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Montana picked sixth, Montana State eighth in Big Sky Preseason Polls
Montana sophomore Jerry Louie-McGee was named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team for 2017. The Grizzlies, picked to finish sixth in the Big Sky, kick their season Sept. 2 at home against Valparaiso. Montana State was picked eighth, and opens at Pac 12 Washington State the same night.
The Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats are not starting the 2017 Big Sky Conference football season in their usual roles. Normally among the favorites in the Big Sky, the Griz and Cats are looked upon as middle-of-the pack squads entering the new season.
At least that’s the way both the media and league coaches see it.
On Tuesday, both the Big Sky Preseason Media and Big Sky Preseason Coaches Polls were released at the annual Big Sky Kickoff in Park City, Utah. In both polls, Montana is picked sixth, while the Bobcats are picked eighth.
UM finished the 2016 6-5, and losing four of its last five games, while going 3-5 in the Big Sky. The Cats meanwhile, ended the regular season with an upset win in the Brawl of the Wild in Missoula, but still finished 4-7 overall and just 2-6 in conference play in head coach Jeff Choate’s first season at the helm.
Both teams return this season with young rosters, but with plenty of talent, and both will use last year’s disappointments as motivation.
"We're probably where we should be after the way we finished last season," said UM Head coach Bob Stitt. "We'll use these polls as motivation to play a complete season and finish where we want to be in the final poll."
Defending Big Sky co-champion North Dakota was picked first in both polls, while Eastern Washington was second. Northern Arizona, Cal Poly and Weber State rounded out the Top 5 in both polls.
On Monday, the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team was announced, with three Grizzlies and one Bobcat making the list. On offense, Montana wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee got the nod as did offensive tackle David Reese. Linebacker Josh Buss was named to the defense, while MSU linebacker Mac Bignell was also tabbed.
Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud, who shared the 2016 Big Sky Player of the Year Award with teammate Cooper Kupp, was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while UND safety Cole Reyes was touted as the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Reyes also won the 2016 Big Sky Defensive MVP Award.
Montana and Montana State are both just three weeks away from opening fall training camp. The Bobcats open their season Sept. 2 at Washington State before returning home to host South Dakota State Sept. 9. The Grizzlies open the season Sept. 2 at home against Valparaiso.
2017 Big Sky Preseason Football Polls
Media Poll
1. North Dakota (15) 298
2. Eastern Washington (5) 271
3. Northern Arizona (3) 236
4. Cal Poly 224
5. Weber State 209
6. Montana (1) 204
7. Southern Utah 175
8. Montana State 156
9. Northern Colorado 135
10. Portland State 104
11. UC Davis 62
12. Sacramento State 61
13. Idaho State 44
Coaches' Poll
1. North Dakota (6) 130
2. Eastern Washington (2) 124
3. Northern Arizona (2) 119
4. Cal Poly (1) 108
5. Weber State (1) 103
6. Montana (1) 83
7. Southern Utah 80
8. Montana State 69
9. Portland State 62
10. Northern Colorado 60
11. UC Davis 35
12. Sacramento State 26
13. Idaho State 15
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