Eagles, Bobcats picked in polls to top Big Sky football

It may not count in the conference standings, but Sept. 19 will be an intriguing day in the Big Sky Conference football race.

Eastern Washington University and Montana State are the split-vote favorites to win the conference title in 2015, and will play each other in a non-conference game at Roos Field on Sept. 19.

The three-time defending conference champion Eagles were selected to win the conference title by the media, while the conference’s head coaches picked Montana State. The picks were released July 20 at the Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff in Park City, Utah.

There was a difference of just 12 points in the media poll and one in the coaches poll. Eastern received 17 first-place votes and 553 total in the media poll, while MSU also received 17 No. 1 votes and had 541 total points. Montana and Idaho State were a distant third with five first-place votes and 446 votes apiece.

The coaches gave both the Eagles and Bobcats six votes, but MSU had a 134-133 edge in total points. Montana received one first-place nod and had 121 points.

The Eagles closed the 2014 season ranked fourth in FCS, marking the fourth time in five seasons the Eagles have ended the year with a top four ranking. Eastern has also spent time at No. 1 in four of the last five seasons (2014, 2012, 2011, 2010), and was high as second in 2013.