Big Sky Predictions 9-1

[JALMOND]

With the season starting for some Big Sky teams on Thursday, I thought I'd get these out Monday (about time). Idaho in, North Dakota out and many questions scattered all around. Some good out-of-conference matchups with three games against the Missouri Valley (Cal Poly, Montana, Montana State), three against the Mountain West (Idaho, UC-Davis, Portland State), and three against lower division foes (EWU, Idaho State, Sacramento State). Those of you who don't know, the Big Sky teams are represented by their scoreboard initials, and the non-Big Sky teams are spelled out (that's why I spelled out Texas-El Paso and not UTEP). Good luck to everyone.

CP at North Dakota State---Oh, heavens! The Mustangs are trying to rebuild and get back to the elite in the conference and they get to go play the top team in the nation. Well, someone has to play them and maybe it is good they get them at the start...North Dakota State 41, CP 14.

Central Washington at EWU---Interesting matchup. One of the better DII teams going up against one of the better FCS teams. The Eagles will certainly want to take care of business early and not let little brother harbor any strange ideas...EWU 48, Central Washington 17.

UI at Fresno State---How the Vandals will do in their return to FCS has been one of the most pressing questions during the summer. They get to play an FBS opponent one more time before becoming a true FCS team (but they do have Florida later)...Fresno State 31, UI 24.

Western State, CO at ISU---Trying to get back to the elite, the Bengals seem to have scheduled a breather for their first game. Their schedule will get tougher so they better not let this game get away from them, otherwise things may go sour quickly...ISU 38, Western State 17.

Northern Iowa at UM---You don't win at the Grizzlies' home den just by showing up, and you don't beat a team like Northern Iowa just by showing up either. This has the makings to be a great game, as long as both teams do, indeed, show up...UM 29, Northern Iowa 28.

Western Illinois at MSU---The Bobcats finally get to put everything behind them and begin to play football again. They've got some capable quarterbacks to replace Murray but it may take a while to iron out the bugs. Starting with a strong Mo Valley team, however...Western Illinois 30, MSU 22.

NAU at Texas-El Paso---You schedule a money game, you just hope for a good paycheck and a good showing. Sometimes you do get lucky and catch the FBS team in a down year. All indications are that the Lumberjacks got lucky this year...NAU 35, Texas-El Paso 33.

McNeese State at UNC---Maybe the Bears do have something. Maybe they might make some noise this year in the conference. But starting off playing one of the top teams in the Southland is not a good way to enter the season. Maybe, but no...McNeese State 35, UNC 20.

PSU at Nevada---Now the Viks are back on the field and a new season to put the disastrous last season behind them. But people are going to continue to talk about the lack of wins until they do get a win. They'll continue to talk after this...Nevada 41, PSU 20.

St. Francis at SAC---This is how you do it. Finally field an excellent team and truck in an NAIA school for the first game as a sacrificial lamb. But hoping that the Hornets don't let what happened a few years back when they started with Southern Oregon...SAC 45, St. Francis 7.

North Alabama at SUU---The Thunderbirds get to face a transitional FCS squad that is playing their first game in DI. Playing at home against what should be viewed as a lower opponent should set up for an easy win. But nothing comes easy...SUU 28, North Alabama 20.

UCD at San Jose State---The Aggies have got some explosive threats and facing one of the weaker teams in the FBS may give them hope. After all, they don't play Stanford for two more weeks. Still, it is tough to pick the FCS over the FBS regardless of opponent...San Jose State 38, UCD 31.

WSU at Utah---How is this for a crazy matchup. The Wildcats, coming off a successful season, start against their big brother from the Pac-12, a good team in their own right. Can the Wildcat defense contain a strong Pac-12 offense, and can they win?...Utah 28, WSU 12.

[Gil Dobie]

I would suspect Poly to keep the score lower with the option. NDSU is raising the Championship banner for the 14th time on Saturday, should be wild crowd for the opener, and might cause Poly to mess up some snaps.

[SDHornet]

J, I think the Idaho guy beat you to the punch for this week's predictions. I suggest you slap him around a bit and tell him this is your gig. Don't let that noob get away with this crap.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/ ... =4&t=49393

[VandalBasher]

Noobs!

[Mvemjsunpx]

J, I think the Idaho guy beat you to the punch for this week's predictions. I suggest you slap him around a bit and tell him this is your gig. Don't let that noob get away with this crap.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/ ... =4&t=49393

I thought it was my gig?




Seriously, though, whoever's ready to make their picks first each week should probably do it… as long as they're not being annoying and posting it a full week+ in advance or something.

[JALMOND]

J, I think the Idaho guy beat you to the punch for this week's predictions. I suggest you slap him around a bit and tell him this is your gig. Don't let that noob get away with this crap.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/ ... =4&t=49393

I thought it was my gig?




Seriously, though, whoever's ready to make their picks first each week should probably do it… as long as they're not being annoying and posting it a full week+ in advance or something.

Usually I wait until Wednesday, but with games starting on Thursday I thought I'd get them out early. Plus I was bored on Sunday.

[JALMOND]

J, I think the Idaho guy beat you to the punch for this week's predictions. I suggest you slap him around a bit and tell him this is your gig. Don't let that noob get away with this crap.

http://www.championshipsubdivision.com/ ... =4&t=49393

He lost me at saying PSU will win this weekend. Vandal is in his handle, but I think he is really a closet Vik fan.

[VandalBasher]

I have been a Viks fan since the Jerry Glanville days. But, Vandals are family.

[JALMOND]

I have been a Viks fan since the Jerry Glanville days.

You're either a glutton for punishment or 2 legit 2 quit.

But this board could use another Vik fan, even a half of one.

[JohnStOnge]

Keith Zembower over at https://zemsgems.wordpress.com has me downright scared of Northern Colorado; especially with his descriptions of wide receiver Alex Wesley. Sounds like that guy might be the most dangerous receiver in FCS. Also they apparently have a quarterback who may end 2018 as the highest rated FCS quarterback by the NFL if he shows he was able to come back from injury. Big, experienced offensive line. They've got some studs.

They changed defensive coordinators to go back to a guy from their glory days. Sounds like their problem last year was defense and they've done something to address that.

Finally, the game is at 4,675 elevation and McNeese players live at 13 feet elevation.

This, to me, is the most interesting season opener McNeese has had for some time. And after being left out of the playoffs with a 9-2 record last year it has to be viewed as a must-win game for the Cowboys.

[kalm]

Keith Zembower over at https://zemsgems.wordpress.com has me downright scared of Northern Colorado; especially with his descriptions of wide receiver Alex Wesley. Sounds like that guy might be the most dangerous receiver in FCS. Also they apparently have a quarterback who may end 2018 as the highest rated FCS quarterback by the NFL if he shows he was able to come back from injury. Big, experienced offensive line. They've got some studs.

They changed defensive coordinators to go back to a guy from their glory days. Sounds like their problem last year was defense and they've done something to address that.

Finally, the game is at 4,675 elevation and McNeese players live at 13 feet elevation.

This, to me, is the most interesting season opener McNeese has had for some time. And after being left out of the playoffs with a 9-2 record last year it has to be viewed as a must-win game for the Cowboys.

All true. They also have a veteran back in Riek so with the experienced online they should have balance. And Wesley is the real deal.

[SDHornet]

Keith Zembower over at https://zemsgems.wordpress.com has me downright scared of Northern Colorado; especially with his descriptions of wide receiver Alex Wesley. Sounds like that guy might be the most dangerous receiver in FCS. Also they apparently have a quarterback who may end 2018 as the highest rated FCS quarterback by the NFL if he shows he was able to come back from injury. Big, experienced offensive line. They've got some studs.

They changed defensive coordinators to go back to a guy from their glory days. Sounds like their problem last year was defense and they've done something to address that.

Finally, the game is at 4,675 elevation and McNeese players live at 13 feet elevation.

This, to me, is the most interesting season opener McNeese has had for some time. And after being left out of the playoffs with a 9-2 record last year it has to be viewed as a must-win game for the Cowboys.

All true. They also have a veteran back in Riek so with the experienced online they should have balance. And Wesley is the real deal.

Yup...so McNeese by 10?

[Mvemjsunpx]

Thursday

Davis 38-35 SJSU — The Aggies could definitely beat the 3rd. worst team in FBS

Weber 14-41 Utah — The Wildcats are 1-21 all-time against the 3 in-state FBS schools

Willynois 27-20 Montana St. — Another year, another non-QB playing QB in Bozeman

MVSU 13-55 NoDak — Can the Delta Devils put up negative rushing yardage for a second-straight season?


Friday

Portland St. 14-49 Nevada — Prior to last year, PSU's only winless season came in 1952

Western St. 6-48 Idaho St. — Holt Arena begins its 49th. season… that's the most interesting thing about this one


Saturday

CDub 21-49 EDub — The Eagles get revenge on Reilly Hennessey… or whatever

Cal Poly 10-48 NDSU — The Bison had no trouble with Wofford's option in December

SFIL 16-63 Sac — We won't likely know if Sac is for real for a couple weeks

Idaho 10-38 Fresno — The newly FCS Vandals deal with last year's Mountain West surprise

UNA 13-31 Suutah — The Lions get to enjoy some nice scenery & dry weather

NAU 31-21 UTEP — The Lumberjacks should definitely beat the worst team in FBS

UNI 31-27 Montana — The Griz depth chart shows only 6 starters that were starting last year

McNeese 23-17 NoCo — If this was November Greeley, I'd take the Bears, but it's not

[JALMOND]

With the season starting for some Big Sky teams on Thursday, I thought I'd get these out Monday (about time). Idaho in, North Dakota out and many questions scattered all around. Some good out-of-conference matchups with three games against the Missouri Valley (Cal Poly, Montana, Montana State), three against the Mountain West (Idaho, UC-Davis, Portland State), and three against lower division foes (EWU, Idaho State, Sacramento State). Those of you who don't know, the Big Sky teams are represented by their scoreboard initials, and the non-Big Sky teams are spelled out (that's why I spelled out Texas-El Paso and not UTEP). Good luck to everyone.

CP at North Dakota State---Oh, heavens! The Mustangs are trying to rebuild and get back to the elite in the conference and they get to go play the top team in the nation. Well, someone has to play them and maybe it is good they get them at the start...North Dakota State 41, CP 14.

Central Washington at EWU---Interesting matchup. One of the better DII teams going up against one of the better FCS teams. The Eagles will certainly want to take care of business early and not let little brother harbor any strange ideas...EWU 48, Central Washington 17.

UI at Fresno State---How the Vandals will do in their return to FCS has been one of the most pressing questions during the summer. They get to play an FBS opponent one more time before becoming a true FCS team (but they do have Florida later)...Fresno State 31, UI 24.

Western State, CO at ISU---Trying to get back to the elite, the Bengals seem to have scheduled a breather for their first game. Their schedule will get tougher so they better not let this game get away from them, otherwise things may go sour quickly...ISU 38, Western State 17.

Northern Iowa at UM---You don't win at the Grizzlies' home den just by showing up, and you don't beat a team like Northern Iowa just by showing up either. This has the makings to be a great game, as long as both teams do, indeed, show up...UM 29, Northern Iowa 28.

Western Illinois at MSU---The Bobcats finally get to put everything behind them and begin to play football again. They've got some capable quarterbacks to replace Murray but it may take a while to iron out the bugs. Starting with a strong Mo Valley team, however...Western Illinois 30, MSU 22.

NAU at Texas-El Paso---You schedule a money game, you just hope for a good paycheck and a good showing. Sometimes you do get lucky and catch the FBS team in a down year. All indications are that the Lumberjacks got lucky this year...NAU 35, Texas-El Paso 33.

McNeese State at UNC---Maybe the Bears do have something. Maybe they might make some noise this year in the conference. But starting off playing one of the top teams in the Southland is not a good way to enter the season. Maybe, but no...McNeese State 35, UNC 20.

PSU at Nevada---Now the Viks are back on the field and a new season to put the disastrous last season behind them. But people are going to continue to talk about the lack of wins until they do get a win. They'll continue to talk after this...Nevada 41, PSU 20.

St. Francis at SAC---This is how you do it. Finally field an excellent team and truck in an NAIA school for the first game as a sacrificial lamb. But hoping that the Hornets don't let what happened a few years back when they started with Southern Oregon...SAC 45, St. Francis 7.

North Alabama at SUU---The Thunderbirds get to face a transitional FCS squad that is playing their first game in DI. Playing at home against what should be viewed as a lower opponent should set up for an easy win. But nothing comes easy...SUU 28, North Alabama 20.

UCD at San Jose State---The Aggies have got some explosive threats and facing one of the weaker teams in the FBS may give them hope. After all, they don't play Stanford for two more weeks. Still, it is tough to pick the FCS over the FBS regardless of opponent...San Jose State 38, UCD 31.

WSU at Utah---How is this for a crazy matchup. The Wildcats, coming off a successful season, start against their big brother from the Pac-12, a good team in their own right. Can the Wildcat defense contain a strong Pac-12 offense, and can they win?...Utah 28, WSU 12.

10-3 to start the year. Pretty fair considering where I was after Thursday's games (1-2).

[Mvemjsunpx]

10-3 to start the year. Pretty fair considering where I was after Thursday's games (1-2).

Also 10-3. I missed Montana/UNI, but got Davis/SJSU.