Weber State
The Wildcats dominated the second half of the regular season, winning all but one conference game. Their performance earned them the No. 2 seed in the FCS Tournament, where they will face off against Stony Brook.
Eastern Washington
Besides a loss to Weber State midway through the year, this team was virtually unstoppable in conference play. The Eagles landed right behind Big Sky rival Weber State with the No. 3 seed in the tournament and will look to take on Nicholls State.
UC Davis
The Aggie offense was nothing short of prolific in 2018 and the powers that be who decide the FCS Tournament took notice. After notching a three-way tie for the top of the conference, UC Davis was rewarded with the No. 6 seed in the tournament and will face Northern Iowa.
Montana State
The Bobcats were a surprise addition to the tournament, being the last of the four Big Sky representatives. A gritty finish to the season was just enough to put Montana State over the edge and into the post season. However, the team has quite the uphill battle ahead, as they will face No. 1 North Dakota State.
Idaho State
Watch out Weber State, there’s a new cat in the Big Sky that’s ready to light up the scoreboard. The Bengals went from a perennial also-ran in the conference to a legitimate contender in a single season, and while the team failed to keep pace with the playoff-worthy powerhouses, those Pocatello players look ready to ball out next year.
Montana
While Idaho State flipped the script in terms of renewed dominance, Montana did nearly the opposite. An early-season slide left many wondering what had happened to one of the most reliably successful Big Sky teams. However, the Grizzlies closed out the year strong, highlighted by a lights out defensive performance against Idaho.
Cal Poly
Losing four of your first five games basically kills any hope for success and Cal Poly’s dismal opening doomed the Mustangs chances at a conference title. However, the Mustangs won when they needed to, and even surprised Idaho State with a 37-14 victory to start a two-game winning streak to close out the year.
Portland State
It was a long drought for the Vikings, but Portland State finally managed a handful of conference wins this season, breaking a losing streak that lasted nearly two seasons. After sneaking past Montana midway through the season, the Vikings then defeated Northern Colorado before annihilating Sacra- mento State 41-14, impressive for a team that had gone 11-4 up to that point. It looks the tides are turning — however slowly — for Portland State.
Idaho
The Vandals might have had the oddest, weirdest and yet most Idaho- like season in the conference. After years of FBS and FCS drama, the Vandals opened their new conference to incredible disappointment, winning just three games against Big Sky opponents. Losses to Montana and Idaho State particularly stung, especially as the latter came at home. If the Vandals aren’t careful, they could become a long-term Big Sky underdog.
Northern Arizona
A win against Weber State dropped just about everyone’s jaws back in October, but that was the highlight of the Lumberjacks’ season. Had the game against Sacramento State not been called off due to wildfires, Northern Arizona might have leapfrogged Idaho to end the season.
Southern Utah
A lot can happen in one season — just ask the Thunderbirds. After winning the conference a year ago, Southern Utah captured just one Big Sky victory, their lone W of the season.
Northern Colorado
The Bears looked capable of a late- season turnaround after back-to-back wins against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, but blowouts against Eastern Washington and Montana State quickly dashed those hopes.
Sacramento State
The Hornets earn the title of worst in conference for one reason alone. They failed to win anything in conference. The ugly 0-7 against the team’s name won’t fade until fall, by which time Sacramento State will hopefully make drastic changes.
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @brandonmtnhill