Polls show Griz as favorite to top the Sky

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:55 am

By FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulian

PARK CITY, Utah - After one year where the Montana Grizzlies had company at the top, they're No. 1 in both preseason football polls for the Big Sky Conference.

Both the Big Sky coaches and the media picked the Grizzlies to win the league football title, in voting released Monday. Montana received eight of nine first-place votes from the coaches - Idaho State received the other - and 28 of 32 first-place votes from the media.

After sharing favorites' status with Eastern Washington last year - the Eagles, Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats shared the Big Sky title with 5-2 league marks - Montana was a runaway in both polls.

MSU received two first-place votes from the media and racked up 206 points, to 283 for UM. In the coach's poll, Montana had 64 points. Eastern led a tight race for second with 44.

“I don't think it changes much,” fourth-year UM coach Bobby Hauck said. “I think we're where we've been this time of the year - which is with the rest of the league aiming to knock us off.”

Montana has won or shared eight straight conference crowns, and 11 of the last 13. The Griz were also picked first in the second annual “Skyline” on-line fan poll conducted through the Big Sky's Web site, www.bigskyconf.com.

“We're going to have a mark on our chests, and everybody's going to be after us, trying to take the No. 1 spot,” Griz senior running back Lex Hilliard said. “That's been the deal since I've been here.”

Not coincidentally, Hilliard is one of six Grizzlies honored with a spot on the Big Sky's first preseason all-conference team. The senior was one of six unanimous picks, and is a two-time first-team all-Big Sky selection. He rushed for 1,322 yards and 12 touchdowns last year for the 8-4 Griz.

Also honored from UM were senior center Jeff Marshall, junior place kicker Dan Carpenter, senior Tuff Harris as kick returner; senior Brady Green for special teams play; and senior defensive end Mike Murphy. Murphy was also a unanimous pick.

The other unanimous picks were junior guard Matt Alfred of Eastern Washington, Idaho State senior linebacker Pago Togafau, MSU tackle Joe Hirst and Portland State cornerback Dominic Dixon.

“It's interesting,” said Hauck. “It's great for Mike, Lex and Jeff to be first team, along with our specialist guys.

“It's certainly nice for those guys to be recognized for work they've done in the past, but I think all of them would echo the sentiment that they want to be there at the end of the season, just like the team wants to be where we are at the end of the year.”

Montana State and Idaho State each placed five on the squad. The Bengals' Matt Gutierrez, a senior transfer from Michigan, was the preseason pick at quarterback.

MSU's picks were, in addition to Hirst, Clive Lowe at defensive end, Aaron Papich at defensive tackle, linebacker Epikopo King and safety Ryan Force.

Coaches poll

1. Montana (8) 64

2. Eastern Washington 44

3. Montana State 43

4. Portland State 42

5. Idaho State (1) 40

6. Weber State 36

7. Northern Arizona 24

8. Sacramento State 21

9. Northern Colorado 10

Media poll

Team Points

1. Montana (28) 283

2. Montana State (2) 206

3. Weber State 188

3. Portland State (1) 185

5. Idaho State 181.5

6. Eastern Washington (1) 180

7. Northern Arizona 105.5

8. Sacramento State 65

9. Northern Colorado 48

First-place votes in parentheses

Preseason All-Big Sky

Offense

Quarterback - Matt Gutierrez, 6-foot-4, 231 lbs, sr, Idaho State

Running back - Lex Hilliard, 6-0, 228, sr, Montana

Fullback - Ken Cornist, 5-11, 210, soph, Idaho State

Tight end - Tim Calhoun, 6-4, 250, sr, Eastern Washington

Guards - Matt Alfred, 6-3, 300, jr, Eastern Washington; Brennan Carvalho, 6-1, 310, jr, Portland State

Center - Jeff Marshall, 6-5, 285, sr, Montana

Tackles - Joe Hirst, 6-7, 292, sr, Montana State; David Hale, 6-6, 300, jr, Weber State

Wide receivers - Eddie Thompson, 5-10, 185, soph, Idaho State; Andy Birkel,6-2, 180, sr, Northern Colorado; Akilah Lacey, 6-3, 202, sr, Idaho State

Place kicker - Dan Carpenter, 6-2, 211, jr, Montana

Return specialist - Tuff Harris, 6-0, 197, sr, Montana

Defense

Ends - Mike Murphy, 6-3, 240, sr, Montana; Clive Lowe, 6-3, 232, sr, Montana State

Tackles - Aaron Papich, 6-2, 263, jr, Montana State; Matthis Gehring 6-1, 300, sr, Portland State

Linebackers - Pago Togafau, 5-10, 210, sr, Idaho State; Epikopo King, 6-0, 215, jr, Montana State; Tyson Butler, 6-0, 240, sr, Sacramento State; Tyler DeBry, 5-11, 235, sr, Weber State

Cornerbacks - KJ Gerard, 6-1, 170, jr, Northern Arizona; Dominic Dixon, 5-10, 195, sr, Portland State

Safeties - Ryan Force, 6-2, 207, sr, Montana State; Bryan Jarrett, 5-11, 210, jr, Eastern Washington

Punter - Rhian Madrid, 5-11, 208, sr, Northern Arizona

Special teams - Brady Green, 5-9, 195, sr, Montana

BobCatFan · Post by **BobCatFan** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:15 pm

What is up with baby hauck. How could he vote for Idaho State. He is the biggest phoney in the leauge, maybe even 1-AA.

Go Scats Go · Post by **Go Scats Go** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:37 pm

BobCatFan wrote:What is up with baby hauck. How could he vote for Idaho State. He is the biggest phoney in the leauge, maybe even 1-AA.

The cats beat ISU by 2 last year. Cats lose LULU. And ISU are better this year. Dont hate just to hate, ISU will be very good.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:20 pm

And, other than grizidiots, why do we now have three threads going on BN with the same theme? The original post by an EWU fan should suffice.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:47 pm

I think the bobcats r tha team to beat this year

grizband · Post by **grizband** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:01 am

BobCatFan wrote:What is up with baby hauck. How could he vote for Idaho State. He is the biggest phoney in the leauge, maybe even 1-AA.

Isn't there a rule that says you aren't allowed to vote for your own team?

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:02 am

Damn, I am looking forward to chanting "over-rated" in Pocatello.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:30 am

BobCatFan wrote:What is up with baby hauck. How could he vote for Idaho State. He is the biggest phoney in the leauge, maybe even 1-AA.

You obviosly don't pay attention to the schools in the BSC. What is odd is how low ISU is in these polls, not that Bobby voted for them. He is right in thinking they will be good. Plus you are you to question his opinion, what do you know and where would you put ISU?

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:56 am

I think ISU is probaly top 3, at leas top 4. 5th is a little low, in my opinion.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:14 pm

GOKATS wrote:And, other than grizidiots, why do we now have three threads going on BN with the same theme? The original post by an EWU fan should suffice.

Why do you have to be a hater?

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:36 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:And, other than grizidiots, why do we now have three threads going on BN with the same theme? The original post by an EWU fan should suffice.

Why do you have to be a hater?

Dark pink and gray just brings out the worst in me I guess.

Billings_Griz · Post by **Billings_Griz** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:08 pm

GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:And, other than grizidiots, why do we now have three threads going on BN with the same theme? The original post by an EWU fan should suffice.

Why do you have to be a hater?
Dark pink and gray just brings out the worst in me I guess.

Try younger women.

BobCatFan · Post by **BobCatFan** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:11 pm

grizband wrote:
BobCatFan wrote:What is up with baby hauck. How could he vote for Idaho State. He is the biggest phoney in the leauge, maybe even 1-AA.
Isn't there a rule that says you aren't allowed to vote for your own team?

yesm this is why Hauck voted for ISU since every other coach voted for the friz

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:10 pm

Billings_Griz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:And, other than grizidiots, why do we now have three threads going on BN with the same theme? The original post by an EWU fan should suffice.

Why do you have to be a hater?
Dark pink and gray just brings out the worst in me I guess.
Try younger women.

Tried a few dressed in dark pink and gray (so FTG would have more than one connotation), but the hairy legs and armpits completely turned me off.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 10:32 am

ISU had a ton of JR JC DL and OL guys last year, they've got some real good WRs who are proven, plus some young guys like Jaron Taylor who where recruited pretty heavily by all BSC schools.
Here are some of their standouts/potential standouts followed by young guys who look to be good.

WR - Akilah Lacey, Eddie Thompson - Jaron Taylor
RB - Josh Barnett, Turill Engleman FB Ken Cornist- Clint Knickerman
DB - David Beverly, Jacob Stewart (Michigan Transfer played as a True Frosh but was injuried and sat out last year)
LB - Pago Togafu, Ryan Philips (Oregon Transfer played as a True Frosh, RS last year)

And these are only the guy's I can think of. I think they got another big DT to take the place of Charleston. Having Beverly back will really help their secondary. This kid could play CB/S/WR/or RB.
They have a lot of athletisism, and will be dangerous.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:30 pm

Billings_Griz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:And, other than grizidiots, why do we now have three threads going on BN with the same theme? The original post by an EWU fan should suffice.

Why do you have to be a hater?
Dark pink and gray just brings out the worst in me I guess.
Try younger women.