THE RFC MYC: Big Sky Conference (FCS)

Big Sky Conference (FCS) 

Overview: The Big Sky Conference had another big year in 2023, as eight of the league's 12 teams finished conference play with a record of .500 or better, while six of those squads finished with a winning overall record.

Of those six teams, the University of Montana Grizzlies exceeded the expectations of most "experts", advancing to the FCS national championship on January 7, 2024. However, the Grizzlies' chances of winning their first title since 2001 fell short, as South Dakota State cruised to a 23-3 win in Frisco, Texas. Montana finished the 2023 season at 13-2 overall.

Other Big Sky squads also found their way into postseason play last fall, with Montana State's season coming to a shocking, early close after North Dakota State ousted the then #6-seeded Bobcats in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Bobcats finished their campaign at 8-4 after falling 35-34 to the Bison in overtime. 

The University of Idaho Vandals also had their best seasons since returning to the FCS in 2018, advancing to the postseason for the second straight season. After rallying to stun Southern Illinois 20-17 in the second round of the playoffs, the Vandals saw their season end in the quarterfinals, as they fell to UAlbany 30-22 to finish their 2023 campaign at 9-4 overall.

Finally, despite finishing 4-4 in Big Sky action, the Sacramento State University Hornets also managed to advance to the FCS playoffs last fall. They knocked off North Dakota on the road in the first round before falling to another Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) squad in South Dakota in the second round to finish the 2023 season at 8-5 overall. 

Expect another big race for the Big Sky Conference title going into the 2024 season, with Montana favored to win back-to-back conference crowns. Montana State and Idaho are expected to provide serious challenges to the Grizzlies' title. At the same time, UC Davis (7-4, 8-3) Weber State (6-5, 4-4), Portland State (5-6, 4-4), and Northern Arizona (5-6, 4-4) hope to disrupt things with a few upset wins here and there. Don't count out Sacramento State either.  

 

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is unavailable, the team still needs to submit its schedule for the 2024 season. The link (s) will appear in each blog post when the team's schedule is submitted. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and more.

Final 2023 Big Sky Conference Football Standings

Cal Poly

Eastern Washington

Idaho

Idaho State

Montana

Montana State

Northern Arizona

Northern Colorado

Portland State

Sacramento State

UC Davis

Weber State