The Thuderbirds were voted by both the press and the coaches to finish near the bottom of the conference standings. Well, that just means that they will be a pleasant surprise for 2013. Brad Sorensen is getting his NFL audition. It seems that over the past two seasons, the T-Birds had a habit of relaxing on defense early in games and then counting on Sorensen to bail them out. It worked a few time, but SUU doesn't have that luxury in 2013. If the defense can play the full 60 minutes, perhaps SUU will do better than surprise a few people in 2013.
August 29--@ South Alabama
FBS teams usually beat FCS teams. But according to Sagarin, if these two had met in 2012, SUU would have won. USA is one of the weakest teams in the FCS. There is no reason why the Thunderbirds can't begin 2013 with a win over Jaguars.
September 7--Fort Lewis
FCS teams usually beat Division II teams at home. That should be the case here. SUU should pull away with an easy victory.
September 14--@Washington State
The Cougars are that bad, but not so bad that SUU can walk out of Martin Stadium with another victory. Although, this should be close. WSU should come away with the win, however.
September 21--@ Sacramento State
This is a winnable game for the Thunderbirds, and if they win this one, there will be talk of a post-season bid for SUU. It will likely be a close, hard fought victory for the Hornets, and it will bring the T-Bird faithful back to earth.
September 28--@ Northern Colorado
The Bears are another team that is better than everyone expects, and the T-Birds will be surprised, but walk away with a narrow victory.
October 5--UC Davis
The Aggies are predicted to be near the bottom of the Big Sky race in 2013. I expect that SUU may go back to their ways of old and allow UCD to get an early lead, but pull of a run-away victory.
October 12--Portland State
The Vikings will come to Cedar City and walk away with a black eye. This should be an easy Thunderbird win.
October 19--@ Eastern Washington
The Eagles will remember last year's upset loss in Cedar City and will come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. At 5-2, the T-Birds may even be ranked, but that will make beating up them up all the sweeter for EWU. This one shouldn't be close.
October 26--Idaho State
This game might be close for the first quarter, but should be an easy Thunderbird victory.
November 9--@ Weber State
There has been some real weirdness in this rivalry for the past couple of matches. That will be the case again, but the road team, as has been the case the past few times they have hooked up, will come away with a narrow victory.
November 16--@ Montana State
With 7 wins, there will still be talk of the post-season for SUU. That will end in Bozeman and the Bobcats, who will likely be ranked #1 by now, run away with a blowout victory.
November 23--Northern Arizona
They should give this game a name, like the Grand Canyon Bowl. It should be another close game, but SUU should win as NAU has another late-season fade.
2013 Prediction: 8-4...SUU with a win over an FBS team gets post-season consideration, but since it is South Alabama, it doesn't help much and the T-Birds are passed over.
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