Coaches in the Big Sky Conference gave the Montana State Bobcats the top ranking in the preseason poll announced July 21.

The Montana Grizzlies were tabbed third in the poll. Eastern Washington, the reigning conference champ, narrowly took second in the coaches poll but landed the top spot in the preseason media poll.

MSU and EWU each received six first-place votes in the coaches poll, but the Bobcats had the edge in point totals with 134 to the Eagles’ 133. The teams also tied in first-place media votes with 17 apiece. Eastern tallied 553 points in the media poll and MSU had 541.

The Grizzlies, who finished 9-5 overall, 6-2 in conference in 2014, return 23 starters to head coach Bob Stitt’s first UM team. Montana enters its first season with Stitt at the helm and looks to earn a third-straight playoff bid. Stitt, who took over for the retired Mick Delaney, has become widely known for a fast-paced, fly-sweep offense.

Montana will be tested in its opener as they host four-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State in the first college football game of the season on Aug. 29 on ESPN.

Defense was the strength of the Grizzlies last season as it advanced to the playoffs for the second straight season. Ty Gregorak remained on staff as the defensive coordinator. His unit will be led by senior defensive end Tyrone Holmes and senior linebackers Kendrick Van Ackeren, Herbert Gamboa and Jeremiah Kose.

The Bobcats, who finished 8-5 overall and 6-2 in conference last year, return nine offensive starters from 2014, including preseason first team All-America J.P. Flynn, an offensive guard, and quarterback Dakota Prukop, an FCS offensive player of the year candidate. Three starters return on a retooled defense, while preseason First Team All-Big Sky special teams player Chad Newell joins kicker Luke Daly and punter Trevor Bolton to form a strong special teams core.

MSU Head Coach Rob Ash and the Bobcats are eying a second-straight playoff appearance and additionally look to end a two-year hiatus as Big Sky Champions. Prukop led the conference in passing efficiency and ranked fourth in the league in rushing yard average.

The Bobcat defense finished ninth in scoring defense and 12th in total defense last season. Former Bobcat great Kane Ioane was elevated to co-defensive coordinator during the offseason and will continue to coach linebackers. Jamie Marshall will also serve as co-defensive coordinator and coach safeties.

Montana State and Montana each joined EWU as 2014 FCS playoff participants. The Grizzlies topped San Diego before being eliminated by EWU in the second round. MSU was knocked off by South Dakota State in the first round. The Eagles fell in the quarterfinals to Illinois State, the national runner-up.

Quarterback Jordan West takes over Eastern Washington’s offense, which led the nation in scoring with two-time Big Sky MVP Vernon Adams Jr. under center. Eastern’s perennial offense is headed by All-American wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who as a junior needs just three receptions to reach 200 for his career. EWU will look for balance this season as it shook up its defensive coaching staff following the 2014 season.

Eastern opens up the season on Sept. 5 at Oregon, where Adams transferred to pending his graduation from EWU. The Eagles will look to make their sixth trip to the playoffs in the past seven seasons.

Cal Poly, Idaho State and Northern Arizona also figure to be in the mix this season, as the coaches and media each slotted those teams amongst spots 4-6.

2015 Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls

Coaches

Montana State (6)…………..134

Eastern Washington (6)….133

Montana (1)…………………121

Cal Poly………………………….111

Northern Arizona……………..95

Idaho State………………………90

Sacramento State……………..66

Southern Utah………………….64

Portland State………………….51

North Dakota…………………..51

Weber State…………………….43

UC Davis…………………………33

Northern Colorado………….22

Media

Eastern Washington (17)…553

Montana State (17)………….541

Montana (5)………………….446

Idaho State (5)………………..446

Cal Poly (1)…………………….433

Northern Arizona (1)………399

Sacramento State……………278

Southern Utah………………..255

North Dakota…………………226

Weber State…………………..160

UC Davis……………………….145

Portland State……………….133

Northern Colorado………..127