Portland State was a consensus number-eight pick in the 13-team Big Sky Conference preseason football polls, released by the league today.

The Vikings were picked eighth in the coaches poll, and eighth in the media poll.

Defending conference champion Eastern Washington was a sure-fire pick to repeat in 2014, receiving virtually every first-place vote. The Eagles were 8-0 in Big Sky play last year, reaching the NCAA I FCS National Semifinals and finishing 12-3 overall.

Portland State was 6-6 in 2013, 3-5 in Big Sky play, placing ninth among the 13 teams. PSU returns 48 letterwinners and 14 starters from that squad. Head Coach Nigel begins his fifth season at the helm of the Viking ship in 2014.

There was no surprise in the top five of the polls as they both had Eastern Washington, Montana, Montana State, Cal Poly and Northern Arizona listed in succession. Four of those five were in the NCAA playoffs last season. The Vikings face Cal Poly (Sept. 20), Northern Arizona (Oct. 18), Montana State (Nov. 8), and Eastern Washington (Nov. 21) in key games this season as they attempt to finish higher and disprove the voters.

PSU opens fall camp on Aug. 3. The Vikings will play at Oregon State on Aug. 30 to begin the season. The home opener is Sept. 6 against Western Oregon at Hillsboro Stadium. The remainder of PSU's home games will be played at Providence Park. 

BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLLS
(including first-place votes, total points)

Coaches' Poll
1. Eastern Washington (12) 144
2. Montana (1) 130
3. Montana State 111
4. Cal Poly 108
5. Northern Arizona 100
6. Southern Utah 89
7. Sacramento State 79
8. Portland State 71
9. UC Davis 66
10. North Dakota 34
11. Weber State 30
12. Idaho State 28
13. Northern Colorado 23

Media Poll
1. Eastern Washington (34)  464
2. Montana (1)  416
3. Montana State (1) 364
4. Cal Poly 329
5. Northern Arizona 328
6. Southern Utah 299
7. UC Davis 228
8. Portland State 227
9. Sacramento State 222
10. Idaho State  124
11. North Dakota 121
12. Weber State 103
13. Northern Colorado 61