Northern Arizona returns QB Case Cookus, WR Emmanuel Butler and one of league's most talented safety combos in Wes Sutton and Kam'Ron Johnson. But the most important factor to why NAU will be competitive in the league: The 'Jacks don't play Montana, Montana State or Idaho and they play Eastern Washington in the non-conference. Since the league expanded in 2012, one of if not THE key factor to winning the league is the schedule you play and, more importantly most years, the four teams you do not play.