The Big Sky Conference released its preseason coaches and media polls for the 2024 season today during the Big Sky Kickoff Event at Northern Quest Casino and Resort in Spokane, WA.
Portland State was picked ninth in the 12-team Big Sky Coaches Poll and 10th in the Big Sky Media Poll.
Montana, a national finalist in 2023, earned top billing in both polls. The Grizzlies were followed by Montana State, Idaho, UC Davis and Sacramento State in succession in both polls.
The Vikings come off a 4-4 finish and a tie for sixth place in 2023. Their 2024 schedule may have a little to do with their pick in the standings. PSU will play all five of the top-five picked teams, four of whom are ranked in the top eight in the nation and all five of whom are nationally-ranked. The other three conference opponents will be Weber State (also nationally-ranked), Idaho State and Northern Colorado. That gives PSU six nationally-ranked opponents among its eight Big Sky foes.
PSU's non-conference schedule includes FBS opponents Washington State and Boise State, and FCS opponents South Dakota (ranked 5th) and Chattanooga (ranked 10th). That gives the Vikings eight nationally-ranked opponents and unquestionably the most challenging schedule in school history. It may be the toughest schedule in the nation at the FCS level.
MICHAEL MONTGOMERY NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE
The Big Sky also released a preseason All-Big Sky Conference team on Sunday as voted on by league media. Vikings' sophomore linebacker
Michael Montgomery was among the 39 players selected.
Highlighting PSU's strong freshman class in 2023, Montgomery was selected to a pair of Freshman All-America teams - the Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-America Team, and the FCS Football Central Freshman All-American Team - following the season.
A 6-3, 230-pounder from Seattle's Garfield High School, Montgomery was a key player on the Viking defense in 2023 and should be a leader in 2024. He played in all 11 games, starting the last five. Montgomery ranked second on the team in tackles with 69 for the season, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He had a season-high 14 tackles against Oregon in the season opener. Montgomery also had a 10-tackle game against Idaho State, and eight tackles and a fumble recovery in the Vikings' Dam Cup win over Eastern Washington. He added 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the game against FCS national finalist Montana.
Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st) |
Votes |
| 1 |
Montana (10) |
120 |
| 2 |
Montana State (1) |
110 |
| 3 |
Idaho |
95 |
| 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 |
Big Sky Conference Preseason Media Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st) |
Votes |
| 1 |
Montana (26) |
442 |
| 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 Conference Preseason All-Conference Team
| Pos. |
Player (School) |
| QB |
Tommy Mellott, Montana State |
| RB |
Lan Larison, UC Davis* |
| RB |
Eli Gillman, Montana |
| FB |
Rohan Jones, Montana State |
| WR |
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington* |
| WR |
Junior Bergen, Montana |
| WR |
Jared Gipson, Sacramento State |
| TE |
Coleman Kuntz, Sacramento State* |
| TE |
Jake Cox, Idaho |
| OL |
Brandon Casey, Montana* |
| OL |
Marcus Wehr, Montana State |
| OL |
Jackson Slater, Sacramento State |
| OL |
Justus Perkins, Montana State |
| OL |
Jonny Bottorff, Northern Arizona |
| OL |
Nathan Mejia, Sacramento State |
|
|
| DL |
Brody Grebe, Montana State* |
| DL |
Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly |
| DL |
Brayden Wilson, Weber State |
| DL |
Zach Kennedy, UC Davis |
| DL |
Dallas Afalava, Idaho |
| DL |
Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho |
| LB |
Riley Wilson, Montana* |
| LB |
Will Leota, Sacramento State |
| LB |
Michael Montgomery, Portland State |
| LB |
Danny Uluilakepa, Montana State |
| LB |
Tommy Ellis, Northern Arizona |
| DB |
Rex Connors, UC Davis* |
| DB |
Trevin Gradney, Montana |
| DB |
Alex McLaughlin, Northern Arizona |
| DB |
Calvin Pitcher, Idaho State |
| DB |
Tommy McCormick, Idaho |
| DB |
Rylan Ortt, Montana State |
|
|
| K |
Hunter Ridley, UC Davis |
| P |
Brendan Hall, Montana State |
| KR |
Abraham Williams, Idaho |
| PR |
Junior Bergen, Montana |
| LS |
Tommy Sullivan, Montana State |
| ST |
Isiah Childs, Montana |
| AP |
Junior Bergen, Montana |
|
|
| OMVP |
Lan Larison, UC Davis |
| DMVP |
Brody Grebe, Montana State |
* - received most votes in position group
