bigskyconf
Active member
Even with the unfortunate passing of Deante Strickland, there is still optimism regarding this season for the Viks, starting with Charlie Taumoepeau selected First Team All-American in every FCS publication (everyone is going to know how to spell his name by the end of the year). Here are my assessment of our chances in every game on the schedule, ranging from 1 (no chance of winning) to 9 (no chance of losing)
8-31 at Arkansas (1)---I'd like to think there is a slight chance of coming out victorious, but playing an SEC team in front of 100000 fans in the heat and humidity and the first game is a tall order. Like Nevada and Oregon last year, staying close in the first quarter should be considered a small win.
9-7 Simon Fraser (8)---A weak DII opponent should not give us any trouble in our home opener out in Hillsboro.
9-14 at Boise State (2)---Last time we faced Boise State, it was close in the 4th quarter. If we can stay close again we should count it as a consolation prize.
9-21 Eastern Oregon (8)---A middle NAIA school from the Frontier Conference should not give us any cause for concern.
9-28 at Idaho State (5)---The first conference game is a pivotal game for us. If we are thinking playoffs we need to get this game, but it won't be easy in the Bengals barn.
10-5 Southern Utah (6)---Our conference home opener is one we should win. We can't stub our toe here.
10-12 Idaho (6)---Another game against a team close to our equal. We cannot afford to lose this game, especially at home.
10-19 at Northern Colorado (6)---The Bears are pretty much a lock for last place, but they cannot be overlooked on the road.
10-26 at Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks have Cookus coming back and their place (at 7200 feet) can be as tough as anywhere in the Big Sky.
11-2 Montana (5)---Grizzlies will be looking for revenge after last year. Another strong test for us if we are thinking playoffs.
11-9 UC-Davis (3)---Hawkins has Davis looking for a repeat appearance in the playoffs. Even at home, they will be tough.
11-23 at Eastern Washington (3)---Having two weeks to assess the season and prepare for the Eagles could be interesting. Even so, it will still be a tough one.
We should come out of the non-conference season 2-2 without breaking a sweat, which in a sense gives us 4 good games to prepare for the conference. Our first test comes in the first game against Idaho State who will be looking for a quarterback. If we harbor any playoff inclinations, playing 2 sub D! teams will not help and we probably need to go 7-1 in conference to get in, which means be 6-0 going into the last two games and get a split against what should be two of the Big Sky's representatives in the playoffs (Davis and EWU). 7-1 in the Big Sky and 9-3 overall, even with playing 2 sub DI opponents should be good to get us in, probably first round on the road against a team from the Missouri Valley.
8-31 at Arkansas (1)---I'd like to think there is a slight chance of coming out victorious, but playing an SEC team in front of 100000 fans in the heat and humidity and the first game is a tall order. Like Nevada and Oregon last year, staying close in the first quarter should be considered a small win.
9-7 Simon Fraser (8)---A weak DII opponent should not give us any trouble in our home opener out in Hillsboro.
9-14 at Boise State (2)---Last time we faced Boise State, it was close in the 4th quarter. If we can stay close again we should count it as a consolation prize.
9-21 Eastern Oregon (8)---A middle NAIA school from the Frontier Conference should not give us any cause for concern.
9-28 at Idaho State (5)---The first conference game is a pivotal game for us. If we are thinking playoffs we need to get this game, but it won't be easy in the Bengals barn.
10-5 Southern Utah (6)---Our conference home opener is one we should win. We can't stub our toe here.
10-12 Idaho (6)---Another game against a team close to our equal. We cannot afford to lose this game, especially at home.
10-19 at Northern Colorado (6)---The Bears are pretty much a lock for last place, but they cannot be overlooked on the road.
10-26 at Northern Arizona (4)---The Lumberjacks have Cookus coming back and their place (at 7200 feet) can be as tough as anywhere in the Big Sky.
11-2 Montana (5)---Grizzlies will be looking for revenge after last year. Another strong test for us if we are thinking playoffs.
11-9 UC-Davis (3)---Hawkins has Davis looking for a repeat appearance in the playoffs. Even at home, they will be tough.
11-23 at Eastern Washington (3)---Having two weeks to assess the season and prepare for the Eagles could be interesting. Even so, it will still be a tough one.
We should come out of the non-conference season 2-2 without breaking a sweat, which in a sense gives us 4 good games to prepare for the conference. Our first test comes in the first game against Idaho State who will be looking for a quarterback. If we harbor any playoff inclinations, playing 2 sub D! teams will not help and we probably need to go 7-1 in conference to get in, which means be 6-0 going into the last two games and get a split against what should be two of the Big Sky's representatives in the playoffs (Davis and EWU). 7-1 in the Big Sky and 9-3 overall, even with playing 2 sub DI opponents should be good to get us in, probably first round on the road against a team from the Missouri Valley.
