Moving on with the Big Sky previews and NAU. The Jacks are a fascinating team. They have a Top 3 QB in Ty Pennington, but there will be a lot new and young pieces surrounding him on offense. Let's dive in!
August 29 vs. Eastern Washington - W. Fascinating opening game. NAU should be fine at home but if they turn out to be as bad as they were last year, then I could see them losing this game. I think they should win this game comfortably at home.
September 5 @ Arizona - L. UofA has had some good teams the last couple seasons. NAU did spring an upset on these guys several years ago but the Wildcats should roll in this game.
September 12 vs. Incarnate Word - W. Third year in a row they have UIW on their schedule. It was quite the fall from grace for the Cardinals last year. They were really starting to get their program going before really losing all the momentum last year. Not sure what they got going this year so I'll take NAU at home for now.
September 19 @ Utah Tech - W. Another UTU non-conference game that was grandfathered in. No problem for NAU making the short trip over to St. George.
September 26 @ Montana State - L. Late night game on ESPN2. Last year NAU had the lead on the cats in the first half before completely falling apart. They haven't been to Bozeman in a while but I suspect this game will once again be over in the first half.
October 3 @ Idaho State - L. This is a really fascinating game. Two evenly matched teams IMO, and this game could determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn't. I've been drinking the ISU kool aid all offseason and I believe they get this one done at home in a close game.
October 10 vs. Montana - L. The last trip to the Sky Dome did no go well for the Griz, but I do believe the Griz are a much better team. Maybe it's a little closer just because it's in Flagstaff but I think the Griz win by 10+.
October 17 vs. Portland State - W. After 3 losses in a row, here's a team that you can unleash all your frustrations on lol. PSU is gonna be bad this year and NAU needs to pour it on.
October 24 BYE.
October 31 @ Southern Utah - W. Another 50-50 game IMO. It's in Cedar City but I think when you have a QB like Pennington, you gotta win this game. Close one, but give me the Jacks!
November 7 @ Cal Poly - W. I think Poly is gonna be an improved team. That said, NAU should win this game.
November 14 vs. Weber State - W. I'm not high on Weber and NAU should be able to run it up a bit at home.
November 21 vs. Northern Colorado - W. Same with UNC, I think they take a step back this year.
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I've got NAU going 8-4 and making the playoffs. Those 3 games in late September and early October will be tricky, but after that their schedule is pretty favorable. Honestly if NAU doesn't make the playoffs with Ty Pennington at QB then that's a complete failure. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
August 29 vs. Eastern Washington - W. Fascinating opening game. NAU should be fine at home but if they turn out to be as bad as they were last year, then I could see them losing this game. I think they should win this game comfortably at home.
September 5 @ Arizona - L. UofA has had some good teams the last couple seasons. NAU did spring an upset on these guys several years ago but the Wildcats should roll in this game.
September 12 vs. Incarnate Word - W. Third year in a row they have UIW on their schedule. It was quite the fall from grace for the Cardinals last year. They were really starting to get their program going before really losing all the momentum last year. Not sure what they got going this year so I'll take NAU at home for now.
September 19 @ Utah Tech - W. Another UTU non-conference game that was grandfathered in. No problem for NAU making the short trip over to St. George.
September 26 @ Montana State - L. Late night game on ESPN2. Last year NAU had the lead on the cats in the first half before completely falling apart. They haven't been to Bozeman in a while but I suspect this game will once again be over in the first half.
October 3 @ Idaho State - L. This is a really fascinating game. Two evenly matched teams IMO, and this game could determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn't. I've been drinking the ISU kool aid all offseason and I believe they get this one done at home in a close game.
October 10 vs. Montana - L. The last trip to the Sky Dome did no go well for the Griz, but I do believe the Griz are a much better team. Maybe it's a little closer just because it's in Flagstaff but I think the Griz win by 10+.
October 17 vs. Portland State - W. After 3 losses in a row, here's a team that you can unleash all your frustrations on lol. PSU is gonna be bad this year and NAU needs to pour it on.
October 24 BYE.
October 31 @ Southern Utah - W. Another 50-50 game IMO. It's in Cedar City but I think when you have a QB like Pennington, you gotta win this game. Close one, but give me the Jacks!
November 7 @ Cal Poly - W. I think Poly is gonna be an improved team. That said, NAU should win this game.
November 14 vs. Weber State - W. I'm not high on Weber and NAU should be able to run it up a bit at home.
November 21 vs. Northern Colorado - W. Same with UNC, I think they take a step back this year.
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I've got NAU going 8-4 and making the playoffs. Those 3 games in late September and early October will be tricky, but after that their schedule is pretty favorable. Honestly if NAU doesn't make the playoffs with Ty Pennington at QB then that's a complete failure. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
