We are back and it appears so is the Big Sky. After a season where the middle and the bottom of the league was utterly unpredictable, the four teams that (mostly) did us right betting against the spread are into the postseason.
No. 3 Weber State, No. 4 Sacramento State, No. 5 Montana State and No. 6 Montana are all into the playoffs and all received first-round byes. Now the Round of 16 commences with eight games. We were 4-3 last week to move to 44-53-2 this season. Incremental progress.
Week 13 Record: 4-3
Overall Record: 44-53-2
Playoffs Round 2
(All lines provided by 5dimes)
Lock of the Week: Weber State -12.5 (Season: 8-5)
Best Investment: Austin Peay +400
Over Under Lock: Sacramento State/Austin Peay Over 56 (Season 7-6)
Saturday December 7
SE Louisiana @ Montana (-12.5) O/U 63.5 1:00 PM
Available on ESPN 3
Last we saw Montana take the field, it didn’t go well for the Griz. They were dominated at the line of scrimmage and got rolled by Montana State. They salvaged a first round playoff bye and needed time to get fully healthy and prepared for a pretty tough Southeastern Louisiana football team. The Lions are an at large bid and are coming off an upset of No. 8 Villanova last weekend. I think Bobby Hauck has his team prepared for the pass attack of SE Louisiana, and the rainy cold weather should aid them. I think Sneed gets back on track and uses the run game to open up the downfield attack. I’ll take the Griz -12.5 this weekend.
Pick: Montana -12.5
Kennesaw State @ Weber State (-12.5) O/U 54.5 1:00 PM
Available on ESPN 3
If you’ve been tracking FCS football this year, Kennesaw State has been one of the most controversial ranked teams all season. Spending much of their time in the top 15 this season, the Owls never really seemed to play any good teams until they lost to a ranked Monmouth team. I really don’t think the Kennesaw State triple option will find much success against Weber State’s defense. WSU Jay Hill has had two weeks to prepare for the Owls. And he has a proven track record against the attack, particularly against Cal Poly. The Owls have traveled west of the Missouri River just twice in their 62-game history. Both of these factors don’t give me much confidence in Kennesaw State. The Owls are overrated and Weber State will easily take care of business in Ogden. Weber State -12.5. This is my Lock of the Week.
Pick: Weber State -12.5
Albany @ Montana State (-9.5) O/U 54 1:00 PM
Available on ESPN 3
The Albany Great Danes (who apparently don’t believe in dinosaurs) make the 2,200 mile trek to Bozeman to take on the scorching hot Bobcats. The Bobcats are coming off of a huge upset win against Montana and look to keep their high powered offensive attack up against Albany. Montana State’s offensive and defensive fronts should have a great day against a smaller Albany front. Look for Montana State’s secondary to have their hands full with the Great Dane’s freshman quarterback Jeff Undercuffler. Undercuffler finished with six touchdown passes and 304 yards passing last week. He’s thrown an FCS freshman record 39 TDs this season. But I think Montana State is up to the task. I like the Cats -9.5.
Pick: Montana State -9.5
Austin Peay @ Sacramento State (-13) O/U 56 7:00 PM
Available on ESPN 3
Austin Peay travels to Sacramento to take on the Hornets this weekend in a match up that should produce plenty of points. The Governers rolled Furman last week and come into this game on fire in their first-ever playoff appearance. Sacramento State comes into this match up winners of four of their last five contests and will have their hands full with a very strong and talented Austin Peay defense. I think Kevin Thomson leads the Hornets to victory, but I think it will be a closer contest than expected as Sac plays its first-ever playoff game as well. I’ll take Austin Peay +13.
Pick: Austin Peay +13
Photos by Brooks Nuanez or noted. All Rights Reserved.
| Matchup | Spread | Over/Under | Time |
| SE Louisiana @ Montana | (-12.5) | O/U 63.5 | 1:00 pm |
| Pick: Montana -12.5 | |||
| Kennesaw State @ Weber State | (-12.5) | O/U 54.5 | 1:00 pm |
| Pick: Weber State -12.5 | |||
| Albany @ Montana State | (-9.5) | O/U 54 | 1:00 pm |
| Pick: Montana State (-9.5) | |||
| Austin Peay @ Sacramento State | (-13) | O/U 56 | 7:00 pm |
| Pick: Austin Peay +13 |
