Big Sky Conference Preview/Predictions: Week 2

It’s another big week of Big Sky Conference action as we head into the second round of games in the FCS college football football season.

This week’s slate features a big time showdown between FCS powers Montana and Appalachian State that will get attention nationwide.  Additionally, Eastern Washington will look to pull off a second straight “upset” over an FBS opponent when they take on Washington State this week and Montana State will make a trip to Drake, Bobcat head coach Rob Ash’s old stomping grounds.

Now, here’s a look at this week’s Big Sky match ups!

Bummer’s Big Sky pick-em record:  0-0 conference, 13-0 overall

GAME OF THE WEEK: Montana @ Appalachian State

It’s a big game for the entire subdivision as our game of the week features Montana taking on Appalachian State.  The Grizzlies have won both of their previous games against the Mountaineers in classic fashion, both in the FCS semifinals in 2000 and 2009. The two playoff games were in Washington-Grizzly Stadium and now, the Grizzlies will head to Kidd-Brewer Stadium for the first time in school history.

Montana’s strength on offense will be its run game. The Grizzlies had two 100+ yard rushers in Dan Moore and Peter Nguyen last weekend against South Dakota along with a nice performance from RS freshman Trent McKinney also with a duel-threat capability.

Jamal Jackson, who passed for 300 yards last weekend against East Carolina, is a nice quarterback with duel-threat capability for the Mountaineers. Additionally, Appalachian State has a solid group of receivers in Tony Washington, Andrew Peacock, and true freshman Malachi Jones that can put up solid numbers against the Montana secondary.

Both teams also have out standing linebacking corps to watch.  The Montana defense is led by Jordan Tripp who earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors last weekend along with other strong linebackers in John Kanongata’a and Brock Coyle, while the Mountaineers have two strong players up the middle in Jeremy Kimbrough and Brandon Grier.

This game has all the makings of a classic and can go either way.  However, look for the Appalachian State passing game to lead the way to a close Mountaineer victory.

Appalachian State 35, Montana 31

Southern Utah @ California

Although Southern Utah played FBS Utah State last week it was expected the Thunderbirds would put up a fight against the Aggies.  Instead, they lost 34-3, and FCS All-American QB Brad Sorensen struggled to put up yards only going 12-of-31 for 153 yards and an interception.

This week, Sorensen and the Thunderbirds will look to improve against a second-straight FBS opponent:  California.  The Golden Bears disappointed last week too with a 31-24 loss to Nevada as the Cal defense gave up 450 yards, 220 of them on the ground.  However, Cal QB Zach Maynard should be able to put up big yards against Southern Utah’s inexperienced secondary, and unless the Southern Utah offense makes a drastic improvement in week 2, expect NT Aaron Tipoti and the Cal defense to lead the way for a Golden Bear victory.

California 40, Southern Utah 10

Sacramento State @ Colorado

Sacramento State struggled against FBS New Mexico State in week one, however, QB Garrett Safron was a bright spot for the Hornets passing for 308 yards and two touchdowns against the Aggies.  This week, Sacramento State will take on another FBS opponent in Colorado who suffered a close 22-17 loss to rival Colorado State last week.

The Hornets do have a linebacker corps worth mentioning led by Jeff Badger and Todd Davis and with Buff FS Ray Polk out with injury, Sacramento State actually matches up pretty well with Colorado ignoring the talent gap (if that makes sense).  However, Colorado LB Jon Major and DT Will Pericak will lead the way to a convincing Buffalo victory.

Colorado 45, Sacramento State 21

Weber State @ BYU

Weber State didn’t get much going against Fresno State last week, especially in the run game.  However there were positives, QB Mike Hoke went 25-of-32 for 202 yards and a touchdown along with some help from WR Jordan Clemente who had nine catches.  This week, the Wildcats will likely receive an even tougher test against a BYU team that dominated Washington State and shut down Mike Leach’s offense last week.  While BYU will win again this week, do keep an eye on LB Luke King and SS Willie Okwuonu who both had nine tackles last week.

BYU 42, Weber State 13

Eastern Washington @ Washington State

Of all the Big Sky vs. FBS match ups this week, this is easily the most interesting.  Eastern Washington had a solid week one against Idaho, beating the Vandals 20-3.  QB Kyle Padron only went 13-of-33 passing, but still had 260 yards through the air.  Expect WR Nicholas Edwards, who had five catches for 148 yards against the Vandals, to have a big game along with other receivers in Brandon Kaufman and Greg Herd.

This game is going to be a shootout.  While Eastern Washington has a chance to pull off an FBS upset for the second straight week, look for the Cougars to get their first win in the Mike Leach era.

Washington State 35, Eastern Washington 24

Colorado Mesa @ Northern Colorado

As expected, Northern Colorado lost to Utah convincingly 41-0 as the Utes shut down QB Seth Lobato and the Bear rushing attack.  This week, the Bears will take on Division II Colorado Mesa.  The Mavericks do have some solid talent in OL Trevor Stapp and DL Domonique Lewis, but expect LB Clarence Bumpas and the Bears to get their first victory since November 13, 2010.

Northern Colorado 31, Colorado Mesa 17

Black Hills State @ Idaho State

Idaho State gave up a whopping 626 yards of offense against an option heavy Air Force team last week, however there were some positives for the Bengals on the offense.  QB Kevin Yost went 41-of-52 for 355 yards and two touchdowns while WR Derek Graves put up 15 catches for 118 yards.

This week the Bengals will take on Black Hills State, a Division II team who was selected to finish 10th (out of ten) in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this season.  Look for Idaho State to get their first victory of the season.

Idaho State 38, Black Hills State 10

Portland State @ North Dakota (non-conference)

Portland State will take on North Dakota this week in the first game between two Big Sky members this season.  However, this is a non-conference match up so it will not count in the conference standings.  North Dakota rolled 66-0 over South Dakota Mines last week while Portland State defeated Carroll College 38-20.  Both teams have solid rushers in UND’s Jake Miller and PSU’s DJ Adams.  However, Portland State will have the edge on defense with DE Marquis Jackson and LB’s Ian Sluss and Joel Sisler.  We’ll take the Vikings in a nail biter.

Portland State 24, North Dakota 20

Montana State @ Drake

Montana State head coach Rob Ash makes his return to Drake where he was the coach for 18 seasons before taking over for the Bobcats in 2007.  Montana State defeated Division II Chadron State in week one as QB Danarius McGhee went 29-of-40 for 176 yards and four touchdowns.  Additionally, RB’s Cody Kirk and Orenzo Davis combined for 154 yards on the ground in the 33-6 victory.

Drake on the other hand defeated NAIA Grand View 28-8.  The Bulldogs have a very solid quarterback in Michael Piatkowski who went 25-of-41 passing for 271 yards last week, along with standouts at linebacker in Travis Merritt and Tyler Moorehead.  However, the Bobcats just have too much offensive firepower, along with standouts on defense in DT Zach Minter and LB Jody Owens, to let the Bulldogs hang around.

Montana State 38, Drake 13

UC Davis @ San Jose State

UC Davis pounded Azusa Pacific 41-7 last week and now, the Aggies will take on a San Jose State team that almost beat Stanford 20-17.  Last week, Colton Silveria and Marquis Nicolis combined to rush for 131 yards while QB Randy Wright went 13-of-19 for 166 yards.

The Aggies have the potential to keep it close, but look for San Jose State to limit the ground game for UC Davis while Spartan QB David Fales and the receiving crops will outmatch the Aggie secondary.

San Jose State 31, UC Davis 17

Aug. 30, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Northern Arizona mascot Louie the Lumberjack poses for a picture during the game against Arizona State at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

Northern Arizona @ UNLV

Northern Arizona struggled against Arizona State last week losing 63-6 in addition to injuries to QB Cary Grossart and RB Zach Bauman.  The good news for the Lumberjacks is that both Grossart and Bauman will be back against UNLV.  The Rebels suffered a heart breaking 30-27 defeat in triple overtime against Minnesota last week.  Arguably, the Rebels are strongest in the defensive front seven, and should be able to contain Grossart and Bauman.  Additionally, UNLV RB Tim Cornett had a solid game against the Gophers rushing for 127 yards and two touchdowns.  Look for UNLV to win a reasonably close one.

UNLV 28, Northern Arizona 17