The Eastern Washington University football team has been picked to finish sixth in the Big Sky Conference by both the coaches and media in polls released Monday (July 25) at the Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff in Spokane.
 
In the coaches poll, Eastern finished behind Montana, Sacramento State, Montana State, Weber State and UC Davis, and ahead of Northern Arizona, Idaho, Portland State, Cal Poly, Idaho State and Northern Colorado.
 
The media selected Montana, Montana State, Sacramento State, Weber State, and UC Davis to finish ahead of the Eagles, with Northern Arizona, Portland State, Idaho, Cal Poly, Northern Colorado and Idaho State to follow.
 
Last season, Eastern was selected third in both polls and finished the season tied for third in the Big Sky standing with a 10-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. Prior to the 2020 season, Eastern was picked No. 4 in both polls. In 2018 and 2019, they were selected No. 1 by both the coaches and media, which marked the third time since 2014 the Eagles have been picked No. 1 in both polls. In 2015 EWU was selected first by the media. In 2016 the Eagles were fourth by the coaches and third by the media, and in 2017 Eastern was second in both. In 2013, EWU was second in both as well.
 
Since winning the league and NCAA Division I titles in 2010, Eastern has won Big Sky championships in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018, giving the Eagles a total of 10 league titles. Eastern is expected to return five starters on offense and seven on defense, plus three kickers, a punter and a long snapper to go with 47 returning letterwinners from a squad that made the program's 15^th appearance in the FCS Playoffs a year ago.
 
Eastern Washington plays two of the top-five teams in the Big Sky preseason polls at home this season in Montana State and Sacramento State, and will play Montana and Weber State on the road. For the teams picked lower than the Eagles, EWU plays Portland State and Northern Colorado at Roos Field and travels to Cal Poly and Idaho.
 
Eastern Washington head coach Aaron Best, along with player guests in wide receiver Freddie Roberson and defensive back Anthany Smith, will be live from Spokane today at the Davenport Hotel on (July 24) on ESPN+ beginning at 12:22 p.m. Pacific time.
 
Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll Results

1. Montana (3) - 111
2. Sacramento State (4) - 110
3. Montana State (5) - 109
4. Weber State - 84
5. UC Davis - 82
6. Eastern Washington - 76
7. Northern Arizona - 62
8. Idaho - 45
9. Portland State - 42
10. Cal Poly - 33
11. Idaho State - 19, Northern Colorado – 19

Big Sky Preseason Media Poll Results

1. Montana (14) - 356
2. Montana State (13 - 352
3. Sacramento State (4) - 335
4. Weber State - 261
5. UC Davis (1) - 255
6. Eastern Washington - 236
7. Northern Arizona - 191
8. Portland State - 146
9. Idaho - 142
10. Cal Poly - 85
11. Northern Colorado - 71
12. Idaho State - 66