Big Sky Conference releases polls and all-league teams

The Big Sky Conference wrapped up “Kickoff Weekend” held in Spokane, Washington.

It was there that both the preseason polls and all-conference teams were revealed.

The Bengals, who were represented there by head coach Cody Hawkins, wide receiver Christian Fredericksen and defensive lineman Cortland Horton, were picked eighth by the media with 174 points and 10th by the coaches (31) in the preseason polls.

ISU went 3-8 in Hawkins’ first year at the helm last season.

The University of Montana was the choice, by both the media and coaches, to repeat as league champion and get the automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs. Montana State, another league power, was tabbed to finish in second by both groups.

As far as the preseason all-conference team, the Bengals had one player selected, defensive back Calvin Pitcher. The senior from California had a career-high 87 tackles last year to go along with three tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles and an interception.

Montana State had the most players selected with nine. They also had the pick for preseason Defensive Player of the Year in Brode Grebe. Grebe, who was a member of the All-Big Sky first team last season, recorded 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss and a team-high 10 sacks in 2023.

UC-Davis’ Lan Larison got the nod for the preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Larison missed three games last year due to injury, but still rushed for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had a white-hot stretch to finish the year, scoring 10 times in the final three games.

Big Sky Media Poll:1. Montana (26, 1st place votes) 442 pts.

2. Montana State (9) 414

3. Idaho (2) 342

4. UC Davis (1) 332

5. Sacramento State 324

6. Eastern Washington 240

7. Weber State 234

8. Idaho State 174

9. Northern Arizona 172

10. Portland State 169

11. Cal Poly 74

12. Northern Colorado 47

Big Sky Coaches Poll:

1. Montana (10) 120

2. Montana State (1) 110

3. Idaho 96

4. UC Davis (1) 88

5. Sacramento State 82

6. Weber State 74

7. Northern Arizona 55

8. Eastern Washington 47

9. Portland State 45

10. Idaho State 31

11. Northern Colorado 23

12. Cal Poly 22