OGDEN, Utah (July 13, 2016) - With less than a week till the Big Sky Football Kickoff event, several preseason polls are recognizing Big Sky programs in advance of the 2016 season.
Both the Sporting News and Lindy's Sports have released preseason Top-25 rankings of FCS football, as conferences around the country prepare for media days. The Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff media event will take place from July 18-19, in Park City, Utah.
Eastern Washington and Montana were the two-highest ranking Big Sky teams, as both feature preseason All-Americans.
The Eagles are the highest-ranked Big Sky team by the Sporting News at No. 9, followed by Northern Arizona (#13), Montana (#15), Portland State (#17), North Dakota (#20) and Weber State (#23).
In the Lindy's poll, the Montana Grizzlies lead the way, at No. 8. Eastern Washington was ranked No. 10 in the poll, while Northern Arizona came in at No. 15, and North Dakota at No. 19.
Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp received recognition from both magazines, including FCS and Big Sky MVP honors from Lindy's. The Sporting News recognized him as an All-American and the top professional prospect in FCS. Kupp is the reigning FCS Offensive Player of the Year, and Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year.
Montana and Portland State qualified for the FCS Playoffs in 2015, with both falling to Missouri Valley Football Conference teams in the second round. Both the Griz and Vikings return several contributors from their 2015 squads, including their respective starting quarterbacks, Brady Gustafson and Alex Kuresa.
Northern Arizona and North Dakota fell just shy of qualifying for the playoffs in 2015, but the two teams had players share the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award. Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus, and North Dakota running back John Santiago, shared the award, while Cookus went on to win the FCS Freshman of the Year award.
Portland State also returns the 2015 FCS Coach of the Year, Bruce Barnum.
Kupp, Gustafson and Kuresa will all be interviewed at the Big Sky Football Kickoff, along with the head coaches of each Big Sky team. The Big Sky will also release its own preseason all-conference team, as voted on by the media, on July 18. Additionally, the league will release its annual preseason coaches' and media polls on July 19.
The schedule for the conference's streaming interviews can be found by clicking
HERE.