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Big Sky Conference
To call the Big Sky Conference unpredictable would be to utterly ignore history - Montana has won or shared an unfathomable eleven straight conference championships. While the Grizzlies will certainly be the favorite once again, this year the pecking order has the potential to be completely rubixed.

Montana has a question mark at the quaterback position after graduating cool-hand Cole Bergquist from last year's runner-up squad. They'll also have to scour the feedlot to find replacements for three key offensive linemen currently donning NFL practice unis.

These factors could open the door for the rest of the thirsty pack.

Everyone knows Weber State has arrived - including Montana, who got walloped in Ogden last October. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they make the trip to Missoula this year, where they haven't won since many of the Wildcats were born. Notwithstanding, if there ever was a time and if there ever was a quarterback, the time would certainly be now and the QB would undisputedly be superstar-in-the-making Cameron Higgins.

One of the biggest unknowns in the Big Sky is Eastern Washington. The Eagles were one of 2008's most unpleasant surprises to FCS football when they stumbled to a 6-5 record under a new coaching regime, after many had predicted a national power. With injury came insult when Eastern Washington caught the sanction flu this off-season and rumors swirled about whether some of their star players would jump ship. Can the very talented, but understandably distracted, Eagles come together and challenge for a conference championship?

Montana State will field a powerful defense, led by a solid front line and a surprisingly strong linebacking core. Injuries set back the Bobcats last season, especially under center, so staying healthy should unlock some dangerous potential. This year's Brawl of the Wild is in Bozeman, where MSU has won 2 of the last 3 against the Griz.

A similar quarterback question mark exists at Northern Arizona. Former Ole Miss transfer Michael Herrick certainly has the tools to transform the Lumberjacks into a balanced offensive threat, but whether they can bring all the pieces together is always a mystery for NAU. Herrick will get a chance at payback, as the Jacks take on Ole Miss on November 7 in Oxford, Mississippi.

Portland State seems to be the pre-season dark horse every year ever since Gerry Glanville took over as head coach in 2007. The Vikings will once again have some major offensive comustibles behind Mouse Davis' run-n-shoot offense and QB Drew Hubel, but they still seem to be in perpetual rebuilding mode defensively. Who knows if PSU can break through to join these others conference foes near the top of the FCS heap.

SUUTbird wrote:I think Sac State will compete but i think MSU is just to good to not give them the number three spot. Also EWU is a huge question mark, hopefully they can ignore the distractions and get a winning season.

SUUTbird wrote:Everything from Ed Lamb getting even more firmly in control of the program to the talent we are recruiting and how we are playing there is a lot of hype for SUU football this year and im on the bandwagon. I personally think we will have our first winning season in the FCS this year.

grizzaholic wrote:From what Ursus has been touting Sac. St. will be good this year. I have been doing a little reading up on them and I like where they are going, and that is out of the basement and could very well be a #3 this year in the BSC.

Mvemjsunpx wrote:

grizzaholic wrote:From what Ursus has been touting Sac. St. will be good this year. I have been doing a little reading up on them and I like where they are going, and that is out of the basement and could very well be a #3 this year in the BSC.

I doubt it. They'd be fortunate just to get 6 wins again with a tougher schedule, a decimated linebacking unit, and Bryan Hilliard out for the season.

Gil Dobie wrote:Montana wins, what's new, Montana wins the National Championship in 2009

grizzaholic wrote:
I know you and Jalmond are part of the All BSC Posters team, but I still think Sac St. will surprise a lot of people this year.

Mvemjsunpx wrote:

grizzaholic wrote:
I know you and Jalmond are part of the All BSC Posters team, but I still think Sac St. will surprise a lot of people this year.

The what?

grizzaholic wrote:From what Ursus has been touting Sac. St. will be good this year. I have been doing a little reading up on them and I like where they are going, and that is out of the basement and could very well be a #3 this year in the BSC.

dbackjon wrote:Good summary.

Montana/Weber definately are the favorites, but pick one of: EWU, MSU, NAU, PSU and SSU could emerage as a good third team in the mix at the top

native wrote:

dbackjon wrote:Good summary.

Montana/Weber definately are the favorites, but pick one of: EWU, MSU, NAU, PSU and SSU could emerage as a good third team in the mix at the top

Sorry, Jon. With Dehaze and Williams gone, a mediocre quarterback and an average defense, Unless Coach Sauers pulls a couple of rabbits out of his hat, I don't think the Lumberjacks are in the mix this year.

dbackjon wrote:

native wrote:
Sorry, Jon. With Dehaze and Williams gone, a mediocre quarterback and an average defense, Unless Coach Sauers pulls a couple of rabbits out of his hat, I don't think the Lumberjacks are in the mix this year.

Remember, Williams only started because a much better RB was injured, and he is back now.

Herrick is better than mediocre.

native wrote:

dbackjon wrote:
Remember, Williams only started because a much better RB was injured, and he is back now.

Herrick is better than mediocre.

Thanks for the update. Who is the other RB?

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on Herrick, until one of us is proven wrong.

jackfan17 wrote:NAU has already pulled one rabbit out of their hat....heard there is a startintg Div 1 Kicker that is transferring in this summer! He might be able to pick up where Dehaze left off!!!!