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Sorry for being late with these. Some spooky glitch kept me from getting on the computer and posting these. Seems OK for now. We'll see how long it lasts. Anyway, five games (four conference, one non conference) on the schedule for the Big Sky. Going into this weekend I am at 39-6, missing on my mild upset last week (PSU) and my major upset last week (UNC). Here are this week's predictions during this very tough week to pick. All are my opinion and all are up for discussion. Have at it (better late than never, although Scream would have picked up the ball, I have faith).

ISU @ MSU---The Bobcats have been hit by both the injury bug and the illness bug, making for some interesting lineups. Still, their defense has been able to shut down pretty much anything opposing offenses can throw at them. The Bengals, however, have been trying different lineups to see what works (usually what doesn't). Sounds like, even through this, the Bobcats are still harboring playoff ideas. Give them one more...MSU 24, ISU 7.

NAU @ Sac State---To say the Jacks have been on a roll since their overtime loss to Montana would be an understatement. The offense has been clicking and the defense has been rising up to the occasion as well. Great ingredients for a successful season and they would like it to continue. The Hornets have been finishing just on the outside of games, but still feel confident they can get a big win somewhere in the conference. This is about where the Jacks began their swoon last year, do their good feelings end here?...NAU 38, Sac State 28.

South Dakota @ UNC---The Bears have been playing better recently, finding their offense against Idaho State, then coming back to make things very interesting last week against Weber State. This week, they welcome former DII foe South Dakota to their snowy confines in Greeley. South Dakota did put the Big Sky somewhat on notice two weeks ago when they took Montana State to overtime in Bozeman. Bears seem to have turned a corner, will the snow bother them?...UNC 20, South Dakota 14.

PSU vs EWU at Seattle---The Eagles received notice that the NCAA lifted their ban on participating in the playoffs this year, now they just have to get there. First step is playing the struggling Vikings on a neutral field, Quest Field in Seattle, home of the Seahawks. The Vikings may be coming in on a sour note, but they have confidence, too, having beaten the Eagles the last three times they've met. Can they Eagles take advantage of the great news and not throw it away this soon?...EWU 31, PSU 21.

WSU @ UM---The game everyone is talking about. The Wildcats have aimed for this game ever since the Grizzlies knocked them out of the playoffs last year in Missoula. The Wildcats have relished this opportunity to win in Wash-Griz and they feel like they have a great shot to do that. The Grizzlies are not as dominate as they have been (suspect in the secondary, unsure at quarterback and Reynolds having an off year) and the Wildcats feel like they can get this one. This is like a playoff game for the Wildcats. One more loss may not totally knock them out of the playoff picture, but it will seriously damage their hopes. Best to just get the win...WSU 35, UM 31.

Tough week to pick. Hoping for 5-0 as usual, but would settle for 3-2.

Reynolds may be having an "off" year, but Weber State gives up 130 ypg on the ground, and they've already played the four worst rushing teams in the BSC. Montana has the best rushing game in the BSC. I'm going to guess that Reynolds and/or TBF go OFF.

Where this game will be won or lost is Webers #1 ranked passing offense against Montana's #8 ranked passing defense, and and Cameron Higgins' propensity to throw the killer pick at the worst possible time.

Good job again, Jalmond. I don't disagree with any of your picks this week.

I wouldn't call leading the entire FCS i touchdowns an off year.

ISU @ MSU: MSU 35-7

NAU @ Sac State: NAU 35-21

PSU vs EWU at Seattle: EWU 42-28

WSU @ UM: WSU 28-24

Jalmond, do you know anything more about Hubel? He's still listed as questionable on goviks' game match-up.

ISU @ MSU: MSU 28-7 - Even with all their injuries, MSU should win this one handily.

NAU @ Sac State: SAC 31-28 - I'll take the unpopular pick on this one. Sac has been improving, and if they can put it all together have the ability to win this one at home.

PSU vs EWU at Seattle: EWU 35-28 - Even with the Vikings struggling as of late, they are still capable offensively. Their ability to move the ball effectively may hinge upon whether or not Hubel can play, however. As for the Eagles, every game is now a must-win situation, and I expect them to come in focused on beating a team they have dropped the last 3 to.

WSU @ UM: UM 28-24 - This one will be a close, hard-fought game, but because they do have home-field advantage, I will give Montana the edge in this one.

SD @ UNC: Don't know much about this one, but I will give UNC the nod since they seem to be improving....slowly, but surely.

I do, however, believe that with the exception of the ISU-MSU match-up, any one of these games could realistically go either way.

GRIZ MOBSTER wrote:I wouldn't call leading the entire FCS i touchdowns an off year.

Maybe for Reynolds it is.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:Jalmond, do you know anything more about Hubel? He's still listed as questionable on goviks' game match-up.

Hard to get any information on the quarterback situation over here. Word was out that Hubel could have played last week, but Glanville did not want him to get hit. Glanville was shooting for this game as a return for Hubel. Today is actually the first full day of practice, maybe we will know more then. Hubel did look to be more mobile on the sidelines of the Davis game. My guess is Hubel will play, how much remains to be seen. Hubel has been chomping at the bit, so to say, to play, and due to the lack of offensive production the last two weeks, I would say he will play, strictly my opinion only.

Screw it, I'll go ahead and make my picks anyway.

ISU 10 @ 32 MSU - Even though this almost a guaranteed win for the Cats, it'll be interesting to see if their offense really is on track after last week's explosion for nearly 600 yds.

NAU 35 @ 30 Sac State - I'm conflicted on this one. The Hornets are getting better and better, and although NAU has been cruising, their schedule is getting tougher and tougher. Sac is certainly capable of the upset, but I don't think it'll happen. I hope Sac State proves me wrong.

PSU 30 vs 42 EWU @ Qwest - I'm really surprised you didn't pick four straight for the Viks on this one Jalmond. Is it because of Hubel? As tough as the Vikings have played us in recent years, Nichols will be treating this game like the one 2 weeks ago... he wants his first win against this team BAD. Add to that Jones will be rushing on great Field Turf and the team has something to fight for now (playoffs), Eagles will snap the streak.

SD 31 @ 24 UNC - This is a game that could go either way, but I think SD pulls this out. They only lost by a point to UC-Davis, and took MSU to overtime the following week. After the Bye, they've had 2 weeks to sit and stew over 3 straight losses, all of them close, 2 of them really close. I'm going with the Coyotes.

WSU 34 @ 42 UM - The game of the month. Whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game. The crowd noise will get to Higgins, and he'll probably throw a pick or two. Trevyn is a beast, but he doesn't have speed like Taiwan Jones to bust it. I think he'll have an okay day, but nothing spectacular. Even though I want the Griz to win, I honestly think they will.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:Screw it, I'll go ahead and make my picks anyway.

WSU 34 @ 42 UM - The game of the month. Whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game. The crowd noise will get to Higgins, and he'll probably throw a pick or two. Trevyn is a beast, but he doesn't have speed like Taiwan Jones to bust it. I think he'll have an okay day, but nothing spectacular. Even though I want the Griz to win, I honestly think they will.

Y not 34-41?

MSU 31-0. As cr@ppy as the Kitties are, I can't see them that close to the Bungles.

Sacred City 24-23. Yes, I'm still myopic.

USD 28-10. I'm still not sold on UNC.

EWU 35-24. EWU is making a push, though it might be too little, too late.

Griz 31-27. Game of the Century (so far).

weberwildcat wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:Screw it, I'll go ahead and make my picks anyway.

WSU 34 @ 42 UM - The game of the month. Whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game. The crowd noise will get to Higgins, and he'll probably throw a pick or two. Trevyn is a beast, but he doesn't have speed like Taiwan Jones to bust it. I think he'll have an okay day, but nothing spectacular. Even though I want the Griz to win, I honestly think they will.

Y not 34-41?

Oh, ya mean because of Weber's Red-zone defense? Yeah, maybe.

Portland St. 21-38 EWU (in Seattle) — Glanville is 2-0 against EWU, but he won't get #3 unless Hubel is healthy.

NAU 42-34 Sac State — Like last week, the Sac offense will have success but it won't matter.

Weber 28-38 Montana — Griz pull away late thanks to their running game.

Idaho St. 7-34 Montana St. — Bobcats win easy regardless of how many people are sick.

South Dakota 28-34 Northern Colorado — Bears could end up with a winning non-conference record here.

EWURanger wrote:ISU @ MSU: MSU 28-7 - Even with all their injuries, MSU should win this one handily.

NAU @ Sac State: SAC 31-28 - I'll take the unpopular pick on this one. Sac has been improving, and if they can put it all together have the ability to win this one at home.

PSU vs EWU at Seattle: EWU 35-28 - Even with the Vikings struggling as of late, they are still capable offensively. Their ability to move the ball effectively may hinge upon whether or not Hubel can play, however. As for the Eagles, every game is now a must-win situation, and I expect them to come in focused on beating a team they have dropped the last 3 to.

WSU @ UM: UM 28-24 - This one will be a close, hard-fought game, but because they do have home-field advantage, I will give Montana the edge in this one.

SD @ UNC: Don't know much about this one, but I will give UNC the nod since they seem to be improving....slowly, but surely.

I do, however, believe that with the exception of the ISU-MSU match-up, any one of these games could realistically go either way.

Yeah, baby, 5-0! Picked the Sac upset and the UNC win!

JALMOND wrote:Sorry for being late with these. Some spooky glitch kept me from getting on the computer and posting these. Seems OK for now. We'll see how long it lasts. Anyway, five games (four conference, one non conference) on the schedule for the Big Sky. Going into this weekend I am at 39-6, missing on my mild upset last week (PSU) and my major upset last week (UNC). Here are this week's predictions during this very tough week to pick. All are my opinion and all are up for discussion. Have at it (better late than never, although Scream would have picked up the ball, I have faith).

ISU @ MSU---The Bobcats have been hit by both the injury bug and the illness bug, making for some interesting lineups. Still, their defense has been able to shut down pretty much anything opposing offenses can throw at them. The Bengals, however, have been trying different lineups to see what works (usually what doesn't). Sounds like, even through this, the Bobcats are still harboring playoff ideas. Give them one more...MSU 24, ISU 7.

NAU @ Sac State---To say the Jacks have been on a roll since their overtime loss to Montana would be an understatement. The offense has been clicking and the defense has been rising up to the occasion as well. Great ingredients for a successful season and they would like it to continue. The Hornets have been finishing just on the outside of games, but still feel confident they can get a big win somewhere in the conference. This is about where the Jacks began their swoon last year, do their good feelings end here?...NAU 38, Sac State 28.

South Dakota @ UNC---The Bears have been playing better recently, finding their offense against Idaho State, then coming back to make things very interesting last week against Weber State. This week, they welcome former DII foe South Dakota to their snowy confines in Greeley. South Dakota did put the Big Sky somewhat on notice two weeks ago when they took Montana State to overtime in Bozeman. Bears seem to have turned a corner, will the snow bother them?...UNC 20, South Dakota 14.

PSU vs EWU at Seattle---The Eagles received notice that the NCAA lifted their ban on participating in the playoffs this year, now they just have to get there. First step is playing the struggling Vikings on a neutral field, Quest Field in Seattle, home of the Seahawks. The Vikings may be coming in on a sour note, but they have confidence, too, having beaten the Eagles the last three times they've met. Can they Eagles take advantage of the great news and not throw it away this soon?...EWU 31, PSU 21.

WSU @ UM---The game everyone is talking about. The Wildcats have aimed for this game ever since the Grizzlies knocked them out of the playoffs last year in Missoula. The Wildcats have relished this opportunity to win in Wash-Griz and they feel like they have a great shot to do that. The Grizzlies are not as dominate as they have been (suspect in the secondary, unsure at quarterback and Reynolds having an off year) and the Wildcats feel like they can get this one. This is like a playoff game for the Wildcats. One more loss may not totally knock them out of the playoff picture, but it will seriously damage their hopes. Best to just get the win...WSU 35, UM 31.

Tough week to pick. Hoping for 5-0 as usual, but would settle for 3-2.

Well, I said I'd settle for 3-2, but I thought I had 4-1 in the bag. I'd been harping about a big win for the Hornets, but I totally missed that one. 42-8 for the year.

EWURanger wrote:

EWURanger wrote:ISU @ MSU: MSU 28-7 - Even with all their injuries, MSU should win this one handily.

NAU @ Sac State: SAC 31-28 - I'll take the unpopular pick on this one. Sac has been improving, and if they can put it all together have the ability to win this one at home.

PSU vs EWU at Seattle: EWU 35-28 - Even with the Vikings struggling as of late, they are still capable offensively. Their ability to move the ball effectively may hinge upon whether or not Hubel can play, however. As for the Eagles, every game is now a must-win situation, and I expect them to come in focused on beating a team they have dropped the last 3 to.

WSU @ UM: UM 28-24 - This one will be a close, hard-fought game, but because they do have home-field advantage, I will give Montana the edge in this one.

SD @ UNC: Don't know much about this one, but I will give UNC the nod since they seem to be improving....slowly, but surely.

I do, however, believe that with the exception of the ISU-MSU match-up, any one of these games could realistically go either way.

Yeah, baby, 5-0! Picked the Sac upset and the UNC win!

Good call on the Sac State win. Congrats on 5-0 this week.

EWURanger wrote:

EWURanger wrote:ISU @ MSU: MSU 28-7 - Even with all their injuries, MSU should win this one handily.

NAU @ Sac State: SAC 31-28 - I'll take the unpopular pick on this one. Sac has been improving, and if they can put it all together have the ability to win this one at home.

PSU vs EWU at Seattle: EWU 35-28 - Even with the Vikings struggling as of late, they are still capable offensively. Their ability to move the ball effectively may hinge upon whether or not Hubel can play, however. As for the Eagles, every game is now a must-win situation, and I expect them to come in focused on beating a team they have dropped the last 3 to.

WSU @ UM: UM 28-24 - This one will be a close, hard-fought game, but because they do have home-field advantage, I will give Montana the edge in this one.

SD @ UNC: Don't know much about this one, but I will give UNC the nod since they seem to be improving....slowly, but surely.

I do, however, believe that with the exception of the ISU-MSU match-up, any one of these games could realistically go either way.

Yeah, baby, 5-0! Picked the Sac upset and the UNC win!

Great Job EWUranger! Me and Jalmond split our opposing picks to go 3-2 on the week. I'm still 2 games back, but there are some tough picks in the next 3 weeks!

.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:Screw it, I'll go ahead and make my picks anyway.

ISU 10 @ 32 MSU - Even though this almost a guaranteed win for the Cats, it'll be interesting to see if their offense really is on track after last week's explosion for nearly 600 yds.

NAU 35 @ 30 Sac State - I'm conflicted on this one. The Hornets are getting better and better, and although NAU has been cruising, their schedule is getting tougher and tougher. Sac is certainly capable of the upset, but I don't think it'll happen. I hope Sac State proves me wrong.

PSU 30 vs 42 EWU @ Qwest - I'm really surprised you didn't pick four straight for the Viks on this one Jalmond. Is it because of Hubel? As tough as the Vikings have played us in recent years, Nichols will be treating this game like the one 2 weeks ago... he wants his first win against this team BAD. Add to that Jones will be rushing on great Field Turf and the team has something to fight for now (playoffs), Eagles will snap the streak.

SD 31 @ 24 UNC - This is a game that could go either way, but I think SD pulls this out. They only lost by a point to UC-Davis, and took MSU to overtime the following week. After the Bye, they've had 2 weeks to sit and stew over 3 straight losses, all of them close, 2 of them really close. I'm going with the Coyotes.

WSU 34 @ 42 UM - The game of the month. Whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game. The crowd noise will get to Higgins, and he'll probably throw a pick or two. Trevyn is a beast, but he doesn't have speed like Taiwan Jones to bust it. I think he'll have an okay day, but nothing spectacular. Even though I want the Griz to win, I honestly think they will.

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

ISU 10 @ 32 MSU
ISU 10 @ 41 MSU (-9)

NAU 35 @ 30 Sac State
NAU 24 @ 27 Sac State (-8)

PSU 30 vs 42 EWU
PSU 10 vs 47 EWU (-25)

SD 31 @ 24 UNC
SD 17 @ 21 UNC (-11)

WSU 34 @ 42 UM
WSU 10 @ 31 UM (-13)
_________________________________________________

This week: 3-2
Last week: 5-0
Overall: 40-10
APSE this week: 13.2 pts
APSE last week: 5.3 pts
APSE overall: 11.4 pts

Well, me and Jalmond split to go 3-2 on the week. I still have time to catch up. I knew Sac was capable of the upset today, and I'm glad they proved me wrong. I was a little surprised how much Higgin's & co. choked against Montana though. South Dakota came real close to beating UNC, but no cigar. Congrats to the Bears for their 3rd win this season! Out of the cellar and on the rise.

All in all though, I'm extremely happy about the way the games turned out today... not only in the Big Sky, but around the FCS. Most of the teams on the bubble for receiving an at large bid lost today: NAU, Weber, Cal Poly, UC-Davis, UMass, and Delaware. Eastern made a statement by winning big and gets a week to rest up before heading to a dangerous Southern Utah team.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

EWURanger wrote:
Yeah, baby, 5-0! Picked the Sac upset and the UNC win!

Great Job EWUranger! Me and Jalmond split our opposing picks to go 3-2 on the week. I'm still 2 games back, but there are some tough picks in the next 3 weeks!

Now you see why I didn't take the Vikings. Sometimes you have to go with your head (and cheer like mad that your wrong) instead of going with your heart.

JALMOND wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
Great Job EWUranger! Me and Jalmond split our opposing picks to go 3-2 on the week. I'm still 2 games back, but there are some tough picks in the next 3 weeks!

Now you see why I didn't take the Vikings. Sometimes you have to go with your head (and cheer like mad that your wrong) instead of going with your heart.

Well then I give props to you for doing so, in spite of all the ribbing up to this game that PSU would make it 4 straight.

I regret not going with Sac over NAU. I was real close to going with the upset, but my head told me no.

I had a really good feeling about the Sac game.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

JALMOND wrote:
Now you see why I didn't take the Vikings. Sometimes you have to go with your head (and cheer like mad that your wrong) instead of going with your heart.

Well then I give props to you for doing so, in spite of all the ribbing up to this game that PSU would make it 4 straight.

I regret not going with Sac over NAU. I was real close to going with the upset, but my head told me no.

I am a fan of the Vikings, but I also know what is realistic. We are playing a lot of youngsters this year that we are not really competitive against the upper teams in the conference (even I can see that). The fan in me wanted to see 4 straight (any fan would), but I knew the odds were stacked against us.

"I may be crazy, but I ain't dumb"---Couter Davenport, "Dukes of Hazzard".

No worries, Jalmond. PSU is just having a down year this year, I expect them to be back in the middle to upper-tier in the BSC the next couple of years. I thought that PSU should have played the back-up QB more. He was very mobile and did some damage to us on a few plays. It was obvious that Hubel was hurt and playing nowhere near 100%. He passed for something like 600+ yards in the game last year. I doubt our defense got that much better in a year.