I decided to give this its own thread, rather than burying it on a thread that’s been all over the place. And, since no one seemed to have worked out the winners and losers in the upcoming schedule, I spent some time on it. Specifically, I wondered who might be “contenders” based on particularly favorable schedules. Turns out, three “known” contenders have the edge in terms of schedule.
That starts with Eastern Washington. None of their conference opponents won more than 6 games last year. They do not play Weber State (10-3 last year), UC-Davis (10-2), or Montana State (8-5). Four of their conference opponents won a combined total of 12 games last year … and they get three of those at home. Their toughest game will likely be on the road at WaGriz.
Next up is Montana State. Only one of their upcoming opponents won more that 6 games last year. They do have to play at UC-Davis, but do not face Weber State or Eastern Washington (12-3). They get to play the Griz at home, so that’s a plus. And, finally, the four worst of their opponents won a combined total of 9 games last year … and, like EWU, the bob-kitties get three of those at home.
Weber State also has a good draw. Like MSU, only one of their opponents won more than 6 games last year. They have to play at UC-Davis, but do not face Montana State or Eastern Washington. Their four worst opponents won a combined total of 11 games last year, and they get two of those at home.
The “surprise”contender might be Idaho. Once again, only one of their opponents won more than 6 games last year. They get Weber State (10-3) at home, and do not play EWU or UC-Davis. They do have to go on the road to play the Griz. But they’re at home for their next two best opponents (ISU and Cal Poly).
Who has it bad, due to the schedule? The Griz, for one. They play all five of the best Big Sky teams from last year: WSU (10-3), EWU (12-3), UC-Davis (10-2), ISU (6-5, but 5-3 in conference), and MSU (8-5). About the only consolation is that three of those five have to come to WaGriz. The Griz better be ready to play their best with that schedule (which we already knew).
Still, spare a bit of pity for Sacramento State, which has it even worse. They’re coming off a terrible year, have a brand new coach … and face arguably the toughest schedule in the Big Sky. Like the Griz, they play all five of the toughest teams from last year. But where the Griz get two of their weaker opponents at home, the Hornets face three of their four weakest opponents (possible wins, however unlikely) on the road. Ouch.