You are all free to rank these teams based on whatever metric you want, but I'm going to exclude strength of schedule and rank solely on best team to worst team just because I don't wanna do that much analyzing and nitpicking with schedules. Here we go:
1. Idaho - I know there are a lot of conflicting feelings on the Vandy's but I still remain in the camp that they are the best team. They're loaded at every position on Offense. They're maybe not the strongest on Defense but I think their Offense can make up for it.
2. cats - Let's take away the DUI's and the difficult schedule for a minute and talk solely about the players. They are not responsible for the actions of their coaches and I'm sure this has put them in a difficult and uncomfortable spot, but they have the best Offense of anyone in the league. I wasn't very high on their Defense last year and now with O'Riley and Okada both gone I think they're really gonna have to rely on their Dline this year which should be pretty good with both Valdez and Grebe. I think their LB's are ok but their secondary is what really gives me pause. I think it's rather inexperienced and untested, and I think they're gonna put a lot of pressure on their front 7. Good thing their offense can mask most mistakes made by the defense.
3. Montana - I do believe in this team. The demons of last season are still haunting many of you here (understandably so) but I've put last season in the rearview mirror and I'm ready to start talking about this season. From a coaching staff standpoint, we got everything we could have possibly asked for. New coordinators on both sides of the ball and a completely new offensive scheme. Vidlak looked very impressive through spring ball and I like the addition of McDowell. I think we have a top 2 RB room in the conference, great receivers, all 5 starting OL returning from last season. Tight End with Grossman now out is the only spot that now gives me pause about the offense. I think our DL led by Gubner will be very good, LB's have always been very good, Safties will be very good, but CB's give me pause. I think Walker is great and Gradney is slept on a bit. I think Klucewich and Jackson will both do well, but how good can that room be outside of Walker? Remains to be seen!
4. UC Davis - I don't think Davis gets enough love. They were 6-5 last year but had a tough schedule. There losses were to CAL, South Dakota State, Weber, cats, and Sac State with 4 out of 5 of those on the road. May I remind you that they beat Idaho in Moscow last year? I think Miles Hastings is a great QB. They do gotta figure out how to replace Ulonzo Gilliam but there's tons of talent on their offense and I think they have a good (not great) defense. Don't sleep on this Davis team. They will be a playoff team this year!
5. Weber State - Lots of talent returning on both sides of the ball, but they're transitioning from a defensive to now an offensive head coach. I've been on record that I'm not a huge fan of the Mickey Mental hire and that they'll never be what they were under Jay Hill, but maybe he'll prove me wrong. The biggest thing that gives me pause about Weber is QB. I have no idea who their QB is. I'm assuming it's that Kylan Weisser kid and he has started and played in some games, but I don't think he's anything special. I think they should've used the portal a little bit more then they have, and they seem to be a bit resistant to that, but I have a hard time believing Weber can maintain what they were under Jay Hill with Mickey Mental at the helm.
6. Sacramento State - Lots of new faces at Sac State. They now move to a defensive head coach in Andy Thompson (I hope he does well). New QB I assume will be Carson Camp, the transfer from South Dakota, Marcus Fulcher is a good RB, Jared Gipson who will forever live in empathy here for stepping out of bounds is back at WR, got some good guys back on the OL, great TE Marshel Martin is back, their Defense wasn't great last year and I think it will hold them back again this year. There are some decent players but as a unit I don't think their Defense will be great, and I think that's what holds them back this year.
7. Portland State - This is just where they kind of always are. Dante Chachere is one of the better QB's in the league. They have some talent but not enough.
8. Northern Arizona - They're overhauling the roster and IMO they may be the most mysterious team in the league. I honestly can't get any type of a good read on them but I think Chris Ball needs to have a good year to hang onto his job but I don't think he will.
9. Cal Poly - Sam Huard is good enough to pull Cal Poly out of the gutter regardless of how bad their Defense is. Huard himself is good enough to win them 2-3 games in conference play IMO.
10. Eastern Washington - Outside of Efton Chism, what playmakers are on this team? What about this team would give you any hope that they could be even decent this season? I've seen some discussion on Twitter that they like their QB, but even then their Defense is hot garbage, and with a new AD, I think Aaron Best could be feeling the heat a little bit now!
11. Northern Colorado - I love Ed Lamb but it's gonna take him some time to get it going in Greeley. He's got a good QB and a good leader on the D in David Hoage, but beyond that they got a lot of work to do.
12. Idaho State - Cody Hawkins is in for a long re-build. I have no idea who their QB is and this season for them will be a survival of the fittest. Just get through the year with your head held high and put your head in the sand and work. Good luck to them!