Griz picked to win Big Sky, Cats second

Big Sky Football Media Days kicked off Monday morning in Spokane, and it was a good morning for Montana and Montana State football.

In both the Big Sky Conference Coaches and Media Polls, the Montana Grizzlies were picked to win the Big Sky Conference, something that hasn't happened since 2009. Montana State was also tabbed second by the Media and third by the coaches. Defending league champion Sacramento State was picked second in the Coaches Poll, while Weber State and UC Davis rounded out the top five in both polls.

The Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Teams were also announced Monday morning, with UM senior linebacker Pat O'Connell named Preseason Defensive MVP, and UC Davis RB Ulonzo Gillam getting the nod in offense. In all, 12 Griz and Cats made the list. On offense, MSU QB Tommy Mellot was named at quarterback, R.J. Fitzgerald at fullback, Isaiah Ifanse at running back ands UM's Malik Flowers at KR. On defense, UM had Alex Gubner at DT, O'Connell at LB, Justin Ford at corner and Robby Hauck at safety. MSU had Brody Grebe at DE, Callahan O'Reilly at LB, Bryce Leighton at punter and Tommy Sullivan at LS.

Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll

1: Montana (3) - 111 2: Sacramento State (4) - 110 3: Montana State (5) - 109 4: Weber State - 84 5: UC Davis - 82 6: Eastern Washington - 76 7: Northern Arizona - 62 8: Idaho - 45 9: Portland State - 42 10: Cal Poly - 33 T11: Idaho State – 19 T11: Northern Colorado – 19 

Big Sky Preseason Media Poll 

1: Montana (14) - 356 2: Montana State (13 - 352 3: Sacramento State (4) - 335 4: Weber State - 261 5: UC Davis (1) - 255 6: Eastern Washington - 236 7: Northern Arizona - 191 8: Portland State - 146 9: Idaho - 142 10: Cal Poly - 85 11: Northern Colorado - 71 12: Idaho State - 66