DeNarius McGhee looks to lead MSU to a second straight Big Sky title
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcats Tabbed Second in Big Sky Preseason Polls
7/19/2011 4:14:00 PM | Football
MSU holds spot behind Eastern Washington, ahead of Grizzlies
Montana State took another step up in the eyes of Big Sky Conference coaches and media members, when both groups tabbed the Bobcats to finish second in the league this fall behind defending FCS National Champion Eastern Washington.
After the coaches and media picked MSU third in the 2010 preseason, the Bobcats raced to a share of the Big Sky Championship. MSU's only loss was at Northern Arizona, and Montana State bookended the conference season with a win over EWU at home and a win against Montana in Missoula. The Cats open the 2011 campaign sandwiched between the two perennial powers – Eastern was picked first, the Grizzlies third.
Other than the wins against EWU and Montana, MSU's most memorable win of 2010 may have been the stunning 64-61 overtime win against Sacramento State. The much-improved Hornets are viewed as the fourth-best team in the Big Sky prior to the season's first kickoff, and Portland State, Northern Colorado and Idaho State holds down the 7-8-9 slots.
The only discrepancies between the media and coaches polls come in the 5-6 spots. The coaches see NAU in fourth and Weber State in fifth, while the media has the order flipped.
Coaches' Poll
1. Eastern Washington (6)...................................... 60
2. Montana State (3) ............................................. 57
3. Montana ......................................................... 49
4. Sacramento State.............................................. 46
5. Northern Arizona............................................... 35
6. Weber State .................................................... 32
7. Portland State................................................... 23
8. Northern Colorado............................................. 13
9. Idaho State ...................................................... 10
Media Poll
1. Eastern Washington (29).................................... 430
2. Montana State (19)............................................ 414
3. Montana (3)...................................................... 365
4. Sacramento State.............................................. 273
5. Weber State..................................................... 247
6. Northern Arizona............................................... 228.5
7. Portland State................................................... 151.5
8. Northern Colorado............................................. 110.5
9. Idaho State....................................................... 76.5
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