Griz Scrimmage today

MSU Toddler · Post by **MSU Toddler** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:45 pm

new year - same stories (both sides).

leaning on the opinion of "experts" reminds me of something i heard at the conclusion of the Cat-griz game last year . . . overrated.

that should stir the pot.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:48 pm

GrizinWashington wrote:Wow. If I were only to have read this board, I'd surmise that the cats are at least 70 points better than the Griz, who apparently won't see a first down until sometime in early November.

But I'm certain that everyone on here knows more about football than all nine Big Sky Conference head coaches. Or more than ADs at I-AA institutions. Or more than Street and Smiths. More than Lindy's. More even than Otto Fad and Matt Dougherty.

Keep on believin' the Griz suck, cat fans. However, you'll have to pardon me if I go with the expert's opinons.

If you're referring to the 'Cat/griz game with the 70 points, I'd have to agree that may be excessive (the game is in zootown this year) and I do believe the griz will have a first down sometime in the first couple games.

As far as the rest of your rant goes, the only credibilty goes to the BSC coaches poll and few of those votes come from the head coach- most are from the AD or SID. The rest of your so called 'experts' generally have less knowledge of the BSC teams than most fans that visit BN, egriz, or any other site in the BSC.

The griz have earned a respect they deservedly earned thru years of successful football, but that respect is gradually diminishing as they are no longer the dominant force they were in the BSC.

Stick with the 'experts', I'll stick with the 'Cats!!

Swilly3224 · Post by **Swilly3224** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:27 am

Catmandoo wrote:yeah, I should have put this in the general forum. But I do not understand why talking about our great rival is a problem for you, AnacondaGriz. If this thread has garnered a latge number of posts, that must mean that the topic has interest to many people. Is that not what these boards are about anyway?

I perused your board, and I almost choked in my coffee this morning reading all of the flowery posts by Griz fans who attended the scrimmage. Isn't it amazing how loyalty to a team can cause people to ignore the facts. Some of your posters were saying that Swogger looked great. Are you kidding me? His throws were consistantly off target. What is it about 4-12 for 46 yards that is difficult to understand?

The Griz dynasty has been over for a couple of years now. It is just that Griz fans have not figured it out yet.

A couple of years ago.....

Two years ago, a national title appearance???

Explain how the dynasty is over when you go the NT or you have the worst team in the last 10-15 years and still get a home playoff game....

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:08 am

Swilly3224 wrote:
Catmandoo wrote:yeah, I should have put this in the general forum. But I do not understand why talking about our great rival is a problem for you, AnacondaGriz. If this thread has garnered a latge number of posts, that must mean that the topic has interest to many people. Is that not what these boards are about anyway?

I perused your board, and I almost choked in my coffee this morning reading all of the flowery posts by Griz fans who attended the scrimmage. Isn't it amazing how loyalty to a team can cause people to ignore the facts. Some of your posters were saying that Swogger looked great. Are you kidding me? His throws were consistantly off target. What is it about 4-12 for 46 yards that is difficult to understand?

The Griz dynasty has been over for a couple of years now. It is just that Griz fans have not figured it out yet.
A couple of years ago.....

Two years ago, a national title appearance???

Explain how the dynasty is over when you go the NT or you have the worst team in the last 10-15 years and still get a home playoff game....

I'm not sure if the "dynasty" is over, but it does seem like the program may be regressing - which is understandable because when you're on top there's only one place to go. This season should be very exciting because it will be telling for both our programs. Regarding the preseason polls, they are 90% based on past history, and you have deserved it. Does that mean you are anywhere near the 3rd best team in the nation RIGHT NOW? Not a chance. From what I'm hearing about your practices so far, and judging from how you ended last season, you could struggle this year until you get something going offensively. I've said it before but your success will directy depend on how well your O and D lines play... and if the coaches can use the talent effectively.

Catmandoo · Post by **Catmandoo** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:15 am

You answered your own question, Swilly. You had the worst team in 10-15 years. The NC team was Joe Glenn's players. Now, you are playing with Hauck's players. You should have lost 3 more games last year, but won them because your schedule was stacked to play all of those home games. If you did not play 8 home games every year, those squeakers would be losses.

As I stated, Griz fans are in denial that their program is not what it used to be. I guess those 7-0 games against SDSU, and home loss to a Div. II team are not enough to convince you, huh? I think you beat SDSU by 50 points the previous time you played them under Read. Yep, it is not the same in Missoula now. It will all become more clear for you after this season. Have fun again this year.

Swilly3224 · Post by **Swilly3224** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:58 am

Catmandoo wrote:You answered your own question, Swilly. You had the worst team in 10-15 years. The NC team was Joe Glenn's players. Now, you are playing with Hauck's players. You should have lost 3 more games last year, but won them because your schedule was stacked to play all of those home games. If you did not play 8 home games every year, those squeakers would be losses.

As I stated, Griz fans are in denial that their program is not what it used to be. I guess those 7-0 games against SDSU, and home loss to a Div. II team are not enough to convince you, huh? I think you beat SDSU by 50 points the previous time you played them under Read. Yep, it is not the same in Missoula now. It will all become more clear for you after this season. Have fun again this year.

Of course the program is not where it once was and anybody that tells you differently is an idiot, but for you to sit there and tell me that our dynasty is over after ONE "mediocre"(if you would call it that) year is straight idiotic on your part. Until the Cats make the playoffs and beat us and we miss the playoffs then I dont want to hear anything about how our dynasty is over.

Cat has a point, the Cats have alot to prove this year in the fact that they werent a one man team last year and its possible to win without redhead under center while the griz have to prove that their "mediocricity" was due to a young team and an offense that was straight awful.

I still got the Griz in the playoffs and winning the BSC

And I still got the Cats winning 6 games......I think the game in Missoula is gonna be alittle different story with the unexperienced QB and Cat team MSU is fielding. Its doesnt matter anywho because basketball season is right around the corner!!!

DriftCat · Post by **DriftCat** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:55 am

Swilly3224 wrote:
Catmandoo wrote:You answered your own question, Swilly. You had the worst team in 10-15 years. The NC team was Joe Glenn's players. Now, you are playing with Hauck's players. You should have lost 3 more games last year, but won them because your schedule was stacked to play all of those home games. If you did not play 8 home games every year, those squeakers would be losses.

As I stated, Griz fans are in denial that their program is not what it used to be. I guess those 7-0 games against SDSU, and home loss to a Div. II team are not enough to convince you, huh? I think you beat SDSU by 50 points the previous time you played them under Read. Yep, it is not the same in Missoula now. It will all become more clear for you after this season. Have fun again this year.
Of course the program is not where it once was and anybody that tells you differently is an idiot, but for you to sit there and tell me that our dynasty is over after ONE "mediocre"(if you would call it that) year is straight idiotic on your part. Until the Cats make the playoffs and beat us and we miss the playoffs then I dont want to hear anything about how our dynasty is over.

Cat has a point, the Cats have alot to prove this year in the fact that they werent a one man team last year and its possible to win without redhead under center while the griz have to prove that their "mediocricity" was due to a young team and an offense that was straight awful.

I still got the Griz in the playoffs and winning the BSC

And I still got the Cats winning 6 games......I think the game in Missoula is gonna be alittle different story with the unexperienced QB and Cat team MSU is fielding. Its doesnt matter anywho because basketball season is right around the corner!!!

First of all tell me why our respective teams QB situation is any different. Your QBs are no more "experienced" than ours. Just because we are replacing Lulay does not mean we will have more trouble than the griz in finding a compitent replacement. While the griz dont have to replace a QB of Lulay's caliber, you also aren't returning one so your QBs are unproven as well. Since you know so much about the team that MSU is fielding then you should know we will be just fine.

Catmandoo · Post by **Catmandoo** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:39 am

Swilly, the Griz avoided a devastating season last year, instead of only a mediocre one, simply because your schedule was loaded with home games against the best opponents. You only played three tough away games (MSU, Oregon, and ISU), and you got thrashed in two of those. ISU really was not a very good team in fact. My point is that you will not be able to hide behind the friendly confines of Washington stadium this season. You have to play several tough teams on the road, and that will bring out the mediocrity of the "new" Montana Grizzlies. Nobody in the Big Sky fears Hauck's Griz any longer. The aura has been shattered. The words "co-champs" must be getting very tiresome to you by now. This season, you will not even be able to say these words. Can you say "third place"?

DriftCat · Post by **DriftCat** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:57 am

Actually Swilly....if you know so much about the team MSU is fielding not only would you know we will be just fine, as a friz fan, you should be very scared.

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:06 pm

the Griz avoided a devastating season last year

You know, I absolutely love that cat fans feel that an 8-win, shared BSC title, playoff season for the Griz amounts to narrowly avoiding a "devastating" season. I guess that speaks volumes about the Griz program.

catamaran · Post by **catamaran** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:28 am

That was started by every Griz fan's favorite little bro....Swilly

tailbone · Post by **tailbone** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:18 am

Catmandoo wrote:.....the Griz avoided a devastating season last year...........

What's a devestating season? something less than 8 wins?.......uh-oh.

The 'Cats have not escaped the "devestation" once in the last 20 years, and have escaped the devestation only once in the history of I-AA.

He who lives in glass houses........

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:20 am

tailbone wrote:
Catmandoo wrote:.....the Griz avoided a devastating season last year...........
What's a devestating season? something less than 8 wins?.......uh-oh.

The 'Cats have not escaped the "devestation" once in the last 20 years, and have escaped the devestation only once in the history of I-AA.

He who lives in glass houses........

Are you so dense to miss the part where not getting several lucky plays/breaks last year would have spelled disaster or "devastation"? In other words, those several lucky plays in several different games simply could have meant a .500 record or thereabouts. Cat fans have simply pointed that out and if you've watched griz football over the past years, you'd acknowledge yourself that the griz teams over the years have made an art out of turning luck into an opportunity. They've done a great job of taking it and using it to their advantage.

As for "glass houses", maybe you should put away your book of quotations.

Sheesh......and some of you chumps say that MSU fans are sensitive

tailbone · Post by **tailbone** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:54 am

lifeloyalsigmsu wrote:
tailbone wrote:
Catmandoo wrote:.....the Griz avoided a devastating season last year...........
What's a devestating season? something less than 8 wins?.......uh-oh.

The 'Cats have not escaped the "devestation" once in the last 20 years, and have escaped the devestation only once in the history of I-AA.

He who lives in glass houses........

lifeloyalsigmsu wrote: Are you so dense to miss the part where not getting several lucky plays/breaks last year would have spelled disaster or "devastation"? In other words, those several lucky plays in several different games simply could have meant a .500 record or thereabouts. ...

No argument from me. All games contain an element of luck.....it's what you do with those opportunities (that serendipitously present themselves) that is the difference between success and failure. What happened to the opportunities that 'Cats had? Must've been unable to capitalize on some huh?

lifeloyalsigmsu wrote:....if you've watched griz football over the past years, you'd acknowledge yourself that the griz teams over the years have made an art out of turning luck into an opportunity. They've done a great job of taking it and using it to their advantage.

That's what a good team does.

lifeloyalsigmsu wrote:As for "glass houses", maybe you should put away your book of quotations.

I stand by this comment. I stated nothing but fact in rebuttal to comments regarding the relative underperformance of the Griz.

lifeloyalsigmsu wrote:Sheesh......and some of you chumps say that MSU fans are sensitive

Sensitive? I stated nothing but fact in rebuttal to comments regarding the relative underperformance of the Griz. Additionally, my response was non-defensive - your response however, was obviously defensive.

As I said....He who lives in glass houses........

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:12 pm

tailbone wrote:No argument from me. All games contain an element of luck.....it's what you do with those opportunities (that serendipitously present themselves) that is the difference between success and failure. What happened to the opportunities that 'Cats had? Must've been unable to capitalize on some huh?

I couldn't agree more about luck. The difference is that last year, I don't think the Cats had as many opportunities to seize compared to the griz. When they did present themselves, the Cats didn't take advantage. MSU shot themselves in the foot and when that happens, it often negates any opportunities for later and if they do come, it's often too late.

tailbone wrote:That's what a good team does.

As I said before, they've made an art out of it. It's easy for me to say this as a non-griz fan, but does it disturb griz fans in the least bit that it's been moreso the lucky breaks that have created the W's (in the last couple of years) instead of the prior years (say, 4+ years ago) when the griz had the game pretty much in the bag long before the game was over? Luck does run out too. To be fair, the BSC has also became a lot more competitive as well.

tailbone wrote:Sensitive? I stated nothing but fact in rebuttal to comments regarding the relative underperformance of the Griz. Additionally, my response was non-defensive - your response however, was obviously defensive.

As I said....He who lives in glass houses........

Uh huh, whatever pal.......

Your response was non-defensive? You keep telling yourself that. The fact that you initially responded on this thread speaks of being defensive itself. You shouldn't delude yourself into thinking anything else pal.

Now, back to your book of quotes.

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:27 pm

As I said before, they've made an art out of it. It's easy for me to say this as a non-griz fan, but does it disturb griz fans in the least bit that it's been moreso the lucky breaks that have created the W's (in the last couple of years) instead of the prior years (say, 4+ years ago) when the griz had the game pretty much in the bag long before the game was over? Luck does run out too. To be fair, the BSC has also became a lot more competitive as well.

There is no doubt the BSC is a much deeper conference now. But I'm not a big believer in luck in sports. Certainly a team can get lucky and have something fluky happen in a game that entirely changes the outcome from what would be expected. But over the course of time, that stuff necessarily equals out. If one team is "getting lucky" over the course of an extended period (a few games or more), I would attribute that to preparation. What a lot of people view as luck is often simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time (e.g. doing what you're supposed to). I cannot think of any particular "luck" that has come the Griz way over the past few years. Were they fortunate to win a few games? Sure, but so was every other team in America, including the Steelers.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:53 pm

GrizinWashington wrote:
As I said before, they've made an art out of it. It's easy for me to say this as a non-griz fan, but does it disturb griz fans in the least bit that it's been moreso the lucky breaks that have created the W's (in the last couple of years) instead of the prior years (say, 4+ years ago) when the griz had the game pretty much in the bag long before the game was over? Luck does run out too. To be fair, the BSC has also became a lot more competitive as well.

There is no doubt the BSC is a much deeper conference now. But I'm not a big believer in luck in sports. Certainly a team can get lucky and have something fluky happen in a game that entirely changes the outcome from what would be expected. But over the course of time, that stuff necessarily equals out. If one team is "getting lucky" over the course of an extended period (a few games or more), I would attribute that to preparation. What a lot of people view as luck is often simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time (e.g. doing what you're supposed to). I cannot think of any particular "luck" that has come the Griz way over the past few years. Were they fortunate to win a few games? Sure, but so was every other team in America, including the Steelers.

No luck in sports? Only preparation? So when UND beat the Griz a few years ago was it preparation that the ref didn't throw the flag for delay of game on the last field goal?

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:11 pm

No luck in sports? Only preparation? So when UND beat the Griz a few years ago was it preparation that the ref didn't throw the flag for delay of game on the last field goal?

Nope. That was a mistake.

But clearly you didn't read (or comprehend) my post. I stated that luck can impact a particular game. But luck has no bearing on a season, and certainly not over many seasons as some posters on here have alleged.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:14 pm

GrizinWashington wrote:
No luck in sports? Only preparation? So when UND beat the Griz a few years ago was it preparation that the ref didn't throw the flag for delay of game on the last field goal?
Nope. That was a mistake.

But clearly you didn't read (or comprehend) my post. I stated that luck can impact a particular game. But luck has no bearing on a season, and certainly not over many seasons as some posters on here have alleged.

Okay, I somewhat agree with that, although look at the lucky catch that the AZ receiver made on the last drive of the season to bump someone from the NFL playoffs---luck impacted that season. Sorry I don't remember all the details and/or teams involved. Nevertheless, I agree.

BR GRIZ · Post by **BR GRIZ** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:10 pm

The Cats were four plays (against NDSU, ISU, NAU & Weber) from being 3-8 rather than 7-4 last year. Lulay made a career out of winning fourth quarter drives. While some luck may have been involved, I attribute those wins to good players and a good team being involved. To those Cat fans who attribute close Griz wins to "lucky plays/breaks," I believe the "glass house" analogy is entirely appropriate.