PARK CITY — Expectations aren't very high for the Weber State football team that's coming off of a 3-8 season.
So when the Big Sky released the preseason coaches and media polls at their annual football kickoff in Park City, no one expected the Wildcats to be No. 1.
But dead last?
That's where Weber was picked in both polls. Wildcats head coach Jerry Graybeal said he was disappointed "for about five seconds" and then laughed about it.
The team could look at being picked last as extra incentive when the season starts. But Graybeal isn't buying it.
"I'm sure (the polls) will sit on our board for a couple days, then we'll forget about it," Graybeal said. "If we don't have guys that are already motivated then we'll probably finish where they picked us."
Graybeal knows that his defense has to improve for his team to avoid the conference cellar. The unit gave up 40.1 points and 503.8 yards per game last season. Graybeal said his defense's main problem was getting beaten physically.
"We've made some good strides (in the weight room)," Graybeal said. "We've worked to get bigger, stronger and faster."
On offense, the Wildcats return a passing game that led the Big Sky and was fifth in 1-AA with 299 yards per game. But they'll probably be without the passer.
Weber State lost quarterback Tyler Gladwell in mid-June when the NCAA declared that he had used all of his playing eligibility. Gladwell is appealing his case to the NCAA and should hear a decision in the next couple of weeks. If Gladwell doesn't return, Graybeal said he has a capable replacement in Tate Bennett, who nearly won the starter's job from Gladwell during two-a-days and threw six touchdown passes last season.
The defending 1-AA national champion Montana Grizzlies were picked first in both polls. The Grizzlies will probably be ranked No. 1 nationally when the Sports Network poll comes out Aug. 12. Montana coach Joe Glenn said he expected to be picked No. 1 in the Big Sky — but took the coaches and media polls as seriously as Graybeal did.
"I'm not big on prognostication," Glenn said. "It doesn't mean anything to any coach in (the Big Sky)."
Glenn said he's excited that the media and Montana fans have huge expectations for his team this season.
"I wouldn't want it any different," Glenn said. "I've been picked last, and that's no fun."
Just ask Graybeal.
Big sky football
Preseason coaches poll (first-place votes in parenthesis)
School Points
1. Montana (7) 49
2. Portland State (1) 40
3. Montana State 32
4. Northern Arizona 31
5. Eastern Washington 25
6. Idaho State 18
7. Sacramento State 17
8. Weber State 12
E-MAIL: aaragon@desnews.com