Week 7 Big Sky Game Breakdowns
There are no major showdowns on the weekend horizon for any of the Big Sky teams. Don’t get us wrong, the six games on the Big Sky schedule this week are not dogs by any means, but there is no major showdown between two top-five opponents or league unbeatens that will draw the viewers in. The closest thing to a showdown this week comes with the final game of the schedule as Northern Arizona travels to Sacramento State. Here is a look at this week’s six games:
#6 Eastern Washington at North Dakota, Saturday, 3:35
Eastern Washington visits the Magic Carpet of Grand Forks in a game that should show off EWU’s vaunted offense. Eastern Washington allows close to 32 points per game but it scores 38 points a game. Both teams are 16-of-17 on red zone chances. UND has 14 touchdowns and two field goals. EWU has 13 touchdowns and three field goals. The teams are similar, except Eastern Washington QB Vernon Adams could break open this game, and he probably will, with his average of 317 yards and 19 total touchdowns.
Projected Score: Eastern Washington 40, North Dakota 24
Portland State at Southern Utah, Saturday, 4:05
Although Portland State is 0-2 in the Big Sky there are indicators this matchup is tilted in Portland State’s favor. The team leads the overall series 8-2 and is 3-1 in games played at Southern Utah’s campus. So why am I picking Southern Utah? For starters, Portland State hasn’t visited Cedar City since 1991. Portland State has committed eight more turnovers than it surrendered. While Portland State has close to 269 yards rushing, Southern Utah’s defense allows just 115 yards. If Southern Utah’s defense is immediately stingy, this game is over.
Projected Score: Southern Utah 27, Portland State 17
Northern Colorado at Idaho State, Saturday, 5:05
Although Idaho State leads the overall series 20-9, Northern Colorado has shown signs of life in this series as it has won four of the last five matchups. This includes a 52-14 victory last season behind five touchdown passes by Seth Lobato. Lobato is hard at work again, with 292 passing yards per game. Northern Colorado has lost five games in a row since a season-opening victory. Northern Colorado should snap the losing streak here, especially if Lobato gets off to a fast start.
Projected Score: Northern Colorado 30, Idaho State 20
#18 Montana at UC Davis, Saturday, 7:05
Although UC Davis got off to a slippery start this season with an 0-4 start, the Aggies have won their first two Big Sky games this season and righted the ship, so to speak. The teams first played in 1926 and Montana leads the overall series 4-0. Could UC Davis finally break through? It’s going to be difficult. Montana leads the league in scoring offense at 40.1 points per game, is plus-8 in turnover margin and has not thrown a single interception this season. If Montana can shut down UC Davis RB Gabe Manzanarez, this game may be a one-sided affair.
Projected Score: Montana 42, UC Davis 17
Weber State at Cal Poly, Saturday, 9:05
Cal Poly beat Weber State 45-23 last season, and all indicators are this season could be a repeat of 2012. Cal Poly averages 267.6 yards per game while Weber State allows 242 yards per contest, and Cal Poly’s Kristaan Ivory averages 116.8 rushing yards per game. Weber State is off to a 1-5 start, including an 0-2 mark in the Big Sky. Cal Poly isn’t doing much better at 2-3 overall, but it is 1-0 in Big Sky play. Weber State leads the overall series 5-4, but Cal Poly should score the equalizer.
Projected Score: Cal Poly 41, Weber State 23
#17 Northern Arizona at Sacramento State, Saturday, 9:05
The marquee game of the Big Sky this week has Sacramento State, which is off to a 2-0 start for the first time in conference history, entertaining a Northern Arizona team that has allowed a league-low four passing touchdowns. Northern Arizona’s Zach Bauman needs 76 rushing yards to move into seventh place on the Big Sky’s all-time list. Sacramento State QB Garrett Safron has 16 touchdown passes this year. Which team’s offense gets started first will determine the outcome of this game.
Projected Score: Sacramento State 42, Northern Arizona 21
