2012 Big Sky Conference Countdown: Montana State

The bright lights will definitely be on the Montana State Bobcats in 2012.  After their disappointing end to the 2011 season against eventual FCS finalist Sam Houston State, they'll be preparing for what could be another big season.  They'll be opening their regular season with their first-ever night game at home against Chadron State, after lights were installed at Sonny Holland Field late in the 2011 season, but were never used in a game--not even in their playoff win over New Hampshire.

Before fall camp began, the Bobcats were picked to finish on top of the Big Sky by both the coaches and the media, proof the Bobcats should be in the conversation for an FCS championship in 2012.  Head coach Rob Ash has done a phenomenal job in charge of the Bobcats, after taking over that program after former head coach Mike Kramer was abruptly fired in 2007.  And they bring back a lot of great talent heading into the start of their season.

Let's start on offense.  Despite the Bobcats losing top receiver Elvis Akpla to graduation, their more dangerous threats are back.  Quarterback Denarius McGhee (#9) and running back Cody Kirk (#25) are both back for their junior seasons, with McGhee being named to the Walter Payton Award's preseason watch list.  The stats McGhee put up last season (3,283 total yards and 29 total touchdowns in 2011) are definitely worthy enough to be considered for that award if he has another big season.  Kirk ran for 1,351 yards and 14 touchdowns last season but may have some competition for his carries and yards as senior Orenzo Davis returns, after he was academically ineligible for the 2011 season.

On defense, the Bobcats bring back most of their star players.  Senior linebacker Jody Owens dominated in the tackles department, with 107 total stops (58 solo) and 17 of tackles were for loss of yardage, which led the Big Sky.  Also back is last year's league leader in sacks, junior defensive end Brad Daly (12.5 sacks), as well as the team's leader in interceptions in junior linebacker Na'a Moeakiola (3 interceptions for 15 yards).

MY THOUGHTS: These Bobcats are a scary good bunch of football players, and I'd expect them to be dominant again this season.  But there's always that other school in Missoula that could throw a monkey wrench into their national title plans, like they did in Bozeman last season when the Bobcats entered the 2011 Brawl of the Wild ranked #1 in the nation.  This year's installment of the Brawl is in Missoula this year, and the last time the two met there the Bobcats prevailed on a very cold Saturday afternoon, which remains coach Ash's only win against the Grizzlies to this point.

UP NEXT: Eastern Washington

Image credit: Jon Kasper/Big Sky Conference