Too Early 2015 Big Sky Guesses

[Rjones61]

Just stirring the pot, since basketball is over. This year is up in the air for a lot of reasons and is going to be absolutely nuts. Feel free to post your pre-preseason Big Sky projections.

Here's mine:

1. Montana State
2. Cal Poly
3. Eastern Washington
4. Northern Arizona
5. Montana
6. Idaho State
7. Northern Colorado
8. University of North Dakota
9. Southern Utah
10. Weber State
11. Portland State
12. UC Davis
13. Sacramento State

 

[ewueagle2010]

I'm still not ready to buy MSU. Cal Poly will give the best run against Eastern, but EWU is still the team to beat. There are far too many weapons to not win the Big Sky again, plus it really sounds like the D is going to pull their weight for once. No matter who wins the starting QB job, BB and staff will build a scoring machine. My biggest concern is the non conference schedule. Starting 0-2 is quite possible.

1. Eastern Washington
2. Cal Poly
3. Montana
4. Montana State
5. Idaho State
6. Northern Arizona
7. Portland State
8. North Dak....

Oh, who really cares.

 

[Rjones61]

the D is going to pull their weight for once.

I'm not ready to believe in the defense yet. Not until I see some results. Guess I just don't want to put my faith in them and get my hopes up and watch it crash and burn.

We lost some of our best starters to graduation on the defense. Maybe we can be propped up by the offense again, maybe not. It's starting to read like a reload year.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I guess I don't understand the reasoning behind your thinking. The D isn't going to be any worse than last year, and what did we lose on offense that's going to set us back so far to not win a Big Sky title? Still have two very capable running backs in Moore and Wilson; still have Kupp, Bourne, and Hill; will still have a very powerful offensive line; and have a QB that started 4 games last year going 3-1 with a one point loss on the road.

Aside from that, did MSU fix their D? Does Cal Poly have an offense that can hang with ours? Is Idaho State or Montana in any better position at QB than EWU? With the exception of 2011, when injuries plagued the team, we've at least shared the Big Sky Title. I don't see this team being any worse than them.

 

[Rjones61]

what did we lose on offense that's going to set us back so far to not win a Big Sky title?

Uhh... back to back Payton runner-up quarterback. So good that a Pac-12 team actively recruited him out of our school. Quincy Forte, arguably the Big Sky's best 2015 running back and an absolute monster. Jake Rodgers, NFL hopeful offensive tackle. Shout outs to Brown, Butorac, and Mitchell as well. We lost some very good players on offense. It's very possible we take a step down this year. But it's way too early, just my humble opinion.

 

[ewueagle2010]

All of those you named were fantastic players for the Eags, but I guess I'm just confident in those who will fill their place because it's what this staff and program has done consistently for the last few years. Prior to that guy you mentioned who sold out for "greener pastures" we had Mitchell (Payton Winner), Nichols, and Meyer (Payton Winner). Also, Padron was in that mix who was an above average QB.

I think we'll be okay! Time will tell.

 

[LDopaPDX]

All of those you named were fantastic players for the Eags, but I guess I'm just confident in those who will fill their place because it's what this staff and program has done consistently for the last few years. Prior to that guy you mentioned who sold out for "greener pastures" we had Mitchell (Payton Winner), Nichols, and Meyer (Payton Winner). Also, Padron was in that mix who was an above average QB.

I think we'll be okay! Time will tell.

I'd have to think our potential in 2015 is pretty high. Our overall quality in 2014 seemed down a bit owing to the shocking defensive performance; that said, going into the season I would never have thought our D would be that atrocious. Despite a lot of players graduating on D, it just seems highly unlikely that they won't improve over last year.

Offensively, I think we'll be fine. We lose 3 key players, Butorac and Rodgers will be replaced by experienced and capable guys in Boatright and Curtis... so it's a bit of a wash. Moving a new QB in will be the big question mark, but our staff has always done well getting guys developed quickly.

The big elephant in the room is the horrific schedule. We play (again) possibly the worst FCS schedule in the country. Oregon could be an ugly loss, and we may not get anything productive out of that game. If that game goes poorly, how does that set the table for traveling to UNI to play a team likely among the top 6 or 8 in the FCS? And if that one goes awry, there's a chance we come in beat up and lacking mojo to play a pretty good Montana State team that beat us at home in 2011... We could conceivably be a very good team and be sitting at 0-3 and all but out of the playoffs in late September. Obviously, that is a worst-case scenario, but it is plausible.

 

[DefendtheRed]

1. Montana State
2. Cal Poly
3. Eastern Washington
4. Montana
5. Northern Arizona
6. North Dakota
7. Idaho State
8. Southern Utah
9. UC Davis
10. Weber State
11. Portland State
12. Sacramento State
13. Northern Colorado

 

[EWURanger]

My top 5. Right now I'd put MSU as my early favorite.

MSU
EWU
CP
NAU
Montana

 

[tomq04]

Ive been hugely impressed with cal poly the past 2 seasons and I expect them to make a good run of it. Also tentatively, Prokup(sp?) is the new Mr. Fcs in my book....so msu will be hot.

 

[Rjones61]

Ive been hugely impressed with cal poly the past 2 seasons and I expect them to make a good run of it. Also tentatively, Prokup(sp?) is the new Mr. Fcs in my book....so msu will be hot.

That's how I felt as well. I've been pretty impressed with Cal Poly and they had a lot of potential last season. Their quarterback was truly built for their option system. It was hard for me not to put them on top.

 

[marceagfan5]

1.) EWU
.
.
.
EVERYBODY ELSE

Eastern is the champ until someone takes us down. MSU will be good, but they fall apart every year late and we absolutely own them in football. Stitt will be good for the Griz but they don't have a QB and I don't think anyone on their roster is a top tier big sky QB. Cal Poly will be good but they always have 1-2 head scratcher losses. Eastern will be just fine. We will replace Adams and Forte on the offensive side, and we lose some on Defense, but our defense was terrible last year so fresh blood is probably a good thing.

Our biggest hurdle is the damn schedule. We essentially open with a top 5 FBS team, and 2 top 10 FCS teams, 2 of them on the road. Ouch... Brutal way to open a season breaking in a new QB...

 

[ewueagle2010]

1.) EWU
.
.
.
EVERYBODY ELSE

Eastern is the champ until someone takes us down. MSU will be good, but they fall apart every year late and we absolutely own them in football. Stitt will be good for the Griz but they don't have a QB and I don't think anyone on their roster is a top tier big sky QB. Cal Poly will be good but they always have 1-2 head scratcher losses. Eastern will be just fine. We will replace Adams and Forte on the offensive side, and we lose some on Defense, but our defense was terrible last year so fresh blood is probably a good thing.

Our biggest hurdle is the damn schedule. We essentially open with a top 5 FBS team, and 2 top 10 FCS teams, 2 of them on the road. Ouch... Brutal way to open a season breaking in a new QB...

I agree with you, Marc. Our schedule appears to be the biggest hurdle to overcome at this point. It seems a lot of people have forgotten how EWU has been able to replace every QB that has left the in the last 8 years. Not to mention the weapons we still have on offense! EWU has proven to be the best team in this conference for the last 3 years and until MSU proves otherwise, I'm not picking them. Nobody has yet to answer why MSU? We're quick to bash EWU's D (rightfully so) but have we forgotten how bad MSU's was? What have they done to fix that?

 

[LDopaPDX]

I always like Cal Poly, they are a good school and I like Walsh a lot.

But when was the last time Cal Poly gave us a problem? 2011? We've done awfully well against that option scheme every time we see it.

As mentioned, everything will hinge on how we come out of that terrible 3 game opening stretch.

 

[SeattleBobcat]

1.) EWU
.
.
.
EVERYBODY ELSE

Eastern is the champ until someone takes us down. MSU will be good, but they fall apart every year late and we absolutely own them in football. Stitt will be good for the Griz but they don't have a QB and I don't think anyone on their roster is a top tier big sky QB. Cal Poly will be good but they always have 1-2 head scratcher losses. Eastern will be just fine. We will replace Adams and Forte on the offensive side, and we lose some on Defense, but our defense was terrible last year so fresh blood is probably a good thing.

Our biggest hurdle is the damn schedule. We essentially open with a top 5 FBS team, and 2 top 10 FCS teams, 2 of them on the road. Ouch... Brutal way to open a season breaking in a new QB...

I agree with you, Marc. Our schedule appears to be the biggest hurdle to overcome at this point. It seems a lot of people have forgotten how EWU has been able to replace every QB that has left the in the last 8 years. Not to mention the weapons we still have on offense! EWU has proven to be the best team in this conference for the last 3 years and until MSU proves otherwise, I'm not picking them. Nobody has yet to answer why MSU? We're quick to bash EWU's D (rightfully so) but have we forgotten how bad MSU's was? What have they done to fix that?

Well to answer your question simply, I think it would be because of Dakota Prukop, but really there's more to it. We've added a few transfer Safetys that are already making waves in spring ball. Our young LB's are looking solid and we'll add a few good transfers in that department this fall, most notably Marcus Tappan will add to the depth. The biggest ?'s will be on DL 1 senor will anchor a whole new line, unless Fa'anono can secure a spot, but we have a solid transfer coming in and some good frosh that will compete for playing time. But I also agree with you EWU is #1 until we beat you. My top 5 preseason picks are as follows:
1. EWU
2. MSU
3. CP
4. UM
5. ISU

 

[MLEagle]

1.) EWU
.
.
.
EVERYBODY ELSE

Eastern is the champ until someone takes us down. MSU will be good, but they fall apart every year late and we absolutely own them in football. Stitt will be good for the Griz but they don't have a QB and I don't think anyone on their roster is a top tier big sky QB. Cal Poly will be good but they always have 1-2 head scratcher losses. Eastern will be just fine. We will replace Adams and Forte on the offensive side, and we lose some on Defense, but our defense was terrible last year so fresh blood is probably a good thing.

Our biggest hurdle is the damn schedule. We essentially open with a top 5 FBS team, and 2 top 10 FCS teams, 2 of them on the road. Ouch... Brutal way to open a season breaking in a new QB...

I agree with you, Marc. Our schedule appears to be the biggest hurdle to overcome at this point. It seems a lot of people have forgotten how EWU has been able to replace every QB that has left the in the last 8 years. Not to mention the weapons we still have on offense! EWU has proven to be the best team in this conference for the last 3 years and until MSU proves otherwise, I'm not picking them. Nobody has yet to answer why MSU? We're quick to bash EWU's D (rightfully so) but have we forgotten how bad MSU's was? What have they done to fix that?

Well to answer your question simply, I think it would be because of Dakota Prukop, but really there's more to it. We've added a few transfer Safetys that are already making waves in spring ball. Our young LB's are looking solid and we'll add a few good transfers in that department this fall, most notably Marcus Tappan will add to the depth. The biggest ?'s will be on DL 1 senor will anchor a whole new line, unless Fa'anono can secure a spot, but we have a solid transfer coming in and some good frosh that will compete for playing time. But I also agree with you EWU is #1 until we beat you. My top 5 preseason picks are as follows:
1. EWU
2. MSU
3. CP
4. UM
5. ISU

I think EWU, MSU and Cal Poly will be top three teams as well, but I think a lot will be known about EWU in the first couple weeks when we see how well the offense adjusts with a new QB. I think our defense will be improved because it just couldn't be much worse, but I don't know how much of a hit the O will be taking at this point.

 

[SeattleBobcat]

1.) EWU
.
.
.
EVERYBODY ELSE

Eastern is the champ until someone takes us down. MSU will be good, but they fall apart every year late and we absolutely own them in football. Stitt will be good for the Griz but they don't have a QB and I don't think anyone on their roster is a top tier big sky QB. Cal Poly will be good but they always have 1-2 head scratcher losses. Eastern will be just fine. We will replace Adams and Forte on the offensive side, and we lose some on Defense, but our defense was terrible last year so fresh blood is probably a good thing.

Our biggest hurdle is the damn schedule. We essentially open with a top 5 FBS team, and 2 top 10 FCS teams, 2 of them on the road. Ouch... Brutal way to open a season breaking in a new QB...

I agree with you, Marc. Our schedule appears to be the biggest hurdle to overcome at this point. It seems a lot of people have forgotten how EWU has been able to replace every QB that has left the in the last 8 years. Not to mention the weapons we still have on offense! EWU has proven to be the best team in this conference for the last 3 years and until MSU proves otherwise, I'm not picking them. Nobody has yet to answer why MSU? We're quick to bash EWU's D (rightfully so) but have we forgotten how bad MSU's was? What have they done to fix that?

Well to answer your question simply, I think it would be because of Dakota Prukop, but really there's more to it. We've added a few transfer Safetys that are already making waves in spring ball. Our young LB's are looking solid and we'll add a few good transfers in that department this fall, most notably Marcus Tappan will add to the depth. The biggest ?'s will be on DL 1 senor will anchor a whole new line, unless Fa'anono can secure a spot, but we have a solid transfer coming in and some good frosh that will compete for playing time. But I also agree with you EWU is #1 until we beat you. My top 5 preseason picks are as follows:
1. EWU
2. MSU
3. CP
4. UM
5. ISU

I think EWU, MSU and Cal Poly will be top three teams as well, but I think a lot will be known about EWU in the first couple weeks when we see how well the offense adjusts with a new QB. I think our defense will be improved because it just couldn't be much worse, but I don't know how much of a hit the O will be taking at this point.

Losing VA a year early hurts, I bet it hurts worse to face him week 1... ridiculous. Although BB has shown he can find the right guys for his system, VA was a star. I think you guys will take a half step back on offense, VA did some amazing things on his own. Defensively, neither of us could get much worse, but I feel confident that it was a major point this off-season to get fixed and I think they have done it. How your guys spring ball looking? I don't see much talk about it around here.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

1.) EWU
.
.
.
EVERYBODY ELSE

Eastern is the champ until someone takes us down. MSU will be good, but they fall apart every year late and we absolutely own them in football. Stitt will be good for the Griz but they don't have a QB and I don't think anyone on their roster is a top tier big sky QB. Cal Poly will be good but they always have 1-2 head scratcher losses. Eastern will be just fine. We will replace Adams and Forte on the offensive side, and we lose some on Defense, but our defense was terrible last year so fresh blood is probably a good thing.

Our biggest hurdle is the damn schedule. We essentially open with a top 5 FBS team, and 2 top 10 FCS teams, 2 of them on the road. Ouch... Brutal way to open a season breaking in a new QB...

I agree with you, Marc. Our schedule appears to be the biggest hurdle to overcome at this point. It seems a lot of people have forgotten how EWU has been able to replace every QB that has left the in the last 8 years. Not to mention the weapons we still have on offense! EWU has proven to be the best team in this conference for the last 3 years and until MSU proves otherwise, I'm not picking them. Nobody has yet to answer why MSU? We're quick to bash EWU's D (rightfully so) but have we forgotten how bad MSU's was? What have they done to fix that?

Well to answer your question simply, I think it would be because of Dakota Prukop, but really there's more to it. We've added a few transfer Safetys that are already making waves in spring ball. Our young LB's are looking solid and we'll add a few good transfers in that department this fall, most notably Marcus Tappan will add to the depth. The biggest ?'s will be on DL 1 senor will anchor a whole new line, unless Fa'anono can secure a spot, but we have a solid transfer coming in and some good frosh that will compete for playing time. But I also agree with you EWU is #1 until we beat you. My top 5 preseason picks are as follows:
1. EWU
2. MSU
3. CP
4. UM
5. ISU

I think EWU, MSU and Cal Poly will be top three teams as well, but I think a lot will be known about EWU in the first couple weeks when we see how well the offense adjusts with a new QB. I think our defense will be improved because it just couldn't be much worse, but I don't know how much of a hit the O will be taking at this point.

Losing VA a year early hurts, I bet it hurts worse to face him week 1... ridiculous. Although BB has shown he can find the right guys for his system, VA was a star. I think you guys will take a half step back on offense, VA did some amazing things on his own. Defensively, neither of us could get much worse, but I feel confident that it was a major point this off-season to get fixed and I think they have done it. How your guys spring ball looking? I don't see much talk about it around here.

Doesn't start until April 2.

 

[kalm]

the D is going to pull their weight for once.

I'm not ready to believe in the defense yet. Not until I see some results. Guess I just don't want to put my faith in them and get my hopes up and watch it crash and burn.

We lost some of our best starters to graduation on the defense. Maybe we can be propped up by the offense again, maybe not. It's starting to read like a reload year.

The last reload year we had was 2007 and I think we have far more depth and talent than we did back then.

I think 8-3 is a reasonable guess starting, 1-2. But if we stay healthy 9-2 wouldn't be surprising. Montana will be down, ISU will be about the same, we get Poly and MSU at home, and UNI loses David Johnson and is breaking in a new OC. I don't see us as underdogs in any game except UNI.

 

[JasonEWU]

what did we lose on offense that's going to set us back so far to not win a Big Sky title?

Uhh... back to back Payton runner-up quarterback. So good that a Pac-12 team actively recruited him out of our school. Quincy Forte, arguably the Big Sky's best 2015 running back and an absolute monster. Jake Rodgers, NFL hopeful offensive tackle. Shout outs to Brown, Butorac, and Mitchell as well. We lost some very good players on offense. It's very possible we take a step down this year. But it's way too early, just my humble opinion.

Couldn't agree more with this. To pick EWU to win the Big Sky with all those personnel losses is simply put, being a HUGE homer. EWU will have an uphill battle this season. I think a top 5 Big Sky finish is probable, but to say you have them winning the conference based on a GREAT WR and a nice complimentary WR or 2 is kind of a joke.

Also, not sure why we think the Defense is now going to pull their weight?? They also had some HUGE impact players graduate. Hamlin and McDonald were probably EWU's best 2 defensive players last year. So losing both of them, from an already suspect Defense doesn't bode well. Just curious why you think the D is fixed all of a sudden? What did I miss? Did we get some FBS transfers I didn't hear about?