RFC Summer Semester: Big Sky Conference Preview (FCS)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: The Big Sky Conference once again maintained its reputation as one of the toughest FCS conferences in the country, sending all of three of its tri-champions: Cal Poly, Eastern Washington, and Montana State to the FCS playoffs in 2012.  All three teams finished 7-1 in conference play.  Unfortunately, however, this trio had another thing in common: their seasons ended at the hands of eventual national runner-up Sam Houston State. 

Cal Poly was the first team to fall to the Bearkats, as the Mustangs fell 18-16 in the second round on December 1.  Montana State came next, with the Bearkats crushing the Bobcats, 34-16 in the quarterfinals on December 7.  Eastern Washington was the Big Sky squad that advanced the farthest in the postseason.  The Eagles advanced to the national semifinals on December 15 before bowing to Sam Houston State, 45-42.

If that wasn't enough, a fourth team, Northern Arizona, finished 8-3 overall and 6-2 in Big Sky play. But back-to-back losses at the end of last season cost the Lumberjacks a postseason berth.

Looking ahead: With five teams ranked in the Sports Network Preseason Top 25,  led by No. 2 Montana State, expect the race for the 2013 Big Sky Conference championship to come right down to the final weekend of the regular season.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Montana State (11-2):  Loaded Bobcats hope to start the calendar year 2014 with their first national championship in almost three decades (They won their last title in 1984).

2. Eastern Washington (11-3):  But the equally talented Eagles will have a say in who ultimately ends up on top on the mountain in the Big Sky when all is said and done.  EWU brings back 48 letterwinners (12 starters) from last year's national semifinal squad.

3. Cal Poly (9-3):  The Mustangs appear to be solid as well, welcoming back 58 lettermen (18 starters) for 2013.

4. Northern Arizona (8-3):  With 38 letterwinners (18 starters) returning, expect the Lumberjacks to be a tough out for many a Big Sky opponent in 2013.

5. Sacramento State (6-5):  With 19 true freshmen and 14 redshirt freshmen, the Hornets must grow up quickly if they're to contend for the Big Sky title this season.

6. Montana (5-6):  The Grizzlies face a rare rebuilding (or reloading) project after a rare downer in 2012.

7. Southern Utah (5-6):  The Thunderbirds struggled in close games last season, going 3-4 in games decided by seven points or less.  Learning how to win during crunch time could be the difference between a winning or losing record this season.

8. Northern Colorado (5-6):  The Bears 2013 slate opens with a game against NAIA Langston on August 31, followed by a game against rising NCAA Division II power Colorado State-Pueblo on September 7.

9. North Dakota (5-6):  After finishing a respectable 3-5 in its first Big Sky Conference season, UND must avoid the dreaded "sophomore jinx" in its second season.

10. UC Davis (4-7):  The Aggies will try to turn the corner under first-year head coach Ron Gould.

11. Portland State (3-8):  The Vikings face a long, uphill battle after a disappointing 2012 season in which they finished Big Sky play at 2-6.  Since 2007, they've compiled a dismal 21-45.

12. Weber State (2-9):  Head Coach Jody Sears enters his second season as the Wildcats head coach, as they try to build on last year's two wins.

13. Idaho State (1-10):  The Bengals and their faithful hope that second year head coach Mike Kramer can turn around a culture of losing in 2013.

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