Around the Big Sky: Football

#14 Eastern Washington (0-0) at Nevada (0-0)

An intriguing matchup between Eastern Washington and WAC power Nevada has coaches all around the Big Sky conference on their toes.  The Eagles lost quarterback stud Matt Nichols to the NFL, but they return All-American running back Taiwan Jones along with Buchanan Award contender linebacker JC Sherritts, defensive lineman Renard Williams and defensive back Matt Johnson.  Nevada, on the other hand, is looking to build off its 8-4 season last year and emerge out of the Boise State shadow in the WAC. The Wolfpack are poised to return to their winning form with the return of QB Colin Kaepernick, who has mastered the Pistol offense – running for over 1,100 yards, throwing for over 2,000 and scoring 36 total touchdowns last season. First team All-WAC RB Vai Taua led the team in rushing with 1345 yards and hit the end zone 10 times. A good showing against the Wolfpack could do wonders for the Eagles' confidence as the team eyes their home showdown with the Grizzlies on Sept. 18.

Prediction: Close call, but Nevada takes it.

Nevada 35, Eastern Washington 24

Portland State (0-0) at Arizona State (0-0)

A tough way to start for a young team and a first year head coach coming off the team's worst season in nearly 30 years. Nigel Burton, new Vikings head coach, inherits a team in rebuilding mode and a double-digit loss column awaits him. To make it worse, Portland State doesn't even get to play in the comfort of their own home as their stadium undergoes renovation. The Vikings will be playing their home matches at a field nearby. Arizona State, which will feature Montana Grizzly football head coach Robin Pflugrad's son, Aaron, at wide receiver, is picked to finish in the middle of the pack of the Pac-10, but will still easily overpower the lowly Vikings. The season opener at Arizona State marks the beginning of a frightening schedule for Portland State, including two Pac-10 teams, three FCS playoff teams and seven road games. All of this may have coach Burton thinking, "Why did I take this job, again?"

Prediction: Sun Devils romp Portland in Burton's debut.

Arizona State 49, Portland State 3

Sacramento State (0-0) at Stanford (0-0)

Things could be looking up for the Sac State Hornets after winning three of four games to end their 2009 season. But a dance with the Stanford Cardinals led by top NFL quarterback prospect Andrew Luck could have the Hornets leaving Palo Alto with a humiliating loss.

On the positive side, Sacramento boasts seven returning starters on a defense that featured 2009 Big Sky newcomer of the year safety Zach Schrader and his 103 tackles. The Hornets have a solid defensive lineman in Christian Clark and 31 returning players who have started at least one game.

Sacramento has talent, but the success of their season hinges on QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who took over as starter late in 2009, and junior running back Bryan Hilliard, who will have to bounce back after shoulder surgeries that sidelined him for 2009. The Hornets have some strong wide-outs in Brandyn Reed and Dylan Lane.

With the positives, the Hornets are still no match for the Pac-10 contending Cardinals, or the top teams of the Big Sky for that matter.

Prediction: Stanford swats the bees.

Stanford 42, Sacramento State 3

Western New Mexico (0-0) at #23 Northern Arizona (0-0)

Could this be the year NAU breaks out of the herd and into the upper tier of the Big Sky?

A formidable defense and a standout signal-caller have the Lumberjacks primed for a successful season, and with a cake first game, NAU should get off to their usual quick start. Lumberjacks QB Michael Herrick, a Walter Payton Award candidate, tossed 22 touchdowns last year during his 3,356-yard campaign, but he lost his top four receivers from a year ago along with three more of his offensive starters.

The ‘Jacks will have to rely heavily on Herrick and the eight returning starters on defense this season if they want to play late into November.

Western New Mexico has some promise in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, but will be overmatched by NAU's stout defense and seasoned quarterback.

Prediction: Northern Arizona blasts Western New Mexico.

Northern Arizona 32, Western New Mexico 7

Fort Lewis (0-0) at #24 Montana State (0-0)

Another overmatched Division II squad against a strong Big Sky contender should result in a lopsided score. The Bobcats return 16 starters, split evenly between offense and defense, but had key losses, like beast linebacker Dane Fletcher – the Big Sky defensive MVP last year – who signed with the Patriots. Though Montana State undoubtedly has the edge in this matchup, the Skyhawks could catch them looking ahead to their Sept. 11 clash with Pac-10 team Washington State.

Prediction: The Cats should roll over Fort Lewis in their home opener.

Bobcats claw Hawks, 42-14.

UM – Western (0-1) at Idaho State (0-0)

Idaho State has 13 starters returning for the 2010 season, but that doesn't mean much after last year's 1-10 season.