Lumberjacks76
August 30th, 2005, 11:37 PM
Here are my predictions for every game the Big Sky Conference plays against a Division I-A team in 2005:
Montana @ Oregon: This game will be close for a half, maybe 3 quarters before the superior depth of the Ducks takes a toll on the Griz. Look for Montana to score first (3-0), but fall behind 24-13 by halftime.
Final score prediction: Oregon 45, Montana 21
Eastern Washington @ San Jose State: I'm pulling for Eastern Washington in this one, and I don't think they'll disappoint. San Jose State may be Division I-A, but they won't be able to contain Eastern Washington's passing attack. Eastern Washington goes up early on a fumble recovery (3-0), and maintains the lead going into halftime (21-17). The second half is back and forth, with Eastern Washington pulling out a close one.
Final score prediction: Eastern Washington 38, San Jose State 31
Portland State @ Oregon State/Portland State @ Boise State: Both of these games look like certain mismatches, but I think Portland State can steal one of these games (especially against a weakened Oregon State). However, even if Oregon State flops this year and finished 5-6, look for them to defeat Portland State by at least two touchdowns. As for the Boise State game, I'll predict that Portland State will come through the game relatively unscathed.
Final score prediction(s): Oregon State 45, Portland State 17
Boise State 56, Portland State 24
Northern Arizona @ Arizona: This one has upset written all over it. The Jacks invaded Tucson last year and had many chances to pull out the win. The Wildcats won't be very good this year (yet again) and I fully expect my team to be better than the 4-7 mark they mustered last year. Look for another low scoring game, with the Jacks pulling ahead lead to seal their first Division I-A victory since a 24-20 victory over Tulsa in 1987.
Final score prediction: NAU 24, Arizona 19
Montana State @ Oklahoma State: I like the Bobcats this year, but this is Oklahoma State. Still, I'll give Montana State more points in this one due to emotion and effort.
Final score prediction: Oklahoma State 49, Montana 33
Weber State @ Fresno State: Weber could pull the upset here, but I expect Fresno State to pull away in the 3rd quarter. They always seem to do well against Division I-AA opponents. This game should be around 28-17 Fresno at the half, with a final score in the 38-24 point range.
Final score prediction: Fresno State 38, Weber State 24
Idaho State @ Kentucky: This game could go both ways. Kentucky isn't very good and Idaho State would like to rebound from last season. I think this game will be low scoring, with Idaho State keeping things interesting well into the 4th quarter.
Final score prediction: Kentucky 35, Idaho State 31
Sacramento State @ California: Sacramento State cannot possibly defeat California, but they can at least take some pride in facing a PAC-10 opponent in hostile territory. Cal by at least 35.
Final score prediction: California 42, Sacramento State 7
Paul
Montana @ Oregon: This game will be close for a half, maybe 3 quarters before the superior depth of the Ducks takes a toll on the Griz. Look for Montana to score first (3-0), but fall behind 24-13 by halftime.
Final score prediction: Oregon 45, Montana 21
Eastern Washington @ San Jose State: I'm pulling for Eastern Washington in this one, and I don't think they'll disappoint. San Jose State may be Division I-A, but they won't be able to contain Eastern Washington's passing attack. Eastern Washington goes up early on a fumble recovery (3-0), and maintains the lead going into halftime (21-17). The second half is back and forth, with Eastern Washington pulling out a close one.
Final score prediction: Eastern Washington 38, San Jose State 31
Portland State @ Oregon State/Portland State @ Boise State: Both of these games look like certain mismatches, but I think Portland State can steal one of these games (especially against a weakened Oregon State). However, even if Oregon State flops this year and finished 5-6, look for them to defeat Portland State by at least two touchdowns. As for the Boise State game, I'll predict that Portland State will come through the game relatively unscathed.
Final score prediction(s): Oregon State 45, Portland State 17
Boise State 56, Portland State 24
Northern Arizona @ Arizona: This one has upset written all over it. The Jacks invaded Tucson last year and had many chances to pull out the win. The Wildcats won't be very good this year (yet again) and I fully expect my team to be better than the 4-7 mark they mustered last year. Look for another low scoring game, with the Jacks pulling ahead lead to seal their first Division I-A victory since a 24-20 victory over Tulsa in 1987.
Final score prediction: NAU 24, Arizona 19
Montana State @ Oklahoma State: I like the Bobcats this year, but this is Oklahoma State. Still, I'll give Montana State more points in this one due to emotion and effort.
Final score prediction: Oklahoma State 49, Montana 33
Weber State @ Fresno State: Weber could pull the upset here, but I expect Fresno State to pull away in the 3rd quarter. They always seem to do well against Division I-AA opponents. This game should be around 28-17 Fresno at the half, with a final score in the 38-24 point range.
Final score prediction: Fresno State 38, Weber State 24
Idaho State @ Kentucky: This game could go both ways. Kentucky isn't very good and Idaho State would like to rebound from last season. I think this game will be low scoring, with Idaho State keeping things interesting well into the 4th quarter.
Final score prediction: Kentucky 35, Idaho State 31
Sacramento State @ California: Sacramento State cannot possibly defeat California, but they can at least take some pride in facing a PAC-10 opponent in hostile territory. Cal by at least 35.
Final score prediction: California 42, Sacramento State 7
Paul