Big Sky Conference Football: 2012 Spring Power Rankings

AlphaGriz1 · Post by **AlphaGriz1** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:29 pm

9-2 is at least 3 more games than you will win

Screamin_Eagle174 · Post by **Screamin_Eagle174** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:33 pm

AlphaGriz1 wrote:9-2 is at least 3 more games than you will win

Of course it is. It's 9 games more than I will win, because I'm an unathletic white guy who can't jump. EWU on the other hand will win more than 6 games, guaranteed.

AlphaGriz1 · Post by **AlphaGriz1** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:38 am

Its the hat.......................

TomCat88 · Post by **TomCat88** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:59 am

POWER RANKINGS*:
AKA - Teams that have bona fida players returning by position:
QB - MSU, EWU, SUU, UM, NAU, WSU
RB - MSU, NAU, WSU, UM, EWU
WR - EWU, ISU
OL/TE - UM
DL - MSU, WSU
LB - MSU, UM, UNC
DB - MSU, EWU
K/P - PSU

MSU - 5
EWU - 4
UM - 4
WSU - 3
NAU - 2
ISU - 1
UNC - 1
PSU - 1
SUU - 1

*Includes some, but not all incoming teams. If you know of a unit from UND, SUU, CP, or UCD that you think is good let 'er rip.

Screamin_Eagle174 · Post by **Screamin_Eagle174** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 2:04 pm

TomCat88 wrote:POWER RANKINGS*:
AKA - Teams that have bona fida players returning by position:
QB - MSU, EWU, SUU, UM, NAU, WSU
RB - MSU, NAU, WSU, UM, EWU
WR - EWU, ISU
OL/TE - UM
DL - MSU, WSU
LB - MSU, UM, UNC
DB - MSU, EWU
K/P - PSU

MSU - 5
EWU - 4
UM - 4
WSU - 3
NAU - 2
ISU - 1
UNC - 1
PSU - 1
SUU - 1

*Includes some, but not all incoming teams. If you know of a unit from UND, SUU, CP, or UCD that you think is good let 'er rip.

LB and especially DL will be the strength of our D. LB Zach Johnson got a medical RS, and 3 star LB Cody McCarthy has a year of experience under his belt (true soph). On DL we have UW transfer DT Andru Pulu available after having to sit out last year. He's a pass rushing AND run stuffing DT... think Renard, but he doesn't take plays off. DEs are experienced upper classmen, and ton of guys that have been getting regular rotation.

TomCat88 · Post by **TomCat88** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:17 pm

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
TomCat88 wrote:POWER RANKINGS*:
AKA - Teams that have bona fida players returning by position:
QB - MSU, EWU, SUU, UM, NAU, WSU
RB - MSU, NAU, WSU, UM, EWU
WR - EWU, ISU
OL/TE - UM
DL - MSU, WSU
LB - MSU, UM, UNC
DB - MSU, EWU
K/P - PSU

MSU - 5
EWU - 4
UM - 4
WSU - 3
NAU - 2
ISU - 1
UNC - 1
PSU - 1
SUU - 1

*Includes some, but not all incoming teams. If you know of a unit from UND, SUU, CP, or UCD that you think is good let 'er rip.
LB and especially DL will be the strength of our D. LB Zach Johnson got a medical RS, and 3 star LB Cody McCarthy has a year of experience under his belt (true soph). On DL we have UW transfer DT Andru Pulu available after having to sit out last year. He's a pass rushing AND run stuffing DT... think Renard, but he doesn't take plays off. DEs are experienced upper classmen, and ton of guys that have been getting regular rotation.

Yeah, I gave that (and some other units on other teams) some consideration, but they just don't fit the definition of bona fide. Players that have been on the field and have performed. If Johnson wasn't returning from injury I'd have put EWU down for one there. Also units with players that are oft-injured didn't make it such as MSU's receivers, which return everyone except Akpla, but Gilbert has been injured so much that I didn't feel right labeling that unit as bona fide. If Gilbert had produced in 2011 as he did in 2009 and 2010, then I would've had MSU's WRs on the list. So if I start including those then that opens the door too much for others, which isn't fair to the truly legit units.

Screamin_Eagle174 · Post by **Screamin_Eagle174** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 5:29 pm

TomCat88 wrote:
Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
TomCat88 wrote:POWER RANKINGS*:
AKA - Teams that have bona fida players returning by position:
QB - MSU, EWU, SUU, UM, NAU, WSU
RB - MSU, NAU, WSU, UM, EWU
WR - EWU, ISU
OL/TE - UM
DL - MSU, WSU
LB - MSU, UM, UNC
DB - MSU, EWU
K/P - PSU

MSU - 5
EWU - 4
UM - 4
WSU - 3
NAU - 2
ISU - 1
UNC - 1
PSU - 1
SUU - 1

*Includes some, but not all incoming teams. If you know of a unit from UND, SUU, CP, or UCD that you think is good let 'er rip.
LB and especially DL will be the strength of our D. LB Zach Johnson got a medical RS, and 3 star LB Cody McCarthy has a year of experience under his belt (true soph). On DL we have UW transfer DT Andru Pulu available after having to sit out last year. He's a pass rushing AND run stuffing DT... think Renard, but he doesn't take plays off. DEs are experienced upper classmen, and ton of guys that have been getting regular rotation.
Yeah, I gave that (and some other units on other teams) some consideration, but they just don't fit the definition of bona fide. Players that have been on the field and have performed. If Johnson wasn't returning from injury I'd have put EWU down for one there. Also units with players that are oft-injured didn't make it such as MSU's receivers, which return everyone except Akpla, but Gilbert has been injured so much that I didn't feel right labeling that unit as bona fide. If Gilbert had produced in 2011 as he did in 2009 and 2010, then I would've had MSU's WRs on the list. So if I start including those then that opens the door too much for others, which isn't fair to the truly legit units.

Well FWIW, EWU will have a bona fide DL this year even if we didn't show it last year. Also, I would include PSU on the RB portion... they've led the conference in rushing the last two years (I know, in part because of the Pistol), but they do have DJ Adams transferring in.

catgrad05 · Post by **catgrad05** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:56 pm

I think the only thing that was missing in the comparing UM to the rest of the league is it seems they plug in big good lineman every year. That has been our biggest weak link in my opinion. Dont get me wrong we have had some great players come in but as far as solid complete units that can maul an opponent and depth wise I am not sure anyone has come close to UM on the offensive and defensive side for lineman.

With our last couple of recruiting classes hopefully that starts to change but as Tom said earlier that it will still be a couple years down the road to reap the benifits.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:59 pm

Recall last year about this time? With all EWU had back from their National Championship team, who didn't pick them to repeat? Picking up all the Great West teams inexplicably left out of the playoffs for whatever reason all you playoff advocates--pick your poison this year. Both Poly and Davis are poised for special seasons and the one team that bit my very own MSU Bobcats in the hind end in 64 may be able to replicate their final years in DII. Should be a great year and here's hoping EWU doesn't get the injury bug they had last year reminiscent of Cliff's teams.

catgrad05 · Post by **catgrad05** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:27 pm

Cat Grad wrote:Recall last year about this time? With all EWU had back from their National Championship team, who didn't pick them to repeat? Picking up all the Great West teams inexplicably left out of the playoffs for whatever reason all you playoff advocates--pick your poison this year. Both Poly and Davis are poised for special seasons and the one team that bit my very own MSU Bobcats in the hind end in 64 may be able to replicate their final years in DII. Should be a great year and here's hoping EWU doesn't get the injury bug they had last year reminiscent of Cliff's teams.

This is a great point. Some people are counting there championships a little early. Injurys can play a huge part in a teams year, and EWU was in some close games that could have gone either way. Purhaps the biggest challege they faced was a bullseye on their backs as defending national champions. Lets not forget that the Cats are now back to back conference champs and there will be a bigger emphasis put on betting us to end our run from the old teams and the new members of the conference trying to prove they belong.

I personally think this will be one of the more difficult seasons for the Cats from a quality of opponent standpoint. Not to mention there are a couple of teams (Cal Poly being the big one) that probably have an easier schedule and could run away with the title.

Screamin_Eagle174 · Post by **Screamin_Eagle174** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:50 pm

catgrad05 wrote:
Cat Grad wrote:Recall last year about this time? With all EWU had back from their National Championship team, who didn't pick them to repeat? Picking up all the Great West teams inexplicably left out of the playoffs for whatever reason all you playoff advocates--pick your poison this year. Both Poly and Davis are poised for special seasons and the one team that bit my very own MSU Bobcats in the hind end in 64 may be able to replicate their final years in DII. Should be a great year and here's hoping EWU doesn't get the injury bug they had last year reminiscent of Cliff's teams.
This is a great point. Some people are counting there championships a little early. Injurys can play a huge part in a teams year, and EWU was in some close games that could have gone either way. Purhaps the biggest challege they faced was a bullseye on their backs as defending national champions. Lets not forget that the Cats are now back to back conference champs and there will be a bigger emphasis put on betting us to end our run from the old teams and the new members of the conference trying to prove they belong.

I personally think this will be one of the more difficult seasons for the Cats from a quality of opponent standpoint. Not to mention there are a couple of teams (Cal Poly being the big one) that probably have an easier schedule and could run away with the title.

Injuries were a bitch last year.

lakesbison · Post by **lakesbison** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:03 am

from an outsider:

Montana St & Montana again will top the Big Sky... as usual

EWU will get lucky a couple times.

Weber & Poly could surprise.

after that..... they all belong in D2.

allcat · Post by **allcat** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:27 am

lakesbison wrote:from an outsider:

Montana St & Montana again will top the Big Sky... as usual

EWU will get lucky a couple times.

Weber & Poly could surprise.

after that..... they all belong in D2.

You forgot to mention how much you love the team formerly known as the fighting sioux.

lakesbison · Post by **lakesbison** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:42 am

Sd school of the mines---- thats all you need to know.

Screamin_Eagle174 · Post by **Screamin_Eagle174** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:39 pm

lakesbison wrote:from an outsider:

Montana St & Montana again will top the Big Sky... as usual

EWU will get lucky a couple times.

Weber & Poly could surprise.

after that..... they all belong in D2.

Still so bitter!!!!

LongTimeCatFan · Post by **LongTimeCatFan** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:43 pm

I finally found our "bet thread"

TomCat88 · Post by **TomCat88** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:10 pm

LongTimeCatFan wrote:I finally found our "bet thread"

You're enjoying this a lot. Can't say I blame ya.

LongTimeCatFan · Post by **LongTimeCatFan** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:30 pm

TomCat88 wrote:
LongTimeCatFan wrote:I finally found our "bet thread"
You're enjoying this a lot. Can't say I blame ya.

LOL

Just trying to help everyone out. But, yeah I'm enjoying the hell out of this. The Griz suck at a level we haven't seen in 26 years. No One including me predicted anything worse than a 6-5 season for them, but here we are. It turns out that I didn't need help from the NCAA. The BONUS... I get FREE BEER because the Grizzlies LOST....... A LOT. LOL

(In my Homer J Simpson voice)

WooHoo

Screamin_Eagle174 · Post by **Screamin_Eagle174** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 4:30 pm

Weltercat wrote:
Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
gtapp wrote:Actually, if the griz don't lose any players this summer related to the problems in Missoula they should be the favorite. They are a very strong team and will score a lot of points. Their defense won't be as good as 2011 but it won't be bad either!
No they shouldn't, because they lost 8 or 9 starters on D and 5 on O to graduation. Don't care how good they think their backups are, they will struggle at first, especially in light of new coordinators, HC, and the drama surrounding the program. 7-4 at best.
I hope you're right but I've heard that before.

Silenoz wrote:Yes, both coordinators are new

And saying 7-4 at best is pretty ridiculous... I think most of you will agree with that

AlphaGriz1 wrote:Plus it was Screaming beagle that said it so.......................

Weltercat · Post by **Weltercat** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 4:57 pm

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
Weltercat wrote:
Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
gtapp wrote:Actually, if the griz don't lose any players this summer related to the problems in Missoula they should be the favorite. They are a very strong team and will score a lot of points. Their defense won't be as good as 2011 but it won't be bad either!
No they shouldn't, because they lost 8 or 9 starters on D and 5 on O to graduation. Don't care how good they think their backups are, they will struggle at first, especially in light of new coordinators, HC, and the drama surrounding the program. 7-4 at best.
I hope you're right but I've heard that before.

Silenoz wrote:Yes, both coordinators are new

And saying 7-4 at best is pretty ridiculous... I think most of you will agree with that

AlphaGriz1 wrote:Plus it was Screaming beagle that said it so.......................

Good call and I am very glad you were right.