Montana favored again, but expanded league has several contenders
The new-look Big Sky Conference has an old look when it comes to football.
The addition of Northern Colorado makes the Sky a nine-team league but does nothing to change the obvious: Montana is favored.
A year ago Eastern Washington ended the Grizzlies’ eight-year reign as the preseason favorite but the perennial power came through to tie the Eagles and Montana State for a share of the championship.
Though the league is expected to be close, the thinking seems to be, when in doubt, go with the Griz. That’s not a bad idea considering Montana has a streak of 20 straight winning seasons, at least a share of eight-straight league titles and a record 13 consecutive I-AA playoff appearances. Four different coaches have presided over that run.
“I think there are going to be a few teams that surprise people that haven’t traditionally been near the top,” Eastern coach Paul Wulff said. “I think you’ll be hard pressed to find somebody better than 6-2 in the league. If someone is 7-1, they’ll have a hell of a year.”
A tight Big Sky Conference is nothing new. It has been five years since there was a single champion and three times since three teams have tied for the title.
However, something new might tip the balance of power.
All three of the tri-champions, plus contender Idaho State, start 2006 with a new quarterback.
One other factor that clouds the Sky is the prevalence of money games. BSC teams have a large number of games against I-A opponents. How they come out of those physically and mentally could also affect the league race.
Portland State has the biggest challenge with games against New Mexico and California in September and Oregon in October. EWU opens at Oregon State and West Virginia. Weber goes to Colorado State, Montana has Iowa and MSU is at Colorado.
As for the addition of Northern Colorado, Wulff likes it for more than balancing the league schedule with four home and four road games.
“I think that geographically they’re the absolute best of what we could get,” he said. “It fits the image of the Big Sky Conference. There are some awfully good kids in the state of Colorado.”
Montana Grizzlies
2005 record: 8-4, 5-2 BSC
Head coach: Bobby Hauck, 29-11 3 seasons
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 9 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Oct. 7 in Cheney
Outlook: The Grizzlies return as many starters as anyone and with the addition of senior QB Josh Swogger (Washington State) and senior WR Craig Chambers (Washington, if eligible), why shouldn’t they be favored. The season-ending injury to RB Lex Hilliard, one of the favorites for offensive MVP, hurts but the Griz picked up two dropdown running backs, Reggie Bradshaw (Louisville) and Greg Coleman (Iowa State). One question mark is the offensive line, which has three new starters, maybe four. The defense should be salty with a veteran back seven and defensive end Mike Murphy, who has 20.5 career sacks.
Portland State Vikings
2005 record: 6-5, 4-3 BSC
Head coach: Tim Walsh, 83-64 in 13 seasons, 110-78 in 17 overall
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 6 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Oct. 21 in Portland
Outlook: The tendency is to dismiss the Vikings because of those three D-I money games but those games have no bearing on the league race. PSU, with an eight-straight home winning streak, returns QB Sawyer Smith to play behind a veteran offensive line. That line only allowed 10 sacks and the Vikes led the league in rushing. They hope to fill the hole at RB with New Mexico State transfer Mu’ammar Ali and get help at wide receiver from UNLV transfer Tremayne Kirkland. Punt returner Brendan Ferrigno is a game-breaker. The key on defense is finding linebackers.
Eastern Washington Eagles
2005 record: 7-5, 5-2 BSC
Head coach: Paul Wulff, 41-28 in six seasons
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 6 on defense
Outlook: Like the two teams projected higher, a new quarterback is essential in the Eagles’ success, but replacing Payton Award winner and two-time league Offensive MVP Erik Meyer isn’t the only concern. Eric Kimble, one of the best WR in I-AA history, is one of four departing from that position along with both starting CBs and league Defensive MVP Joey Cwik at LB. However, the offensive line, the DL and five quality safeties are plenty to build around. If the lines hold up, a strong running game and a run-stuffing, pass-rushing defense should help the new starters contribute without pressure.
Idaho State Bengals
2005 record: 5-6, 3-4 BSC
Head coach: Larry Lewis, 38-40 in seven seasons
Returning starters: 9 on offense, 6 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Nov. 11 in Cheney
Outlook: Senior QB Matt Guttierrez (Michigan) better be as good as advertised considering the Bengals return zero passing yards. If he is the offense should be just fine, especially with a veteran offensive line. Junior Josh Barnett has led the team in rushing two straight years and sophomore Ken Cornist plowed into the end zone 14 times as a freshman. Senior WR Akilah Lacey was hurt last year but had 56 receptions as a sophomore. The success probably hinges on a new defensive line. However, with veteran linebackers and cornerbacks, the DL should have time to grow.
Montana State Bobcats
2005 record: 7-4, 5-2 BSC
Head coach: Mike Kramer, 32-38 in six seasons, 67-70 in 12 overall
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 7 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Sept. 23 in Bozeman
Outlook: The Bobcats have tied for three of the last four titles, going 23-12 in league play since ‘01. To keep their best run of success since the 70’s going they have to replace QB Travis Lulay and three new receivers. Cory Carpenter, a junior, came out of spring ball ahead of transfer Jack Rolovich (Hawaii). The receivers are likely to all be new to the program, Donnell Wheaton (UNLV), Michael Jefferson (Arizona), and Deon Tolliver (JC). Sophomore RB Evin Groves emerged as a star late last season and the Cats return a solid line, anchored by local product Joe Hirst (East Valley) at tackle. The key on defense is how new linebackers step in.
Weber State Wildcats
2005 record: 6-5, 4-3 BSC
Head coach: Ron McBride, 6-5 in one season, 94-68 in 14 overall.
Returning starters: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Nov. 4 in Ogden
Outlook: Despite returning QB Ian Pizarro, who threw for 2,357 yards, the Wildcats took a hit when RB Zach Hall (848 yards) was lost for the season. That puts Adrian Conway (560 yards) behind a rebuilt line (twins Paul and Pat McQuistan were the only Big Sky players drafted). The losses on defense are even more pronounced, especially Brady Fosmark and Shane Barkdull off the line. A 4-1 home record helped WSU rebound from a 1-10 mark to post a winning season in McBride’s first year but improving on that may be difficult.
N. Arizona Lumberjacks
2005 record: 3-8, 1-6 BSC
Head coach: Jerome Souers, 43-49 in 8 seasons
Returning starters: 7 on offense, 8 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Oct. 28 in Cheney, Homecoming
Outlook: This the last chance for quarterback Jason Murrietta to discover the magic that made him the BSC Offensive MVP as a true freshman. Murrietta threw 29 TD passes as a true freshman, 29 in the last two seasons with 32 interceptions. There is hope with four linemen and a couple wide receivers returning. The Lumberjacks will have to find a running back to take pressure off the passing game. A miserable defense that allowed almost 30 points and more than 375 yards a game should be better as long as the eight returning starters improve.
Northern Colorado Bears
2005 record: 4-7
Head coach: Scott Downing, 1st season, 13-4-1 in two seasons overall
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 8 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Oct. 14 in Greeley
Outlook: Another team without a proven QB while learning a new coach and a new league. However, the rest of the offense has some experience, including 1,000-yard runner Andre Wilson. The defense has experience but last year’s experience wasn’t real good, giving up more than 25 points a game. Downing is a veteran, spending the last three years as Nebraska’s recruiting coordinator and tight ends-kicking coach. There is also tradition with nine D-II playoff appearances from 1980-02 and national titles in 1996 and 1997 under Joe Glynn.
Sacramento St. Hornets
2005 record: 2-9, 1-6 BSC
Head coach: Steve Mooshagian, 7-26 in 3 seasons
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 10 on defense
When they play the Eagles: Sept. 30 in Cheney
Outlook: Any hope to finally make a move up the standings rests on a defense that was made to look worse than it was by an error-prone offense. The Hornets lost 20 fumbles, threw seven interceptions and allowed 36 sacks. The new quarterback and offensive line can’t be any worse than last year’s turnover-plagued group. Ryan Mole is a quality running back and there are a couple a veteran receivers, including the coach’s son. It’s unlikely this group can do any more than hope to stay out of the basement. The schedule doesn’t help with a I-A followed by 2005 playoff teams Cal Poly, Montana and EWU.