The Big Sky Conference released its Preseason Polls prior to this weekend's Big Sky Kickoff Event at Northern Quest Casino and Resort in Spokane, WA. The Preseason All-Conference teams will be released on Sunday.
 
Similar to last year, Portland State was picked 10th in the 12-team Big Sky Coaches and Media Polls.
 
Montana State, a national finalist in 2024, earned top billing in both polls. The Bobcats were followed by UC Davis, Montana and Northern Arizona in the Coaches Poll; Montana, UC Davis and Idaho in the Media Poll. All of those teams were participants in the 2024 FCS Playoffs and are listed in the 2025 Preseason Top 25.
 
Echoing the strength of the Big Sky Conference, six teams (adding in Sacramento State) received at least one first-place vote in one of the preseason polls.
 
Portland State comes off a 3-5 record in the Big Sky last season as the Vikings faced four of the five league playoff teams. This season, PSU will face Montana (7^th in the preseason top 25), Idaho (10^th) Sacramento State (12^th) and Northern Arizona (19^th). The Vikings also battle Eastern Washington, Weber State, Cal Poly and Northern Colorado in league play.
 
Last year, Portland State was considered to have the most challenging schedule in all of FCS. This year won't be much different, with five nationally-ranked opponents, and FBS programs BYU and Hawai'i on the schedule.
 
The Vikings will open preseason practice next Thursday at Stott Community Field in preparation for the earliest start to a season in school history – an Aug. 23 game vs. Tarleton State (ranked 6^th) at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
 
Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Montana State (7) - 117
2. UC Davis (1) - 100
3. Montana (2) - 96
4. Northern Arizona (1) - 94
5. Idaho - 81
6. Sacramento State (1) - 73 
7. Idaho State - 56
8. Weber State - 55
9. Eastern Washington - 48 
10. Portland State - 32
11. Cal Poly - 25 
12. Northern Colorado - 15
 
Parentheses denote first-place vote // Coaches could not vote for their own team
 
Big Sky Preseason Media Poll
1. Montana State (30) - 488
2. Montana (6) - 434
3. UC Davis (4) - 399
4. Idaho (1) - 364
5. Northern Arizona - 354
6. Sacramento State (1) - 282
7. Idaho State - 247
8. Eastern Washington - 225
9. Weber State - 192
10. Portland State - 140
11. Cal Poly - 94
12. Northern Colorado - 57
 
Parentheses denote first-place vote