College Football Preview

Big Sky Conference


There is no road trip of the week this week.  It is a two day trip from Brookings, SD to Missoula, MT.  That is the shortest trip involving a Big Sky Conference school this week.  I suspect that the Jackrabbits will fly to Missoula.  But it is something that a lot of FBS fans want: a playoff.  Are you FBS fans jealous?  You should be.

South Dakota State at #1 Montana

I wonder if the Jackrabbits are seeded a little bit low.  But it is the Sweet 16 and all teams are expected to be good.  If you have not heard, this SDSU came close to beating Minnesota a couple of weeks ago.  The main blemish on their record is a 21-14 loss to Cal Poly in SLO where they gave the ball away three times.  Those of us who follow the BSC know why the Grizzlies are seeded #1 in this tournament.  When they play at their best, no one can beat them.  This game will be on the turf in Missoula in front of 23,000 Grizzlies who are no where near ready to hibernate.  Don't expect a cake walk, however.
Montana 34 South Dakota State 21

Eastern Washington at Stephen F Austin
Matt Nichols and Taiwan Jones were in sync last week, and will need to be again this week to get a win in Nacogdoches.  The Lumberjacks have a quarterback who is in the same fraternity as Nichols, Selle, Herrik, Kempt, Bethel-Thompson and Higgins.  SFA has been led to the promised land by Jeremy Moses.  This season he is 320/474 3,486 yards, 35 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions.  SFA scored 90 against, well it was the Texas College Steers, a win-less Division II school.  But still, SFA is a conference champion that deserves to be where they are.  However, if anyone can beat them, the Eagles can.
EWU 38 SFA 35 

Weber State at William and Mary

In the only college in the United State named for a king and queen of England you will find one of the nation's best defenses.  And you will find one of two FCS teams to pull off a win against a FBS team this year.  W&M leads the nation (FCS) in rushing yards allowed, scoring defense and sacks.  Does Weber State have enough weapons to overcome this?  Yes, but Cameron Higgins will need to make like Dan Marino and get rid of the ball very quickly.  He has shown trouble in making quick decisions in games like this.  If he can, once the ball is in the hands of his talented receivers, they can take care of the rest.
W&M 17 WSU 10

WAC

Nevada at Boise State
I meant what I said, Nevada has the tools to give Boise State all that they can handle and then some.  There may only be one or two punts in this game.  If the Wolfpack can take care of the ball, this will be a high scoring game where both teams could score in the 50s.  Remember Ty Detmer vs Marshall Faulk?  The 1991 52-52 tie?  This game could be higher scoring by both teams before it is over.
Boise State 63 Nevada 60

Utah State at Idaho
The Vandals are going bowling and have little else that they can prove right now.  One of two approaches they can take to this game.  Like an NFL team would to a pre-season game or like a game to build momentum into whatever bowl game they will be playing in.  It will be senior day, and I suspect that Robb Akey will play all of his seniors, but will not want to loose any momentum...but wait, they are on a three game losing streak.  May as well let it all hang out.  It should be a fun game.
Idaho 38 Utah State 20

New Mexico State at San Jose State
Yawn!
San Jose State 21 New Mexico State 10

Navy at Hawaii
The Warriors have been on the edge of bowl eligibility for the last three weeks.  The Midshipmen should be able to put them out of their misery.  But Navy may be looking ahead to their big game next week.  Maybe there is still some Aloha in Hawaii.
Hawaii 33 Navy 20

Mountain West

Wyoming at Colorado State
I have yet to find out if Grant Strucker will be playing for the Rams this week.  If he does, CSU may only loose by ten or less.  Without Strucker, the Cowboys should win in a blowout.  Wyoming has a chance to go to a bowl game to play for.  Colorado State is playing for pride.  They should have been playing for pride a couple of weeks ago in Las Vegas.  They may cost their coach his job.
Wyoming 38 Colorado State 21

New Mexico at TCU
Now that the Lobos have won a game, they can relax and take the brutal punishment that is coming to them and enjoy it.  Thank you, sir, may I have another!
TCU 50 New Mexico 10

San Diego State at UNLV
Well, the Aztec season came crashing down in the fourth quarter on Senior Day at the Q against Wyoming.  I hate to say it, but it looks like the boys in black have another "Q" word in their vocabulary.  That is what it looks like what happened last Saturday.  I have no other explanation, and the Aztecs should have no excuses for what happened, even if it was Utah in Salt Lake.  Look for the Rebels to win one for outgoing coach Mike!  A little late, but a nice thought anyway.
UNLV 28 SDSU 12

Utah at BYU
I can remember being at what was then called Cougar Stadium for the BYU/Utah game in 1975.  That party was crashed by a hang glider.  That was the only time I was ever at a BYU/Utah game in person.  I was a young boy then.  Today, I tried to talk my nine-year-old nephew out of his ticket.  But he was having none of that.  The game seems too close to call.  Normally, when a senior quarterback is on one side and a freshman is on the other, you go with the more experienced one.  But this is Max Hall we are talking about.  He has won some close games, but if BYU gets behind by more than 8 points, Hall will become desparate.  We saw what Jordan Wynn is capable of against Wyoming.  But that was Wyoming.  Therefore, if the Utes get a 9 point lead, they will be able to relax.  It will likely take a 17 point with less than two minutes left for the Cougars to relax.  I also can not cheat and simply pick the home team in this game as the road team has won it more often.  I will pick the Cougars simply because there were more blue shirts around the table at dinner than any other color.
BYU 34 Utah 31