We are now halfway through the Big Sky predictions and today we look at Northern Colorado. The Bears had what I would consider for them a somewhat breakout year last season as they managed to surprise some people can they do it again this year? Side note, UNC has finally installed lights at their stadium and 5 of their 6 home games this year will be night games. Let's dive in!
August 29 vs. Weber State - W. I think UNC wins this game at home. Weber has a lot of change and combined with the excitement of the first ever night game in Greeley, the Bears get it done.
September 5 vs. South Dakota - L. UNC nearly won this game in Vermillion last year back when USD was free falling in September. I'm not very high on USD this year. 3rd coach in 3 years, they're gonna have a new QB, and it feels like they've had enough turmoil that they could miss the playoffs. However I do expect the Yotes to win this game. Could be close, but I'll take them.
September 12 @ Wyoming - L. The Cowboys have been really bad under Jay Sawvell. However there does seem to be more optimism around the Cowboys this year. UNC got screwed last year against Colorado State. A botched call by the refs prevented them from winning that game. I like Wyo at home but I don't expect them to blow the doors off of UNC.
September 19 vs. Northeastern State - W. A D2 program located in Oklahoma. I believe I may have read once that NE State's head coach was a finalist for the Weber job. Beyond that, IDK much about these guys and I suspect UNC will have no problem with them.
September 26 vs. Utah Tech - W. This could be an interesting game. We'll get to UTU in a few weeks but this feels like the Trailblazers best chance at a win. I like UNC at home though but it could be close.
October 3 @ Montana - L. This will be their toughest game to this point. The first game I feel pretty confident they will get destroyed in.
October 10 @ Eastern Washington - L. UNC has not fared well against Eastern. I expect that to continue. Close game but Eastern wins at home.
October 17 vs. Cal Poly - L. I'm actually kinda high on Poly. I think Tim Skipper was a great hire and I think they will start to turn the corner this year. Poly wins by 10!
October 24 @ UC Davis - L. A 4th consecutive loss, ouch!
October 31 BYE
November 7 @ Southern Utah - L. SUU I expect will be a better team than UNC. TBirds could be on the bubble by the time this game rolls around. SUU wins at home!
November 14 vs. Montana State - L. UNC's only home game that's not at night. The cats should have this over in the 1st quarter.
November 21 @ Northern Arizona - L. Just like with SUU, NAU could find themselves on the bubble. Can't drop this game at home, but I don't expect them too. Jacks roll at home!
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I've got UNC going 3-9. I think they'll benefit from a softer schedule in September, but once things ramp up in October, I expect their true colors to show. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
August 29 vs. Weber State - W. I think UNC wins this game at home. Weber has a lot of change and combined with the excitement of the first ever night game in Greeley, the Bears get it done.
September 5 vs. South Dakota - L. UNC nearly won this game in Vermillion last year back when USD was free falling in September. I'm not very high on USD this year. 3rd coach in 3 years, they're gonna have a new QB, and it feels like they've had enough turmoil that they could miss the playoffs. However I do expect the Yotes to win this game. Could be close, but I'll take them.
September 12 @ Wyoming - L. The Cowboys have been really bad under Jay Sawvell. However there does seem to be more optimism around the Cowboys this year. UNC got screwed last year against Colorado State. A botched call by the refs prevented them from winning that game. I like Wyo at home but I don't expect them to blow the doors off of UNC.
September 19 vs. Northeastern State - W. A D2 program located in Oklahoma. I believe I may have read once that NE State's head coach was a finalist for the Weber job. Beyond that, IDK much about these guys and I suspect UNC will have no problem with them.
September 26 vs. Utah Tech - W. This could be an interesting game. We'll get to UTU in a few weeks but this feels like the Trailblazers best chance at a win. I like UNC at home though but it could be close.
October 3 @ Montana - L. This will be their toughest game to this point. The first game I feel pretty confident they will get destroyed in.
October 10 @ Eastern Washington - L. UNC has not fared well against Eastern. I expect that to continue. Close game but Eastern wins at home.
October 17 vs. Cal Poly - L. I'm actually kinda high on Poly. I think Tim Skipper was a great hire and I think they will start to turn the corner this year. Poly wins by 10!
October 24 @ UC Davis - L. A 4th consecutive loss, ouch!
October 31 BYE
November 7 @ Southern Utah - L. SUU I expect will be a better team than UNC. TBirds could be on the bubble by the time this game rolls around. SUU wins at home!
November 14 vs. Montana State - L. UNC's only home game that's not at night. The cats should have this over in the 1st quarter.
November 21 @ Northern Arizona - L. Just like with SUU, NAU could find themselves on the bubble. Can't drop this game at home, but I don't expect them too. Jacks roll at home!
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I've got UNC going 3-9. I think they'll benefit from a softer schedule in September, but once things ramp up in October, I expect their true colors to show. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
