Big Sky Predictions 10-23

[EWURanger]

First of all, NAU's Michael Herrick is the best QB that the Griz will face this year. He is as good as any QB in the FCS and if given the opportunity, he will purge the Griz defense (like he did last year in Flagstaff). But unlike last year when the Jacks had the worst defense in the country, they now have the best defense in the country. This is a very good and dangerous NAU team and they are starting to play well on both sides of the ball. With that said, the Jacks will be confronted with the best home field advantage in the FCS and the loudest stadium in the Big Sky Conference. This will have an effect on them and, if the Griz do not turn the ball over like they have done recently, the Griz fans will carry Montana to a very slim victory in a very exciting game. Finally, is it necessary that we have to hear so much about the Inferno in Cheney, WA? Cheyney is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Why they just don't "blow the place up" and start over, I'll never know

Nice try dude, go take a lap.

36-27, enough said.

[JALMOND]

Finally, is it necessary that we have to hear so much about the Inferno in Cheney, WA? Cheyney is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Why they just don't "blow the place up" and start over, I'll never know

I hear ya. I've never heard this much talk about Red-Field since I left South Dakota (where I lived 50 miles from Red-Field ).

[EWURanger]

Finally, is it necessary that we have to hear so much about the Inferno in Cheney, WA? Cheyney is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Why they just don't "blow the place up" and start over, I'll never know

I hear ya. I've never heard this much talk about Red-Field since I left South Dakota (where I lived 50 miles from Red-Field ).

Eagle-envy noted.

[ryannewhart]

First of all, NAU's Michael Herrick is the best QB that the Griz will face this year. He is as good as any QB in the FCS and if given the opportunity, he will purge the Griz defense (like he did last year in Flagstaff). But unlike last year when the Jacks had the worst defense in the country, they now have the best defense in the country. This is a very good and dangerous NAU team and they are starting to play well on both sides of the ball. With that said, the Jacks will be confronted with the best home field advantage in the FCS and the loudest stadium in the Big Sky Conference. This will have an effect on them and, if the Griz do not turn the ball over like they have done recently, the Griz fans will carry Montana to a very slim victory in a very exciting game. Finally, is it necessary that we have to hear so much about the Inferno in Cheney, WA? Cheyney is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Why they just don't "blow the place up" and start over, I'll never know

calling nau the best D in the country is a bit of a stretch, dont ya think

[putter]

What's the big deal about picking NAU over Montana? After last weekend, anyone has the right to pick then. The Griz are still struggling to adjust to this new system and I have not seen this many turnovers since Capn Cat and D1B came to Missoula with a truckfull! Montana will need all the help the home crowd can give if they don't play better. NAU has that kind of talent. Also, didn't the PSU kid get hit by his own player?

[NAU_Alum10]

calling nau the best D in the country is a bit of a stretch, dont ya think

Our D held Arizona State to 56 rushing yards and held Montana State to something like 16 yards and one first down in the first half. Ask coach Ash about last Saturdays game, because he didn’t want to talk about it much during his press conference. We might not have the best D but its pretty darn good.

What's the big deal about picking NAU over Montana? After last weekend, anyone has the right to pick then. The Griz are still struggling to adjust to this new system and I have not seen this many turnovers since Capn Cat and D1B came to Missoula with a truckfull! Montana will need all the help the home crowd can give if they don't play better. NAU has that kind of talent. Also, didn't the PSU kid get hit by his own player?

[/quote]

Its nice to read some sensible comments regarding NAU from a griz fan. After all the garbage I read on egriz I came away with an overall feeling that most griz fans are delusional that this is the typical Montana team. Ya you guys have an amazing program and are the class of this conference but this year your down a little and it wouldn’t be that inconceivable for this lumberjack squad to beat Montana. Its gonna take a perfect effort on the jacks end to do that in wa griz but its football and its played on the field not paper.

[webfan]

Well said NAU_Alum.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

calling nau the best D in the country is a bit of a stretch, dont ya think

Our D held Arizona State to 56 rushing yards and held Montana State to something like 16 yards and one first down in the first half. Ask coach Ash about last Saturdays game, because he didn’t want to talk about it much during his press conference. We might not have the best D but its pretty darn good.

EWU didn't have too much of a problem with it.

What's the big deal about picking NAU over Montana? After last weekend, anyone has the right to pick then. The Griz are still struggling to adjust to this new system and I have not seen this many turnovers since Capn Cat and D1B came to Missoula with a truckfull! Montana will need all the help the home crowd can give if they don't play better. NAU has that kind of talent. Also, didn't the PSU kid get hit by his own player?

Its nice to read some sensible comments regarding NAU from a griz fan. After all the garbage I read on egriz I came away with an overall feeling that most griz fans are delusional that this is the typical Montana team. Ya you guys have an amazing program and are the class of this conference but this year your down a little and it wouldn’t be that inconceivable for this lumberjack squad to beat Montana. Its gonna take a perfect effort on the jacks end to do that in wa griz but its football and its played on the field not paper.

Totally agree. That's been EWU's stance since before the season. Look how that turned out.

[Mvemjsunpx]

EWU didn't have too much of a problem with it.

Really? 21 points is EWU's second-lowest scoring output of the season.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

EWU didn't have too much of a problem with it.

Really? 21 points is EWU's second-lowest scoring output of the season.

It wasn't NAU's defense that kept our horrible kicker from making 2 easy field goals.

[webfan]

There is rain forcast for most of BSC land today. I woder how that will affect the games? At least some will have an excuse this time for their TO's.

[kalm]

First of all, NAU's Michael Herrick is the best QB that the Griz will face this year. He is as good as any QB in the FCS and if given the opportunity, he will purge the Griz defense (like he did last year in Flagstaff). But unlike last year when the Jacks had the worst defense in the country, they now have the best defense in the country. This is a very good and dangerous NAU team and they are starting to play well on both sides of the ball. With that said, the Jacks will be confronted with the best home field advantage in the FCS and the loudest stadium in the Big Sky Conference. This will have an effect on them and, if the Griz do not turn the ball over like they have done recently, the Griz fans will carry Montana to a very slim victory in a very exciting game. Finally, is it necessary that we have to hear so much about the Inferno in Cheney, WA? Cheyney is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Why they just don't "blow the place up" and start over, I'll never know

Flat earthers...

[mtjack]

First of all, NAU's Michael Herrick is the best QB that the Griz will face this year. He is as good as any QB in the FCS and if given the opportunity, he will purge the Griz defense (like he did last year in Flagstaff). But unlike last year when the Jacks had the worst defense in the country, they now have the best defense in the country. This is a very good and dangerous NAU team and they are starting to play well on both sides of the ball. With that said, the Jacks will be confronted with the best home field advantage in the FCS and the loudest stadium in the Big Sky Conference. This will have an effect on them and, if the Griz do not turn the ball over like they have done recently, the Griz fans will carry Montana to a very slim victory in a very exciting game. Finally, is it necessary that we have to hear so much about the Inferno in Cheney, WA? Cheyney is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Why they just don't "blow the place up" and start over, I'll never know

Flat earthers...

Funny, Kalm. We're not in Kansas anymore, are we?

[JALMOND]

Also, didn't the PSU kid get hit by his own player?

From the game writeup off the Missoulian site (written by Fritz Neighbor)...

"In the third quarter, a clipping penalty on UM coincided with Viking linebacker Jaycob Shoemaker being carted off the field with a serious leg injury"

From goviks.com (written by Mike Lund)...

"Jaycob Shoemaker had nine tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass but left the game with a serious left leg injury after being hit by a cut block."

Now I am not like some Griz posters who want to use the term "intentional" when describing hits and not offering any proof to these ridiculous accusations (other than "see for yourself in the video we will provide"). The underlying truth to all this is the ones who hand out the suspensions (and have handed out many this year) did not think that the hit on Shoemaker, nor the hit on Campbell, warranted any suspension. I was at the game and thought neither hit (among others) should have drawn a suspension. I understand Griz fans may have a different opinion on this, but when people start throwing around "intentional" when describing our program and our team, I will take issue with it, just like if others describe Griz football as "intentional" I would expect the Griz fans to defend the issue, as many have done over the course of my years following Big Sky football.

[EWURanger]

NAU 31 @ UM 28

UNC 14 @ MSU 38

PSU 35 @ WSU 24

Sac State 28 @ EWU 31

2-2 this week, but these damn games are getting almost impossible to predict. A little more clarity this week with the top 3 teams all winning. NAU still has an outside shot at a share of the conference but they will need a *LOT* of help, especially with losses to EWU and now UM.

Sac State is now out of the play-off picture with no possibility of 7 D-1 wins, along with PSU, UNC, and ISU.

Weber still has a shot, but will need to beat UM, MSU, and NAU. Probably not going to knock of Texas Tech.

[JALMOND]

35-5 heading into this weekend. I am hoping for a perfect weekend this time around. This may be the first hint of weather as all four games are being played near the mountains of the Big Sky and with a cold front coming through, things could get interesting. Also, out of what is now the top four in the conference, everyone but NAU is playing at home. Maybe time for some separation (finally)? Here are this week's predictions in the Big Sky. Once again, all are my opinion only and all are open for discussion. Only ISU is not playing so there should be some good ones out there.

NAU @ UM---A few may have speculated that the Jacks were going to beat Montana State last week, but few would have thought it would be a blowout. The Jacks jumped on MSU quickly in the beginning and soon the rout was on. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, were in a dogfight at Portland State, needing a last minute drive from Roper to set up a last second field goal to win the game. For most of their game, the Grizzlies looked terrible on offense, yet came through when they needed to. For once, the Jacks looked awesome on both sides of the ball. So what happens here?...UM 21, NAU 17.

UNC @ MSU---Last week the Bears took advantage of their home field and some lackadaisical plays from Eastern Washington to stay in the game until the end, something few people were thinking was going to happen. The Bobcats, however, came into Northern Arizona feeling pretty good about themselves, yet left demoralized after being routed by the Jacks. One has to think that the Bobcats have the attention of their coach and with the game in Bozeman, do the Bears really have a chance?...MSU 42, UNC 10.

PSU @ WSU---This game is interesting. Both teams have shown they have pretty potent offenses, by ignoring the FBS games, both teams are near the top of the conference standings in total offense. What has been the downfall of both teams have been turnovers, where they both are at the bottom. Last week was a good point. The Vikings fumbled the ball 7 times, and lost to Montana in a close game. The Wildcats suffered the turnover bug, too, yet still found a way to win against Idaho State. Who wants this game more?...PSU 24, WSU 16.

Sac State @ EWU---This game features two of the more explosive running backs in the conference with Jones for the Eagles and Hilliard for the Hornets. Jones showed what he could do last week as he put the Eagles on his back and led them to a closer than expected win over Northern Colorado. The Hornets with Hilliard have been a pleasant surprise and are coming off of a bye last week. The Hornets have never beat the Eagles in Sacramento, but this game is in Cheney. Still, close but not good enough...EWU 28, Sac State 26.

Still wanting perfection.

Maybe wanted perfection, but have to settle once again for 3-1, thanks to my homer pick not coming true. 38-6 overall for the year.

[Mvemjsunpx]

So now PSU and NoCol are on the same level? Hardly.

Well, they're both pretty good at playing just well enough to lose.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Sac State 24-35 EWU — Odd stat: all 4 of Sac's wins against EWU came in Cheney.

Portland St. 27-31 Weber — Weber's underrated running game bails out Higgins.

NAU 20-23 Montana — Herrick must now deal with one of the nation's best pass defenses.

NoCo 17-34 Montana St. — Can the Bobcats avoid a 2004-esque collapse?

Perfect for the third straight week.

*I'm awesome*

[webfan]

Sac State 24-35 EWU — Odd stat: all 4 of Sac's wins against EWU came in Cheney.

Portland St. 27-31 Weber — Weber's underrated running game bails out Higgins.

NAU 20-23 Montana — Herrick must now deal with one of the nation's best pass defenses.

NoCo 17-34 Montana St. — Can the Bobcats avoid a 2004-esque collapse?

Perfect for the third straight week.

*I'm awesome*

You are prophetic!

[SuperHornet]

Regardless of actual result, I find it amazing that ALL of the games were close affairs. We expected EWU-Sac to be a nailbiter regardless of who won (naturally, I'm disappointed in that), but there were a couple that SHOULD have been blowouts that were almost upsets. I'm shocked.

[EWURanger]

Biggest margin of victory in the conference was 4 points! The other games were won by 3 points (2), and 2 points.......Seriously, I cannot remember a year in which there were so many close games in the BSC week in and week out.

[webfan]

I think its called parity. The BSC from top to bottom, except maybe ISU, are good teams. We'll see in the playoffs how good.