Alright, let's get it going for 2025. Time to start the Big Sky predictions, starting first with the Griz and then we will go in alphabetical order with Cal Poly next week! Let's dive in!
August 30 BYE. We've already bitched about this enough, we don't need to dwell on it anymore.
September 6 vs. Central Washington - W. I know many of you aren't happy with this game, but I actually like it. A nice, easy warm up to help break in all of the new faces on the team. A chance to get everyone up to speed before hitting the ground running. Griz roll in this one!
September 13 vs. North Dakota - W. The first of several revenge games for the Griz. The Bubba Schweigert era in Grand Forks is over, and in comes Eric Schmid from San Diego State. Haven't heard a lot about UND's offseason and what it's been like for them, but we never should've lost to these guys last year, and we pay them back in a big way this year!
September 20 vs. Indiana State - W. The perennial cellar dwellers of the MVFC. Last tune up before conference play begins. No problem for us in this one.
September 27 vs. Idaho - W. Good to have the Vandy's back on the schedule! What does the post Jason Eck era look like? While they did lose a lot of players, they were able to retain some better players. Most notably QB's Wagner and Josifek who both got plenty of playing time last year in the midst of injuries. They also brought in a Fresno State QB who may end up winning the job. Our 4th consecutive home game, but this will be the best game of the season but I like the Griz by 10!
October 4 @ Idaho State - W. It takes until October for us to play our first road game of the season, and it comes down in Poky in the ICCU Dome. While the Griz should win this game, ISU is venturing into that sneaky category where if you don't play well, they can knock you off. We've had our struggles down there over the years and even the cats found themselves in a tight one down there last year. Cody Hawkins has done a nice job down there, but I still think they got a little ways to go before they're a playoff contender. Griz win a tighter than expected game.
October 11 vs. Cal Poly - W. Probably gonna be another tough year for the boys down in SLO. Not sure if/when they will be able to turn the corner, but it likely won't be this year. Griz roll.
October 18 vs. Sacred Heart - W. This was supposed to be our bye week but because Sacred Heart is an FCS Independent, they've got a total hodge podge schedule and that's part of why this game ended up going here. The Pioneers shouldn't be worth a damn this year so I'm hopeful we can get the starters out of the game early and get ready for the 2 game road trip.
October 25 @ Sacramento State - L. In what could be Sac State's last season in the Big Sky, this may be our last chance to win down there. We have not won at Sac State since 2013, and the last time we were there, we were cheated out of the win. It's been quite the offseason for Sac State with the hiring of Brennan Marion and recruiting both the portal and high school ranks at a very high level. This is either going to work out beautifully for them, or completely blow up in their face. I hope the latter cause I'd love for their mouthy president to eat some humble pie. That said, this place has been a house of horrors for us and on paper it appears that Sac should have a pretty good team this year. I think we take our first loss here, but man I hope I'm wrong and we can just take it to them.
November 1 @ Weber State - W. This was easily our worst game last season. Weber went 3-9 last year and have become a far cry from what Jay Hill made that program. We flat ass just didn't show up against these guys last year, and I think we get our revenge in a big way this year. Everybody in Ogden from players to coaches are starting to jump off the sinking ship. Hell, they lost their long time DC to Idaho State. That should never happen. I think the Griz unleash a mountain of frustration on these guys and we bury them for our first win in Ogden since 2012.
November 8 vs. Eastern Washington - W. Aaron Best who shouldn't even have a job anymore brings his Eags squad over Lookout Pass for an early November showdown that will not end well for them. I'd love for Wortham to house a punt and catch a TD against his former team, and I hope it happens. Griz win big in this one!
November 15 @ Portland State - W. The Viks will play their first game in Providence Park since 2018. That's a cool deal for them and I hope it leads to them being able to permanently go back. No idea who PSU's QB will be this year and I think they're in for a rough one this year. Griz win the first game back in the Park.
November 22 vs. Montana State. As is custom, I won't make a prediction in this game, but I will just point out that the home team has utterly dominated in this game over the last 4 years. If that trend holds, then I'd say we're in good shape, but you just never know in this game. Just like us, there will be a lot of new faces in Bozeman and I for one am looking forward to not having to face Tommy this year. Could be a very important game for both teams especially since we'll both see plenty of early season tests. Looking forward to having the game back in Missoula!
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I've got the Griz going 11-1 or 10-2 depending on how the Brawl shapes out. This is a pretty favorable schedule with what really only feels like 2-3 real tests on it. It has the potential to set us up very nicely for the playoffs as long as we don't do anything stupid. I sincerely hope that everyone in the locker room, players and coaches, have learned their lesson from last year. I do think the transfers we've brought in this year, especially on Defense, are much better players than the guys we had last year. This is a huge year for the Griz. I don't think anyone will deny that, and we cannot afford to have another season like we did last year. If we don't make at least the Semis this year, that will be a massive failure. Time for the boys to put up or shut up. That's my prediction! Thoughts????
