Big Sky coaches, media favor Griz to win championship
7/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Montana is a heavy favorite to win the 2007 Big Sky Conference football championship.
Montana was picked first by both the media and the coaches in the league's preseason polls, receiving all but one first-place vote. The polls were released Monday at the league's annual Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah.
Montana was an unanimous selection in the coaches poll, earning all of the possible eight first-place votes and 64 total points. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team. Montana received all 33 first-place votes in the media poll and 297 total points.
Montana, coached by Bobby Hauck, finished 12-2 last season, earning a ninth straight conference title with an 8-0 league mark. Montana advanced to the Division I Football Championship for a record 14th consecutive season, falling in the semifinals to Massachusetts. The Grizzlies have won or shared nine straight and 12 of the last 14 Big Sky Conference titles. The Grizzlies return 18 starters and 54 lettermen from the 2006 team.
Portland State, under the direction of first-year coach Jerry Glanville, was picked in both polls to finish second. The Vikings went 7-4 last season and tied for second in the Big Sky at 6-2. Portland State earned 55 points from the coaches and 237 from the media. Glanville, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers, will make his collegiate head coaching debut on Sept. 1 at McNeese State.
Montana State, a playoff quarterfinalist in 2006, was picked third by the coaches. The Bobcats, under first-year coach Rob Ash, received one first-place vote and 47 total points. The Bobcats were selected fourth by the media. Montana State earned at at-large bid to the playoffs and beat Furman in the first round, the program's first playoff victory since winning the national championship in 1984.
Northern Arizona was selected third by the media with 192 points, and fourth by the coaches with 42 points. The fifth through ninth-place spots were the same in both polls. Eastern Washington was picked fifth, followed by Weber State, Sacramento State, Idaho State and Northern Colorado.
Northern Colorado enters its second season in the Big Sky. The Bears, now a certified NCAA Division I institution, will be eligible to win the conference title, and advance to the postseason.
The 2007 college football season begins Thursday, Aug. 30.
2007 Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) ... Points
1. Montana (8) ... 64
2. Portland State ... 55
3. Montana State (1) ... 47
4. Northern Arizona ... 42
5. Eastern Washington ... 41
6. Weber State ... 23
7. Sacramento State ... 22
8. Idaho State ... 21
9. Northern Colorado ... 8
2007 Media Poll
Team (first-place votes) ... Points
1. Montana (33) ... 297
2. Portland State ... 237
3. Northern Arizona ... 192
4. Montana State ... 190
5. Eastern Washington ... 166
6. Weber State ... 143
7. Sacramento State ... 89
8. Idaho State ... 86
9. Northern Colorado ... 43
Montana was picked first by both the media and the coaches in the league's preseason polls, receiving all but one first-place vote. The polls were released Monday at the league's annual Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah.
Montana was an unanimous selection in the coaches poll, earning all of the possible eight first-place votes and 64 total points. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team. Montana received all 33 first-place votes in the media poll and 297 total points.
Montana, coached by Bobby Hauck, finished 12-2 last season, earning a ninth straight conference title with an 8-0 league mark. Montana advanced to the Division I Football Championship for a record 14th consecutive season, falling in the semifinals to Massachusetts. The Grizzlies have won or shared nine straight and 12 of the last 14 Big Sky Conference titles. The Grizzlies return 18 starters and 54 lettermen from the 2006 team.
Portland State, under the direction of first-year coach Jerry Glanville, was picked in both polls to finish second. The Vikings went 7-4 last season and tied for second in the Big Sky at 6-2. Portland State earned 55 points from the coaches and 237 from the media. Glanville, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers, will make his collegiate head coaching debut on Sept. 1 at McNeese State.
Montana State, a playoff quarterfinalist in 2006, was picked third by the coaches. The Bobcats, under first-year coach Rob Ash, received one first-place vote and 47 total points. The Bobcats were selected fourth by the media. Montana State earned at at-large bid to the playoffs and beat Furman in the first round, the program's first playoff victory since winning the national championship in 1984.
Northern Arizona was selected third by the media with 192 points, and fourth by the coaches with 42 points. The fifth through ninth-place spots were the same in both polls. Eastern Washington was picked fifth, followed by Weber State, Sacramento State, Idaho State and Northern Colorado.
Northern Colorado enters its second season in the Big Sky. The Bears, now a certified NCAA Division I institution, will be eligible to win the conference title, and advance to the postseason.
The 2007 college football season begins Thursday, Aug. 30.
2007 Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) ... Points
1. Montana (8) ... 64
2. Portland State ... 55
3. Montana State (1) ... 47
4. Northern Arizona ... 42
5. Eastern Washington ... 41
6. Weber State ... 23
7. Sacramento State ... 22
8. Idaho State ... 21
9. Northern Colorado ... 8
2007 Media Poll
Team (first-place votes) ... Points
1. Montana (33) ... 297
2. Portland State ... 237
3. Northern Arizona ... 192
4. Montana State ... 190
5. Eastern Washington ... 166
6. Weber State ... 143
7. Sacramento State ... 89
8. Idaho State ... 86
9. Northern Colorado ... 43
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