I'm a couple days early with these, but with half the Big Sky teams starting play on Thursday, it seemed to be right. A lot of changes in the offseason has inflated the conference to 13 teams and not everyone will play each other. Also, the level of improvement is evident in all the teams which made a preseason ranking very difficult, so it should stimulate great discussion. Here are the rankings for the preseason. As usual, all are my opinions only so take it as it is.

1. Montana State Bobcats---Probably the team with the least amount of questions, the Bobcats return a lot from last season's run through the conference. About the only main question evolves from if they can win in the playoffs, which means getting there is pretty much a given. The season begins at home for the Bobcats against Chadron State, a team that surprised the Bobcats a few seasons back.

2. Eastern Washington Eagles---The Eagles have been pretty consistent through the recent years, but this time they must replace their quarterback. Mini-Quarterback U has dug once again into the transfer ranks, stealing one from SMU so they should not miss a beat. They start the season on the road against the WAC's Idaho team.

3. Cal Poly Mustangs---Hard to imagine a newcomer to the conference could have about as much experience at the coaching level as the Mustangs do, but Walsh has seen success in the Big Sky before, having coached at Portland State when they came into the conference. Combine that with an experienced quarterback and the Mustangs could find themselves near the top. An opening game at home against San Diego should iron out the wrinkles.

4. Montana Grizzlies---The offseason turmoil on campus has robbed the Grizzlies the coach of the year, as well as their AD and their starting quarterback. It remains to be seen how it all plays out, but the most dangerous animal on earth is a wounded grizzly bear and the Grizzlies are definitely wounded and dangerous. They will welcome South Dakota the opening weekend.

5. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---The Jacks return the conference's top rusher from last season and hope to build around him. High expectations in the preseason usually do not translate into success during the season, but maybe this will be the year. They start on the road at Pac-12's Arizona State.

6. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---One of the things necessary to succeed in the Big Sky is a strong returning quarterback and the Thunderbirds are led by one of the nation's best. If they can get the defense to come around they could turn heads in their first season in the conference. They start on the road playing against the WAC's Utah State.

7. North Dakota Sioux---Last season, the Sioux were up and down, but found enough life to finish the year in the top 25 in most publications. Now with a good core group returning, they are poised to make some noise their first year in the conference. They will start the year at home against the DII's South Dakota Mines.

8. Portland State Vikings---A big improvement last year over the year before has some Vikings fans looking forward to this season. But replacing both Kavanaugh and McCaffrey and tweaking the pistol offense has saddled this year's team with questions right off the bat. They welcome NAIA powerhouse, Carroll College to Portland during the opening weekend.

9. Weber State Wildcats---The Wildcats knew after last season that they would have to replace their long time coach who was retiring, but they did not think they would have to reopen the search once their new coach left for Arkansas. Getting accustomed to each other as well as the new faces and the Wildcats could be rebuilding. They start the year at WAC's Fresno State.

10. Sacramento State Hornets---Great things were planned for the Hornets last year and they looked promising after a season opening win at Oregon State. However, the injury bug hit and they struggled to stay relevant throughout the season. Will they return back or were they just a flash in the pan. They go on the road and play the WAC's New Mexico State.

11. Idaho State Bengals---This is usually when Kramer's teams start to make noise in the conference and perhaps the Bengals can surprise. Hard to be worse than last year and that is something Kramer will not stand for. They start on the road against the Mountain West's Air Force squad.

12. UC-Davis Aggies---The Aggies should have a great defense this season. The bad thing in that in the Big Sky, defenses sometimes go by the wayside in matchups with the high fueled offenses in the conference. If they can find an offense, they could surprise. As it is, they start the season at home against the NAIA's Azusa Pacific.

13. Northern Colorado Bears---Don't be surprised, the Bears will be better this year. The question is that the conference will be much improved as well. The Bears have the talent to be competitive in every game and could surprise some teams. They start the year at Pac-12's Utah.

1 is a given, but many questions for all the rest. Should be a great year.