GAME PREVIEWS – Big Sky Conference – October 2nd

Eastern Washington (4-0) 1-0
Last Week: Win @ Southern Utah 50-21
This Week: vs. Montana 8:30pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN2, EWU Radio: 700-AM ESPN & 105.3-FM in Spokane/Cheney
Fearless Prediction: What very well could be the FCS Game of the Year is happening this Saturday in Cheney, WA. An electric EWU offense will meet a stout Griz defense in an epic fashion. Will Eric Barriere prevail with his 400+ yards average or will the Montana defense who held FBS Washington to seven points sneak out with a win? I see EWU taking it down to the wire and managing the clock a smidge better than Cam Humphrey and the Griz. EWU 45, UM 42
UC Davis (4-0) 1-0
Last Week: Win @ Weber State 17-14
This Week: vs. Idaho 8pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK, Radio: 103.1 “The Wave”
Fearless Prediction: Idaho’s season has not started off the way the Vandals wanted to. CJ Jordan could be the future, but UC Davis is America’s Cinderella as they rise through the ranks and slay multiple giants. UC Davis is on a hot streak and I see that continuing on even if the schemes clash. UCD 31, UI 24
Montana (3-0) 1-0
Last Week: Win vs. Cal Poly 39-7
This Week: @ EWU 8:30pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN2 UM Radio: Montana Grizzly Radio Network, EWU Radio: 700-AM ESPN
Fearless Prediction: What very well could be the FCS Game of the Year is happening this Saturday in Cheney, WA. An electric EWU offense will meet a stout Griz defense in an epic fashion. Will Eric Barriere prevail with his 400+ yards average or will the Montana defense who held FBS Washington to seven points sneak out with a win? I see EWU taking it down to the wire and managing the clock a smidge better than Cam Humphrey and the Griz. EWU 45, UM 42
Montana State (3-1) 1-0
Last Week: Win @ Portland State 30-17

This Week: vs. Northern Colorado 1pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, MSU Radio: Bobcat Radio Network, UNC Radio: 1310 KFKA, 103.1 FM
Fearless Prediction: Northern Colorado has already won as many games as they did in their entire 2019 season. Despite McCaffrey’s varied success, Montana State is a dangerous team as they have a lot of versatility on offense and a stout front seven on defense. Between the Bobcats chemistry and larger size the Bears will struggle considerably unless they out scheme the hosts. MSU 38, UNC 20
Northern Colorado (2-2) 1-0
Last Week: Win vs. Northern Arizona 17-10 OT
This Week: @ Montana State 1pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, UNC Radio: 1310 KFKA, 103.1 FM, MSU Radio: Bobcat Radio Network,
Fearless Prediction: Northern Colorado has already won as many games as they did in their entire 2019 season. Despite McCaffrey’s varied success, Montana State is a dangerous team as they have a lot of versatility on offense and a stout front seven on defense. Between the Bobcats chemistry and larger size the Bears will struggle considerably unless they out scheme the hosts. MSU 38, UNC 20
Sacramento State (2-2) 1-0
Last Week: Win @ Idaho State 23-21
This Week: Bye
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: KISU
Idaho (1-2) 0-0
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: @UC Davis 7pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+
Fearless Prediction: Idaho’s season has not started off the way the Vandals wanted to. CJ Jordan could be the future, but UC Davis is America’s Cinderella as they rise through the ranks and slay multiple giants. UC Davis is on a hot streak and I see that continuing on even if the schemes clash. UCD 31, UI 24
Cal Poly (1-3) 0-1
Last Week: Loss vs. Montana 39-7

This Week: vs. Weber State 6:30pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: ESPN Radio 1280AM/101.7FM
Fearless Prediction: Weber State and Cal Poly are the same record. Let that sink in for a moment. The four-time champions are tied with the team who quit the spring season. Does Cal Poly have a chance? Any given Saturday, but I believe the defending champs will unleash their rage on the lowly Mustangs. Weber State 31, Cal Poly 17
Northern Arizona (1-3) 0-1
Last Week: Loss @ Northern Colorado 17-10 OT

This Week: vs Idaho State 2pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+
Fearless Prediction: Northern Arizona and Idaho State are not living up to their expectations this year as Vander-Waal has been less consistent and the Lumberjacks play musical freshmen QB. For these teams it’s gone from a reload to a rebuild year in a matter of a few games. Any playoff aspirations for these teams will already be in jeopardy unless they find a way to storm through the conference. First, they have to find a way past each other and with as many turnovers as they both have I would not safely bet on either. NAU 20, Idaho State 17 in OT
Portland State (1-3) 0-1
Last Week: Loss vs. Montana State 30-17

This Week: @ S. Utah 6pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+,
Fearless Prediction: So many 1-3 teams to talk about in the conference and so little confidence about what these teams are actually capable of. Portland State has played four opponents within a two score margin, except Washington State with a still respectable 20. The problem is the Vikings have played FBS, FCS, and DII all the same way and their only win was against DIIWestern Oregon. Does this up and down performance give them the ups against SUU who has lost all their games by double their score except a five-point win against FCS newcomer Tarleton State? Justin Miller is a great, young QB for the Thunderbirds, but the lack of offense is concerning. Unless the SUU defense creates turnovers I see the SUU offense getting stifled by Anthony Adams in the secondary. PSU 27, SUU 20
Southern Utah (1-3) 0-1
Last Week: Loss vs. EWU

This Week: vs. Portland State 6pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+
Fearless Prediction: So many 1-3 teams to talk about in the conference and so little confidence about what these teams are actually capable of. Portland State has played four opponents within a two score margin, except Washington State with a still respectable 20. The problem is the Vikings have played FBS, FCS, and DII all the same way and their only win was against DIIWestern Oregon. Does this up and down performance give them the ups against SUU who has lost all their games by double their score except a five-point win against FCS newcomer Tarleton State? Justin Miller is a great, young QB for the Thunderbirds, but the lack of offense is concerning. Unless the SUU defense creates turnovers I see the SUU offense getting stifled by Anthony Adams in the secondary. PSU 27, SUU 20
Weber State (1-3) 0-1
Last Week: Loss vs. UCD 17-14
This Week: Cal Poly
How to Follow: ESPN+
Fearless Prediction: Weber State and Cal Poly are the same record. Let that sink in for a moment. The four-time champions are tied with the team who quit the spring season. Does Cal Poly have a chance? Any given Saturday, but I believe the defending champs will unleash their rage on the lowly Mustangs. Weber State 31, Cal Poly 17
Idaho State (0-3) 0-1
Last Week: Loss vs. Sac State
This Week: @ N Arizona 2pm MT
How to Follow: ESPN+, Radio: KISU
Fearless Prediction: Northern Arizona and Idaho State are not living up to their expectations this year as Vander-Waal has been less consistent and the Lumberjacks play musical freshmen QB. For these teams it’s gone from a reload to a rebuild year in a matter of a few games. Any playoff aspirations for these teams will already be in jeopardy unless they find a way to storm through the conference. First, they have to find a way past each other and with as many turnovers as they both have I would not safely bet on either. NAU 20, Idaho State 17 in OT

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.