Big Sky Conference
Road Trip of the Week
Eastern Washington at Montana
Sure, you can take I-90 when getting from Cheney to Missoula, but I have already talked about that trip. But why the the usual route? Why not see the best of what Eastern Washington has to offer. Take highway 195 south to Lewiston, ID then take Highway 12 east through Lolo pass to Missoula. This time of year, the autumn leaves will be in full splendor. There may be a little snow on top.
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Last week, things did not go well for either team offensively until the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies, however, were able to cross the goal line three times where the Eagles fumbled twice. This memory should be plenty of motivation for Eastern Washington. Montana is still undefeated and is likely to remain as long as they play a clean game. Seems to me that Montana has not been playing up to their capabilities. Matt Nichols and Taiwan Jones could take advantage of that. Do I smell an upset? Eastern Washington 31 Montana 28
South Dakota at Montana State
You think that the Bobcats would have been better prepared for the cold last week than Northern Arizona. Truth is, Montana State can practice indoors as well as Worthington Arena can hold a full football field. No excuses, however. The 3-3 Coyotes come to town. This is a team that has scored 40+ three times this season. But the defense has been a little soft since shutting out William Penn College in their opener. Mark Iddins is capable enough, but these cats have been too inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball. USD 40 MSU 17
Sacramento State at Weber State
The Hornets have shown only a little sting this season. The Wildcats are one of the toughest teams in the country when they take care of the ball. When they do not take care of the ball, anyone can beat them. If Cameron Higgins can avoid the "int" bug, he will get to rest for much of the second half. WSU 49 CSU-Sac 15
Northern Arizona at Portland State
Expect a shootout. Why? Three out of the last four for the Lumberjacks have been this interesting. PSU finally got a conference win last Saturday and should be feeling "it". Same for the Jacks, coming off a a big (non shootout) win in Frozen Bozeman. I expect the rain in Portland may be a welcome change for NAU. The defenses may be absent. NAU 45 PSU 41
Northern Colorado at Idaho State
This is not the last winnable game on the schedule for Idaho State. The Bengals have a good opportunity to get some mojo going for the remainder of the season. They will not be back at Holt arena until the last two games of the Season. (Coming: Road Trip of the year and it starts in Pocatello.) The last time the NCU Bears played indoors, they scored 27 points. So if the Bengals can score 30, they will get the first win of the season. ISU 30 NCU 16
WAC
Already previewed Boise State at Tulsa. BSU won 28-21. Full report Sunday, but no style points for the Broncos on this one.
Nevada at Utah State
Finally, people are beginning to doubt Gary Anderson. But I think it is a little too early to judge the job he has done in Logan. It is going to take years to repair the damage that has been done to this once proud program. Meanwhile, the Nevada Wolfpack will be going for win number 201 for Chris Ault. It appears that after an 0-3 start, Nevada has turned the season around. Last week's loss to New Mexico State was tough for these Aggies to take. Can USU turn the corner this week? Nevada 38 Utah State 31
New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech
The other Aggies seem to have some mojo after getting their third win of the season. La Tech is second in the WAC in rushing and would probably be first if UNLV had a rush defense (vs Nevada). New Mexico State is last in rushing. This means that the time of possession will highly favor the Bulldogs. NMSU will have to play a near perfect game to win. A couple of turnovers, and they will likely be behind big and playing catchup. La Tech 28 NSMU 13
Hawaii at Idaho
Hawaii is leading the WAC is passing, not surprising. Idaho is second. There is a lot about the Vandals that are a nice surprise this season, and one more win will ensure the Vandals go bowling in December. The difference in this game, besides playing on the mainland, is that Idaho does have a credible threat at running back. Idaho has Demaundray Woolridge at RB, who is on pace for a 1,000 yard season. Hawaii has no one who is anywhere close to 200. That is why the Warriors are 2-3 right now. Too much for Greg Alexander to shoulder. Yea, the game is indoors, but Idaho should control the clock well enough keep McMackin's run and shoot cold. Idaho 32 Hawaii 16
San Jose State at Fresno State
The Spartans had their best offensive game last week in the loss to Idaho. Otherwise, they have not shown the ability to score. Bad news when visiting Bulldog stadium. These Bulldogs have some sting in their bite.
Fresno 35 San Jose State 10
Mountain West Conference
Wyoming at Air Force
If the Cowboys are going to get to a bowl game this year, they will have to win at least one game where they will not be favored. The remaining schedule: @Air Force, @Utah, BYU, San Diego State, @ TCU and Colorado State. They will not be favored, but they are capable of winning at Air Force. However, the Falcons are very hungry and not willing to loose three consecutive games. Expect the Air Force defense to pressure the young Wyoming Quarterback, Austyn Carta-Samuels, like he has yet to experience. (He was not the starter for the Texas game.) The Falcons have the ability to force a mistake or two. The outcome will depend on how Wyoming's true Freshman responds to this challenge. Air Force 21 Wyoming 17
Colorado State at TCU
Three consecutive losses have the Rams feeling blue. Now they have to play a TCU team that has one of the best defenses in the country...exhibit A...how they stonewalled Clemson in South Carolina. Trouble, Air Force got in a late score last week to make the game interesting and TCU showed a propensity for give a ways. CSU's turnover trouble has been the difference in the three game loosing streak. Again, the team that plays cleaner will likely win...how cliche. TCU 27 CSU 17
BYU at San Diego State
Brady Hoke had the Aztecs winning their first games against a FBS team two weeks ago. Actually, the Aztecs have not lost at the "Q" this season. Too bad the fans have not been showing up. BYU comes to town and this is another stadium where BYU fans love to visit. Listened to the end of the Bronco Show on KSL tonight, and SDSU has BYU's full attention. Will not be a big blowout along the lines of UNLV/Tulane, but it will not be close at the end. Harvey Unga should have another big game. BYU 42 SDSU 18
Utah at UNLV
Mike Sanford still has his job for now. Because no one expected them to beat BYU last week, it was hard to get a performance below expectations. (Perhaps that is the problem or the reason why he's lasted five years.) There are only two teams that get both BYU and Utah at home during the same season: UNLV and Air Force. The Rebels seemed good enough after the third week of the season to get one of these games, then the wheels came off. The Utes don't have much of a running game, but they have one heck of a pass defense. I suspect that this game will be lower scoring than the last two were, but just as frustrating for the Rebels in the end. Utah 27 UNLV 13.
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