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OGDEN, Utah (November 16, 2015)- It’s Rivalry Week in the Big Sky Conference, as the final week of the regular season is here.
Several teams are in the hunt for the postseason, and four different teams can lay claim to the Big Sky Conference's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs.
The rivalry action is fierce all around the conference. The annual “Brawl of the Wild” between Montana and Montana State kicks off the day on ROOT SPORTS, while Idaho State travels to face Weber State on KJZZ.
Northern Arizona travels to face Southern Utah in the “Grand Canyon Rivalry” game. If Southern Utah wins the game, they will be the outright conference champions, and will claim the automatic bid.
Portland State travels to face Eastern Washington for the “Dam Cup." UC Davis will play at Sacramento State in the “Causeway Classic”. North Dakota's top-ranking rushing defense will take on Cal Poly's top-ranked rushing offense in the nightcap on WatchBigSky.com.
Northern Colorado will host the Southland Conference’s Abilene Christian in a non-conference game to start the day.
| Date |
Game |
Time |
TV/Streaming |
| 11/21 |
Abilene Christian at Northern Colorado |
12:00 MT |
WatchBigSky.com |
| 11/21 |
Montana at Montana State |
12:00 MT |
ROOT SPORTS/ Audience Network |
| 11/21 |
Idaho State at Weber State |
1:00 MT |
KJZZ/ WatchBigSky.com |
| 11/21 |
Northern Arizona at Southern Utah |
3:00 MT |
WatchBigSky.com |
| 11/21 |
Portland State at Eastern Washington |
2:05 PT |
SWX/ WatchBigSky.com |
| 11/21 |
UC Davis at Sacramento State |
2:30 PT |
Comcast SportsNet/ WatchBigSky.com |
| 11/21 |
North Dakota at Cal Poly |
6:05 PT |
WatchBigSky.com |
Playoff Hunt: Four teams (Southern Utah, Portland State, Montana and Northern Arizona) are in the hunt for the Big Sky's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs. Also, North Dakota and Eastern Washington can improve their chances for an at-large bid with a win this weekend.
If Southern Utah beats Northern Arizona in the season finale, the Thunderbirds will win the conference, outright, and receive the automatic bid. If Portland State defeats Eastern Washington, the Vikings could win the title with a Montana win over Montana State, and a Northern Arizona win over Southern Utah. The Vikings can also win with a Montana State win over Montana.
If Northern Arizona, Montana and Eastern Washington win, the Grizzlies would receive the automatic bid, thanks to wins over EWU and NAU. If Montana State, Northern Arizona, and Eastern Washington win, the Lumberjacks would win the bid, thanks to wins over Southern Utah and Eastern Washington.
Southern Utah is guaranteed at least a share of the conference title, regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s games.
Abilene Christian at Northern Colorado: Northern Colorado has a chance to finish with a winning record for the first time ever under Earnest Collins... The last time the Bears finished a season over .500 was in 2003, when they went 9-2... Like Northern Colorado, Abilene Christian was a longtime Division II member, competing in the Lone Star Conference until 2012... The Wildcats were an independent member in 2013... Former Chicago Bears receiver Johnny Knox is an Abilene Christian alumnus... Northern Colorado’s Ellis Onic continues to lead the Big Sky in punt return average, with 24.5 yards per return... Abilene Christian beat Southeastern Louisiana in a game this past weekend... The Wildcats have the worst rushing offense in the Southland (103.1 yards per game).
Montana at Montana State: Montana can win the Big Sky’s automatic bid with a win over Montana State, an Eastern Washington win over Portland State, and a Northern Arizona win over Southern Utah... Montana State leads the Big Sky in total offense and scoring offense... Montana leads the nation in sacks... Montana defensive end Tyrone Holmes is this week’s ROOT SPORTS Co-Defensive Player of the Week... Rob Ash is 2-5 in the “Brawl of the Wild” (2011 Montana win vacated by NCAA).
Idaho State at Weber State: Bengals running back Xavier Finney became the all-time rushing leader at Idaho State in the loss to Montana State, breaking Josh Barnett’s previous record of 3,408 yards... Weber State is in position to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2010, when they finished 6-5 under Ron McBride... The Wildcats have the second-best defense in the league, surrendering just 350.6 yards per game... Idaho State has the worst scoring defense in the Big Sky, surrendering an average of 41.5 points per game.
Northern Arizona at Southern Utah: In a loss to Portland State, SUU defensive end James Cowser broke the Big Sky’s career sacks record, previously held by Idaho State’s Jared Allen at 38.5. Cowser had one sack in the game, finishing at 39.5... NAU quarterback Case Cookus has thrown 33 touchdowns this season, breaking the record for an FCS freshman set by New Hampshire’s Ricky Santos in 2004... NAU can win the Big Sky title’s automatic bid with a win, a Montana State win, and an Eastern Washington win... Southern Utah can win the Big Sky bid by beating Northern Arizona.
Portland State at Eastern Washington: Portland State is 4-0 against ranked teams this season... Portland State can win the Big Sky title and automatic bid with a win over Eastern Washington and a Northern Arizona win over Southern Utah... Eastern Washington is eliminated from the conference hunt, but can still qualify for an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs... Cooper Kupp set the EWU school record for most catches in a season (104) in a loss at Montana.
UC Davis at Sacramento State: Hornets coach Jody Sears is 1-0 in the Causeway Classic, with a win in 2014. Aggies coach Ron Gould is 1-1, and is 1-0 at Hornet Stadium... Sears (Washington State/Washington State) and Gould (Cal/Oregon) both served as assistant coaches at Pac-12 institutions, and played in the Pac-10... Sacramento State’s scoring offense is ranked last in the Big Sky Conference, scoring just 19.5 points a game... Sac State and UC Davis are the bottom two teams in total offense... UC Davis is the least penalized team in the league, averaging just 34.7 yards per game... Sac State and UC Davis are just 21 miles from each other.
North Dakota at Cal Poly: Cal Poly has the nation’s top rushing attack, averaging 410.2 yards per game. North Dakota has the best run defense in the Big Sky, surrendering just 94.8 rushing yards... Cal Poly leads the Big Sky in third-down conversion rate, converting 46.4 percent... North Dakota running back John Santiago is third in the nation in all-purpose yards, contributing 196.3 yards... Cal Poly quarterback Chris Brown threw for, rushed for and caught a touchdown pass last week... North Dakota’s 45 points against Northern Colorado was the program’s highest point total in a Big Sky game... UND linebacker Will Ratelle had his first career interception against UNC.