Weber State’s football schedule this year has eight Big Sky Conference games, one FCS non-conference matchup, one non-D1 opponent, and one FBS opponent.
Here are game-by-game predictions for the Wildcats, who are tied at No. 11 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
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vs Central Washington
Central Washington is a D2 program, so while it’s a good opponent to get Weber’s new starting quarterback settled in, a win here is irrelevant in the playoff picture.
Win
at Northern Iowa (Received Votes)
UNI will be a heckuva challenge to beat at home. The Panthers will be coming off of a physical P5 battle at Iowa State (don’t be surprised if UNI is in a one-possession fourth-quarter game there), but it is the home opener for UNI. Expect a loud and rowdy crowd.
The Panthers have questions to answer on defense, but All-American QB Theo Day will go after a Weber secondary that lost two All-Big Sky players to the FBS.
Loss
at Utah
Utah is ranked No. 14 in the Preseason AP Poll. Compete as well as you can, collect the $600,000, and stay healthy before the next week’s huge game.
Loss
vs No. 3 Montana State
This is the third matchup between the two in less than a year. MSU beat Weber 43-38 last October in a wild game, then beat the Wildcats again in Bozeman during the second round in December, winning 33-25 in a game MSU led 33-10 in the fourth quarter.
Weber is a good defensive team and will be good on that side of the ball again this fall. But the Bobcats owned that defense last year after the 2021 rock fight that saw MSU win 13-7 in Ogden. Weber’s losing streak to MSU extends to four games. The Bobcats are a top-tier team that will be tough to slow down for 98% of the FCS.
Loss
at Northern Colorado
1-3 overall. Three-game losing streak. Zero D1 wins. A rocky start for Weber. But I expect a strong finish, beginning with beating down a rebuilding UNC squad.
Win
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vs Northern Arizona
NAU is a bit of an unknown with 28 Division 1 transfers coming in, including 18 from the FBS. Weber State will be favored here.
Win
vs No. 18 UC Davis
A chance for Weber to start improving its Top 25 and playoff resume.
UC Davis is going to be a strong team. Last season saw a 17-12 Weber win in Davis. I expect another tight battle, but Weber gets the upper hand at home.
Win
at Eastern Washington
EWU should have an explosive passing attack. And it will play well at home. But Weber has had EWU’s number recently, winning four straight and holding the Eagles below their average scoring output.
Win
at Idaho State
Idaho State has a challenging rebuild ahead.
Win
vs No. 5 Idaho
I have Idaho going 9-2 with its lone FCS loss coming at Weber State.
This will be back-to-back road games for Idaho. Weber is gaining confidence now during its late-season resurgence. Weber always has talent in the secondary to slow down Idaho’s electric passing attack, and by this point, new standouts will be more known to accompany All-American CB Maxwell Anderson. The weather could potentially help slow down the Vandals as well. Plus, Weber’s big o-line could take advantage of a gettable Idaho front seven.
Win
at Cal Poly
A day before Selection Sunday, with momentum on its side, and currently at six Division 1 wins (seven wins overall), Weber will leave no doubt that it deserves a playoff bid with seven D1 victories by hammering Cal Poly.
Win
Regular-Season Record Prediction: 8-3
