(Stats Perform) - The Big Sky is anxious to light up the scoreboard once again this season, perhaps as a … running-style conference?

Sure, that sounds backward from everything you likely have come to know about the Big Sky and its high-powered offenses, but for once, the 12-team conference isn't returning some of the elite passers in FCS college football.

It was evident at the Big Sky Kickoff media day on Monday in Spokane, Washington, where the top three spots in the preseason coaches and media polls were tight: Montana was selected as the preseason favorite in each poll, with the conference's two-time defending champion Sacramento State second and 2021 national runner-up Montana State third among the coaches, and their two spots reversed among the media.