Clay Oven, a redshirt sophomore linebacker out of Billings who was just named the University of Montana football team's No. 37, addressed the media for the first time since receiving his new garment. 

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem discusses his 5 biggest questions for the Big Sky Conference heading into the 2025 football season. There has been a lot of movement throughout the conference. Will the same teams emerge, and if so, will they look the same? 

Akem will also examine some of the top statistical leaders returning to the conference. One team seems to have retained some good talent. He will also be getting into Colter Nuanez's conversation with Tom Wistrcill on the Big Sky Breakdown (linked below). 

0:00 - Intro 
2:46 - My 5 Biggest Big Sky Questions Coming Into The 2025 Season 
19:17 - The Top Stat Leaders Returning To The Big Sky In 2025 
40:44 - Tom Wistrcill On New Changes In College Athletics 
55:08 - Buyouts In New House Settlement 
1:05:52 - USD Opting In, Sac State Seeking FBS Ind. Approval 
1:07:51 - Final Thoughts 
1:09:32 - End

Former Montana State and NFL cornerback Joey Thomas, a third round pick in 2004, joins Colter Nuanez to talk about his upcoming induction into the Montana Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Northern Arizona head coach Brian Wright joins Colter Nuanez for this week's Big Sky Spotlight. 

Montana State rodeo cowgirl Shantell Brewer, one of the favorites at the College National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing, along with national championship qualifying sprinter Peyton Garrison (12:32) of MSU's 4x400 meter relay team joins Colter Nuanez for this week's Montana State Minute. 

Big Sky Conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill joins Colter Nuanez to talk about the state of affairs in college sports when it comes to realignment, the House settlement and the current state of the Big Sky. 

Sam Herder of HERO Sports and Bet MGM joins Colter Nuanez of ESPN Montana and Skyline Sports to talk about the current college football power struggle, conference realignment, the House Settlement and much more. 

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem will be examining the Big Sky Conference and discussing where he see the teams ranked in the preseason. We will also examine whether QB proficiency makes a difference in a team's success. The data shows that it may not be as important as some think. 

Villanova is following the trend of teams leaving the CAA and joining the Patriot League. What does this mean for the CAA going forward? 

We will also be talking about the NCAA v. House Settlement being approved and all the changes that are coming along with it. There is a new governance model and NIL Go clearinghouse platform.

0:00 - Intro 
3:41 - My Initial Big Sky 2025 Preseason Poll 
12:59 - Is QB Proficiency As Important To FCS Success As We Think? 
23:18 - HERO Sports Preseason Top-25 Poll 
29:02 - Villanova Leaving The CAA 
36:16 - The NCAA v. House Settlement Has Officially Been Approved 
55:48 - EA Sports College Football 26 Will Pay Schools For Team Usage 
57:40 - ChatGPT Jokes of The Week 
1:00:10 - Final Thoughts
 1:02:31 - End

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem talks about all the teams in the Big Sky Conference and  strength of schedule. He looks deeply into the previous top-5 teams from the conference last year (UC Davis, Idaho, Montana State, Montana, & NAU), or in other words, all the playoff teams. Also, analysis about Deloitte and the newly formed "NIL Clearinghouse", which will serve as the new governing arm for NIL in college football.

0:00 - Intro 
3:55 - Toughest Strength of Schedules In The Big Sky 
29:00 - NIL, Clearing House, Deloitte, Collectives 
52:21 - 16-Team CFP Playoff Proposal 
1:01:10 - Final Thoughts 
1:02:37 - End 

Montana State quarterback turned wide receiver Tommy Mellott was selected in the 6th round, pick 213 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

He was profiled by ESPN's Kalyn Kahler for the annual installment of "Prospect X". 

Mellott and other sources were anonymous until after Mellott was drafted. Kahler talked with Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports about profiling a Montana folk hero.