Over the last several years, there has been a great shake up in our state with regards to where each team plays its games. The University of Utah went from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. BYU also left the Mountain West, going independent. Utah State will soon be joining the Mountain West.
As for the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah? They left their home in the Great West Football Conference for the Big Sky. For years, the Big Sky has been one of the top conferences in the FCS (Formerly Div I-AA).
Southern Utah has struggled for years to build a winning program. With current head coach Ed Lamb at the helm, the team has turned things around in recent years. From going winless in 2007, to posting back to back winning seasons in 2010 and 2011, the Thunderbirds appear to be on the right track.
On Saturday night, the Thunderbirds came away victorious in their first ever Big Sky game. After falling behind 21-3 in the first quarter, SUU came back to defeat Portland State 49-42. Portland State had a chance to tie, but the SUU defense held firm in denying the Vikings at the 1-yard line.
This coming Saturday, the T-Birds host conference foe Montana State. The Bobcats are ranked second in the country and are many experts pick to win the national championship.
A win for Southern Utah would be monumental. It would announce to the rest of the conference that there is some great football being played in Cedar City.
A win would also be enormous on the recruiting front. It is no secret that SUU goes after the same athletes that Montana State does. If these athletes see that SUU is a legitimate program, it could sway their decision toward Cedar.
This game will be a rare opportunity to show on regional tv (ROOT sports) that the T-birds have arrived. It should be one of the best games in all of college football this weekend.
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