SALT LAKE CITY – The Weber State Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the Big Sky preseason football media and coaches polls announced on Monday.

Weber State is coming off of a 6-5 season in 2021 after winning four-straight Big Sky football titles from 2017-20. The Wildcats have five players returning in 2022 that earned all-conference honors last season.

Montana was picked to win the conference in both polls. The Grizzlies received three first-place votes in the coaches poll and 111 points. Sacramento State was right on their heels with four first-place votes and 110 points. Montana State was picked third with five first-place votes and 109 points. Weber State received 84 points.

In case you missed it, here's @CoachJayHill's full interview on @ESPNPlus at the #BigSkyFB Kickoff. #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/kPJJoqgXQB

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) July 26, 2022

In the media poll, Montana received 14 first-place votes and 356 points. Montana State was picked second with 13 first-place votes and 352 points. Sacramento State is third with four first-place votes and 335 points. Weber State received 261 points.

Here is the Big Sky Coaches Poll:

1. Montana (3), 111 points

2. Sacramento State (4), 110 points

3. Montana State (5), 109 points

4. Weber State, 84 points

5. UC Davis, 82 points

6. Eastern Washington, 76 points

7. Northern Arizona, 62 points

8. Idaho, 45 points

9. Portland State, 42 points

10. Cal Poly, 33 points

T-11. Idaho State, 19 points

T-11. Northern Colorado, 19 points

Here is the Big Sky Media Poll:

1. Montana (14), 356 points

2. Montana State (13), 352 points

3. Sacramento State (4), 335 points

4. Weber State, 261 points

5. UC Davis (1), 255 points

6. Eastern Washington, 236 points

7. Northern Arizona, 191 points

8. Portland State, 146 points

9. Idaho, 142 points

10. Cal Poly, 85 points

11. Northern Colorado, 71 points

12. Idaho State, 66 points

Weber State offensive tackle Noah Atagi is the only Wildcat to be named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team. Atagi is a two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection. Head coach Jay Hill is entering his ninth season for the Wildcats. He is the all-time leader in coaching wins with 58 and owns a 44-17 record in Big Sky play.

The Wildcats open the 2022 season on Thursday, September 1 against Western Oregon. Then they will head to Utah State on Saturday, September 10 and host Utah Tech on Saturday, September 17 before jumping into conference play.

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