Big Sky teams face off after breaking records last weekend

By: Amber Kuehn
GameDay Kaimin

Three Big Sky Conference teams take on non-conference opponents. The other six play each other. Here is a look at all you need to know about the league’s match-ups taking place today outside of Griz Nation, and who I predict will come away with a win.

No. 25 Eastern Washington at Idaho State (3:05 p.m.)
The Eagles kick off their 2007 conference campaign undefeated as they head to Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho. to take on a familiar foe.
A win over ISU would already give Eastern Washington the same number of victories as they had in all of 2006 (three).
“We’re an improved football team from a year ago,” said EWU head coach Paul Wulff. “We’ve done a nice job, I can sleep a little better. But we’ve got a lot more to prove and we’ve got a whole season in front of us.”
EWU broke into the Sports Network FCS poll this week at No. 25 after a 41-31 victory over UC Davis last Saturday.
If it’s true what they say about history repeating itself, the past doesn’t bode well for the Eagles. Eastern has lost its league opener three times in the past five years, and two of those defeats came to Idaho State.
“We’ve always struggled in Pocatello,” Wulff said. “Most teams do.”
The Bengals are also trying to match their win total from a year ago. In 2006, ISU went 2-9 overall, and a dismal 1-7 in conference play.
Idaho State is 1-1 this season, coming off a 61-10 loss to Oregon State.
The last time these two teams took the field against each other, EWU defeated ISU 40-6.
The Eagles’ high-powered offense should continue. They had 567 yards of total offense against Montana-Western and followed up with a 478-yard performance last weekend. EWU ranks third nationally in yards of total offense.
As for their opponents offensive force, ISU receiver Eddie Thompson had 12 catches for 174 yards in the game against Oregon State. Quarterback Russel Hill also had a stellar performance with 23-of-38 passing for 295 yards.
Wulff said ISU has a veteran team on offense as well as on defense, where seven starters are seniors.
“Defensively, they’ve got some weapons to score points on you,” Wulff said. “They have some very explosive weapons offensively also, and Eddie Thompson is one of the best receivers in the league right now.”
I’m highlighting this as the game to watch, as I think it will be a close one. It could go either way, but I’ll call Eastern Washington with the win.
You can catch these two teams in action on www.bigskytv.org after the Griz game.

Montana State at Weber State (1:35 p.m.)
The Bobcats’ record of 1-1 is what most people expected at this point in the season after games against Texas A&M and Dixie State. But the Weber State record of 0-2 can be somewhat deceiving. The Wildcats losses have come from Boise State and perennial powerhouse Cal Poly.
Although they haven’t won a game yet in 2007, the Wildcats have a strong quarterback in Jimmy Barnes and a solid offensive line anchored by All-America candidate David Hale.
MSU cornerback Kory Austin was Big Sky Player of the Week for his touchdown-scoring punt return against Dixie State, the sixth-longest in school history. He also had the longest blocked field goal return ever at MSU.
Weber State should look out for running back Demetrius Crawford, who played a stellar game his first time wearing the blue and gold. He rushed for 128 yards against Dixie State.
The Bobcats have won six straight games against the Wildcats. I expect MSU to finish on top again. You can catch it on TV on Altitude.

Northern Colorado at Northern Arizona (3:05 p.m.)
The Bears head to Flagstaff hoping to snap their current 11 game losing streak. They have yet to win a conference match since joining the Big Sky in 2006. Northern Colorado is 2-5 all-time against NAU.
The Lumberjacks have dropped their last two against Arizona and Appalachian State.
The Bears have yet to prove they can contend in the Big Sky. For that reason, I’m taking the Lumberjacks, whose only losses have come at the hands of extremely tough opponents.
This game is also being televised on www.bigskytv.org.

Portland State at San Diego State (3:35 p.m.)
This is the first-ever meeting for these two teams on the football field.
San Diego State has yet to win a game this season.
Vikings quarterback Brian White and linebacker Jordan Senn both received Big Sky Player of the Week honors for last Saturday’s performances. White completed 26 of 37 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns, including his own 2-yard rushing score.
The Aztecs were 3-9 in 2006, and despite their winless record are averaging 361 yards per game on offense. They have allowed 566.5 yards on defense. The shaky defensive core allowed Washington State quarterbacks to pass for 469 yards and five touchdowns in the opening game.
I’m tempted to go with Jerry Glanville and the Vikings for the upset. After all, PSU pulled off a 17-6 upset over a Mountain West opponent (New Mexico) last season.

Sacramento State at New Mexico (6:05 p.m.)
The Lobos are 2-1, and Sac State is still searching for a win. This is the second FBS team the Hornets will play, the first season they’ve ever played more than one.
Sac State leads the FCS in sacks, averaging six per game.
Those same sack leaders will have to find an answer for Lobos QB Donovan Porterie. He threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona as New Mexico beat a Pac-10 team for the second time in school history. Running back Rodney Ferguson may also give the Hornets some trouble, as he is averaging 114.7 rushing yards per game.
New Mexico is too good of a team to ignore. Sorry, Sac State, I don’t see your first victory of the season coming this weekend.