Week 11 Big Sky Predictions (And a Couple of Oddballs)

[SuperHornet]

Griz 42-3 vs. UNC

Barbecues 21-17 vs. NAU

Sacred City 38-31 @ Kitties

EWU 56-9 @ SUU

PSU 31-6 @ Bungles

Bonus Picks

Navy 31-13 vs. Delaware

South Florida 45-21 @ Rutgers

Liberty 31-10 @ Gardner-Webb

[JALMOND]

Thank you, SH, for getting this started. I will refrain from the oddballs and concentrate just on the conference matchups. Currently sitting at 45-9 as we head to the home stretch. This is the last weekend that all teams are in action as three teams play their last games of the year. Anyway, here are my picks for this weekend. All are my opinion and all are open for discussion. Here they are.

EWU @ Southern Utah---After finding out that they are playoff eligible, and after destroying Portland State two weeks ago, the Eagles head on the road to Great West's Southern Utah, a team that all of a sudden finds itself in the middle of their conference race. Still, the Eagles probably have the most to lose as they would miss the playoffs without a win. The Great West does not have an auto bid to the playoffs so Southern Utah is playing for pride. Still, should be close...EWU 31, Southern Utah 28.

NAU @ WSU---The game of the week in the conference as the winner keeps their slim playoff hopes alive and the loser is definitely out. The Jacks are back from a good performance at Mississippi last week and the Wildcats are back in action after taking last week off. Questions abound on both side as the Jacks try to erase the ghosts of the swoon last year from taking hold this year and the Wildcats are trying to shake off the disappointment at Montana two weeks ago...WSU 35, NAU 27.

UNC @ UM---Both teams come in after a couple of head scratchers last week. The Bears were riding high and hoping to derail Sacramento State's dream season, yet could not overcome the 35 points they gave up in the first half. The Grizzlies thought they could just walk in to Idaho State and get the win. Well, the Grizzlies did get the win, but it was far from easy. So, does that change this game? Probably not...UM 38, UNC 21.

PSU @ ISU---Hope and confidence for the Bengals after last week's near upset of Montana. They stood toe to toe with the mighty Grizzlies only to lose it at the end. This game may be easier as the struggling Portland State team comes to town. Maybe, or the Bengals may be suffering from a Grizzly hangover. Could they go through the season 0-fer?...PSU 9, ISU 7 (as if anyone cares).

Sac State @ MSU---Interesting matchup. The Hornets started strong against Northern Colorado and then coasted to what turned out to be a rather scary win. The Bobcats started strong against Portland State and then held on to win. The Hornets may be the best team playing that is not in the playoff picture. The Bobcats are believed to have an easy trek to a possible playoff spot. The Bobcats need this game, though. Can they get it?...MSU 24, Sac State 21.

[AZGrizFan]

The Bobcats are believed to have an easy trek to a possible playoff spot.

Say WHAT?

11/21 - UM @ MSU

[Mvemjsunpx]

PSU 24-34 Idaho St. — If ISU plays anything like last week, they'll knock off the badly slumping Viks.

NAU 28-42 Weber — Playoff elimination game goes to the home team.

Northern Colorado 14-38 Montana — The Griz often have trouble with ISU, they don't with UNC.

Sac State 24-38 Montana St. — The Hornets are hot, but they're 0-6 in Bozeman since joining the Sky.

EWU 49-35 Southern Utah — T-Birds are good at home, but not good enough.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I'm at 44-10 and still a game back from Jalmond, which hopefully I can come back from on Saturday. These last two weeks feature some key matchups that will go far in deciding which Sky team will have their playoff hopes titillated and the remaining three looking forward to next year.

EWU 42 @ 34 Southern Utah--- One game at a time. This is our first round playoff game. A matchup between two of the highest potency aerial attacks in FCS, with EWU ranked slightly higher (7th) than SUU (12th) in passing offense, passing efficiency (10th, 27th), and total offense (9th, 23rd). It should be a high scoring affair as EWU comes in with the 90th ranked total defense and SUU with the 110th. The tie breaker will be the FCS's 11th ranked rusher in Taiwan Jones pitted up against SUU's 109th ranked rushing D that has allowed 24 TDs and an average of 207 yards per game. Both teams will need to protect the ball, as each has a history of losing games if committing 4 or more turnovers. Will my Eagles keep their post-season hopes alive? Or will SUU prove that they're a team to be reckoned with in coming years?

NAU 35 @ 31 WSU--- The second biggest game of the week from an EWU perspective. It will be interesting to see how both teams respond to a resound beating. Weber will be a week fresher, but could that time off taken away some of their focus? Is this the same NAU team from years past that starts strong and finishes failing? Time will tell.

UNC 14 @ 31 UM--- The Griz already have their playoff ticket punched, but this home game against the lowly bears will not be treated lightly as they did the Bengals. Idaho State made some noise in the FCS and put a scare into a Griz team that would like to stay home up until the Championship game by keeping their record perfect. The other Bears team suffered yet another hard-fought battle only to come up just short in the end. Will they pull it all together and step up from the bottom tier with a signature win? Possible, but not likely.

PSU 14 @ 17 ISU--- Seemingly the battle for the Cellar in the Sky this year. If ISU wins, there will likely be a 3-way tie amongst PSU, ISU, and UNC with each having one win and one loss between the other two. Will the Bengals repeat history and end the season with a win to keep a doughnut out of their record? Will PSU finish a disappointing season on a positive note?

Sac State 35 @ 34 MSU--- I don't know what to make of this game. The Hornets are getting hot, but need to play a complete game if they want to finish their season with a winning record. That starts this week by playing defense for four quarters rather than two. The Bobcats are warming up as well, after cruising past Idaho State and Portland State. This week will be their final tune-up before taking on their bitter rivals in the Brawl of the Wild. Will they be ready?


Three "upsets" this week? Hail Mary baby.

[Grizo406]

Nice job, SE!

[cats2506]

The Bobcats are believed to have an easy trek to a possible playoff spot.

Say WHAT?

11/21 - UM @ MSU

[GOKATS]

UNC 14 @ UM 31

NAU 24 @ WSU 37

Sac. St. 10 @ MSU 37

EWU 21 @ SUU 24

PSU 27 @ ISU 14

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Nice job, SE!

Thanks Grizo!

[JALMOND]

The Bobcats are believed to have an easy trek to a possible playoff spot.

Say WHAT?

11/21 - UM @ MSU

If you can't beat your rivals on your own field for a chance to go to the playoffs, you have no business playing the game. Much better chance for the Bobcats to win than in Missoula, especially after how the Griz played on the road this past weekend.

[AZGrizFan]

Say WHAT?

11/21 - UM @ MSU

Gash better have 22 of those buttons.

[JALMOND]

I'm at 44-10 and still a game back from Jalmond, which hopefully I can come back from on Saturday. These last two weeks feature some key matchups that will go far in deciding which Sky team will have their playoff hopes titillated and the remaining three looking forward to next year.

EWU 42 @ 34 Southern Utah--- One game at a time. This is our first round playoff game. A matchup between two of the highest potency aerial attacks in FCS, with EWU ranked slightly higher (7th) than SUU (12th) in passing offense, passing efficiency (10th, 27th), and total offense (9th, 23rd). It should be a high scoring affair as EWU comes in with the 90th ranked total defense and SUU with the 110th. The tie breaker will be the FCS's 11th ranked rusher in Taiwan Jones pitted up against SUU's 109th ranked rushing D that has allowed 24 TDs and an average of 207 yards per game. Both teams will need to protect the ball, as each has a history of losing games if committing 4 or more turnovers. Will my Eagles keep their post-season hopes alive? Or will SUU prove that they're a team to be reckoned with in coming years?

NAU 35 @ 31 WSU--- The second biggest game of the week from an EWU perspective. It will be interesting to see how both teams respond to a resound beating. Weber will be a week fresher, but could that time off taken away some of their focus? Is this the same NAU team from years past that starts strong and finishes failing? Time will tell.

UNC 14 @ 31 UM--- The Griz already have their playoff ticket punched, but this home game against the lowly bears will not be treated lightly as they did the Bengals. Idaho State made some noise in the FCS and put a scare into a Griz team that would like to stay home up until the Championship game by keeping their record perfect. The other Bears team suffered yet another hard-fought battle only to come up just short in the end. Will they pull it all together and step up from the bottom tier with a signature win? Possible, but not likely.

PSU 14 @ 17 ISU--- Seemingly the battle for the Cellar in the Sky this year. If ISU wins, there will likely be a 3-way tie amongst PSU, ISU, and UNC with each having one win and one loss between the other two. Will the Bengals repeat history and end the season with a win to keep a doughnut out of their record? Will PSU finish a disappointing season on a positive note?

Sac State 35 @ 34 MSU--- I don't know what to make of this game. The Hornets are getting hot, but need to play a complete game if they want to finish their season with a winning record. That starts this week by playing defense for four quarters rather than two. The Bobcats are warming up as well, after cruising past Idaho State and Portland State. This week will be their final tune-up before taking on their bitter rivals in the Brawl of the Wild. Will they be ready?


Three "upsets" this week? Hail Mary baby.

Thought I snookered you by taking EWU. Interesting picks. I could miss the PSU game (I knew you would go against me on that) and still be comfortably ahead with WSU and MSU. Oh well, good luck.

[AZGrizFan]

Say WHAT?

11/21 - UM @ MSU

If you can't beat your rivals on your own field for a chance to go to the playoffs, you have no business playing the game. Much better chance for the Bobcats to win than in Missoula, especially after how the Griz played on the road this past weekend.

True, but that DON't make their "trek" to the playoffs "easy".

[SDHornet]

The Bears were riding high and hoping to derail Sacramento State's dream season, yet could not overcome the 35 points they gave up in the first half.

31 first half points. The Hornets find themselves playing the role of spoiler yet again this season. I'm pulling for the upset.

[SouthDakotaGrizzly]

Say WHAT?

11/21 - UM @ MSU

If you can't beat your rivals on your own field for a chance to go to the playoffs, you have no business playing the game. Much better chance for the Bobcats to win than in Missoula, especially after how the Griz played on the road this past weekend.

I would contend that the way the Griz played at ISU actually makes it harder for the Cats to pull off the upset in Bozo. The ISU game served as a wake-up call that they can't just show up and win (even though that's basically how that game turned out). Besides, anyone who can't get pumped up for Griz-Cat doesn't have a pulse to begin with. The Griz won't take this game lightly like they did ISU.

[Wapiti]

EWU 34 @ Southern Utah 32---Tough choice here. I think EWU is a slightly better team, but SUU has home field advantage to make this a tie ball game on paper. So I will go with my BSC bias.

NAU 17 @ WSU 24---Another tough choice. I think home field advantage takes this one. As long as BBQ does not turn the ball over too much.

UNC 17 @ UM 28--- Were the Griz exposed last week? Are the bears studying that game tape to see what ISU did against the Griz? The Griz probably studied that tape too and will attempt to correct some mistakes.

PSU 21 @ ISU 24---The clunker game of the week. ISU suddenly has some confidence going and PSU seems to be losing confidence. Home field advantage wins it.

Sac State 17 @ MSU 34--- Sac state seems to have some momentum going, except for the 2nd half last week. MSU has momentum going too and home field advantage.
Additional info: Bozeman currently has almost 2 feet of snow on the ground and still snowing!!!!!

[jjj3rd]

Northern Colorado 13 @ Montana 47 - Griz won't overlook another one...especially at Wa-Griz. And, I think this one determines the fate of the UNC coaching staff, since it's their last game this season.

Northern Arizona 27 @ Weber State 31 - Home field gets the nod...

Sacramento State 26 @ Montana State 27 - Weather may reduce Sac's final score by 9 or 10.

Eastern Washington 34 @ Southern Utah 31 - Should be one of the better games this week based on the matchup.

Portland State 27 @ Idaho State 24 - I just flipped a coin and rolled some dice here...

[EWURanger]

EWU 38 @ Southern Utah 28 - Both teams have capable offenses, but SUU's defense seems slightly more suspect, especially against the run. Look for Jones to have a big day.

NAU 28 @ WSU 24 - Will be a close one, but NAU seems to be playing slightly better at this point in the season.

UNC 14 @ UM 35 - UM will wake up from last week's slumber to crush hapless UNC.

PSU 17 @ ISU 21 - Um, hmmmmm......this one could go either way. However, I'll go with ISU in this one as it may be their last chance to grab a "w" this year.

Sac State 28 @ MSU 24 - Another close one, however, I will pick the upset and go with Sac - they're better than their record indicates, and have the ability to beat MSU.

5-0 last week, with two upsets picked!

[Screamin_Eagle174]

EWU 38 @ Southern Utah 28 - Both teams have capable offenses, but SUU's defenses seems slightly more suspect, especially against the run. Look for Jones to have a big day.

NAU 28 @ WSU 24 - Will be a close one, but NAU seems to be playing slightly better at this point in the season.

UNC 14 @ UM 35 - UM will wake up from last week's slumber to crush hapless UNC.

PSU 17 @ ISU 21 - Um, hmmmmm......this one could go either way. However, I'll go with ISU in this one as it may be their last chance to grab a "w" this year.

Sac State 28 @ MSU 24 - Another close one, however, I will pick the upset and go with Sac - they're better than their record indicates, and have the ability to beat MSU.

5-0 last week, with two upsets picked!

Same picks, similar scores too other than the Sac State game.

[native]

EWU 35 @ Southern Utah 34

The T-Birds will not be the pushovers that some Eagles fans seem to expect.


NAU 24 @ WSU 28

Weather will affect Northern Arizona more than Weber. When the Wildcats stop NAU in the red zone, the Lumberjack field goal attempts will not be as easy as at home in the dome at 7,000 feet.


UNC 17 @ UM 34

UNC puts up a decent effort.


PSU 21 @ ISU 23

The Bengals pull one off.


Sac State 21 @ MSU 23

Bobcats stay alive for their finale against the Griz.

[Mvemjsunpx]

NAU 24 @ WSU 28

Weather will affect Northern Arizona more than Weber. When the Wildcats stop NAU in the red zone, the Lumberjack field goal attempts will not be as easy as at home in the dome at 7,000 feet.

Though I think Weber will win, I caution you there. NAU did beat Montana State in 20º weather in Bozeman.

[SuperHornet]

I find it hilarious how some people think weather is a panacea. This is football, not an army trying to attack Russia with an insane guy in charge and no supply train. The weather will not affect the Hornets as much as some guys think.

[GOKATS]

I find it hilarious how some people think weather is a panacea. This is football, not an army trying to attack Russia with an insane guy in charge and no supply train. The weather will not affect the Hornets as much as some guys think.

Montana St. football players love it when a chick from CA uses the word "panacea".

Too bad that won't be a factor when the Cats kick your ass on a nice Nov. day in Montana.

[SuperHornet]

I find it hilarious how some people think weather is a panacea. This is football, not an army trying to attack Russia with an insane guy in charge and no supply train. The weather will not affect the Hornets as much as some guys think.

Montana St. football players love it when a chick from CA uses the word "panacea".

Too bad that won't be a factor when the Cats kick your ass on a nice Nov. day in Montana.

Hey, dumb@$$, how many times to I have to say it?

I AM NOT A GIRL!!!! I was a redshirt QB at Pacific, which has never had a girl on their team. Stop this cr@p. Please.

[EWURanger]

Griz 42-3 vs. UNC

Barbecues 21-17 vs. NAU

Sacred City 38-31 @ Kitties

EWU 56-9 @ SUU

PSU 31-6 @ Bungles

Bonus Picks

Navy 31-13 vs. Delaware

South Florida 45-21 @ Rutgers

Liberty 31-10 @ Gardner-Webb

I don't get the "Barbecues" reference. I must be missing something.