Week 10 Big Sky Conference Breakdowns
Southern Utah @ North Dakota, Saturday, 2:00
Two former Great West foes will match up this weekend in Grand Forks. Southern Utah is coming off of a huge win last weekend against top ranked Eastern Washington. The most important thing to consider this weekend in Grand Forks will be the defenses. North Dakota has been suspect at times and if Brad Sorensen and company can get in sync early on, the Thunderbirds might be able to pull off another big victory. However, I think that North Dakota has the hotter offense and should leave the Southern Utah defense in shambles.
Projected Score: North Dakota 31, Southern Utah 27
Montana @ Weber State, Saturday, 3:30
Weber State is no longer winless, however, Montana is coming off of a 70-24 thrashing of conference bottom-feeder Idaho State. If the Grizzly offense gets going early, they won’t be stopped and Weber State will find themselves on the bottom side of a blowout. On the other hand, Weber State is coming off of a bye week after getting their first win two weeks ago. However unlikely, if the Wildcats come out to play, we could see Weber get their 2nd win of the season.
Projected Score: Montana 56, Weber State 20
Northern Colorado @ Portland State, Saturday, 4:05
The past two weeks Northern Colorado has played better. Two weeks ago they got their first conference (and D-I) win against Idaho State. Last weekend they played Northern Arizona all the way to the end in a 12-10 contest that featured ugly offenses and staunch defenses. The Vikings have certainly had their struggles as well this season and this game could be closer than many Portland State fans might like. In the end I’ve got to go with the home team. Portland State should win by ten or so.
Projected Score: Portland State 23, Northern Colorado 13
#18 Cal Poly @ #6 Eastern Washington, Saturday, 4:35
Although this game could have been bigger had Eastern Washington and Cal Poly not lost last weekend, it still is an enormous Big Sky matchup that has playoff implications. Cal Poly had trouble on defense last weekend matching up with Sacramento State’s passing attack. Eastern Washington’s offense is much more balanced than Sacramento States, however, that might pose just as much of a threat (if not more) to the Mustang defense. This game is going to be very, very close and it will come down to the team who executes their strengths better. Again, I’m going to have to give it to the home team, Eastern Washington in a squeaker.
Projected Score: Eastern Washington 28, Cal Poly 24
#13 Northern Arizona @ Idaho State, Saturday, 6:05
Northern Arizona had their slip-up game of the year and had a rough outing against Northern Colorado last weekend. However ugly that win was, it was still a win. This weekend the Lumberjacks will take on Idaho State who has been on the bottom-side of some lopsided blowouts the past couple weeks. I don’t expect Northern Arizona to have too much trouble getting past he Bengals.
Projected Score: Northern Arizona 45, Idaho State 13
#3 Montana State @ Sacramento State, Saturday, 7:05
This game is easily the second largest Big Sky match-up of the week. Sacramento State is 6-3 and looking for another breakthrough win to push for a playoff at-large bid and will need this win. On the other hand, Montana State is still trying to contend for a Big Sky title, which is definitely more realistic this week than it was with the upsets that occurred last weekend. I think that Montana State has the better defense and should challenge the Hornet passing attack. Look for a close one here, but in the end I have to give it to the Bobcats.
Projected Score: Montana State 31, Sacramento State 23
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
