Big Sky predictions 9/2 and 9/4

[JALMOND]

im hoping wsu can score 21 like we did against utah who finished #2 in 2008. I also think Montana will score 60 against the DII. And I like NAU to get 40+

Hard to determine points in games like these. Kind of like who will play it straight through regardless and who will treat it as an exhibition. Last year we lost to Oregon State 34-7, but the Rodgers brothers did not play after halfway through the second quarter. The game was definitely not that close.

[SuperHornet]

So far, it seems as if BSB is the quack UNC fan, while free is the one with brains. BSB runs unwarranted smack, while free brings stats and is collegial. I'm going to take free's word for UNC over Adams, not BSB's.

Based on free, I'll revise my prediction to a 31-17 UNC win.

[BigSkyBears]

So far, it seems as if BSB is the quack UNC fan, while free is the one with brains. BSB runs unwarranted smack, while free brings stats and is collegial. I'm going to take free's word for UNC over Adams, not BSB's.

Based on free, I'll revise my prediction to a 31-17 UNC win.

Stick with your original prediction. I don't care.

[Herky]

So far, it seems as if BSB is the quack UNC fan, while free is the one with brains. BSB runs unwarranted smack, while free brings stats and is collegial. I'm going to take free's word for UNC over Adams, not BSB's.

Based on free, I'll revise my prediction to a 31-17 UNC win.

Stick with your original prediction. I don't care .

There, there little guy, it'll be okay.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Correct Pick
Incorrect Pick
Actual Score
(-123) = Difference between predicted and actual point spread
APSE = Average Point Spread Error
___________________________________________________

EWU 27 @ 49 Nevada
EWU 24 @ 49 Nevada (-3)

Montana-Western 14 @ 34 ISU
Montana-Western 3 @ 32 ISU (-9)

Western State 3 @ 45 UM
Western State 2 @ 73 UM (-29)

Fort Lewis 7 @ 35 MSU
Fort Lewis 10 @ 59 MSU (-21)

Western New Mexico 10 @ 42 NAU
Western New Mexico 0 @ 48 NAU (-16)

Adams State 7 @ 24 UNC
Adams State 0 @ 54 UNC (-37)

PSU 7 @ 42 Arizona State
PSU 9 @ 54 Arizona State (-10)

Sac State 17 @ 48 Stanford
Sac State 17 @ 52 Stanford (-4)

WSU 14 @ 41 Boston College
WSU 20 @ 38 Boston College (-9)

___________________________________________________

This week: 9-0
APSE: 15.3

Perfect this week, then again the games weren't tough at all. Point spreads were way off, because as J mentioned, when teams play up or down, it's hard to predict when the superior team will call of the dogs. I was closest with my EWU/Nevada pick, which I guess goes to show the more you know and study the two teams playing, the more accurate you're likely to be.

[JALMOND]

Finally football is here after a long offseason. This weekend is the start for Big Sky play. EWU and NAU get the season going by playing on Thursday, which is why I did the predictions today. Last season, Scream and myself waged a pretty intense battle (I believe I got him by one game) and I hope we can do it again this year (with the same result, of course). I use the scoreboard abbreviations for all Big Sky schools, with the exception of Sacramento State, which I shorten to Sac State. The other schools are spelled out. That said, here are my predictions for the first weekend of Big Sky play. All are non-conference games, either DI or DII (not even FCS vs FCS in the Big Sky). All are my opinion and all are open for discussion. Hoping for a perfect week...

EWU at Nevada---The Mitchell era begins at EWU with at trip to Reno to face the Wolfpack of Nevada. While the Eagles have high expectations, Nevada has lofty goals as well as they hope to contend with Boise State for the WAC title before the Broncos flee for the Mountain West. EWU may be able to score and there may be some great plays here and there, but during the course of the game...Nevada 41, EWU 20.

Montana-Western at ISU---Something exciting for Bengal nation coming into this season. The Bengals won their last game of the year last year which means for the whole offseason, they had a one game winning streak. A long time to wait for a chance to extend it to two. A great chance to continue as they face NAIA Montana-Western at home to start the year. Make it two...ISU 35, Montana-Western 10.

Western State at UM---Some things are different at Montana. Hauck is gone, Mariani is gone, Schillinger is gone, all replaced by capable personnel. Yet some things are the same at Montana. Reynolds is back, Selle is back, Johnson is back. Also, the opening opponent and venue is still the same, as the Griz welcome back DII Western State. Different result? No, some things remain the same...Montana 38, Western State 0.

Fort Lewis at MSU---The Bobcats start the year with some dings and minor aches and pains, but nowhere near the MASH unit that occurred at the start of last year. A great season could be in the works and it all starts with a home opener against DII Fort Lewis. This should be easier than Michigan State last year, as long as no one brings up Chadron State...MSU 41, Fort Lewis 7.

Western New Mexico at NAU---The Jacks still have Herrick back, but lost some big parts of the puzzle on offense. What better way to get Herrick accustomed to the newcomers than to play DII Western New Mexico in first game. This should not be a tough game, that is saved for week 2. The nightmare of the swoon late in the season last year is gone, this is a new year...NAU 35, Western New Mexico 3.

Adams State at UNC---Times have been rough for the Bears since moving up to the FCS. One conference win and not many more out of conference wins to show. Is this the year to put it all behind? Adams State is definitely not Kansas, nor is it Purdue, nor Hawaii, nor even UC-Davis. Unlike other openers, that means this is a good way to start...UNC 31, Adams State 10.

PSU at Arizona State---The first of two trips to the Pac-10 for the Vikings and what is widely assumed to be the easier of the two. Does that mean that new coach Burton could have the Vikings so pumped up and ready that they can pull off the upset in the desert? Can they do it with the uncertainty at the quarterback and the new offense and defense installed? Can they come home victorious? Only if the Sun Devils forget when the game begins...Arizona State 41, PSU 14.

Sac State at Stanford---Just like Portland State, the Hornets also step up to the Pac-10 when they head over to the Bay Area to take on Stanford. People are expecting great things from the Hornets, so much that some think they have a shot in this game. However, unlike Portland State's opponent (Arizona State), Stanford has a pretty darn good team, too. So much that an upset just isn't likely, even in this game...Stanford 38, Sac State 17.

WSU at Boston College---Most out of conference games in the Big Sky are generally with our western FBS cohorts, as it gives our boosters an opportunity to watch us step up. The Wildcats are bucking that trend as they head across the country and play ACC Boston College. There is a bunch of talent returning for the Wildcats but it's a whole different world out there...Boston College 35, WSU 10.

Well I can get this out of the way. Perfect 9-0 to start, although it was pretty easy. A bit off on the scores. I don't think anyone saw this coming (Big Sky 186, DII Colorado schools 12).

[ronbo]

Montana called off the dogs at Halftime and played the pups in the 2nd half. The pups scored 31 points also.

4 QB's played
5 RB's played
8 WR's caught passes
28 defensive players recorded tackles

These type of games don't tell much about the team but gives the 2nd and 3rd stringers good on-field experience.

[dbackjon]

EWU at Nevada : 13-31

Montana-Western at ISU : 7-25

Western State at UM : 3 - 35

Fort Lewis at MSU : 10 - 35

Western New Mexico at NAU : 7 - 42

Adams State at UNC : 7 - 45

PSU at Arizona State : 7 - 42

Sac State at Stanford : 17 - 42

WSU at Boston College : 6 - 38

9-0!!

[SuperHornet]

Very good, Jon. You were only 10 points off on the Sac game, which is really good for a game with that many points scored.

I'm really disappointed that we lost (particularly that bad), but given the comparison to what happened in Bezerkeley, I'll take it!

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Very good, Jon. You were only 10 points off on the Sac game, which is really good for a game with that many points scored.

I'm really disappointed that we lost (particularly that bad), but given the comparison to what happened in Bezerkeley, I'll take it!

Yeah, I didn't see Sac losing that bad either, I thought you guys had that one in the bag! Then again, I was only 4 points off, so what do I know.

[SDHornet]

I am pretty sure SH is the only one who went with a Sac win over Stanford. Hell, he'd pick a Sac win even if we played Alabama.

[free7694]

I am pretty sure SH is the only one who went with a Sac win over Stanford. Hell, he'd pick a Sac win even if we played Alabama.

He'd also pick UNC to lose if we played Little Sisters of the Poor Tech, he hates the Bears for some reason.

[Green Cookie Monster]

He'd also pick UNC to lose if we played Little Sisters of the Poor Tech, he hates the Bears for some reason.

Isn't that who you played?
Adams State is that the same school as in Revenge of the Nerds?

[free7694]

He'd also pick UNC to lose if we played Little Sisters of the Poor Tech, he hates the Bears for some reason.

Isn't that who you played?
Adams State is that the same school as in Revenge of the Nerds?

Pretty much. And we were up 44-0 at halftime in a game that SH initially picked us to lose.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I am pretty sure SH is the only one who went with a Sac win over Stanford. Hell, he'd pick a Sac win even if we played Alabama.

He'd also pick UNC to lose if we played Little Sisters of the Poor Tech, he hates the Bears for some reason.

Of course It would, because It is their starting kicker!