Any Big Sky wins here?

[Mr Lisle]

Idaho State-Boise State
Eastern Washington-Oregon
UC Davis-Nevada
UC Davis-Hawaii
Portland State-Washington State
Portland State-North Texas
North Dakota-Wyoming
Southern Utah-Utah State
Sacramento State-Washington
CalPoly-Arizona State
Weber State-Oregon State
Northern Arizona-Arizona

Most likely BSC to win?
Biggest blow-out?
Possible Upset(s)

[Cat_gld]

Idaho State-Nevada
Idaho State-Boise State
Eastern Washington-Oregon
UC Davis-Nevada
UC Davis-Hawaii
Portland State-Washington State
Portland State-North Texas
North Dakota-Wyoming
Southern Utah-Utah State
Sacramento State-Washington
CalPoly-Arizona State
Weber State-Oregon State
Northern Arizona-Arizona

Most likely BSC to win?
Biggest blow-out?
Possible Upset(s)

Nada!

Any of the top 4 in the BSC would have a chance of beating North Texas, but I don't think PSU will get it done. I believe the others have little to no chance.

[91catAlum]

I agree, i don't see any likely upsets. If I had to pick one, if go with Idaho state Nevada.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Mr Lisle]

Idaho State-Nevada
Idaho State-Boise State
Eastern Washington-Oregon
UC Davis-Nevada
UC Davis-Hawaii
Portland State-Washington State
Portland State-North Texas
North Dakota-Wyoming
Southern Utah-Utah State
Sacramento State-Washington
CalPoly-Arizona State
Weber State-Oregon State
Northern Arizona-Arizona

Most likely BSC to win?
Biggest blow-out?
Possible Upset(s)

Nada!

Any of the top 4 in the BSC would have a chance of beating North Texas, but I don't think PSU will get it done. I believe the others have little to no chance.

oops, I left one out and it's a big one...
How about

Idaho State vs UNLV

Anyone?

[91catAlum]

Idaho State-Nevada
Idaho State-Boise State
Eastern Washington-Oregon
UC Davis-Nevada
UC Davis-Hawaii
Portland State-Washington State
Portland State-North Texas
North Dakota-Wyoming
Southern Utah-Utah State
Sacramento State-Washington
CalPoly-Arizona State
Weber State-Oregon State
Northern Arizona-Arizona

Most likely BSC to win?
Biggest blow-out?
Possible Upset(s)

Nada!

Any of the top 4 in the BSC would have a chance of beating North Texas, but I don't think PSU will get it done. I believe the others have little to no chance.

oops, I left one out and it's a big one...
How about

Idaho State vs UNLV

Anyone?

So there is no Idaho State / Nevada?

OK then Idaho State / UNLV is most likely.

[Montanabob]

Idaho state beats unlv by 10
Uc Davis wins at Hawaii by 3
PSU is close but loses by 7
And u of I goes winless in last year in Sunbelt (to be announced 21 Jan 2016l)
While Idaho state gets to play Boise but u of I shunned by broncos.

[onceacat]

Idaho state beats unlv by 10
Uc Davis wins at Hawaii by 3
PSU is close but loses by 7
And u of I goes winless in last year in Sunbelt (to be announced 21 Jan 2016l)
While Idaho state gets to play Boise but u of I shunned by broncos.

That there is absolute crazy talk. UC Davis & Portland combined for 3 FCS wins last season, and one of those was PSU beating Davis. Unfortunately, they were two of the worst teams in the entire FCS. I'd be really surprised if either game is within 20 at halftime.

But, yes, ISU may well beat UNLV. UNLV was a bottom 10 team in the FBS last year.

FCS teams might pull an FBS upset 1 in 10 matches, and the vast majority of those "upsets" are top 10 FCS teams over bottom tier FBS teams. ISU vs UNLV is the only game that looks like that. Pretty much every one of these games should be a bloodbath.

[JDoub]

No ISU does not play Nevada, they play UNLV and Boise State

I would say the only realistic chance of a win is ISU at UNLV, given UNLV's new coach was coaching high school last year. ISU has the best OL in the conference, and playmakers. They will score enough to win, but only if their D can hold UW to 3 scores. big IF

However, UNLV will have played 3 games against better opponents than ISU by the time that game rolls around, I think they will figure things out by then. Usually the best chance at the upset is first game, against a new HC.

Very outside chance is North Dakota at Wyoming -- first game of the year, the Cowboys ended last year losing 7 of their last 8 after starting 3-1. If the talk about North Dakota being much improved is at all true, there is a chance.

My speculation:
Idaho State-UNLV toss up, but likely UNLV. UM, MSU, possibly EWU could beat UNLV in an opener
Idaho State-Boise State BSU, no Big Sky team would be a threat
Eastern Washington-Oregon big play VA, Ducks by 35, Helfrich plays everyone, O would destroy all Big Sky teams
UC Davis-Nevada Nevada, but closer than you might think. Davis has a history of playing up well. ISU, MSU, UM, EWU might beat Nevada, SUU came close last year
UC Davis-Hawaii interesting again, but UH, Northern Iowa almost pulled the UH upset last year. EWU would beat UH with VA: MSU, UM maybe
Portland State-Washington State Wazzu, not even close
Portland State-North Texas North Texas, speed demons would run by any Big Sky team
North Dakota-Wyoming Cowboys, most likely. I think UM would beat UW this year, so would MSU
Southern Utah-Utah State Aggies all the way, only Big Sky team that could win might be ISU -- geographic rilvary
Sacramento State-Washington Huskies, but this could be a surprise how hard it will be for UW to beat a physically talented Hornet team
CalPoly-Arizona State Sun Devils, option this ponies -- smothering D, would smother any Big Sky school
Weber State-Oregon State - OSU, VA was the difference in EWU's win over OSU, MSU might be able to replicate that with a healthy Prukop et al
Northern Arizona-Arizona Arizona, no contest from any Big Sky school

[blueandgoldblitz]

Hawaii isn't typically all that great are they? I'd pick UC Davis to win over Hawaii on a flyer. I don't EXPECT it, but I could see it happening.

[SonomaCat]

I'd go with Davis over Hawaii as well. Davis can occasionally put together a good game and they have one of those smart teams that can rise above their talent level ... and Hawaii just hasn't been impressive to me over the last couple years.

I don't think Davis will be in the top half of the conference this year, but I think they are one of those teams that could pull and upset here or there. Davis will eventually be one of the top teams in the BSC under the right coach -- they have the talent base in the area and definitely have a great school with great facilities (and are actually in an area that would probably draw pretty decent crowds consistently once they starting winning). In year 3 this current coach may start putting things together.

[catatac]

I'm going with Cal Poly over ASU. Seriously keep an eye on this one. Remember last year Cal Poly beat us, thumped the Griz, I think they're going to be pretty damn good again. ASU had some let down games last year. Lost to Oregon State, got destroyed by UCLA, and barely beat a couple mid level teams.

[JDoub]

I'd go with Davis over Hawaii as well. Davis can occasionally put together a good game and they have one of those smart teams that can rise above their talent level ... and Hawaii just hasn't been impressive to me over the last couple years.

I don't think Davis will be in the top half of the conference this year, but I think they are one of those teams that could pull and upset here or there. Davis will eventually be one of the top teams in the BSC under the right coach -- they have the talent base in the area and definitely have a great school with great facilities (and are actually in an area that would probably draw pretty decent crowds consistently once they starting winning). In year 3 this current coach may start putting things together.

Case in point: 2005

Davis opens the season with 2 losses, to New Hampshire then Portland State. No way they can march into Stanford Stadium and upset the Cardinal right?? They end up middle of the Big Sky and 6-5.

BUT they beat Stanford.

California teams always scare me -- too much raw physical talent with size, speed, and/or combat experienced ballers, like Vernon Adams who was passed up by all of them -- FBS and FCS, even though he was player of the year CIF and almost single-handedly upset Servite in a playoff game -- a game with over 20 Div. I scholarship players, and he outplayed them all. still no love ..... until now.

[Mr Lisle]

I'm going with Cal Poly over ASU. Seriously keep an eye on this one. Remember last year Cal Poly beat us, thumped the Griz, I think they're going to be pretty damn good again. ASU had some let down games last year. Lost to Oregon State, got destroyed by UCLA, and barely beat a couple mid level teams.

Although ASU would appear to have way to much of everything for Poly, I have real respect for coach Tim Walsh. He had some very fine years at Portland State before going to West Point as offensive co-ordinator. CP had a decent program when he arrived in '09 and he's kept them competitive. As mentioned, last year he beat the griz and Bobcats on consecutive weekends. Lost the next week 28-30 in Pocatello. I think the opening loss to FBS New Mexico State was a disappoinment. Generally tho', he has a way of getting teams ready. I agree, his could be a game.

[oedipuss]

I'd go with Davis over Hawaii as well. Davis can occasionally put together a good game and they have one of those smart teams that can rise above their talent level ... and Hawaii just hasn't been impressive to me over the last couple years.

I don't think Davis will be in the top half of the conference this year, but I think they are one of those teams that could pull and upset here or there. Davis will eventually be one of the top teams in the BSC under the right coach -- they have the talent base in the area and definitely have a great school with great facilities (and are actually in an area that would probably draw pretty decent crowds consistently once they starting winning). In year 3 this current coach may start putting things together.

And Hawaii will be running the vaunted, diverse playbook of Don Bailey.

[John K]

Idaho state beats unlv by 10
Uc Davis wins at Hawaii by 3
PSU is close but loses by 7
And u of I goes winless in last year in Sunbelt (to be announced 21 Jan 2016l)
While Idaho state gets to play Boise but u of I shunned by broncos.

That probably doesn't sit too well with UI fans...huh?

[onceacat]

I'd go with Davis over Hawaii as well. Davis can occasionally put together a good game and they have one of those smart teams that can rise above their talent level ... and Hawaii just hasn't been impressive to me over the last couple years.

I don't think Davis will be in the top half of the conference this year, but I think they are one of those teams that could pull and upset here or there. Davis will eventually be one of the top teams in the BSC under the right coach -- they have the talent base in the area and definitely have a great school with great facilities (and are actually in an area that would probably draw pretty decent crowds consistently once they starting winning). In year 3 this current coach may start putting things together.

And Hawaii will be running the vaunted, diverse playbook of Don Bailey.

Don Baily 2015: Top ygp offense in the BSC (50 yards per game more than EWU) #2 in the country. Payton award runner up in Justin Arias. #6 scoring offense in the country. Yep, that guy must really suck.

[Mr Lisle]

I'd go with Davis over Hawaii as well. Davis can occasionally put together a good game and they have one of those smart teams that can rise above their talent level ... and Hawaii just hasn't been impressive to me over the last couple years.

I don't think Davis will be in the top half of the conference this year, but I think they are one of those teams that could pull and upset here or there. Davis will eventually be one of the top teams in the BSC under the right coach -- they have the talent base in the area and definitely have a great school with great facilities (and are actually in an area that would probably draw pretty decent crowds consistently once they starting winning). In year 3 this current coach may start putting things together.

And Hawaii will be running the vaunted, diverse playbook of Don Bailey. [/quot

Don Baily 2015: Top ygp offense in the BSC (50 yards per game more than EWU) #2 in the country. Payton award runner up in Justin Arias. #6 scoring offense in the country. Yep, that guy must really suck.

Bailey did have a good 2014. My biggest gripe with Bailey when he was in Bozeman was the time it took him to route plays in, especially in crucial situations. Travis would be standing there looking and looking at the sideline and finally step in the huddle with less than 8 seconds on the clock. Many were the times we were lining up on 3rd and two or 3rd and goal when the clock ran down and a time out was burned.

[Mr Lisle]

I've been doing some looking and have decided to fly an upset alert.
A case for Weber State vs. Oregon State.
First, Oregon State wasn't that good last year.... 5-7 including unremarkable wins over Portland State (29-14) and 4-9 Hawaii (38-30). Plus, their long time mostly successful coach, Mike Riley, is now coaching the Cornhuskers. That means they will be breaking in a brand new coach,
Gary Anderson, against Weber State. I don't see a lot of PAC 12 power going on here.
As for Weber State, there's a lot to look at. Buried under their 2014 2-10 record are the "except for" losses that could have made their season palatable. Losers to NDSU 7-24, Sac State 31-42, So. Utah in Cedar City 28-31 and 22-29 NAU. 2014 new coach Jay Hill was following combined 4-18 seasons laid down by Jody Sears with the assistance of John L Smith (see you soon, Mr. Smith). They were young in 2014, but this year will be different. There are still only a handfull of seniors. Some are transfers, but at least five remain from Ron McBrides final recruiting class. McBride was a heck of a football coach and after many successful years at Utah came to Weber State in '06, pulled them out of the 1-10 dumpster and by 2008 was coaching the Co-BSC Champions. Remaining from his last recruiting class are a couple of offensive linemen, a good looking kicker, a couple of DB's and a DE. Also coming to Corvalis are QB Billy Green, 6'2 210 jr. He's a transfer from BYU who started last season for Weber as a sophmore and is already ranked in the schools top 20 all-time for passing yards. Jared Afalava, 6-3, 240 jr LB. New transfer from Nebraska where he red shirted in 2012. Came to Nebraska rated in the top 50 linebacker recruits in the nation. Started 2 games as a rs freshman in '13 then sat out 2014, now he's at Weber State. Someone needs to watch him. 6'2 285 jr DT Jake Gallegos who transferred from Utah State in 2014 and started 10 games. Vince Coleman 6'3, 265 DE transfer from Youngstown State. Josh Burton 6'1 190 jr DB. HM All BSC. Cameron Young, 6'3, 310 OL jr. 24 consecutive starts. Lots more, not the least of which is a pretty talented and experienced coaching staff. Some may remember OL coach Brent Meyers as an assistant at EWU and Boise State and more recently coached the offensive lines at Arizona State, Louisville and was OC at UNLV. OC Steve Clark coached the OL at BYU and was the OC at Southern Utah. RB coach Quinton Gathers played for Urban Meyers at Utah then 6 years for the Tennessee Titans. He did an intern coaching stint with the Seahawks.
And so it goes. I believe Oregon State has a real football game to play