2015 Frontier Football Preview

While the Montana State University-Northern Lights don't make their 2015 Frontier Conference debut until next Saturday, the league will kick off its new season this week when Eastern Oregon visits the College of Idaho.

And once again, it should be an entertaining, and interesting year in the Frontier. The league has the defending NAIA national champion in Southern Oregon, perennial power Carroll College and four teams that are ranked in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll. So there's no denying, the Frontier is good.

On offense, running backs steal the show with the likes of Northern's Zach McKinley, Western's Sam Rutherford, Eastern Oregon's Jace Billingsley, SOU's Sean Tow and Montana Tech's Nolan Saraceni all with star potential. The quarterbacks, led by Carroll's Mac Roche, aren't bad either.

There will also be stout defenses in the Frontier. Carroll, Northern and Western could be the most prolific defenses in the league this season, so there's certainly going to be some slobber-knocker type games in the league each week.

And there will also be surprises. Is Western ready to realize its full potential this season? Can a talented Eastern Oregon team steal the Frontier championship? How fast is College of Idaho going to ascend to the top of the Frontier? Answers to those questions could really shift the balance of power in the league.

But, one thing is for sure...the Frontier is good. It's really good. And when you have the defending national champion in the conference, it's even better.

"This is a really good conference," said Northern first-year head coach Aaron Christensen. "There's a lot of parity. In some leagues, the teams at the bottom are sometimes not very good. I don't think that's the case with the Frontier. It's really hard for everyone in this league to win games."

And with that statement, it just means it's business as usual in the Frontier. Again, the league will be one of the best in all of NAIA football. So get ready for another exciting, and fun-filled fall of Frontier football.

Here's a look at the 2015 Frontier Conference team by team in their predicted order of finish.

Carroll College

Fighting Saints

Record: (0-0)

2014: (10-2, 9-1, 1sdt in Frontier, lost in NAIA quarterfinals)

Head Coach: Mike Van Diest, 17th season

Location: Helena

Biggest Game: vs Southern Oregon, Sept. 5

Outlook: Carroll won yet another Frontier title last fall, and is picked to do so again this season. But NAIA championships are what the Fighting Saints are after and they fell short of that goal a year ago. Good for the Saints, they get the chance to avenge their last loss right out of the gates when they host Southern Oregon Sept. 5 in Helena. That game will most likely already settle the Frontier championship. But while the fifth-ranked Saints will be strong again this season, they do have their share of question marks. All-time leading rusher Dustin Rinker is gone after a brilliant four-year career, as is All-American receiver Anthony Clark. On defense, two-time Frontier Player of the Year Sean Blomquist also graduated. Carroll also has holes to fill in the two biggest positions it always dominates, the offensive and defensive lines. Still, the Saints are primed to be strong yet again, especially with senior quarterback Mac Roche running the offense. Receivers Dylan Simac and Kyle Griffith are also experienced weapons, while the Saints will look to Shayne Durbin and a stellar secondary led by All-American James Dowgin to lead what is always a stingy defense. But while Carroll is always one of the best in the NAIA, the early game against SOU, and so many new players at key positions, including running back and defensive line, leave the Saints a tad bit vulnerable. However, a win over the defending national champions to open the season would put any doubts to rest, and from there, Carroll will likely march right back into NAIA championship contention.

Southern Oregon

Raiders

Record: (0-0)

2014: (13-2, 8-2, 2nd in Frontier, won 2014 NAIA national championship).

Head Coach: Craig Howard, 5th season

Location: Ashland, Ore.

Biggest Game: at Carroll Sept. 5. SOU beat the Saints in Helena in the NAIA quarterfinals last November.

Outlook: A magical four-year ride by quarterback Austin Dodge, who broke every single NAIA career passing record, ended with SOU's first-ever national championship in football. Now however, Dodge, two 1,000-yard receivers, running back Melvin Mason, four starters on the offensive line, and two All-Conference defensive players have graduated. But don't expect a rebuilding year, or a post-national title hangover in Ashland. The Raiders are ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll, and are picked to finish second in the Frontier Conference this season. Quarterback is the question mark at SOU, and the Raiders haven't officially named a starter. But whoever that is will have plenty of weapons to throw to. Matt Retzlaff and Sean McShane are both All-Conference caliber pass catchers, while junior running back Sean Tow is ready to be a star. And if a mostly new offensive line can gel together, SOU's offense shouldn't miss a beat. The Raiders are also loaded in the secondary defensively, and if they can win their season-opening game at Nelson Stadium in Helena Sept. 5, running the table in the Frontier isn't out of the question. Make no mistake, even without Dodge, Dylan Young and Ryan Retzlaff, there's no reason to count SOU out of the Frontier Conference title race, no reason whatsoever.

Eastern Oregon

Mountaineers

Record: (0-0)

2014: (8-3, 7-3, 3rd in Frontier)

Head Coach: Tim Camp, 8th season

Location: LaGrande, Ore.

Biggest Game: at Sacramento St. Sept 5, vs SOU, Nov. 14.

Outlook: Eastern Oregon has been knocking on the door of a Frontier title for a while now. No matter the season, head coach Tim Camp always seems to knock off a giant of the Frontier. And last year was no different, and the Mounties should not have been left out of the NAIA playoffs. Now, EOU will use that as fuel for not only a playoff run, but another chance at unseating Carroll and SOU for the Frontier title. EOU was one of the most balanced teams in the Frontier a season ago, as the Mounties were third in the league in total offense and third in the league in total defense. And that formula should work well again this season. EOU's high-powered spread offense is led by quarterback Zach Bartlow and the do-everything Jace Billingsley, who plays running back, wide receiver and returns kicks. On defense, the Mounties have a great line, led by pass rusher Kyle Lanue, so again, the Mounties could be one of the most complete teams in the league. And EOU also has a chance to really prove themselves, with a play-up game against Big Sky power Sacramento State, Sept. 5. The Mounties also have a chance to make plenty of noise in the league as they get two cracks, including the regular season finale at home against SOU, as well as a chance to upset Carroll for the second time in four years in Helena. If EOU can beat SOU once, and win in Helena, the Frontier title might just reside in LaGrande, Oregon, this year.

Rocky Mountain

Battlin' Bears

Record: (0-0)

2014: (5-6, 4-6, 5th in Frontier)

Head Coach: Brian Armstrong, 8th season

Location: Billings

Biggest Game: vs SOU, Oct. 31.

Outlook: Like EOU, Rocky Mountain College has been close to taking over the Frontier throne on a number of occasions, including a playoff berth not that long ago. But, last year was a nightmare finish for the Bears, who were picked to contend for the Frontier title, but nose-dived to four straight losses to end the season. Compounding that slump is the loss of All-American quarterback Bryce Baker, and a host of top-notch defensive players. Still, expectations are high for RMC, which will turn to former Shelby star and Montana Grizzly Chase White at QB. White has mentored under Baker the last two seasons and, with two-time All-American Andre McCullouch to throw to, he should be in complete control of RMC's fast-paces offense. McCullouch has been torturing Frontier defensive backs forever, and he's certainly the league's top NFL prospect. But where the Bears need to get better is on defense, and they have a pair of linemen, Brendon Johnson and Austin Chamberlain to do just that. During Rocky's slide last season, the Bears really struggled to stop teams on defense, and if the Bears can shore that up, and if White is ready to lead the RMC offense, things should be just fine in Billings this fall.

UM-Western

Bulldogs

Record: (0-0)

2014: (6-5, 6-4, 4th in Frontier)

Head Coach: B.J. Robertson, 3rd Year

Location: Dillon

Biggest Game: vs Carroll, Sept. 26

Outlook: There's a reason why Western received votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs have proven to be an up-and-comer the last two season. Now however, head coach B.J. Robertson has a team that might just shed that label and take the Frontier by storm this fall. Western has always been a powerful offense, no matter who the coach, but, under Robertson, the Bulldogs really do rely on power. With star running back Sam Rutherford, and backup Dylan Kramer back to run behind a strong offensive line, the Bulldogs aren't the high-flying passing team they once were under the legendary Tommy Lee. No, now Western likes to run right over people, and that should be the case this season. Western has also been building a strong defense under Robertson. And even though All-American defensive end Phil Selin graduated, UM-W will be stout on the defensive side of the ball with linebackers A.J. Wilson and Joe Coker making up perhaps the best tandem in the league. Add in standout Tyrell Penner on the line and hard-hitting safety Ben Sulser in the secondary, and Robertson has the type of defense that should succeed in the offensive-minded Frontier. And if Western can pull an upset or two against Carroll and or SOU, while also winning key road games, the playoffs and perhaps more is certainly not out of the question.

College of Idaho

Yotes

Record: (0-0)

2014: (4-7, 3-7, 6th in Frontier)

Head Coach: Mike Moroski, 2nd Year

Location: Caldwell, Idaho

Biggest Game: vs EOU, Aug. 29, vs Carroll, Nov. 14

Outlook: In its inaugural year in the Frontier, and its first football season in nearly four decades, the College of Idaho Yotes came a long way. They won more games than certainly anybody picked them too, and their option offense caught a lot of Frontier teams off guard. This season, C of I won't be a secret anymore. Instead, Frontier teams will be on high alert, knowing the Yotes are coming. With senior quarterback TeeJay Gordon's running ability, and a big offensive line, the Yotes will be one of the top rushing teams in the league. Now, if they can pass a little bit better this season, finishing in the top half of the league standings isn't out of the question. The Yotes have a great tight end in sophomore Marcus Lenhardt, and he'll be Gordon's favorite target in hopes of not being so one-dimensional on offense. And while the defense is young again this season, led by safety Cory Brady, it will still be physical and stout. And while the Yotes are still considered a young team on the rise, a season-opening win over Eastern Oregon, as well as crucial home games against SOU, RMC and Western could go a long way towards improving on what was a very good start to the Yotes' foray into Frontier Conference football.

Montana Tech

Orediggers

Record: (0-0)

2014: (1-9, 1-9, last in Frontier)

Head Coach: Chuck Morrell, 5th Season

Location: Butte

Biggest Game: vs UM-Western, Nov. 14

Outlook: When Chuck Morrell took over the proud Montana Tech program, hopes were riding high given Morrell's success in the coaching ranks. But injuries and a multitude of close losses over the years have really held the Orediggers back. Last season was as tough as it gets as Tech went 1-9 and finished last in the league. But, with each new August, hope springs eternal, and though Tech was picked to finish seventh in the Frontier, and saw all-time leading rusher Pat Hansen graduate, the Diggers have a team bent on turning things around. The transfer of former Montana State quarterback Quinn McQueary is a big help, while junior running back Nolan Saraceni is now the fulltime starter. Defensively, Tech has perhaps the top player in the league back in linebacker David Meis, and from a physicality standpoint, the Diggers should be salty on both the offensive and defensive lines. So with plenty of talent, especially with the explosive McQueary at quarterback, the Diggers can certainly look to a bright future. Now it all depends on how fast that future can come.

MSU-Northern

Lights

Record: (0-1)

2014: (3-8, 2-8, 7th in Frontier)

Head Coach: Aaron Christensen, 1st Year

Location: Havre

Biggest Game: vs Montana Tech, Sept. 5.

Outlook: The Lights went through a tumultuous 2014 season, especially at the start when head coach Mark Samson was forced to resign. Late season wasn't much better when senior quarterback Travis Dean suffered a season-ending injury. And despite a dramatic closing win at RMC last November, the beginning of 2015, and the debut of head coach Aaron Christensen didn't go much better as MSU-N suffered a 17-7 season-opening loss at Dickinson State back on Aug. 22. Now, a young Northern team, with just four seniors on the entire roster, must regroup. The Lights have talent no doubt, especially with star running back Zach McKinley, and the bruising Mario Gabotto on offense where the Lights should be one of the top rushing teams in the Frontier again this season. On defense, end Tyler Craig, tackle Pat Barnett, linebacker Tucker Dunn and corner Malcolm Manuel make the Lights stout at every position. But talent will only go so far. Northern also needs to learn to win games, and especially at home, where MSU-N won just twice last season. With home games against Montana Tech, UM-Western, RMC and College of Idaho, all teams that finished fourth or worse in the league a year ago, the Lights could really build a nice resume' this season, and being such a young team, winning at Blue Pony Stadium would be a strong start to building towards a bright future.