Big Sky Conference Power Rankings: Preseason
By Shaun Bummer
8. North Dakota
First game: vs. South Dakota Mines
North Dakota enters the 2012 season coming off of their most successful season at the Division I level in 2011 going 8-3, and will enter a new chapter in their football history entering the Big Sky this season. North Dakota returns an impressive nine starters on offense, most notably with RB Jake Miller, who rushed for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns, and WR Greg Hardin, who received 43 catches for 549 yards in nine games before suffering a year ending injury. Both Miller and Hardin earned first team all-Great West Conference honors in 2011. As for the quarterback position, North Dakota will turn to Braden Hanson, a transfer from North Carolina who completed 9-of-16 passes for 185 yards in a backup role for the Tar Heels. Returning on the defensive side of the ball are five starters, including DE Ross Brenneman who led the team with 8.5 sacks in 2011. North Dakota didn’t receive any breaks in the conference schedule and will play Montana, Montana State, and Eastern Washington all in October, along with an early season trip to play FBS San Diego State.
9. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
First game: @ Arizona State
With 15 starters returning along with a strong offensive backfield, Northern Arizona is a popular pick to surprise in the Big Sky this season. The Lumberjack’s offensive attack is led by RB Zach Bauman who was a unanimous all-Big Sky first team player last season. Additionally, QB Cary Grossart returns having passed for 2,745 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
The defense has some holes to fill however, but should be just fine with DE Jarret Bilbrey leading the way up front. Overall, Northern Arizona’s schedule is very front loaded with Arizona State, UNLV, Montana, and Portland State all within the first five games. However, the back half of the schedule sets up nicely, and without Montana State or Eastern Washington on the slate the Lumberjacks too will have a shot to make some noise in the conference race.
10. Idaho State Bengals
First game: @ Air Force
Big Sky head coaching veteran Mike Kramer will enter his second season at the helm of Idaho State, and while there’s still some rebuilding to be done in Pocatello, the future’s bright for the Bengals as they will likely improve on their two wins last season. Idaho State returns nine starters on offense, most notably WR Rodrick Rumble who had an outstanding 1,348 yards receiving and12 touchdowns last season. Additionally, QB Kevin Yost returns with 2,973 yards passing last season. The Bengal defense has some nice talent with CB Donovan Henley who had four interceptions last season in addition to Austin Graves. Like a few others, Idaho State does catch a break in the conference schedule not having to face Montana State or Eastern Washington.
11. UC Davis Aggies
First game: vs. Azuza Pacific
UC Davis will enter the Big Sky this season with 15 starters returning off of a 4-7 campaign in 2011. Entering his third season as a starter for UC Davis is QB Randy Wright, who passed for 2,250 yards and 14 touchdowns in last season with only six interceptions. Additionaly, C Ray Wilburn and G Sean Davies are notably returners on the offensive line who both earned first team all-Great West Conference honors in 2011. On the defensive side of the ball DE Bobby Erskine will be a force up front with 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks last season and 2 forced fumbles last season. Additionally, FS Kevyn Lewis will lead secondary along with experience at linebacker in Jordan Glass and Byron Gruendl. While the Aggies should be greatly improved in 2012, their final record may not show it with a tougher Big Sky Conference schedule.
12. Sacramento State Hornets
First game: @ New Mexico State
Sacramento State had high expectations in 2011, and with early season a win over Oregon State along with their first victory over Montana in school history, the Hornets looked like they would fulfill those expectations. Unfortunately, the Hornets fell flat going 2-5 in their last seven games.
Having to fill major holes in the offensive backfield, this will be another rebuilding year for Sacramento State. However, the Hornets do have strong linebackers in Todd Davis and Jeff Badger along with S Ryan McMahon. On offense, Sacramento State will have a decent offensive line, but will need to turn to WR Morris Norrise as a big playmaker. Sacramento State also opens up the season against two straight FBS opponents in New Mexico State and Colorado, but the Hornets do miss Montana and Portland State in the conference schedule.
13. Northern Colorado Bears
First game: @ Utah
No bones about it, last season was a disaster going 0-11 including a loss to D-2 transitional Lindenwood to open the season. As a whole, the Bears haven’t had much success since making the jump to the FCS in 2004 and that isn’t likely to change in 2012. However, there is some nice talent returning for Northern Colorado that could help the Bears make a little noise in the conference this season. Coming back is LB Clarence Bumpas, who was one of the best in the entire FCS last season with 145 tackles and 10.5 for loss. Additionally, LB Cameron Friend and DT Devontae Chapple will look make strong contributions in the front seven along with FS Marcel Gibbons in the secondary.
The offense will also have potential returning QB Seth Lobato who passed for 2,448 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, along with a few returning starters in the running back and wide receiver positions. While the Bears will more than certainly be under .500 this season, don’t be shocked to see them snag a few wins here and there with the experience returning.