Alright, it's that time of year again! it's time to start the predictions for all the Big Sky teams! I've got this timed up so that we will do one every Monday between now and the start of Fall Camp in August when we will conclude. As always, we will start with the Griz, and then go in alphabetical order after that with Cal Poly next week. With that, let's dive in!
August 31 vs. Missouri State- W. This would have been a really fun game if Bobb Petrino was still the head coach, but now the Bears are right back to being the perennial cellar dwellers of the Missouri Valley. Former Griz Iverson Young will be making his return to Wa-Griz. I don't think these guys will be the worst opponent we'll see this year, but I think we'll win handily!
September 7 @ North Dakota- W. Definitely a tricky game. We have not faced UND since 2018 when they left the Big Sky. The Fighting Hawks have had a tough offseason getting raided by the portal and several assistant coaches leaving the program. I do think UND will take a step back this year. I think this will be close most of the way but I think we pull away late and win by 10+.
September 14 vs. Morehead State- W. The Eagles are out of the Pioneer League and haven't even come remotely close to breaking into the top half of the PFL in quite some time. This one will be a big blowout with all the young guys playing in the second half.
September 21 vs. Western Carolina- W. This IMO is the marquee game of the non-conference schedule. I expect the Catamounts to be the preseason favorites to win the Socon when the poll comes out this Summer. They were really close to getting in the playoffs last year before it all fell apart. They've got more talent returning than any other team in their league. That said, we're at home and I think this will be a daunting task for them. Closer than expected, but we prevail.
September 28 @ Eastern Washington- W. Ah, the always daunting task of going to the red rug. This place has not been kind to us over the years, but if there were ever a year for us to win in Cheney, this is the year. The Eags have fallen on hard times and there's never been more pressure on them to win. Their offense will be good, but I still don't think their defense will be worth a shit. I think the Griz win comfortably and finally slay the demons.
October 5 vs. Weber State- W. I think Weber's best days are behind them. They look to me like just a middle of the road Big Sky team that's gonna be unable to turn the corner. This is Weber's first trip to Wa-Griz since 2019. This one should be no problem IMO.
October 12 vs. Northern Arizona- W. Would you believe it if I told you that this is NAU's first trip to Missoula since the infamous Case Cookus ejection game all the way back in 2017? There is nobody in their entire program that has ever been to Wa-Griz before. I think it's gonna be tough sledding for NAU this year and we get our revenge over them.
October 19 BYE. Good spot to have it.
October 26 @ Northern Colorado- W. Dark times in Greely with the Bears coming off an 0-11 season. They got a lot of soul searching to do, and this game will be over quick.
November 2 @ Cal Poly- W. Right when it looked like Cal Poly was turning the corner, they take 2 steps back with Sam Huard entering the portal and no visible signs of them moving forward. Gonna be a rough season for the Stangs. Our first trip to the beach since 2018, but this will be over by halftime.
November 9 vs. UC Davis- W. Another team who hasn't been to Wa-Griz in quite some time (2018). I think Davis is the most underrated team in the league. They're gonna be loaded on offense with Miles Hastings and Lan Larison both returning. Not to mention the huge chip on their shoulder after getting snubbed from the playoffs the last 2 years. If they can get better on Defense, they'll be a tough out for anyone. I think we win a closer than expected game.
November 16 vs. Portland State- W. Gonna be a tough year for the Viks with a brutal schedule. I bet they're out of gas by the time they get to us. No problem in this one!
November 23 @ Montana State. No prediction from me in this one. I'm way too superstitious to predict this one. What I will say though is contrary to previous results, I think this is gonna be a really close game. I don't see a blowout either way. I could see this game potentially deciding the conference title again. Should be a great game!
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I think 12-0 or 11-1 for us and I really don't think that's reaching. We're probably gonna be favored in almost every game and we got a team thats built to make another deep run. That's my prediction! Thoughts???
August 31 vs. Missouri State- W. This would have been a really fun game if Bobb Petrino was still the head coach, but now the Bears are right back to being the perennial cellar dwellers of the Missouri Valley. Former Griz Iverson Young will be making his return to Wa-Griz. I don't think these guys will be the worst opponent we'll see this year, but I think we'll win handily!
September 7 @ North Dakota- W. Definitely a tricky game. We have not faced UND since 2018 when they left the Big Sky. The Fighting Hawks have had a tough offseason getting raided by the portal and several assistant coaches leaving the program. I do think UND will take a step back this year. I think this will be close most of the way but I think we pull away late and win by 10+.
September 14 vs. Morehead State- W. The Eagles are out of the Pioneer League and haven't even come remotely close to breaking into the top half of the PFL in quite some time. This one will be a big blowout with all the young guys playing in the second half.
September 21 vs. Western Carolina- W. This IMO is the marquee game of the non-conference schedule. I expect the Catamounts to be the preseason favorites to win the Socon when the poll comes out this Summer. They were really close to getting in the playoffs last year before it all fell apart. They've got more talent returning than any other team in their league. That said, we're at home and I think this will be a daunting task for them. Closer than expected, but we prevail.
September 28 @ Eastern Washington- W. Ah, the always daunting task of going to the red rug. This place has not been kind to us over the years, but if there were ever a year for us to win in Cheney, this is the year. The Eags have fallen on hard times and there's never been more pressure on them to win. Their offense will be good, but I still don't think their defense will be worth a shit. I think the Griz win comfortably and finally slay the demons.
October 5 vs. Weber State- W. I think Weber's best days are behind them. They look to me like just a middle of the road Big Sky team that's gonna be unable to turn the corner. This is Weber's first trip to Wa-Griz since 2019. This one should be no problem IMO.
October 12 vs. Northern Arizona- W. Would you believe it if I told you that this is NAU's first trip to Missoula since the infamous Case Cookus ejection game all the way back in 2017? There is nobody in their entire program that has ever been to Wa-Griz before. I think it's gonna be tough sledding for NAU this year and we get our revenge over them.
October 19 BYE. Good spot to have it.
October 26 @ Northern Colorado- W. Dark times in Greely with the Bears coming off an 0-11 season. They got a lot of soul searching to do, and this game will be over quick.
November 2 @ Cal Poly- W. Right when it looked like Cal Poly was turning the corner, they take 2 steps back with Sam Huard entering the portal and no visible signs of them moving forward. Gonna be a rough season for the Stangs. Our first trip to the beach since 2018, but this will be over by halftime.
November 9 vs. UC Davis- W. Another team who hasn't been to Wa-Griz in quite some time (2018). I think Davis is the most underrated team in the league. They're gonna be loaded on offense with Miles Hastings and Lan Larison both returning. Not to mention the huge chip on their shoulder after getting snubbed from the playoffs the last 2 years. If they can get better on Defense, they'll be a tough out for anyone. I think we win a closer than expected game.
November 16 vs. Portland State- W. Gonna be a tough year for the Viks with a brutal schedule. I bet they're out of gas by the time they get to us. No problem in this one!
November 23 @ Montana State. No prediction from me in this one. I'm way too superstitious to predict this one. What I will say though is contrary to previous results, I think this is gonna be a really close game. I don't see a blowout either way. I could see this game potentially deciding the conference title again. Should be a great game!
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I think 12-0 or 11-1 for us and I really don't think that's reaching. We're probably gonna be favored in almost every game and we got a team thats built to make another deep run. That's my prediction! Thoughts???
