Big Sky Predictions 9-28

[JALMOND]

There are a couple of stragglers but for the most part, non conference play is over and conference play begins this week. No is the time that truly separates the good teams from the bad and the contenders from the pretenders. Overall, a great non conference for the conference with two FBS scalps and some great FCS wins sprinkled in. It is truly living up to one of the best conferences in all of FCS. So far, I am at 39-6 with one perfect week. Here are my picks for this week.

CP at UNC---The Mustangs took a week off to heal and prepare for the conference schedule. The Bears have looked relatively decent aside from their last game in Southland country. When the dust settles this weekend, one of these teams will find themselves on top of the conference. Take the home team...UNC 28, CP 14.

SAC at NAU---Both teams have looked impressive in the non-conference part of their schedules. The Hornets have looked good against the FCS side while the Lumberjacks had a good showing with their big brothers to the south to go with a couple good games against the FCS, too. Have to go with the home team here...NAU 25, SAC 22.

PSU at Chattanooga (FCS Southern)---One of two teams playing out of conference, the Vikings are following a tropical storm into the Southern part of the country. Sloppy field, sloppy game, possibly a sloppy outcome for two teams trying to get a win. The Vikings will be the underdog, but I'll take the homer pick...PSU 19, Chattanooga 16.

MSU at ISU---The Bobcats have taken care of business, knocking down everyone they've met, including the FBS. However, the Bengals put a bit of a surprise into everyone last week with a good non-conference win at home. For what its worth, this game is also at the Bengals' home, if it makes a difference...MSU 35, ISU 28.

UM at EWU---The Grizzlies are hoping they have put aside some worries and are set to lay claim to the conference crown. However, they are still looking for their first road win of the season. The Eagles have not looked too good at home or away but they should be ready to play this game. But, Grizzlies get their first road win...UM 38, EWU 14.

McNeese (FCS Southland) at WSU---The Wildcats also take a venture out of conference, bringing in a member of the Southland to their cozy home. Things are beginning to come together for them on the field and this should be a good test for them before they resume conference play next week...WSU 35, McNeese 14.

UI at UCD---Probably the best game in the conference this week. The Vandals looked strong on the road last week to close out an impressive non-conference schedule. Likewise, the Aggies have looked really good as well in non-conference games. Sad that one of these teams will start with a loss...UI 29, UCD 25.

[SuperHornet]

I'm hurt, JAL.

Hornets 49, Jacks 17....

[Mvemjsunpx]

Montana 34-24 EWU — The Griz have never won on the red turf, but this is easily the weakest EWU team they've played there

Idaho 24-20 Davis — Are the Vandals really this good, or are they just on a hot streak?

Montana St. 42-24 Idaho St. — Can the Bengals slow down MSU's offense? I doubt it

Sac State 27-20 NAU — The 'Jacks showed last week that they probably aren't ready for prime time

Cal Poly 17-27 NololColol — Ed Lamb finally gets his first win with the Bears

Portland St. 14-35 Chattanooga — Portland State, the Job of the Big Sky, now has to travel cross country just to play a better team in pouring rain

McNeese 17-31 Weber — Clifton McDowell faces the Wildcats for the first time…

[SuperHornet]

That's IF the game comes off on time and isn't moved. It might even be cancelled. Hurricane Helene is expected to go through TN, though I haven't seen the exact expected path. If they just get the edges, they might just get some rain. If they get the full thing, though, this could turn into a Portland State home game....

That said, if the game happens, your prediction seems closer than JAL's, Venus.

[Mvemjsunpx]

That's IF the game comes off on time and isn't moved. It might even be cancelled. Hurricane Helene is expected to go through TN, though I haven't seen the exact expected path. If they just get the edges, they might just get some rain. If they get the full thing, though, this could turn into a Portland State home game....

That said, if the game happens, your prediction seems closer than JAL's, Venus.

The weather forecast in Chattanooga Saturday calls for rain, but the wind is only supposed to be ≈10mph.

[JALMOND]

That's IF the game comes off on time and isn't moved. It might even be cancelled. Hurricane Helene is expected to go through TN, though I haven't seen the exact expected path. If they just get the edges, they might just get some rain. If they get the full thing, though, this could turn into a Portland State home game....

That said, if the game happens, your prediction seems closer than JAL's, Venus.

The weather forecast in Chattanooga Saturday calls for rain, but the wind is only supposed to be ≈10mph.

PSU is flying in to Chatty today. Sounds like things are suppose to improve (worst conditions this morning) and by game time (7pm local time), supposed to be cloudy, intermittent showers and temps near 70. I don't know about there, but that is a typical early fall day in Portland.

[SeattleGriz]

Montana 34-24 EWU — The Griz have never won on the red turf, but this is easily the weakest EWU team they've played there

Idaho 24-20 Davis — Are the Vandals really this good, or are they just on a hot streak?

Montana St. 42-24 Idaho St. — Can the Bengals slow down MSU's offense? I doubt it

Sac State 27-20 NAU — The 'Jacks showed last week that they probably aren't ready for prime time

Cal Poly 17-27 NololColol — Ed Lamb finally gets his first win with the Bears

Portland St. 14-35 Chattanooga — Portland State, the Job of the Big Sky, now has to travel cross country just to play a better team in pouring rain

McNeese 17-31 Weber — Clifton McDowell faces the Wildcats for the first time…

See if that curse can be broken today.

[JALMOND]

There are a couple of stragglers but for the most part, non conference play is over and conference play begins this week. No is the time that truly separates the good teams from the bad and the contenders from the pretenders. Overall, a great non conference for the conference with two FBS scalps and some great FCS wins sprinkled in. It is truly living up to one of the best conferences in all of FCS. So far, I am at 39-6 with one perfect week. Here are my picks for this week.

CP at UNC---The Mustangs took a week off to heal and prepare for the conference schedule. The Bears have looked relatively decent aside from their last game in Southland country. When the dust settles this weekend, one of these teams will find themselves on top of the conference. Take the home team...UNC 28, CP 14.

SAC at NAU---Both teams have looked impressive in the non-conference part of their schedules. The Hornets have looked good against the FCS side while the Lumberjacks had a good showing with their big brothers to the south to go with a couple good games against the FCS, too. Have to go with the home team here...NAU 25, SAC 22.

PSU at Chattanooga (FCS Southern)---One of two teams playing out of conference, the Vikings are following a tropical storm into the Southern part of the country. Sloppy field, sloppy game, possibly a sloppy outcome for two teams trying to get a win. The Vikings will be the underdog, but I'll take the homer pick...PSU 19, Chattanooga 16.

MSU at ISU---The Bobcats have taken care of business, knocking down everyone they've met, including the FBS. However, the Bengals put a bit of a surprise into everyone last week with a good non-conference win at home. For what its worth, this game is also at the Bengals' home, if it makes a difference...MSU 35, ISU 28.

UM at EWU---The Grizzlies are hoping they have put aside some worries and are set to lay claim to the conference crown. However, they are still looking for their first road win of the season. The Eagles have not looked too good at home or away but they should be ready to play this game. But, Grizzlies get their first road win...UM 38, EWU 14.

McNeese (FCS Southland) at WSU---The Wildcats also take a venture out of conference, bringing in a member of the Southland to their cozy home. Things are beginning to come together for them on the field and this should be a good test for them before they resume conference play next week...WSU 35, McNeese 14.

UI at UCD---Probably the best game in the conference this week. The Vandals looked strong on the road last week to close out an impressive non-conference schedule. Likewise, the Aggies have looked really good as well in non-conference games. Sad that one of these teams will start with a loss...UI 29, UCD 25.

3-4 this week. 42-10 now for the year.