Griz, Cats picked in the top half of the Big Sky

The countdown to kickoff for the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats is underway, with fall camp fast approaching.

And earlier this week in Spokane, the annual Big Sky Conference Kickoff was held, where every coach and player representative from the conference gathered for three days of media access.

Monday also saw the release of the Big Sky Preseason Polls, and the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team.

The Grizzlies, of second-year head coach Bobby Hauck, were picked fourth in the Coaches Poll and fifth in the Media Poll. Montana went 6-5 last season, finished n a tie for fifth in the Big Sky and missed the FCS playoffs for the third straight season.

The Bobcats were picked fifth in the Coaches Poll and fourth in the media poll, after going 8-5 and garnering a win the first round of the playoffs under now fourth-year head coach Jeff Choate.

Eastern Washington was the unanimous pick to win the Big Sky. While UC Davis and Weber State, also playoff teams a year ago, were picked second and third, respectively in both polls.

The Griz also landed three players on the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, including senior linebacker Dante Olson, who was tabbed as the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Olson led the FCS in total tackles a year ago, while earning First-Team All-American honors. He is also a First-Team Preseason All-American this year. Junior wide receiver Sammy Akem and junior linebacker Jace Lewis were also named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team.

MSU had four players selected to the All-Conference Team, led by junior Troy Andersen. Andersen is listed as a fullback on the team but is expected to make the move to linebacker this fall. Andersen played quarterback and running back for the Bobcats last season. Mitch Brott was also selected as a Big Sky Preseason All-Conference offensive lineman, while senior Bryce Stern (ILB) and senior Brayden Konkol were also tabbed to the Big Sky Preseason Team on defense.

MSU opens its season Aug. 31 at Big 12 power Texas Tech, while UM starts its season the same day at Missouri Valley rival South Dakota.

Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls

Coaches Poll

1. Eastern Washington (10) – 140

2. UC Davis (2) - 127

3. Weber State - 124

4. Montana (1) - 104

5. Montana State - 100

6. Northern Arizona - 88

7. Idaho State - 72

8. Idaho - 65

9. Cal Poly - 56

10. Portland State - 42

11. Sacramento State - 40

12. Southern Utah - 38

13. Northern Colorado - 19

( ) Denotes First-Place Votes

Media Poll

1. Eastern Washington – 536 (25)

2. UC Davis – 510 (13)

3. Weber State – 472 (4)

4. Montana State - 417

5. Montana – 396 (1)

6. Northern Arizona - 302

7. Idaho State - 285

8. Idaho - 248

9. Cal Poly - 196

10. Portland State - 178

11. Southern Utah - 160

12. Sacramento State - 125

13. Northern Colorado - 90

( ) Denotes First-Place Votes