| W | L | PF | PA | W | L | PF | PA | Str | W | L | W | L | |
| Montana State | 6 | 0 | 231 | 136 | 8 | 1 | 322 | 184 | Won 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Montana | 6 | 1 | 236 | 142 | 7 | 2 | 289 | 207 | Won 5 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Portland State | 3 | 2 | 176 | 158 | 5 | 3 | 277 | 223 | Won 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Eastern Washington | 4 | 3 | 214 | 207 | 4 | 5 | 258 | 267 | Lost 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Weber State | 3 | 2 | 164 | 122 | 3 | 5 | 241 | 246 | Lost 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Northern Arizona | 2 | 4 | 152 | 165 | 3 | 5 | 220 | 219 | Won 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Sacramento State | 2 | 4 | 155 | 177 | 3 | 5 | 198 | 240 | Lost 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Idaho State | 1 | 5 | 113 | 208 | 2 | 7 | 181 | 335 | Lost 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Northern Colorado | 0 | 6 | 117 | 243 | 0 | 9 | 176 | 325 | Lost 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
As you may know, FCS rules state that a team must have seven wins in order to qualify for an at-large bid for the playoffs. This means that there are only four teams left eligible for the post season. Let's look at their chances.
Montana State will likely still qualify for the post-season even if they lose both of their remaining games. If they win either of their two remaining games, they will clinch the automatic bid from the Big Sky Conference. Easier said than done, but their chances look good at this point. They will have a week off and plenty of motivation to take care of business at home against Montana, but they should try to take care of business on Ogden on Saturday against Weber State.
Montana is ranked and in good position for an at-large bid if they simply beat Western Oregon at home on Saturday. Because Western Oregon is Division II, they could still blow it and not make the post-season. They can also win the automatic bid if Weber State beats Montana State on Saturday and if they then can go to Bozeman and take care of the Bobcats in three weeks.
Portland State can no longer win the conference championship, but they can still remain eligible for an at-large bid if they win their three remaining games. But that is easier said than done as those games are against Sacramento State, Northern Colorado and Weber State.
There will be no post-season for any of the remaining Big Sky Conference teams. Here is where the season went wrong.
Eastern Washington...yes, they won the National Championship game without Taiwan Jones. But Bo Levi Mitchell has been unable to will the team to victory in 2011. The 30-17 loss to South Dakota put their season in jeopardy before it really began. With a season opening loss to Washington, and losses to both Montana schools, and their post-season chances were slim after that.
Weber State...Once again the 'Cats put themselves in a hole with scheduling. They began with games at Wyoming and Utah State. True, not the strongest of competition at the FBS level, but WSU is not yet an FBS-level team. They began the season with 2 automatic losses making close losses to Eastern Washington and Southern Utah all the more hurtful. Yes, the athletic budget is in the black, and people are coming to the games. But the wins are not coming. The 'Cats are a better team than their 3-5 record. But wins and losses are what counts. Drop Wyoming for a win-able FCS game and avoid the cute rugby-kick goofiness against SUU and the Cats are still in the post-season hunt. Did you really make that much money going to Laramie anyway? In 2012 Weber already has BYU on the schedule. Good luck making the playoffs next year.
Sacramento State...Yes, they beat Oregon State, but they are not that much better than the rest of the conference. Their offense has produced about 3 to 4 touchdowns a game, but it has not been good enough to overcome the inconsistent defense.
Northern Arizona, Idaho State and Northern Colorado never really had a shot at the post season this year, anyway.
In conclusion, even if Portland State wins all three remaining games, there will likely only be two BSC teams in the playoffs this year. And look at what happened in the Great West this year. Yes, Cal Poly, North Dakota and Southern Utah beat each other up this year. Unless the BSC can schedule some winnable non-conference FCS games next year or unless they can pull of a quality FBS win and have that team remain in contention, it is unrealistic to expect more than 2 playoff teams. Look at who is already on the schedule for 2012?
Eastern Washington...Washington State and Idaho
Portland State...Washington
Northern Arizona...Arizona State
Weber State...Fresno State and BYU
SUU...Utah State
Montana...Old Dominion
Montana State...Oregon (Was cancelled.)
Northern Colorado...?
North Dakota...?
Idaho State...?
Sacramento State...?
UC Davis...San Jose State
Cal Poly...?
Let me also note that California, Colorado and Utah are looking for FCS schools to fill holes in their schedules. Let me venture a guess that Idaho State will travel to Utah, North Dakota will play at Colorado and Sacramento State will likely visit Cal. Maryland, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Rutgers and Syracuse are among those in the FBS ranks looking to take advantage of the lower division and pay handsomely for it.
But let me point something out. Montana vs. Old Dominion. This is what needs to happen more often. But there are reasons why this happens. Montana has been successful. They are supported by their community. Therefore, Old Dominion can visit Missoula and earn enough money to pay for the trip out there. Why can't Weber State or Sacramento State do the same? Don't they play in easy-to-get-to venues? Mainly it is because there are not enough butts in the seats. If Montana played three winning seasons out of five, they would be seeing crowds of 8,000 to 10,000 as well. Success breeds support. And you will rarely make the post-season if you cripple yourself with two automatic losses every year. The BSC will also see few playoff appearances if they continue to beat each other up.
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