State- L
Northern Arizona- W
Northern Colorado- W
@ Montana State- L

Montana State Bobcats- 5-6, 4-4
@ Washington State- L
South Dakota State- L
@ North Dakota- L
Weber State- W
Portland State- W
@ Eastern Washington- L
@ Northern Colorado- L
Idaho State- W
Kennesaw State- W
@ Northern Arizona- L
Montana- W

North Dakota Hawks- 6-5, 5-3
@ Utah- L
Missouri State- W
@ South Dakota- L
Montana State- W
@ UC Davis- W
Northern Colorado- W
@ Montana- L
Sacramento State- W
@ Portland State- L
@ Southern Utah- L
Eastern Washington- W

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks- 8-3, 6-2
@ Arizona- L
Western Illinois- W
@ Cal Poly- W
Northern Colorado- W
Illinois State- W
@ Portland State- W
UC Davis- W
Sacramento State- W
@ Montana- L
Montana State- W
@ Southern Utah- L

Northern Colorado Bears- 5-6, 4-4
College of Idaho- W
@ Florida- L
@ Colorado- L
Idaho State- W
@ Northern Arizona- L
@ North Dakota- L
Montana State- W
Southern Utah- L
@ Sac State- W
@ Montana- L
Cal Poly- W

Portland State Vikings - 3-8, 2-6
@ BYU- L
@ Oregon State- L
UC Davis- W
Montana- L
@ Montana State- L
Northern Arizona- L
@ Idaho State- W
North Dakota- W
@ Cal Poly- L
Weber State- L
@ Eastern Washington- L

Sacramento State Hornets- 3-8, 2-6
@ Idaho- L
Incarnate Word- W
Weber State- L
Southern Utah- L
@ Eastern Washington- L
Idaho State- W
@ North Dakota- L
@ Northern Arizona- L
Northern Colorado- L
@ Cal Poly- L
UC Davis- W

Southern Utah Thunderbirds- 7-4, 6-2
@ Oregon- L
@ Stephen F. Austin- L
Northern Iowa- W
@ Sacramento State- W
Cal Poly- W
@ Weber State- L
Eastern Washington- L
@ Northern Colorado- W
North Dakota- W
@ UC Davis- W
Northern Arizona- W

UC Davis Aggies- 0-11, 0-8
@ San Diego State- L
San Diego- L
@ Portland State- L
@ Weber State- L
North Dakota- L
Eastern Washington- L
@ Northern Arizona- L
Cal Poly- L
@ Idaho State- L
Southern Utah- L
@ Sacramento State- L

Weber State Wildcats- 7-4, 5-3
Montana Western- W
@ California- L
@ Sacramento State- W
UC Davis- W
@ Montana State- L
Southern Utah- W
@ Cal Poly- L
Montana- W
@ Eastern Washington- L
@ Portland State- W
Idaho State- W


1. Eastern Washington- 8-1
2. Northern Arizona- 6-2
3. Southern Utah- 6-2
4. Weber State- 5-3
5. Montana- 5-3
4. Cal Poly- 5-3
7. North Dakota- 5-3
8. Northern Colorado- 4-4
9. Montana State- 4-4
10. Portland State- 2-6
11. Sacramento State- 2-6
12. Idaho State- 1-7
13. UC Davis- 0-8


Let the hatred flow forth

[SuperHornet]

LOVE the fact that we don't play either of the Montanas this year.

This is my OPTIMISTIC prediction.

My PESSIMISTIC prediction: It won't matter. Because we're not playing the Montanas, our less-than-first-place finish will relegate us to the also-rans despite the one-loss season, due entirely to the bug that nailed then-undefeated Cow Poly back in the late-'90s: strength of schedule....

Sacramento State Hornets- 10-1, 7-1
@ Idaho- W
Incarnate Word- W
Weber State- W
Southern Utah- W
@ Eastern Washington- L
Idaho State- W
@ North Dakota- W
@ Northern Arizona- W
Northern Colorado- W
@ Cal Poly- W
UC Davis- W

[kalm]

LOVE the fact that we don't play either of the Montanas this year.

This is my OPTIMISTIC prediction.

My PESSIMISTIC prediction: It won't matter. Because we're not playing the Montanas, our less-than-first-place finish will relegate us to the also-rans despite the one-loss season, due entirely to the bug that nailed then-undefeated Cow Poly back in the late-'90s: strength of schedule....

Sacramento State Hornets- 10-1, 7-1
@ Idaho- W
Incarnate Word- W
Weber State- W
Southern Utah- W
@ Eastern Washington- L
Idaho State- W
@ North Dakota- W
@ Northern Arizona- W
Northern Colorado- W
@ Cal Poly- W
UC Davis- W

You'd be a top 4 seed.

[andy7171]

You cra-cra Super Hornet!

[kalm]

You cra-cra Super Hornet!

[mtjack]

Here's my bold prediction. One of the seven following teams will win the conference: Cal Poly, EWU, NAU, SUU, UM, UND or WSU.

I think UND or Cal Poly have the easier route but EWU stays the champ until someone knocks them off the pedestal.

I'm an NAU fan so I'll talk about them a bit. Their offense, as long as Cookus is healty, will thrive. Special teams will be decent, as usual. It all comes down to defense being able to slow teams down. The loss of the majority of last year's defense may make this tough. Lots of 45-42 games in the future.

Looking forward to the season. Hoping to make it to between 1-2 road games for a change of pace.

[Grizalltheway]

You cra-cra Super Hornet!

That's disgusting, kalm!

[Mvemjsunpx]

• 1. North Dakota ________8-0____10-1_____ With 21 seniors, this is their big chance
  2. Northern Arizona ____7-1_____9-2_____ They have a golden opportunity with 2 MVFC home games
  3. Montana _____________6-2_____8-3_____ We know they'll start 2-1, at least
  4. Eastern Washington__6-2_____6-5_____ Eastern's playoff fate may hinge on that unusual game in the Bronx
  5. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____6-5_____ They don't look too good, but the last 7 games aren't at all daunting
  6. Montana State_______4-4_____5-6_____ If Murray can start hitting broadsides of barns, watch out
  7. Weber State__________4-4_____6-5_____ They could easily go undefeated at home & winless on the road
  8. Northern Colorado___3-5_____4-7_____ Fun fact: NoCo is one of only 3 Big Sky teams to play a non-DI
  9. Southern Utah _______3-5_____4-7_____ It's not good when Cal Poly is by far your easiest home game
  10.Portland State________2-6_____3-8_____ PSU's home slate isn't really any friendlier
  11.Sacramento State ____2-6_____3-8 _____ Sac's season may entirely depend on two offensive dropdowns
  12.Idaho State __________1-7_____2-9_____ It's rebuilding time in Pocatello… what else is new?
  13.UC Davis ____________1-7_____1-10____ At least they play Sac at the end…

[Mvemjsunpx]

• Best Rushing Offense - North Dakota
  Worst Rushing Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Passing Offense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Passing Offense - Cal Poly
  
  Best Overall Offense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Overall Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Run Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Run Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Pass Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Pass Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Overall Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Overall Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Special Teams - Montana St.
  Worst Special Teams - Portland St.
  
  
  
  Best Quarterback - Case Cookus (NAU)
  Best Running Back - Joe Protheroe (CP)
  Best Wide Receiver - Emmanuel Butler (NAU)
  Best Tight End - Andrew Vollert (WEB)
  Best WR/TE Corps - Northern Arizona
  Best Offensive Lineman - David Reese (UMT)
  Best Offensive Line - Northern Arizona
  
  Best Defensive Lineman - Robert Torgerson (SUU)
  Best Defensive Line - Southern Utah
  Best Linebacker - Josh Buss (UMT)
  Best LB Corps - Montana
  Best Defensive Back - Cole Reyes* (UND)
  Best Secondary - North Dakota
  
  Best Kicker - Reid Taubenheim (UND)
  Best Punter - Jacob DeMaio (WEB)
  Best Ret. Specialist - John Santiago (UND)
  Best Return Teams - Montana St.
  
  
  * - I originally picked Deion Harris, but was reminded he's out for the season.

[kalm]

• 1. North Dakota ________8-0____10-1_____ With 21 seniors, this is their big chance
  2. Northern Arizona ____7-1_____9-2_____ They have a golden opportunity with 2 MVFC home games
  3. Montana _____________6-2_____8-3_____ We know they'll start 2-1, at least
  4. Eastern Washington__6-2_____6-5_____ Eastern's playoff fate may hinge on that unusual game in the Bronx
  5. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____6-5_____ They don't look too good, but the last 7 games aren't at all daunting
  6. Montana State_______4-4_____5-6_____ If Murray can start hitting broadsides of barns, watch out
  7. Weber State__________4-4_____6-5_____ They could easily go undefeated at home & winless on the road
  8. Northern Colorado___3-5_____4-7_____ Fun fact: NoCo is one of only 3 Big Sky teams to play a non-DI
  9. Southern Utah _______3-5_____4-7_____ It's not good when Cal Poly is by far your easiest home game
  10.Portland State________2-6_____3-8_____ PSU's home slate isn't really any friendlier
  11.Sacramento State ____2-6_____3-8 _____ Sac's season may entirely depend on two offensive dropdowns
  12.Idaho State __________1-7_____2-9_____ It's rebuilding time in Pocatello… what else is new?
  13.UC Davis ____________1-7_____1-10____ At least they play Sac at the end…

Great work as always.

Despite the easy schedule, 9-2 for NAU is a bold pick. Cookus to Marks and Butler will light up the scoreboards but they lose a couple of starters on the o-line and only have 11 starters returning including just 3 on defense.

You have EWU going 2-1 OOC which means, assuming a Fordham win, we'd either beat TTU or NDSU. If we beat either of them, I think we are better than 6-5.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Great work as always.

Thanks!

Despite the easy schedule, 9-2 for NAU is a bold pick. Cookus to Marks and Butler will light up the scoreboards but they lose a couple of starters on the o-line and only have 11 starters returning including just 3 on defense.

Their defense is certainly suspect, but their offense should be unstoppable as long as Cookus is healthy. Losing 2 starters on the O-Line is pretty normal (losing 3+ is when you would expect a drop). They also gave up just 8 sacks last year, which is remarkable for team throwing 40 times a game.

And, as you said, the schedule is favorable. They don't play NoDak or EWU, and both MVFC games are in the Skydome.

You have EWU going 2-1 OOC which means, assuming a Fordham win, we'd either beat TTU or NDSU. If we beat either of them, I think we are better than 6-5.

Huh? I have EWU going 0-3 OOC, though Fordham is a coin flip.

[kalm]

Great work as always.

Thanks!

Despite the easy schedule, 9-2 for NAU is a bold pick. Cookus to Marks and Butler will light up the scoreboards but they lose a couple of starters on the o-line and only have 11 starters returning including just 3 on defense.

Their defense is certainly suspect, but their offense should be unstoppable as long as Cookus is healthy. Losing 2 starters on the O-Line is pretty normal (losing 3+ is when you would expect a drop). They also gave up just 8 sacks last year, which is remarkable for team throwing 40 times a game.

You have EWU going 2-1 OOC which means, assuming a Fordham win, we'd either beat TTU or NDSU. If we beat either of them, I think we are better than 6-5.

Huh? I have EWU going 0-3 OOC, though Fordham is a coin flip.

My math is as good as my grammar.

[Mvemjsunpx]

My math is as good as my grammar.

Either that, or you somehow confused your own team with Weber.

[Gil Dobie]

• 1. North Dakota ________8-0____10-1_____ With 21 seniors, this is their big chance
  2. Northern Arizona ____7-1_____9-2_____ They have a golden opportunity with 2 MVFC home games
  3. Montana _____________6-2_____8-3_____ We know they'll start 2-1, at least
  4. Eastern Washington__6-2_____6-5_____ Eastern's playoff fate may hinge on that unusual game in the Bronx
  5. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____6-5_____ They don't look too good, but the last 7 games aren't at all daunting
  6. Montana State_______4-4_____5-6_____ If Murray can start hitting broadsides of barns, watch out
  7. Weber State__________4-4_____6-5_____ They could easily go undefeated at home & winless on the road
  8. Northern Colorado___3-5_____4-7_____ Fun fact: NoCo is one of only 3 Big Sky teams to play a non-DI
  9. Southern Utah _______3-5_____4-7_____ It's not good when Cal Poly is by far your easiest home game
  10.Portland State________2-6_____3-8_____ PSU's home slate isn't really any friendlier
  11.Sacramento State ____2-6_____3-8 _____ Sac's season may entirely depend on two offensive dropdowns
  12.Idaho State __________1-7_____2-9_____ It's rebuilding time in Pocatello… what else is new?
  13.UC Davis ____________1-7_____1-10____ At least they play Sac at the end…

UND is looking like the favorite with the Senoir filled lineup and returning starters.

[JALMOND]

• Best Rushing Offense - North Dakota
  Worst Rushing Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Passing Offense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Passing Offense - Cal Poly
  
  Best Overall Offense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Overall Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Run Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Run Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Pass Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Pass Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Overall Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Overall Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Special Teams - Montana St.
  Worst Special Teams - Portland St.
  
  
  
  Best Quarterback - Case Cookus (NAU)
  Best Running Back - Joe Protheroe (CP)
  Best Wide Receiver - Emmanuel Butler (NAU)
  Best Tight End - Andrew Vollert (WEB)
  Best WR/TE Corps - Northern Arizona
  Best Offensive Lineman - David Reese (UMT)
  Best Offensive Line - Northern Arizona
  
  Best Defensive Lineman - Robert Torgerson (SUU)
  Best Defensive Line - Southern Utah
  Best Linebacker - Josh Buss (UMT)
  Best LB Corps - Montana
  Best Defensive Back - Deion Harris (UND)
  Best Secondary - North Dakota
  
  Best Kicker - Reid Taubenheim (UND)
  Best Punter - Jacob DeMaio (WEB)
  Best Ret. Specialist - John Santiago (UND)
  Best Return Teams - Montana St.

Heavy on North Dakota and NAU.
I'm kind of surprised you took Cookus as best QB and not Gubrud, although I do agree with you. I think Gubrud is going to have to show that he can still win with a new receiving corps and new coaching staff. I think Cookus is more ready heading in to the season.

[Hambone]

• Best Rushing Offense - North Dakota
  Worst Rushing Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Passing Offense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Passing Offense - Cal Poly
  
  Best Overall Offense - Northern Arizona
  Worst Overall Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Run Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Run Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Pass Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Pass Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Overall Defense - North Dakota
  Worst Overall Defense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Special Teams - Montana St.
  Worst Special Teams - Portland St.
  
  
  
  Best Quarterback - Case Cookus (NAU)
  Best Running Back - Joe Protheroe (CP)
  Best Wide Receiver - Emmanuel Butler (NAU)
  Best Tight End - Andrew Vollert (WEB)
  Best WR/TE Corps - Northern Arizona
  Best Offensive Lineman - David Reese (UMT)
  Best Offensive Line - Northern Arizona
  
  Best Defensive Lineman - Robert Torgerson (SUU)
  Best Defensive Line - Southern Utah
  Best Linebacker - Josh Buss (UMT)
  Best LB Corps - Montana
  Best Defensive Back - Deion Harris (UND)
  Best Secondary - North Dakota
  
  Best Kicker - Reid Taubenheim (UND)
  Best Punter - Jacob DeMaio (WEB)
  Best Ret. Specialist - John Santiago (UND)
  Best Return Teams - Montana St.

Deion Harris is out for the year I believe. Ruptured achilles based on what I heard.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Deion Harris is out for the year I believe. Ruptured achilles based on what I heard.

Thanks for reminding me. I now remember reading that on UND's message board a couple weeks ago.

[SuperHornet]

Whatever you think about my Sac prediction, I'm still conditioned by recent years in terms of looking at other teams. Venus' idea that EWU will just barely squeak past .500 is even more nuts, IMO. I might well be "out there" as well in seeing EWU at 11-0, about the only "stretch" in that 11-0 (in my view, anyway) is Texas Tech. They should win just about every other game rather handily....

[89Hen]

Here is my 2nd attempt at Predicting how the upcoming Big Sky season will pan out. I believe I did relatively well in my first attempt despite over and underestimating a few teams.

107-36 was pretty good Ryan. Probably a lot better than JSO's computers would have done, but he's not brave enough to put up the numbers.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Whatever you think about my Sac prediction, I'm still conditioned by recent years in terms of looking at other teams. Venus' idea that EWU will just barely squeak past .500 is even more nuts, IMO. I might well be "out there" as well in seeing EWU at 11-0, about the only "stretch" in that 11-0 (in my view, anyway) is Texas Tech. They should win just about every other game rather handily....

You do know they play both North Dakotas, right? And that they changed coaches? And that they lost all their receivers? They should still be a good team, but that non-conference schedule is pretty brutal.

[SACCAT]

Here is how I see it...

MSU
UND
EWU
Cal-Poly
Weber State
NAU
UM
SUU
Sac-State
PSA
UC-Davis
Northern Colorado
ISU


Here is why...Montana State has more Playmakers, speed, talent, height, short, size and non-size than any team I have ever seen!!! This includes Clemson and Alabama

QB: We have 5 or 6 or 7 QB's that wouldn't start at every other school that puts pads onto players and has them do football stuff on a field. Murry didn't throw well last year, because he didn't want teams being able to watch film on him before this year...He has one of the greatest QB's ever to play the game, teaching him the MAYBE one thing he didn't already know. Behind him are a handful of kids that all have Rocket Arms, that can throw on a dime, read the D, and have good feet. We should average about 500-600 passing yards a game...

RB: Again...have probably about 6 guys that can Tote the Rock. They all have great vision, lateral movement, run north/south, unless they have to run east/west, homerun speed. The only problem I see is, how are we going to get all these guys the ball. We should average about 300-400 rushing yards a game rushing

WR: Where do I even start with this group. Every one of them is Tall and can jump with GREAT hands, unless they need to be short and run great routes, and then they are that....Yes THEY ARE BOTH...Speed to burn you deep, but routs as crisp as a 2 dollar bill. The only real problem I see with this group is, at times they are to nice, and don't want to make every play themselves...I expect about 100 yards receiving PER WR per game

O-line: All over 6'6"...All over 330 lb's...All run about a 4.5 40...All pure muscle. Amazing thing is, even with that height, they actually "Play smaller" allowing the QB's a very clear line of sight. Probably won't give up a sack all year, unless they mean to so the other team gets penisy

D-Line: Here is where the Cats REALLY shine....We have big nastys in the middle (about 4 deep) and strong Speed rushers, who can also run stop, and know there assignments. all of them are engineer Majors, so they know trains as well. I expect about 6 sacks a game from this group

LB: Most of these guys should probably be D-end guys, but they are just to fast and strong, so they are LB. Cats are about 10 deep here, and most are running about a 4.3 40 at 6'4" 260. I expect about 6 Sacks and 3/4 INT's a game from this group

Secondary: We aren't very good here.

[Grizalltheway]

Might be your finest work to date.

[JALMOND]

Secondary: We aren't very good here.

Well, at least you're honest.

[SDHornet]

• 1. North Dakota ________8-0____10-1_____ With 21 seniors, this is their big chance
  2. Northern Arizona ____7-1_____9-2_____ They have a golden opportunity with 2 MVFC home games
  3. Montana _____________6-2_____8-3_____ We know they'll start 2-1, at least
  4. Eastern Washington__6-2_____6-5_____ Eastern's playoff fate may hinge on that unusual game in the Bronx
  5. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____6-5_____ They don't look too good, but the last 7 games aren't at all daunting
  6. Montana State_______4-4_____5-6_____ If Murray can start hitting broadsides of barns, watch out
  7. Weber State__________4-4_____6-5_____ They could easily go undefeated at home & winless on the road
  8. Northern Colorado___3-5_____4-7_____ Fun fact: NoCo is one of only 3 Big Sky teams to play a non-DI
  9. Southern Utah _______3-5_____4-7_____ It's not good when Cal Poly is by far your easiest home game
  10.Portland State________2-6_____3-8_____ PSU's home slate isn't really any friendlier
  11.Sacramento State ____2-6_____3-8 _____ Sac's season may entirely depend on two offensive dropdowns
  12.Idaho State __________1-7_____2-9_____ It's rebuilding time in Pocatello… what else is new?
  13.UC Davis ____________1-7_____1-10____ At least they play Sac at the end…

Excellent work as always. I peg Sac at 2-4 wins this season. Home slate is pretty soft, but I doubt we win a road game. I think our offense will be one of the worst in the BSC. OL was horrific last season and now an unproven QB will be playing behind that shaky group. Not a good combination.

The good news is this will be Sears' last season, so no matter how you slice it that is a big win for Sac State.

[grizzaholic]

Might be your finest work to date.

He reads Egriz. He gets the Cheat-Sheets.