GAME PREVIEWS – Big Sky Conference – October 16th
Eastern Washington (6-0) 3-0
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| EWU | 22 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 63 |
| UNC | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
This Week: vs. Idaho 12:30pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, EWU Radio: 700-AM ESPN & 105.3-FM in Spokane/Cheney
Fearless Prediction: The rivalry resumes on the inferno this weekend as a bipolar Vandals team attempts to dethrone the spotlight Eagles. Eric Barriere continues to do more than the majority of teams in the FCS, but can a pissed off spuds defense ground the Eagles? I don’t see them pulling off an Idaho State type upset, but this will be a closer game based off the spring results. EWU 49, Idaho 35
UC Davis (5-1) 2-1
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| UCD | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| ISU | 14 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 27 |
This Week: vs. Northern Colorado 6pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Fearless Prediction: UC Davis had an uncharacteristic loss and looked one dimensional. Northern Colorado looks like a team that belongs in the Southland rather than a Big Three Conference team. These two teams have to take a stand and see who avoids a further nose dive into the turf. With a head scratching lack of offense from UNC despite their talent the Aggies will start slow and then burn UNC later in the game. UCD 42, UNC 16
Montana State (5-1) 3-0
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPO | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| MSU | 7 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 45 |
This Week: @ Weber State (FRIDAY) 8pm MT
How to Follow: ESPNU, MSU Radio: Bobcat Radio Network
Fearless Prediction: Many are hailing this game as the FCS game of the week. I disagree that this will be so much of a marquee game and rather that it will be a desperation effort for Weber State to remain relevant and even playoff possible. The Wildcats luck out by hosting, but regardless Captain McKay and his offense are absolutely crushing each opponent. I don’t think Weber has the depth or play calling to hang with the Bobcats past the third quarter. MSU 42, Weber 28
Sacramento State (3-2) 2-0
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| SUU | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| SAC | 17 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 4 |
How to Follow: ESPN+
This Week: @ Montana 1pm MT
Fearless Prediction: This will be the most tricky game to predict this week even with Montana hosting. Sacramento State has found ways to surprise Montana in the past and while the Griz deal with injuries they could get caught looking the other way while the Hornets steal a game at WA-Griz. Does Montana have a healthy enough roster to keep the Hornets at bay? This should be a fun shootout for all Big Sky fans to enjoy. Montana 35, Sac State 31
Montana (4-1) 1-1
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| DSU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| UM | 0 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 3 |
This Week: vs. Sacramento State 1pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, UM Radio: Montana Grizzly Radio Network
Fearless Prediction: This will be the most tricky game to predict this week even with Montana hosting. Sacramento State has found ways to surprise Montana in the past and while the Griz deal with injuries they could get caught looking the other way while the Hornets steal a game at WA-Griz. Does Montana have a healthy enough roster to keep the Hornets at bay? This should be a fun shootout for all Big Sky fans to enjoy. Montana 35, Sac State 31
Northern Arizona (2-3) 1-1
Last Week: Bye
How to Follow: ESPN+
This Week: vs. SUU 2pm MT
Fearless Prediction: Battle of the Rollercoaster Teams for the Cup is what this rivalry should be labeled as. With the heartbreak kids coming to Flagstaff I think Justin Miller will have to hope for a HUGE game by his defense to pull off the upset. Although, I do believe with the lack of sophistication and productivity by RJ Martinez‘s offense will aide the Thunderbirds greatly. SUU 30, NAU 27
Northern Colorado (2-4) 1-2
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| EWU | 22 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 63 |
| UNC | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
This Week: @ UC Davis 6pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, UNC Radio: 1310 KFKA, 103.1 FM
Fearless Prediction: UC Davis had an uncharacteristic loss and looked one dimensional. Northern Colorado looks like a team that belongs in the Southland rather than a Big Three Conference team. These two teams have to take a stand and see who avoids a further nose dive into the turf. With a head scratching lack of offense from UNC despite their talent the Aggies will start slow and then burn UNC later in the game. UCD 42, UNC 16
Portland State (2-4) 1-2
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| PSU | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 | 35 |
| UID | 21 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 42 |
This Week: vs. Idaho State 3pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: ESPN Radio 1280AM/101.7FM
Fearless Prediction: Portland State plays everyone close no matter the division or skill level, but has a hard time leading and closing. Idaho State has been in the game or getting blown out other than their spoiler of a top ten team last week which just happens to be their one win. Who can we trust? Who should we bet on? As much as the passing talent is noticeable the better ground game and defense of the line of scrimmage will tell the final tale in this story. I’ll take the Bengals momentum to carry them one more week. ISU 24, PSU 17
Weber State (2-3) 1-1
Last Week: Bye
This Week: vs. Montana State (FRIDAY) 8pm MT
How to Follow: ESPNU
Fearless Prediction: Many are hailing this game as the FCS game of the week. I disagree that this will be so much of a marquee game and rather that it will be a desperation effort for Weber State to remain relevant and even playoff possible. The Wildcats luck out by hosting, but regardless Captain McKay and his offense are absolutely crushing each opponent. I don’t think Weber has the depth or play calling to hang with the Bobcats past the third quarter. MSU 42, Weber 28
Idaho (2-3) 1-1
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| PSU | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 | 35 |
| UID | 21 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 42 |
This Week: @ EWU 12:30pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, EWU Radio: 700-AM ESPN & 105.3-FM in Spokane/Cheney
Fearless Prediction: The rivalry resumes on the inferno this weekend as a bipolar Vandals team attempts to dethrone the spotlight Eagles. Eric Barriere continues to do more than the majority of teams in the FCS, but can a pissed off spuds defense ground the Eagles? I don’t see them pulling off an Idaho State type upset, but this will be a closer game based off the spring results. EWU 49, Idaho 35
Cal Poly (1-5) 0-3
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPO | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| MSU | 7 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 45 |
This Week: Bye
Southern Utah (1-5) 0-3
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| SUU | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| SAC | 17 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 4 |
This Week:@ NAU 2pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+
Fearless Prediction: Battle of the Rollercoaster Teams for the Cup is what this rivalry should be labeled as. With the heartbreak kids coming to Flagstaff I think Justin Miller will have to hope for a HUGE game by his defense to pull off the upset. Although, I do believe with the lack of sophistication and productivity by RJ Martinez‘s offense will aide the Thunderbirds greatly. SUU 30, NAU 27
Idaho State (1-4) 1-2
Last Week:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| UCD | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| ISU | 14 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 27 |
This Week: @ Portland State 3pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: KISU
Fearless Prediction: Portland State plays everyone close no matter the division or skill level, but has a hard time leading and closing. Idaho State has been in the game or getting blown out other than their spoiler of a top ten team last week which just happens to be their one win. Who can we trust? Who should we bet on? As much as the passing talent is noticeable the better ground game and defense of the line of scrimmage will tell the final tale in this story. I’ll take the Bengals momentum to carry them one more week. ISU 24, PSU 17
My name is Ben Schleiger and I’m your representative for the Big Sky Conference. I have done work for multiple newspapers and sports blogs including The Johnstown Breeze, The University of Northern Colorado Mirror, and Mile High Maniac. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. In my free time, I like watching sports, playing video games, and trying new foods.
