Idaho State is next on our predictions. A lot of people including myself are very high on ISU this year. They've got a bunch of great players returning on offense and Cody Hawkins is a rising star in the coaching industry! Let's dive in!
August 29 vs. VMI - W. Idaho State is the only Big Sky team that doesn't play a conference game during week 1. They open up with a Keydets team that is routinely towards the bottom of the SoCon. Good on ISU for getting these guys to come to Pokey! ISU rolls at home.
September 5 @ Utah State - L. This is a winnable game IMO. We've seen ISU nearly knock off UNLV an San Diego State each of the last two seasons but not quite be able to get over the hump. A short bus trip down to Logan and a week 2 money game? There's an opportunity here against a middling USU team, but I'll take the Aggies for now.
September 12 vs. San Diego - W. The third Big Sky team to play the Toreros this year. They should be able to roll at home.
September 19 BYE.
September 26 @ Southern Utah - W. ISU went to Cedar City last year and lost this game. Jordan Cooke was injured and they didn't play very well. They cannot afford to go down there this year and drop this game. Could be tricky but I think ISU will win this game.
October 3 vs. Northern Arizona - W. A big measuring stick game. If ISU is legit then they shouldn't have a problem winning this game at home. If they're frauds though, then this could be a tricky game. Close game but I like ISU at home.
October 10 vs. Cal Poly - W. I do think Poly is a rising program in the Big Sky with Tim Skipper as head coach, but they're a year away IMO. ISU wins at home!
October 17 @ Weber State - W. Weber used to have ISU's number big time but not anymore. Bengals go on the road and win this game.
October 24 vs. Portland State - W. Gonna be a rough year for the Viks, Big win at home.
October 31 @ Utah Tech -W. Should be a relatively smooth win on the road.
November 7 vs. Montana State - L. Here's where things get tough. Defending national champs come to the ICCU Dome. The cats much like the Griz, have been known to find themselves in tight games in Poky. I do think it could be close for a half, but the cats should be able to pull away in the second half.
November 14 @ Montana - L. Tough having to play both Montana teams back to back in November during crunch time. ISU has not fared well in Wa-Griz over the last 2 decades, but it is the week before the Brawl and the Griz could get caught looking ahead. I don't think they will, especially considering it's an ESPN game. Griz win comfortably at home.
November 21 vs. Idaho - W. I think ISU will be significantly better than Idaho this year. Easy win at home.
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I've got Idaho State goin 9-3. Is that generous? Honestly as long as they don't stub their toe against NAU or SUU, then this is definitely attainable. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
August 29 vs. VMI - W. Idaho State is the only Big Sky team that doesn't play a conference game during week 1. They open up with a Keydets team that is routinely towards the bottom of the SoCon. Good on ISU for getting these guys to come to Pokey! ISU rolls at home.
September 5 @ Utah State - L. This is a winnable game IMO. We've seen ISU nearly knock off UNLV an San Diego State each of the last two seasons but not quite be able to get over the hump. A short bus trip down to Logan and a week 2 money game? There's an opportunity here against a middling USU team, but I'll take the Aggies for now.
September 12 vs. San Diego - W. The third Big Sky team to play the Toreros this year. They should be able to roll at home.
September 19 BYE.
September 26 @ Southern Utah - W. ISU went to Cedar City last year and lost this game. Jordan Cooke was injured and they didn't play very well. They cannot afford to go down there this year and drop this game. Could be tricky but I think ISU will win this game.
October 3 vs. Northern Arizona - W. A big measuring stick game. If ISU is legit then they shouldn't have a problem winning this game at home. If they're frauds though, then this could be a tricky game. Close game but I like ISU at home.
October 10 vs. Cal Poly - W. I do think Poly is a rising program in the Big Sky with Tim Skipper as head coach, but they're a year away IMO. ISU wins at home!
October 17 @ Weber State - W. Weber used to have ISU's number big time but not anymore. Bengals go on the road and win this game.
October 24 vs. Portland State - W. Gonna be a rough year for the Viks, Big win at home.
October 31 @ Utah Tech -W. Should be a relatively smooth win on the road.
November 7 vs. Montana State - L. Here's where things get tough. Defending national champs come to the ICCU Dome. The cats much like the Griz, have been known to find themselves in tight games in Poky. I do think it could be close for a half, but the cats should be able to pull away in the second half.
November 14 @ Montana - L. Tough having to play both Montana teams back to back in November during crunch time. ISU has not fared well in Wa-Griz over the last 2 decades, but it is the week before the Brawl and the Griz could get caught looking ahead. I don't think they will, especially considering it's an ESPN game. Griz win comfortably at home.
November 21 vs. Idaho - W. I think ISU will be significantly better than Idaho this year. Easy win at home.
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I've got Idaho State goin 9-3. Is that generous? Honestly as long as they don't stub their toe against NAU or SUU, then this is definitely attainable. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
