HERO Sports wraps up the previews with "Two-A-Days" for each FCS conference through Friday, Aug. 24 (see full schedule below). Today, we feature the Big Sky.
[divider] MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Compare Any Two FCS Teams [divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
Big Sky Conference
SUM IT UP
(NOTE: Team by team previews in this conference are below)
If you thought the Big Sky was wacky, wild and unpredictable these last few years, just wait for what 2018 has in store. Whether you've been paying attention to this league for the first time this year, for three years or for five-plus years, no one really has a clue what's going to happen. Trying to figure out how to order the preseason poll is like trying to solve a math equation with a dead calculator and a pen with no ink.
Get this: eight different teams received first-place votes in the preseason media poll. With no exaggeration at all, there are 10 teams where one could reasonably say, "I can see them making the playoffs."
Eastern Washington appears to be on track to return to the national conversation. Montana and Montana State are expected to be powers once again. Northern Arizona gets its future NFL Draft pick back at wide receiver. The explosive Sacramento State and UC Davis offenses return intact. Idaho is dropping down from the FBS. Oh, and we haven't even mentioned last year's co-champs, Weber State and Southern Utah.
This conference, which has taken a step back behind the MVFC and CAA in recent years, has the talent and depth to earn back respect in 2018.
Emmanuel Butler is one of the best wide receivers in all of college football. (NAU Athletics)
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NAMES TO KNOW
THE NFL PROSPECT: Emmanuel Butler, Northern Arizona
The 6-foot-3 wide receiver is ranked the sixth-best wide receiver prospect for the 2019 draft.
THE VETERAN COACH: Jerome Souers, Northern Arizona
Souers enters his 21st season as head coach and has the most wins in Big Sky history.
TOP PASSER: Jake Maier, UC Davis
The sophomore exploded onto the scene with 3,669 passing yards in 2017.
TOP RUSHER: James Madison, Idaho State
The preseason All-Conference running back ran for 933 yards last year.
TOP RECEIVER: Keelan Doss, UC Davis
Doss led all of Division I in receiving yards (1,499), receiving yards per game (136.3) and receptions per game (10.5).
TOP TACKLER: Josh Buss, Montana
The linebacker recorded 94 total tackles.
TOP SACK MAN: Keifer Morris, Northern Colorado
Morris wreaked havoc and recorded nine sacks.
TOP INTERCEPTION ARTIST: Dre Terrell, Sacramento State
He picked off five passes last year.
BOUNCEBACK CANDIDATE: Emmanuel Butler, Northern Arizona
Butler earned a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury early last season.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Iosua Opeta, Weber State
The big fella is one of the best offensive lineman in the FCS and ranked the No. 14 guard in the 2019 NFL Draft.
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TOP FANBASE (*)
Montana State fans are eager for the 2018 season and it showed when our team preview came out. The Bobcats are at No. 8 nationally for fan engagement.
(*) – Based on fan engagement with our previews this summer.
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RANKING THE BIG SKY
| RK | HERO SPORTS (Sam) | COACHES POLL |
| 1 | EWU | EWU |
| 2 | Weber St. | Weber St. |
| 3 | Montana St. (Up) | N. Arizona |
| 4 | Idaho | Idaho |
| 5 | N. Arizona | Sacramento St. |
| 6 | Sacramento St. | S. Utah |
| 7 | Montana | Montana |
| 8 | UC Davis (Up) | Montana St. |
| 9 | S. Utah | UC Davis |
| 10 | Idaho St. (Up) | Cal Poly |
| 11 | N. Colorado | N. Colorado |
| 12 | Cal Poly | Idaho St. |
| 13 | Portland St. | Portland St. |
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THE DIFFERENCE: The big one here is obviously MSU. I'm a firm believer that Montana State football is back. Despite Chris Murray sitting out this season, I believe whoever wins the quarterback battle is going to give the Bobcats a more balanced look offensively. And the defense should be a top unit in the Big Sky. Head coach Jeff Choate has got this program back to playing the right brand of football. The build will pay off this year when the Bobcats make the playoffs. UC Davis is also a team to look out for. The Aggies basically bring back their entire team and have a top offense in the Big Sky. I also like what Idaho State has coming back on offense. I'm not sure if the Bengals will compete for a playoff spot, but they certainly aren't the second-worst team in the conference.
HERO SPORTS FCS PODCAST: Subscribe here
BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
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PREVIEWS: The Big Sky
Cal Poly | EWU | Idaho | Idaho State
Montana | Montana State | NAU | UNC
PSU | Sac State | SUU | UC Davis | Weber State
Ind.'s in 2018 (*): North Dakota
(*) — Will be in the MVFC in 2020
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FCS PREVIEWS CONFERENCE BY CONFERENCE
Aug. 19 – Missouri Valley & Ohio Valley
Aug. 20 – Southland, SoCon & Big South
Aug. 21 – MEAC & SWAC
Aug. 22 – CAA & NEC
Aug. 23 – Big Sky & Pioneer
Aug. 24 – Patriot & Ivy
