Preseason Rankings

[forestgreen]

Athlon Sports has Portland State ranked at #21 and a total of 5 Big Sky teams in the top 25:

Can quarterback Easton Stick and North Dakota State make it six national titles in a row? - See more at: http://athlonsports.com/college-football/athlon-sports-fcs-preseason-top-25-2016#sthash.DBptOQSB.dpuf


21. Portland State (9-3, 6-2 Big Sky) Beware, San Jose State and Washington, the Vikings took down two FBS programs and had a six-win improvement last year. Portland State lost a lot of key players, but 2015 FCS Coach of the Year Bruce Barnum is glad quarterback Alex Kuresa isn’t one of them.

 

[bigskyconf]

I picked up my copy of the Sporting News today. It has us at #17 in the preseason poll. It has 6 Big Sky schools in the top 25.

9. EWU
13. NAU
15. Montana
17. PSU
20. North Dakota
23. Weber

NDSU is #1 and Sam Houston is #2. UNI is #4.

Other notes, Washington is #20 in FBS. Ducks are #21.

 

[VikHoops]

I 'm a bit worried about the September schedule given the amount of hype and expectations that they have now. All of a sudden PSU fans expect to beat FBS opponents. Realistically, FBS teams win these games about 80% of the time. If PSU can get through the first three games and realize that it's okay to have a win against Central Washington that means absolutely nothing and two likely losses to washington and San Jose State, I think they'll do well from there on out. The rest of their schedule doesn't seem as daunting as it did last year.

 

[BroadwayVik]

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The truth of the matter is Central Washington is a pretty solid D-II team that play on the level as does, say, Western Oregon. Viks should win handily and should use the game to get the kinks out and get ready for San Jose State.

The truth of the matter is San Jose State is vulnerable. They are a favorite FBS target of aspiring FCS teams. They're looking better but still maintain a tradition of inconsistency. The Viks are capable of playing with San Jose State. If the Viks get them on a good day, they are certainly capable of upsetting the Spartans. This game can also serve as a warm-up to the big game of the year, Washington.

The truth of the matter is that Washington in Week 3 will be on most cylinders and the Viks would be wise to use this game as a teaching tool as they are more than likely going to be schooled. While the possibility of upset is present and real, the Viks should probably do their best to get the most out of this game without any serious injuries. Washington is a good opportunity game with a mentoring influence.

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[bigskyconf]

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The truth of the matter is that Washington in Week 3 will be on most cylinders and the Viks would be wise to use this game as a teaching tool as they are more than likely going to be schooled. While the possibility of upset is present and real, the Viks should probably do their best to get the most out of this game without any serious injuries. Washington is a good opportunity game with a mentoring influence.

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It is a must to get out from UW with no injuries. We need to start conference play strong the following week at Southern Utah, and that could be difficult if we have a few bumps and bruises to manage. If we come out of September 2-2, I like our chances the rest of the year.

 

[pdxfan]

I agree with BroadwayVik. Central Washington is no pushover. Fresno - maybe. Washington - no blowout, please, and no injuries.

 

[pdxfan]

My mistake. It's San Jose, of course.

 

[martymoose]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but how in the hell are we still ranked in the top 25?

 

[bigskyconf]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but how in the hell are we still ranked in the top 25?

No measuring stick for us against FCS competition (other than CWU beating WOU a week after the Wolves beat Sac State). Our ranking is still based primarily on preseason hype.