With one week left in the 2015 Big Sky Conference football regular season, there are six teams still alive for a playoff berth. With three crucial games this weekend determining the conference champion, automatic playoff bid and rival supremacy, the Big Sky is sure to be on its head again by Saturday.
In the most storied rivalry in the West, Montana plays at Montana State with the playoffs on the line for the Grizzlies. The Bobcats can play spoiler to their in-state rival, but cannot qualify for the FCS playoffs.
The surging Portland State Vikings travel to Eastern Washington to play the skidding Eagles on their home turf. PSU is probably in the playoffs no matter what, having seven Division I wins including two FBS victories. The Eagles can make the playoffs with a victory and will miss the playoffs with a loss.
Red-hot Northern Arizona travels to rival Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds can win the outright league title with a win, and the Lumberjacks can play spoiler to that while making the playoffs with a win.
North Dakota travels to Cal Poly to face the Mustangs and quarterback Chris Brown in his last collegiate game. With a win, UND will have seven Division I wins including victories at FBS Wyoming, at Portland State and against then-ranked Montana State. UND could make the playoff with a win and some help. Cal Poly looks to end and otherwise tough season on a high note.
Here are the win/loss scenarios and projected playoff teams.
Games:
UM @ MSU
PSU @ EWU
NAU @ SUU
1). Winners: UM/SUU/PSU –SUU gets auto-bid and the Big Sky title (only loss to PSU, 24-23).
Projected playoff teams: (Conference; overall record)
SUU – 7-1; 8-3
PSU – 6-2; 9-2
UM – 6-2; 7-4
2). Winners: UM/SUU/EWU – SUU gets auto-bid and the Big Sky title (only loss to PSU, 24-23)
Projected playoff:
SUU – 7-1; 8-3
UM – 6-2; 7-4
EWU – 6-2; 7-4
PSU – 5-3; 8-3
3). Winners: UM/NAU/PSU – PSU wins auto-bid (2-0 head-to-head over UM (35-16) and SUU (24-23), did not play NAU) and a share of the Big Sky title with SUU.
Projected playoff:
PSU – 6-2; 9-2
UM 6-2; 7-4
NAU – 6-2; 8-3
SUU – 6-2: 7-4
4). Winners: UM/NAU/EWU – UM wins the auto-bid (2-0 head-to-head over NAU (23-14) and EWU (57-16), did not play SUU) and a share of the Big Sky Title with SUU.
Projected playoff:
UM – 6-2; 7-4
NAU – 6-2; 8-3
EWU – 6-2; 7-4
PSU – 6-3; 8-3
5). Winners: MSU/NAU/PSU – PSU wins auto-bid (both PSU and NAU beat SUU, PSU defeated UM (35-16) and UM defeated NAU (23-14) and a share of the Big Sky title with SUU.
Projected playoff
PSU – 6-2; 9-2
NAU – 6-2; 8-3
SUU – 6-2; 7-4 or UND (with win of Cal Poly) 5-3; 7-4
6). Winners: MSU/NAU/EWU – NAU wins auto-bid (2-0 head-to-head over SUU (TBD) and EWU (52-30) and a share of the Big Sky title with SUU.
Projected playoff
NAU – 6-2; 8-3
EWU – 6-2; 7-4
SUU – 6-2; 7-4 or UND (with win of Cal Poly) 5-3; 7-4
7). Winners: MSU/SUU/ PSU- SUU gets auto-bid and the Big Sky title (only loss to PSU 24-23).
Projected playoff
SUU – 7-1; 8-3
PSU – 6-2; 9-2
UND (with win of Cal Poly) 5-3; 7-4
8). Winners: MSU/SUU/EWU – SUU gets auto-bid and the Big Sky title (only loss to PSU 24-23).
Projected playoff
SUU – 7-1; 8-3
EWU – 6-2; 7-4
PSU – 6-3; 8-3
UND (with win of Cal Poly) 5-3; 7-4
