All eyes will be on the flag this week in the Big Sky. Flagstaff, Ariz., that is. With the league being pared down to four teams with realistic hopes of capturing the Big Sky regular season title, Montana State, 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the Big Sky, will travel to Flagstaff to take on Northern Arizona (4-3, 3-1) in a game that could go a long way toward deciding this year's automatic bid for I-AA postseason play.

The Big Sky's other two title contenders -- Montana (6-1, 3-0) and Eastern Washington (5-3, 4-1) -- are also in action Saturday as they look to maintain their standing. The league's other game pits winless Weber State (0-8, 0-5) against Idaho State (2-5, 1-3).

Montana State has a number of issues to deal with when it comes to playing at NAU.

First, the Bobcats haven't won there since 1979. Second, they left the Lumberjacks with a bad taste in their mouths after scoring twice in the final 67 seconds a year ago in a 21-17 win. Otherwise, there's NAU quarterback Jason Murietta and running back Roger Robinson to deal with -- not to mention the high altitude.

Considering how the Bobcats have been winning games lately it's hard to count them out of this one. MSU has made three fourth quarter comebacks in its last four games and has scored on its final drive to win the last three.

Montana gets a trip to Portland to face a Viking team that has been no patsy this year. PSU (3-4, 1-3) has seen apparent wins go by the boards the past two weeks against MSU and NAU.

The Grizzlies, however, have two weeks to prepare for the Vikes. Not to be left out of the excitement that is Big Sky football this year, Montana has posted back-to-back wins on blocked field goals.

UM will have to contend with a vastly improved defense at PSU, which ranks first in total defense and with the No. 2 pass defense and rush defense.

Over the years the Vikings have been known for their offensive fire power, but all that has changed this season.

The Grizzlies lead the league in turnover ratio this year at plus-11.

UM has turned the ball over just six times and they are second in the league in scoring.

EWU is still stinging from its loss to Montana and has just two games remaining on its league schedule. The Eagles battle Sacramento State (2-5, 1-3) this week, then wrap up their Big Sky schedule against MSU in two weeks.

They blasted Weber State 51-7 last week and are primed to do the same against the Hornets today.

EWU leads the league in scoring (35.6) and total offense (452). The Eagles are second in total defense and are plus 115 yards per game -- by far tops in the Big Sky.

Idaho State (2-5, 1-3) looks to make it two in a row by beating WSU. Last year, Nick Chournos ran for 227 yards in a 38-21 win for the Wildcats. ISU has downed WSU just twice since 1985.