Big Sky Breakdown

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem talk about the nature of "annual opponents" in Big Sky football and what that looks like for each team in the Big Sky Conference. Tom Wistrcill mentioned the concept last week in his time with the media at Big Sky Media Day. Tim Plough commented on one of his young QBs. Have they already found their starting QB for 2025? Late last week, Zack McKinnell tw...

J.T. Reed was an All-Big Sky selection in 2022 who then missed 2023 with an injury and split time coming back from another injury last season. This off-season, the Bobcat OL earned his degree and is expected to be one of the top linemen in the Big Sky. He sat down with Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports. 

Big Sky Conference commissioner Tom Wistricill took questions after giving his annual address at the Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane, Washington on July 21, 2025. 

Bobby Hauck enters his 14th season between two tenures as the head coach of his alma mater. He sat down with Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports at the Big Sky Kickoff.

Montana State was picked to win the conference by both the league's coaches and media.  Montana State head coach Brent Vigen joined Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports to preview the 2025 season

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem discusses the 2025 Big Sky Media Day and all the weekend's happenings. Tom Wistrcill addressed the media and spoke about some of the exciting updates coming to the conference in 2025 and beyond. The preseason all-conference picks, as well as the preseason coaches' and media polls, were also discussed.  0:00 - Intro  3:08 - Tom Wistrcill’s State of the Co...

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem discusses Montana's recent decision to opt into the house settlement and what it means for the university's future and its athletics. The change for them was a little last-minute, but in the end, due to the roosting adjustment, they were able to make it work for themselves. Sammy also makes his 2025 preseason award picks for the Big Sky Conference, some...

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem discuss some of the most pivotal games happening this year in the Big Sky Conference. With many question marks, it isn't easy to know who will shine above the rest this season, but we can look at some of the games and anticipate high drama based on previous seasons.  Sammy also delves into what Southern Utah and Utah Tech will bring to the Big Sky in 202...

Colter Nuanez is joined by Matt Brown of Extra Points newsletter to discuss the latest in Division I sports, including Sac State's continued FBS push and exit from the Big Sky Conference. 

Clay Oven, a redshirt sophomore linebacker out of Billings who was just named the University of Montana football team's No. 37, addressed the media for the first time since receiving his new garment. 

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem discusses his 5 biggest questions for the Big Sky Conference heading into the 2025 football season. There has been a lot of movement throughout the conference. Will the same teams emerge, and if so, will they look the same?  Akem will also examine some of the top statistical leaders returning to the conference. One team seems to have retained some good t...

Former Montana State and NFL cornerback Joey Thomas, a third round pick in 2004, joins Colter Nuanez to talk about his upcoming induction into the Montana Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Northern Arizona head coach Brian Wright joins Colter Nuanez for this week's Big Sky Spotlight. 

Montana State rodeo cowgirl Shantell Brewer, one of the favorites at the College National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing, along with national championship qualifying sprinter Peyton Garrison (12:32) of MSU's 4x400 meter relay team joins Colter Nuanez for this week's Montana State Minute. 

Big Sky Conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill joins Colter Nuanez to talk about the state of affairs in college sports when it comes to realignment, the House settlement and the current state of the Big Sky. 

Sam Herder of HERO Sports and Bet MGM joins Colter Nuanez of ESPN Montana and Skyline Sports to talk about the current college football power struggle, conference realignment, the House Settlement and much more. 

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem will be examining the Big Sky Conference and discussing where he see the teams ranked in the preseason. We will also examine whether QB proficiency makes a difference in a team's success. The data shows that it may not be as important as some think.  Villanova is following the trend of teams leaving the CAA and joining the Patriot League. What does this...

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem talks about all the teams in the Big Sky Conference and  strength of schedule. He looks deeply into the previous top-5 teams from the conference last year (UC Davis, Idaho, Montana State, Montana, & NAU), or in other words, all the playoff teams. Also, analysis about Deloitte and the newly formed "NIL Clearinghouse", which will serve as the new gover...

Montana State quarterback turned wide receiver Tommy Mellott was selected in the 6th round, pick 213 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. He was profiled by ESPN's Kalyn Kahler for the annual installment of "Prospect X".  Mellott and other sources were anonymous until after Mellott was drafted. Kahler talked with Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports about profiling a Montana folk her...

Matt Brown, the creator and author of the Extra Points newsletter, joins Colter Nuanez to discuss the current state of college athletics.

In this week's Akem's Analysis, we will examine Montana and Montana State's last 10 seasons to determine who seems to be on a better trajectory and why. Both teams have seen success, but neither has reached the pinnacle. The New Haven Chargers are joining the NEC. The FCS Oversight Committee has approved 12-game regular season schedules for all FCS teams, and now it just needs to pass. What does t...

In this week's Akem's Analysis, we take a look at the Montana roster and investigate what their potential starting lineup could be. With spring ball done and the transfer portal closed, we can get a pretty solid look at what their lineup may look like in the Fall. Follow along as Samuel Akem goes through what the Montana starters may look like.  The Big Sky Conference lost a ton of talent this off...

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem discusses about the NFL Draft and his reactions to where a lot of the Big Sky players ended up. Akem also analyses about the interesting situation that Cam Miller and Tommy Mellott are in now, with being on the same team. Also, Sac State still dominating on the recruiting trail amid all the excitement with the draft. They are building a monster, and it s...