RFC Summer Semester--Big Sky Conference Preview (FCS)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Montana and Montana State both finished the 2011 season with identical 7-1 records in Big Sky Conference play.  However, the Grizzlies downed the Bobcats in convincing fashion, 36-10, to win the Big Sky autobid to the FCS playoffs.  In the playoffs, Montana (11-3 overall) advanced as far as the national semifinals before losing to eventual national runner-up Sam Houston State in heartbreaking fashion, 31-28, while Montana State (10-3) was crushed by the Bearkats in the quarterfinals just the week before, 49-13.

Looking ahead: With the addition of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, North Dakota, Southern Utah, and UC Davis--all former members of the now-defunct Great West Football Conference (GWFC)--the Big Sky Conference's numbers will go from nine to 13 members for 2012.   

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Montana (11-3):  The Grizzlies hope to make a much deeper postseason run in 2012.  As in winning a national championship, which would be their first since 2001.  Still, head coach Mick Delaney must replace at least 13 starters, nine of them on defense, if the Grizzlies hope to play deep into December, or into January for that matter.


2. Montana State (10-3):  The Bobcats, however, just might have a say as to who will finish on top in the Big Sky before all is said and done.  But, with 12 offensive lettermen lost from 2011, repeating that success in 2012 will be anything but easy.

3. Portland State (7-4):  The Vikings hope to break the stranglehold both UM and MSU have had on this conference in recent years.  They bring back 13 starters at all from 2011.  Oh, and their win total improved by five from the 2010 season.


4. Eastern Washington (6-5):  The Eagles hope to return to their national championship form of 2010.  They won five of their final six games after an 0-4 start.

5. North Dakota (8-3):  Former GWFC champions hope to at least be competitive in their inaugural Big Sky season.

6. Weber State (5-6):  The Wildcats closed out an otherwise disappointing 2011 season with back-to-back wins to finish with a winning record in Big Sky play at 5-3.  It'll be interesting to see if that finish will carry over into the 2012 season.

7. Northern Arizona (4-7):  The Lumberjacks will face Arizona State from the Pac-12 Conference, as well as UNLV from the FBS (BCS non-AQ) Mountain West Conference, to open the 2012 season.

8. Sacramento State (4-7):  The Hornets hope to move up in the Big Sky standings after finishing 3-5 in conference play last season.

9. Southern Utah (6-5):  The Thunderbirds finished 3-0 against current members of the Big Sky Conference in 2011, including a season-ending 27-24 win over Northern Arizona.  Still, that won't mean anything, as SUU begins its first full season as an affiliate member.

10. UC Davis (4-7):  The Aggies face an uphill battle, as they begin their inaugural Big Sky season.

11. Cal Poly (6-5):  The Mustangs also find themselves facing tougher competition, in a brand new league.

12. Idaho State (2-9):  The Bengals head into the 2012 season trying to snap an eight-game skid.  That came after a 2-1 start to the 2011 season.

13. Northern Colorado (0-11):  The Bears look to bounce back after a winless 2011 season.