Poll: Big Sky Pick'em (Week 4)

[SWeberCat02]

Big weekend coming as the four teams picked to finish 1-4 in the conference standings go on the road to face conference foes. Anyone care to make some predictions?

The schedule is as follows:

Weber St @ Portland St,
Montana St @ Northern Colorado,
Montana @ Northern Arizona,
Eastern Washington @ Sacramento St.

My picks are Weber, N Colorado, Montana, and Sacramento St.

Montana St has not looked good this year as they got blasted by a mediocre FBS Mich St team and only beat Div II Dixie St. by 3 points. N Colorado is getting better each year, already has a solid win at home against San Diego, and beat the Bobcats at home two years ago.

E Wash has faced a Div II team, got drilled by a good FBS Cal team, and beat N Colorado 16-0 at home. Sac St had a bye last week and should be well rested and healed. This will be Sac's first home game of the year which should give them added motivation. Also, Sac beat E Wash last year in Cheney.

I'm picking 2 upsets but I think all of these games could be close ones.

 

[Purplefanzz]

My picks are Weber, N Colorado, Montana, and Sacramento St.

I like your first three. I think UNC and Mont St will come down to wire - but UNC pulls it out. I'm going to go with E Washington over Sac St, I smell a little revenge from last years upset.

 

[weberwildcat1]

SWeberCat02,

I added the poll, hope you don't mind.

 

[SWeberCat02]

SWeberCat02,

I added the poll, hope you don't mind.

Not at all.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Of course I voted for Weber I don't think they walk all over PSU, but I do think they win it. In the other games, I think there will be some upsets this week. UM could get beat this weekend in Flagstaff, it probably wont happen, but I can always hope. Flagstaff is a difficult place to play, and NAU is kinda a mystery team this season. Are they good or not?

I really don't think MSU is going to beat UNC in Greeley. In all seriousness that game is looming for the CATs, and could end up being pretty close for us. Eastern doesn't beat Sac in Sacramento. Sac is looking for a statement game, and this is going to be it.

 

[talhadfoursteals]

I would love to see Sac beat Eastern! I think the Eagles are posers.

 

[wordup]

Why not? NAU over Montana by 2 touchdowns.

 

[weberhdq]

All road teams win.

 

[SWeberCat02]

From The Sports Network:

No. 4 Montana (3-0, 1-0) at Northern Arizona (1-1, 0-0), 6:05 p.m.

Montana's offense got back on track in a 49-17 victory over Portland State and now the Grizzlies travel to the Northern Arizona, the nation's 117th ranked defense.

The Grizzlies received big performances from quarterback Andrew Selle (408 yards passing, four TDs) and All-American wide receiver Marc Mariani (10 catches, 22.2 average, two TDs). Selle replaced Oregon transfer Justin Roper (concussion) and hit 14-of-23 passes for 213 yards and three TDs.

Payton Award candidate Chase Reynolds (218 yards rushing, three TDs) leads the Grizzlies' rushing attack.

Montana's defense has also been one of country's best, allowing just nine points per game. Linebacker Shawn Lebsock (21 tackles, two tackles for loss), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (three pass breakups, two interceptions) and defensive end Ryan Fetherston (seven tackles, three tackles for loss) all lead the impressive unit.

Northern Arizona pulled out a 42-39 shootout win over Southern Utah. Alex Henderson (224 yards rushing, 4.9 average, three TDs) ranks 11th nationally in rushing and is the focal point on offense.

Mississippi transfer Michael Herrick (465 yards passing, 69% completion rate, three TDs) gives the Lumberjacks a contrast through the air.

NAU's struggling defense is shored up by defensive tackle Brandon Vance (two tackles for loss, two sacks), linebacker Reid Worthington (14 tackles) and safety Matt Estrada (19 tackles).

This match up has been close in two of the past three years, though the Grizzlies won 45-10 last year. Montana's defense should be the difference in this one.

MONTANA 42, NORTHERN ARIZONA 17

And

No. 19 Eastern Washington (2-1, 1-0) at Sacramento State (0-2, 0-0), 9:05 p.m.

Eastern Washington will be looking for some retribution against a Sacramento State team that beat the Eagles 15-13 last season and sent them tumbling from the top-25.

Payton Award nominee Matt Nichols (627 yards passing, 66% completion rate, six TDs) leads a EWU offense looking to break out. After scoring 35 points in an opening-week win over Western Oregon, the Eagles have been held to 23 total points in a loss to Cal and a win over Northern Colorado.

Running back Taiwan Jones (219 yards rushing, 6.4 average, two TDs), wide receivers Aaron Boyce (12 catches, 16.5 average, two TDs), Tony Davis (16 catches, 8.3 average) and tight end Nathan Overbay (12 catches, 11.1 average, three TDs) are also key performers on the Eagles' offense.

EWU's defense keeps improving and allowed just 235 yards against California and 238 against UNC. Linebacker J.C. Sherritt (37 tackles, five tackles for loss), defensive tackle Renard Williams (10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss) and safety Kevin Hatch (21 tackles, three interceptions) lead the effort.

Sacramento State has fallen to UNLV (38-3) and Cal Poly (38-19) to start 2009. Quarterback Jason Smith (302 yards passing) leads the Hornet offense, but needs to improve from the three interceptions he has already thrown.

Running back Terrance Dailey (110 yards rushing, 4.4 average) anchors a Sacramento State run game that has struggled against tough opponents.

SSU's defense has allowed over 450 yards of total offense in each game, but has received solid efforts from linebacker Kevin Moore (six tackles, two tackles for loss), defensive tackle Ryan Shinar (10 tackles) and safety Zach Schrader (22 tackles).

If the Hornet defense doesn't improve, Eastern Washington's high-powered offense should dominate this one.

EASTERN WASHINGTON 38, SACRAMENTO STATE 14

And by the way, they are predicting Cal Poly to defeat San Jose St by 7.