Big Sky News

[bincitysioux]

Idaho St filled out their 2013 schedule.

They'll play 12 games. Their OOC games are against 2 non-DI schools in Dixie St. and Western St., and 2 FBS schools in Washington and Brigham Young.

[darell1976]

Idaho St filled out their 2013 schedule.

They'll play 12 games. Their OOC games are against 2 non-DI schools in Dixie St. and Western St., and 2 FBS schools in Washington and Brigham Young.

Those are going to be some ugly FBS games.

[bincitysioux]

One of the many things that I think makes the Big Sky rather exciting is the unbalanced schedule, and the potential advantages/disadvantages it may create for the teams in the conference. Based upon 2011 win-loss record, Cal Poly had by far and away the easiest schedule in 2012, and they rode it to a 7-1 finish, a share of the conference title, and a playoff berth.

Here is how the toughest schedules shake out for the upcoming season, based on 2012 opponents winning percentage:

1. Montana (.594)
   
   
2. Weber St. (.532)
   
   
3. Northern Colorado (.532)
   
   
4. North Dakota (.516)
   
   
5. Northern Arizona (.500)
   
   
6. UC Davis (.500)
   
   
7. Montana St. (.500)
   
   
8. Southern Utah (.485)
   
   
9. Idaho St. (.485)
   
   
10. Cal Poly (.485)
    
    
11. Portland St. (.469)
    
    
12. Sacramento St. (.469)
    
    
13. Eastern Washington (.438)
    

For teams that had identical opponent W-L records, I took the liberty of ranking them based on my own subjective standards. For example 3 teams have schedules with .500 win percentages (NAU, UCD, and MSU). However MSU only plays one of last season's co-champs, while NAU and UCD both play two of the co-champs. NAU has to travel to both games, while UCD gets one of them at home, so I gave NAU the nod as the team with the most difficult .500 opponent schedule, yadda, yadda, yadda...............

Couple interesting points:

• EWU has the easiest schedule in 2013. They had the toughest in 2012 and still managed to go 7-1 and win the conference.
  
• Montana and Weber are the only teams that play all three 2012 Co-Champions
  

Just something kind of fun to consider when making predictions about how the conference race will shake out as the off-season progresses.

[WeAreNorthDakota]

Idaho St filled out their 2013 schedule.

They'll play 12 games. Their OOC games are against 2 non-DI schools in Dixie St. and Western St., and 2 FBS schools in Washington and Brigham Young.

What are they trying to do? Write the book on how to give yourself no shot at the playoffs under any circumstances?

[mg2009]

What are they trying to do? Write the book on how to give yourself no shot at the playoffs under any circumstances?

its amazing that idaho st once won an FCS title.

[bincitysioux]

Here's a look at all the known Big Sky non-conference games...............

Cal Poly: San Diego, @ Fresno St., @ Colorado St., Yale

EWU: @ Oregon St., Western Oregon, @ Toledo, @ Sam Houston St.

ISU: Dixie St., Western St., @ Washington, @ BYU

UM: Appalachian St., @ UND, Oklahoma Panhandle St., @ South Dakota

MSU: @ NDSU, @ Stephen F. Austin

UND: Valparaiso, South Dakota St., Montana

NAU: @ Arizona

UNC: CSU-Pueblo, @ Wyoming, Northern Iowa

PSU: @ Cal, @ UC Davis

SAC: @ San Jose St., @ Arizona St.

SUU: @ Washington St.

UCD: @ South Dakota, @ Nevada, Portland St.

WSU: Stephen F. Austin, @ Utah, @ Utah St., @ McNeese St.

[jdub27]

What are they trying to do? Write the book on how to give yourself no shot at the playoffs under any circumstances?

They copied UNI's formula except decided to use their 12th game to schedule a second non-counter.

[WeAreNorthDakota]

They copied UNI's formula except decided to use their 12th game to schedule a second non-counter.

They could go 7-1 in the Big Sky and barely get a look from the committee. Talk about sending a message to your players that you don't care to see them in the postseason.

[Bison Dan]

Montana QB (JJ) was aquitted on rape charges and their board is saying that he will return to the FB team.

[The Sicatoka]

Montana QB (JJ) was aquitted on rape charges and their board is saying that he will return to the FB team.

Is that good, or just a continuation of the distraction.

[homer]

He'll be a boost to U of Mont. next season. He's a heck of a QB.

[westsidesioux]

Johnson is a good QB but I wouldn't exactly write him back into the top of the depth chart. Greg Rachac from the Billings Gazette seems to think that he still has some hurdles to clear back at UM even after the legal process has played out, doesn't sound like it will be too tough for him though...

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/football/with-acquittal-johnson-can-appeal-to-return-to-griz/article_842f2c7b-c6dc-57ef-a0d1-a30d7e6d1a7d.html

[jodcon]

If Jordan wants to play next year he'll have to appeal to the athletic conduct committee to be reinstated, which should be a formality now that the trial is over. I think spring drills start in about 2 weeks so things might move quickly if he decides to appeal.

There would be no competition if he decides to play, he is among the best dual-threat QB's in the league, and much better than any other option we have.

[SWSiouxMN]

It would throw Montana back into the discussion for Big Sky championship if he gets his clearance. Hopefully he doesn't get the "Few Good Men" treatment, or else eGriz might go on full tilt, but I doubt that happens.

[UND Fan]

If Jordan wants to play next year he'll have to appeal to the athletic conduct committee to be reinstated, which should be a formality now that the trial is over. I think spring drills start in about 2 weeks so things might move quickly if he decides to appeal.

There would be no competition if he decides to play, he is among the best dual-threat QB's in the league, and much better than any other option we have.

Question - do you need to be enrolled to participate in spring drills? I assume their 2nd semester began right after the first of the year and it is too late to enroll for on-campus classes. That said, I suppose he could enroll in some on-line courses and qualify - there are likely various on-line classes starting all the time.

[jodcon]

Question - do you need to be enrolled to participate in spring drills? I assume their 2nd semester began right after the first of the year and it is too late to enroll for on-campus classes. That said, I suppose he could enroll in some on-line courses and qualify - there are likely various on-line classes starting all the time.

He has been going to classes the whole time during the investigation, he never left school.

[UND Fan]

He has been going to classes the whole time during the investigation, he never left school.

Ok - thanks. I had understood that he wasn't enrolled.

[jodcon]

As expected Jordan Johnson reinstated by athletic conduct board at Montana, will start spring drills with team on March 18.

[bincitysioux]

I wonder if Johnson's return will spark a turnaround for the Griz. He is a very talented QB. However, it seemed to me that their biggest struggles were on the defensive side of the ball last season..............

[geaux_sioux]

I wonder if Johnson's return will spark a turnaround for the Griz. He is a very talented QB. However, it seemed to me that their biggest struggles were on the defensive side of the ball last season..............

I'd say so

[southpaw]

Didn't Montana get the Minnesota transfer QB this winter?

[jodcon]

Didn't Montana get the Minnesota transfer QB this winter?

Montana was one of the rumors about Shortell, but I have no idea where he ended up, seems like he disappeared.