The Big Sky Conference wants to continue to prove that it is the league with the strongest team in the FCS, but the ultimate goal of winning the first national championship since the 2010 season has not yet been achieved.
Six teams are ranked in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Media Poll.
RELATED: FCS Preseason Preview Central
Here’s an overview of the upcoming Big Sky season with key names and our expected finish order.
Preseason All-Americans
Over FCS Football Headquarters
Montana (4) — AP Junior Bergen (1st team), TE Cole Grossman (2nd team), LB Riley Wilson (2nd team), CB Trevin Gradney (2nd team)
Montana State (4) — OL Marcus Wehr (1st team), DE Brody Grebe (1st team), OL Justus Perkins (2nd team), AP Tommy Mellott (2nd team)
Idaho (2) – KR Abraham Williams (1st team), DT Dallas Afalava (2nd team)
Cal Poly (1) – DE Elijah Ponder (2nd team)
Eastern Washington (1) – WR Efton Chism III (1st team)
Sac State (1) – OL Jackson Slater (1st team)
UC Davis (1) – RB Lan Larison (1st team)
Teams with the most D1 transfers
FBS to FCS transfers and FCS-to-FCS transfers
Northern Arizona – 19 (14 FBS, 5 FCS)
Montana – 17 (13 FBS, 4 FCS)
Idaho State – 13 (8 FBS, 5 FCS)
Northern Colorado – 13 (10 FBS, 3 FCS)
Portland State – 12 (9 FBS, 3 FCS)
Sac State – 11 (8 FBS, 3 FCS)
Weber State – 10 (8 FBS, 2 FCS)
Eastern Washington – 9 (8 FBS, 1 FCS)
UC Davis – 9 (6 FBS, 3 FCS)
Idaho – 8 (3 FBS, 5 FCS)
Names you should know
BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Lan Larison, UC Davis RB – In just eight games last year, Larison ran 178 times for 1,101 yards (6.2 YPC) and 13 touchdowns, while also recording 21 catches for 198 yards and two scores. He was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year, while PFF rated Larison as the No. 7 overall FCS running back.
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Brody Grebe, Montana State DE – Grebe was named All-American and First Team All-Conference for two years. In 2023, he totaled 50 tackles, 13 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, six QB hurries and three forced fumbles.
TOP NFL PROSPECT: Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly DE – Ponder could be a mid-round draft pick next spring. A 6’3″, 250-pound edge player, Ponder posted 52 tackles, 13 TFLs, 10 sacks and 17 QB hurries last season. He was ranked the No. 7 FCS edge defender by PFF.
HERO Sports predicted order of finish
t1.
t1. State of Montana
3. Idaho
4. State of Sacramento
5. University of California, Davis
6. Weber State
7. Eastern Washington
8. State of Idaho
9. Portland State
10. Northern Arizona
11. Northern Colorado
12. Cal Poly
You can call it a tiebreaker, but I think Montana and Montana State finish Big Sky play 7-1 and share the conference title. Big Sky has had co-champions in five of the last eight years.
The two are ready to seriously challenge for the national title.
Montana returns much of its offense and traditionally rebuilds defensively. If the Griz can find a solid quarterback, they have a chance to be special with an overall experienced offensive line and some of the best talent in the FCS.
Montana State also returns a veteran offense and seven of its top 11 tacklers. MSU could have the best offense in the Big Sky and the FCS if it gets back its starting quarterback, five offensive linemen with significant starting experience, its best wide receiver and its top four running backs.
Idaho could be one of the best defenses in the conference, as eight starters and 13 of the 18 players who played at least 250 snaps last year return. But the offense has big question marks, having lost its star quarterback, running back and two receivers. Sac State is the opposite, returning an intact offensive unit that returns its starting quarterback, all-conference wide receiver, Nos. 2/3/4 running backs and five offensive linemen who started at least six games in 2023. But only one of Sac State’s top 11 tacklers returns.
UC Davis is a team to keep an eye on after spending the last two seasons in the playoff bubble. The Aggies return their starting quarterback, All-American running back, top four wide receivers, top tight end and three starting offensive linemen. On defense, they return seven of their top 11 tacklers.
Weber State also appears to be in the running after a strong finish to 2023. Weber returns its starting quarterback from the end of the year, Nos. 2 and 3 running backs and No. 2 wide receiver. But the offensive line loses four starters and the defense loses its top six snappers.
These six teams are well ranked in the preseason polls, which is a gap between them and the bottom six teams. But Eastern Washington will be a formidable opponent with its dynamic offense. Idaho State was quite competitive last fall. And Portland State will have an offense that will give the defense problems.
