Big Sky Predictions 8-30

[JALMOND]

After week 0 I am off to a 2-0 start. I possibly could have missed one but lightning in the area rendered UC Davis's game in Alabama to a no contest. Normally everyone plays on Week 1 but the Grizzlies decided to sit this week out again. Still, 11 games on tap with makes a perfect week seem daunting. But, here are my predictions for this weekend's games.

Chadron State (DII) at UNC---The Bears may not have had much in the past, but they should have enough here to get a win over a lower division foe. They are the only Big Sky team playing at home this weekend so that should help them as well. Everyone is happy in Greeley...UNC 28, Chadron State 14.

SAC at South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley)---With a big infusion of talent and still harboring dreams of moving up to FBS, the Hornets decided to take on one of the big hitters in all of FCS, and on the road to boot. Even with all the talent aboard, a win here would be shocking...South Dakota State 31, SAC 24.

MSU at Oregon (FBS Big 10)---Not resting on their laurels or backing down from challenges, the Bobcats start their season on the road playing one of the big time programs in all of college football. This should get them ready for the FCS and conference play, find out some things, but for now...Oregon 42, MSU 14.

WSU at James Madison (FBS Sun Belt)---A few years ago this would have been a great FCS matchup, but nowadays teams move up and the Wildcats find themselves on the other side of the country and playing an FBS team. Trying to rebound from a difficult season last year, this may be tough...James Madison 35, WSU 14.

EWU at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland)---As recently as a couple weeks ago, this was looking like a tough opener for the Eagles. But after watching their opponent struggle on national TV last week, the Eagles have to feel good about their chances. But can they get the win?...Incarnate Word 24, EWU 21.

PSU at Brigham Young (FBS Big 12)---As expected the Vikings came out last week and looked very much like their young selves in a tough home loss. This week things are about to get tougher, with the level of competition going up a level and on the road. Not pretty...Brigham Young 48, PSU 7.

CP at San Diego (FCS Pioneer)---The Mustangs are hoping to be a little more competitive in the conference than in years past and a matchup against the Pioneer League should be a good showcase even if it is on the road. But will they be ready for this one? Could be tough...San Diego 21, CP 17.

ISU at Southern Utah (FCS United)---The Bengals played up a level last weekend and looked really good doing it, almost coming through with a win. This week they return to the FCS and head back down south for a game against a future conference foe. This one should be easier for them...ISU 38, Southern Utah 34.

UI at Washington State (FBS PAc-12)---The Vandals make the short trip across the border and move up a level to play their next door neighbor in a game that they may have a good shot at getting a win. They got an FBS scalp last year, can they come through and get this one as well?...Washington State 38, UI 31.

NAU at Arizona State (FBS Big 12)---A great showcase to start the season for the Lumberjacks, moving down to the desert to play their big brothers in a big opportunity. To get the win here would be rather shocking, but even a close game could pay dividends down the road in conference...Arizona State 38, NAU 28.

UCD at Utah Tech (FCS United)---The Aggies had the win last week, then the lightning came a took it away from them. They get another chance this week against an easier opponent and less opportunity for weather related causes. This game should go the distance and the Aggies should be happy...UCD 31, Utah Tech 21.

[canyoncat]

Missed last week

UNC
South Dakota State going with the home team.
UO hoping the Cats can keep it close for 2 1/2 to 3 quarters before the Ducks pull away.
JMU
EWU
BYU (very ugly)
Cal Poly
Idaho State ISU looked pretty good on offense, the defense concerns me.
Washington State
Arizona State
UCD Davis looks really tough!

[SuperHornet]

I'm calling for the D-II scalp. Chadron's usually pretty good for a D-II....

Chadron State (NE) d. N. Colorado 24-10
Sac State d. SD State 31-27 (Yes, I'm homering here. I've been hearing some good things about both sides of the ball.)
Oregon d. MT State 42-31
BBQ (UT) d. James Madison (VA) 28-24
Incarnate Word (TX) d. E. Washington 37-14
Brigham Young (UT) d. Portland State (OR) 56-0
San Diego (CA) d. CA Poly 45-13
ID State d. S. Utah 3-0
WA State d. Idaho 49-24
AZ State d. N. Arizona 63-10
Manure Pile d. UT Tech 38-6

[Mvemjsunpx]

EWU 20-38 UIW — The Cardinal offense struggled mightily against the Nicholls defense; how do they handle a team with no defense?

Portland St. 10-48 BYU — The Cougars are supposed to be down from last year, but they can't possibly be down enough to be threatened by the lowly Viks

Calol Poly 31-21 San Diego — This game could be interesting, even if it isn't likely to be important

Davis 31-13 Utah Tech — This week's Aggie game should be a bit more conclusive

Sac State 28-38 SoDak State — Brookings will be a tough place to get a bunch of talented transfers all on the same page

Idaho 17-34 Wazzu — The Vandals haven't beaten the Cougs since 2000, a year they ironically lost to the Griz

Idaho St. 28-31 Suutah — The Bengals certainly moved the ball against UNLV, but they need to cut down on the bonehead turnovers

Weber 10-31 John Tyler — Rematch of the 2019 semifinals… a lot's changed since then

NAU 21-49 Arizona St. — The 'Jacks are supposed to be good this year, but so are the Sun Devils

Montana St. 20-45 Fighting Oregano — I doubt the Ducks get scared by an FCS two years in a row

Chadron St. 13-20 NoCo — Chadron went 3-8 last year despite outscoring and outgaining their opponents (they went 1-5 in one-score games)

[BDKJMU]

I'm calling for the D-II scalp. Chadron's usually pretty good for a D-II....

Chadron State (NE) d. N. Colorado 24-10
Sac State d. SD State 31-27 (Yes, I'm homering here. I've been hearing some good things about both sides of the ball.)
Oregon d. MT State 42-31
BBQ (UT) d. James Madison (VA) 28-24
Incarnate Word (TX) d. E. Washington 37-14
Brigham Young (UT) d. Portland State (OR) 56-0
San Diego (CA) d. CA Poly 45-13
ID State d. S. Utah 3-0
WA State d. Idaho 49-24
AZ State d. N. Arizona 63-10
Manure Pile d. UT Tech 38-6

JMU 45, Weber St 10.
And since I know you’re a Liberty fan, after JMU loses @ Louisville next Fri night ESPN2 (I‘ln be there) JMU will win @ Liberty in 3 weeks (book it, I might go to that one).

[JALMOND]

After week 0 I am off to a 2-0 start. I possibly could have missed one but lightning in the area rendered UC Davis's game in Alabama to a no contest. Normally everyone plays on Week 1 but the Grizzlies decided to sit this week out again. Still, 11 games on tap with makes a perfect week seem daunting. But, here are my predictions for this weekend's games.

Chadron State (DII) at UNC---The Bears may not have had much in the past, but they should have enough here to get a win over a lower division foe. They are the only Big Sky team playing at home this weekend so that should help them as well. Everyone is happy in Greeley...UNC 28, Chadron State 14.

SAC at South Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley)---With a big infusion of talent and still harboring dreams of moving up to FBS, the Hornets decided to take on one of the big hitters in all of FCS, and on the road to boot. Even with all the talent aboard, a win here would be shocking...South Dakota State 31, SAC 24.

MSU at Oregon (FBS Big 10)---Not resting on their laurels or backing down from challenges, the Bobcats start their season on the road playing one of the big time programs in all of college football. This should get them ready for the FCS and conference play, find out some things, but for now...Oregon 42, MSU 14.

WSU at James Madison (FBS Sun Belt)---A few years ago this would have been a great FCS matchup, but nowadays teams move up and the Wildcats find themselves on the other side of the country and playing an FBS team. Trying to rebound from a difficult season last year, this may be tough...James Madison 35, WSU 14.

EWU at Incarnate Word (FCS Southland)---As recently as a couple weeks ago, this was looking like a tough opener for the Eagles. But after watching their opponent struggle on national TV last week, the Eagles have to feel good about their chances. But can they get the win?...Incarnate Word 24, EWU 21.

PSU at Brigham Young (FBS Big 12)---As expected the Vikings came out last week and looked very much like their young selves in a tough home loss. This week things are about to get tougher, with the level of competition going up a level and on the road. Not pretty...Brigham Young 48, PSU 7.

CP at San Diego (FCS Pioneer)---The Mustangs are hoping to be a little more competitive in the conference than in years past and a matchup against the Pioneer League should be a good showcase even if it is on the road. But will they be ready for this one? Could be tough...San Diego 21, CP 17.

ISU at Southern Utah (FCS United)---The Bengals played up a level last weekend and looked really good doing it, almost coming through with a win. This week they return to the FCS and head back down south for a game against a future conference foe. This one should be easier for them...ISU 38, Southern Utah 34.

UI at Washington State (FBS PAc-12)---The Vandals make the short trip across the border and move up a level to play their next door neighbor in a game that they may have a good shot at getting a win. They got an FBS scalp last year, can they come through and get this one as well?...Washington State 38, UI 31.

NAU at Arizona State (FBS Big 12)---A great showcase to start the season for the Lumberjacks, moving down to the desert to play their big brothers in a big opportunity. To get the win here would be rather shocking, but even a close game could pay dividends down the road in conference...Arizona State 38, NAU 28.

UCD at Utah Tech (FCS United)---The Aggies had the win last week, then the lightning came a took it away from them. They get another chance this week against an easier opponent and less opportunity for weather related causes. This game should go the distance and the Aggies should be happy...UCD 31, Utah Tech 21.

9-2 in Week 1, brings me to an 11-2 start.