2025 Griz Hail Mary

[catatac]

1 of the 2 "ranked wins" for the griz, Idaho, is currently getting beat by ewu.

Edit. Idaho coming back now, within 7 points.
But the point still stands.

Idaho lost their starting stud QB (reminds me of Cliff McDowell) a couple games ago and are a shell of themselves. I wasnt very impressed with them outside of that QB. I think he kept them in some games and won some games for them. They’re gonna be real bad now.

What's your take on how that team was able to come into WAGRIZ and push the Griz around on the lines a while during that game. Are the Griz just not good on the lines, or is it coaching or scheme, or what?

[HookedOnGriz]

1 of the 2 "ranked wins" for the griz, Idaho, is currently getting beat by ewu.

Edit. Idaho coming back now, within 7 points.
But the point still stands.

Idaho lost their starting stud QB (reminds me of Cliff McDowell) a couple games ago and are a shell of themselves. I wasnt very impressed with them outside of that QB. I think he kept them in some games and won some games for them. They’re gonna be real bad now.

What's your take on how that team was able to come into WAGRIZ and push the Griz around on the lines a while during that game. Are the Griz just not good on the lines, or is it coaching or scheme, or what?

Griz started rotating in some 2s and even 3s pretty early all over the defense. I think it led to some inconsistency. This team’s biggest weakness seems to be inconsistency or lapses of solid play. I’m hoping their lines having some success against Griz was a weird blip. If not, the Griz will have a hard time with the good teams.

[catatac]

1 of the 2 "ranked wins" for the griz, Idaho, is currently getting beat by ewu.

Edit. Idaho coming back now, within 7 points.
But the point still stands.

Idaho lost their starting stud QB (reminds me of Cliff McDowell) a couple games ago and are a shell of themselves. I wasnt very impressed with them outside of that QB. I think he kept them in some games and won some games for them. They’re gonna be real bad now.

What's your take on how that team was able to come into WAGRIZ and push the Griz around on the lines a while during that game. Are the Griz just not good on the lines, or is it coaching or scheme, or what?

Griz started rotating in some 2s and even 3s pretty early all over the defense. I think it led to some inconsistency. This team’s biggest weakness seems to be inconsistency or lapses of solid play. I’m hoping their lines having some success against Griz was a weird blip. If not, the Griz will have a hard time with the good teams.

Doesn't Bobby do that every game, at every position, except QB? I thought I saw him say something like that in a recent interview.

[D-Wreck]

1 of the 2 "ranked wins" for the griz, Idaho, is currently getting beat by ewu.

Edit. Idaho coming back now, within 7 points.
But the point still stands.

Idaho lost their starting stud QB (reminds me of Cliff McDowell) a couple games ago and are a shell of themselves. I wasnt very impressed with them outside of that QB. I think he kept them in some games and won some games for them. They’re gonna be real bad now.

What's your take on how that team was able to come into WAGRIZ and push the Griz around on the lines a while during that game. Are the Griz just not good on the lines, or is it coaching or scheme, or what?

Griz started rotating in some 2s and even 3s pretty early all over the defense. I think it led to some inconsistency. This team’s biggest weakness seems to be inconsistency or lapses of solid play. I’m hoping their lines having some success against Griz was a weird blip. If not, the Griz will have a hard time with the good teams.

Doesn't Bobby do that every game, at every position, except QB? I thought I saw him say something like that in a recent interview.

Everybody rotates centers! Starters are an antiquated practice that any real football team doesn't pay attention to. /s

[HookedOnGriz]

The griz have been picked 1st or 2nd in the conference preseason every year since Covid. They've finished in the top 2 once in those 4 seasons and will probably be 2nd this go around. 2023 bought BH and the staff a lot of leeway but you have to bet its more of what the last 4 years have been. It doesn't really matter but it shows the bias they get, Davis and NAU have less questions going into this year but will be picked below the gris.

Even if the Griz are the 3rd or 4th best team in the conference this year they should still be able to finish in the Top 2 due to their ridiculously easy schedule. It all balances out in the long run, a couple years ago I remember they played all the best teams on the road in the same season. Same thing that ended up costing the Bobcats in 2023 when they beat Sac State on the road but then lost at Idaho and UM.

Maybe. I could see them dropping the game @ Sac. That will be a ESPN 2 game and Sac St will want to prove they are FBS caliber on national TV. Then if the Cats can break the 4 game streak of home teams winning they could end up with 2 losses there. They open at home vs Idaho who beat them there last time they played in Wa Griz. Plus the griz always struggle in Pokey. They've only won the last 2 versus ISU by 8 points and that was '23 and '22 (they didn't play last year) and I think the Bengals will be improved over what they were last few seasons. I don't know why but Pokey/ISU is to the Gris what Flagstaff is to the Cats.

I honestly think even with the easy schedule the griz are 8-4 or 9-3 team. The only position group that you can reasonably say is good to elite is the RB room. They have questions at QB, O-line, and lost pretty much every pass catcher from last year. As ??? as they on Offense they are even more unproven on Defense. Not saying they will be bad, I just don't think they are the number 2 team in BSC and are closer to 4th or 5th. Every year since Covid they've been highly ranked based on names coming back. Except for '23 they haven't met expectations. Now they are completely in a rebuild and still highly ranked.

Fun thread to revisit. Lots of hot takes like this that are huge swings and misses.

[HookedOnGriz]

Are we trying to say the Griz aren’t very relevant? Guys…come on! Be a little realistic.

Not sure if you’re being sarcastic but this notion that has gained a lot of steam about how Bobby has discovered a new way to win championships is a little wild.

I don’t knock him for trying but I think it’s born out of necessity/desperation and not an epiphany. He lost a bunch of players and has replaced them with players from the portal. Supposedly the players last year weren’t any good and these new players are. Hauck says that sometimes attrition is good as in the bad guys left so I could go get some good guys.

This Tootell and Tatanka show feeds into it and gives it support in effect gives it relevance. Yet it doesn’t touch on the fact that those supposedly bad players (they both agree with Hauck that they had no talent last year) were all brought in by Hauck and Hauck, by his own unintentional admission, didn’t mold them into good players.



They go on to say that our coaches are mocking them by pointing out how we develop players and use the portal sparingly ala NDSU, yet we have lost six straight to them while UM beat NDSU in ‘23. They don’t dig into that um win or our loss or anything else that surrounds either team’s methodology very deeply. They probably know that if they did their theory would fall apart rapidly.

Hauck has shown that he isn’t a very good coach in his current iteration at UM. His W-L record is not great, especially in the league. His win over NDSU was during an off year for the Bison and it was delivered by a punt return specialist in Cinderella Story fashion. Other than a string of about 5-6 games in 2023 and a win over us in 2021, there’s nothing special about Hauck’s performance. That string of wins is probably more happenstance than anything devised in a laboratory.

If Hauck is some kind of savant, then he should have more to show for himself. The reality is UM wasn’t much worse last year than it has been every year. They were 5-3 BSC last year, 4-4 in 2022. 32-16 since his return with 14-0 record over Cal Poly, ISU, UNC and PSU. The 7-1 in 2023 is on its face an anomaly.

Other than the 2023 run his teams have lost to MSU, NDSU and SDSU 55-21, 49-26, 23-3, 34-11, and 35-18. They tacked on points in each of those games but one after they were for all intents and purposes over. Despite that they’re not within 17 points in any of them.

I don’t want to go point by point, so I’ll just keep it short. Even if all of what you said was true, UM is still a nationally relevant FCS program. That’s not changing anytime soon.

Yeah, I wasn’t very sure what you meant by relevant and I’m still not. My point is that I don’t see them as a serious threat to win a national championship. If by relevant you mean the literal definition, then yes, they’re relevant. So is Idaho’s State. That’s a pretty low bar. I have a feeling you mean it in some other way or you’re not using it correctly. There are lots of different levels of relevance.

I just think that what Hauck is doing is desperate as the thread title says. Yet, there are some people who are buying his formula when there are no examples of it working anywhere to date.

If I had wanted to say they were title contenders, I would have.

They are not relevant in the way Idaho State is. That’s just asinine. They are relevant in the way USC is. In the way Miami is. A top tier program that has the ability to quickly and consistently become a title contender. They will always have one of the best stadiums in the FCS. They will always have one of the best fan bases in the FCS. They have the history, the facilities, the program. Them not being title contenders right now doesn’t change that. Realistically, anybody can coach there and have a solid record. The same cannot be said for Idaho State. They have different floors and ceilings, their relevance is not the same.

I dislike UM. I dislike Bobby. I think his current recruiting approach is fantastically horrid. That doesn’t change who they are as a program, and they are always a relevant program. When people think of FCS football, one of the programs they think of is Montana. That’s relevance.

I never defined what you were saying. I just asked. Thanks for filling in the gaps. To answer your initial question now that you explained yourself, I would say that I don’t see where anyone was saying UM isn’t relevant.

Getting back to the discussion about UM throwing up a Hail Mary pass, I just think a lot of people, including the Skyline crew are biting on it. I don’t give it much of a chance and I don’t think it’s going to be a good model going forward. I don’t think that’s saying they’re irrelevant but doing this will probably make them less relevant.

Whoops!

[HookedOnGriz]

I posted this response in the Moving on to the Bunnies thread then realized we don't to much up that thread with a bunch of Dark Pink talk, so re posting it here:

Totally agree that is one of the easiest schedules I can remember. I suppose a top level DII team like Central Washington cold give them a scare (remember Ferris State?), and maybe Indiana State, but highly unlikely either of those two teams will beat them. Playing at Idaho State could be tricky too. But, realistically, Idaho, UND, at Sac, and MSU will be their only real challenges. I predict they are 10-1 heading into the Brawl.

Based on what? Not trying to be contrarian its just when you do predictions on teams prior to a season there are factors you consider. Recent past history, returning experience, coaching acumen and yes, ease or strength of schedule. Only one of these is a positive for the griz. They went to the natty but they've finished closer to middle top-half of the conference more as of late. That team that wen to the Natty had a ton of returning experience. And BH has shown every season, even the one that they went to Frisco in, a lack of any ability to manage the QB situation.

We really have no idea what the talent level of this team is. Sure Colter says they look great but that's on the practice field. They could be Nashville level or they could be 5th in the conference again. So much of that team is a complete unknown entity. Anyone saying they know for sure is lying.

Did you have the griz losing at home to Weber last season? Or losing to NAU the year before? They are a team built from transfers. Teams built similarly are UIW who lost in week 0 and dang near lost to EWU Saturday. Or Sac St who got dominated by SDSU. The history of teams built this way at this level just isn't great but that's what I'm goin off of and it's starting to be enough of a sample size. Griz this year are 3rd to 5th in the conference, make the playoffs and are bubble top 8 seed team. Get drilled the moment they have to leave Wagriz and play a good team. That's a prediction that's safe because its what has happened every season since 2019 save one.

Oh I'm with you, I don't think they're even a top level FCS team but I was just basing my prediction based on their schedule and the ridiculous fact that they play EIGHT regular seasons at home. I would love to see them at 7-4 coming into Cat Griz but I just don't see it happening. What do you think their record will be coming into the Brawl?

I posted earlier that they are a 8-4 or 9-3 team so I think they will have 2 to 4 losses going into the brawl.

Another whoops! That’s 2 for you

[seataccat]

I posted this response in the Moving on to the Bunnies thread then realized we don't to much up that thread with a bunch of Dark Pink talk, so re posting it here:

Totally agree that is one of the easiest schedules I can remember. I suppose a top level DII team like Central Washington cold give them a scare (remember Ferris State?), and maybe Indiana State, but highly unlikely either of those two teams will beat them. Playing at Idaho State could be tricky too. But, realistically, Idaho, UND, at Sac, and MSU will be their only real challenges. I predict they are 10-1 heading into the Brawl.

Based on what? Not trying to be contrarian its just when you do predictions on teams prior to a season there are factors you consider. Recent past history, returning experience, coaching acumen and yes, ease or strength of schedule. Only one of these is a positive for the griz. They went to the natty but they've finished closer to middle top-half of the conference more as of late. That team that wen to the Natty had a ton of returning experience. And BH has shown every season, even the one that they went to Frisco in, a lack of any ability to manage the QB situation.

We really have no idea what the talent level of this team is. Sure Colter says they look great but that's on the practice field. They could be Nashville level or they could be 5th in the conference again. So much of that team is a complete unknown entity. Anyone saying they know for sure is lying.

Did you have the griz losing at home to Weber last season? Or losing to NAU the year before? They are a team built from transfers. Teams built similarly are UIW who lost in week 0 and dang near lost to EWU Saturday. Or Sac St who got dominated by SDSU. The history of teams built this way at this level just isn't great but that's what I'm goin off of and it's starting to be enough of a sample size. Griz this year are 3rd to 5th in the conference, make the playoffs and are bubble top 8 seed team. Get drilled the moment they have to leave Wagriz and play a good team. That's a prediction that's safe because its what has happened every season since 2019 save one.

Oh I'm with you, I don't think they're even a top level FCS team but I was just basing my prediction based on their schedule and the ridiculous fact that they play EIGHT regular seasons at home. I would love to see them at 7-4 coming into Cat Griz but I just don't see it happening. What do you think their record will be coming into the Brawl?

I posted earlier that they are a 8-4 or 9-3 team so I think they will have 2 to 4 losses going into the brawl.

Another whoops! That’s 2 for you

I predicted two losses for them during the regular season. Given how the games went against UND, ISU and EWU I think it was a pretty good prediction.
Bringing in an orphanage of transfers every year to round out the roster is not going to bear fruit in the long run. No amount of beating your chest this year is going to change that.

[HookedOnGriz]

I posted this response in the Moving on to the Bunnies thread then realized we don't to much up that thread with a bunch of Dark Pink talk, so re posting it here:

Totally agree that is one of the easiest schedules I can remember. I suppose a top level DII team like Central Washington cold give them a scare (remember Ferris State?), and maybe Indiana State, but highly unlikely either of those two teams will beat them. Playing at Idaho State could be tricky too. But, realistically, Idaho, UND, at Sac, and MSU will be their only real challenges. I predict they are 10-1 heading into the Brawl.

Based on what? Not trying to be contrarian its just when you do predictions on teams prior to a season there are factors you consider. Recent past history, returning experience, coaching acumen and yes, ease or strength of schedule. Only one of these is a positive for the griz. They went to the natty but they've finished closer to middle top-half of the conference more as of late. That team that wen to the Natty had a ton of returning experience. And BH has shown every season, even the one that they went to Frisco in, a lack of any ability to manage the QB situation.

We really have no idea what the talent level of this team is. Sure Colter says they look great but that's on the practice field. They could be Nashville level or they could be 5th in the conference again. So much of that team is a complete unknown entity. Anyone saying they know for sure is lying.

Did you have the griz losing at home to Weber last season? Or losing to NAU the year before? They are a team built from transfers. Teams built similarly are UIW who lost in week 0 and dang near lost to EWU Saturday. Or Sac St who got dominated by SDSU. The history of teams built this way at this level just isn't great but that's what I'm goin off of and it's starting to be enough of a sample size. Griz this year are 3rd to 5th in the conference, make the playoffs and are bubble top 8 seed team. Get drilled the moment they have to leave Wagriz and play a good team. That's a prediction that's safe because its what has happened every season since 2019 save one.

Oh I'm with you, I don't think they're even a top level FCS team but I was just basing my prediction based on their schedule and the ridiculous fact that they play EIGHT regular seasons at home. I would love to see them at 7-4 coming into Cat Griz but I just don't see it happening. What do you think their record will be coming into the Brawl?

I posted earlier that they are a 8-4 or 9-3 team so I think they will have 2 to 4 losses going into the brawl.

Another whoops! That’s 2 for you

I predicted two losses for them during the regular season. Given how the games went against UND, ISU and EWU I think it was a pretty good prediction.
Bringing in an orphanage of transfers every year to round out the roster is not going to bear fruit in the long run. No amount of beating your chest this year is going to change that.

Moving the goal posts? The consensus here was that bringing in all of these transfers and new faces was going to be in abysmal failure for Coach Hauck and the Griz this year. That it would be impossible to get them to all gel and play well together. Then Coach Hauck must be the best coach in the history of the world since he succeeded to do that so effectively, surpassing all of your expectations here and bringing his team to an 11–0 record. Gotcha!

[catatac]

I posted this response in the Moving on to the Bunnies thread then realized we don't to much up that thread with a bunch of Dark Pink talk, so re posting it here:

Totally agree that is one of the easiest schedules I can remember. I suppose a top level DII team like Central Washington cold give them a scare (remember Ferris State?), and maybe Indiana State, but highly unlikely either of those two teams will beat them. Playing at Idaho State could be tricky too. But, realistically, Idaho, UND, at Sac, and MSU will be their only real challenges. I predict they are 10-1 heading into the Brawl.

Based on what? Not trying to be contrarian its just when you do predictions on teams prior to a season there are factors you consider. Recent past history, returning experience, coaching acumen and yes, ease or strength of schedule. Only one of these is a positive for the griz. They went to the natty but they've finished closer to middle top-half of the conference more as of late. That team that wen to the Natty had a ton of returning experience. And BH has shown every season, even the one that they went to Frisco in, a lack of any ability to manage the QB situation.

We really have no idea what the talent level of this team is. Sure Colter says they look great but that's on the practice field. They could be Nashville level or they could be 5th in the conference again. So much of that team is a complete unknown entity. Anyone saying they know for sure is lying.

Did you have the griz losing at home to Weber last season? Or losing to NAU the year before? They are a team built from transfers. Teams built similarly are UIW who lost in week 0 and dang near lost to EWU Saturday. Or Sac St who got dominated by SDSU. The history of teams built this way at this level just isn't great but that's what I'm goin off of and it's starting to be enough of a sample size. Griz this year are 3rd to 5th in the conference, make the playoffs and are bubble top 8 seed team. Get drilled the moment they have to leave Wagriz and play a good team. That's a prediction that's safe because its what has happened every season since 2019 save one.

Oh I'm with you, I don't think they're even a top level FCS team but I was just basing my prediction based on their schedule and the ridiculous fact that they play EIGHT regular seasons at home. I would love to see them at 7-4 coming into Cat Griz but I just don't see it happening. What do you think their record will be coming into the Brawl?

I posted earlier that they are a 8-4 or 9-3 team so I think they will have 2 to 4 losses going into the brawl.

Another whoops! That’s 2 for you

I predicted two losses for them during the regular season. Given how the games went against UND, ISU and EWU I think it was a pretty good prediction.
Bringing in an orphanage of transfers every year to round out the roster is not going to bear fruit in the long run. No amount of beating your chest this year is going to change that.

Moving the goal posts? The consensus here was that bringing in all of these transfers and new faces was going to be in abysmal failure for Coach Hauck and the Griz this year. That it would be impossible to get them to all gel and play well together. Then Coach Hauck must be the best coach in the history of the world since he succeeded to do that so effectively, surpassing all of your expectations here and bringing his team to an 11–0 record. Gotcha!

What I will say... is that I never said it was going to be an abysmal failure. I said it was going to be a tall order, and very hard to bring in 50+ new guys and get them all on the same page and playing well together, developing culture like the Cats have, etc. So far, yes I agree that he has coached them up very well. However, you have had a cupcake schedule and have barely squeaked by several teams. We'll see what happens on Saturday.