Final 4 weeks of conference foe predictions. Today we got Sac, and then we'll preview Southern Utah's farewell tour next week, UC Davis on the 25th (would be 23rd but I will be out of town), and then we'll close the show on the 30th with Weber as we will officially be into game week by then. Sac State is getting a lot of attention from the national media. I'm of the belief that Kevin Thomson meant way more to that team then the media does, and I therefore am not buying the hype. I do think Sac State will be in the top half of the conference, but I'm not sure I believe they're a playoff team. Let's dive in and evaluate.
September 4 @ Dixie State - W. There's a whole host of Big Sky teams (including us) that play Dixie State this year. I believe Sac is the only team though that goes to Dixie State though so that will be interesting. Sac takes it easily though.
September 11 vs. Northern Iowa - L. A pivotal game for Sac. A true test for them to prove if they are for real or not. UNI was down in the spring and has gotten killed by the transfer portal so this game at home is winnable, but I do think UNI will be much improved this fall and they find a way to eek it out.
September 18 @ Cal - L. Not the strongest team in the PAC 12 but the golden bears recently seem to be trending in the right direction. Cal should win this game but nothing these days would surprise me I guess.
September 25 @ Idaho State - W. Sac hasn't played at ISU in a while but they should be fine in this game. Sac takes it.
October 2 BYE. Little bit of an early bye week but they will be tested early on so I think it's a good week for them to have it.
October 9 vs. Southern Utah - Should have no problem at home with the T-Birds. Sac rolls.
October 16 @ Montana - L. Definitely their toughest conference game this year. Sac has not fared well in Wa-Griz, but did give their most respectable performance in a long time in 2018 against a rebuilding Griz team. Griz will win this game but it won't be easy.
October 23 vs. Northern Arizona - W. This will be a big game for both teams who both have postseason aspirations, and I believe can attain them possibly by whoever wins this game. I believe this is a 50/50 game, but I will give it to Sac since they're at home.
October 30 @ Northern Colorado - W. No problem in this one. Sac rolls.
November 6 vs. Cal Poly - W. At home. Cal Poly will be bad. Should be fine in this one.
November 13 vs. Portland State - W. I think this is a tricky game for Sac. I like their chances at home but they cannot overlook PSU.
November 20 @ UC Davis - L. On the road for the Causeway. this potentially could be a play-in game for the playoffs with the loser at home. I give UC Davis the edge at home.
I have SAC going 7-4. They definitely got a good draw with their conference schedule. The question is, is a 7-4 Sac State team with a weaker strength of schedule worthy of getting in over a team such as Eastern who may have a similar record but a much stronger strength of schedule? I would venture probably not. I'm not ruling Sac State out as a playoff team, but with a weaker strength of schedule and an additional auto bid for the new conference, this might be enough to leave Sac State out of the playoff picture. Thoughts?
September 4 @ Dixie State - W. There's a whole host of Big Sky teams (including us) that play Dixie State this year. I believe Sac is the only team though that goes to Dixie State though so that will be interesting. Sac takes it easily though.
September 11 vs. Northern Iowa - L. A pivotal game for Sac. A true test for them to prove if they are for real or not. UNI was down in the spring and has gotten killed by the transfer portal so this game at home is winnable, but I do think UNI will be much improved this fall and they find a way to eek it out.
September 18 @ Cal - L. Not the strongest team in the PAC 12 but the golden bears recently seem to be trending in the right direction. Cal should win this game but nothing these days would surprise me I guess.
September 25 @ Idaho State - W. Sac hasn't played at ISU in a while but they should be fine in this game. Sac takes it.
October 2 BYE. Little bit of an early bye week but they will be tested early on so I think it's a good week for them to have it.
October 9 vs. Southern Utah - Should have no problem at home with the T-Birds. Sac rolls.
October 16 @ Montana - L. Definitely their toughest conference game this year. Sac has not fared well in Wa-Griz, but did give their most respectable performance in a long time in 2018 against a rebuilding Griz team. Griz will win this game but it won't be easy.
October 23 vs. Northern Arizona - W. This will be a big game for both teams who both have postseason aspirations, and I believe can attain them possibly by whoever wins this game. I believe this is a 50/50 game, but I will give it to Sac since they're at home.
October 30 @ Northern Colorado - W. No problem in this one. Sac rolls.
November 6 vs. Cal Poly - W. At home. Cal Poly will be bad. Should be fine in this one.
November 13 vs. Portland State - W. I think this is a tricky game for Sac. I like their chances at home but they cannot overlook PSU.
November 20 @ UC Davis - L. On the road for the Causeway. this potentially could be a play-in game for the playoffs with the loser at home. I give UC Davis the edge at home.
I have SAC going 7-4. They definitely got a good draw with their conference schedule. The question is, is a 7-4 Sac State team with a weaker strength of schedule worthy of getting in over a team such as Eastern who may have a similar record but a much stronger strength of schedule? I would venture probably not. I'm not ruling Sac State out as a playoff team, but with a weaker strength of schedule and an additional auto bid for the new conference, this might be enough to leave Sac State out of the playoff picture. Thoughts?
