EARLY PREDICTIONS

[brewskis]

My Predictions For UM In 2016 Season

8-3 Record
BCS Championship. It Might Be A Co-Championship
Win Two Playoff Games
Defense Will Be Ranked Higher Nationally
Gus Starts Every Game
A New Transfer Player Stars On Defense
Beat Poly On The Road

A "BCS" championship would be truly amazing.

BSC is so weak anymore I really don't know who else will win it. I think we have the best front 7 and skill players on offense in the conference, barring anything too crazy and I think we should do it.

 

[Sam A. Blitz]

My Predictions For UM In 2016 Season

8-3 Record
BCS Championship. It Might Be A Co-Championship
Win Two Playoff Games
Defense Will Be Ranked Higher Nationally
Gus Starts Every Game
A New Transfer Player Stars On Defense
Beat Poly On The Road

A "BCS" championship would be truly amazing.

BSC is so weak anymore I really don't know who else will win it. I think we have the best front 7 and skill players on offense in the conference, barring anything too crazy and I think we should do it.

NAU will have something to say about that... UND's schedule has already been discussed.

The skill players we have are skilled, but also very inexperienced. Same can be said about our defensive front 7. Will be interesting to see how they step up. However, I'm most interested to see how our OL performs. If they get the job done, Brady will look a lot better and people will be talking about how great our young WR's are. Having Weyer back at center may be the most underappreciated difference this year.

Defense will be extremely interesting. Lots of new faces. Kidder needs to be dominant. I think he will be.

 

[AZDoc]

My Predictions For UM In 2016 Season

8-3 Record
BCS Championship. It Might Be A Co-Championship
Win Two Playoff Games
Defense Will Be Ranked Higher Nationally
Gus Starts Every Game
A New Transfer Player Stars On Defense
Beat Poly On The Road

A "BCS" championship would be truly amazing.

Think they can beat 'bama?

 

[brewskis]

My early prediction is that NAU finishes at best 3rd in the conference. They will trip and tall enough times no matter how much talent they have retained.

 

[Atlanta Griz1]

NAU is not as good as some on here are making them out to be. They have a great QB, a great WR, and a couple of great defenders. But, they have a weak defense overall, and their running game should not be too solid. I don't see them winning the conference. Their biggest challenge will be a lack of depth. If they get a few injuries, which are bound to happen, their replacements are weak. Remember, I live in Arizona, and have some connections to people close to that program.

 

[brewskis]

NAU is not as good as some on here are making them out to be. They have a great QB, a great WR, and a couple of great defenders. But, they have a weak defense overall, and their running game should not be too solid. I don't see them winning the conference. Their biggest challenge will be a lack of depth. If they get a few injuries, which are bound to happen, their replacements are weak. Remember, I live in Arizona, and have some connections to people close to that program.

They've been a .500 team for as long as I remember. I think this year may be a little better, but not a top dog year by any means.

 

[MT Jack]

NAU is not as good as some on here are making them out to be. They have a great QB, a great WR, and a couple of great defenders. But, they have a weak defense overall, and their running game should not be too solid. I don't see them winning the conference. Their biggest challenge will be a lack of depth. If they get a few injuries, which are bound to happen, their replacements are weak. Remember, I live in Arizona, and have some connections to people close to that program.

An 86-72 record for NAU over the last 14 years is essentially a .500 record but they've been trending up the last 4 years with a record of 31-15. This is a pretty young team with a lot of freshman getting playing time last season. Offense looks to be a strength this year with Cookus and Butler returning. OL and DL have more depth than in the past. OL injuries have been an issue in the past. Running back depth may be an issue as they only have 2 returning players with significant experience. Their starting kicker and punter will both be brand new but the kicking game has been a traditional strength. Defense is what needs to improve to get over the proverbial hump.

I don't think the Lumberjacks will win the league but playing the better league teams on the schedule at home (UM, EWU) will help. NAU plays quite well at home but they haven't found a way to win big games on the road and that often is the difference between being a good team and being a great team.

As always, I look forward to seeing Griz supporters out in force in late October @ the Skydome. Will you be in attendance, Atlanta Griz? Good chance this game will be a rare (parent's weekend, homecoming and UM seem to be the usual occasions) sell out.

 

[Atlanta Griz1]

NAU is not as good as some on here are making them out to be. They have a great QB, a great WR, and a couple of great defenders. But, they have a weak defense overall, and their running game should not be too solid. I don't see them winning the conference. Their biggest challenge will be a lack of depth. If they get a few injuries, which are bound to happen, their replacements are weak. Remember, I live in Arizona, and have some connections to people close to that program.

An 86-72 record for NAU over the last 14 years is essentially a .500 record but they've been trending up the last 4 years with a record of 31-15. This is a pretty young team with a lot of freshman getting playing time last season. Offense looks to be a strength this year with Cookus and Butler returning. OL and DL have more depth than in the past. OL injuries have been an issue in the past. Running back depth may be an issue as they only have 2 returning players with significant experience. Their starting kicker and punter will both be brand new but the kicking game has been a traditional strength. Defense is what needs to improve to get over the proverbial hump.

I don't think the Lumberjacks will win the league but playing the better league teams on the schedule at home (UM, EWU) will help. NAU plays quite well at home but they haven't found a way to win big games on the road and that often is the difference between being a good team and being a great team.

As always, I look forward to seeing Griz supporters out in force in late October @ the Skydome. Will you be in attendance, Atlanta Griz? Good chance this game will be a rare (parent's weekend, homecoming and UM seem to be the usual occasions) sell out.

I would never miss this game! I'll be there with about 10-15 other Griz fans. We already have our reservations at Little America!

 

[JDoub]

Lots of attention for NAU this year. I say they finish 5th-ish in the Big Sky. Cookus will go the route of many Big Sky all-rookie QBs -- still good, but will see a sophomore slump now that everyone will watch hours of film on him.

Portland State is my sleeper pick to win the conference. They were bunched up in my opinion behind EWU, NAU, and UM until today, when they picked up 3 transfers that can play, including 2 all-conference FBS guys. Not that those players will make all the difference, just a sign to me that Barney ball is not just a one season fad.


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[Atlanta Griz1]

Lots of attention for NAU this year. I say they finish 5th-ish in the Big Sky. Cookus will go the route of many Big Sky all-rookie QBs -- still good, but will see a sophomore slump now that everyone will watch hours of film on him.

Portland State is my sleeper pick to win the conference. They were bunched up in my opinion behind EWU, NAU, and UM until today, when they picked up 3 transfers that can play, including 2 all-conference FBS guys. Not that those players will make all the difference, just a sign to me that Barney ball is not just a one season fad.


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You could be right

 

[marceagfan5]

Griz, EWU, MSU make the playoff, same ole story, just another year...

Cupp - Offensive MVP
Kidder - Defensive MVP

MSU dies early in the playoffs

EWU and Griz make decent runs...This talk about the Big Sky being down is a joke, show me another conference besides the MVFC that has had more success than the Big Sky the past 5 or 10 years. and the MVFC is only on the list because of one dominant team

 

[bgbigdog]

Griz, EWU, MSU make the playoff, same ole story, just another year...

Cupp - Offensive MVP
Kidder - Defensive MVP

MSU dies early in the playoffs

EWU and Griz make decent runs...This talk about the Big Sky being down is a joke, show me another conference besides the MVFC that has had more success than the Big Sky the past 5 or 10 years. and the MVFC is only on the list because of one dominant team

state ag over NAU or UND? UND has a cupcake schedule, NAU has an outstanding offense and MSU just collapses in late fall. Did I mention state ag has a new coach?

 

[marceagfan5]

Griz, EWU, MSU make the playoff, same ole story, just another year...

Cupp - Offensive MVP
Kidder - Defensive MVP

MSU dies early in the playoffs

EWU and Griz make decent runs...This talk about the Big Sky being down is a joke, show me another conference besides the MVFC that has had more success than the Big Sky the past 5 or 10 years. and the MVFC is only on the list because of one dominant team

state ag over NAU or UND? UND has a cupcake schedule, NAU has an outstanding offense and MSU just collapses in late fall. Did I mention state ag has a new coach?

MSU's schedule isn't that bad and i'm not sold on either UND or NAU. UND does have an easier schedule but just because they have a great RB, I don't see them running through that schedule. NAU has some weapons but I'm still not sold. I like MSU's chances over NAU and UND and I think they made the right hire for their coach...

 

[grizcountry420]

Griz, EWU, MSU make the playoff, same ole story, just another year...

Cupp - Offensive MVP
Kidder - Defensive MVP

MSU dies early in the playoffs

EWU and Griz make decent runs...This talk about the Big Sky being down is a joke, show me another conference besides the MVFC that has had more success than the Big Sky the past 5 or 10 years. and the MVFC is only on the list because of one dominant team

state ag over NAU or UND? UND has a cupcake schedule, NAU has an outstanding offense and MSU just collapses in late fall. Did I mention state ag has a new coach?

MSU's schedule isn't that bad and i'm not sold on either UND or NAU. UND does have an easier schedule but just because they have a great RB, I don't see them running through that schedule. NAU has some weapons but I'm still not sold. I like MSU's chances over NAU and UND and I think they made the right hire for their coach...

I think UND will run all over the Cats, especially since Gregorak is over there coaching their D.

 

[brewskis]

Griz, EWU, MSU make the playoff, same ole story, just another year...

Cupp - Offensive MVP
Kidder - Defensive MVP

MSU dies early in the playoffs

EWU and Griz make decent runs...This talk about the Big Sky being down is a joke, show me another conference besides the MVFC that has had more success than the Big Sky the past 5 or 10 years. and the MVFC is only on the list because of one dominant team

Not being in the NC for 5 years feels pretty down to me.

I agree with EWU and Griz, not sold on blowsmen. The lack of Dakota Prukop and some linemen will better represent that overrated offense that they had last season. Defense will be just as bad. Gregorak is a virus schematically and personally.

 

[marceagfan5]

Not being in the NC for 5 years feels pretty down to me.

I agree with EWU and Griz, not sold on blowsmen. The lack of Dakota Prukop and some linemen will better represent that overrated offense that they had last season. Defense will be just as bad. Gregorak is a virus schematically and personally.

True...but the Big Sky had a team in the Final 4 from 2008-2014...although it was only two teams (UM/EWU) the only other conference that can make that claim over the past 10 years is MVFC...

 

[AZGrizFan]

Griz, EWU, MSU make the playoff, same ole story, just another year...

Cupp - Offensive MVP
Kidder - Defensive MVP

MSU dies early in the playoffs

EWU and Griz make decent runs...This talk about the Big Sky being down is a joke, show me another conference besides the MVFC that has had more success than the Big Sky the past 5 or 10 years. and the MVFC is only on the list because of one dominant team

Check out MVFC's non-conference record the past few years. :shock:

 

[jodcon]

It's the lack of an Early Prediction from the east that is surprising...even they realize the shitshow that is going to hit Lego Stadium this fall.

 

[JDoub]

True...but the Big Sky had a team in the Final 4 from 2008-2014...although it was only two teams (UM/EWU) the only other conference that can make that claim over the past 10 years is MVFC...

Well actually no, the Big Sky hasn't had a team in the final four since 2013. But we did have final four teams from 2008-2013, more than the MVFC (3) during that span.

MVFC in the final four streak started in 2011, NDSU was knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2010, UNI and WIU lost in the 1st and 2nd rounds. Then you have to go back to 2008 to find another MVFC team in the final 4 , UNI who lost in the semis.


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[Atlanta Griz1]

True...but the Big Sky had a team in the Final 4 from 2008-2014...although it was only two teams (UM/EWU) the only other conference that can make that claim over the past 10 years is MVFC...

Well actually no, the Big Sky hasn't had a team in the final four since 2013. But we did have final four teams from 2008-2013, more than the MVFC (3) during that span.

MVFC in the final four streak started in 2011, NDSU was knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2010, UNI and WIU lost in the 1st and 2nd rounds. Then you have to go back to 2008 to find another MVFC team in the final 4 , UNI who lost in the semis.


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The thing that makes the MVFC better than the Big Sky, is their depth of quality across the conference. There are few "gimmie" games in that league.