'Cats top choice in Big Sky coach and media polls
SPOKANE, Wash. – Montana State received the nod from Big Sky Conference coaches and the league’s media to capture top honors in the 2023 football season, the conference announced Monday.
The coaches selected MSU nearly unanimously, with UC Davis and Sacramento State receiving one first place vote each, and took top honors in the media poll by edging Idaho and Montana.
MSU's perch in the catbird seat and the status of Northern Colorado, Cal Poly and Idaho State in the 10-11-12 spots are the only points of agreement in the two polls.
UC Davis landed second in the coaches poll, followed by defending co-champion Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho and Montana. The media picked Idaho second, followed by Montana, Sacramento State, UC Davis, Weber State and Eastern Washington.
The Grizzlies earned two first-place votes and 359 overall points to slot in at No. 3 in the media poll, with voting made up of media members and sports information directors from around the conference.
In voting among the coaches, UM picked up 84 points to come in sixth, with just 12 points separating five of the top six teams.
Montana opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 against the Butler Bulldogs out of Indianapolis in a first-time matchup while Montana State hosts Utah Tech on Sept. 2 to kick off their season.
Media Preseason Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
Montana State (26) – 447
Idaho (8) – 410
Montana (2) – 359
Sacramento State (3) – 334
UC Davis – 330
Weber State – 320
Eastern Washington – 216
Northern Arizona – 178
Portland State – 167
Northern Colorado – 109
Cal Poly – 103
Idaho State – 69
Coaches Preseason Poll
Montana State (10) – 120
UC Davis (1) – 96
Sacramento State (1) – 94
Weber State – 91
Idaho – 89
Montana – 84
Eastern Washington – 52
Portland State – 45
Northern Arizona – 44
Northern Colorado – 37
Cal Poly – 25
Idaho State – 15