Time for another prediction, this time we're doing the team that's the biggest mystery IMO, NAU. A new era for the Jacks as they welcome in Brian Wright as head coach. Wright did not retain a single coach from the previous staff and there will be a lot of new face at NAU. Britt transferred out, I think Adam Dimonte is still there though, so we shall see. Let's dive in!
August 31 vs. Lincoln - W. Third year in a row that Lincoln will play a Big Sky team (PSU, Cal Poly) so good for them, but bad on these Big Sky teams for continuing to schedule them. Should be an easy first win for the Brian Wright era.
September 7 @ Arizona - L. This game has become an annual occurrence at this point. Arizona should have a good team this year, but I'm really not impressed by the hire of Brent Brennan as their new head coach. Regardless, this game shouldn't be an issue this year.
September 14 @ Utah Tech - W. There's no way they're gonna lose to them again, are they? Last year was kind of an anomaly as they turned the ball over like 6 times I think. If they can play a clean game, they should be able to beat them this year, even if it is on the road. Could be close, but I'll go with NAU.
September 21 @ Incarnate Word - L. If you didn't follow UIW last year, they went 8-2 (last game of the year was cancelled) and they missed the playoffs with the committee citing a very weak strength of schedule being the reason. I do expect UIW to bounce back this year and win the Southland. Calzada is back at QB, and UIW has a tough non-conference schedule going to South Dakota State and going to Southern Illinois. They have to win this game if they wanna make the playoffs, and I believe they will.
September 28 vs. Sacramento State - L. It's at home, but I think Sac's gonna have a good team this year, and there's no reason they shouldn't win this game.
October 5 @ Idaho - L. If this game were in the sky dome, I would maybe pick the upset, but in the Kibbie Dome I'm not gonna do it.
October 12 @ Montana - L. Talk about a brutal 3 game stretch to open conference play. NAU hasn't been to Missoula since 2017 since the infamous Case Cookus ejection game, and there is nobody on their entire team that's been to UM. Plus the Griz will be out for blood in this one. Griz win easily on Homecoming.
October 19 vs. Idaho State - W. I'll say they eek this one out at home. Really close game, and I won't be surprised if ISU wins, but I'll stick with NAU.
October 26 BYE
November 2 vs. Weber State - L. Another close game. I'm not very high on Weber but I do think they will win this game. Closer than expected though.
November 9 @ Cal Poly - W. If they don't win this game, then they're in a lot worse shape than I thought. They should be fine in this one.
November 16 @ Northern Colorado - W. Same thing as Cal Poly. They should be embarrassed if they lose this one.
November 23 vs. Eastern Washington - L. Could be a big game for the Eags. NAU won this game in Cheney last year, and they could very well win in Flagstaff this year, but right now I think Eastern is the slightly better team so I'll go with Eastern for now.
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I got NAU going 5-7 which seems to be right around where they always are. I could see them getting to 7-5 but I'd be surprised. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
August 31 vs. Lincoln - W. Third year in a row that Lincoln will play a Big Sky team (PSU, Cal Poly) so good for them, but bad on these Big Sky teams for continuing to schedule them. Should be an easy first win for the Brian Wright era.
September 7 @ Arizona - L. This game has become an annual occurrence at this point. Arizona should have a good team this year, but I'm really not impressed by the hire of Brent Brennan as their new head coach. Regardless, this game shouldn't be an issue this year.
September 14 @ Utah Tech - W. There's no way they're gonna lose to them again, are they? Last year was kind of an anomaly as they turned the ball over like 6 times I think. If they can play a clean game, they should be able to beat them this year, even if it is on the road. Could be close, but I'll go with NAU.
September 21 @ Incarnate Word - L. If you didn't follow UIW last year, they went 8-2 (last game of the year was cancelled) and they missed the playoffs with the committee citing a very weak strength of schedule being the reason. I do expect UIW to bounce back this year and win the Southland. Calzada is back at QB, and UIW has a tough non-conference schedule going to South Dakota State and going to Southern Illinois. They have to win this game if they wanna make the playoffs, and I believe they will.
September 28 vs. Sacramento State - L. It's at home, but I think Sac's gonna have a good team this year, and there's no reason they shouldn't win this game.
October 5 @ Idaho - L. If this game were in the sky dome, I would maybe pick the upset, but in the Kibbie Dome I'm not gonna do it.
October 12 @ Montana - L. Talk about a brutal 3 game stretch to open conference play. NAU hasn't been to Missoula since 2017 since the infamous Case Cookus ejection game, and there is nobody on their entire team that's been to UM. Plus the Griz will be out for blood in this one. Griz win easily on Homecoming.
October 19 vs. Idaho State - W. I'll say they eek this one out at home. Really close game, and I won't be surprised if ISU wins, but I'll stick with NAU.
October 26 BYE
November 2 vs. Weber State - L. Another close game. I'm not very high on Weber but I do think they will win this game. Closer than expected though.
November 9 @ Cal Poly - W. If they don't win this game, then they're in a lot worse shape than I thought. They should be fine in this one.
November 16 @ Northern Colorado - W. Same thing as Cal Poly. They should be embarrassed if they lose this one.
November 23 vs. Eastern Washington - L. Could be a big game for the Eags. NAU won this game in Cheney last year, and they could very well win in Flagstaff this year, but right now I think Eastern is the slightly better team so I'll go with Eastern for now.
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I got NAU going 5-7 which seems to be right around where they always are. I could see them getting to 7-5 but I'd be surprised. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
