Big Sky Standings/Player Prediction Thread

[JALMOND]

9/5/2015 Black Hills State University (S.D.) Pocatello, Idaho 4:05 p.m.
9/12/2015 Portland State University Pocatello, Idaho 4:05 p.m.
9/18/2015 Boise State University Boise, ID 7 p.m.
9/26/2015 UNLV Las Vegas, NV 7:00 p.m. (MDT)
10/3/2015 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Calif. 7:05 p.m. (MDT)
10/10/2015 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 12 p.m. (MDT)
10/17/2015 Eastern Washington University Pocatello, Idaho 2:35 p.m.
10/24/2015 Sacramento State Sacramento, CA 7:05 p.m. (MDT)
11/7/2015 University of Montana Pocatello, Idaho 2:35 p.m.
11/14/2015 Montana State University Pocatello, Idaho 2:35 p.m.
11/21/2015 Weber State University Ogden, UT 1 p.m.

BHS v. ISU ISU
PSU v. ISU ISU
BSU v. ISU BSU
UNLV v. ISU ISU
Cal Poly v. ISU Toss up
UND v. ISU ISU
EWU v. ISU EWU
Sac St. v. ISU Toss up
UM v. ISU Montana
MSU v. ISU MSU...but they could get caught looking at the loss next week
WSU v. ISU ISU

Hoping for an 8-3 and a playoff birth.

When/why did you dump SUU and bandwagon the Bungles?

It is going to be really interesting when he starts following the Vikings.

[grizzaholic]

When/why did you dump SUU and bandwagon the Bungles?

It is going to be really interesting when he starts following the Vikings.

GATW: The Big Human has got this little game called football figured out.

PSU...eeehhh, probably not. Sorry to break your heart.

[Mvemjsunpx]

GATW: The Big Human has got this little game called football figured out.

Obviously…

Mike Kramer's career record: 91-107

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Welcome back!

Last season was disappointing on defense. It seems like you guys haven't recovered fully from losing Justin Ena as DC.

Lamb is known for coaching very physical teams so it would be nice to see you guys regain some of your swagger on defense. The offense should continue to improve like it did last season.

A couple of notes: SDSU returns Weineke who is one of the top 5 WR's in FCS and their back up QB, Lujan is very capable.

Are you sure Davis has 21 starters returning?

Not possible. EWU has the top 5 WRs in FCS.

Clearly.

Henderson wouldn't crack our lineup dropping easy catches like that one.

[Grizalltheway]

Not possible. EWU has the top 5 WRs in FCS.

Clearly.

Henderson wouldn't crack our lineup dropping easy catches like that one.

430 yards yesterday. We'll probably put up 600 on your sorry ass D.

[grizzaholic]

Clearly.

Henderson wouldn't crack our lineup dropping easy catches like that one.

430 yards yesterday. We'll probably put up 600 on your sorry ass D.

WTAG...it was one game. Relax and take a step back for a few minutes before you try and 'one-up' SE.

Spoiler: show

IF you do try, you might need a boost...like a Saturn Missile

[Grizalltheway]

430 yards yesterday. We'll probably put up 600 on your sorry ass D.

WTAG...it was one game. Relax and take a step back for a few minutes before you try and 'one-up' SE.

Spoiler: show

IF you do try, you might need a boost...like a Saturn Missile

Just as soon as he stops being such a little twat.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

WTAG...it was one game. Relax and take a step back for a few minutes before you try and 'one-up' SE.

Spoiler: show

IF you do try, you might need a boost...like a Saturn Missile

Just as soon as he stops being such a little twat.

No wonder you don't like me.

For now on, I'm gonna be a little dick. Friends?

[kalm]

Just as soon as he stops being such a little twat.

No wonder you don't like me.

For now on, I'm gonna be a little dick. Friends?

IYFF GATW!

[Grizalltheway]

Just as soon as he stops being such a little twat.

No wonder you don't like me.

For now on, I'm gonna be a little dick. Friends?

You are what you eat I suppose.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

No wonder you don't like me.

For now on, I'm gonna be a little dick. Friends?

You are what you eat I suppose.

Apology accepted, Mr. Pig Taint.

[Mvemjsunpx]

• 1. Montana _____________7-1_____9-2_____ Montana's defense = good; other Big Sky defenses = Stitt
  2. Eastern Washington__7-1_____8-3_____ The QB(s) aren't as good, but the Eags should still be in the playoffs
  3. Idaho State __________6-2_____8-3_____ Beating UNLV could be very important for the Bengals' postseason hopes
  4. Montana State _______6-2_____8-3_____ Not a bad record for the worst defense in the league
  5. Cal Poly _____________6-2_____7-4_____ A late playoff surge is possible if the 'Stangs can survive their first-half gauntlet
  6. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____6-5_____ Will the 'Jacks still stick with Kyren Poe even if the (new) other guy is better?
  7. Portland State_______ 3-5_____4-7_____ Can Kieran McDonagh return to his 2013 form?
  8. North Dakota ________3-5_____4-7_____ UND has excellent run D, but that's not the biggest factor in the pass-happy Big Sky
  9. Weber State__________3-5_____3-8_____ Seven straight years without a desperately needed non-DI opponent…
  10.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ Ben Scott emerged as a good QB last year, but he doesn't have a ton of help
  11.Sacramento State ___ 2-6_____4-7 _____ Jody Sears was smart to sign a 3-year contract…
  12.Southern Utah _______1-7_____2-9_____ The T-Birds wasted a lot of defensive talent last year
  13.Northern Colorado___1-7_____3-8_____ The Bears were dumb to give Earnest Collins a 3-year extension…

• Actual Results
  
  1. Southern Utah _______7-1_____8-3_____ +6/+6 versus my predictions
  2. Portland State_______ 6-2_____9-2_____ +4/+5 versus my predictions
  3. Montana _____________6-2_____7-4_____ -1/-2 versus my predictions
  4. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____7-4_____ 0/+1 versus my predictions
  5. Eastern Washington__5-3_____6-5_____ -2/-2 versus my predictions
  6. Weber State__________5-3_____6-5_____ +2/+3 versus my predictions
  7. North Dakota ________5-3_____7-4_____ +2/+3 versus my predictions
  8. Montana State _______3-5_____5-6_____ -3/-3 versus my predictions
  9. Northern Colorado___3-5_____6-5_____ +2/+3 versus my predictions
  10.Cal Poly _____________3-5_____4-7_____ -3/-3 versus my predictions
  11.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____2-9_____ 0/-1 versus my predictions
  12.Sacramento State ___ 1-7_____2-9 _____ -1/-2 versus my predictions
  13. Idaho State _________1-7_____2-9_____ -5/-6 versus my predictions

A rougher year for my predictions than usual, but I'm guessing I'm not alone. I didn't nail anyone's total record, and I only nailed two teams on conference record. It was a strange year in the Big Sky and in every FCS conference except maybe the Ohio Valley, though.

[Mvemjsunpx]

• Best Rushing Offense (preseason) - Cal Poly
  Best Rushing Offense (reality) - Cal Poly
  
  Worst Rushing Offense (preseason) - Northern Colorado
  Worst Rushing Offense (reality) - Sacramento St.
  
  
  Best Passing Offense (preseason) - Eastern Washington
  Best Passing Offense (reality) - Northern Arizona
  
  Worst Passing Offense (preseason) - North Dakota
  Worst Passing Offense (reality) - Weber St.
  
  
  Best Overall Offense (preseason) - Montana St.
  Best Overall Offense (reality) - Montana St.
  
  Worst Overall Offense (preseason) - North Dakota
  Worst Overall Offense (reality) - Sacramento St.
  
  
  Best Run Defense (preseason) - North Dakota
  Best Run Defense (reality) - North Dakota
  
  Worst Run Defense (preseason) - Sacramento St.
  Worst Run Defense (reality) - UC Davis
  
  
  Best Pass Defense (preseason) - Northern Arizona
  Best Pass Defense (reality) - Portland St.
  
  Worst Pass Defense (preseason) - Montana St.
  Worst Pass Defense (reality) - North Dakota
  
  
  Best Overall Defense (preseason) - Montana
  Best Overall Defense (reality) - Portland St.
  
  Worst Overall Defense (preseason) - Montana St.
  Worst Overall Defense (reality) - Montana St.
  
  
  Best Special Teams (preseason) - Montana St.
  Best Special Teams (reality) - Montana St.
  
  Worst Special Teams (preseason) - Cal Poly
  Worst Special Teams (reality) - Idaho St.
  
  
  
  Best Quarterback (preseason) - Dakota Prukop (MSU)
  Best Quarterback (reality) - Dakota Prukop (MSU)
  
  Best Running Back (preseason) - Xavier Finney (ISU)
  Best Running Back (reality) - John Santiago (UND)
  
  Best Wide Receiver (preseason) - Cooper Kupp (EWU)
  Best Wide Receiver (reality) - Cooper Kupp (EWU)
  
  Best Tight End (preseason) - Josh Cook (ISU)
  Best Tight End (reality) - Beau Sandland (MSU)
  
  Best WR/TE Corps (preseason) - Eastern Washington
  Best WR/TE Corps (reality) - Eastern Washington
  
  Best Offensive Lineman (preseason) - Clay DeBord (EWU)
  Best Offensive Lineman (reality) - Clay DeBord (EWU)
  
  Best Offensive Line (preseason) - Portland St.
  Best Offensive Line (reality) - Montana St.
  
  
  Best Defensive Lineman (preseason) - James Cowser (SUU)
  Best Defensive Lineman (reality) - Tyrone Holmes (UMT)
  
  Best Defensive Line (preseason) - Montana
  Best Defensive Line (reality) - Montana
  
  Best Linebacker (preseason) - Mario Jenkins (ISU)
  Best Linebacker (reality) - Kendrick Van Ackeren (UMT)
  
  Best LB Corps (preseason) - Montana
  Best LB Corps (reality) - Montana
  
  Best Defensive Back (preseason) - Marcus Alford (NAU)
  Best Defensive Back (reality) - Patrick Onwuasor (PSU)
  
  Best Secondary (preseason) - Northern Arizona
  Best Secondary (reality) - Portland St.
  
  
  Best Kicker (preseason) - Brad Cornish (SAC)
  Best Kicker (reality) - Jonathan Gonzales (PSU)
  
  Best Punter (preseason) - Trevor Bolton (MSU)
  Best Punter (reality) - Mitch Meindel (UND)
  
  Best Ret. Specialist (preseason) - Ellis Henderson (UMT)
  Best Ret. Specialist (reality) - Ellis Onic (UNC)
  
  Best Return Teams (preseason) - Montana
  Best Return Teams (reality) - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Cover Teams (preseason) - (none)
  Best Cover Teams (reality) - Montana St.
  
  Best Coaching Job (preseason) - (none)
  Best Coaching Job (reality) - Bruce Barnum (PSU)

[uofmman1122]

Holmes may win the Buck, but his own conference doesn't think he's the best?

No offense to Cowser, but what a joke.

[SDHornet]

How did we avoid worst pass defense and worst special teams?!?

[AZGrizFan]

I'd take Cookus any day and twice on Sundays over Prukop.

[dbackjon]

I'd take Cookus any day and twice on Sundays over Prukop.

I didn't want to be the one to bring that up, but yes.

[Grizalltheway]

I'd take Cookus any day and twice on Sundays over Prukop.

I'd also take our WR corps...mostly because they're still playing.

[Mvemjsunpx]

How did we avoid worst pass defense and worst special teams?!?

You did watch the Griz games against NoDak & Idaho State, right?


Seriously, though, UND ended up last in efficiency D despite being first in run D while Idaho State's special teams were just awful.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Holmes may win the Buck, but his own conference doesn't think he's the best?

No offense to Cowser, but what a joke.

It's happened before. In 2003, Jared Allen won the Buchanan while Kane Ioane won the Big Sky award. The fact that Allen was on the worst defense in the conference might've been a factor then, however.

[Mvemjsunpx]

I'd take Cookus any day and twice on Sundays over Prukop.

I didn't want to be the one to bring that up, but yes.

Cookus padded his stats too much against weaker teams.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Holmes may win the Buck, but his own conference doesn't think he's the best?

No offense to Cowser, but what a joke.

Maybe the conference should instruct the coaches not to farm this out to interns or whatever it is they do. There were a few other oddities just involving the Griz alone:

- Tyrone Holmes was NOT a unanimous all-conference selection
- Kendrick Van Ackeren is listed as an "ILB" even though he's an OLB (Kosé is UM's MLB), plus he's only 2nd. team
- Herbert Gamboa got 1st. team even though he's probably the least excellent of Montana's starting LBs.
- Ellis Henderson got 3rd. team return specialist even though he didn't really do anything of note


You gotta wonder if Lamb/SUU (who couldn't vote for Cowser) deliberately left Holmes off the all-conference team &/or didn't vote him MVP to make Cowser look better.

Voting should probably be something given to the media or perhaps the Big Sky front office in the future. That way there's no conflict of interest.

[SDHornet]

How did we avoid worst pass defense and worst special teams?!?

You did watch the Griz games against NoDak & Idaho State, right?

No, but I saw the clip of that OT snap and I guess doing something like that allows you to take the cake for worst ST. Well played.

[Mvemjsunpx]

You did watch the Griz games against NoDak & Idaho State, right?

No, but I saw the clip of that OT snap and I guess doing something like that allows you to take the cake for worst ST. Well played.

Right.

If you look at ISU's stats on the season, though, that was far from the only special teams problem.

[Beardown]

I think UNC is the second most improved team - behind the Vikes. Even with a weak schedule they were predicted to finish last. We had a lot of young players get significant playing time this season and I believe UNC's future is bright!