weberwildcat
Active member
BigSkyConference.BlogSpot.com
About respect
Some folks seem to believe that the Big Sky is a one trick pony - Montana. Well, some folks out there need to remember that the Big Sky's "other" playoff teams have done some damage. Remember what Northern Arizona did at No. 1 McNeese State in 2003, or what Eastern Washington did to No. 1 seed Southern Illinois in 2004? Eastern Washington throttled McNeese State last season, and let's not forget about Montana State's first-round drubbing of Furman in 2006 in Bozeman. In 2006 Montana State lost to eventual national champion Appalachian State, and in 2007 Eastern Washington suffered the same fate.
Hopefully our teams will be able to show once again in the playoffs that the Big Sky can compete with the powers of the CAA and Southern Conferences. I think the key to respect is advancing at least one team to the semifinals.
For the record, I've voted Weber State as a top 10 team since its victory over Montana.
Here is what I selected as my top seven teams in this week's Sports Network Poll:
1. James Madison (knocked off three-time defending champion Appalachian State, and also has wins over Villanova, Richmond, and UMass). I voted James Madison second in the preseason, just behind Appalachian State.
2. Appalachian State (The three-time defending champs have lost to LSU and James Madison).
3. Wofford (The team that beat Montana last season in Missoula. They take on App State this week. The Terriers drilled Elon, a top 5 team, last week.
4. Weber State (They've beaten Montana State, NAU and SAC on the road. They led Hawai'i at the half, played Utah very tough, and have beaten Montana at home, and survived a scare from Northern Colorado. They have maybe the best quarterback in the nation - Cameron Higgins, and the defense is playing great)
5. Montana (Opened the season with a huge road win over Cal Poly. Won some close games against the likes of UC Davis and Central Washington. Since losing to Weber State, the Grizzlies have outscored opponents 107-30. This is a young team that is only getting better behind the efficient Cole Bergquist. Picked up a huge road win over Eastern Washington.)
6. Cal Poly (A very, very dangerous team - especially on offense with QB Jonathan Dally and WR Ramses Barden.) Unfortunately a date with McNeese State earlier this season was postponed because of the Hurricanes.
7. Northern Iowa (Right now the best team in a strong Missouri Valley).
I also voted NAU 14th.
Time to walk the dog,
Jon Kasper - Big Sky Conference
About respect
Some folks seem to believe that the Big Sky is a one trick pony - Montana. Well, some folks out there need to remember that the Big Sky's "other" playoff teams have done some damage. Remember what Northern Arizona did at No. 1 McNeese State in 2003, or what Eastern Washington did to No. 1 seed Southern Illinois in 2004? Eastern Washington throttled McNeese State last season, and let's not forget about Montana State's first-round drubbing of Furman in 2006 in Bozeman. In 2006 Montana State lost to eventual national champion Appalachian State, and in 2007 Eastern Washington suffered the same fate.
Hopefully our teams will be able to show once again in the playoffs that the Big Sky can compete with the powers of the CAA and Southern Conferences. I think the key to respect is advancing at least one team to the semifinals.
For the record, I've voted Weber State as a top 10 team since its victory over Montana.
Here is what I selected as my top seven teams in this week's Sports Network Poll:
1. James Madison (knocked off three-time defending champion Appalachian State, and also has wins over Villanova, Richmond, and UMass). I voted James Madison second in the preseason, just behind Appalachian State.
2. Appalachian State (The three-time defending champs have lost to LSU and James Madison).
3. Wofford (The team that beat Montana last season in Missoula. They take on App State this week. The Terriers drilled Elon, a top 5 team, last week.
4. Weber State (They've beaten Montana State, NAU and SAC on the road. They led Hawai'i at the half, played Utah very tough, and have beaten Montana at home, and survived a scare from Northern Colorado. They have maybe the best quarterback in the nation - Cameron Higgins, and the defense is playing great)
5. Montana (Opened the season with a huge road win over Cal Poly. Won some close games against the likes of UC Davis and Central Washington. Since losing to Weber State, the Grizzlies have outscored opponents 107-30. This is a young team that is only getting better behind the efficient Cole Bergquist. Picked up a huge road win over Eastern Washington.)
6. Cal Poly (A very, very dangerous team - especially on offense with QB Jonathan Dally and WR Ramses Barden.) Unfortunately a date with McNeese State earlier this season was postponed because of the Hurricanes.
7. Northern Iowa (Right now the best team in a strong Missouri Valley).
I also voted NAU 14th.
Time to walk the dog,
Jon Kasper - Big Sky Conference
