Big Sky Power Rankings 8-27

[JALMOND]

The preseason power rankings as I see them for the new look Big Sky conference. I'm getting them out a couple days early due to half the teams playing on Thursday. It was pretty difficult this time, not only with the new teams, but the level of improvement from all the teams. This should make for some great discussion. As in the past, all places are my opinion only, so take it as you will. 13 total teams will make for some long reading. Here they are...

1. Montana State Bobcats---In relation to the rest of the teams in the conference, the Bobcats have the fewest questions for the team. Many returnees from last season, led by the quarterback, McGhee. The main question probably is can they win in the playoffs. First, they have to get there and it starts with a home game against DII Chadron State, who surprised the Bobcats a few years back.

2. Eastern Washington Eagles---The quarterback carousel in Cheney continues as the Eagles lose Mitchell but get another SMU transfer in Padron to lead the team. All indications are that they will not lose a beat with the new quarterback and should be fighting for the top of the conference again. It starts this weekend on the road with a game at FBS (and soon to be independent) Idaho.

3. Cal Poly Mustangs---The first team from the former Great West conference, the Mustangs have a three year starter in Broadous at quarterback and a coach, Walsh, who knows how to win in the Big Sky from his years at Portland State. The season starts with Pioneer League squad, San Diego at home.

4. Montana Grizzlies---So much offseason turmoil have the Grizzlies limping in to the season. All the changes could find a normal team further down, but a wounded grizzly is a dangerous one and the Grizzlies are both wounded and dangerous. They will rely on their defense early and hope the offense will catch up by the end of the season. It all starts at home against former Great West team, South Dakota.

5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---Maybe a bit high to start out for a team that usually does not follow through on high expectations, but the Lumberjacks have a bunch of talent returning, led by last year's rushing leader, Bauman. If they can get some help around him, they could turn some heads this season. They start on the road at Pac-12 Arizona State.

6. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---The Thunderbirds enter the Big Sky with an asset that is needed for success in the Big Sky, a proven quarterback. If they could have a potent running attack to complement Sorensen and his passing, they could soar in their first year in the conference. They start on the road against WAC member Utah State.

7. North Dakota Sioux---A sleeper in the Great West can become a sleeper in the Big Sky. The Sioux (or whatever they are going to be called) surprised a few last year and ended up the year with a top 25 ranking in some publications and with a bunch of returnees, could surprise in the Big Sky. This season starts at home against new DII team, South Dakota Mines.

8. Portland State Vikings---Quite the improvement for the Vikings last year from the year before, but this time will be tougher with no Kavanaugh and no McCaffrey. Adequate replacements are in place but how long will it take for them to gel. Also, Burton and the OC, Barnum, are incorporating a passing attack out of the pistol, something that has not been done before. Maybe it will work. They start at home against NAIA powerhouse, Carroll College.

9. Weber State Wildcats---Turmoil can start after one offseason coaching change, but the Wildcats had two, losing the first one to retirement and the second one to Arkansas after four weeks. Trying to achieve the same level of success this year may be difficult with the added improvement from the rest of the conference. The year begins on the road at Fresno State.

10. Sacramento State Hornets---Last year was to be a breakout year for the Hornets and it started with a rousing finish at Pac-12 Oregon State. But reality crept in and by the season's end the Hornets were toward the bottom of the conference. Do things bounce back for the Hornets this year, or were they a flash in the pan? It starts this weekend at future FBS independent New Mexico State.

11. Idaho State Bengals---Good news, the Bengals should be much improved over last year. Bad news, it was not that much to be worse and so is everyone else in the conference. But in other stops, this is usually the year that Kramer's teams start to make some noise in the conference and the Bengals should not be different. This season starts against the Mountain West's Air Force team.

12. Cal-Davis Aggies---Finally, the Aggies made in to the Big Sky where they can enjoy their natural rivalry with their neighbor, Sacramento State. Unfortunately, this year finds themselves a bit offensively challenged, which is a bad thing in the Big Sky with all they high flying offenses around. The Aggies will rely on the defense to keep them in games. They start this season at home against the NAIA's Azusa Pacific.

13. Northern Colorado Bears---The Bears will be better this year, but so will everyone else. How much better they will be remains to be seen, but there is enough talent to think this will not be like years past. Can they make some noise and avoid the basement? An unforseen start to the season as the Bears will be on the road at Pac-12's Utah.

1 pretty much a no brainer, but I have to say 2-13 all have some dire questions that need to be addressed (and will as the season goes on).

[Grizalltheway]

I know I'm a , but I really do feel that UM and Cal Poly should be swapped. And, I think that will be readily apparent after the first four games of the season.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Been waiting for these. Welcome back JALMOND! Everybody buckle up, gonna be a hell of a ride!

[SuperHornet]

JALMOND is generally pretty good, but like most pre-season things, this seems a bit flawed.

My gut says to swap CP and UM, NAU and SUU are too high, Weber and Sac are too low, and ISU is too high.

I'd go 1 EWU/UM, 3 MSU, 4 CP, BIG GAP, 5 Sac, 6 PSU, 7 Weber, 8 UCD, 9 UND, 10 SUU, BIG GAP, 11 ISU, 12 UNC

[Gil Dobie]

Looking at the schedules, MSU could go undefeated up to the Griz game. Also think UND could be too low with their schedule.

Keep up the good work though, good read every week.

[Mike Johnson]

12. Cal-Davis Aggies---Finally, the Aggies made in to the Big Sky where they can enjoy their natural rivalry with their neighbor, Sacramento State. Unfortunately, this year finds themselves a bit offensively challenged, which is a bad thing in the Big Sky with all they high flying offenses around. The Aggies will rely on the defense to keep them in games. They start this season at home against the NAIA's Azusa Pacific.

The Azusa Pacific Cougars join NCAA Division 2 GNAC this year.

[Darell1976]

I would have it:

1. MSU
2. Cal Poly
3. EWU
4. Montana
5. UND
6. NAU
7. SUU
8. PSU
9. WSU
10 Sac St
11. UC Davis
12. ISU
13. UNC

[JALMOND]

Been waiting for these. Welcome back JALMOND! Everybody buckle up, gonna be a hell of a ride!

It's going to be a real headache with no one playing everyone in conference this year. I'm not going to be able to put as much emphasis on the schedule as I have in the past. Also, I was surprised as to the unknowns surrounding the teams in the offseason. Whoever can answer them quickly and just come out and play sound football later on will definitely have an advantage over those who are trying to answer them in late October.

[putter]

This will be a tough year but teams will get placed after a few weeks

[CPAlum]

It is interesting that most major polls have Cal Poly as low as 6th or 7th in conference. Folks on this board (who are far better informed) have them between 1st and 4th. Id pick them to go 4th in the BSC and this is the best part...I say they make the playoffs as the 4th team in the BSC.

Montana St
EWU
Montana
Cal Poly

All 4 to the playoffs....they have to play the games but one can dream

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

At this point of the season and with everything that happened in the offseason, I am not going to argue with the picks here.

[BlackFalkin]

It is interesting that most major polls have Cal Poly as low as 6th or 7th in conference. Folks on this board (who are far better informed) have them between 1st and 4th. Id pick them to go 4th in the BSC and this is the best part...I say they make the playoffs as the 4th team in the BSC.

Montana St
EWU
Montana
Cal Poly

All 4 to the playoffs....they have to play the games but one can dream

I think if they're are 4 BSC teams with 7 D1 wins, you will see 4 BSC teams in.
I think if they're are 5 BSC teams with 7 D1 wins, you will see 5 BSC teams in.