Big Guns in the Big Sky
NCAA Football Betting Lines
07/20/2010 -
Ogden, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Big Sky Conference will not be short on
offensive firepower this coming season. From the top down, the conference is
laden with talented, proven, and productive offensive threats.
Preseason favorite Montana boasts two Walter Payton Award watch lists members.
Running back Chase Reynolds was a finalist in 2009, finishing 13th in the
voting. A senior, Reynolds has rushed for 3,075 yards and 44 touchdowns over
the last two seasons.
Joining Reynolds on the Payton watch list is senior quarterback Andrew Selle.
Selle manned an offense which finished first in the Big Sky in scoring last
season. He threw for 3,043 yards, 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions,
while leading the conference in passing efficiency.
Despite those gaudy numbers, first year head coach Robin Pflugrad describes
himself as "cautiously optimistic" about his team's prospects this season. To
Pflugrad, roster turnover is the main cause for concern. Most notably, the
Grizzlies are without First Team All-American wide receiver Marc Mariani, who
recently took his talents to the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Also gone are key
offensive line components Levi Horn and Chris Dyke. In speaking of his team's
inexperience, Pflugrad says, "We have some guys who haven't been in the war
together."
Still, as the battle for the Big Sky title nears commencement, Montana appears
poised to prevail. The going may get tough however, as many teams in the
conference have weapons to burn.
Montana first runs into a stalwart Big Sky gun when they visit Eastern
Washington on September 18th. Waiting on EWU's new red turf will be the
Eagles' own Payton watch member, Taiwan Jones.
Says Pflugrad of Jones, "When he turns the corner we don't have anyone that can
catch him." The numbers bear this out. In 2009, Jones averaged 7.5 yards per
carry and scored 15 touchdowns. Originally a cornerback, Jones also proved to
be a dual threat for Eastern Washington, catching 40 passes for 561 yards.
Perhaps the biggest threat facing any Big Sky defense this year is Northern
Arizona senior quarterback Michael Herrick. Herrick, a Payton nominee, has
also been named first-team preseason all-conference. Herrick had a sensational
year in 2009, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,356 yards and 22
touchdowns. Sure to add quake to defensive coordinators' kneecaps is the word
out of Flagstaff that Herrick appears to have improved his accuracy leading
into the 2010 season.
Not to be outdone, senior Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins will look to
create some fireworks of his own. Higgins has been a candidate for the Walter
Payton Award each of the past two seasons. He has also guided Weber State to
two consecutive FCS playoff births. Higgins will meet Herrick on November 13,
in Flagstaff. The meeting is sure to be a summit of gunslinging prowess.
In all, it appears there are many gunners aiming for the well-adorned bull's
eye on Montana's back. With the Grizzlies facing some significant question
marks, the battle for the Big Sky could come down to who has the biggest weapon
to hit that target.
2010 Preseason Conference Poll (coaches and media)
1. Montana
2. Eastern Washington
3. Montana State
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
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