OFFENSE
QB
PSU
It’s hard to argue against a QB that just threw nine touchdowns in the highest scoring college football game ever, but freshman Drew Hubel will get tested in his start vs. the Griz. Meanwhile, the SoCal kid, Cole Bergquist, continues to rank in the top two in passing efficiency.
OL
Montana
PSU
This doesn’t look good for Portland State. The Vikings have allowed more than twice as many quarterback sacks (41) as any other team in the Big Sky. And we know how Kroy and the boys are...
RB
Montana
PSU
The Vikes don’t make many excuses for their offense. The running back is not a priority. Montana, on the other hand-off, depends a bunch on Lex Hilliard et al, to set the tone offensively. Lex is fresh off a season-high 32 carry game. PSU’s leading rusher Olaniyi Sobomehin had 8 last week.
WR/TE
Montana
PSU
These guys can catch. The Vikes have nearly 100 more grabs than all their opponents. A week ago, Tremayne Kirkland and David Lewis caught four touchdowns each. That was a freakish game, but give ’em their due. Kirkland leads the team with 6 TDs, the same as UM’s Ryan Bagley.
DEFENSE
DL
Montana
PSU
Portland State leads the conference in first downs, but only 48 of its 193 came via the run. Montana is the Big Sky’s best at holding opponents’ first downs in check and it all starts up front. The Vikes have allowed 80 first downs by way of the run, second-to-last in BSC.
LB
Montana
PSU
It’s hard to believe I know, but defense was played in the PSU-Weber St. game last week. Portland State’s Jordan Senn and Andy Shantz combined for 30 tackles. Senn and Shantz are the only LB teammate tandem in the Big Sky ranked in the top 10 in tackles.
CB/SAFETY
Montana
PSU
The Grizzly secondary struggled against Eastern Washington, the Big Sky’s second-ranked passing attack. How are they going to handle Portland State, the national passing leader? The Viking DBs aren’t any better. They allow a league-worst 9.4 yards per pass attempt and 15.4 yards a completion.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P/Returns
Montana
PSU
The return game is a wash as UM’s Marc Mariani is one of the league’s top punt “bringer-backers” and Portland State’s “Super” Mario D’Ambrosio is one of the Big Sky’s top kick returners. The nod at punter and kicker goes to Montana’s Tyson Johnson and Dan Carpenter.
Intangibles
Montana
PSU
The Men in Black meet a Grizzly defense that is playing lights out. Jerry Glanville’s pass-first, ask-questions-later offense will entertain the hometown folks, who’ve been dying to see the “Griz of old,” but this won’t be a 140-point game. Griz D will show why it’s the hardest to score on in the nation.
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