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Griz All-Conference Predictions

G

George Ferguson

Well-known member
I do this every year. All-Conference will be announced two weeks from today (Wednesday).

Here's how I see it shaping up for the Griz.

1st Team: Tucker Schye, David Reese and either James Banks or Josh Buss. Yes, the Griz have had years when they have gotten two LB's on the 1st Team, but with Bignell and Mario Jenkins pretty much locks as well, I don't see them both getting the nod, though I think they both deserve it, especially Banks who leads the Sky in total tackles. Interesting, Schye (1), Buss (2) and Banks (4) are in the Top 4 in the Sky in TFL's as well. I'm putting Ryan McKinley here as well, though he could fall to second team because he doesn't have the flashy INT numbers. But, I think he has pretty much eliminated his side of the field, and coaches do notice that. So we'll see.

2nd-3rd Team: Keenan Curran (WR), Jesse Sims (DT), David Shaw (DT), Connor Strahm (LB), JLM (PR and WR), Justin Strong (S), Angel Villaneuva (G), Josh Sandry (S). Caveat here. I really think strong was playing his way onto the first team, but his mess-up in Pullman will come into play there, mainly because he's now not played in three full games this season.

Honorable Mention: Justin Calhoun (WR), Jeremy Calhoun (RB), Cooper Sprunk (C), Robert Luke (G), Mike Ralston (OT), Brandon Purdy (K). Eric Williams (P).

Notes: If Gresch comes back and plays the last two games, I think he's honorable mention. Won't be higher due to so many veteran QB's: Gubrud, Cookus, Maier and Patrick Tyler, and it will also be interesting to see how the coaches vote for Chris Murray. He leads the conference in rushing. So Gresch may be still on the outside looking in at All-Conference this year. I also think if Simis and Horner had TE next to their names, they would both make, at the very least Honorable Mention All-Conference. If Jeremy Calhoun misses much more time, he may slide off the list all together as well, and if so, Alijah Lee may slide into the Honorable Mention spot. Also, there is a spot reserved for ST Player on each team, and no idea who the Griz will nominate for that. From what I've seen in the last few games, I'd nominate Jace Lewis or Gage Smith. Those two guys are animals.

Here's my picks for postseason awards as well.

Offensive MVP: Case Cookus; Defensive MVP: I want to go with Schye here, but I think SUU's Chined Ahanonu may win it. Freshman of the Year: Gresch Jensen regardless of how many more games he plays. Coach of the Year: Too close to call right now between Demario Warren and Jay Hill.

Well, those are my picks. I'm sure they differ from other posters on here, but one thing to take into account, coaches vote on these, not us in the media, and NOT SID's. At least I know for a fact, Montana and Montana State don't have their SID's do this. Because I've asked them. The coaches actually really do get together and spend a couple hours on this. So, we'll see how it all plays out.
 
George Ferguson said:
I do this every year. All-Conference will be announced two weeks from today (Wednesday).

Here's how I see it shaping up for the Griz.

1st Team: Tucker Schye, David Reese and either James Banks or Josh Buss. Yes, the Griz have had years when they have gotten two LB's on the 1st Team, but with Bignell and Mario Jenkins pretty much locks as well, I don't see them both getting the nod, though I think they both deserve it, especially Banks who leads the Sky in total tackles. Interesting, Schye (1), Buss (2) and Banks (4) are in the Top 4 in the Sky in TFL's as well. I'm putting Ryan McKinley here as well, though he could fall to second team because he doesn't have the flashy INT numbers. But, I think he has pretty much eliminated his side of the field, and coaches do notice that. So we'll see.

2nd-3rd Team: Keenan Curran (WR), Jesse Sims (DT), David Shaw (DT), Connor Strahm (LB), JLM (PR and WR), Justin Strong (S), Angel Villaneuva (G), Josh Sandry (S). Caveat here. I really think strong was playing his way onto the first team, but his mess-up in Pullman will come into play there, mainly because he's now not played in three full games this season.

Honorable Mention: Justin Calhoun (WR), Jeremy Calhoun (RB), Cooper Sprunk (C), Robert Luke (G), Mike Ralston (OT), Brandon Purdy (K). Eric Williams (P).

Notes: If Gresch comes back and plays the last two games, I think he's honorable mention. Won't be higher due to so many veteran QB's: Gubrud, Cookus, Maier and Patrick Tyler, and it will also be interesting to see how the coaches vote for Chris Murray. He leads the conference in rushing. So Gresch may be still on the outside looking in at All-Conference this year. I also think if Simis and Horner had TE next to their names, they would both make, at the very least Honorable Mention All-Conference. If Jeremy Calhoun misses much more time, he may slide off the list all together as well, and if so, Alijah Lee may slide into the Honorable Mention spot. Also, there is a spot reserved for ST Player on each team, and no idea who the Griz will nominate for that. From what I've seen in the last few games, I'd nominate Jace Lewis or Gage Smith. Those two guys are animals.

Here's my picks for postseason awards as well.

Offensive MVP: Case Cookus; Defensive MVP: I want to go with Schye here, but I think SUU's Chined Ahanonu may win it. Freshman of the Year: Gresch Jensen regardless of how many more games he plays. Coach of the Year: Too close to call right now between Demario Warren and Jay Hill.

Well, those are my picks. I'm sure they differ from other posters on here, but one thing to take into account, coaches vote on these, not us in the media, and NOT SID's. At least I know for a fact, Montana and Montana State don't have their SID's do this. Because I've asked them. The coaches actually really do get together and spend a couple hours on this. So, we'll see how it all plays out.
Click to expand...

Chinedu Ahononu blew out his knee in the first quarter of Southern Utah's win over Eastern Washington. He won't get MVP. Don't discount Mike Needham from Southern Utah as a first-team selection. He's the most versatile linebacker in the league and he's a two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection in his career. He would become the 45th three-time first-team All-league selection in school history. Sometimes, this recognition has "career-achievement" elements in them.

In terms of how these are selected, the coaches get on a conference call and each coach gets a few minutes for each position to give their case for their guy. Nomination then promotion play a big factor.

Leading candidates for Defensive MVP are Weber State defensive tackle McKay Murphy, safety Kam'Ron Johnson from Northern Arizona, Tucker Schye from Montana and George Obinna.
 
in my view of the griz,,,banks has elevated his game to a top honor while calhoun has not played to the standard he set last year,
 
Appreciate the optimism but this is a big damn conference and many times these post-season awards tend to get watered down since there's so much to choose from AND many of the coaches/media only see 8 of the 13 total teams...

That said my guess would be these guys get some consideration:

James Banks - 1st or 2nd team. The "Herbert Gamboa effect" of being the most solid player but with less flashy stats than the other LBs. I think he'll be nicely recognized for what a complete LB he is.

Josh Buss - 1st or 2nd team. I'd guess he'll land opposite of where Banks does, so if he's 1st team Banks will be 2nd team. Added to the national Defensive MVP list, should get some love by Big Sky voters too.

Connor Strahm - H.M. or 3rd team. I think voters tend to penalize players that have dealt with suspensions. His body of work, considering he missed 2 games and split time through 2 others is impressive, but when stacking him up against other LBs I think he's probably looking at an Honorable Mention.

Tucker Schye - 3rd or 2nd team. 4th best in sacks, I like his TFL numbers but there's a ton of others with the same or better fumbles forced / fumble recovery numbers. I think his lack of flashy/dominant play hurts him in some voters eyes.

Ryan Mickinley - I have no clue where he'll land. 2nd best in passed defended and a ton of tackles for a corner. He's one of the better CB's in the conference but has just 1 pick, and has had quite a few others go through his hands. If he maybe caught a few more that'd make his body of work all the better. I think he deserves consideration for 2nd or maybe 1st team, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's lower than that.

Justin Strong - Honorable Mention. Again I'm thinking he'll be punished for his off field issue. He's one of the better safeties in the conference and his PSU performance will probably get him some consideration. However by the end of the season, assuming he plays against UNC and MSU he'll have played just 8 games, and right now he's only got 31 tackles.

Jesse Sims & David Shaw - Honorable Mention. One of these two will get some small recognition. IMO it should be Sims, he strikes me as the interior player that's been smarter about gap assignment than Shaw.

David Reese - 1st team. The Big Sky likes to not just recognize the top players at positions but also consider their entire career. Reese is a 4 year starter and one of the very best LTs in the Big Sky. His length of time as a starter will get him extra love from the voters

Jerry Louie McGee - Honorable mention. Good all purpose yards, could get some attention from his ST work.

I could also see a few other guys get some honorable mention love, Luke, Ralston, Curran, Favoroso, Sandry, Jensen. Not all, maybe a few.
 
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