JALMOND
August 26th, 2014, 01:14 AM
Ready for some football? This is the 11th season I've done this and this one was probably the toughest one ever. Right now the conference seems to have two clear top teams and two clear bottom teams and the middle is one giant mess. But here it is. As usual, all are my opinion only. Have at it.
1. Eastern Washington Eagles---The Eagles kicked off the FCS season last week with a strong showing at home against Sam Houston State. They seem to be in top form and are considered to be one of the top teams in FCS. This weekend they stay on the red turf and welcome NAIA's Montana-Western.
2. Montana Grizzlies---Don't look but the Grizzlies are also emerging as a strong team, both nationally and within the conference. They will start the season strong with a winnable(??) game at Mountain West's own Wyoming squad.
3. Montana State Bobcats---The Bobcats also return a ton but they did lose their strong quarterback from last season. Impossible to replace, the Bobcats will try to stay close to the top. It all starts this weekend at Arkansas State.
4. UC-Davis Aggies---The Aggies may be missing a bit from last year but they return their big workhorse runner from last season. Combine that with their stingy defense and they could stay near the top all year. They open at Pac-12 Stanford.
5. Cal Poly Mustangs---The Mustangs also return their big runner from a year ago. But there are other holes to fill, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. They need to find the personnel soon to stay at the top. They start at New Mexico State.
6. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---The Thunderbirds return a ton from their tough defense last year and that should keep them in most games this year. If they could find some offense they could be dangerous. They will start at Nevada.
7. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---The Lumberjacks may be a bit low here but they are going to have to find some players in a hurry to stay at the top. Things get started right away as they head out to San Diego State.
8. Sacramento State Hornets---The Hornets have enough to be near the top, but their growth may be hampered if they can't get the new system down from their new coaching staff. Things may start off easy (don't mention Southern Oregon last season) as they go to FCS newcomer Incarnate Word.
9. Portland State Vikings---The Vikings seemed to be their own worst enemy last season (and in seasons prior) when they would be in position to win, then do something strange and lose. They start this year against Oregon State, a team that the Big Sky has had their number in recent years.
10. Idaho State Bengals---Could this be the year the Bengals put it all together and make a move in the standings? They've got the coaches to do it but do they have the players? Things get going at Pac-12 Utah this weekend.
11. Weber State Wildcats---It seems so long ago that the Wildcats were relevant on the football map. Now they look at a new coaching staff to return them to that glory. How soon can they grasp it? This weekend they play at Pac-12 Arizona State.
12. North Dakota---The No-Names are clearly starting over, both with a new coaching staff and some new players. There is always the possibility of surprise in the conference, especially here. They start off playing at San Jose State.
13. Northern Colorado Bears---The Bears need to find some players in a hurry if they expect to continue their march to the conference mid-pack. It doesn't look like its here, but it could be. They will hold off starting their season until next weekend.
RECAP: 1-2 on top, 3-11 in a big bunch in the middle, 12-13 at the rear
1. Eastern Washington Eagles---The Eagles kicked off the FCS season last week with a strong showing at home against Sam Houston State. They seem to be in top form and are considered to be one of the top teams in FCS. This weekend they stay on the red turf and welcome NAIA's Montana-Western.
2. Montana Grizzlies---Don't look but the Grizzlies are also emerging as a strong team, both nationally and within the conference. They will start the season strong with a winnable(??) game at Mountain West's own Wyoming squad.
3. Montana State Bobcats---The Bobcats also return a ton but they did lose their strong quarterback from last season. Impossible to replace, the Bobcats will try to stay close to the top. It all starts this weekend at Arkansas State.
4. UC-Davis Aggies---The Aggies may be missing a bit from last year but they return their big workhorse runner from last season. Combine that with their stingy defense and they could stay near the top all year. They open at Pac-12 Stanford.
5. Cal Poly Mustangs---The Mustangs also return their big runner from a year ago. But there are other holes to fill, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. They need to find the personnel soon to stay at the top. They start at New Mexico State.
6. Southern Utah Thunderbirds---The Thunderbirds return a ton from their tough defense last year and that should keep them in most games this year. If they could find some offense they could be dangerous. They will start at Nevada.
7. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks---The Lumberjacks may be a bit low here but they are going to have to find some players in a hurry to stay at the top. Things get started right away as they head out to San Diego State.
8. Sacramento State Hornets---The Hornets have enough to be near the top, but their growth may be hampered if they can't get the new system down from their new coaching staff. Things may start off easy (don't mention Southern Oregon last season) as they go to FCS newcomer Incarnate Word.
9. Portland State Vikings---The Vikings seemed to be their own worst enemy last season (and in seasons prior) when they would be in position to win, then do something strange and lose. They start this year against Oregon State, a team that the Big Sky has had their number in recent years.
10. Idaho State Bengals---Could this be the year the Bengals put it all together and make a move in the standings? They've got the coaches to do it but do they have the players? Things get going at Pac-12 Utah this weekend.
11. Weber State Wildcats---It seems so long ago that the Wildcats were relevant on the football map. Now they look at a new coaching staff to return them to that glory. How soon can they grasp it? This weekend they play at Pac-12 Arizona State.
12. North Dakota---The No-Names are clearly starting over, both with a new coaching staff and some new players. There is always the possibility of surprise in the conference, especially here. They start off playing at San Jose State.
13. Northern Colorado Bears---The Bears need to find some players in a hurry if they expect to continue their march to the conference mid-pack. It doesn't look like its here, but it could be. They will hold off starting their season until next weekend.
RECAP: 1-2 on top, 3-11 in a big bunch in the middle, 12-13 at the rear