Preseason Poll release from the Big Sky Conference

Portland State has been picked to place seventh in the Big Sky Conference preseason football polls, released Tuesday by the league.

The Vikings, coming off a 2-9/1-7 season in 2010, are trying to climb back up the Big Sky standings after four straight non-winning seasons. Second-year Head Coach Nigel Burton should have a more talented and experienced group returning in 2011 with 49 letterwinners and 21 returning starters (9 on offense, 9 on defense and 3 on special teams). The seventh-place selection is one spot higher than the Vikings' 2010 finish.

The Big Sky proves to be one of the toughest conferences in the nation annually and boasts the defending national champion in Eastern Washington (13-2/7-1). The Eagles were picked to place first in the preseason polls by both the coaches and the media.

Co-Big Sky champion Montana State (9-3/7-1) was picked second in each poll, while Montana (7-4/5-3) was picked third after missing the playoffs in 2010 for the first time since 1993.

Sacramento State (6-5/5-3) was picked fourth in both polls, while Weber State (6-5/5-3) and Northern Arizona (6-5/4-4) alternated fifth and sixth in the two polls.

The Vikings were picked to place seventh and have not placed higher than sixth since Tim Walsh led PSU to a tie for second in 2006 (7-4/6-2).

Northern Colorado and Idaho State round out the poll.

Perhaps this is the year for the Vikings to make a move as they will have six home games, including three in conference against the teams picked to place just ahead of them (Sacramento State, Northern Arizona and Weber State). PSU also hosts defending Big Sky co-champion Montana State at JELD-WEN Field.

The Vikings travel to national champion Eastern Washington, third-place Montana, seventh-place Northern Colorado and last-place Idaho State.

Portland State opens practice on Aug. 7 at Stott Community Field on the PSU campus.

2011 Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls

place, team, first-place votes, voting points

Coaches Poll
1. Eastern Washington (6), 60
2. Montana State (3), 57
3. Montana, 49
4. Sacramento State, 46
5. Northern Arizona, 35
6. Weber State, 32
7. Portland State, 23
8. Northern Colorado, 13
9. Idaho State, 10
 
Media Poll
1. Eastern Washington (29), 430
2. Montana State (19), 414
3. Montana (3), 365
4. Sacramento State, 273
5. Weber State, 247
6. Northern Arizona, 228.5
7. Portland State, 151.5,
8. Northern Colorado, 110.5
9. Idaho State, 76.5