Big Sky Power Rankings-preseason

[JALMOND]

Many questions surrounding all the Big Sky teams this year. Montana and Portland State both replaced their head coaches, EWU and UNC both replaced their quarterbacks, NAU and WSU have to replace supporting pieces for their fine returning quarterbacks, MSU and Sac State look to reincorporate viable pieces into their rotation and ISU looks to build on their success from the end of last season. Trying to figure out how all this is going to play out could make one pull all their hair out. Here are the preseason Big Sky power rankings. Once again, these are solely my opinion only and not affiliated with any publication or website. Thank you to Chris and others here for giving me an opportunity to post this. All are open for discussion.

1. Montana Grizzlies---Fresh off a run to the National Championship, the Grizzlies found themselves having to replace the head coach after seeing Hauck leave for UNLV, as well as many important pieces on both sides of the ball. Still, there is enough talent returning that should keep them at the top. Just like last season, they open at home against DII Western State, probably with the same favorable outcome.

2. Montana State Bobcats---Everyone has questions, but the Bobcats probably have the fewest questions in the conference. Injuries took its toll on the team last year, but the good thing is that a lot of youngsters saw playing time in filling in last year. If they come in this year and mesh with the returnees, the Bobcats could challenge the mighty Grizzlies for the top. The journey for the Bobcats begins just like the Grizzlies, at home against a DII team. For the Bobcats that is Fort Lewis. Should be a good start.

3. Eastern Washington Eagles---The Eagles lose their top quarterback but hope to keep their recent success at that position with a healthy pedigreed transfer from SMU. They need to fill other holes, but return their pleasant surprise from last year in running back Jones. The Eagles could make a strong statement in the conference race with an early home meeting with the Grizzlies. For now, they start by stepping up to the FBS level and play at Nevada. Can they surprise right off the bat?

4. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---The good news for the Lumberjacks is that they return quarterback Herrick, who is poised to have a big season. The bad news is that they do not return much more on offense. Gone is the leading rusher from last year and most of the leading receivers. If they can find someone to play with Herrick, they should have a great year and could contend. They get an early start to the year, playing Thursday at home against DII Western New Mexico.

5. Weber State Wildcats---Similar to NAU, the Wildcats have Higgins coming back but not much else, although they got a big boost late when Bolen announced he would not be leaving for his mission until December and would play this year. However, they were not as fortunate with Nakamora, who missed out on an extra year by the NCAA. The schedule is brutal, too, with two FBS programs on the docket, starting this weekend at ACC Boston College.

6. Sacramento State Hornets---What started out as a bad thing last year with Hilliard going down with a season ending injury ended up relatively successful with a .500 season in conference play. Now, with a healthy Hilliard coming back, whispers around campus that this could be a breakthrough season for the Hornets. A daunting task for a team that usually finds itself near the bottom every year. This year, the quest begins with a road game at Pac-10 Stanford.

7. Northern Colorado Bears---The biggest question for the Bears could be at quarterback where Orms takes over for Waggener. Most of the supporting cast returns but there was a big dropoff between the two last year. The Bears have not taken the conference by storm and, unfortunately, this year might be more of the same. This year begins at home against DII Adams State, which means the year should at least start off promising for the Bears.

8. Portland State Vikings---Jerry Glanville's return to coaching ended after the Vikings loss last year to Idaho State and the reins were tossed to Nevada DC Nigel Burton. New coach, new system (pistol on offense, 4-3 on defense) and a new home (Hillsboro Stadium while PGE Park gets a soccer renovation) means probably the same results for the Vikings this year. Also two trips to the Pac-10, starting this weekend at Arizona State, may prove too much to overcome.

9. Idaho State Bengals---Typical in years past was to pencil in the Bengals for the last spot in the conference. Unlike other years, the Bengals have something to build on. Losing on a last second field goal against the Grizzlies and getting a win against Portland State showed that the hapless Bengals were probably playing as good as any Big Sky team at the end of the year. This year, more to build on as they open against NAIA Montana-Western.

Let's play some football!

[SuperHornet]

Thank you for doing this, JALMOND. Most of us have thrown up predictions with no analysis. Thanks for providing that.

I do have a few points of disagreement, though.

I have a hard time putting the Kitties anywhere near that high. There are SEVERAL Sky teams I see beating them this year, not just the Griz.

I think Sac could go anywhere from first to fifth, but I'm going with first. We finally have a good staff with a few good years of recruiting under their belts; it's time to put up or shut up. Sixth isn't going to cut it.

You put UNC too high. No, I don't think they're going to beat the Bungles out for last. But seventh seems a bit high.

And it seems that for the sake of appearing "fair," you've put your own guys down too far. Burton's a great guy, and I think he's going to have them challenging for fifth or higher. Certainly not playoff material yet, but a whole lot better than Mr. I [Heart] Elvis.

Regardless of all of this, though, your last sentence says it all. Let's just get started already!!!

[Catattack]

. Most of us have thrown up predictions with no analysis.

Exactly





Thanks Jalmond for all the hard work you put into your top 25 and Big Sky Rankings, keep up the great work.

[kalm]

Good analysis as always J.

I'll chime in from the EWU front and add that our success really depends on the play at OL, corner, how many picks BLM throws, and as always, depth. Taiwan is healthy for the first time since...well ever, and he will get quite a bit of support from back up Dariel Beaumonte who is bigger, and almost as fast. The OL could be starting two RS freshman, and I don't see a huge amount of depth, so injuries could kill us there. Corner seems to always be a question mark for us.

That would indicate to me a 7-4 outcome with 6-5 if we underachieve and/or get the injury bug, but a relatively high ceiling as well.

[JALMOND]

Thank you for doing this, JALMOND. Most of us have thrown up predictions with no analysis. Thanks for providing that.

I do have a few points of disagreement, though.

I have a hard time putting the Kitties anywhere near that high. There are SEVERAL Sky teams I see beating them this year, not just the Griz.

I think Sac could go anywhere from first to fifth, but I'm going with first. We finally have a good staff with a few good years of recruiting under their belts; it's time to put up or shut up. Sixth isn't going to cut it.

You put UNC too high. No, I don't think they're going to beat the Bungles out for last. But seventh seems a bit high.

And it seems that for the sake of appearing "fair," you've put your own guys down too far. Burton's a great guy, and I think he's going to have them challenging for fifth or higher. Certainly not playoff material yet, but a whole lot better than Mr. I [Heart] Elvis.

Regardless of all of this, though, your last sentence says it all. Let's just get started already!!!

Thank you for your kinds words. You're points are valid and ones that I would like to address further...

1. Montana State---Last year the Bobcats were hit big time by the injury bug early in the season, yet were still in contention for a playoff spot up to the Griz game. That, to me, says a lot about the play early on with the underclassmen who were forced into playing more than they thought. Now, those same players all have a year experience in the program. Of all the Big Sky teams, I believe the Bobcats have the least amount of questions, thus is why I'm pretty high on them.

2. Sacramento State---I really am expecting a breakout season this year from the Hornets, with Hilliard back in action. However, it is tough to break into the top 5 in the Big Sky. I had the Hornets ahead of Weber State for the longest time, until I heard Bolen was coming back. I believe, given some breaks here and there, right now the race is between any of the top 6, something that has been rather unheard of in recent years.

3. Northern Colorado---I agree, big question mark for the Bears. But they do have a good nucleus returning (15 starters back), although it doesn't look good, coming back from 1 conference win.

4. Portland State---Thanks for your positive words on the Vikings. However, where most teams are settling on their starters, we are still up in the air on quarterback between 3 players. The ideal quarterback for Burton's system, based on what we have, would be one with Hubel's arm, Kavanaugh's legs, and Howland's mind. However, this is not a video game where you can create your own. I hope it only will take a year to turn us around, but realistically I think it will take at least 2-3 years. A step in the right direction is all I'm hoping for this year. Anything better, I'd be ecstatic.

[kalm]

One other thing to add.

I hope it doesn't happen this way, but the thought of a repeat of 2007 and 2009 where we start the year at 2-3 or there abouts, DOA for the playoffs, then win out to make it in, would be quite fun. Especially when talking to OOC fans starting around week 8 when all the playoff prognostications start.

[BigSkyBears]

Nice job Jalmond, looks about right to me.

[cats2506]

looks good, I would swap 6&7 though, and UNC may move up more, I think this could be a breakout year for them.

Whole lotta football to play and it should be interesting in the Big Sky this year.

[SDHornet]

looks good, I would swap 6&7 though, and UNC may move up more, I think this could be a breakout year for them.

Whole lotta football to play and it should be interesting in the Big Sky this year.

UNC has yet to beat the Hornets so I think having UNC higher than where Jalmond puts them is going out on a limb.

Great analysis J. Keep up the solid work. I am hoping we can finish a spot higher than WSU. We will know come week 3.

[BigSkyBears]

looks good, I would swap 6&7 though, and UNC may move up more, I think this could be a breakout year for them.

Whole lotta football to play and it should be interesting in the Big Sky this year.

UNC has yet to beat the Hornets so I think having UNC higher than where Jalmond puts them is going out on a limb.

Great analysis J. Keep up the solid work. I am hoping we can finish a spot higher than WSU. We will know come week 3.

Technically no, we haven't beat you but we had that game where you beat us by a stupid hail-marry. Also, we WILL beat you this year.

[SDHornet]

UNC has yet to beat the Hornets so I think having UNC higher than where Jalmond puts them is going out on a limb.

Great analysis J. Keep up the solid work. I am hoping we can finish a spot higher than WSU. We will know come week 3.

Technically no, we haven't beat you but we had that game where you beat us by a stupid hail-marry. Also, we WILL beat you this year.

Thanks for the clarification.

And UNC was 2nd to LAST in rush defense last season. If Hilliard is healthy come the UNC game in Sac, UNC is toast.

[weberwildcat]

Jal,

I enjoyed ur rankings last season and look forward to it this year. I also hope to see WSU impressing you as early as week 2!

[BigSkyBears]

Technically no, we haven't beat you but we had that game where you beat us by a stupid hail-marry. Also, we WILL beat you this year.

Thanks for the clarification.

And UNC was 2nd to LAST in rush defense last season. If Hilliard is healthy come the UNC game in Sac, UNC is toast.

In 15 years if we've had the same futility as Suc St has then I will consider the transition a horrible mistake. We're still the new kids on the block. What's your excuse? We've moved past you in B-ball (a few years ago). BTW, we've shored up that d-line pretty good. Case in point is our 350LB defensive tackle who transfered in from Wyoming. He's a monster and has broken several lifting records with the Bears.

[JALMOND]

Jal,

I enjoyed ur rankings last season and look forward to it this year. I also hope to see WSU impressing you as early as week 2!

Actually a lot of the conference questions could be answered by week 3 with Weber having played both Northern Colorado and Sac State, and Montana and Eastern Washington playing each other. A more clear picture as to who is ready and who needs work.

[bpcats]

Great analysis Jalmond. I think you are pretty spot on.

1) Griz - I think that they will actually be a much better team this year on both sides of the ball but will be in a lot of close battles in the Big Sky since the level of play at schools like Weber, Eastern, NAU and yes MSU has gotten better.

2)Eastern (my ranking) - The Eagles are always stacked with offensive skill players and having Taiwon Jones on the team helps cover up any holes. They are always explosive on offense and have one of the better o-lines in the conference even with the young guys. JC Sherrit is a beast. The biggest question in my mind is Mitchell's ability to not throw the pick and keep the high standards set at the qb position.

3) MSU Fewest questions yes..but we haven't had a qb (including Lulay) who had a pass efficiency rating above 124. Schools with quarterbacks like Selle, Herrick, Higgins, Nichols usually are around 140-150 rating. Either way MSU will have decent quarterback play even if we go with freshman McGhee at the position by the end of year. Other question mark is injuries.. Without Bignell in the middle we are a different defense as Coach Ash has stated many a times. And we are very thin (at LB and O-line positions). Look for Soph DT Zach Minter to make a name for himself this year, and if Brad Smith can stay healthy he has a chance to equal the production we lost with Dane Fletcher, but that is a big if.

4) NAU - Whatever they lost at receiver and running back they got back on the defensive side of the ball with a two or three all conference starters coming back from injury after missing last year. However this team while a bearcat to play has shown a tendency to fade down the stretch the last couple of years.

5) Weber

6)Sac State - They will hand two of the previous 5 teams a loss this year (not the Griz) but I don't know who it will be.

7) Northern Colorado - each year they get a little tougher and take another step forward. Just don't know if it will be enough

[SDHornet]

Thanks for the clarification.

And UNC was 2nd to LAST in rush defense last season. If Hilliard is healthy come the UNC game in Sac, UNC is toast.

In 15 years if we've had the same futility as Suc St has then I will consider the transition a horrible mistake. We're still the new kids on the block. What's your excuse? We've moved past you in B-ball (a few years ago). BTW, we've shored up that d-line pretty good. Case in point is our 350LB defensive tackle who transfered in from Wyoming. He's a monster and has broken several lifting records with the Bears.

New kids huh? How long do you plan on riding that horse? UNC has been playing FCS teams since 2003. How many fvcking years do you need to win more than 1 BSC game? And yes I realize UNC wasn’t in the BSC until 2006, but going back prior to then, UNC did schedule some BSC teams and has NEVER beaten more than 1 BSC opponent. Seriously, we’ve been down this road in another thread I am sure. We are so close to the season we may as well just wait until October 9th and see what happens…again.

[JALMOND]

Smack talk already and it's not Cats and Griz. I didn't know Sacramento and Northern Colorado hated each other so much. It's going to be a great year, I think.

[SDHornet]

Smack talk already and it's not Cats and Griz. I didn't know Sacramento and Northern Colorado hated each other so much. It's going to be a great year, I think.

Me either.

[free7694]

In 15 years if we've had the same futility as Suc St has then I will consider the transition a horrible mistake. We're still the new kids on the block. What's your excuse? We've moved past you in B-ball (a few years ago). BTW, we've shored up that d-line pretty good. Case in point is our 350LB defensive tackle who transfered in from Wyoming. He's a monster and has broken several lifting records with the Bears.

New kids huh? How long do you plan on riding that horse? UNC has been playing FCS teams since 2003. How many fvcking years do you need to win more than 1 BSC game? And yes I realize UNC wasn’t in the BSC until 2006, but going back prior to then, UNC did schedule some BSC teams and has NEVER beaten more than 1 BSC opponent. Seriously, we’ve been down this road in another thread I am sure. We are so close to the season we may as well just wait until October 9th and see what happens…again.

The game on the 9th should be a good one, I'm glad I won't have to make a pick, because the teams seem pretty evenly matched. I've been to a couple of UNC's practices and two things have struck me:

1. The Orms kid is the real deal
2. Our defensive tackles actually look like defensive tackles this year, not like misplaced linebackers as they have in the last few.

[kemajic]

New kids huh? How long do you plan on riding that horse? UNC has been playing FCS teams since 2003. How many fvcking years do you need to win more than 1 BSC game? And yes I realize UNC wasn’t in the BSC until 2006, but going back prior to then, UNC did schedule some BSC teams and has NEVER beaten more than 1 BSC opponent. Seriously, we’ve been down this road in another thread I am sure. We are so close to the season we may as well just wait until October 9th and see what happens…again.

Says the fan of the SacSt team that has won 35 conference games in 14 years (ave. 2.5 per year) - and picks them to win the BSC - again.... With that futility, I would be less critical of a program with only 4 years in the books, even if they are on about the same trajectory.

[BigSkyBears]

In 15 years if we've had the same futility as Suc St has then I will consider the transition a horrible mistake. We're still the new kids on the block. What's your excuse? We've moved past you in B-ball (a few years ago). BTW, we've shored up that d-line pretty good. Case in point is our 350LB defensive tackle who transfered in from Wyoming. He's a monster and has broken several lifting records with the Bears.

New kids huh? How long do you plan on riding that horse? UNC has been playing FCS teams since 2003. How many fvcking years do you need to win more than 1 BSC game? And yes I realize UNC wasn’t in the BSC until 2006, but going back prior to then, UNC did schedule some BSC teams and has NEVER beaten more than 1 BSC opponent. Seriously, we’ve been down this road in another thread I am sure. We are so close to the season we may as well just wait until October 9th and see what happens…again.

We've only been fully funded the past 3 years with the max schollies.

Free - you're right about Orms. I can't wait to see what he can do as a full time QB. And our run defense is going to be much improved.

[weberwildcat]

I love this thread! Good stuff and its still August!!!!!



I will now circle Sac/UNC game on my calendar which just happens to be Weber's bye week!!

[SDHornet]

New kids huh? How long do you plan on riding that horse? UNC has been playing FCS teams since 2003. How many fvcking years do you need to win more than 1 BSC game? And yes I realize UNC wasn’t in the BSC until 2006, but going back prior to then, UNC did schedule some BSC teams and has NEVER beaten more than 1 BSC opponent. Seriously, we’ve been down this road in another thread I am sure. We are so close to the season we may as well just wait until October 9th and see what happens…again.

Says the fan of the SacSt team that has won 35 conference games in 14 years (ave. 2.5 per year) - and picks them to win the BSC - again.... With that futility, I would be less critical of a program with only 4 years in the books, even if they are on about the same trajectory.

Kem I have no idea where you have gotten that I have picked the Hornets to finish first in the BSC. Again, I think you are confusing me with SuperHornet. Again, SDHornet (me) ≠ SuperHornet (they).

[cats2506]

Both UNC and SAC have been looking for relevence in the BSC, both teams are are improving, I just think UNC will get there before SAC does.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Says the fan of the SacSt team that has won 35 conference games in 14 years (ave. 2.5 per year) - and picks them to win the BSC - again.... With that futility, I would be less critical of a program with only 4 years in the books, even if they are on about the same trajectory.

Kem I have no idea where you have gotten that I have picked the Hornets to finish first in the BSC. Again, I think you are confusing me with SuperHornet. Again, SDHornet (me) ≠ SuperHornet (they).