CatMan wrote:With the loss of so Many Top teams eligibility, The Big sky is poised for a huge showing in the playoffs this year.
Could very well happen. I feel like doing some in depth stuff, so let's look at the most likely projected "top teams" and who they play out of the other "top teams".
I'll add my thoughts for wins and losses for the most likely scenario (feel free to argue because I'm sure you will
).
Cal Poly
@ Montana
L
EWU
L
NAU
W
Sac
W
As I said earlier, I think Poly loses too much to be at the level they were at last year. They'll beat Sac and NAU, but won't beat a JJ-led Montana or EWU. With those two FBS games, will 8-4 be enough to make the playoffs? Maybe.
Eastern Washington
@ Cal Poly
W
@ Montana
L
MSU
L
Losing their top WRs is gonna hurt, I think. Adams is damn good, but I still think JJ and McGhee are better overall. I think the Montana game will be another barn burner, though. Home field gets it done. I honestly don't have a reason for picking MSU over EWU other than McGhee, so that's more of a toss up. Assuming they lose both FBS games, but beat SHSU, I can see them getting in on reputation at 8-4 in an expanded field.
Montana
Cal Poly
W
EWU
W
@ NAU
L
@ Sac
W
@ MSU
W
Go ahead and sling back that haterade, but the Grizzlies are going to come roaring back this year. You can't even argue that our offensive backfield isn't miles improved with the addition of JJ and Travon Van. If Poole comes back, we'll have one of, if not the best offensive line in FCS. Defense will be a huge mixed bag. We have easily the best front 7 in the Big Sky, and arguably the worst DBs, but with an improved O that doesn't completely die for 2 quarters, they'll look much better.
Anyways, on to the games: I don't think we lose in conference at home this year. Poly won't be able to match up, and EWU won't have Kaufman to bail them out this time. I think we lose one away game, and I think NAU is a more complete team than Sac is, so I gave it to them, as it's our first big road trip of the year. We also get Sac and EWU later in the year when JJ and the O will be clicking. With a capable QB in JJ, and once again dominating them at the line of scrimmage, I don't see us losing at MSU this year.
10-2 and playoff bound.
Montana State
@ EWU
W
NAU
W
Montana
L
Denarius "Black Jesus" McGhee is entering his senior season, and I think he'll continue to play very well. Their O-line might not be atrocious anymore, which will help. At EWU will be a tough game, but I don't see them losing again. Again, though, toss up.
Their D is well-rounded enough to stop Bauman and get the W. And finally they'll probably enter the Cat/Griz game with 2 or maybe even 1 loss, and be all full of themselves like they were last time. Ash's team barely got out of Missoula last year against a horrible Griz team, and I don't see them beating a competent one, even at home.
10-2 with a mostly soft OOC schedule, but playoff bound nonetheless.
Northern Arizona
Montana
W
@ MSU
L
Sac
W
@ Cal Poly
L
NAU has who's widely considered the best back in the Big Sky in Bauman, and they'll do well in most games. I think they give one up to a team like UND, though. A Souers team is still a Souers team.
8-4 and maybe not getting in.
Sac State
NAU
L
Montana
L
@Cal Poly
L
I don't believe the hype. We hear it every year, and it usually doesn't happen. They also lose over half their defense and O-line. Plus they're the most erratic team in the Big Sky year in and year out.
7-5 and no playoffs.
Montana certainly has the hardest conference schedule, playing all the other "top teams". EWU, MSU and Sac all have only three games, and I'd say Sac has the easiest schedule in that regard, without playing MSU or EWU, and getting NAU and Montana at home.
I've got MSU and UM in at 10-2, three teams at 8-4 with a shot, and Sac at 7-5 on the outside looking in for sure.
