A New Era for the Big Sky
The 2026 Big Sky football season is poised to reshape the conference landscape, with media day in Spokane, Washington, already generating buzz as teams gear up for a campaign that begins on July 25. The excitement is palpable as programs prepare to battle for the league's automatic FCS Playoff berth.
Montana State and Montana enter the year as the clear favorites, each boasting elite quarterbacks — Eli Gillman for the Grizzlies and Justin Lamson for the Bobcats — who are expected to drive their offenses and contend for the top spot in the standings.
Favorites and Contenders
Both the Bobcats and the Grizzlies bring a blend of experienced talent and fresh recruits, positioning them as the teams to beat. Their schedules are packed with high‑stakes conference games that will heavily influence postseason positioning.
Rising Challengers
Programs such as UC Davis, Sacramento State, Idaho and Northern Arizona are poised to challenge the traditional powers, while newcomers Southern Utah and Utah Tech look to make immediate impacts after joining the league, even as Sacramento State prepares to transition to the FBS‑level MAC.
Schedule and Stakes
The season opens with a marquee matchup between Weber State and Northern Colorado on August 28, and the defending national champion Montana State will test its mettle on the road against Utah Tech. The championship game will be decided on November 21, with the winner securing the league’s automatic playoff spot.
Key out‑of‑conference games will also test the depth of the conference, featuring contests like Idaho State at Utah State, Montana State versus Nevada, and Montana’s showdown with Oregon State. Analysts are already naming Eli Gillman, Ty Pennington of Northern Arizona, and Justin Lamson as top candidates for Offensive Player of the Year.