2017's too early BSC favorite
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- Golden Bobcat
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2017's too early BSC favorite
I think UND will win the BSC in their final year in the conference.
I think there's a group of four teams that are in contention starting with EWU, but the Eagles could easily struggle as they did in 2015. NAU has the potential for a big bounce back season with Cookus back under center. Weber State is building momentum and you never know when Cal Poly is punch through as they are always in the running, but seem to falter late in the year.
MSU and its little bro UM, along with Southern Utah could make some noise, but aren't in the same standing as the previous four. Portland State has an outside shot, then but there's a drop off to UNC, ISU, SAC and UCD.
UND
EWU
NAU
WSU
CP
MSU
UM
SUU
PSU
UNC
ISU
SAC
UCD
I think there's a group of four teams that are in contention starting with EWU, but the Eagles could easily struggle as they did in 2015. NAU has the potential for a big bounce back season with Cookus back under center. Weber State is building momentum and you never know when Cal Poly is punch through as they are always in the running, but seem to falter late in the year.
MSU and its little bro UM, along with Southern Utah could make some noise, but aren't in the same standing as the previous four. Portland State has an outside shot, then but there's a drop off to UNC, ISU, SAC and UCD.
UND
EWU
NAU
WSU
CP
MSU
UM
SUU
PSU
UNC
ISU
SAC
UCD
Last edited by iaafan on Fri Feb 17, 2017 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- VimSince03
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
I think you forgot Cal Poly.iaafan wrote:I think UND will win the BSC in their final year in the conference.
I think there's a group of four teams that are in contention starting with EWU, but the Eagles could easily struggle as they did in 2015. NAU has the potential for a big bounce back season with Cookus back under center. Weber State is building momentum and you never know when Cal Poly is punch through as they are always in the running, but seem to falter late in the year.
MSU and its little bro UM, along with Southern Utah could make some noise, but aren't in the same standing as the previous four. Portland State has an outside shot, then but there's a drop off to UNC, ISU, SAC and UCD.
UND
EWU
NAU
WSU
MSU
UM
SUU
PSU
UNC
ISU
SAC
UCD
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
Good list. It'll be interesting to see exactly how EWU does with all the talent they lost. Personally, I'd put dUMb at the bottom of the list every year, but I suppose you're being realistic here.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
It will be an interesting/exciting year for sure, there are about 7 teams that could realistically compete for the title.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
I think that's about as good a list as you can do at this point, iaa. Lots of unknowns right now... Who will be the griz QB, will Murray throw the ball better with a full year in college, what will EWU look like with all new staff and no Kupp, etc etc.iaafan wrote:I think UND will win the BSC in their final year in the conference.
I think there's a group of four teams that are in contention starting with EWU, but the Eagles could easily struggle as they did in 2015. NAU has the potential for a big bounce back season with Cookus back under center. Weber State is building momentum and you never know when Cal Poly is punch through as they are always in the running, but seem to falter late in the year.
MSU and its little bro UM, along with Southern Utah could make some noise, but aren't in the same standing as the previous four. Portland State has an outside shot, then but there's a drop off to UNC, ISU, SAC and UCD.
UND
EWU
NAU
WSU
CP
MSU
UM
SUU
PSU
UNC
ISU
SAC
UCD
I think und and NAU are probably the teams I'd put at the top, just from a stability standpoint. Other than that I like the list.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
I'd put us above Weber and Cal Poly based on how our offense is shaping up as run-first with a good variety of ball carriers, some big lineman coming in and McGee polishing Murray into a real dual threat QB. I'm hoping/expecting a lot of high 30-low 40 point production combined with a D that should keep opponents in the 20's-low 30's. Realistic??
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
I'd be interested in seeing a strength of schedule ranking put together. Our on-field product will be better than last year but our schedule is rough so I'm not overly optimistic about our record.iaafan wrote: UND
EWU
NAU
WSU
CP
MSU
UM
SUU
PSU
UNC
ISU
SAC
UCD
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
We were one of the worst offenses in the country last season (and, no, I'm not exaggerating at all). How much do we get out of McGhee & Murray with a year of experience. its not crazy to see MSU being above .500. Nobody else really jumps out. Its hard to discount EWU. They've managed to reload every single time it looked like talent was leaving. UND was 1-3 in its OOC games last year, so while they may rise to the top, that's more indicative of the weakness in the Big Sky than anything else. Until someone proves otherwise, its the same as we finished last year:desmond1957 wrote:I'd put us above Weber and Cal Poly based on how our offense is shaping up as run-first with a good variety of ball carriers, some big lineman coming in and McGee polishing Murray into a real dual threat QB. I'm hoping/expecting a lot of high 30-low 40 point production combined with a D that should keep opponents in the 20's-low 30's. Realistic??
EWU
UND
NAU
Some combination of:
WSU, UNCO, SUU, UM, MSU, Poly
Then:
SSU, Davis, ISU, PSU
That said, usually someone rises from the bottom to close to the top. I'm hoping its MSU!
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
Why all the love for NAU?
Just about every year people pick them to be near the top and then they flop.
ND had the joy of by far the easiest BSC schedule last year... look for them to finish near .500
And EWU. Wow a lot of change in one off season and might start 0-4
Just about every year people pick them to be near the top and then they flop.
ND had the joy of by far the easiest BSC schedule last year... look for them to finish near .500
And EWU. Wow a lot of change in one off season and might start 0-4
CelticCat wrote:Well it's because the Griz are the only program in Montana of course.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
Until we have a QB that can be a dual threat, I feel we will be nervous bottom again. How much will McGhee help? I'm not sure, but it's not McGhee playing again, it's still an inexperienced Murray.
Murray's success came from running for his life. You can NOT build a successful program off that. Teams will find different a way to shut the run down, then we are dead in the water.
The same thing happened to McGhee and Prukop. Once they had so much success running the ball, they became run 1sy QB's. Defenses eat this up.
If MSU can get a QB who is a solid passing QB, I believe we have the line, solid stable of RB's, good WR's, and a defense that has improved a ton.
This could be a great season if we can get a QB
Murray's success came from running for his life. You can NOT build a successful program off that. Teams will find different a way to shut the run down, then we are dead in the water.
The same thing happened to McGhee and Prukop. Once they had so much success running the ball, they became run 1sy QB's. Defenses eat this up.
If MSU can get a QB who is a solid passing QB, I believe we have the line, solid stable of RB's, good WR's, and a defense that has improved a ton.
This could be a great season if we can get a QB
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
BTW
Yes the Griz have too many questions that need answered... right now 7-4 or 6-5 team
Yes the Griz have too many questions that need answered... right now 7-4 or 6-5 team
CelticCat wrote:Well it's because the Griz are the only program in Montana of course.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
I agree completely on the NAU. Man I need a shower after ever agreeing with you on anything!Go Scats Go wrote:Why all the love for NAU?
Just about every year people pick them to be near the top and then they flop.
ND had the joy of by far the easiest BSC schedule last year... look for them to finish near .500
And EWU. Wow a lot of change in one off season and might start 0-4
The rest of it you are crazy.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
EWU hasBigBruceBaker wrote:I agree completely on the NAU. Man I need a shower after ever agreeing with you on anything!Go Scats Go wrote:Why all the love for NAU?
Just about every year people pick them to be near the top and then they flop.
ND had the joy of by far the easiest BSC schedule last year... look for them to finish near .500
And EWU. Wow a lot of change in one off season and might start 0-4
The rest of it you are crazy.
Texas Tech on the road
North Dakota State at home
Fordham on the road (long trip) 10am start
UM on the road
Would not be surprised with all the O talent gone and new coaching, they might be pretty worn out traveling to Missoula.
Brutal schedule for EWU and then rivalry game on the road...
CelticCat wrote:Well it's because the Griz are the only program in Montana of course.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
UND fb will be in the Big Sky until 2020, when the MVFC accepts us.iaafan wrote:I think UND will win the BSC in their final year in the conference.
Rumor now is that the Big Ten will accept us as an associate hockey member, so why not go entirely Midwest based?
Before, we wanted more FBS teams to add Hockey, like B12 and PAC12 schools. That has at least been partially realized with Ariz St starting it and Colorado, Utah and UNLV talking about it. But our administration wanted a western focus for fans to benefit hockey. Now that has changed.
We will have to leave a parting gift of sweeping all the Big Sky revenue sports before we leave. This year, we have already won fb and vb, and are ahead in mbb and wbb. Those teams are all still young, so we will be favored next year too.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
McGhee a run-1st QB? I may be misremembering, but I would NEVER call DM a run-1st QB. In his first collegiate game (at Wazzu), he made plays with his arm and vision I'd never seen an MSU QB make. Made me say WOW. Almost his entire career, he scrambled to buy time in the passing game and mostly ran the ball judiciously. Totally different from Prukop's style and an this year's extremely raw Murray...4thecats wrote:Until we have a QB that can be a dual threat, I feel we will be nervous bottom again. How much will McGhee help? I'm not sure, but it's not McGhee playing again, it's still an inexperienced Murray.
Murray's success came from running for his life. You can NOT build a successful program off that. Teams will find different a way to shut the run down, then we are dead in the water.
The same thing happened to McGhee and Prukop. Once they had so much success running the ball, they became run 1sy QB's. Defenses eat this up.
If MSU can get a QB who is a solid passing QB, I believe we have the line, solid stable of RB's, good WR's, and a defense that has improved a ton.
This could be a great season if we can get a QB
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
grizzh8r wrote:McGhee a run-1st QB? I may be misremembering, but I would NEVER call DM a run-1st QB. In his first collegiate game (at Wazzu), he made plays with his arm and vision I'd never seen an MSU QB make. Made me say WOW. Almost his entire career, he scrambled to buy time in the passing game and mostly ran the ball judiciously. Totally different from Prukop's style and an this year's extremely raw Murray...4thecats wrote:Until we have a QB that can be a dual threat, I feel we will be nervous bottom again. How much will McGhee help? I'm not sure, but it's not McGhee playing again, it's still an inexperienced Murray.
Murray's success came from running for his life. You can NOT build a successful program off that. Teams will find different a way to shut the run down, then we are dead in the water.
The same thing happened to McGhee and Prukop. Once they had so much success running the ball, they became run 1sy QB's. Defenses eat this up.
If MSU can get a QB who is a solid passing QB, I believe we have the line, solid stable of RB's, good WR's, and a defense that has improved a ton.
This could be a great season if we can get a QB
Yeah, I believe McGhee only had around 1100 career rushing yards. Murray had 860 this past year alone.
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
And our schedule is equally as bad/good as theirs...Go Scats Go wrote:EWU hasBigBruceBaker wrote:I agree completely on the NAU. Man I need a shower after ever agreeing with you on anything!Go Scats Go wrote:Why all the love for NAU?
Just about every year people pick them to be near the top and then they flop.
ND had the joy of by far the easiest BSC schedule last year... look for them to finish near .500
And EWU. Wow a lot of change in one off season and might start 0-4
The rest of it you are crazy.
Texas Tech on the road
North Dakota State at home
Fordham on the road (long trip) 10am start
UM on the road
Would not be surprised with all the O talent gone and new coaching, they might be pretty worn out traveling to Missoula.
Brutal schedule for EWU and then rivalry game on the road...
Washington State, away, SDSU home, North Dakota away, Weber, PSU home, EWU away... just to get warmed up!
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
Yup. Agree with this.grizzh8r wrote:McGhee a run-1st QB? I may be misremembering, but I would NEVER call DM a run-1st QB. In his first collegiate game (at Wazzu), he made plays with his arm and vision I'd never seen an MSU QB make. Made me say WOW. Almost his entire career, he scrambled to buy time in the passing game and mostly ran the ball judiciously. Totally different from Prukop's style and an this year's extremely raw Murray...4thecats wrote:Until we have a QB that can be a dual threat, I feel we will be nervous bottom again. How much will McGhee help? I'm not sure, but it's not McGhee playing again, it's still an inexperienced Murray.
Murray's success came from running for his life. You can NOT build a successful program off that. Teams will find different a way to shut the run down, then we are dead in the water.
The same thing happened to McGhee and Prukop. Once they had so much success running the ball, they became run 1sy QB's. Defenses eat this up.
If MSU can get a QB who is a solid passing QB, I believe we have the line, solid stable of RB's, good WR's, and a defense that has improved a ton.
This could be a great season if we can get a QB
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Re: 2017's too early BSC favorite
EWU is going to be favored in 2 of those. Tough games, yes, but 0-4? The Eags most notable losses are at WR, where they have walk-ons that would start at every other team in the BSC. Losing Baldwin is tough, but given how deep and talented their roster is and the continuity in the program, its pretty crazy to think they are going to fall much.Go Scats Go wrote:EWU hasBigBruceBaker wrote:I agree completely on the NAU. Man I need a shower after ever agreeing with you on anything!Go Scats Go wrote:Why all the love for NAU?
Just about every year people pick them to be near the top and then they flop.
ND had the joy of by far the easiest BSC schedule last year... look for them to finish near .500
And EWU. Wow a lot of change in one off season and might start 0-4
The rest of it you are crazy.
Texas Tech on the road
North Dakota State at home
Fordham on the road (long trip) 10am start
UM on the road
Would not be surprised with all the O talent gone and new coaching, they might be pretty worn out traveling to Missoula.
Brutal schedule for EWU and then rivalry game on the road...
I agree with GSG that UND & NAU are both way overrated, I just don't see anyone thats clearly better.