Tag: Big Sky Football

Sacramento State vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The CSU Rams look to avoid going 0-4 for the first time since 2007 as they welcome FCS Sacramento State to Fort Collins.

[jwplayer tJPh0k22-sNi3MVSU]

Sacramento State vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams look to avoid opening 0-4 for the first time since 2007

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

[mm-video type=playlist id=01g8ggatak2kacq2ps player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Can the Rams show any improvement?

WEEK 4: Sacramento State Hornets (2-0) vs. Colorado State Rams (0-3)

WHEN: Saturday, September 24th — 2:00 p.m. MST / 1:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Canvas Stadium; Fort Collins, CO (36,500)

WEATHER: Clear Sky, high of 83 degrees

TV: Evoca TV/Local3 (Colorado only)

STREAMING: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM

SERIES RECORD: This will be the second matchup all time between these two schools. CSU leads the series 1-0

LAST MEETING: Colorado State won 23-20 in 2008

WEBSITES: HornetSports.com, the official Sacramento State athletics website | CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Sacramento State | Colorado State

ODDS: Sacramento State -3.5

OVER/UNDER: 57

SP+ PROJECTION: Sacramento State by 4.9

The Rams have gotten off to a bad start under new head coach Jay Norvell. Three blowout losses to Michigan, Middle Tennessee, and Washington State have led to some wondering if the right hire was made. Changing coaches, offensive styles, and players is never easy. Especially after the hole CSU was left in before Norvell

This week, the Rams welcome Sacramento State to Fort Collins. The Hornets run a split QB system and run a 4-2-5 defense. Jake Dunniway is more of a pocket passer, while Asher O’Hara is more of a dual threat. It doesn’t matter who is under center, Sacramento State can hurt you either way.

Troy Taylor is in his fourth season at Sacramento State. He has led the Hornets to consecutive nine win seasons (Sacramento State didn’t play in 2020) and two consecutive second round FCS playoff appearances. Sixth ranked Sacramento State is not a team to take lightly as much as fans like to look down on FCS schools.

Colorado State Football: First Look At The Sacramento State Hornets

Now to the keys to victory for the Rams.

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Give the QB more time.

This is going to remain key number one until the Rams can prove they can protect their quarterback. Clay Millen has stood tall and taken 23 sacks so far this season. Some of that is on him and some of that is on the line. Millen did a better job against Wazzu of getting the ball out early and using his feet and he will need to keep progressing on both fronts this week.

The Rams offensive line has had three different starting groups in three games, which is no way to build cohesion. However they must come together to protect their QB. Jacob Gardner moved out to left tackle, Dirk Nelson and Owen Snively have stepped up a little bit at center and right tackle respectively, and it remains to be seen when Dontae Keys will return from injury.

2. Get the freshman going.

The Rams brought in a talented group of freshman receivers and now is there time to shine. Justus Ross-Simmons, Louis Brown, Mekhi Fox, and Ky Oday have brought some wow factor to the CSU receivers room. Ross-Simmons got the start against Washington State and showed flashes of potential as he grabbed his first touchdown reception.

Ross-Simmons will once again get the start this week and Louis Brown will be the first man up if CSU is going to go with a four wide receiver set. Look for both of them to make impact plays if given the chance. Ross-Simmons is a big receiver at 6’3″, 200lbs and Louis Brown is 6’1″, 175 so both are larger targets for Clay Millen to throw to.

3. Pay attention to who is the QB.

Jake Dunniway, Asher O’Hara. #12, #10. It doesn’t matter which quarterback is in the backfield they can both hurt you, just in different ways. Dunniway is the pocket passer out of the two, while Asher O’Hara is the dual threat. The Rams will need to pay attention to who is on the field and adjust their defense accordingly.

Most don’t think the dual QB system will work, a la Michigan, but Sacramento State has made it work for them. The rushing threat of O’Hara has opened up some throwing lanes as he’s thrown two touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes. Dunniway has running threats in Cameron Skattebo and Marcus Fulcher to help out, but he mainly looks downfield.

what will happen

Probably could reverse the final score here, but the Rams look ready to prove something this week. They’ve had a number of players leave and those who remain look to show improvement this week. Sacramento State is a good team who shouldn’t be taken lightly, but CSU is ready to show what they can do.

Final Score: Colorado State 31, Sacramento State 28

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Big Sky commissioner levels valid charge against Larry Scott

Larry Scott, again, fails the leadership test.

In a conversation with Pac-12 journalist and commentator John Canzano of Oregon Live, Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill offered remarks on various subjects connected to the loss of football games against Pac-12 opponents. The Big Sky joins the Mountain West in possibly losing revenue — or at the very least, needing litigation to fight for that revenue — due to the Pac-12’s recent decision to move to a conference-only game schedule.

Observers have various views on the Pac-12’s decision, which followed the Big Ten’s decision to move to a conference-only schedule. Wistrcill’s comments to Canzano might reshape some of those opinions.

One set of remarks in particular do not look good at all for Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.

You can listen to their full conversation here.

Here, below is the relevant segment of Canzano’s article on his discussion with Wistrcill:

“Portland State had non-conference football games scheduled at Arizona (Sept. 5) and at Oregon State (Sept. 19). Those two now-cancelled games would have provided $950,000 in guaranteed compensation to the PSU athletic department budget.

“Wistrcill said he was particularly frustrated that the Pac-12 and others canceled the non-conference games without offering a chance to meet Pac-12 COVID-19 testing standards.

“’I think a lot has been made for the different testing procedures for the virus and how teams are going to prepare for that,’ he said. ‘I think it was disappointing that we weren’t even given the opportunity to meet the standards they set (for testing). Set the money aside, those games are good for everybody.’”

“Wistrcill said he’s done a lot of thinking about the safety of games.

“’I can make the case that it’s safer for Portland State to play Oregon State than it is for Oregon State to play UCLA. Safer for Idaho to play Washington State than it is for Washington State to play Arizona State. It wasn’t surprising that it happened with the Pac-12 after the Big Ten made the decision. They do lots of things together,’ he said. ‘I was disappointed that our schools didn’t even get a chance to try and meet the standards.’”

It’s not a complicated point to grasp: The Pac-12 might have had perfectly good reasons to use a conference-only schedule, but whatever decision it made, it should have at least allowed other affected parties to put forth a plan.

Realize this: The other Power Five conferences — the Big 12, ACC, and SEC — are likely to attempt to play at least one nonconference game if not more. The Pac-12’s stance toward the Big Sky, plus the Mountain West and other conferences affected by the Pac-12’s schedule adjustment, will look different — read: worse — if the Big 12, ACC, and SEC do indeed schedule nonconference games AND manage to play them this fall.

Heckuva job, Larry… as usual.

First Look: New Mexico vs. Idaho State

Get your first look at Idaho State who takes on New Mexico in Week 1.

[jwplayer jF5wU66N-sNi3MVSU]

First Look: New Mexico vs. Idaho State

Lobos take on the Bengals in Week 0

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Danny Gonzales-era begins

An early preview of the UNM Lobos matchup against Big Sky opponent Idaho State Bengals

Team: Idaho State 

Conference: Big Sky

2019 Result: 3-9

Head Coach: Rob Phenicie

On August 29, the Danny Gonzales era begins as the Lobos battle the Bengals from Idaho State at DreamStyle Stadium in Albuquerque for the first game of the year.

With the summer months upon us and the whole world talking about the COVID-19 virus, it’s nice to even be able to talk about college football being played this year.

The Bengals from Idaho State come into the Land of Enchantment to take on Lobos in the high altitude of Albuquerque at 5000 feet above sea level. 

The Lobos under former Head Coach Bob Davie finished 2-10 last year, concluding with a nine-game skid before Athletic Director Eddie Nunez and Bob Davie mutually agreed to part ways.

Eddie Nunez: “I’m appreciative of the work that coach Davie has done at UNM.” Davie has a career record of 35-63 in eight seasons with the program. He led the Lobos to a 7-6 record and appearance in the New Mexico Bowl in 2014 and followed it up with a 9-4 campaign and a win in the New Mexico Bowl the following season.

Nunez then pursued and hired Defensive Coordinator Danny Gonzales from Arizona State, where he was on staff with former NFL head coaches Herm Edwards and Marvin Lewis. 

Gonzales who has been offered other head coaching jobs made it very clear he was not interested in any head coaching job as he was quite happy at ASU with Coach Herm Edwards. 

The only head coaching job he would consider would be his alma mater in New Mexico, but only if they pursued him, as he was not looking as he was very happy at Arizona State. 

Athletic Director Eddie Nunez really got a two for one with the hire of young and bright Danny Gonzales. Then, Rocky Long, who is known for super aggressive and physical defenses, it should bode well for the Lobos on the gridiron. 

The Idaho State Bengals are a good team for the Lobos to start the season off before heading on the road for two very challenging teams back to back, in the USC Trojans and Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Idaho State game should be one to allow the Lobos to get things worked out and have success before those two Power Five opponents.

The Bengals are picked by Street & Smith’s College football to finish dead last in the Big Sky Conference in their preseason magazine and have the fewest starters of any team in the conference. 

What they do have is returning Quarterback Matt Struck, who passed for an impressive 2,334 yards for the Bengals. He could be challenged by Wyoming Cowboy transfer Tyler VanderWaal. He is a 6’4, 220Lb Quarterback from Elk Grove Calif.

With New Mexico, Danny Gonzales inherits over 30 seniors on the roster for this year’s Lobo football team, many have with game experience, and that should really help them. 

Then you factor a Rocky Long who without question is one of the top defensive minds in college football and runs the 3-3-5 better than most teams. 

The Lobos should dramatically improve on defense under Long from last year’s Lobos, who gave up an average of 37.2 points per game. One of the biggest question marks right now would be the Quarterback of the Lobos for OC Warehime.

Sophomore QB Trae Hall is listed as the tentative starter, but it should be a dogfight with Junior Tevaka Tuioti and Brandt Hughes. 

Offensive Coordinator Derek Warehime was also an excellent hire for Danny Gonzales as Warehime.

Derek Warehime was a big reason for a very productive era of a big-play offense under former Offensive Coordinator Bob Debesse when both were part of the Lobo coaching staff with Bob Davie. 

Gonzales has gone on record saying that the Warehime be a head coach one day and feels fortunate to have hired him and bring him on staff. 

There is no doubt that all NCAA Football teams with limited reps, limited workouts, and limited practice will look a little rusty after dealing with the COVID Virus. 

The Lobos have some very good talent this year with nine players named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Mountain West team, with four players earning the nod on offense, two on defense, and a league-leading three on special teams.

So, you have some players like TE Marcus Williams salivating under this spread offense under Warehime, he can light up as a TE or Split receiver. He should have a very good year under this offense. 

They have some speedy receivers as well with Elijah Lilly as one of the speed burners for the offense. 

The Lobos have some good talent at running back and Bryce Carroll comes to mind as very explosive back with quickness to take it to the house given the opportunity. 

Shoring up the offensive line is Teton Saltes and Kyle Stapley and on defense, Jacobi Hearn at the Linebacker spot and cornerback Donte Martin are solid defenders for the Lobos. 

The Lobo without a doubt come into the season with one of the best punters in the nation with Tyson Dyer averaging 46.1 yards per punt and long of 63 yards Ray Guy Award semifinalist 

So the bottom line is that this should be a fun team to not only watch, they should be able to surprise a few teams with the coaching staff and the upperclassman for this years team. 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

First Look: Wyoming vs. Weber State

Wyoming will need to be on its toes if it wants to defeat Weber State.

[jwplayer jF5wU66N-sNi3MVSU]

First Look: Wyoming vs. Weber State

Cowboys can not take Wildcats lightly.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Cowboys defense will be tested.

The Wyoming Cowboys open the 2020 season

Team: Weber State
Conference: Big Sky
2019 Result: 11-4 (Reached FCS semifinals)
Head coach: Jay Hill
All-time series: Wyoming leads 4-0

Do not let the FCS moniker fool any Wyoming fans about this Weber State team. The Wildcats have made the playoffs in each of the past four years with three of those years they finished in the top-six teams. Head coach Jay Hill has done an amazing job since taking over the job and took them from a 2-10 season in year one to three-straight double-digit seasons.

Who to watch for:

The top player to watch is junior running back Josh Davis. He is a three-year starter and is a preseason All-American heading into the 2020 season. As a freshman he was named Big Sky freshman of the year and was recognized with some national awards, and he has been a first-team All-Big Sky player in each of the past two years.

This Wildcats offense is built to put up points and will be a good challenge against this Wyoming defense that lost two players to the NFL Draft in Logan Wilson and Cassh Maluia from the linebacker position. Plus, there are a few other defenders lost. This unit has talent returning but this is a game to test them before the face Utah, Louisiana, and Ball State for the rest of the non-conference schedule.

This Wildcats offense put up a solid 27 points per game en route to making it to the FCS semifinals in 2019.

 

The defense returns its top three tacklers in Conner Mortensen, Noah Vaea and Preston Smith; those three combined for 296 tackles. They do lose a few key players who got back to the backfield in Adam Rodriguez who led the team in tackles for loss with 15 and also sacks at 10.5. The other key loss is Jonah Williams who had 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

This Wildcats team can not be taken lightly and Wyoming should look back to last year which saw San Diego State only defeat them 6-0. So, that should be seen as a cautionary tale for this Wyoming squad to not take Weber State lightly.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1378]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]