Exciting Big Sky match-ups in Griz bye week

Griz fans, there are still other ways to get your football fix when Montana takes a bye week.

The Montana Grizzlies are the only football team in the Big Sky Conference not playing a game this weekend, but two conference foes will be playing in televised games on Saturday.

There is plenty of gridiron action taking place this weekend, and here is a quick look at what you can expect:

Sacramento State at Portland State (Saturday 7:05 p.m.)
Conference play gets under way – at least for these two teams. The first Big Sky match-up of the 2007 season features two teams that are still searching for their first victories in 2007.
The Vikings led UC Davis last weekend 17-3, but the Aggies made a second-half comeback to win 26-17.
Sac State had a bye week following its 24-3 loss to Fresno State. In that game, the Hornets defense gave up 266 rushing yards and 475 total yards, while still managing to force three fumbles.
Given Portland State’s history against Sacramento State – the Vikings have won seven straight games against the Hornets – I’m taking Jerry Glanville’s team. Hopefully the Vikings can hold a lead in this one.

Northern Arizona at Appalachian State (Saturday 3:35 p.m.)
The Mountaineers made headlines – and the cover of Sports Illustrated – for their stunning upset over Michigan. Now, NAU heads to Boone, N.C., in an attempt to topple the top FCS team in the country for its own storied victory.
The last time NAU played the nation’s top team the Lumberjacks came away with a big win. In the first round of the 2003 playoffs, NAU defeated top-ranked McNeese State 35-3.
The Mountaineers should watch out for NAU cornerback K.J. Gerard. He had six tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and an interception in last weekend’s 45-24 loss to Arizona.
That was four years ago, and that was McNeese State. I’m still not over the Michigan upset, so I’m thinking shutout in favor of Appalachian State.

Eastern Washington hosts UC Davis (Saturday 7:05 p.m.)
UC Davis, a member of the Great West Conference, heads to Cheney to take on another Big Sky foe after beating PSU last weekend. A hot UC Davis defense sacked Portland State quarterback Brian White nine times. PSU has allowed 15 sacks in just two games, after only allowing 25 sacks all of last season, the lowest in the league.
Eastern Washington just picked up a two-time junior college All-American defensive back to aid an injured core of safeties. Terry Mixon joined the Eagles this week and is expected to play Saturday, according to Eagles head coach Paul Wulff. Mixon (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) just left the Washington State football team last week after transferring from Grossmont College near San Diego. He will most likely play at strong safety. The Eagles already lost three safeties for the season to injuries: senior Gregor Smith (shoulder), sophomore Jesse Hoffman (elbow) and freshman redshirt Ethan Robinson (Achilles).
Mixon was ranked the No. 1 safety in the nation by JCFootball.com last year, and I’m excited to see what he can do at EWU. I’m taking the Eagles in this one.

Weber State at Cal Poly (Saturday 7:05 p.m.)
Cal Poly is another GWC member taking on a Big Sky team.
Weber State is winless, with its only game this season resulting in a loss to Boise State. Cal Poly is off to an 0-2 start for the first time since 2002, and is coming off a 20-13 loss to Idaho. I’m taking the Wildcats, if for no better reason than because they are a fellow conference member.

Northern Colorado at San Diego (Saturday 7:05 p.m.)
The Bears are still searching for their first win after a disappointing shutout loss to Division II Chadron State last weekend. Northern Colorado had just 214 yards of total offense in the 31-0 defeat, less than half of the 479 yards its lower-division opponent racked up.
San Diego is a member of the West Coast Conference and is 2-0 on the season. The Toreros are led by senior All-America quarterback Josh Johnson, who was tabbed the Pioneer Football League’s Offensive Player of the Week for the 10th time in his career after USD defeated Marist College 38-17.
This time, no love for the newest Big Sky team – I’m taking San Diego.

Montana State hosts Dixie State (Saturday 1:05 p.m.)
Rob Ash and the Bobcats have a home game at last, after a bye week following their loss to Texas A&M. This time, MSU faces a lower-division opponent in Division II Dixie State.
This is the first meeting between the two teams.
Dixie State polished off Western New Mexico 26-14 on Saturday. It was the Rebels’ first road victory, and the team only won one game last year. This is the first season Dixie State is a four-year college.
The Bobcat offense compiled 402 yards at A&M, and the Cats are 24-10 in home openers. I’m taking Montana State.
The game will be televised on Montana Sports Network.

Idaho State at Oregon State (Saturday 4:35 p.m.)
The Bengals hit the road to face a Pac-10 foe in daunting Reser Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Network.
Idaho State enters its second game already the national leader in rushing defense and total defense. In the last game, John Zamberlin’s defense held Southern Oregon to 24 rushing yards and just 119 yards of total offense. Idaho State had 13 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, five sacks and three interceptions.
But will a stingy defense be enough to overpower Oregon State? Idaho State will be tested by Oregon State’s superstar running back Yvenson Bernard. The stud rushed for over 1,300 yards last season.
The Beavers are coming off a 34-3 loss at Cincinnati, but the defense has only allowed slightly over 200 yards per game so far.
I don’t see this one being an upset – I’m taking Oregon State.