July 20, 2010

Ogden, UT --- After two straight seasons in which the Bengals did not win a game until the season finale, Idaho State University's football team was predictably picked to finish last in a vote of both the league's coaches and media representatives. If the pair of one-win seasons didn't serve as enough motivation for the 2010 season, the polls, released Tuesday morning, add a little fire to the Bengal flame heading into fall camp, which begins on August 6.

"I understand why were got picked where we are, because of the past few seasons," said head coach John Zamberlin. "But I also know it's a prediction, and I know how hard our guys are working in the weight room, and how frustrated our guys are about not winning. That is the big motivator ... the poll is something to talk about, but the real motivator for our guys is the fact that they are tired of not winning."

Montana, winners of at least a share of 12 straight Big Sky football titles, was the odd-on favorite to get their 13th, as they were a unanimous pick in the coaches' poll with 64 points, and then pulling 40 of 42 votes in the media poll. For the first time in recent memory, both polls were identical. Not only that, but they were grouped similarly as teams two through five were bunched up as were teams seven through nine.

Picked second in both polls was Eastern Washington, who earned an at-large berth into the FCS playoffs last season. Following them is Montana State, Weber State, and then Northern Arizona was fifth. Sacramento State was sixth, and then the final three were bunched together, but Northern Colorado squeaked in at seventh, followed by Portland State and then the Bengals.

Despite being picked last, senior quarterback Russel Hill echoed the sentiments of his head coach. "Like coach said it is a motivator, but really if the rest of league knew what we had going they wouldn't pick us there." Hill added, "It's just a preseason deal and they make it every year. It's not going to do anything but motivate us more, because we know the talent we have in our locker room."

The Bengals were also picked to finish last in 2008, but ended up tying for seventh place. ISU was picked seventh and eighth in 2008.

Coaches' Poll
1. Montana (8)		 64
2. Eastern Washington	 51
3. Montana State	 48
4. Weber State		 44
5. Northern Arizona (1)	 41
6. Sacramento State	 30
7. Northern Colorado	 19
8. Portland State	 18
9. Idaho State		 10
Media Poll
1. Montana (40)		 374
2. Eastern Washington (1)280
3. Montana State	 279
4. Weber State		 269
5. Northern Arizona (1)	 240
6. Sacramento State	 166
7. Northern Colorado	 128
8. Portland State	  89
9. Idaho State		  62