Idaho V Portland State: Big Sky Semifinals Breakdown & Top Picks

The Big Sky Conference is one of the most competitive collegiate athletic conferences in the country, and its semifinals are always highly anticipated events. This year, the Idaho Vandals are set to face off against the Portland State Vikings in a battle for Big Sky supremacy. The game will be played at Avista Stadium in Moscow, Idaho, and fans from both sides will be eager to see which team emerges victorious. In this article, we'll break down the key matchup, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team, and provide our top picks for the game.

The Big Sky Conference is a Division I conference that features 14 teams from the western United States. The conference is known for its competitive balance, with no clear favorite to win the championship. However, the Idaho Vandals have been one of the top teams in the conference all season, led by their high-powered offense and stingy defense. The Vandals have been led by quarterback Jason Klinger, who has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

The Portland State Vikings, on the other hand, have been a consistent playoff contender in recent years. Led by quarterback Jeff Nelson, the Vikings have a potent offense that has scored over 40 points per game this season. The Vikings' defense has also been solid, ranking in the top 20 in the country in total defense.

Game Preview

The game between Idaho and Portland State will be a highly anticipated matchup, with both teams coming off big wins in the regular season. The Vandals have won 7 of their last 10 games, while the Vikings have won 6 of their last 9.

Key Matchup: Quarterback Duel

The quarterback duel between Jason Klinger and Jeff Nelson will be a key matchup in the game. Both quarterbacks have been solid all season, but have had their moments of brilliance. Klinger has been efficient, with a passer rating of over 150, while Nelson has been explosive, with over 2,000 yards passing and 15 touchdowns.

Running Game

Both teams have a solid running game, but Idaho's has been more consistent. The Vandals have rushed for over 1,500 yards this season, led by running back Steven Grant. The Vikings have also had a solid running game, led by running back Dantae Conner.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Idaho Strengths

• High-powered offense, led by quarterback Jason Klinger
• Stingy defense, ranking in the top 20 in the country
• Consistent running game, led by Steven Grant
• Experience on both sides of the ball, with many seniors starting for the Vandals

Idaho Weaknesses

• Vulnerability to big plays, allowing over 400 yards passing per game
• Secondary has struggled at times, allowing big plays
• Defense can get sloppy at times, allowing big plays on the ground

Portland State Strengths

• Explosive offense, led by quarterback Jeff Nelson
• Solid running game, led by Dantae Conner
• Defensive unit has been solid, ranking in the top 20 in the country
• Experience on both sides of the ball, with many seniors starting for the Vikings

Portland State Weaknesses

• Inconsistent defense, allowing big plays at times
• Quarterback play can be inconsistent, at times struggling with accuracy
• Running game can get stagnant at times, averaging under 100 yards per game

Top Picks

Pick 1: Jason Klinger to throw for over 250 yards

Jason Klinger has been a dynamic quarterback all season, and we expect him to continue his success in the semifinals. He's thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, and has a good chance of adding to those numbers in the semifinals.

Pick 2: Dantae Conner to rush for over 100 yards

Dantae Conner has been a solid running back for the Vikings, and we expect him to continue his production in the semifinals. He's averaged over 80 yards per game this season, and has a good chance of adding to those numbers in the semifinals.

Pick 3: Idaho to win by 7 points

Based on the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, we expect Idaho to come out on top in the semifinals. The Vandals have a high-powered offense and stingy defense, while the Vikings have a explosive offense but inconsistent defense.

Pick 4: Jeff Nelson to throw for over 200 yards

Jeff Nelson has been a dynamic quarterback for the Vikings, and we expect him to continue his success in the semifinals. He's thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, and has a good chance of adding to those numbers in the semifinals.

Pre-Game Predictions

• Idaho: 24-17
• Portland State: 20-14
• Over/Under: 44 points
• Correct Score: Idaho 24, Portland State 17

The Big Sky Conference semifinals are always highly anticipated events, and this year's matchup between Idaho and Portland State is no exception. With both teams coming off big wins in the regular season, we expect a competitive game with plenty of excitement. Based on our analysis, we're picking Idaho to win by 7 points, with Jason Klinger throwing for over 250 yards and Dantae Conner rushing for over 100 yards.