(Editor's note: Big Sky Conference media release)
WACO, Texas -- With one week to go before the Big Sky Conference takes the field in 2019, the league has four teams ranked in the preseason top 25 of the AFCA FCS Coaches’ Poll that is voted on by the coaches.
Eastern Washington was voted third by the coaches in the preseason poll with 588 points and two first-place votes. The Eagles are hot off an NCAA Division I Football Championship game appearance and a 12-3 overall record.
UC Davis was two spots behind the Eagles with a fifth-place preseason poll ranking. The Aggies earned 537 points. The Aggies recorded a 10-3 overall record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs under the helm of head coach Dan Hawkins, the 2018 Eddie Robinson Award Winner.
Weber State was slotted ninth in the preseason poll with 432 points. The Wildcats finished the 2018 season with a 10-3 record, advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs, and shared the Big Sky title with the Eagles and Aggies.
Montana State rounded out top 25 recognition for the Big Sky, as it was voted 15th with 271 points. The Bobcats picked up a win in the first round of the playoffs last season, as they registered an 8-5 overall record.
The Big Sky had three teams receiving votes – Montana (52 points), Northern Arizona (50 points) and Idaho (18 points).
Big Sky Teams Receiving Votes
3. Eastern Washington (2) – 588
5. UC Davis – 537
9. Weber State – 432
15. Montana State – 271
RV. Montana – 52
RV. Northern Arizona – 20
RV. Idaho - 18
