Big Sky Predictions/Analysis

[Mvemjsunpx]

• 1. Eastern Washington__8-0____11-1_____ Will the Adams-to-Kupp alley-oop train keep on rolling?
  2. Montana _____________7-1____11-1_____ Even if they don't win the coin flips, the Griz should be in the playoffs
  3. Montana State _______6-2_____8-4_____ The borderline Bobcats hope to be playing Thanksgiving weekend
  4. Sacramento State ___ 5-3_____8-4 _____ Davis likely costs the Hornets a playoff spot
  5. Portland State_______ 5-3_____7-5_____ Discipline is always the question for the Viks, not talent
  6. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____7-5_____ Offense looks good, defense & special teams not so much
  7. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____7-5_____ The 'Jacks come on strong late… after they're already out of it
  8. Idaho State __________3-5_____5-7_____ "Mediocre" is a vast improvement for the Kramers
  9. Southern Utah _______2-6_____2-10____ Suutah's most daunting opponent this season is Reality Check Tech
  10.North Dakota _______2-6_____3-9_____ NoDak may actually be the worst team on paper, but their coaching looks promising
  11.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ They don't play most of the crappier teams, so the Aggies aren't really this bad
  12.Weber State__________2-6_____2-10____ It seems like forever since McBride was there, doesn't it Weber fans?
  13.Northern Colorado___0-8_____1-10____ Massive personnel losses aren't helpful for a team in desperate need of momentum

[Mvemjsunpx]

• Best Rushing Offense - Cal Poly
  Worst Rushing Offense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Passing Offense - Eastern Washington
  Worst Passing Offense - UC Davis
  
  Best Overall Offense - Eastern Washington
  Worst Overall Offense - Northern Colorado
  
  Best Run Defense - Montana St.
  Worst Run Defense - Weber St.
  
  Best Pass Defense - Montana
  Worst Pass Defense - Cal Poly
  
  Best Overall Defense - Montana
  Worst Overall Defense - Weber St.
  
  Best Special Teams - Montana
  Worst Special Teams - Northern Colorado
  
  
  
  Best Quarterback - Vernon Adams (EWU)
  Best Running Back - Gabe Manzanares (UCD)
  Best Wide Receiver - Cooper Kupp (EWU)
  Best Tight End - Josh Cook (ISU)
  Best WR/TE Corps - Eastern Washington
  Best Offensive Lineman - Cornelius Edison (PSU)
  Best Offensive Line - Montana St.
  
  Best Defensive Lineman - James Cowser (SUU)
  Best Defensive Line - Montana
  Best Linebacker - Alex Singleton (MSU)
  Best LB Corps - Cal Poly
  Best Defensive Back - Deon'tae Florence (WEB)
  Best Secondary - Montana
  
  Best Kicker - Brady Stuart (UCD)
  Best Punter - Kyle Loomis (PSU)
  Best Ret. Specialist - Shawn Johnson (MSU)
  Best Return Teams - Montana St.

[MTfan4life]

• 1. Eastern Washington__8-0____11-1_____ Will the Adams-to-Kupp alley-oop train keep on rolling?
  2. Montana _____________7-1____11-1_____ Even if they don't win the coin flips, the Griz should be in the playoffs
  3. Montana State _______6-2_____8-4_____ The borderline Bobcats hope to be playing Thanksgiving weekend
  4. Sacramento State ___ 5-3_____8-4 _____ Davis likely costs the Hornets a playoff spot
  5. Portland State_______ 5-3_____7-5_____ Discipline is always the question for the Viks, not talent
  6. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____7-5_____ Offense looks good, defense & special teams not so much
  7. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____7-5_____ The 'Jacks come on strong late… after they're already out of it
  8. Idaho State __________3-5_____5-7_____ "Mediocre" is a vast improvement for the Kramers
  9. Southern Utah _______2-6_____2-10____ Suutah's most daunting opponent this season is Reality Check Tech
  10.North Dakota _______2-6_____3-9_____ NoDak may actually be the worst team on paper, but their coaching looks promising
  11.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ They don't play most of the crappier teams, so the Aggies aren't really this bad
  12.Weber State__________2-6_____2-10____ It seems like forever since McBride was there, doesn't it Weber fans?
  13.Northern Colorado___0-8_____1-10____ Massive personnel losses aren't helpful for a team in desperate need of momentum

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

As has been the case since the conference expanded, the Griz will once again have one of the toughest in-conference schedules. Eastern gets a cozy conference schedule avoiding Cal Poly, MSU, and Sac State. The kittens have a brutal road schedule, but a cake home slate. Much like what happens in the CAA, the varying schedules will definitely play a major factor in the conference positioning this season. It should be an interesting year though!

[kalm]

• 1. Eastern Washington__8-0____11-1_____ Will the Adams-to-Kupp alley-oop train keep on rolling?
  2. Montana _____________7-1____11-1_____ Even if they don't win the coin flips, the Griz should be in the playoffs
  3. Montana State _______6-2_____8-4_____ The borderline Bobcats hope to be playing Thanksgiving weekend
  4. Sacramento State ___ 5-3_____8-4 _____ Davis likely costs the Hornets a playoff spot
  5. Portland State_______ 5-3_____7-5_____ Discipline is always the question for the Viks, not talent
  6. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____7-5_____ Offense looks good, defense & special teams not so much
  7. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____7-5_____ The 'Jacks come on strong late… after they're already out of it
  8. Idaho State __________3-5_____5-7_____ "Mediocre" is a vast improvement for the Kramers
  9. Southern Utah _______2-6_____2-10____ Suutah's most daunting opponent this season is Reality Check Tech
  10.North Dakota _______2-6_____3-9_____ NoDak may actually be the worst team on paper, but their coaching looks promising
  11.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ They don't play most of the crappier teams, so the Aggies aren't really this bad
  12.Weber State__________2-6_____2-10____ It seems like forever since McBride was there, doesn't it Weber fans?
  13.Northern Colorado___0-8_____1-10____ Massive personnel losses aren't helpful for a team in desperate need of momentum

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

As has been the case since the conference expanded, the Griz will once again have one of the toughest in-conference schedules. Eastern gets a cozy conference schedule avoiding Cal Poly, MSU, and Sac State. The kittens have a brutal road schedule, but a cake home slate. Much like what happens in the CAA, the varying schedules will definitely play a major factor in the conference positioning this season. It should be an interesting year though!

It's tough to tell right now who the toughest teams in the middle of the pack are. Davis and SUU should both be decent teams but play absolutely brutal schedules. I think between those two schools and MSU, PSU, Sac, and NAU it's a toss up. Other than getting the Griz at home, our next 4 toughest conference games are all on the road (NAU, SUU, Davis, PSU). Hardly any more cozy on paper than the Griz's schedule.

[kalm]

• 1. Eastern Washington__8-0____11-1_____ Will the Adams-to-Kupp alley-oop train keep on rolling?
  2. Montana _____________7-1____11-1_____ Even if they don't win the coin flips, the Griz should be in the playoffs
  3. Montana State _______6-2_____8-4_____ The borderline Bobcats hope to be playing Thanksgiving weekend
  4. Sacramento State ___ 5-3_____8-4 _____ Davis likely costs the Hornets a playoff spot
  5. Portland State_______ 5-3_____7-5_____ Discipline is always the question for the Viks, not talent
  6. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____7-5_____ Offense looks good, defense & special teams not so much
  7. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____7-5_____ The 'Jacks come on strong late… after they're already out of it
  8. Idaho State __________3-5_____5-7_____ "Mediocre" is a vast improvement for the Kramers
  9. Southern Utah _______2-6_____2-10____ Suutah's most daunting opponent this season is Reality Check Tech
  10.North Dakota _______2-6_____3-9_____ NoDak may actually be the worst team on paper, but their coaching looks promising
  11.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ They don't play most of the crappier teams, so the Aggies aren't really this bad
  12.Weber State__________2-6_____2-10____ It seems like forever since McBride was there, doesn't it Weber fans?
  13.Northern Colorado___0-8_____1-10____ Massive personnel losses aren't helpful for a team in desperate need of momentum

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

As has been the case since the conference expanded, the Griz will once again have one of the toughest in-conference schedules. Eastern gets a cozy conference schedule avoiding Cal Poly, MSU, and Sac State. The kittens have a brutal road schedule, but a cake home slate. Much like what happens in the CAA, the varying schedules will definitely play a major factor in the conference positioning this season. It should be an interesting year though!

It's tough to tell right now who the toughest teams in the middle of the pack are. Davis and SUU should both be decent but play absolutely brutal schedules. I think between those two schools and MSU, PSU, Sac, and NAU it's a toss up. Other than getting the Griz at home, our next 4 toughest conference games are all on the road (NAU, SUU, Davis, PSU). Hardly any more cozy on paper than the Griz's schedule.

[Mvemjsunpx]

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

Wyoming & NDSU are coin flips. I picked the Griz to win those two, but lose the EWU coin flip. UM should win the other 9 and even going 9-3 should guarantee a playoff spot.

Take these predictions with a grain of salt, though. My track record for Griz preseason prognostication in even-numbered years is much worse than in odd-numbered years, for whatever reason.

[Mvemjsunpx]

It's tough to tell right now who the toughest teams in the middle of the pack are. Davis and SUU should both be decent but play absolutely brutal schedules. I think between those two schools and MSU, PSU, Sac, and NAU it's a toss up. Other than getting the Griz at home, our next 4 toughest conference games are all on the road (NAU, SUU, Davis, PSU). Hardly any more cozy on paper than the Griz's schedule.

Davis really gets screwed here. Based on my standings predictions, they play each of the top 7 but only 1 of the others in the bottom 6 (NoCo). They actually don't play any of the three teams I have them tied with.

[AZGrizFan]

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

Not as bold as stating that the Griz will have the best pass defense....

[Brock Landers]

2. Montana _____________7-1____11-1_____ Even if they don't win the coin flips, the Griz should be in the playoffs

Best Special Teams - Montana

[dbackjon]

• 1. Eastern Washington__8-0____11-1_____ Will the Adams-to-Kupp alley-oop train keep on rolling?
  2. Montana _____________7-1____11-1_____ Even if they don't win the coin flips, the Griz should be in the playoffs
  3. Montana State _______6-2_____8-4_____ The borderline Bobcats hope to be playing Thanksgiving weekend
  4. Sacramento State ___ 5-3_____8-4 _____ Davis likely costs the Hornets a playoff spot
  5. Portland State_______ 5-3_____7-5_____ Discipline is always the question for the Viks, not talent
  6. Cal Poly _____________5-3_____7-5_____ Offense looks good, defense & special teams not so much
  7. Northern Arizona ____5-3_____7-5_____ The 'Jacks come on strong late… after they're already out of it
  8. Idaho State __________3-5_____5-7_____ "Mediocre" is a vast improvement for the Kramers
  9. Southern Utah _______2-6_____2-10____ Suutah's most daunting opponent this season is Reality Check Tech
  10.North Dakota _______2-6_____3-9_____ NoDak may actually be the worst team on paper, but their coaching looks promising
  11.UC Davis ___________ 2-6_____3-8_____ They don't play most of the crappier teams, so the Aggies aren't really this bad
  12.Weber State__________2-6_____2-10____ It seems like forever since McBride was there, doesn't it Weber fans?
  13.Northern Colorado___0-8_____1-10____ Massive personnel losses aren't helpful for a team in desperate need of momentum

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

As has been the case since the conference expanded, the Griz will once again have one of the toughest in-conference schedules. Eastern gets a cozy conference schedule avoiding Cal Poly, MSU, and Sac State. The kittens have a brutal road schedule, but a cake home slate. Much like what happens in the CAA, the varying schedules will definitely play a major factor in the conference positioning this season. It should be an interesting year though!

Montana avoids NAU - so lucky for the Griz

[Brock Landers]

Well we'll eventually not shit the bed against you. Right?


Right?

Seriously, when did we enter a bizarro world where NAU plays the best game of the seasons against us every year?

[Grizalltheway]

The Griz going 4-0 with their non-conference schedule? That's bold. AGS would burn to the ground if this was stated on there.

As has been the case since the conference expanded, the Griz will once again have one of the toughest in-conference schedules. Eastern gets a cozy conference schedule avoiding Cal Poly, MSU, and Sac State. The kittens have a brutal road schedule, but a cake home slate. Much like what happens in the CAA, the varying schedules will definitely play a major factor in the conference positioning this season. It should be an interesting year though!

Montana avoids NAU - so lucky for the Griz

Baumann's gone. Back to mid-conference mediocrity you go.

[grizinidaho]

I've got the Griz at 10-2 not sure if that second loss will be NDSU or Wyoming. Don't like out odds against EWU, but I guess that's why they play the game. I'd like nothing more than to beat them badly this year. It'd be good for them.

[AZGrizFan]

Montana avoids NAU - so lucky for the Griz

Baumann's gone. Back to mid-conference mediocrity you go.

[AZGrizFan]

I've got the Griz at 10-2 not sure if that second loss will be NDSU or Wyoming. Don't like out odds against EWU, but I guess that's why they play the game. I'd like nothing more than to beat them badly this year. It'd be good for them.

i still think 9-3 and both of those are losses....tough, tough road games under ANY scenario.

[dbackjon]

Baumann's gone. Back to mid-conference mediocrity you go.

Beat NAU - then pop off

[grizinidaho]

I've got the Griz at 10-2 not sure if that second loss will be NDSU or Wyoming. Don't like out odds against EWU, but I guess that's why they play the game. I'd like nothing more than to beat them badly this year. It'd be good for them.

i still think 9-3 and both of those are losses....tough, tough road games under ANY scenario.

I can't say I would be shocked or surprised if we lost those 3 tough games. I have to believe that we are a national championship contender and to be that, we have to put the coals to one of those 3 teams. I also think that if we gell good by NDSU and are really playing good we could end up undefeated but there would have to be some stars aligning for that to happen. I would like to have this in conference schedule I'm seeing some other schools have.

[Grizalltheway]

Beat NAU - then pop off

Well, I can guarantee you we won't have to wait as long to get off the schneid as you did.

[uofmman1122]

Best Pass Defense - Montana

Best Special Teams - Montana

[AZGrizFan]

Beat NAU - then pop off

You fucking KNOW it's true. Deep down in your heart.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Best Pass Defense - Montana

Best Special Teams - Montana

The Griz pass defense may not be great, but no-one else's is either. There isn't a single Big Sky team that appears to be any better than just "solid" on defense, and Montana's D-Line is the only level (DL, LB, DB) of any Big Sky defense that looks notably good.

The Griz special teams definitely look the best on paper of any Big Sky team. PSU has the best punter but they lost most everything else, MSU has the best returner but questionable for everything else, etc. Just having Shaw & Henderson both in place is enough to put the Griz #1 there, and UM's place kicking situation certainly doesn't look any more questionable than most any other Big Sky team.


I think most of you guys are underestimating the amount of question marks other teams around the conference/nation have. It's rare for a good team to be without key holes to fill coming into a season.

[JALMOND]

PSU has the best punter but they lost most everything else,

PSU has the best punter and never had anything else.

[MTfan4life]

It's tough to tell right now who the toughest teams in the middle of the pack are. Davis and SUU should both be decent teams but play absolutely brutal schedules. I think between those two schools and MSU, PSU, Sac, and NAU it's a toss up. Other than getting the Griz at home, our next 4 toughest conference games are all on the road (NAU, SUU, Davis, PSU). Hardly any more cozy on paper than the Griz's schedule.

NAU got sent to the cleaners and came out with basically an entirely new roster. With the exception of their quarterback, they lose a TON from last season, especially on the defensive side. Southern Utah took quite a hit as well. In the preseason, it's all just hearsay, but in my opinion, not playing Montana State, Cal Poly, or Sac State in conference is a definite advantage. Pretty similar to what Poly had in 2012 for a conference schedule.

Comparison of the teams only one of the two mentioned schools play:
UM - SAC, MSU, Poly, EWU
EWU - PSU, NAU, ISU, UM

The top line of teams looks a lot more intimidating than the bottom line.

I'm not saying Eastern will be better than Montana simply because of their schedules. I'm simply saying their schedule is not as tough as some of the other schools in the conference. Eastern is by far the most dominant team coming into the season. Montana's defense was already suspect last season. Losing multiple all-americans definitely doesn't help.

[uofmman1122]

The Griz pass defense may not be great, but no-one else's is either. There isn't a single Big Sky team that appears to be any better than just "solid" on defense, and Montana's D-Line is the only level (DL, LB, DB) of any Big Sky defense that looks notably good.

The Griz special teams definitely look the best on paper of any Big Sky team. PSU has the best punter but they lost most everything else, MSU has the best returner but questionable for everything else, etc. Just having Shaw & Henderson both in place is enough to put the Griz #1 there, and UM's place kicking situation certainly doesn't look any more questionable than most any other Big Sky team.


I think most of you guys are underestimating the amount of question marks other teams around the conference/nation have. It's rare for a good team to be without key holes to fill coming into a season.

I guess that makes sense, but if Montana's secondary is the cream of the Big Sky crop, either we've improved more than nearly any team ever has in one year to another, or our MVC and CAA overlords are right, and the Big Sky really doesn't play (pass) defense.

I'd be stoked if we were rock solid in pass coverage again like the pre-2012 days, and the new linebackers make me excited that they're a more agile, ball-hawking group as opposed to last year's, but I'm still not sold that it's not all scheme. If that's the case, the second coming of Trumaine Johnson wouldn't help us if Gregorak can't get his schemes on straight.

[Mvemjsunpx]

I guess that makes sense, but if Montana's secondary is the cream of the Big Sky crop, either we've improved more than nearly any team ever has in one year to another, or our MVC and CAA overlords are right, and the Big Sky really doesn't play (pass) defense.

The Griz pass D did improve quite a bit from 2012 to 2013. It was pretty lousy in '12, but about average last season. When Gregorak gets blitz happy is when the Griz get burned, from what I've seen (UND in '12 and EWU last year were prime examples).

I'd be stoked if we were rock solid in pass coverage again like the pre-2012 days, and the new linebackers make me excited that they're a more agile, ball-hawking group as opposed to last year's, but I'm still not sold that it's not all scheme. If that's the case, the second coming of Trumaine Johnson wouldn't help us if Gregorak can't get his schemes on straight.

The trio of CBs Montana had in 2011 (Johnson, Roots, Lisowski) were the best in the history of the school, even better than the Parker/Coleman duo from 2000. We likely won't see something like that again for a while.