Big Sky preseason power rankings

[JALMOND]

What an interesting year it is shaping up in the Big Sky. We have the defending national champions, the only FCS team to beat the defending national champions last year, a team wanting to return to the playoffs, and a former doormat thinking they can make some noise. Along with that, the other teams have made strides that hopefully will cause them to make some noise this year, too. The preseason power rankings in the Big Sky. As usual, all are my opinion and all are open for discussion. Good luck to all this year.

1. Eastern Washington Eagles---Last year the Eagles brought the national championship trophy back to the Big Sky. This year they will try to defend it and hold off all challenges from the conference foes. They have the quarterback to do it, with another year of understanding the system. They also get both Montana schools right off the bat. First, though, they step up to the Pac-12 with a game against Washington. A good test to get ready for what is shaping up to be a tough conference year.

2. Montana State Bobcats---The thoughts of the Bobcats dethroning Eastern Washington took a hit over the summer when their big all-purpose back was deemed ineligible. However, they still have enough to make them relevant in the race for the title. They do take care of Eastern Washington in their conference opener. Before that, they head to play the Pac-12 newcomer, Utah, for a Thursday night game.

3. Montana Grizzlies---The Grizzlies are eager to show to the rest of the conference that last year was just a fluke and not to be relevant in the playoffs is not an option this year. However, the lack of a proven quarterback and an adequate replacement for their departed running back will be tough to overcome. Their strong defense will have to carry them at least through the first half of the schedule, starting with a game Saturday in front of 100,000 hostile fans at Tennessee.

4. Sacramento State Hornets---Is this going to be the year of the Hornets? Possibly as they welcome back a strong offensive core. By the end of last year, the Hornets were playing as good as anyone, evident by their strong showing late at Northern Arizona. This year starts with a game at Pac-12's Oregon State, a game the Hornet fans are pretty confident about. A win could open a lot of eyes, but the thing is, based on where they've been , a good loss to the Pac-12 could do that, too.

5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---A trip to the playoffs was expected last year, but as in years past, the Lumberjacks fell just short. Losses late in the year to Sacramento State and Weber State sealed that aspect. This year the playoffs are on everyone's minds again, but it will be a much tougher road, having to replace their all-purpose quarterback. Opening up at a strong Pac-12 Arizona team doesn't help.

6. Weber State Wildcats---Finally, the Wildcats star quarterback has moved on, leaving them with a massive rebuilding project. There are possibilities but very little experience in the backfield. Can the Wildcats get everything together soon enough to stay in the upper reaches of the conference standings? Their road to recovery starts on Saturday with a trip to the Mountain West's basement team in Wyoming. Possibly an easy game made difficult by what they have lost.

7. Idaho State Bengals---Perhaps the best recruit the Bengals got in the offseason was the new coach that was hired. Pocatello was slowly becoming a wasteland on the Big Sky horizon, but with the addition of Kramer, the Bengals have a good chance at becoming relevant. There is still talent here and potential galore on the team. It all starts with a trip to fellow doormat in the Pac-12, Washington State.

8. Portland State Vikings---The problem facing the Vikings is not can they win in the conference as they showed last year that they can be competitive. The problem is with their youth and the carryover with the injury bug that plagued Glanville, they could not close out the close games. Will that be different this year? A good sign is that they don't have multiple FBS games this year. The season starts Saturday with a game against NAIA's Southern Oregon.

9. Northern Colorado Bears---The Bears are trying to show they belong in the Big Sky from a competitive point. They replaced their coach and hope they can play. Some good players return, but with a new coach, it may take a while for them to understand the system. They take it relatively easy in the first game as they welcome DII Lindenwood to their cozy field. Maybe a win will install much needed confidence for this team.

[mtjack]

Thanks, JALMOND. I appreciate your write-ups here and elsewhere in Big Sky land.

I think PSU ends a slot or two higher and that the top four you listed will be a mix and match. Looking forward to next weekend.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Looks pretty good Jalmond. Who do you think will finish with a better record, NAU or WSU? I'd give the nod to WSU because of their OL, but that's just me.

[JALMOND]

Looks pretty good Jalmond. Who do you think will finish with a better record, NAU or WSU? I'd give the nod to WSU because of their OL, but that's just me.

Too close to call, really. Coming in without either Higgins or Bolen will hurt Weber State, even with their O-Line. NAU at least has some proven players in the backfield, but no line. The age old question, do you win with a new backfield and strong line play, or do you win with an experienced backfield and adequate line play? Remains to be seen.

[weberwildcat]

i always like reading your weekly rankings. my only disagreement is wsu having a massive rebuilding project. we've lost many good players over the past 2 years but we will see the cupboards were far from bare.

[BigSkyBears]

What an interesting year it is shaping up in the Big Sky. We have the defending national champions, the only FCS team to beat the defending national champions last year, a team wanting to return to the playoffs, and a former doormat thinking they can make some noise. Along with that, the other teams have made strides that hopefully will cause them to make some noise this year, too. The preseason power rankings in the Big Sky. As usual, all are my opinion and all are open for discussion. Good luck to all this year.

1. Eastern Washington Eagles---Last year the Eagles brought the national championship trophy back to the Big Sky. This year they will try to defend it and hold off all challenges from the conference foes. They have the quarterback to do it, with another year of understanding the system. They also get both Montana schools right off the bat. First, though, they step up to the Pac-12 with a game against Washington. A good test to get ready for what is shaping up to be a tough conference year.

2. Montana State Bobcats---The thoughts of the Bobcats dethroning Eastern Washington took a hit over the summer when their big all-purpose back was deemed ineligible. However, they still have enough to make them relevant in the race for the title. They do take care of Eastern Washington in their conference opener. Before that, they head to play the Pac-12 newcomer, Utah, for a Thursday night game.

3. Montana Grizzlies---The Grizzlies are eager to show to the rest of the conference that last year was just a fluke and not to be relevant in the playoffs is not an option this year. However, the lack of a proven quarterback and an adequate replacement for their departed running back will be tough to overcome. Their strong defense will have to carry them at least through the first half of the schedule, starting with a game Saturday in front of 100,000 hostile fans at Tennessee.

4. Sacramento State Hornets---Is this going to be the year of the Hornets? Possibly as they welcome back a strong offensive core. By the end of last year, the Hornets were playing as good as anyone, evident by their strong showing late at Northern Arizona. This year starts with a game at Pac-12's Oregon State, a game the Hornet fans are pretty confident about. A win could open a lot of eyes, but the thing is, based on where they've been , a good loss to the Pac-12 could do that, too.

5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---A trip to the playoffs was expected last year, but as in years past, the Lumberjacks fell just short. Losses late in the year to Sacramento State and Weber State sealed that aspect. This year the playoffs are on everyone's minds again, but it will be a much tougher road, having to replace their all-purpose quarterback. Opening up at a strong Pac-12 Arizona team doesn't help.

6. Weber State Wildcats---Finally, the Wildcats star quarterback has moved on, leaving them with a massive rebuilding project. There are possibilities but very little experience in the backfield. Can the Wildcats get everything together soon enough to stay in the upper reaches of the conference standings? Their road to recovery starts on Saturday with a trip to the Mountain West's basement team in Wyoming. Possibly an easy game made difficult by what they have lost.

7. Idaho State Bengals---Perhaps the best recruit the Bengals got in the offseason was the new coach that was hired. Pocatello was slowly becoming a wasteland on the Big Sky horizon, but with the addition of Kramer, the Bengals have a good chance at becoming relevant. There is still talent here and potential galore on the team. It all starts with a trip to fellow doormat in the Pac-12, Washington State.

8. Portland State Vikings---The problem facing the Vikings is not can they win in the conference as they showed last year that they can be competitive. The problem is with their youth and the carryover with the injury bug that plagued Glanville, they could not close out the close games. Will that be different this year? A good sign is that they don't have multiple FBS games this year. The season starts Saturday with a game against NAIA's Southern Oregon.

9. Northern Colorado Bears---The Bears are trying to show they belong in the Big Sky from a competitive point. They replaced their coach and hope they can play. Some good players return, but with a new coach, it may take a while for them to understand the system. They take it relatively easy in the first game as they welcome DII Lindenwood to their cozy field. Maybe a win will install much needed confidence for this team.

So ISU has a new coach and they won't struggle like UNC will with their new coach? Just trying to understand your logic here. Aren't they starting a Freshman at QB?

[JALMOND]

So ISU has a new coach and they won't struggle like UNC will with their new coach? Just trying to understand your logic here. Aren't they starting a Freshman at QB?

True what you're saying. I placed ISU ahead of both PSU and UNC mainly because of Kramer's proven track record of getting results from mediocre programs, especially in the Big Sky. People may not like how he does it, but he gets success. If Collins can redo UNC in a season, or Burton can this year at PSU, people will be surprised. But Kramer knows how to win in the conference, and with both Moore and Storms returning, it is not like he is starting with nothing, and he has won in the conference with less. ISU at #7 is a good starting point for them. It is true that the players may dismiss him but that would be foolish, considering where they have finished recently and Kramer's own success.

[BigSkyBears]

I would put as the following:

1. EWU
2.MSU
3.Montana
4. Sac State
5. NAU
6. Weber
7. UNC
8.PSU
9. ISU

Going back to ISU. I guess their starting QB isn't a freshman but a JC transfer. A cause of concern though is their offensive line. Some guys are gone for the year and they are starting two true freshman.

[grizzaholic]

I would put as the following:

1. EWU
2.MSU
3.Montana
4. Sac State
5. NAU
6. Weber
7. UNC
8.PSU
9. ISU

Going back to ISU. I guess their starting QB isn't a freshman but a JC transfer. A cause of concern though is their offensive line. Some guys are gone for the year and they are starting two true freshman.

The Big Human will turn the ISU program around...They won't be last...hell..they might end up 5th or 6th this year.

[Gil Dobie]

Jalmond, as a MVFC fan, I always enjoy reading your Big Sky rankings. Keep up the good work.

[SuperHornet]

Looks pretty good, as per usual. I'm just thinking that you're scared of being accused of homerism. PSU should be at least a couple of spots higher, IMO. Mr. Tiger is starting to do some amazing things up in the PDX.

[WeberAlum02]

No way NAU finishes ahead of Weber, especially with NAU having to play in Ogden.

[JALMOND]

No way NAU finishes ahead of Weber, especially with NAU having to play in Ogden.

By the time NAU plays Weber, hopefully the questions surrounding the Wildcat backfield (if there are in fact any) will be answered. Right now, though, I would give the edge to NAU, albeit slightly.

[JALMOND]

Looks pretty good, as per usual. I'm just thinking that you're scared of being accused of homerism. PSU should be at least a couple of spots higher, IMO. Mr. Tiger is starting to do some amazing things up in the PDX.

We (Portland State) do have a lot returning, but returning from what? There is promise but I need to see some success before I can consider us above the "bottom 3".

[BigSkyBears]

Looks pretty good, as per usual. I'm just thinking that you're scared of being accused of homerism. PSU should be at least a couple of spots higher, IMO. Mr. Tiger is starting to do some amazing things up in the PDX.

We (Portland State) do have a lot returning, but returning from what? There is promise but I need to see some success before I can consider us above the "bottom 3".

You have an all-conference safety returning on a defense that really struggled. However, wasn't he a CB last season? Is safety his "natural" position? Shneed is his name, right? Did you just a have a young defense last year?

[AZGrizFan]

I think EWU loses 3 conference games this year.

You heard it here first.

[Wildcat Ryan]

I think EWU loses 3 conference games this year.

You heard it here first.

Hopefully one of those games is against Weber State

[Grizalltheway]

I think EWU loses 3 conference games this year.

You heard it here first.

Hopefully one of those games is against Weber State

Hope in one hand and shit in the other...

[big_meowski]

ISU won't get turned around overnight(if at all), not even under the big human. kramer won ZERO games his first year at MSU, and that was a much better situation than what ISU is in right now. also, the guy kramer is replacing isn't a bad coach and he couldn't right that sinking ship. ISU is still very much the BSC's bottomfeeder, IMO.

good teams struggle when replacing a head coach...

[weberwildcat]

if this was the weberwildcat preseason power rankings....

1. EWU
2.MSU
3.Montana
4. Sac State
5. Weber
6. NAU
7.PSU
8. UNC
9. ISU


i hope after week 2 we see weber moving up in the jalmond ranks.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I think EWU loses 3 conference games this year.

You heard it here first.

Not gonna happen. But even in the remote chance that it does, we'll still be playoff bound if we beat Cal Poly. UM on the other hand...

[Grizalltheway]

I think EWU loses 3 conference games this year.

You heard it here first.

Not gonna happen. But even in the remote chance that it does, we'll still be playoff bound if we beat Cal Poly. UM on the other hand...

Laugh all you want, you're in for a dog fight September 17.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Not gonna happen. But even in the remote chance that it does, we'll still be playoff bound if we beat Cal Poly. UM on the other hand...

Laugh all you want, you're in for a dog fight September 17.

I don't know if I'm down for the kind of dog fight you're into...

[grizzaholic]

Laugh all you want, you're in for a dog fight September 17.

I don't know if I'm down for the kind of dog fight you're into...

Citdog doesn't take kindly to Northern Aggression. I would be on my best behavior SE.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I don't know if I'm down for the kind of dog fight you're into...

Citdog doesn't take kindly to Northern Aggression. I would be on my best behavior SE.

Don't worry, I'll bring a leash so we can tie him to a tree. Don't want others getting hurt.