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So who wins the Big Sky in 2015?

Who wins the Big Sky in 2015?

  • Eastern Washington

    Votes: 40 87.0%

  • Montana State

    Votes: 5 10.9%

  • Cal Poly

    Votes: 1 2.2%

  • Montana

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Idaho State

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Portland State

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Northern Arizona

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Sacramento State

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Weber State

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • UC Davis, Northern Colorado, Southern Utah, or North Dakota :)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    46
  • Poll closed .
I voted for Eastern, but I think Montana and Montana State have far better schedules to navigate. I give MSU's AD credit for a cleverly scheduled mid season OOC game against East Tennessee State.

The rough thing for Eastern is how the entire season hinges on the early OOC games, all of which have huge degrees of difficulty. We could conceivably be quite good, but start 0-3 and basically be out of the playoffs by mid September.
 
On paper, my early favorite is MSU...but I also have a really hard time counting us out. I think it will come down to Eastern, MSU, and Cal Poly. So, Eastern FTW.
 
Cal Poly is another team that could wind up being really good, but got such a let-down from their AD in terms of scheduling that they are reduced to a spoiler by October.

We are by FAR Montana State's toughest non-con on paper, as their other two games are homers against Fort Lewis and ETSU. It looks like something North Dakota State would have scheduled, and we know how that works for them.

While I kind of like having a money game on a schedule, Oregon is a terrible fit because they play a style that has been our kryptonite in recent years. Plus, UNI is just an awful game for countless reasons, but mostly because it is a very difficult game and one that is hugely expensive in terms of travel costs.
 
MSU has a very favorable schedule and Prukop is an absolute baller who I think will be a Payton favorite. At this point I think MSU is the team to beat so I have to give them the nod. My predicted order of finish:

MSU 7-1 (10-1)
EWU 7-1 (8-3)
Cal Poly 6-2 (9-3)
ISU 6-2 (7-4)
NAU 6-2 (8-3)
SUU 5-3 (7-4)
Weber State 4-4 (5-6)
Montana 4-4 (5-6)
UND 3-5 (4-7)
NCU 2-6 (5-6)
PSU 1-7 (2-9)
UC Davis 1-7 (2-9)
Sac St. 0-8 (1-10)
 
LDopaPDX said:
We are by FAR Montana State's toughest non-con on paper, as their other two games are homers against Fort Lewis and ETSU. It looks like something North Dakota State would have scheduled, and we know how that works for them.
Click to expand...

That is the main reason that I have to give MSU the nod. They have by far a much easier non-conference schedule. It might not be the most exciting schedule for their fans but it's basically two guaranteed wins.
 
DefendtheRed said:
MSU has a very favorable schedule and Prukop is an absolute baller who I think will be a Payton favorite. At this point I think MSU is the team to beat so I have to give them the nod. My predicted order of finish:

MSU 7-1 (10-1)
EWU 7-1 (8-3)
Cal Poly 6-2 (9-3)
ISU 6-2 (7-4)
NAU 6-2 (8-3)
SUU 5-3 (7-4)
Weber State 4-4 (5-6)
Montana 4-4 (5-6)
UND 3-5 (4-7)
NCU 2-6 (5-6)
PSU 1-7 (2-9)
UC Davis 1-7 (2-9)
Sac St. 0-8 (1-10)
Click to expand...

Pretty close to how I'd call it, but I think Montana is probably more like 6-5 or 7-4. I'd also put NAU a little lower...probably more like a 6-5 type team.
 
As I've said all off season, I'm not buying MSU until they prove me wrong. I believe their D is still below average and their O is not as dangerous as EWU's in previous seasons.

Cal Poly is going to be good, but not title worthy yet.
, IMO.

Montana will be about like last year, maybe swinging upward toward the end of the season.

EWU is going to get their 4th straight Big Sky Title. The O will be fine, not as explosive, but still a well oiled machine. The D will be better...hopefully.

EWU 9-2 (7-1)
MSU 8-3 (6-2)
Poly 8-3 (6-2)
Montana 7-4 (5-3)
Everyone else....
 
Our offense will probably take a little bit of a step back, but I think we will have more improvement on defense than Montana State and that will give us a slight edge over them.
 
As an optimistic MSU fan I of course picked the Cats.

I think the MSU offense will again be in the same category as last year and am optimistic that Coach Ioane will have the defense performing better this year despite losses at some key positions. Health at QB and RB will be long term key.

It will be interesting to see how Coach Baldwin fills the losses at Ewu key positions. I think the overall look of Eastern will change but not to the overall performance of the team.

I look forward to making the trip to Cheney again this year after a hiatus on the last trip.

Going to be another fun year in the Big Sky.
 
Voted EWU.

Like the move to 4-2-5. Stout and penetrating front four with swarming and fast athlete's tracking everything else down. Expect everyone to be flying around and having fun. Have a nice mix on the DL of speed, strength and size (albeit some are young). Staying healthy at Oregon and UNI will be a key to the rest of the season. Offense will be productive behind a solid and senior O-line, RB's will contribute and the WR's could be starting at 100 of the 119 BCS schools (maybe a bit homer). Coach B has had 6-7 months to think about how to adjust the offense without VA. Big Sky should look out, if I was Coach B, would be looking to make a statement early and often by picking opposing defenses apart in the film room. Go big or go home this year!
 
luckyintheorder said:
Voted EWU.

Like the move to 4-2-5. Stout and penetrating front four with swarming and fast athlete's tracking everything else down. Expect everyone to be flying around and having fun. Have a nice mix on the DL of speed, strength and size (albeit some are young). Staying healthy at Oregon and UNI will be a key to the rest of the season. Offense will be productive behind a solid and senior O-line, RB's will contribute and the WR's could be starting at 100 of the 119 BCS schools (maybe a bit homer). Coach B has had 6-7 months to think about how to adjust the offense without VA. Big Sky should look out, if I was Coach B, would be looking to make a statement early and often by picking opposing defenses apart in the film room. Go big or go home this year!
Click to expand...

O-Line, WR's...and TE's (yes TE's) should be the class of the conference this year.
 
EWURanger said:
luckyintheorder said:
Voted EWU.

Like the move to 4-2-5. Stout and penetrating front four with swarming and fast athlete's tracking everything else down. Expect everyone to be flying around and having fun. Have a nice mix on the DL of speed, strength and size (albeit some are young). Staying healthy at Oregon and UNI will be a key to the rest of the season. Offense will be productive behind a solid and senior O-line, RB's will contribute and the WR's could be starting at 100 of the 119 BCS schools (maybe a bit homer). Coach B has had 6-7 months to think about how to adjust the offense without VA. Big Sky should look out, if I was Coach B, would be looking to make a statement early and often by picking opposing defenses apart in the film room. Go big or go home this year!
Click to expand...

O-Line, WR's...and TE's (yes TE's) should be the class of the conference this year.
Click to expand...

With you on the TE's. Did mention on another post they should be a factor. There is undeniable talent at the position.
 
KWCAT said:
As an optimistic MSU fan I of course picked the Cats.

I think the MSU offense will again be in the same category as last year and am optimistic that Coach Ioane will have the defense performing better this year despite losses at some key positions. Health at QB and RB will be long term key.

It will be interesting to see how Coach Baldwin fills the losses at Ewu key positions. I think the overall look of Eastern will change but not to the overall performance of the team.

I look forward to making the trip to Cheney again this year after a hiatus on the last trip.

Going to be another fun year in the Big Sky.
Click to expand...
Without a doubt the Eagles will not be as explosive on offense but still very potent, our new defense with different schemes and more athleticism will make up for that making the Eagles again the favorite to win conference.
Spoken as a TRUE homer :lol:
 
Keep in mind, MSU game is non-conference. EWU could lose that and still win the conference with a 7-1 finish.

Fully expect the Cats to perform their annual November choke.

Montana's breaking in a new system. ID State breaking in a new QB. Poly could be a darkhorse.

Don't see this year as a national champ appearance but still a solid season with a 4th BSC championship in a row very likely. 2016 Eags should be a contender for another trip to Frisco.
 
Montana has NDSU, at LU (playoff team), and Poly OOC. They play ISU and MSU on the road.

If ISU replaces Arias with decent production they will be solid again. Remember, they were only a few plays from beating us and MSU and going 10-2 last year. They also host us and both Montanas.

The Cats have road games in Chrney and Pokey.

Poly's only shot at the playoffs is to win the auto-bid.

Could be 5 teams in the mix late with several tied at 6-2 and 4 bubble teams at 8-3.

We have the best coaching staff. I like our chances.
 
We'll see how the nickel base works this time around. The last time we used a nickel base, the D didn't get much in the way of results. Of course, with the exception of 2010, the 4-3 hasn't been getting much in the way of results either.
 
LDopaPDX said:
We'll see how the nickel base works this time around. The last time we used a nickel base, the D didn't get much in the way of results. Of course, with the exception of 2010, the 4-3 hasn't been getting much in the way of results either.
Click to expand...

Not sure any comparison to past 4-2-5 defenses can be made. Will step out and say the athleticism of the current crop of players is outstanding and EWU looks to be three deep, speedy, aggressive and talented (including incoming freshmen) at the DB positions, have several good ex-safety types playing LB and a good combination of size, strength and speed at DL. What does it spell... EXCITEMENT.

Dopa needs a hug. (the one in the middle)


 
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