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Predicting the Big Sky ESPN games 3 weeks out

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Griz til I die

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Three weeks from today the networks that carry College Football (including ESPN) will release their broadcast schedules. While we wait, I'm gonna try and predict which 4 games from the Big Sky ESPN will broadcast this year, but first here's a reminder of the criteria for game selection:

- 4 regular season games broadcasted nationally on the networks of ESPN (Friday or Saturday)
- At least 2 games must air on ESPN or ESPN2
- At least one game cannot feature either Montana school

With all of that in mind, here's what I think ESPN is going to take:

Saturday 8/29 Southern Utah @ Montana (ESPN)
Friday 9/25 Montana @ UC Davis (ESPN2)
Saturday 10/3 Montana State @ Idaho (ESPN2)
Friday 11/6 Northern Arizona @ Southern Utah (ESPN2)

It's kind of tough to predict this year because there were only 3 Big Sky teams that made the playoffs last year. The cats don't really have a lot of good options this year. They don't play Davis, and they host NAU the same weekend the Griz go to Davis, so I don't think they would take 2 games that same weekend. As for the non Montana game, that's pretty tough. I'm going with NAU vs. SUU cause they were both first four out teams last year, and I guess it could be considered a rivalry game with the close proximity to each other? I suppose it could also be Davis @ Idaho but I don't see ESPN wanting to make two trips to Moscow. I also thought for a while they would take Idaho @ Griz, but the Griz released their Volleyball schedule today and they play a night home game the same day Football hosts the Vandy's. So I think we can rule it out. Griz vs. SUU on 8/29 makes a lot of sense as there are no FBS games that weekend, and it's a prime opportunity for the Griz to get on ESPN (and maybe even ABC).

Also as a reminder, the Griz will also be on national TV when they play @ Oregon State. That game will be broadcasted on either the CW or USA Network. My guess is probably USA.

That's my prediction for now. Any thoughts?
 
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The conference is doing Southern Utah and Utah Tech no favors by sending them to Montana in week 0. That will be a very fun game if it is at night and on ESPN. The only game we have opened on ESPN that I can remember was 2015 under the smoke against NDSU.
 
5280Griz said:
The conference is doing Southern Utah and Utah Tech no favors by sending them to Montana in week 0. That will be a very fun game if it is at night and on ESPN. The only game we have opened on ESPN that I can remember was 2015 under the smoke against NDSU.
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That game was right up there App St semi and NDSU semi games. having Musburger and Jessie call that game was great too!
 
Da Boyz Mom said:
I'm just here to make my now annual comment that writing a contract that says at least one game cannot include either Montana school is pretty crazy.
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I'm ok with it just because the Scripps contract solely covers Montana school games. They don't televise any non Montana games at all out of the like 18-20 games they're contracted. I think one tiny provision to allow everyone else one game excluding the Montanas is ok. Especially cause most of the time that game goes to either Idaho or Davis, and they definitely carry some weight in the BSC.
 
Griz til I die said:
I'm ok with it just because the Scripps contract solely covers Montana school games. They don't televise any non Montana games at all out of the like 18-20 games they're contracted. I think one tiny provision to allow everyone else one game excluding the Montanas is ok. Especially cause most of the time that game goes to either Idaho or Davis, and they definitely carry some weight in the BSC.
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Oh I totally get why they do it, it's just crazy that they have to. And not a great look for the rest of the conference for sure.
 
ISUguy said:
I’m hearing the Idaho State-Montana game Nov.21 will be moved to 830 and broadcast on one of the ESPN outlets.
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It would be November 14. If that’s the game that’s selected then it’s definitely not one of the games I had on my radar though. I would be ok with that one getting the nod though.
 
The full slate:

August 28 Idaho @ Cal Poly (ESPN)
September 26 Northern Arizona @ Montana State (ESPN2)
October 2 Montana State @ Idaho (ESPN)
October 3 Eastern Washington @ UC Davis (ESPN2)
November 14 Idaho State @ Montana (ESPN or ESPN2)

8 different teams and 5 different venues will be featured on ESPN linear networks with no ESPNU games which is awesome. 5 games is the most the Big Sky has ever had! Two Friday night games (UI @ CP)(MSU @ UI) and three Saturday night games! Griz luck out and get no Friday night games this year!
 
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Griz til I die said:
A reminder that tomorrow is TV Network selection day! We'll find out which of our Big Sky games will be broadcasted on ESPN and the kickoff times too. We will also get our network selection and kick time for Oregon State as well tomorrow. I hope Scripps releases their schedule tomorrow but they usually like to wait until July or so before they do that.
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Looks like Oregon state game is 8pm pacific time kickoff !!!!
 
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Oh you're not gonna like this. Griz @ Oregon State will kickoff at 9pm MT (8pm PT) on USA Network. That's a really late kickoff in MT. Hopefully the 8:30 kickoffs have conditioned everyone for this moment!
 
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