BIG SKY PLAYOFF FACTS
The Big Sky Conference has advanced at least two teams to the playoffs in 25 of the last 27 years.
The Big Sky Conference is 67-57 (.540) all-time in the FCS playoffs. Seven of those wins and losses came against fellow Big Sky teams. Against outside opponents, the Big Sky is 60-50 (.545).
This marks the first time since 2006 that two Big Sky teams are playing at home on the same day in the playoffs. In 2006, Montana beat McNeese State at home in a first-round game, and Montana State beat Furman in Bozeman.
For the first time since 1992, Montana did not qualify for the playoffs.
Big Sky teams have won five national titles. Boise State won it all in 1980, followed by Idaho State in 1981, Montana State in 1984, and Montana in 1995 and 2001.
Big Sky teams have lost in the national championship game seven times. Nevada was a runner-up in 1990. Boise State finished second in 1994. Montana has been second five times: 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2009.
Four times since 2003, a Big Sky team has knocked out the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the playoffs. In 2003, Northern Arizona upset No. 1 McNeese State 35-3 in Lake Charles, La., in a first-round game. In 2004, Eastern Washington upset No. 1 Southern Illinois on the road 34-31 in a first-round game. In 2007, Eastern Washington beat No. 2 McNeese State 44-15 in Lakes Charles in a first-round game. In 2008, Montana upset No. 1 James Madison 35-27 in a semifinal game on the road.
Montana State is in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and the fifth time in school history. The Bobcats qualified also qualified in 19844, 2002 and 2006.
Eastern Washington is making its eighth playoff appearance, and its fifth in seven years. The Eagles’ qualified in 1985 as an Independent. As a member of the Big Sky, the Eagles have qualified in 1992, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009. EWU advanced to the semifinals in 1997.