First the good news. The University of Montana Grizzlies has been picked to finish fifth in the 2014 FCS preseason coaches’ poll.
Now the bad news. The Grizzlies will play the teams ranked first and second in the poll, North Dakota State and Eastern Washington during the 2014 season.
The Grizzlies play NDSU, which was 15-0 en route the national title last season early this year, in Fargo on Sept. 20. NDSU has now been tabbed as the preseason favorite for the third season in a row by the FCS coaches. Montana plays fellow Big Sky Conference EWU, a 12-3 squad a year ago late this season, on Nov. 8 in Cheney.
NDSU earned 636 points and 18 first-place votes by the coaches, while the Eagles garnered 615 points and six first place votes. Southeast Louisiana was third with 542 points, while New Hampshire was fourth with 510 points. Southeast Louisiana and Towson each received one first place vote.
Montana, which received 505 points in the preseason poll, is one of four Big Sky teams picked in the top 25, along with the Eagles, Montana State at19th, and Northern Arizona was picked 25th.
Two other league teams that the Griz play on the road this season, Southern Utah and Cal Poly, also received votes in the poll.
Last season the Grizzlies were ranked 22nd in the FCS preseason coaches’ poll, and they ended the year at eighth.
Preseason FCS Coaches Poll
Others receiving votes: Samford 95, Southern Illinois 59, Harvard 42, Charleston Southern 39, James Madison 30, Princeton 24, Southern Utah 20, Alcorn State 16, Liberty 16, Delaware 15, South Carolina State 15, Cal Poly 14, Missouri State 12, Sacred Heart 10, Wofford 8, Central Arkansas 7, Alabama State 6, Lehigh 6, Eastern Kentucky 4, Holy Cross 1, Illinois State 1, Jacksonville 1
